KC Future Agriculture Partnership Holds Annual Meeting
KC Future Agriculture Partnership Holds Annual Meeting
By Beth Hunolt
The Knox County Future Agriculture Partnership met on Tuesday, March 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the Knox County High School Cafeteria for their annual meeting. The Knox County Future Agriculture Partnership is made up of three area organization; Knox County University of Missouri Extension Office, the Knox County soil and Water Conservation District and The Knox County Farm Bureau.
Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors Member Dan Devlin welcome over fifty individuals to the 2010 event and introduced Knox County University of Missouri Extension Council Vice Chairman Nancy Douglas who then led the attendants in an invocation.
A scrumptious meal was provided for guests of the event with donations from the Bethel Fast Hall and Verna Martin.
After the meal, Farm Bureau Representative and Vice Chairman for the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors Leon James called the meeting to order. He welcomed everyone who came and kicked the meeting off at 6:50 p.m.
Mike Carpenter, Chairman for the Board of Supervisors for the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District took this opportunity to recognize the staff members for their hard work and introduced them to the crowd. District Personnel are; District Technician Clay See, District Clerk Karen Goodwin and Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator Barbara Bellows, Natural Resources Conservation Services; District Conservationist Andrea King, Resource Conservationist Andy Hodge and Soil Conservationist Technician Don Kutcher, Missouri Department of Conservation Private Land Conservationist John Pinkowski, Troublesome Creek Watershed; Water Technician Jack Reardon, Watershed Trustee Mark Greenley, Watershed Trustee Vance Parrish. Carpenter then introduced Andrea King who gave the Natural Resources Conservation and Development Report. King reported that a new addition to the Soil and Water Conservation District this year is Andy Hodge, Hodge is the Resource Conservation Agent. King stated that the District saved 900 tons of soil from erosion and reported the number of applicants approved for various applications in Knox County. King then introduced Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator Barbara Bellows. Bellows stated that she would serve the nine counties located in the northeast portion of the state. Bellows stated that she has taken over the position of the previous coordinator Ken Berry; she added that the proposed recreational center, set in motion by Mr. Berry, is continuing forward and is to be located in Edina. “ I hope to work with various groups to arrange a variety of ideas for the community,” said Bellows, “My door is always open.”
The University of Missouri Extension discussed happens in their organization. Knox County University of Missouri Extension Council Chairman Beth Strange introduced the hardworking members of their staff; 4-H Youth Specialist Karen Lyod-Minear, Agri-Business Specialist Karisha Devlin, Office Administration Gale Hustead and Regional Livestock Specialist Zac Erwin. Strange then introduced Agri-Business Specialist Karisha Devlin to the attendants. Delvin welcomed the Extension Council Members and recognized their support for the organization. She stated that there are now seven new Board Members added to the council and announced the community leaders that were awarded for their efforts. Beth Strange was presented the Leaders honor Roll Award; her name will be added to a plaque that hangs in Whitman Hall at the University of Columbia. Patty Townsend and Eddie Bryant tied this year for the award of Most Meetings attended by a council member.
4-H Youth Specialist Karen Lyod-Minear announced the winner of the State Excellence Award. “Progress toward personal goals enables youth to gain experience in goal setting and realistic self-assessment as they plan their projects, set their goals and reflect on their experiences through the 4-H program,” explained Lyod Minear.
“In 2008 the Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development established the first ever State Recognition awards for youth ages 8-13,” Continued Lyod-Minear, “Recognition was
divided in two age categories: 8-10 year olds and 11-13 year olds.”
Bradley Hamlin was bestowed the honor of his age divisions State 4-H Excellence Award. Bradley is the son of Tony and Tracey Hamlin and is involved with Knox County 4-H Liberty Leaders. His projects include: Horsemanship, Swine, Woodworking, Conservation Frontiers and Shooting Sports.
Rhett Hunziker, President of the 2010 Farm Bureau Officers moved the agenda forward by introducing the Knox County School Board’s new members. He then called upon the candidates for the two positions on the Knox County School Board. Mark Hunolt, Sheree Prebe and incumbent Shelly Bugh were each give time to introduce themselves and their families, tell why they are running for a position on the School Board and the platforms that they are running on.
Due to scheduling conflicts Representative Blaine Luethemeyer was unable to address the audience on his scheduled legislative update. Hunziker passed along some legislative notes Luethemeyer was to elaborate on. Hunziker stated that the biggest area of concern in Jefferson City is the state’s budget. He also stated that one major issues of Farm Bureau is the Puppy Mill legislation and that Farm Bureau is making efforts to be out in front, gathering information for the area voters.
Each individual attending the event were asked to register for the evening’s door prizes donated by the Knox county Farm Bureau Agency. Office Administrator Tammy Mallett, added by some of the evening’s youngsters, called and passed out the numerous winners of the door prizes. After the disbursement of various prizes, 2010 Farm Bureau Board President Rhett Hunziker adjourned the meeting of the Knox County Future Agriculture Partnership at 7:20 p.m.
