Washington’s leadership class goes down on the farm

This year’s Leadership Washington class members poses at Berdo Farms to learn about beef production and at Brayton Turner’s Farm to learn about sheep farming. (Photo submitted)

Leadership Washington members explored several ag sites last week (Photo submitted)

WASHINGTON — This year’s Leadership Washington class got an up-close-and-personal look at farming life when it met on Wednesday, March 8. The leadership program, sponsored by the Washington Chamber of Commerce, combined presentations by experts and field trips to help educate the class on the impact of agriculture to the local economy during its annual Agriculture Day.

Washington County 4-H Youth Coordinator Amy Green started the day in Dallmeyer Hall on the Washington County Fairgrounds with her talk “Farmers Know Best” touching on how many skills farmers must possess. Tye Rinner, farm manager at Rinner Farms of Washington, spoke to the group on the topic “Turkeys Aren’t Just For Thanksgiving Anymore.” Brayton Turner at 2005 260th Street spoke on “The Sheep are in the Meadow'' and conducted a tour of his operation. Dan & Mike Berdo at 2174 275th St. showed their setup about “Beef-It’s What’s for Dinner.”

The class returned back to the Fairgrounds for lunch catered by Illa Miller, Kurt Dallmeyer of the Washington County Fair Association spoke on the many uses of the Fair Grounds and all the partnerships they are part of.

The class then traveled to Eichelberger Farms at 408 North Way Dr. where Silvia Castaneda completed a program about the rich history of Eichelberger Farms. Then the group traveled to Evolution Ag at 510 North 12th Avenue to hear a presentation/tour from Shawn Redlinger. Lastly, they were off to QC Supply 2492 Hwy 92, to see the products that farmers need to make everything happen.

Volunteer leaders of the day were Amanda Russell, Andy Miller and Rachel Fishback. The day was sponsored by the Washington County Farm Bureau.