Chuck's Chat-Welcome to December 2022!

The annual Kansas Farm Bureau meeting will be held the 3rd through the 5th. Highlights for this year's annual meeting include lots of great workshops (ag economy, water, farm family transition, labor and Chef Alli); keynote features Dr. Chris Kuehl who will provide an entertaining and informative talk on the current state of agriculture, manufacturing, supply chains and more. A new president will be elected as Montgomery County’s own Rich Felts is stepping down from his eight-year tenure. Congratulations Rich, and welcome home!

Montgomery County Farm Bureau and the Anna Lawless Farm Bureau Financial Services agency are conducting a food drive to benefit families through our local food banks. Please consider helping by donating nonperishable food items at 217 W Myrtle in Independence by December 19. All donations will be matched, doubling our offering to those in need. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Now is the time to complete your 2022 Census of Agriculture survey. Taken once every five years, the Census of Agriculture is the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial source of agriculture data for every state, county and territory. Through the Census of Agriculture, producers can show the nation the value and importance of agriculture and can influence decisions that will shape the future of U.S. agriculture. Farmers and ranchers can use the data to make informed decisions about the future of their own operations. Companies and cooperatives use the data to determine where to locate facilities that will serve agricultural producers. Community planners use the information to target needed services to rural residents. Also, legislators use census data when shaping farm policies and programs. Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. The same law requires all information be kept confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation.

We’ve received some sporadic precipitation here along the Northern Sycamore Urban Boundary, but if we don’t get enough to create some runoff, I’m afraid we’ll transcend from muddy pond conditions to completely frozen pond conditions. Keep praying for rain.

By the way, how ‘bout them ‘Cats!

Until next month,

Chuck Voelker