By Lindsey Mebane
President, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
It’s hard to believe another month has passed and we are still in the same situation. I must say it is weird not being able to go anywhere but work, see friends, or give a loved one a hug. Making plans for fundraisers, events, and gatherings continues to be a challenge. The remainder of 2020 seems so uncertain as to what we will be able to do and not do.
The Kern YF&R is still trying to stay involved in the community. By the time this article releases we will have just had our May meeting. We were forced to go the virtual route. It is important to our organization to keep members involved. Assemblyman Vince Fong will be speaking to the group about California Legislature goals as well as California Agriculture during COVID-19. The great thing about a virtual meeting is that you don’t have to make room for people because everyone will be in the comfort of their home! It will be a test run to see if virtual meetings can continue to keep our group in contact with each other.
Another uncertain item is our Annual Charity Farmer’s Market. The tentative date is July 11, 2020 but I am not holding my breathe that it will happen. If anything, we will move the event to the fall and still find a partner to build a garden for. No matter what happens with this virus, we will build a garden!
The Kern County Fair is also a concern for us. Whether the fair happens or not, the youth of this county still have livestock projects that need support. We have already released the application for the Kern YF&R Ag. Grant. If you have a 4-H/FFA member with a livestock project destined for the Kern County Fair, make sure they apply. Our nominating committee will review applications and choose recipients prior to the fair starting. For those of you that don’t know, livestock projects can be very expensive and with the risk of fairs getting cancelled, the exhibitors still must sell their animals. The Kern YF&R is looking to the community for help. We have created a GoFundMe campaign to help raise additional money to give out to our Ag Grant recipients. If you can find it in your heart to support the livestock youth of this great county, please donate. The easiest way to find it is to visit www.gofundme.com and search for “Kern County Fair 4-H and FFA livestock support.” Your support would be greatly appreciated.
As we continue to fight through this time, I hope that every one of you are staying safe and sane. We will get through this together and be stronger for it. I am amazed to see how supportive people are of the local community and my hope is that it continues long after this pandemic is behind us.
For more information about our group and to stay up to date please follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KernYoungFarmersAndRanchers and follow us on Instagram @kern_yfr. If you aren’t already on the e-mail list please e-mail us at kernyfr@kerncfb.com.
