Chuck's Chat-Welcome to October 2025
The annual Montgomery County Farm Bureau meeting will be held October 7th at ICC West in Independence, beginning at 6:30pm. We have some really nice items for the benefit silent auction you’ll want to be sure to check out. This year’s proceeds are going to help the Local Health Equity Action Team’s container gardening project that we assisted with last spring. The goal is to provide additional supplies, funding, and hopefully volunteer labor to increase the scope of last year’s project. Our Facebook page will be highlighting some of the items up for bid, including pork, beef, and much more.
And speaking of pork, the tenth month of the year is designated as National Pork Month, acknowledging the time of year when the most hogs were traditionally marketed. Today, October is a month to celebrate America’s pig farmers’ hard work. Pork is a popular choice for meat lovers around the globe, making it the most consumed meat globally. It is rich in high-quality proteins, which are essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. Pork is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including thiamine, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B12. Despite its lighter color when cooked, pork is classified as red meat due to its myoglobin content, similar to beef and lamb. Celebrate Porktober responsibly!
October 5 - 11 is designated as National 4-H week. This is a time to recognize the achievements of the past year and to also prepare for the beginning of the 4-H year. Nationwide, over 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4 H professionals provide caring and supportive mentoring to 6 million 4 H’ers, helping them grow into true leaders today and in life. I highly encourage you to get your kids or grand kids involved in a local 4-H program. And, adult volunteers are always needed throughout the year. Contact your local extension office to see how you can help.
And speaking of extension offices, did you hear about the new office being constructed for Montgomery County’s extension program? It will be in Independence directly east of the former hospital building. Dirt work should begin very soon with completion sometime in the spring. Additional offices, a teaching kitchen, and a conference/meeting room available to host groups or small events are among some of the features.
Leadership KFB is seeking applicants, and the deadline to apply is October 15. This year-long program builds influential, thought-driven leaders who choose to engage, create change and seek solutions not only in agriculture but also in counties and communities across the state. Leadership KFB enhances leadership skills through a carefully designed curriculum and opportunities offered in the seven-session program schedule. The program also strengthens communication skills, from public speaking to effectively using traditional and social media. Participants learn from industry leaders through experiential sessions and engage others on statewide issues. Go to https://www.kfb.org/Get-Involved/Training/Leadership-KFB for application details.
Until next month,
Chuck Voelker