Copper Country Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

President Sally Narhi chaired the annual meeting of Copper Country Farm Bureau, held at the Keweenaw Bay Fire Hall on October 13th.  Special guests were Michigan Farm Bureau President Wayne Wood, Assistant Treasurer of Michigan Farm Bureau's Family of Companies Doug Kammann, District Representative Dave Bahrman, and Regional Insurance Agent Joe Blanchard, to bring the total attendance to 50 people at the meeting.

Dr. Bill Watson, of Bruce Crossing, was honored for the time he has been a large animal veterinarian in the area, as he is leaving to pursue another career. Dr. Watson is a past president of Copper Country Farm Bureau and served on a National Advisory Committee dealing with Bovine Tuberculosis.

The Chassell Lion's Club was honored as a "Friend of Agriculture" for conducting the Strawberry Festival in Chassell for 59 years.  John Van Westenburg received the plaque on behalf of the Lion's Club and pointed out that the Strawberry Festival, held each July, is the major fundraiser for the Club and depends on strawberry growers to be able to continue having it.  There are a reduced number of growers and it is of concern to the Lion's Club.

Courtney Clisch, from Alston, provided the entertainment for the evening, singing four songs in three different languages and was very well received.

Michigan Farm Bureau President Wayne Wood explained what he could about the

budget process in Michigan, which is largely unsettled.  He stressed the importance of contacting legislators regarding our concerns. He would like to see statesmanship emerge to replace the partisan politics that are so detrimental to the citizens of the state.

The organization's financial report reflected ending the year in the black with praise going to the board for making necessary budget cuts.

Stanley Johns coordinated and conducted the resolution portion of the Annual Meeting.  Resolutions passed at the county level included: Capital assets held for long periods of time should be taxed on true gains indexed for inflation; Requests the State of Michigan pay for crop damage and loss from protected wildlife; Agricultural water use in the Great Lakes Basin not be considered diversion or subject to regulation, and supports Great Lake States and Canadian Provinces be in control to protect and preserve the Great Lakes; Bovine Tuberculosis testing required by the state be paid for by the MDA until interstate cattle markets return to previous levels; Supports Michigan State University extension services in all counties in Michigan; Encourages that the Michigan Market Livestock Reporter be reinstated and funded by the MDA and USDA; Requests annual monitoring of weights and measures in the Upper Peninsula; Requests that laws governing the improper use of slow moving vehicle signs be enforced, as it lessens the impact of the signs used legally, which is on slow moving vehicles including farm tractors and implements(stationary signs within the road right of way are illegal); Supports efforts to develop viable cellulosic ethanol production facilities in Michigan; and suggests the deportation of nuisance wolves to the lower peninsula since the upper peninsula is entirely colonized. The resolutions will be sent on to the Michigan Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

Regional Representative Craig Knudsen was commended for bringing information from Michigan Farm Bureau to our county meetings, being supportive and keeping the board on task, and always entering the meetings with a smile.

After the annual meeting, the Board of Directors met and elected Sally Ann Narhi to be President, John Talsma, Vice President, and Elaine Jahfetson, Third Member. Judy Szyszkoski is the Promotion and Education Chair and Karen Palosaari is the Young Farmer Chair. Trustees are Gary Palosaari, Carol Saari, Stanley Johns, Evelyn Palosaari and Jim Countryman. Board of Directors' meetings are generally the fourth Tuesday of the month in Keweenaw Bay or Bruce Crossing. Members are always encouraged to attend a meeting or bring concerns to the attention of the board members.