First off let me begin by extending a huge thank you to AMERICAN GRAPE HARVESTERS (AGH) and MIDLAND TRACTOR for helping put on our Tree and Vine Safety training last month. Mike Fitzgerald (AGH), Mark Rollins (Midland), and Darren Harper (Flory), did a fantastic job explaining how harvest equipment operated, what to be aware of and how to be safe during harvest. Emma Perez, with 3 Star Consulting, also did a great overview of good agricultural practices, night work, electrical lines, slips, trips, lifting, back, tractor, hitching/towing implement/PTO safety, lockout/tagout and heat illness. All in all, it was a great training, and I hope that more people will attend in the future. In the meantime, please make sure to be safe, and aware of the heat as temperatures rise.
So what else is going on you may ask…well as all of you are aware harvest is around the corner, and although that means busy season for farmers, we here at the Farm Bureau get a little bit of a break, if you can call it that. We are starting to prepare for our end of the year…Budgets, elections, annual meeting, etc, while still keeping a close eye on SGMA, and how that is going to affect our members, as well as bills that will wreak havoc on agriculture, such as the overtime bill. I won’t say too much about the water situation because that seems to be all I talk about these days, but please make sure to contact us with any questions regarding the new legislation. MCFB is working with the County and local water districts to keep everyone informed, and active in the process. Public outreach meetings are in the works as we speak.
Our Annual Meeting is fast approaching…We will have our first Ag Harvest Celebration and Annual Meeting in October at the Chowchilla fairgrounds, but of course we cannot make it happen without your help! We will be hosting a family friendly event, including a bounce house for the kids, a keynote speaker, and of course a prime rib dinner. We will also be acknowledging our scholarship winners, as well as local celebrities such as the Farmer of the Year. More details will be coming out in the next week or two. In the meantime, if you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact MCFB.
One last thing…you’ll see my membership article, but I’ll mention it here as well. We currently have a membership drive underway. New agricultural members will be entered into a drawing for a Yeti cooler, AND members who refer those new comers will also be entered into a drawing for a Yeti Tumbler and a gift card. So please reach out to you friends and family members who do not belong to Farm Bureau and get them to sign up! The drawing will be held at our Ag Harvest Celebration and Annual Meeting. Until next time, stay cool and be safe!
