The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin": Vol. 2025 #6: 11-6-24

 VOLUME 2025   NOVEMBER 6, 2024   NUMBER 6

President Greg McCune welcomed the membership and guests, then Bill Wisdom presented the reflection.  The flag salute followed.

Jerry Banaka introduced Brigadier General Eric Peck (retired), who is the CEO and Interim Chair of the Board of SAVE Farm, a veteran related organization.

The Servicemember Agricultural Vocation Education (SAVE) Farm is a teaching and healing center for transitioning service members and veterans.  They open their programs to all with a desire in agriculture.  They facilitate healing for those in need, helping to regain a fulfilling purpose in life through agriculture.

The concept for the SAVE Farm began nearly a decade ago, when retired Colonel Gary Lagrange and his daughter saw results from training beekeeping and providing therapy to soldiers from nearby Fort Riley.  With help from organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the Conservation Fund, the SAVE Farm is now a reality.  It provides hands-on training teaching their students through experienced professionals.  Their students learn how to successfully and sustainably manage cropland, livestock, and grasslands for grazing.

With their Sustainable Agriculture Program, they graduated as a SAFE Apprentice Famer and Rancher.  Their students are prepared for a career on a farm or working in other aspects of the farm and food system.  Even if they have no farming or ranching experience, the graduates will be able to use their knowledge to develop new farms. 

Graduates are afforded the opportunity to operate and reinforce the skills and knowledge they acquired through the internship program and many students are placed in ag jobs.  This is conducted under the supervision of SAFE instructors and staff.

SAVE Farm provides research and training opportunities from the research and development of new strands of wheat to training new employees without any hands-on experience.  SAVE Farm provides students with the ability to return for additional training when they feel it is needed, and as a source of information to agencies, information and other services that will benefit their students and the agricultural community.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at the SAVE Farm through teaching, working with livestock, tending to the garden and orchard.  SAVE Farm also offers agricultural education opportunities in support of the local agricultural youth programs and groups, such as the 4-H Club and FFA.

Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Marketing, Conventional Crops Science, Farm Equipment Operation and Maintenance, Cover Crops

Animal Science and Industry, Animal Behaviorism, Watering/Water Quality, Understanding Horticulture, Range Management

Basic Farm Construction, High Tunnel Construction and Operations, Specialty Crops, Farm/Ranch Fencing, Intro to Regenerative Ag., Farmstead Design

SAVE Farm is supported by many agricultural agencies, businesses, and academic research organizations.

For more information, check out their website:  https://www.thesavefarm.org/

Brigadier General Eric Peck (retired), our speaker.

Clyde Scott shared about 50% of the dues have been paid and he has sent out letters to those who have not paid.  He reminded the group that dues are overdue.

Clyde also announced the Bewitching in Westloop on October 31st was a success and the MHS Interpersonal Skills Class students helped distribute candy.  Check out some of the pictures after Birthdays below.

Korey Klinkenberg announced help was needed for the Early Expressions art judging on December 5th.  Volunteers need to pick up Artwork from the schools and deliver it to the church on December 5th and volunteers are needed to help with the judging by laying out the art for judging and picking it up and organizing it for return to the schools.  Approximately 2,200 art pieces are judged in five hours.

Thad Hall noted several more helpers are needed for Hoop Holler N’ Shoot for the finals.

Jim Franke announced the preparations are underway for opening the tree lot.  Shift signup is through Signup Genus.  If you need help signing up for shifts, please contact Jim at: jfranke@ksu.edu

SAVE THESE DATES: November 27, 10:00 trees moved to sales area and priced; November 28, Tree Lot Opens - 10:00-12:00 & 2:00-6:00.

Adjourned with the Optimist Creed

NOVEMBER 13: NOON MEETING: Program: Student of the Month Presentation and Jim Franke: Topic: “Christmas Tree Lot Progress Report.”

NOVEMBER 20: MORNING MEETING: PROGRAM: “Youth of the Month Presentations: Manhattan Catholic School and Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School”

NOVEMBER 27: 10:00 AM: AT OPTIMIST PARK: Unwrapping trees; placing trees on stanchions and pricing trees.

 

Bewitching at Westloop Photos