Happy Thanksgiving

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Putnam County Farm Bureau would like to give thanks for the following things.
We are thankful we live in a country where healthy food choices are available for everyone, from the quality conventional and organic products in our grocery stores to the more diverse offerings at specialty markets.

We are thankful that all Hoosiers are free to make food choices based on their spiritual beliefs, personal tastes and financial situations.

We are thankful for the opportunity to farm, especially during this time of population growth when science and technology allow us to raise crops and animals safely and efficiently while using less land and fewer inputs.

We are thankful that in our nation obesity is the problem - not starvation. We are especially thankful we have never had to see the distended belly or look into the hollow eyes of a starving child.

We are thankful we live in a country where farmers are free to work hard and succeed at the job we love, even as those who benefit from it are free to criticize what we do.

If you are lucky enough to sit down to dinner with family this Thanksgiving holiday, please remember to give thanks not only to those who prepared the food, but also for those who grew it.

Sincerely,

Putnam County Farm Bureau, Inc.

District V Farm Bureau Meeting

Chris Skillern, Putnam County Insurance agent (pictured above) received a special award last night at the Fall District FB meeting for signing 7 new voting members. Kevin Hutcheson also received the award but was not at the meeting. Putnam County Farm Bureau Inc. was recognized for its Agriculture Chamber After Hours held this past year. Patti and Steve Cash represented Putnam County at the meeting.
One election took place as County Presidents and Women Leaders elected Judy Coon to serve another term as District Woman's Leader. Other business of note was comments by Indiana Farm Bureau's Megan Ritter concerning the newly proposed Department of Labor regulations action to prevent farm kids from working on the farm or someone else's farm. This could be very restrictive to FFA and 4-H project work. The Government is seeking your comments at:
www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=WHD-2011-0001-0001
On the lighter side, the District 5 Young Farmer's will be hosting a Bowling Night at the Plaza Lanes in Crawfordsville on Sunday, Nov. 20th at 3 pm. Cost will be $15 for 2 games and shoes. A Silent Auction will be held along with door prizes and refreshments. A portion of the proceeds will go to Feeding America - Food Pantries with the remaining funds to an educational trip for young farmers interested in Agriculture.
New to the Farm Bureau discount program is a $500 discount on all qualifying 2011 or 2012 model year Chevrolet, GMC, or Buick vehicle.
Other Dates to remember is the State FB Convention on December 9*10. Young Farmer Conference on January 27-28. This year's Indiana Grain and Livestock Forum in Indy will be held on February 27. Finally, mark your 2012 calendars on Feb. 28 for our Putnam County Farm Bureau Annual meeting.

Putnam County City Elections

The City of Greencastle will have a new clerk-treasurer come Jan. 1 after Republican Lynda Dunbar scored a 183-vote victory over incumbent Teresa Glenn Tuesday night in the 2011 Municipal Election.
In the only other contested race on the city ballot, Democrat Jinsie Bingham retained her Third Ward City Council seat with an 18-vote victory over political newcomer Jade Griffin, a Republican.
Bingham's victory means that the Democrats retain a 3-2 edge on the Greencastle City Council.
Bingham joins fellow Democrats Adam Cohen, First Ward, and at-large Councilor Phyllis Rokicki on the 2012-15 City Council, along with Republicans Mark Hammer, Second Ward, and Terry (T.J.) Smith, Fourth Ward.
Cohen, Rokicki, Hammer, Smith and Mayor Sue Murray were all unopposed in their bids for election, and thus were not included on Tuesday's ballot.
Other results from around the county:
Cloverdale
Clerk-Treasurer
Cheryl Galloway -- 147
Laurie Monnett -- 98
Council Ward 1
Gary Bennington -- 129
Cathy Tipton -- 121
Council At-Large (Top 2)
Larry Fidler -- 171
Coweta Patton -- 140
William David Lyon -- 83
Bainbridge
Council Ward 1
Chuck McElwee -- 78
David Crawley -- 52
Council Ward 2
Bonnie L. Osborn -- 76
Jim Watson -- 49
Michael Lewis -- 8
Council Ward 3
Joel Thomspon -- 75
Richard Cope -- 57
Fillmore
Clerk-Treasurer
Wanda Seidler -- 39
Margaret Alexander -- 24
Kari Bills -- 20
Council Ward 1
Curt Leonard -- 55
Wes Terhune -- 25
Roachdale
Clerk-Treasurer
Martha Louk -- 105
Kristy Yack -- 68
Brian Lathrop -- 32
Kelly Marshall -- 11
Council At-Large (Top 3)
Zach Bowers -- 167
Barbara Scott -- 96
Jack Jones -- 94
Rick Kiefer -- 93
Jim Cromwell -- 65
William Long -- 58
Joe Cook -- 42
Russellville
Clerk-Treasurer
D. Devon Davis -- 43
Sally McAfee -- 40
Council At-Large (Top 3)
Cathy Jones -- 68
Norma Jean Gross -- 66
Don Reddish -- 61
Jim Rodgers -- 24
Betty Joy Need -- 24