TIPPECANOE COUNTY FARM BUREAU BOARD MEETING

 June 26, 2006

The 7:30 p.m. meeting opened with all standing for the Pledge to The American Flag and The Lord's Prayer.

County President, Kevin Underwood, asked for additional agenda items. George Lumley made a motion the minutes from the May 23 meeting be passed as sent and the check register be approved, Larry Underwood seconded and the motion passed.

           Dale Workman, 1st Vice President, read a thank you note for our donation to the Indiana Ag. Law Foundation.

INSURANCE - Gary Brownlee, manager, reported the east side office is moving the week-end of July 14m and will be open for business on Monday, July 17^th. The move is from 5 Executive Drive to 2 Executive Drive, across the drive to a bigger office. The new home owner and auto insurance discount program are still on schedule.

EXTENSION - Byron Metzger passed out samples of the County Fair programs, ready for the printers. Judging for some of the projects has already started. There will be free shuttle bus service from the Jefferson High School parking lot to the fair grounds each evening from 5:45 p.m. to 10: 15 p.m. The Commercial Exhibits tents will have an extra 30 feet of space this year, enough for 12 more booth spaces. The 2007 Fair dates are July 21st to July 28th.

Byron thanked Farm Bureau for their support of the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Trip each year. With other help they were able to send two on the trip this year, Megan Sietsma and Samantha Yoder.

There are over 1900 4-H members, the Extension Board is supporting a request to the County Council to fund a second 4-H Youth Department educator for this county. 

OLD BUSINESS - A change of meeting dates was brought up at our May board meeting. At this time Alan Kemper made a motion we have our meeting on the 4th Monday of the month rather than the 4th Tuesday. George 2nd and the motion passed.

WOMEN - Nancy Verhey, Assistant Woman Leader, passed out Flower Show rules al'1d asked for help with the County Fair Flower Show on July 26th and 27th. She had volunteers who will help on Wednesday morning.

YOUNG FARMERS - Josh Cox said they had over 35 members out for the District 3 picnic on the 25th. There seems to be interest in having Commodity Information meetings maybe 4 times a year. It is hoped Jason Buck and ADM will be of help in the planning.

ENVIRONMENT - George asked all to check sprayers well to be sure everything is working properly and be extra careful with all chemicals.

LOCAL AFFAIRS - Kevin wanted all to be aware of the County Budget hearings coming up shortly.

STATE LEGISLATIVE - Larry Underwood reported Sheila Klinker, State Representative, will have Jack Rhoda as an opponent in the fall election. Trustees for ELECT will be meeting soon.

PUBLIC RELATIONS - Roger Verhey, 2nd Vice President and chair of the committee, said things are going well toward getting things ready for the County Fair. Set up for the booth will begin on Saturday July 22 at 8 a.m. at the office, to get the supplies before going to the fair grounds. Those who volunteered are Roger, Kevin, Kenneth Miller, Ben DeFreese and Josh. Those who plan to help get things back to the office after the Fair, at 8 a.m. on Friday the 28th, are George, Kevin, Roger and Ben.  Many volunteers are needed to help pop the popcorn and run the booth during the Fair.

Insurance agents have signed up to help at different times.

INFORMATION - Ellen DeFreese had newsletters for those present and others going out in the next day mail.

LITTLE FARMERS - Betsy Underwood has Mary Ann Workman, Ellen DeFreese and Jr. Leaders helping with the parade on Tuesday evening July 25th. There will be 5 categories again this year and all ages are together. Ellen will help Betsy with publicity for the parade and the collections or hobby event along with the Flower Show on Wednesday morning.

DISTRICT REPORT - Janice Deno told of the District III meeting in Jasper county on the 29th. The fall Seminar will be on September 8th in Delphi. A Farming the Classroom training session will follow. Those interested please contact District Woman Leader, Janet Kemper, at 765-523 ­2024. Board members are needed to work at the State Fair in the Farm Bureau building on August 19th. Contact Janice if you can help. The District III fall meeting is November 2151 in White county.

Alan made a motion that "if mileage is paid by our county it be the IRS rate allowed, 44 cents at this time." Lloyd Leamon seconded the motion and it carried.

The next board meeting is planned for Monday August 28th at 6:30 p.m.

Refreshments were served by Ellen and Ben DeFreese, Jackson township