Two county Farm Bureaus in California have earned nati-onal recognition for innovative programs – one which informs members about regulations affecting their businesses and one that uses a fun activity to educate schoolchildren about local farms.
The San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation and Butte County Farm Bureau won County Activities of Excellence Awards, presented by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The county Farm Bureaus from California will be among 25 from across the nation to be showcased during the AFBF Annual Meeting, Jan. 13-16, in Nashville, Tenn.
The San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation recognized that its members faced challenges in managing their farms and ranches due to ever-changing government rules and regulations. To help farmers understand requirements and stay up to date on new management practices, the county Farm Bureau created a Rural Health and Safety Committee.
The committee partnered with government agencies and developed 15 training events covering topics from heat illness prevention and CPR to pesticide safety and hazardous materials transport.
Special Spelling Competition
The Butte County Farm Bureau organizes the Agribee, a spelling bee with a special emphasis on the area’s agriculture. Students throughout the region participate, studying terms related to farming and ranching. About 40 member volunteers help plan the spell-and-define competitions at participating schools, where fourth- and fifth-graders vie for a spot at the six-county regional finals.
The Agribee has benefited from a partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education staff to promote the program in local schools.
California Farm Bureau Federation contributed to this article.