Regulations Would Require Sweeping Changes to Farm and Ranch Practices, Increase in Legal Liability to Farm and Ranch Families New Website Allows You to Comment on Department of Labor Youth Labor Rule For many, farming and ranching is a family tradition, involving two, three or more generations as well as extended family. But proposed Department of Labor requirements for farm and ranch employers and restrictions on what youth can do on the farm would put that tradition at risk. The lessons learned on the family farm instill respect for the land and animals, persistence, discipline and hard-work. A new website, Keep Families Farming (http://www.keepfamiliesfarming.com/), gives you the chance to have an impact on this rule. The Keep Families Farming website allows you to submit comments that will be used to show the Department of Labor and the White House the importance of the family farm and the way this rule would fundamentally change the way of life in rural America. Because DOL is no longer accepting public comments, the Keep Families Farming website has been established to support the legislative effort on Capitol Hill, where this issue will almost certainly be voted on this summer. Your messages to the website are a critical component in building support for the effort to protect family farms. TAKE ACTION: We are asking you to submit your story of life on the farm and ranch by submitting comments through the Keep Families Farming (http://www.keepfamiliesfarming.com/) website. Add information specific to your farm and ranch with personal examples to add impact to your comments, such as: As an agricultural producer, I support and provide a safe working environment for my children, young workers and all employees. The Department of Labor rule does not take into account the unique organization of family farms being owned and operated by many members and generations of one family. Farms and ranches provide a unique educational and training experience to learn about horticulture, animal care & welfare, equipment operation, environmental protection among other unique opportunities found exclusively on a farm. Traditional farm activities performed by youth are threatened by this rule. Family members and other workers on the farm are protected by numerous laws and regulations. Parts of this rule represent regulatory over-reach. It does not recognize the unique structure of today's family farm operations and the traditions that the family farm provides to all workers. Click here to submit your comments against the DOL Youth Labor Rule. (http://www.keepfamiliesfarming.com/)

 

Things are gearing up for 2012!

We hope you enjoyed your holiday season! Things are gearing up fast for 2012! We are working on several new things for the coming year, so be sure to look for future newsletters from us.

 

Introducing our New Beef Superintendent
Megan Ackerman is a lifelong Hereford breeder from West Burlington, N.Y. After receiving her degree in Animal Science and Ag Communications from Kansas State University, Megan taught at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College for two years before returning home to become the fifth generation to operate the family farm. She, along with her family, now runs approximately 100 Hereford and clubby cows marketed privately and through consignment sales across the country. Megan grew up actively involved in youth cattle associations and showed locally, regionally and nationally. She continues to exhibit cattle at shows across the country and also works as a freelance photographer specializing in agricultural photography both on farms and at events throughout the nation.

Previous Ag & Ed Intern Winner of MFBA Scholarship
Katelyn Parsons, intern in the Agriculture & Education department for 2010 and 2011, is the 2011 winner of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Association, Gregory Finn Scholarship. Katelyn is the daughter of Matthew and Brenda Parsons from Hadley, Massachusetts. She is a junior at Oklahoma State University majoring in agricultural communications and animal science. Her passion for agriculture began as she worked on her family farm and through showing her purebred sheep. She is currently involved on campus in programs like the Career Liaisons, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Ag 1011 Student Academic Mentor and the College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources Student Council Public Relations Committee. She plans to graduate in May 2013 at which point she hopes to find a job in the agricultural journalism field.

 

Award Winning Year!
Donna Woolam and Cindi Jaques attended the Annual International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE) Convention after Thanksgiving for 5 days. The IAFE hosts its member fairs in Las Vegas each year.

With over 5,000 attendees, Donna and Cindi stayed very busy. Donna was the chair of Zone 1 Wine and Dine Committee which is a fundraiser for the IAFE Educational Foundation. She also was a co-presenter for the workshop, The Future of Livestock Shows. Donna will serve as Vice Chair of the IAFE Agricultural Committee in 2012. Cindi served as mentor for three new attendees at the convention and moderated a discussion group on "Agriculture Commodities." She also serves as IAFE Zone 1 Secretary. Both were among 27 participants graduating in the 2012 class of The Institute of Fair Management. This is a four-year program with thirty two classes on fair management, which they completed.

Eastern States Exposition was the first place winner of two categories in the Agriculture Awards: Category 2 - Special or Specific Event for Agricultural Exhibitors, for the webcasting of the 2011 Belted Galloway Show; Category 12A - Agriculture Photo - Fair Agriculture Photo, the little boy showing his heifer was the recipient of a first place award. Also in the Agriculture awards, the photo series of a little boy showing his pig, received third place in Category 12B - Agriculture Photo - Fair Agriculture Series.

In the Competitive Exhibit awards, ESE won first place in Category 2: Competitive Exhibit Display Method and/or Prop, for our new method of displaying Native Produce entries. Second place was also won in Category 7: General Competitive Exhibit Display photo for Native Produce Displays. The New England Center Acorn Exhibit photos entered in Category 9: General Display Photo or Series, received third place recognition.

Believe it or not the deadline for these awards was Oct. 5! We would like to thank all the 2011 Fair staff who worked hard and volunteered their time to help us get these in the mail in a timely manner!

 

Heidi Thuotte Appointed As Youth Working Steer Superintendent
It is with great pleasure and confidence we announce the appointment of Heidi Thuotte of Gorham, Maine, as the new Superintendent of the Eastern States Exposition Youth Working Steer Show. Many of you know Heidi as she has been a strong proponent of this program for many years. Heidi is currently with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in the York office. We look forward to working with Heidi and are sure that you all join us in welcoming her to this position.

We at the Exposition would like to extend our appreciation to the Huppe Family and all they have given to the program over the years and know that they will always be a part of the Eastern States Youth Working Steer program.

 

In Memoriam
It is with deep sorrow that we share news of the passing of Dan Korngiebel of Cuttingsville, Vermont. Dan was one of the great New England shepherds.

Owner of the Yarn Farm, Dan met the area's sheep supply needs for many years. An Eastern States Exposition Trustee, Dan was an exhibitor and strong supporter of the Exposition. Our condolences go to his family and friends.