The Barren County Farm Bureau Federation Annual Membership Meeting was held September 20th at Barren County Trojan Academy, with a rib-eye steak dinner prepared by the Barren County Cattlemen's Association and enjoyed by the over 300 members in attendance.

The Outstanding Farm Bureau Youth Contest and Variety Contest were also held with the Business Meeting and a Measure the Candidate program between candidates for the 23 District House of Representatives, Johnny Bell and Jeff Jobe.

The Outstanding Farm Bureau Youth and the Variety Contest was conducted by Women's Chairs Cynthia Rowland and Glenda Cox. The youth participating in the Outstanding Farm Bureau Youth contest were male contestant winner Bradon Burks son of Barbara Burks and Scott and Kim Burks. Winner in female division was Mariah Hughes daughter of Mark and Letitia Hughes, 2nd place was Sara Butler daughter of Regina and Billy Butler and 3rd place was Courtney Pedigo daughter of Jimmy and Tonya Pedigo. The Variety contestants were: Winner Anna K Alexander daughter of Jason and Cindy Alexander and runner-up Daniel Bannister son of Brian and Jennifer Bannister.

Bradon Burks and Mariah Hughes and Anna K. Alexander will represent Barren County Farm Bureau Federation at the District 4 Farm Bureau Outstanding Youth and Variety Contest on November 1st, 7:30 p.m. at the Lera B. Mitchell Club House.

Barren County Farm Bureau Federation President Jay Coleman conducted the Measure the Candidates program with the candidates for the 23rd District House of Representatives, Johnny Bell and Jeff Jobe. Each candidate was given time for an opening and closing statement with President Coleman asking several questions pertaining to topics that face farmers and non farmers today, topics also that appear in the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation Policy Book. Barren County Farm Bureau wishes to thank these gentleman for taking part in the Measure the Candidate program.

The Annual Membership Business meeting was held with the 2013 minutes being approved. The Insurance Agency Managers, Agents and CSR's were introduced, they are Matt London, Josh Harden, Joe Myers, Eric Spainhoward, Angela Cleveland, Jennifer Smith, Cheryl Wooten and Annie Craddock.

Election of Board of Directories and Officers and Chairmen, Board members and officers chairman are Jay Coleman, President, !st Vice-President- Chris Schalk, 2nd.- Vice-President, Frank Rowland, Secretary/Treasure Rebecca Tracy, Women's Co- Chairs: Cynthia Rowland and Glenda Cox, and Young Farmers Chair, Jimmy Allen. Directors-Neil Allen, Brad Bailey, Glenn and Betty Barrick, Mike Cox, Malcolm Gardner, Randy London, Eugenia Morrison, Robert Siddens, William and Barbara Strode.

Also 2014 Policy Resolutions were read and approved, these will be sent to the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation to join other resolutions from across the state to be considered by the resolution committee, then resolutions from the committee will be considered at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in December. The following three policy resolutions will be sent from Barren County Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting: 1) We strongly encourage a more readily available permit and quicker emergency permit process for nuisance wild life such as the American Black Vulture. 2) We support the use of coal in generating low cost, affordable electricity. 3) We support the continued 50% allocation of the Master Settlement Agreement for agriculture.

A reminder for all members the "Florida Fruit and Nut" program is now in progress, order forms are available at both Farm Bureau Offices (Reynolds Road and Cleveland Avenue) , the deadline for ordering is October 27, 2014. Watch for an ad in this paper with just a few of items offered to our members.

The Barren County Scholarship applications are now available at the local offices also. The Barren County Farm Bureau Federation offers 2 $500.00 Scholarship to a male and female student entering college and majoring in Agricultural or Ag. related fields or Family & Consumer Science or related fields, we also have the same scholarships program for students who are now attending college. For information on these program contact the Farm Bureau Offices or Betty Barrick.