Last week, the Farm Bureau in Malad hosted an event to extend their appreciation to local members, the community, and those who support the agriculture industry in Oneida County.  The event brought the community out in force, and was a wonderful evening for celebrating the central role agriculture plays in the local area.

Jason Fellows from the Farm Bureau brought a number of representatives from the Bureau to help local official Brody Weeks out with cooking the food and running the event.  

“Farm Bureau involves the Federation, which exists to help promote the cause of Agriculture, and the Insurance portion, which is separate,” Fellows explained.  “All these farmers were the ones that helped policy and legislation in order to keep doing what they need to on the farms.”

“Back when the insurance came about, it was basically because at the time no one would insure a farmer, because it was too unpredictable.  Both of the parts are together as partners, but they are technically separate.”  The Federation is a non-profit, which supports a variety of efforts to affect legislative items at the state level, and work with farmers locally by providing scholarships, information, and other valuable resources.

“This is the first time we’ve done this in this county as far as I know, in terms of thanking a farmer,” Fellows said.  “It’s a really cool idea because right now farmers are just getting into the field.  I think we have kind of a disconnect sometimes about where our food comes from, and this kind of brings everyone together and lets them know that ‘hey, we’re here to support you this year, and we know you do a lot for us. Like I said, a lot of times that’s not what people are thinking about at the grocery store.  We sometimes forget where our roots come from, and it’s agriculture.  That’s how this nation came to be, and how it gets fed.”

Fellows explained that the Federation was largely responsible for the creating the Ag Protection legislation that is now being implemented across the state, but that it’s just one of the many issues that Farm Bureau has recently worked on.

In addition to calling attention to the importance of farmers, the night also involved fun and games, with cornhole and other games set up throughout the City Park.  A table full of raffle items, including a Camp Chef, was also featured during the evening.

The Federation presented two scholarships to local students, Mary Moss and Katie Allen, who have been heavily involved with farming and ranching over the years.  

The lines for food were long, and the food was worth the wait!  While some events during the busy end of school season can be sparsely attended as a result of other commitments, this one was very well-attended, and worked to promote an always-relevant message!