Greetings from Somerset County: Land of milk, maple and markets
Submitted by Tim Rhoads, Western Region Vice President

As this newsletter comes out the children will be back in school, the oats combined and probably some of the silos will be filled with silage. It leaves me to wonder, where did the summer go?  It seems like yesterday, Brandon was excited for the last day of school and now they are back in session.  And before we know it, Christmas will be right around the corner.

Making the community better – members of Berlin Brothersvalley Young Farmers worked together to improve a practice field for soccer as a community service project.The Berlin Brothersvalley Young Farmers were busy this summer with a group Community Service Project in conjunction with the school at the Berlin Community Grove.  One of the fields used for AYSO soccer and as a practice field for school sports was damaged.  The school board asked the Young Farmers if they would be willing to work the field and get it back in shape to be used.  Several nights throughout the summer, members gathered to add some topsoil, pick rocks, disc, harrow, re-seed and mulch the field. They even helped to put a cable across the side of the field so that it would not be damaged again. The field is looking great and will be back in use for the next season for AYSO.

Somerset County Young Farmers gathered for a family picnic in August, enjoying an evening of fellowship hosted by Berlin Brothersvally YF.In August, the Berlin Brothersvalley Young Farmers hosted the County Young Farmers picnic at the Berlin Community Grove. A total of 128 members and family from the Rockwood, Meyersdale and Berlin chapters attended.  The evening began with a meal featuring BBQ chicken, prepared by Doyle Paul, Keith Hay, Keith & Craig Leydig, Greg Croner and myself.  After the meal, the evening was spent handing out Lifetime Membership certificates and several games of “Farmers BINGO”.  It was an enjoyable evening of fun and fellowship for all.

Members of the fair booth committee prepared a display for the Somerset County Fair, held in August. This year’s theme was Somerset County – Land of Milk, Maple and Markets, and showed just a few of the things that make Somerset County a great place to visit and live. The committee consisted of Doyle & Donna Paul, Keith & Denise Leydig, Greg & Judy Croner, Justin & Jessica VanGilder, Brad Flick and myself. 

 
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