Chuck's Chat-Welcome to January 2023!

Happy New Year!

I’m sorry for being tardy with the first entry of the new year. My wife and I recently attended the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans and spent a couple of extra days either sightseeing or venturing home. While the game’s end result was not so spectacular for the thirty thousand plus purple clad Wildcat fans in attendance, the venue, the pageantry, and the related festivities were something to behold. As for New Orleans itself, I’d like to go back and see some things with more available time. That being said, there are a few things I don’t really need to see again.

One site I highly recommend visiting if you’re ever in that area is the Oak Alley Plantation. It is a former sugar cane plantation situated along the banks of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The “Big House” construction began in 1836, and some of the stately Virginia Live Oak trees are believed to be even 100 years older. Meticulous care and considerable funds have been spent to maintain the house, gardens, and numerous outbuildings of the property.

At the recent Kansas Farm Bureau meeting, Joe Newland of neighboring Wilson County was elected as the next President. Joe has been a friend of Montgomery County Farm Bureau for many years, and we look forward to working with and assisting him as needed. In addition, Levi Clubine was announced as one of six participants in the next Casten Fellows program. They will commit to more than 100 hours of individual and group work for the program, in addition to an international study experience in Uganda and Tanzania. Also, Levi was appointed to the Kansas Farm Bureau Beef Advisory Committee, representing the ten counties of District 3 in southeast Kansas. Furthermore, I will be representing the district on the Resolutions Committee.

The recent Montgomery County Farm Bureau and the Anna Lawless Farm Bureau Financial Services agency food drive was a huge success. Eight hundred dollars’ worth of goods were donated to the Independence Food Bank. They were very grateful, and we thank all of you who contributed. And a very special thank you goes to Anna and her crew for their matching donation.

As a reminder, you have until February 6 to complete your 2022 Census of Agriculture survey. Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113.

Until next month,

Chuck Voelker