Highlights
from the Travis County Farm Bureau
Board of Directors Meeting
June 20, 2002
Candidate
Todd Baxter: Todd Baxter,
candidate for Texas Representative, visited with members of the Board
about upcoming issues the state legislature will be handling.
Teacher
Workshop: Seth Terry reported that there are 20 teachers enrolled
for the teacher workshop he is organizing in Thrall, June 25, 2002. They
will have the benefit of seeing a demonstration of ginning cotton, a rainfall
simulator, a biotechnology display, an incubator explaining from egg to
chick. They will also tour the Stiles Foundation farm and visit the various
plots using different farming methodologies.
Trade Promotion Authority: Each of the directors was encouraged to contact our U.S. Congressman in the House of Representatives and ask them to vote for the Trade Promotion Authority.
Every County Gain: The Texas Farm Bureau Board is encouraging increased Farm Bureau membership in every county in the state. Travis County has already increased their membership over last year.
Fireman Training School: Travis County has a fireman training school applicant to sponsor; however, we do not have anyone signed up for the rescue and emergency response training. Applications are due by June 30. These training sessions are conducted at Texas A&M.
Getting The Word Out: Discussion was held regarding how to spread the word to Travis County Farm Bureau members to encourage participation in a Miss Travis County Farm Bureau and Talent contest to be held August 15 at our regularly scheduled board meeting. It was agreed each of the Directors would distribute flyers that would be given to them at the July board meeting. Travis County winners will move up to district competition.
Policy Development Ideas: Keeping with the Farm Bureau theme that our policies begin at the grassroots, discussion was had about a couple of items that we might try to get added to our policies. The production and use of ethanol would give us another market for grain. Do we want to encourage legislatures to move in this direction? Currently Oklahoma is testing the capability of buying insurance for inputs. Is this something we want to look at?
Texas
Beef Council: Board members were invited to attend:
· A field day in McGregor, July 2, 2002.
· A Beef 706 class in College Station on July 8 and 9 or July 10
and 11. During this time there will be sessions on grading and carcass
evaluation.
· Beef cattle short course at Texas A & M, August 5-7.
Citizenship Seminar: 297 Texas high school juniors and seniors attended the annual Farm Bureau citizenship seminar held in San Angelo, Texas, from June 3-7, 2002. The purpose of the seminar is to give these selected Texas high school students a better understanding of the various forms of government and their responsibilities as citizens. Comparisons of the different kinds of economic systems are outlined, as well. Attendees are encouraged to meet with school and civic groups upon their return home to share the information and knowledge they received. Travis County's Jessica Toup served as a counselor.
Commodity
Conference: The board members who attended the summer commodity
conference in Fort Worth reported on the sessions they attended. Some
of the highlights mentioned were:
· creative hay production methods
· transportation corridor presentation
· Alflex factory electronic ID tags
· Ross Perot Jr., alliance
· Saltcedar. We were all encouraged to watch for this plant. It
should not be on the shelves for sale in any nursery.
· Nursery practices
· Turner Ranch, Justin Seeds
Houston Toad: Board members were encouraged to recommend folks to serve on a committee working on preserving the Houston toad in the Bastrop area.
Next Meeting: July 18, 2002
