The Farm Wire

April 2024

THANK YOU to everyone who submitted a SWEEP Grant Application. The number of applicants far exceeded our expectations. We wanted to give everyone a quick update on out timeline and share some changes.

1 - We plan to notify grant applicants by mid April of awards and those that were unsuccessful.

2 - We anticipate the grant contract phase to take place during May and June 2024.

3 - There will NOT be a second round of funding to apply for. We will award all $4 million dollars in the first round.

4 - As a result of eliminating a second round of funding, first round grant awardees will have upto 18 months to complete their projects if needed.

If you have additional questions, please email Colleen Cecil at colleen@buttefarmbureau.com. Thank you for your patience during this process.

Join the Butte and Glenn County Farm Bureau at the 2024 Almanor Golf Classic on Friday, June 28 at Bailey Creek Golf Course in Lake Almanor. Registration and Sponsorship information available soon!

A special thank you to our Membership March Mega Prize Donors!

Thanks to these generous donors, our Membership March drawing is possible! This includes Bertagna Nut Company, Bremner Farms, and California Olive Ranch. All these awesome prizes come along with a Solo Stove Bonfire just in time for grilling season.

Throughout the month of March, current members who renewed or new members who joined are entered into our Membership March Mega Prize Drawing. Stay tuned for the winner of the prize to be announced on social media.

Butte County Young Farmers and Ranchers would like to thank everyone who attended our annual Clay Shoot! We were grateful to be able to host again after not being able the previous year. Despite being a windy day, the event went well and was enjoyed by everyone.

As a committee of the Butte County Farm Bureau, we are striving to fundraise money to support and further enhance the leadership skills of our members. As the future of agriculture we are passionate about not only becoming more involved in our local agricultural community, but we are also eager to become more involved at a state and national level. The funds we raise support member’s attendance to the annual California Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference. This conference offers an opportunity for us to network with young colleagues from across the state, attend seminars on relevant agricultural issues, enjoy tours of diverse production farms and work together to better our young California agricultural community.

The money raised at this year’s clay shoot will also be going towards our new Butte County Young Farmers and Ranchers scholarship for graduating seniors in Butte County. This year we are awarding over $2,500.00 to high school seniors that are going to pursue an education in the agricultural field or an agriculture related trade school such as diesel mechanics or welding.

We hope to see everyone at next year’s Clay Shoot in early March of 2025.

We would also like to give a big THANK YOU to our generous sponsors! This event would not be possible without them!

The Butte County Farm Bureau is excited to announce that we will be hosting the Annual Summer Barbecue on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley. We are excited to enjoy good food, great people and many opportunities for awesome prizes!

This year’s Summer Barbecue will again be held outdoors and will surely be fun for the whole family. The event will feature corn hole, bounce houses for the kids, multiple raffles, door prizes, silent auction and live auction. Not to mention a delicious barbecue tri tip dinner with rice, homemade beans and salad. To cool off the night, Shubert’s Ice Cream and Candy will be providing their famous ice cream for dessert!

Each year, the auction and raffle generate unique, one-of-a-kind items generously donated by the community. There will be something for everyone!

Tickets are just $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $10 for kids between the ages of 9 to 12 and children 8 years and under eat free!

For more information visit the Butte County Farm Bureau website at www.buttefarmbureau.com, email tanya@buttefarmbureau.com or call the office at (530) 533-1473.

The California Bountiful Foundation has launched a new mentorship program, “Expanding Our Roots,” aimed at preserving California’s agricultural heritage with knowledge transfer to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. 

Who can become a mentee? 

Farmers and ranchers with 1-10 years of experience operating a production agriculture business in California can become mentees. 

Who can become a mentor? 

Farmers and ranchers with more than 10 years of experience operating a production agriculture business in California can become mentors. Mentors are financially compensated for their efforts. 

The “Expanding Our Roots” program is designed to uphold California's agricultural heritage. 

Butte County had a great time at Capital Ag Conference in Sacramento! Those who attended were able to converse directly with legislators, as well as help illustrate to policymakers the importance of Farm Bureau members' contributions to California's economy and overall well-being. It was overall an impactful and important event for Farm Bureau to take part in and look forward to doing so each year.