Hillsdale County Farm Bureau and Hillsdale Conservation District held their third collaborative annual meeting on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at The Dawn Theater in Hillsdale.
The meeting was called to order at 4:30pm by first year County President Amber Kohler. The meeting began with five proposed policy resolutions presented by Policy Development committee chair Denese Belson, which were approved for forwarding to the state policy development committee for consideration at the MFB Annual Meeting in November. One additional resolution was presented from the floor by board member Ron Oates. The development of policy by our farm bureau members gives our organization direction for the year. Denese thanked her fellow committee members for their efforts in developing policy at the local, state, and national levels: Mark Kline, Sam Fether, and Andy Welden.
The meeting recessed for dinner and invocation was provided by Jay Williams.
The meal was catered by Jerome Country Market which included smoked pork chops, chicken, and a variety of side dishes. The dessert was an explosion of tasty treats – Handmade cake pops in cherry chip, vanilla, and chocolate flavors made by Kim Marquart and handmade pies baked fresh and donated by Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm. The Hillsdale County Dairy Promoters donated creamy vanilla ice cream to pair with the homemade pies.
The Conservation District opened the business meeting with their portion of the program at 6:00pm beginning with a short video from Michigan Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Insurance. Head Chair Joe Draper introduce non-farm bureau guests and guest speaker Laura Campbell, MFB Senior Conservation and Regulatory Relations Specialist from Michigan Farm Bureau.
Head Chair Draper introduced and thanked the many sponsors who supported the program. The sponsors are: MSU Extension, Lane View Farm, Kohler Strawberry Farm, Neely Agency - Farm Bureau Insurance, Belson Farms, Hillsdale Market House, Powers Clothing, Jonesville Lumber, Wells Equipment Sales, Finegan Farms, Kline Farms, The Anderson's LLC, and Meckley's Flavor Fruit Farm. He then turned the meeting over to County Farm Bureau President Kohler called their portion of the meeting at 6:50pm and declared quorum. She welcomed everyone to the second collaborative Hillsdale County Farm Bureau and Hillsdale Conservation District Annual Meeting.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler introduced the current board of directors and thanked them for their service. She welcomed new county farm bureau members who joined September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 and asked them to stand to be recognized for joining their first annual meeting.
Vice President Kayla Lewis introduced the farm bureau guests.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler proceeded to the business meeting to review and approve the prior minutes, financials, and the agenda.
Both County Farm Bureau President Kohler proceeded with elections and later announced the results.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler presented the proposed bylaw change which was approved. Among the changes were redistricting which changed current District 5&6 to At-Large Directors leaving 4 board seats as District and 8 board seats at At-Large.
The following members will serve a two-year term for 2024-2026 on behalf of the county farm bureau:
District 2: Sam Fether
District 4: Joe Ladd
At-Large: Dan Wonders
At-Large: Ethan Bognar
At-Large: Bruce Lewis
At-Large Amber Kohler
In addition to electing directors and setting its own policy agenda for the coming year, the annual meeting was also a chance to recognize several outstanding programs and individuals for their service to local agriculture.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler introduced MFB Director Jennifer Lewis who highlighted the farm bill, farm science lab, election year success rate of 96%, connecting communities grant, core programs, workforce reform and recognized President Kohler for her work this past year along with the District 2 Champions of Excellence Award for the Agriculture Career Day program in 2023.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler introduced Farm Bureau Insurance Managing Partner MasonNovess. He announced this year’s Key Club recipients: Mike Neely & Brent Leininger. These agents wrote 5 or more regular members over the past year.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler introduced MFB Senior Regional Manager Kim Kerr who shared his thanks for the work that the county has put forth in executing and taking action on issues impacting agriculture.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler introduced County Promotion & Education Chair Joe Draper who highlighted several Project R.E.D. (rural education day), Ag Week on WCSR, Connecting Communities-consumer focused program, Ag Career Day, along with thanking the many volunteers that drive the success of the programs. He also gave the Membership Report highlighting the members that wrote new members, the membership drive/ice cream social, slow down/share the road yard signs, and the newest program that supports children of regular members showing large animals at the fair in a couple of weeks.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler introduced Director Ethan Bognar to give the Young Farmer Committee report. He highlighted the Discussion Meet, Young Farmer Leaders Conference, breakfast for 4-H kids at the county fair 2024, and state young farmer award opportunities.
Director Ethan Bognar announced the 2024 Young Farmer award recipients:
Young Farmer Excellence in Ag Award – Connor McArthur
Young Farmer Achievement Award – Kody Sanders
Young Farmer Employee Award – Hunter Bognar
Young Agriculture Leaders – Ridge & Lindsay Bollheimer
Each recipient was presented with a gift certificate donated by Powers Clothing, a paid county farm bureau membership and first selection to attend the Growing Together Conference scheduled for February 28 - March 2, 2025 in Muskegon.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler introduced Director Chuck Sigler to present this year’s scholarship recipients: Sydney Fowler and Karle Welden. They congratulated the recipients and thanked the following organizations that sponsored the scholarship. In addition to the $500 award, both recipients received their first year of membership paid by the county.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler recognized the county annual meeting planning committee for putting on the event.
County Farm Bureau President Kohler recognized the retiring Board of Directors for their service: At-Large Director, Ron Oates.
Director Dan Wonders presented this year’s door prizes throughout the evening Sponsored items include a bushel of apples & clothing swag were donated by Kohler Farms; a Fire Extinguisher was donated by Farm Bureau Insurance, and a Hammer drill impact kit was donated in part by Jonesville Lumber.
Visit our website at michfb.com/hillsdale or Facebook page to learn more about the membership committee and upcoming events.
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