October 8, 2021
Local Growers Insurance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a new insurance option specifically for agricultural producers with small farms who sell locally and have less than $100,000 in revenue. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more at: https://www.rma.usda.gov/.
Voting at the Member Meeting
At the member meeting next week there will be three voting matters presented to members. Members who do not attend will be emailed a ballot after the event and will have ten days to respond with a vote. The first vote will be to officially elect Wendy Walp as treasurer of ECAA to finish out the vacated term. The second vote will be to amend the membership requirements to replace the description “agriculture based business” with the term “agriculture related business.” The third vote will be to amend the bylaws to increase the threshold at which an independent audit is required to be more realistic and in line with federal and state statutory requirements. A redline is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L0V5IZg1Cum6wsrPNLOWR2B__6vzyfjz/view?usp=sharing. If you have questions, please email BOD@elbertcountyagalliance.org.
Member Meeting, Fun, and a Little Friendly Competition
The Potluck and Meeting next Saturday will include a pumpkin carving contest. We will have some tools and pumpkins, but feel free to bring your own. We will also be participating in a conversation starting walk around poll. The event will be held at Casey Jones Park Pavilion on Saturday, October 16th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Bring a beverage and bring a dish. Tables and chairs will be provided. We’ll be eating and mingling throughout, with a break for introductions, announcements, questions and the judging of the pumpkin carving contest at 4:30 p.m., then back to mingling and eating. Ballots will be available immediately following the business portion, so be sure to the check with Sheila to make sure your membership is up to date. Announcements and ballots will be emailed to members who cannot attend.
Regenerative Practices in Practice
We’ve read the science, followed the test crops, and watched the promotional videos, but how does regenerative grazing work in the real world. Check out this article about ranchers Bari and Eli Little who use regenerative practices on their ranch in South Dakota: https://www.agriculture.com/crops/cover-crops/it-pays-to-be-an-unconventional-rancher.
Beginning Farmer Institute
The National Farmers Union’s offers a free, year-long training program intended to help new farmers develop their businesses. You can learn more about the Beginning Farmer Institute at: https://nfu.org/beginning-farmer-institute/?fbclid=IwAR3jsNGRpJpYGlbw-9QsdH9OLK8r1Q1F09OntrnfhcPBrxB013ojHxKYb3U.
Trick or Treat Promotion for Your Business
This year ECAA is giving members an opportunity to advertise their businesses at the upcoming Harvest Festival in downtown Elizabeth. And you don’t even need to leave home yourself that night. We will be handing out about 700 swag bags to the trick-or-treaters; and are opening up the opportunity for bag sponsors to include promotional materials, and candy of course, in the bags. Simply buy a sponsorship for $35 then deliver your business’ brochure and candy contribution by Friday, October 22nd. Bags will be handed out on October 30th beginning at 11:00 a.m. And of course, you are welcome to join us in handing out bags that night and see all of the happy kids in their costumes. Email execcom@elbertcountyagalliance.org for more information or to sign up.
Pin Up Chicks
ECAA will have 2022 Defend the Flock wall calendars available this month. Email sheila.zuschek@elbertcountyagalliance.org if you would like a calendar. Each month features a colorful poultry picture along with tips and reminders for how to keep your flock healthy.
Have announcements or classifieds that should be included in the next Roundup? Send them to news@elbertcountyagalliance.org