Lampasas, TX

Why join Farm Bureau? Benefits, programs offered through membership By CHARLENE RUZICKA Farm Bureau member       Farm Bureau is an independent organization of farm and ranch families who have joined to solve their problems through united action. Polices that guide the organization originate at the grassroots level with each member given an opportunity to participate. Policies are adopted after discussion and... More ... Farm Bureau board       Members of the Board of Directors of the Lampasas County Farm Bureau for 2008 include, front row from left, John Davis; Walter Ruzicka; Charlene Ruzicka, secretary; Barney Groves, president; and Alex Wittenburg; back row from left, More ... Kline Whitis holds Ag Day       For many years, the Lampasas County Farm Bureau has participated at Kline Whitis Elementary School's Ag Day, where the organization sponsors a booth along with other groups to show students the importance of agriculture. The Farm Bureau booth illustrates some of the many products students use da... More ... County agent sees need for organization; instigates first local Farm Bureau in 1945       County Agent D.J. Moore saw a need for the farming and ranching industry to get more organized in 1945, and he was instrumental in that effort. Though Texas Farm Bureau began in 1920, it wasn't until Moore promoted the idea in Lampasas County that it took root and flourished. More ... Local teen wins state contest       Rachel Wolfe, a Lampasas High School graduate, took the top spot in the 2007 Texas Farm Bureau Talent Find Contest at the 74th annual state convention in December. She performed "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked" to top 12 other performers competing at the statewide contest and claimed t... More ... FB works to protect water quality       Protecting the state's water supply and quality is important to Farm Bureau members. Texas is comprised of approximately 168 million acres of land. About 66 percent -- or 100 million acres -- is covered with brush, cedar trees, mesquite and cactus. These trees and plants rob the state of more tha... More ... Membership drive set to begin today       The Lampasas County Farm Bureau will conduct its annual membership drive between March 25 and April 7. During this period, special efforts will be made by the local organization to enroll new members. Lampasas County Farm Bureau ended 2007 with 1,448 farm families. More ... Community's youth involved in FB       Lampasas County Farm Bureau leaders have worked with the community's youth in various aspects since the organization was formed. The local Farm Bureau crowned its first queen in 1949. Since 1960, a Miss Farm Bureau contest has been sponsored each year for local girls ages 16-19. More ... FB accepting applications for summer ag institute       Lampasas County Farm Bureau is accepting applications from elementary schoolteachers for the 2008 Texas Farm Bureau Summer Agricultural Institute at Tarleton State University in Stephenville June 16-20. More ... FB official encourages residents to use caution       The ingredients for a wildfire disaster in Lampasas County are in place, and Lampasas County Farm Bureau President Barney Groves is urging rural residents to be extra cautious. A wet spring and summer last year contributed to producing a hugh fuel load of brush and grass, Groves said. More ... FB offers financial services       Farm Bureau Bank began in July 1999 and is officially located in Sparks, Nev., with bank services headquartered in San Antonio. All deposit accounts are FDIC insured. Farm Bureau banking patrons are not just regular customers, because it is not an ordinary bank. More ... Property protection is benefit       Lampasas County Farm Bureau is among 204 county Farm Bureaus participating in the Texas Farm Bureau's Property Protection Program. All members in the county are eligible to use this posting and reward program -- one of the many Farm Bureau benefits. More ... Information on legislation       The Texas Farm Bureau has a website to keep people abreast of proposed legislative action and to serve as a means of communication with legislators. A visit to www.txfb.org will show what is offered in the way of news about Washington, D.C. and Austin. Simply click on the "Legislative Action Cent... More ... American Farm Bureau Federation encourages repeal of estate taxes       Permanent repeal of estate taxes is the best option for farmers and ranchers among reform alternatives being considered, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. More ... Leadership conference attended by FB members       The annual Farm Bureau Leadership Conference was held Jan. 27-30 at College Station. Those who attended from Lampasas County were Henry and Patsy Stoneham, and Barney and Christine Groves. Commodity conferences were offered on beef cattle, wildlife, wheat and feed grains, sheep and goats, hay an... More ... District recognition       At the District 8 Texas Farm Bureau competition, Sara Jackson, left, earned District 8 Miss Farm Bureau honors, and Trevor McGuire took the District 8 Free Enterprise Speech Contest prize. More ... Citizenship seminar draws area students       The 45th annual Texas Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Conference is designed to make youths take a look at their ideas, attitudes and abilities. The conference places emphasis on patriotism, responsibility and leadership. Top-notch speakers lead students in interactive discussions about real-world ... More ... --Discount Tickets--       Farm Bureau members are eligible for discounted tickets to Six Flags Over Texas Arlington. Prices are $28 for adult or children's tickets. A restricted season pass is $50.75, and an unrestricted season pass is $75.59. Discounted tickets also are available to Splashtown Houston. Cost is $19.29 fo... More ... Supporters eat at FB breakfast       along with many other Farm Bureau organizations across the nation, observed Food Checkout Day recently with a Hearty Farm-Fresh Breakfast served to a number of participants. Local FB directors did the cooking. The breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, biscuits, bacon, sausage, juice, milk, jelly,... More ... Cattle Auction       The report from the March 19 sale at Lampasas Cattle Auction is as follows. Cattle and calves: Estimated receipts 297 compared to 409 last week and 699 last year. Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers steady to firm; slaughter cows $1-$3 higher; slaughter bulls steady. More ... Ag Notes       Beef course Each year in August more than 1,300 beef cattle producers from across the U.S. and other countries converge on the campus of Texas A&M University to attend the Beef Cattle Short Course. In its 53rd year, it has become the largest beef producer educational event of its kind in the U.S... More ... Farm Credit lenders return 55 percent of earnings to customers       Twenty Farm Credit lending cooperatives in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas declared $133.7 million, or more than half of their 2007 earnings, in patronage to their customers -- farmers, ranchers, agribusiness firms, rural homeowners and other rural landowners. More ... Houston Stock Show events winding down       In week 2 of the Houston Livestock Show's breeding show, Lampasas County FFA members were successful. Nolan Ramon took second with his red Brangus, Bryce Ramon's red Brangus was fifth, and Lucas Atkinson and his Charolais heifer placed fourth. More ... Tips to handle ag waste pesticides safely       While no amount of safety precautions and protective measures can totally eliminate risks, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommends the following precautions to help minimize exposure when working with or handling waste pesticides and transporting waste materials. More ... TDA launches restaurant initiative       Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has announced the newly established "Go Texan" Restaurant Program, which is now accepting memberships. The Go Texan Restaurant Program allows restaurants to become part of the Go Texan program, which promotes the products, culture and communities of Te... More ...