After more than half a year of planning, the six county Farm Bureaus of District 7 saw their third annual Young Farmer Golf Outing exceed their expectations Aug. 13 at Birch Valley Golf Course in Sears.
Young Farmer leaders from the Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola County Farm Bureaus agreed the event brought together the perfect mix of fun and purpose.
“It was a fun day that allowed everyone to network, build their public-speaking skills, and raise money for our six communities,” said Lane Grieser, Montcalm County’s Young Farmer chair and District 7 representative on MFB’s State Young Farmer Committee.
Advancing to represent District 7 at this year’s state-level Young Farmer Discussion Meet will be Mecosta County’s Beth Wernette, Lane Stotler of the Oceana County Farm Bureau, and Osceola County’s Andrew Booher.
“Farm Bureau is a great place to grow your network of like-minded peers,” Grieser said. “Our District 7 golf outing is an opportunity Farm Bureau gives us to network and have a great time talking about farm-themed topics — all while raising money for a great cause and helping end hunger in our area.”
In addition to the approximately $2,500 the event generated, organizers are hoping for a matching grant from Farm Bureau Insurance’s Agent Charitable Fund. Either way the funds will go toward several local organizations assisting those in need across the region: Bread of Life in Hart; Sears Food Pantry; Montcalm Community College Food Source; God's Kitchen of West Michigan; True North Community Services in Fremont; and Our Brother's Keeper Shelter in Big Rapids.