Clinton County Farm Bureau members are bringing Community Action Groups – CAGs – back to life!
CAGs in Clinton County have declined in number since the 1960s but have never decreased in importance! They play a vital role in Farm Bureau’s grass-roots process by serving as the starting line for agricultural issue identification and farming discussion. To emphasize the importance of our communities’ voice, Clinton is encouraging the creation of new Community Action Groups and the reignition of those that have been dormant.
Since January 2022, Clinton County has gained two new Community Action Groups: Been There, Done That is led by Stephanie and Leroy Schafer, and a Young Farmer CAG calling themselves The Young and the Restless is underway, led by Allison Schafer, Cameron Cook and Andrew Braun. And before planting season kicks off in earnest, we hope to add yet another new CAG to our county’s roster!
Our new groups join two others already on the books: Dwight Nash chairs the Maple River Rowdies, which gave rise to a group composed of members of their own younger generation, the Rowdy Sprouts, led by Benjamin Moore and Leyna Miller. Clinton County is fortunate to have these strong and steadfast CAGs, always willing to volunteer, help fill out a committee or participate in a little friendly competition!
If the recharge of our Community Group program wasn’t exciting enough, we have also added another element to their activities. This spring Clinton County Farm Bureau is launching the inaugural race for the CAG Cup – a dynamic and growing competition in which Community Action groups compete for points throughout the year, with the CAG Cup being awarded at the county annual meeting to the group with the most points!
Make sure to check back for more exciting updates on Clinton County’s CAG program and to see who takes home the 2022 CAG Cup.
Curious about how to start new groups in your county, or maybe start a CAG Cup of your own? Contact Becca Gulliver at [email protected].
Hanna Dutcher is administrative manager for the Clinton County Farm Bureau.