Minutes from YF Meeting March 25, 2010 Young Farmer Committee Meeting
March 25, 2010
Minutes
Submitted by: Jasmine Jennings
Present: Ethan Robertson, Emilee Robertson, Andrew Hardy, Jesse Haskell, Ben Hartwell, Trish Ouellette, Mark Ouellette, Eric Brooks, Neal Caverly, Aaron Perkins, Emily Crocker, Jasmine Jennings, John Harker – Department of Agriculture, Amanda Burton – NRCS.
The meeting began with guest speakers. Amanda spoke of programs that the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) offer such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Web Soil Survey website, and other financial assistance and easement programs. She provided a list of contacts in each county and information packets if anyone not present needs information.
John Harker, next spoke about his role in the Grants & Loan Development program at the Department of Ag. He discussed the various Business Development programs such as the Agricultural and Potato Marketing Loan Fund, Ag Development Grants, Technical Assistance Grants, and the Rural Rehabilitation Trust Fund. More information on these programs is also available at the office if needed.
The group briefly discussed a recap of this year’s winter outing hosted by Ryan Crane at Crane Brothers.
Ethan reported Ben Blackwell would like to organize another summer tour and will be in contact with the group with more ideas and information.
A Gubernatorial Breakfast was discussed, as this is an election year. The group expressed some interest and will develop a smaller working group for planning. Jasmine will contact Aaron after researching this further. (As a side note, after the meeting Jon Olson’s suggestion is to hold a gubernatorial debate in September, after the primaries have been held and the candidate numbers are down to the true contenders. He also suggested getting other ag groups involved with us to ensure a good turn-out. We want to have at least 100 people present to make it worthwhile. The state board of directors can help develop questions the candidates can debate). The Maine State Grange does seem to be the best location and a brunch can be served.
The group discussed the Farm Bureau facebook page and plan to develop a spin-off of this page just for Young Farmers. Jasmine will look into this and it can be set up with more than one “admin” to can add updates, photos, and events.
Ethan mentioned he would like to see representation from the Young Farmers Committee at every State Board meeting, which he can’t always attend due to his work schedule. Andrew Hardy mentioned he would be interested in trying to attend the April 23rd meeting.
Plans for a southern Maine organizational meeting were discussed. Originally to be held April 15th (date changed to April 22nd due to a scheduling conflict in Cumberland County). We will have a bowling/pizza meeting at Colonial Lanes in Westbrook from 6-8 p.m. and focus on getting some members from more of the southern end of the state involved. Jesse Haskell and Emilee Robertson volunteered to take extra postcards about the meeting and distribute these to the various farms they see through their jobs.
Elections were held. It was determined the group would have a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and a couple of members at-large. Ethan will remain chair. Aaron Perkins will be the Vice-Chair. Trish Ouellette will be the Secretary. Ryan Crane and Jesse Haskell will be the members at large.
The next meeting will be a conference call at 6 p.m. on April 8th to finalize plans for the April 22nd Southern Maine meeting and to plan the next Newport area meeting. | 
