Goals for 2007-2011
- Develop ways to improve rural community life.
- Work to educate the public on the role, the economics and safe food practices of farming.
- Improve the lot of migrant workers who serve the community of Western Kentucky both spiritually and physically.
- Work to increase the number of markets available to sell local farm produce according to need; also communicating ways for channeling surplus for the needy.
- Share Catholic Social Teaching related to rural life and the environment.
- Sponsor a diocesan event related to rural life once per year.
- Encourage legislative advocacy for sustainable agriculture.
Minutes from Recent Meeting
Rural Life Committee Minutes
6-15-11
Present were: Tom Curtsinger, Joe & Mary Sue Elliott, Mike & Theresa McCarty, Jerry Knott, Rick Kamuf, and Richard Murphy
The meeting opened with Prayer.
The minutes were reviewed and accepted as published.
Old Business
1. Planning for the 2011 RLC:
The RLC is set for 8-7-11 at the Owensboro Sportscenter; note: the Sportscenter was now booked on their calendar for the RLC. The committee has a beginning balance of $2682.44. There will still need to be some fundraising done for the event but it can be done at a slower rate this year given the balance from last year. Richard agreed to email Gene Schadler, Paul Scherm and Sharon Beyke to ask them to work on fundraising again this year. The menu would still be the same this year.
The Honoree is to be Billie Joe Miles. Plans were made to meet with Deborah Seymour, his daughter & others on 6-23-11 at 8:00 AM at Miles Office on Keller Road to do some planning for the event. Several committee members would meet with them to help get ready for the event. A further delegation would get with staff from Billie Joe Miles Office to edit some film footage to show the audience at the RLC at a later date.
It would be necessary to have at least one follow up meetings in July, about two weeks prior to the event, to complete preparations for the RLC. More information would be made available to Committee members at a later date.
2. Status of Guest Worker Needs/H2A Changes:
The committee discussed the fact that it was increasingly harder to get workers this year. Rules for hiring were more complex with hiring formula for local workers to guest workers. Some farms may not hire till late summer. Some have cancelled their H2A contracts this year. One reason for less hiring was that less tobacco was being raised in the area.
Rogation Day Planning
Since the major Rogation Day is 4-25-11 was the day after Easter, it was decided to promote the Feast of St. Isadore on Sunday, May 15. The minor Rogation Days were the three days before Ascension Thursday, or May 31, June 1 & 2, 2011.
Fr. Pat Bittel hosted a gathering on the Lanham farm with a BBQ dinner and about 30 people were present for the event.
New Business:
1. Any Business Committee Members May Wish to Discuss
There was no new business raised by Committee members.
2. Recent Article Written by Joan Martin
A recent article in the WKC shared by Joan Martin regarding a family in Haiti that had received help was shared with the Committee
3. Farm Bill for 2012
Information was shared regarding the upcoming fight in Congress over the 2012 Farm bill. More will be forthcoming on this at future meetings.
4. Staff Report:
The latest US Census shows that there are now 50 million Hispanics in the United States. They make up more than half of the US population increase over the last decade, exceeding estimates in many states. Hispanics make up 1 in 6 Americans.
The committee discussed an increase farmers markets in the are and even some effort to home deliver produce as a means to offer consumers fresh produce right from the farm.
Richard shared 17 rules for Sustainable communities from Wendell Berry for the Committee’s enjoyment.
A news article was shared regarding a group of farmers suing a national company over patent issues.
The meeting Closed w/ Prayer.
Proposed Future Meeting Date: 10-5-11, 11-30-11, 1-18-12, 3-21-12, and 5-16-12 at 6:00 PM at CPC Basement.
