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 Becky Plattner, right, along with her daughters, Jamie Orear and Michaela Orear, presented the Russell Lee Plattner scholarship fund at the annual dinner meeting of the Santa Fe Agri-Leaders held Thursday, March 4. Russell Plattner, who was a charter member of the Agri-Leaders, died Dec. 5, 2009. Also in the photo is Santa Fe Schools Superintendent Gini Barnet. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] |
Ziehmer, who said he was raised in Moniteau County, spoke about his passion for the outdoors, recalling growing up hunting, fishing, trapping, searching for arrowheads and riding on a tractor with his grandfather.
He spoke of some of the similarities between those involved in agriculture and those involved in conservation.
New Director of Missouri Department of Conservation Robert Ziehmer holds a statuette of two elk that was presented to him after he delivered the keynote address at the Santa Fe Agri-Leaders annual dinner meeting Thursday, March 4.(Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] |
He said some of the challenges facing the conservation in Missouri are some of the same concerns to farmers, including the state's changing population and the changing desires and mindsets of citizens.
He said they would need innovation and open input in the department to help meet those and other challenges.
Ziehmer said those two things reminded him of Russell Lee Plattner, who passed away Dec. 5, 2009, and was a charter member of Santa Fe Agri-Leaders.
"He gave me a lot of good insight on how agriculture viewed conservation," he said, noting he had met Plattner through the Russell's wife, Becky, who is a member of the state's conservation commission.
Heading into the future, he said the Department of Conservation needed to "be a little like Russell" and be more innovative.
The future goals for the department include education and communication, research and management, citizen input and partnership and maintaining a quality staff.
He again noted the similarities between conservation and agriculture.
"We respect the land, we love the outdoors and we want to do what's right so the land will be here for the next generation," he said.
In closing he encouraged citizens to contact him and share their input.
"I thought on the way up here that we had this backwards, I should be out there (in the audience) and you should be up here talking to me."
Following the speech, Becky Plattner and her family, including daughters Jamie and Michaela Orear, presented a $12,000 check for the establishment of the Russell Lee Plattner Memorial Scholarship.
"My husband was a charter member of Santa Fe Agri-Leaders," said Becky, noting that for a long time Santa Fe High School didn't have an FFA chapter. "This is something he stood for."
This meeting of the Santa Fe Agri-Leaders wrapped up two months of weekly informational meetings, starting on Jan. 18 with Brett Gilland, director of the Lafayette County Farm Services Agency, who gave updates on the new USDA programs.
On January 25, local cattleman Gene Wagner, spoke about his cow/calf and finishing operation. He was assisted by his grandson Corey Wagner and MFA cattle specialist Chad James.
On Feb. 1, Gene Danekas, Missouri Director of National Agriculture Statistics Service, spoke about what data they collect, what it is used for and how it is collected.
The Feb. 8 meeting was scheduled to cover precision farming, however, that meeting was cancelled due to weather.
On Feb. 15, Damon Frizzell, senior environmental scientist and associate agricultural advisor for Region 7 of the Environmental Protection Agency, was the speaker.
On Feb. 22, Bob Weaber, University of Missouri genetic specialist, spoke about using genetics to improve hybrid vigor in commercial cattle herds.
On March 1, Ron Plain, University of Missouri ag economist reviewed the markets for the past year and looked at predictions for the coming year.
In addition to the meetings, on Feb. 18, a group of 23 members took a day trip to Springfield to tour Concor Quarries and the John Deere remanufacturing plant. The John Deere plant takes old engines and refurbishes them to sell as remanufactured engines.
Up next for the group will be the planting of their annual corn and soybean plot north of the high school. They will hold a field day at the plot in August.
Jeff Bergman, one of the co-chairmen for the summer 2009 Missouri Young Farmers and Farm Wives Tour which toured sites in Lafayette and Saline Counties, announced at the dinner meeting that the National Young Farmers Tour will be in Kansas City in 2011. It will be based at the former Adams Mark Hotel, near the Royals and Chiefs stadiums.
John Morgan is the adult adviser for the Santa Fe Agri-Leaders. Officers for 2010 are Larry Bargfrede, president; Craig Peters, vice-president; Diane Schmidt, secretary; Gary Drake, treasurer; Corey Wagner, reporter; John Aversman, sentinel; Debbie Lueck, chaplain; and Russell Limback, immediate past president.
Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net
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You'd be amazed at what Santa Fe Pride can do.......
I guess I struck a nerve wanting the truth not another snow job! By the way I am well aware of what is going on within the Santa Fe District! How do you know I have not attended the past meetings?
I am also well aware of the solutions and it looks like it will cost alot of tax payer's money! Plus staff and teachers pay will be froze!If there are such positive solutions how come no one is talking to the newspapers?
Most people are not even aware of the public meetings unless they pick up the Santa Fe Times or are required to go because they work at Santa Fe.
By the way I knew Russell Lee (and Becky)you are right he was a great guy and the family's donation was wonderful! I really do not think this article was ruined by asking someone(Press) to shine the light on what is going on at Santa Fe...
Too bad most people are strapped for cash in this day and age. I do not see anybody especially the Santa Fe School District passing a hike in taxes for the last 7 or 8 years of mismanagement of funding. The farmers this time do not have anymore to give!!
Maybe the former Superintendent should attend these meetings to explain what exactly happened for Santa Fe to be in such a MESS! I doubt any board members will admit to their ignorance of being clueless!
I have no problem telling people what I think so maybe you will recognize me at the next SF public meeting!!! I think everybody should be heard both sides and the truth should be brought forth!!
Thank you Becky for the wonderful donation. Russell Lee was a great leader in the Ag community.
Too bad the great article had to be damaged by the post by Tito. I wonder if Tito is a taxpayer in the school district, if so, attend one of the upcoming meetings and ask questions in person instead of just blogging. You will get the real answers. There are solutions and unless you have been involved in the process, you don't know what those are. Step up, attend a meeting, and ask face to face questions. Dr. Barnett will answer them. Let's see if you can say the things in public you can blog on the internet.
Something positive currently at Santa Fe (Thank You Becky & family)...but will the school still be able to keep the doors open with all of the finacial problems? Heard their below state budget funding formula, teachers & staff pay froze, emergency teacher meetings, teachers loosing jobs......
When will the Press tell the REAL truth and let the public know what is going on before they push to raise taxes in the April election? We all know the current school board sat there nodding their heads "Yes" while former Supt. Dr. Wright pushed checks through as he spent all of the money!!! Plus we cannot forget the BIG gym!
Give the people the real truth and not another snow job saying as the Santa Fe Times comments, "All schools are having problems"
This school fininacial problem was simmering before state budget cuts and SANTA FE is in MAJOR TROUBLE!!!! Tax hikes still would not cover the mess this district is in..... not even Santa Fe pride!