Chuck's Chat Welcome to July 2025!

And welcome to the second half of 2025! Doesn’t seem that long ago we were April fooling, rushing to beat the tax deadline and sprucing up grave sites.

The June rainfall average based on weather data collected from 1991 to 2020 for the US National Centers for Environmental Information is 6.3” in Independence. Here along the Northern Sycamore Urban Boundary, we recorded 13.00 inches of rainfall on the ol’ trusty (somewhat) AcuRite weather station in June. More than we really needed, but certainly much better than the dryness of the past three years. Didn’t quite get all my hay put up, but did manage to miss the rain drops for what we did. By the way, this is the third consecutive month I’ve been unable to read the water meter due to the amount of accumulated precipitation inside the meter containment unit.

Just to give you a heads up, the annual Montgomery County Farm Bureau meeting will be held on October 7 at 6:30pm at ICC West in Independence. We’re currently searching for a member in need for our benefit silent auction. If you know of someone, contact Kathy O’Brien at 620-331-0826.

Also, for you with 4-H club or FFA chapter connections in Montgomery County, the annual the FFA & 4-H Advocacy, Service and Education Grant application will be coming out soon. It is intended to financially assist 4-H clubs and FFA chapters located in Montgomery County. Up to five grants, each valued at one thousand dollars or less will be awarded annually to qualifying applicants. The application will be available at www.mgfarmbureau.org.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau will again sponsor a sanctioned Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull this year at the Montgomery County Fair on Sunday, July 27 at 3pm inside the 4-H building in Independence’s Riverside Park. Kids who pull the furthest can qualify to pull at the Kansas State Fair. There will NOT be a pedal pull at this year’s Interstate Fair and Rodeo.

I hate to say it, but I’m looking forward to some July heat and the fescue lawn growth slowing down. It’s been quite a chore trying to maintain the yard to look somewhat respectable without leaving either tracks or windrows. Then again, the Bermuda grass is thriving quite well. Ugh.

Stay cool and hydrated,

Chuck Voelker