By Scout Nelson
While fall doesn’t officially begin until September, August often feels like the end of summer, especially as the new school year starts. Even those without school-aged children notice the shift as community activities and organizations resume after a summer break.
Farmers also begin preparing for fall. Their attention shifts from irrigating crops and monitoring fields to getting equipment ready for harvest and waiting for crops to dry down. This brief lull is an ideal time for seed meetings, harvest parties, and county Farm Bureau annual meetings, where agricultural communities come together for food, speakers, and socializing.
Over the past few years, I’ve attended numerous Farm Bureau meetings across District 7 as a representative of VOTEFBF (Kansas Farm Bureau’s political action committee).
Each meeting has its own unique personality, ranging from full meals to light refreshments, with programs that vary from educational talks to business discussions and awards.
One of my favorite parts of these meetings is the recognition of outstanding individuals and families. Awards like the Century Farm award, Farm Family of the Year, and various service awards honor those who have made significant contributions to agriculture and their communities. These acknowledgments are a meaningful way to celebrate the dedication and impact of farmers.
Beyond the awards, the joy of attending these meetings comes from connecting with people. Whether meeting new faces or catching up with long-time members, there’s something special about gathering with others who share the same values and challenges.
Despite the struggles with event attendance post-pandemic, it’s heartening to see organizations continuing to bring people together, reinforcing the importance of community in farming.
Photo Credit: kansas-farm-bureau
Categories: Kansas, Education, Harvesting