ARFB December 2016 Meeting of the Board of Directors

The December meeting of the Board of Directors for Arrowhead Regional Farm Bureau will be held at the U of M NCROC in Grand Rapids on December 6, 2016 at 6 PM.

All ARFB members are invited to attend.

Contact Eric Mousel at 398.1916 for more information.

Meeting Minutes from NOV ARFB Board of Directors

Arrowhead Farm Bureau Board Meeting

Minutes November 1, 2016 Grand Rapids

Roll call: Eric, Lonney, Ed, Roy, Bill, Scott, Neil, Shawn, Joe, and James. Absent: Wes

Also present: Guests from 4 H Itasca County Science of Agriculture Team coached by Robbie Radiach

Meeting called to order.

Pledge of Allegiance

Agenda presented. Discussion of Educator of the year added under new business. Moved by Roy, second by Lonney. MC

Minutes distributed via Email. Bill moved, second by Lonney. MC

Presentation by Itasca County 4-H Science of Agriculture team regarding a request for funding. They need $600 for an entrance fee. April 15, June 20 and 21 are key dates. No action taken.

Eric reported Tim has signed up 5 new members.

The audit committee met and conducted an audit. Everything is in order. All checks accounted for.

Treas. Report. $11,930.80 in checking. $22,966.16 in Edward Jones account

ARFB promotion committee. Member retention is a problem. James can access email addresses through the system.

James presented extensive membership statistics from local and state levels.

Eric reported the annual meeting was well attended. Tim made the Builders Club. The new format outlined in the strategic plan will be enacted starting in January. There will be less board meetings and more membership involvement.

New Business:

Safe deposit box is empty. Lonney moved, second by Shawn to discontinue the safe deposit box at Grand Rapids State Bank. MC

Eric suggested we look into switching banks. GR State Bank Online Banking Services are an issue. Wes, Lonney, Eric and Roy are listed on the account.

Troy Salzer has been awarded the Extension Educator of the Year Award. The award will be announced at the November State FB meeting. Arrowhead nominated him. Ed moved, second by Lonney to allocate $300 to help with his family’s expenses to attend the State and National meetings. Eric will check with other area FB chapters to see if they will contribute. MC

Committee Chairs appointed. Membership/Education, Shawn; Policy Committee, Open

Young Farmer and Rancher, Scott; Ag Advocacy, Ed; Membership, Lonney; Arrowhead Promotion, Eric

Friends of 4H Banquet will be at the Sawmill November 15 at 6 pm. Eric will check with Wes to see if he can represent the Chapter. Morgan Porter may attend.

The next round for FB Ag. Promotion Grant applications are due on December 2. Up to $800 is awarded.

Eric mentioned the Ag Literature book program that donates books to K-6 teachers and their classes.

Adopt a Legislator program discussed. Eric will compose letters for the 2017 session.

2017 Leadership Conference discussed. Possible attendees are Scott, Shawn, Joe, Neil and Ed. Decision needs to be made at the December 6^th meeting.

2017 Meeting schedule announced. January: Leadership, possibly State FB speaker.

February 6: Legislative update. March 7: Board meeting and legislative update. April 4: Day on the Hill reports. May 2: Legislative update, Ag promotion consider having the meeting at Cowhorn Crossing. June 6: Board meeting. July 4 (move to 11^th.) TBA: August 1: TBA.  September 5: TBA. October 3: Annual meeting. November 7: Food Education. December 5: Board Meeting.

Other events: Forage Field Day Feb. 2, McGregor. Cow Calf Day Feb. 10, Grand Rapids.  Day on the Hill March 28.  

Breakfast on the Farm discussed. Maybe work with Fideldy Timber Sweet Maple Sugar business in Cohasset.

Discussion of other FB Chapter activities tabled until budget is determined.

Request for proposals form discussed. There will be two categories: Education Support and Travel.

Bill moved, second by Roy to have FB shirts made for Neil, Joe, Scott and Shawn. MC

December meeting will focus on the budget. December 6 at NOROC, Grand Rapids.

Shawn reported on recent FFA National competition. Forestry ranked 15^th. Horse, Environment and Market teams came in 14^th in spite of many challenges.

Move to Adjourn by Lonney. Second by Roy. MC