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4
5
6
7 Cosponsors:
8 Patrice M. Arent
9 Stewart Barlow
10 Rebecca Chavez-Houck
11 Rich Cunningham
Susan Duckworth
Stephen G. Handy
Timothy D. Hawkes
Bradley G. Last
Mike K. McKell
Curtis Oda
Derrin Owens
Lee B. Perry
Scott D. Sandall
Mike Schultz
12
13 LONG TITLE
14 General Description:
15 This resolution recognizes the contributions the Utah Farm Bureau has made to
16 agriculture in the state over the past 100 years.
17 Highlighted Provisions:
18 This resolution:
19 ▸ recognizes the Utah Farm Bureau for strengthening agriculture and rural
20 communities and improving the lives of all Utahns; and
21 ▸ congratulates the Utah Farm Bureau on its 100 years of leadership and service to its
22 members and the state.
23 Special Clauses:
24 None
25
26 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
27 WHEREAS, 100 years ago on December 4, 1916, farmers and ranchers from across the
28 state gathered at the Hotel Utah in downtown Salt Lake City to create the Utah Farm Bureau
29 Federation;
30 WHEREAS, these agricultural leaders laid the foundation for a state organization that
31 continues to provide a voice for all farmers and ranchers in Utah, improve farm income, and
32 give representation to our state's food producers;
33 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau was established to serve and strengthen agriculture,
34 supply valuable member services to family farms and ranches, and maximize production
35 agriculture's ability to engage in national, state, and local policy decisions;
36 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau is a true grassroots organization dedicated to
37 ensuring that agriculture remains healthy and vibrant;
38 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau achieves these goals through the organization's
39 unique individual member-driven policy development process and active legislative and
40 regulatory advocacy programs;
41 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau worked closely with Utah State University
42 Extension Service to provide valuable information from the land grant system to improve
43 production and farm income;
44 WHEREAS, in 1921, the Utah Farm Bureau established the Women's Program to focus
45 on farm life, rural community life, and leadership opportunities;
46 WHEREAS, in 1939, the Utah Farm Bureau established the Young Farmers Program,
47 the precursor to the Utah Young Farmer and Rancher Program, to provide leadership
48 development, training, and opportunities for young members;
49 WHEREAS, Utah Farm Bureau agriculture education outreach efforts include the
50 "Share-A-Book" campaign to place fact-based books in Utah schools, the "Agriculture in the
51 Classroom" initiative, the "Our Food Link" program to introduce thousands of Utah school
52 children and other Utahns to the family farms and ranches dotting the state's landscape, "Farm
53 Field Days" hosted by county farm bureaus across the state, and "Farm Bureau Day" at the
54 Utah State Fair;
55 WHEREAS, approximately 29,000 member families from all 29 counties in the state
56 comprise the Utah Farm Bureau, making it the largest agriculture organization in the state and
57 the recognized "Voice of Agriculture";
58 WHEREAS, the vision, commitment, and service of the Utah Farm Bureau boards of
59 directors, volunteer members, and staff have built partnerships and industry coalitions for the
60 past 100 years;
61 WHEREAS, these partnerships and coalitions have developed and implemented
62 initiatives and projects focused on the United States Constitution and fundamental principles
63 such as limited government, private property rights, and free enterprise;
64 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau has been a leader in meeting the insurance needs of
65 farmers and ranchers, establishing Utah's first "Farmers Market," and advocating for policies
66 that support farmers including the "Greenbelt Amendment" and production-based property
67 taxes;
68 WHEREAS, these efforts have enabled farmers and ranchers to produce and sell their
69 products, provide nutritious and affordable locally grown foods, serve as vital contributors to
70 our state's economy by providing more than 80,000 jobs, and serve as environmental stewards
71 protecting and enhancing our state's natural resources; and
72 WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America and
73 principal author of the Declaration of Independence, said, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit,
74 because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness":
75 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
76 Governor concurring therein, recognizes the Utah Farm Bureau for strengthening agriculture
77 and rural communities and improving the lives of all Utahns through its leadership, service to
78 its members and the state of Utah, and efforts to champion the production of food and fiber and
79 the noble professions of farming and ranching.
80 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor congratulate and
81 salute the Utah Farm Bureau Federation as it enters into its centennial celebration in 2016.