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Harvest Trails 2007 (PDF)

SCFB’s 94th Annual Meeting gathers friends, families and farmers
by Kristin Chiara-Platts, Farm News Reporter
    It was another great turnout at SCFB’s 94th Annual Meeting of Members April 17. Nearly 200 people gathered at the SOS club to celebrate and recognize some of the many events that took place over the last year.

   The program started with recognition of officer and board member attendance awards which included perfect attendance for 2nd Vice President, Janine Goubert, Tim Sanders, Southern, and Secretary, Ron Peterson. Almost perfect attendance awards went to Lane Menezes, Southern, David Abshire, Eastern, George Miller, Eastern, and Pete Dykzel, North East.

  Guest speaker Richard Matteis, CFBF Administrator, updated members on many of the issues facing California farmers currently, including diesel truck regulations, invasive species management and proposition 98, the eminent domain proposal. “I know you’re all very familiar with the new diesel truck rules, I can’t tell you how it’s going to come out but I do think that we’re starting to make some headway with the agency,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a new proposal that will be something we can live with.”

   Another big issue CFBF is dealing with is the animal welfare issue and reaching out to the public in regards to it, according to Matteis. “Last week we devoted a great deal of our time to the animal welfare issue. Some of this is an outgrowth of the animal care initiative that’s on the ballot in November, which will deal with confinement issues for swine, veal calves and cage layers,” he said. “It’s our effort to try to build a team of folks who can reach out to the public and tell our story and make them understand that we as animal producers follow good science, we care about our animals and we’re interested in food safety and there isn’t a situation in which they need to be concerned about the care of those animals that are under our care.”

  During the president’s address, Kevin Chiesa discussed the many things SCFB has done in the last year to help farmers and ranchers cope with Ag related issues “Two years ago I stood here and said that this would be the beginning of a new era  for Stanislaus County farm Bureau,” said Chiesa. “We started two years ago with a strategic planning session held right here. The top three priorities were Land-use, natural resources and Membership. SCFB was successful in all three.”

  Chiesa also discussed a variety of recent concerns in the Ag industry including Proposition 98, water and air quality, education and what SCFB members get for their money.

  “Farm Bureau embarked on a monumental task in co-sponsoring Proposition 98,” he said of the ballot measure that SCFB members and volunteers helped along, by collecting hundreds of signatures in its support. “In the past 15 months we have played a major role in the drafting and qualification phases of this effort. Farm Bureau embarked on a monumental task in co-sponsoring Proposition 98. In the past 15 months we have played a major role in the drafting and qualification phases of this effort.”

   He also mentioned the successes SCFB has seen in Ag education through programs like Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, the Ag in the Classroom program and school tours at the county fair, as well as their close relationship with Modesto Junior College and CSU Stanislaus.

“Modesto Junior College is a jewel of the valley with a nationally recognized agricultural and environmental sciences program that attracts students from throughout the country. Stanislaus County Farm Bureau is proud to support efforts to promote the MJC Ag Sciences program to the highest level of priority,” he said. “And at CSU Stanislaus, it is a testimony to the strong agricultural flavor of our area that the college has been able to establish what looks to be a solid program under the guidance of Dr. Mark Bender, the Dean of Agricultural Studies. This program is yet another step toward seeing the future leaders of our industries gain the knowledge needed for success in their fields.”

   As in previous years, a special presentation was made for SCFB’s Star Reporter contest, an award given to a 4-Her who has contributed the most articles covering events in their 4-H club throughout the year. Two recipients were chosen this year; Taylor Menezes of Shiloh 4-H and Brad Borges of Hughson 4-H.

  In addition to the Star Reporter award presentation was a special presentation recognizing six local California Ag in the Classroom “Imagine This” story writing contest winners. The state winners this year were Chance Holley, Chatom Elementary and Mackenzie Morton, who both had their stories turned into books. The four regional winners from Stanislaus County were Hayden Genzoli, Amy Chiesa, Rebekah Muller and Blake Dunford, all students at Gratton School. Each received a certificate and a $100 savings bond from SCFB.
 
   Before stepping down as President, as his term was up, Chiesa left SCFB members with a few closing comments on his time as president. “You can rest assured that you have an extremely dedicated and enthusiastic group of officers and board members in the future,” said Chiesa. “I’m looking forward to new challenges that lay ahead of me, and I would like to say a thank you to Wayne Zipser for what seems like an endless amount of effort and knowledge that he brings to this organization.”

   At the end of the meeting, the gavel was passed to SCFB’s newest President, Dr. Mich A. Etchebarne Ph.D. “The success and failure of any organization is totally based on its leadership, and I totally realize the challenge that lies ahead,” said Etchebarne. “Kevin has created tremendous momentum and direction for Farm Bureau, and I only hope that I can continue in this direction and come close to achieving the stuff he has. I want to thank you for allowing me this chance.”