Don’t look now, but there’s no longer anyone to lead the Schoharie County Farm Bureau.
No president.
No vice president.
No secretary.
And no treasurer.
After years of filling the positions, President John Radliff, Vice President Jim Saddlemire, Secretary Linda Cross, and Treasurer Winnie Nelson have stepped down at the end of their terms for individual reasons, including family and health reasons and retirement.
And despite their best efforts and many attempts to fill the spots, no one has stepped up, said Mr. Radliff, following the SCFB’s annual meeting Thursday.
“People who are concerned about agriculture better step up or they’re going to be the last guy at the auction house,” Mr. Radliff said.
So what does it really mean?
No more local Farm Bureau?
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” Mr. Radliff said, blaming the lack of involvement, in part, to the thing that’s supposed to be bringing everyone together: social media.
“Farm Bureau is a true democratic process,” he said--small “d”--with ideas first discussed and passed—or not—locally before being forwarded to the state and then the national Farm Bureau.
“Now, with social media, everyone has an opinion and if you don’t agree, things quickly turn nasty,” Mr. Radliff said. “In the past, we’d argue and then put our differences aside. That’s not happening anymore.”
Mr. Radliff said there’s also a perception among younger farmers that Farm Bureau is too “old guard,” but again, he pointed to its democratic process.
“Don’t rail against us and then not offer your own solutions,” he said. “Don’t tell us you’re too busy, when we’re busy too. Don’t complain about how farmers aren’t supported or appreciated and then let something as important as Farm Bureau die. It’s time to step up.”
Anyone interested in stepping up can contact, yes, Mr. Radliff at (518) 234-2820