To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Brown and Supervisor Croskey
Meeting Date: June 19, 2018
|
Department Contact: |
Supervisor Brown |
Phone: |
463-4221 |
|
Department Contact: |
Supervisor Croskey |
Phone: |
463-4221 |
|
Item Type: Regular Agenda |
|
Time Allocated for Item: 5 minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Adoption of Proclamation Recognizing the Centennial Celebration of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau and 100 Years of the University of California Cooperative Extension in Mendocino County
(Sponsors: Supervisors Brown and Croskey)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Proclamation recognizing the Centennial Celebration of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
With the approval of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in December 1917, the Farm Bureau was officially recognized which allowed for Mr. Charles Myszka to enter the county in January 1918 as the first U.C. Farm Advisor for Mendocino County.
Summary of Request:
This year marks 100 years for the Mendocino County Farm Bureau as an organization in Mendocino County. The Centennial Celebration will be held on June 30, 2018 at the Red Barn Ranch, 16181 Mountain House Road in Hopland.
Historical Background: In the early 1800s advocates of agricultural education began lobbying the government to create colleges and universities specifically for agriculture and mechanical learning. Their dream was realized in 1862 when the Morrill Act granted eligible states acres of land to establish institutes of learning. Historically, land-grant universities were an innovative way of supporting the country through economic growth in key fields like agriculture, science and engineering. After the passage of the Morrill Act at least one land-grant institution was established in every state and the District of Columbia. In 1914 the Smith-Lever Act passed, providing federal support for land-grant institutions to offer instruction beyond their campuses through Cooperative Extension efforts in agriculture and home economics. In 1917, several Mendocino County farmers recognized the value of bringing an Agricultural Extension Service into the county and began the process of forming a Farm Bureau. An official Farm Bureau needed to be organized prior to a county petitioning for a U.C. Farm Advisor position.
Signatures of 271 farmers out of the 1365 residing in Mendocino County needed to be obtained before the matter could be presented before the Board of Supervisors. Meetings were held throughout Mendocino County and as a result an active campaign began in October 1917.
Redwood Valley was the first to form a Farm Bureau center by obtaining 40 signatures for their roll. Redwood Valley’s effort was followed closely by Ukiah, Potter Valley, Willits and Fort Bragg. A petition of 280 signatures from these districts was presented to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors at the December 10, 1917 meeting along with the unanimous support from Anderson Valley which had just held their first discussion on the subject.
With the approval of the Board of Supervisors in December 1917, the Farm Bureau was officially recognized which allowed for Mr. Charles Myszka to enter the county in January 1918 as the first U.C. Farm Advisor for Mendocino County. The first meeting of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau took place in February of 1918 where the bylaws were written and officers were elected.
The 1918 Farm Bureau officers were F.A. Yates of Redwood Valley as president and John G. Newman of Potter Valley as secretary. The directors were John Rupe, Willits; C. Crawford, Willow; L. Sawyers and C.D. Flowers, Ukiah; J.C. Johnson, Carroll; S.E. Brookes and L.O. Morby, Hopland; A.F. Busch, Potter Valley; H. Duveneck, Coyote Valley; and N.W. Kent, Mendocino.
Farm Bureau accomplished the following in 1918: the U.C. Farm Advisor visited 778 farms, a Farm Bureau monthly was published giving news of interest to farmers; a marketing department was launched; Boys and Girls Clubs were started along with support for an agricultural program for high school students; demonstrations for pruning, planting, cover crops, irrigation, and fertilizing were held; “campaigns” were run to increase livestock and poultry production including predatory control; and concerns on fire protection, septic systems, the building of roads and schools were addressed.
Formation of California Farm Bureau Federation: In 1919 a movement was also started to organize a state Farm Bureau federation as most counties had established a Farm Bureau at this time. On October 22, 1919 County Farm Bureaus sent representatives to Berkeley to consider the formation of a state federation. Thirty-one counties responded and J.C. Johnson represented Mendocino County Farm Bureau. Mr. Johnson became one of the first elected state directors of the California Farm Bureau Federation and his name can be found on the original articles of incorporation.
General Information: Over the last 100 years, Farm Bureau has worked to preserve and promote agriculture in Mendocino County. Farm Bureau has been the advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural property owners on numerous local, state and federal issues. The officers and directors are all volunteers made up of farmers, ranchers and agricultural business interests from throughout the county. Farm Bureau membership is also voluntary.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not approve the Proclamation.
Supplemental Information Available Online at: N/A
Fiscal Impact:
|
Source of Funding: N/A |
Budgeted in Current F/Y: N/A |
|
|
Current F/Y Cost: N/A |
Annual Recurring Cost: N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supervisorial District: All |
Vote Requirement: Majority |
|
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
|
CEO Liaison: Janelle Rau, Deputy CEO |
|
|
|
CEO Review: Yes |
|
|
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
|
Executed By: Meribeth Dermond |
Final Status:Adopted |
|
Date: June 20, 2018 |
|
|
|
|