Colorado Young Farmers to hold state institute February 3-4

***NJC Press Release***


Duren to present Calls of the Wild during event

The Forty-Third Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association Institute will be held February 3-4, 2012 at the Red Lion Hotel Denver Central in Denver, Colorado.

Over 150 members, spouses, advisors, and guests are expected to attend. The members of the Fort Morgan and Southeast Weld County chapters are assisting with hosting some of the events.

The state officers coordinating the activities include: President-Dan Ross, Yuma, Yuma Chapter; Northeastern Vice President-Allan Carlson, Longmont, St. Vrain Chapter; Southeastern Vice President-David Begler, Fort Lupton, Front Range Chapter; Secretary-Ben Christensen, Blanca, San Luis Valley Chapter; Treasurer-Bryson Miller, Brush, Fort Morgan Chapter; Reporter-Andi Begler, Fort Lupton, Front Range Chapter, and Immediate Past President-Eric Kipp, Yuma, Yuma Chapter. The advisor is Mike Womochil from Denver, Assistant Advisor, Kenton Ochsner of Denver, and Jack Annan from Sterling serves as Executive Secretary.

The delegates representing their respective chapter will elect officers for the 2012-2013 year and conduct business pertaining to the Association.

The Friday morning educational workshop entitled, “Drip Irrigation As An Alternative” will be presented by Ross Roberts with Quality Well and Pump in LaSalle, Colorado. The Friday Luncheon entertainment will feature Ralph Duren with “Calls Of The Wild” from Jefferson City, Missouri. The Friday afternoon educational workshop entitled, “Water Policy Decisions and Tools” will be presented by Dr. James Pritchett and Dr. Neil Hansen with Colorado State University.

The Friday evening activity is a Casino Night and will feature Ralph Duren with his “Calls Of The Wild After Dark” entertainment. An avid turkey hunter, Duren started making animal sounds with his mouth while turkey hunting. This was in the early Jefferson County Missouri hunting days. He now describes himself as a turkey and coyote hunter. He loved the outdoor so much that he got a job with The Missouri Department of Conservation where he could enjoy his passion for animal calls. This vocation has expanded, and he now entertains audiences from coast to coast with his animal calls and stories. Duren produces the calls mostly with his mouth but occasionally uses a call. You can find several examples of his entertaining style out on You Tube.

The 2012 Colorado Spokesperson for Agriculture contest will be held Saturday morning. The five winners will be announced at the noon luncheon. The winner will represent Colorado in the national contest in December 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Saturday afternoon educational workshop entitled “Young Farmers-Where Do We Go From Here?” will be moderated by Bryson Miller, Treasurer. It will follow with a workshop entitled “Website and Local Young Farmer Chapter Training” presented by Jeremy Weathers with Stormy Productions from Yuma, Colorado.

The Saturday evening awards banquet will feature speaker Sam Zakhem from Denver, Colorado with a presentation entitled “I’m Proud To Be An American.”

The banquet will also include recognition of the following award recipients: Honorary Members, Outstanding Chapter Community Service Award, Outstanding Winner and Runner Up Chapter, Outstanding Advisor, Outstanding Agri-Business Award, Outstanding Agri-Service Award, and Outstanding Regional Young Farmer. The annual Case IH Scholarship tractor auction will also highlight the activities.

The 2012-2013 newly elected officers will be installed to conclude the banquet activities.