WV Farm Bureau Magazine September 2014 | Page 6

Lines to the Ladies Pam Hessler, WVFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Well, it seemed like we waited all summer for summer to come and now it’s basically gone and the kids and grandkids are back in school and college. Most of the fairs and festivals are over and we head into fall full of annual meetings and holidays to fellowship with family and friends. As the end of September nears, it’s time to get all those memberships before the deadline to make quota. Our membership numbers are running behind last year so we all need to step it up and do our part. I want to encourage all those counties with Women’s Leadership Committees to consider completing the summary of work for the year. Even if you only worked on one activity, it is important. We get great ideas from one another and that one activity could be one that no one else in the state is doing. It could be something no other state is doing. I send in quarterly updates to the AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee with activities women in our state are working on and it allows me to brag on all of you ladies. Photo Contest Remember to take those pictures and submit them for the WLC Annual Photo Contest. Any WVFB member (with a current membership) can submit one photo in each of the three categories: 1) Farm Bureau Activity, 2) Funny, Comical, or Whimsical, 3) Rural Scene. The photos must be 5x7 only (color or black and white) and be mounted on any color poster board or picture frame matting. You can mail them to the state office before the annual meeting or bring them with you. All photos must arrive by 5 pm on Friday, November 7th. Beginning on Saturday morning during the annual meeting, attendees can vote for their favorites and the lucky winners in each category win cash. 1st Place = $50; 2nd Place = $30; and 3rd Place = $20. Please include your 6 West Virginia Farm Bureau News name, address, WVFB membership number, and category on the back of your photo. Rules for the contest are available at the state office or on the website in the near future. Social Networking Info Session Even if you are computer savvy, I hope you will consider attending the info session at the Annual Meeting. There are always new things to learn. You can set up a Facebook page just for your farm to sell products and educate at the same time. Do any of you write or read blogs? It’s a great way to tell your rural story and let urban America know what life is like “down on the farm.” It’s so important to get accurate agriculture information to people to read and learn to clear up some of their misconceptions. We are never too old to learn! Joan Harman will be conducting this session entitled: “Easy-peasy: Telling Ag’s Story Through Social Media.” I know many of you are like me and have our children and/ or grandchildren assist us with our cell phones, computers and TVs issues these days? Remember to sign up for this info session and surprise your family with what you learn. Quilt & Gun Raffle Consider purchasing a ticket to win the quilt or gun being raffled off by the WVFB Young Farmers & Women’s Leadership Committees. The queen-sized quilt was pictured in the July & August WVFB News and is even more beautiful in person. Remember, you have to play to win! It would look awesome on a bed or as a large wall hanging. If you don’t have tickets, check with a director in your county to purchase a ticket or two or three. The money raised helps both committees with their projects throughout the year. Finally, don’t forget the safety award contest as well as the safety poster contest. If your county conducts safety programs, you should consider