Rimsie McConiga
Special to the Citizen
The Platte County Farm Bureau Board hosted a member appreciation cookout Aug. 16 at the Farm Bureau building in Platte City.
Board vice president Hal Swaney said the bureau wanted to not only recognize members but he said the board also wanted to use the opportunity to meet with people to tell the story of agriculture and answer any questions they might have about current issues in farming.
“People have questions about what we do and why we do certain things and what they read in the newspapers may or may not be accurate or slanted in one direction or another,” Swaney said. “ We’ve also had some people interested in the scholarships that we give for 4-H and FFA.”
The board hosts an annual meeting for members but this is the first time the board has hosted a public relations event.
The Farm Bureau receives a lot of questions from people who call in about a wide range of issues. “Our secretary Tina Anderson is very good,” Swaney said. “When people call in she knows exactly who to send the call to, who has experience in the subject. Half the board members have been on TV because they need agricultural members to tell their side of the story. One of the board members said today when you start a concerned citizen group for something they immediately have more clout than we will because they’re concerned citizens and we’re just farmers. We have to go through the whole story of how we’re here in this environment just like you are and we have our concerns about the environment just like you do.”
Subjects that the Bureau receives a lot of inquiries on include Genetically Modified Organisms, pesticides and tariffs. Swaney was interviewed on Channel 41 in Kansas City, recently on a pesticide that had recently been re-approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“There was a group of people saying, ‘that’s terrible, it shouldn’t have been re-approved,’ but you could say that about anything, too much of anything is bad for your health,” Swaney said. “It should be used wisely as directed by the EPA and according to their instructions. You have to keep records of how much you use. The EPA keeps records of how much you buy and how much you spray. The EPA has determined that if it is used correctly it should not have a negative effect on the environment.”
Swaney said there are so many risks for farmers, including the Japanese beetle, which has no natural predators and can devastate farms and orchards. He says the pesticides he needs for his farm may be different from his neighbor who has an orchard, but they both need protection.
“Apples weren’t always red and worm-hole free, but they are now,” said Swaney.”
The proper use of pesticides is emphasized by the bureau, including training and protective gloves, eye protection and clothing.
Board members are frequently asked about trade issues and tariffs and where the Bureau stands on this issue.
“I understand it’s something that had to happen, the can has been kicked down the road for a long time and they need to get some controls on some issues,” Swaney said. “The tariffs, they do have a big effect on me. I’m going to sacrifice a certain amount and time will tell us whether we were right or wrong. I hope it works, no matter who’s running the show, I hope it works.”
The bureau had planned to host Touch a Tractor in the spring for area school children, but was unable to because of the persistent rain. They are hoping to reschedule the event and the money raised will go to the Ronald McDonald House.
The bureau also helps Boy Scouts earn merit badges by hosting camps that familiarize them with agricultural tips to help in getting badges.
“Whether it’s scout camps, Touch a Tractor or our scholarship program, it’s our opportunity for people to meet farmers and visit and see that we’re just like everybody else,” Swaney said. “We’re just individuals working hard to produce food and fiber for this nation and around the world.”