Texas Farm Bureau CEO, Vernie Glasson, was the featured speaker at Tuesday night's Hopkins-
Rains County Farm Bureau.

 

State Farm Bureau Leader Addresses
Local Members, Tuesday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau President, Don Smith, served as the Master
of Ceremonies for Tuesday night's banquet.

 

It was a night of good bar-b-que, door prizes, and an address by Texas Farm Bureau CEO, Vernie Glasson, that brought over 500 Hopkins and Rains County Farm Bureau members to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, on Tuesday night, for the 57th Annual County Banquet. In introducing Glasson, Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau President, Don Smith, said, "Vernie's not only my friend, but he knows more about Texas Agriculture than anyone that I know. He works on a daily basis to make certain that the issues affecting farmers and ranchers in the state of Texas are addressed and dealt with!"

Tuesday night's banquet featured an introduction of local Farm Bureau Directors, Staff, and those in attendance from across Northeast Texas. The Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau is the largest member organization in Northeast Texas with 4371 members, and over 500 of them were in attendance at Tuesday night's meeting.

The local organization approved a resolution to be sent to the annual state Resolutions Committee dealing with support for the Federal and State Exemption on Estate and Gift Taxes, that affects farmers and ranchers transfering property to the next generation of farmers.

 

 

 

Glasson, CEO of the Texas Farm Bureau for the past 25 years, began his address by commending the local organization for being one of the largest and most active in the state. He expressed his gratitude for the support and the activity locally on issues that affect Texas Agriculture. He denoted that the Texas Farm Bureau is constantly changing organization that represents over 440,000 members state-wide. "We've grown by 18,000 members in just the past year," stated Glasson. "And, with that growth and the constant battles of things affecting agriculture, its imperative that we continue to represent the farmer and rancher in both Austin and Washington."

Glasson also made a parallel to the population make-up of the state of Texas in 1950 and today. "In 1950, the population of Texas was mostly rural and was comprised of approximately 7 million people. Today, that population has grown to some 25 million people and 67% of them live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio urban areas," related Glasson. "They have no idea what it takes to produce the food that is provided for them in the supermarket and are almost totally removed from the agricultural sector of our economy!"

 

Over 500 members attended Tuesday night's annual meeting.

 

 

During his presentation, Glasson asked local members to support Proposition #11 on the ballot for November 3rd, regarding Eminent Domain Reform. "Vote 'Yes' for this proposition to protect property from unfair seizure for development," stated Glasson. "This Texas constitutional amendment stops the government from taking privat property from you to give to another for personal gain!"

"More work is needed by the Texas Legislature to ensure fair negotiations and adequate compensation in future eminent domain reform efforts," encouraged Glasson. "Vote Yes on Proposition 11 and remind your state representative and state senator to finish the job in the next legislative session!"

Tuesday night's 57th Annual Membership Banquet ended with drawings for some 75 plus door prizes with Larry Argenbright of Dike winning the top prize of a BBQ Grill. Tuesday night's affair was catered by Andy and Mary Lou Wright's Birthright BBQ.

 

Cody Nguyen won this John Deere Tractor, donated by Joyce and
Jimmy Don Goldsmith, and even wore the shirt that was appropriate
for the prize!!!

 

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