Community Involvement

Food Check-Out Week

Symbolic sack lunch hosted by Fannin County Farm Bureau

BONHAM – Fannin County Farm Bureau observed Food Check-Out Week by serving a barbecue sandwich, chips, a cookie and tea for 48 cents. The public was invited to attend on the Courthouse lawn on Feb. 17.

America's agriculture success with Food Check-Out Week is an annual event. Based on Agriculture Department statistics, Farm Bureau's Food Check-Out Week–seven weeks into the year–marks the date when average Americans will have earned enough income to pay for their entire year's food supply.

County Secretary Teasa Lappin hands out information flyers.

In recognition of this, Fannin Farm Bureau commemorated the fact that America's food supply is the safest and most affordable in the world.

"The 48 cents is the amount that farmers would receive out of the total cost of the meal," Board President Jerry Magness said. "Last year we cooked over 500 hamburgers. This year we will prepare 500 barbecue sack lunches. Yes, you read that right, 48 cents. Come by and support your local farmers and ranchers."

Even when the economy is feeling pressure, farmers and ranchers have made it possible for all Americans to stretch their grocery dollars and still afford healthy, nutritious food. There are 21.3 million farms in the nation and about 99 percent of farms are operated by individuals, family partnerships or family corporations, Magness said.

"As a farmer," Magness said, "I am producing affordable food for my family and yours. I am proud of what we do and hope Americans will join us in celebrating our agricultural success.

"While costs on most everything we need have risen, our food is still the most affordable anywhere in the world and it is because of the dedication of our country's farm producers."

Fannin CFB Board Member Dusty Baker watches as our county judge signs the proclamation for Food Check-Out Week. Our county has activities planned for this week.

Scholarships

Fannin County Farm Bureau is very supportive of the young people in Fannin County. We have always encouraged agricultural education, the rural way of life, and the improvement of agricultural practices.

Each year Fannin County Farm Bureau awards a Fannin County graduating senior the Red Woodson Scholarship. Leadership, good grades, good citizenship, and collegiate studies in agriculture are requirements to be eligible to receive the Red Woodson Scholarship.

In 2009, Fannin County Farm Bureau President Jerry Magness (right)  proudly awarded Collin Carder the Red Woodson Scholarship of $1,000. Collin is the son of Kevin and Judy Carder of Ladonia. He is attending Paris Junior College.

Ag Field Days

Fannin County Farm Bureau held their Ag Field Day on May 3 at the Multi-Purpose Complex in Bonham. We gave away two bicycles–one to a girl and one to a boy. There were 400 kids who attended from the Fannin County school districts.

2010 Fannin County Ag and Safety Day
Click here for photos from the event

Fannin County Farm Bureau and the Texas AgriLife Extension-Fannin County teamed up
to promote Agriculture and Safety Awareness on May 5, 2010. This was our
second year for this program where 4th grade students from Fannin County schools could
come explore agriculture and safety.

The agriculture awareness opportunity included the Texas Star 4-H Dairy Goat Project
giving a demonstration on Milk as well as Dairy Goats, led by 4-H Leader Leah Herington;
Farm Bureau Agriculture Learning Barn which includes livestock and crops as well as a
cotton gin brought by the Fannin County Farm Bureau; soil conservation from the United
States Department of Agriculture District conservationist Randy Moore; wildlife
preservation and information from Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Eddie Hines;
horticulture and Earth Kind roses from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service; Fannin
County Master Gardener Ron Kyle; and Texas AgriLife Extension services and
opportunities from Fannin 4-H members and Extension Advocate Jaque Kyle.

The Safety Awareness opportunity included the Texas Department of Agriculture
Rollover convincer manned by the Bonham Police Department; Fire and Safety
Awareness presented by the Bonham Fire and Rescue department; and Tractor Safety by
our local Tractor City dealer David Cardile.

To cap off the morning, Farm Bureau Insurance gave away bicycles to Lori Gilmer, a 4th
grader in Fannindel School and to Jacob Figg, a 4th grader in Dodd City School.
Our local Brookshire’s Store provided an Ice Cream Treat for the students, and each
student was provided with a goody bag full of agriculture facts, pencils, erasers, health
and safety information. Every student went home with something.

There were many volunteers, both adult and youth that made this opportunity possible.
“This is a great way for the youth of Fannin County to learn about agriculture and the world
around them,” said Jerry Magness, president of the Fannin County Farm Bureau.

“Agriculture is part of almost every aspect of our everyday life, and the kids need to be
made aware of safety,” said Texas AgriLife Extension Agent Roger Skipper.

Additional cooperators included the Fannin 4-H Clubs, Fannin Master Gardeners, Fannin
B.E.E.S. Committee, and the Fannin County Independent School Districts that attended.

Farm trailers, equipment rules and regs

Fannin County Farm Bureau sponsored a public meeting on Feb. 18 that covered many of the rules and regulations regarding the use of farm trailers and equipment on public roadways. Speaker Sgt. Haskell Maroney of the Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force, along with help from the Texas Department of Public Safety-License and Weight, answered the questions of local farmers and ranchers in Fannin County while enjoying a barbecue dinner provided by Fannin CFB.

J.T. (Red) Woodson
scholarship awarded

Fannin CFB President Jerry Magness presents a plaque and check in the amount of $1,000 to Haley Wilkerson as the winner of the J.T. (Red) Woodson Scholarship. The check is made out to Abilene Christian University, where Haley will major in Medicine/Veterinary.