This week has been full! Tuesday eve I attended the Vancouver Farmers Market’s second annual Harvest Dinner. The first was two years ago, when Judy A. and I had worked together to coordinate it. This year our (VFM’s) Executive Director and Manager did a lot of the leg work – and did a fantastic job! Proceeds for the event go toward the Scholarship Program that the Market is offering to “kids” furthering their education in agricultural fields, and to the local community – this year to 4 college students, and the Vancouver Park & Rec. The highlight of the night for me was sitting with and chatting it up with Bart Hansen, Vancouver City Councilman. We had a good time bouncing things off of each other, me encouraging him to not how much agriculture was within the City, offering my Farm Bureau hat of keeping him in the know and line of communication. It actually wasn’t all politics, and was a good visit. This past week I let the President know that I would not be re-running in November, when my term is to expire. After 3 years of being there with the goal of “making a difference”, I believe I can leave it in good hands. I will continue to offer assistance through their Agriculture Committee.
Wednesday evening was Lewis County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting up in Chehalis. Highlight for the night: The FFA concert. Totally rocked. Second: Chit chatting it up about Ruckelshaus bill with other farmers. We are still working with our county commissioners to schedule discussion around this, and possible consideration. Came home to my sweet family & Uncle Matt, who stayed with us for a few days!
Thursday: Made caramel corn and spent a lazy day ’til Bible Study in the eve. It reminds us a lot of the College Group that we used to go to many, many moons ago in Flagstaff, Arizona, when we were still just chicklets. Scott’s schedule has changed a bit, getting him home later in the eve (will likely continue through Spring, when he may go back to 9-5), so he isn’t able to go. I’m bummed, because I know he’d really appreciate it. When we got home, I zonked out pretty quickly. With Fall and overcast days, I seem to be getting drowsy… And hungry! I love Fall foods! ‘Guess it’s time to pack on some pounds for winter hibernation…
Today I met a few gals in Camas to scope out shops and ideas for a possible May 2012 Scavenger Hunt / Field Trip with 50-60 farmer women that I’m helping plan. It turned out that today is Camas’ famous First Friday (fabulous coincidence) so we played into the eve downtown. We got a lot of great ideas, ate scrumptious food, met some really fun people, and found some really rad treasures. I came home with a huge old-fashioned steel food mill (I’ve been on the watch for one) and 5 booklets from the 1940’s on poultry and goat management, printed and written by the USDA. Always makes for great future blogs. I learned about scrimshaw art today. It was done up on pieces of recycled piano keys, converted into earrings, rings and necklaces, as well as other cool-lookin’ things. I think I want to try it!
If our trip today is any indication of how much fun the gig with dozens of women farmers will be, we’re going to be sore from smiling! A little secret… The event may include a fashion show! Let me just say, you might want to be a farmer…
PS. Update from yesterdays post: Farm Bureau has been invited to chat with the county next week about particulars.
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