By Stephen Smoot
“It’s been a very trying time this summer for farmers,” said Greg Bowers, one of two Central District directors for the Pendleton County Farm Bureau, as he helped to kick off the Pendleton County Farm Bureau’s annual dinner on Saturday.
He could be referring to the D3 drought conditions under which area farmers have labored for nearly two months. Bowers could also be referring to the onus of federally imposed regulations, well-meaning but ignorant activist activities, or the ever-changing challenges of the agricultural market.
For one night, however, Pendleton County farmers could gather for food and fellowship as they celebrate their efforts and their community.
First came the dinner. Potomac Highlands Recreation Center provided a meal of baked pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, gravy for both, dinner rolls, green beans, candied carrots, and a variety of desserts. Both Bowers and Steve Conrad, Eastern District director and county president, praised the work done by their staff.
Attendees noted that the West Virginia Farm Bureau honored one of Pendleton County’s own. Michelina Browder, a current fifth grader at Brandywine Elementary, won both the county and state “Picture Agriculture in West Virginia Poster Contest.” Her work was one of three from around the state featured on the placemat.
Bowers, through his masters of ceremonies duties and also his comedy stylings, orchestrated the program. He recognized the presence of Carl Hevener and Roger Dahmer, both of whom serve as Pendleton County Commissioners, as well as the area’s newest West Virginia University Extension Service agent, Jessica Hoover, who joined Brooke Alt in that office earlier in the summer.
Then, Tammy Simmons read “So God Made a Farmer,” made famous through a radio reading by legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey.
Next, Bowers introduced Dwayne O’Dell, West Virginia Farm Bureau Director of Government Affairs. O’Dell discussed the recent accomplishments of the state farm bureau and also provided warning of potential challenges ahead to the ability of farmers to thrive and even survive in a business sense.
After O’Dell shared his insights, Conrad rose to present the 38th Annual Service Award. He said “unfortunately, he is on vacation and can’t be here, but we will honor him anyway.”
Conrad described Rick Gillespie’s life of service, starting with the Buckhannon-Upshur graduate’s three-year stint as a military police officer, service with the Buckhannon City Police, and West Virginia State Police, causing Conrad to note “it seems that police work was in his blood.”
While serving as a state trooper, Gillespie helped to apprehend a kidnapping suspect, likely saving a life in the process. For this, he won the Governor’s Life Saving Award, but also expressed appreciation that the suspect himself later thanked Gillespie “from committing a terrible crime” and giving him an opportunity “to turn his life around.”
After he earned the rank of captain of state police, Gillespie worked for state and federal agencies. In 2021, he took on the task of Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator. In this role, Gillespie fights tirelessly for safer highways, better communications, and improved emergency services. Conrad added that “as Rick stated, when emergencies occur, and they do, everybody needs to be on the same page and have the same goal,” which also describes how he approaches his work.
Conrad shared Gillespie’s emphasis that “he could not have accomplished any of this work as one man, but that he always had the support of others to get things done.”
“Job well done!” Conrad concluded.
Next on the agenda, Conrad asked for suggestions of resolutions to consider. He said “this is the way a law gets started,” and noted that the Farm Use Vehicle Code originated from a Pendleton County idea.
One farmer rose to share an idea for the county to consider. In essence, it would resolve to encourage the State of West Virginia to conditionally allow for farm land registration to take place every five years instead of one. The Commonwealth of Virginia currently permits five-year registrations, which pose less burdens on working farmers.
Conrad then shared two resolutions already proposed by the Pendleton County Farm Bureau itself. One advocates for the removal of diversity, inclusion, and equity hiring policies, calling them “a recipe for disaster.” This has replaced “meritocracy as the measuring stick when staffing our institution.” Conrad stated that the most recent hire, Hoover, earned her position through superior merit and qualifications, not the policies questioned.
The second resolution urged that “the full force of the United States Government, in conjunction with the military services, take whatever steps that are necessary to halt the importation of fentanyl, the drug behind a recent escalation of overdoses, crimes, and other social problems related to chronic addition to increasingly dangerous drugs.
Brandon Mitchell, vice president, took care of the nominations for offices. The group decided to accept nominations of current officers in current roles with no changes.
Conrad then returned to hand out the 20/30/50-year pins for continuous farm bureau membership.
Twenty-year pins went to Douglas and Debbie Reedy, Lynn Trey Keyser, Tim Judy, Terry Harper, Michael Brian Harman, Ann Daughtry, and Bruce and Stella Alt.
Willie R. Rader, Johnny O. Propst, Mike Eye, and Albert L. Evick received 30-year pins.
Marshall Harper was given his 50-year pin.
