Commissioners proclaim March 5-11 as 4-H Week
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Highland County commissioners Shane Wilkin and Terry Britton presented a proclamation in recognition of 4-H Week at their Wednesday, March 1 board meeting.
Commissioner Jeff Duncan is on vacation, but was in electronic communications with the board regarding the tornado that struck the Leesburg area early Wednesday morning. Commissioners extended their concerns for everyone's safety and well-being following the severe weather.
Accepting the 4-H proclamation – designating March 5-11 as Ohio 4-H Week in Highland County – were Ohio State University Extension Educator and Highland County Extension Director Kathy Bruynis and local 4-H members Lane Frost and Braden Heizer of Fairfield High School and Lynchburg-Clay senior Quinn Walker.
Walker was last year's Highland County Fair queen, and both Heizer and Frost have served as county fair king. All three students are active in 4-H leadership and mentoring young members.
Walker attended the Washington, D.C. Leadership Conference and was in the nation's capital for President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Bruynis told commissioners that Highland County last year had 817 members in traditional 4-H clubs, 79 in camps and 421 in school enrichment programs through 4-H. She thanked commissioners for this year's proclamation.
The 4-H Pledge reads as follows:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
* * *
• In other news, Commissioner Wilkin reminded land owners that at a recent meeting with the Highland County Farm Bureau and the Brown County Farm Bureau, an issue of solar power technology installations was raised.
According to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, solar power technology has grown considerably over the past few years, and landowners are increasingly being approached about leasing part of their property for solar-powered projects.
The size of the proposed projects ranges from 60 acres to 800 acres, according to Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of energy, utility and local government policy.
Wilkin said the local Farm Bureau representatives are advising landowners to seek counsel prior to signing any contracts for solar-power installations.
"We're heard that 63 to 68 percent of these contracts are signed on the hood of a pickup truck," Wilkin said.
The OFBF (https://ofbf.org/2016/10/24/ask-questions-signing-solar-lease/) advises that several things should be considered before leasing land for these projects:
• Research the company. Does the company have experience with long-term development, construction and operation of the facility, or is this lease package being created for speculative purposes?
• Contract vs. regulatory issues – Some program provisions are determined in your negotiated lease; others are a matter of state and federal regulations. Know exactly what provisions you can control and negotiate.
• How long will the project be on your property?
• What are the tax ramifications? How will this affect your Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV)?
• Who pays the cost of dismantling the solar project and returning the land to its original condition at the end of a lease? What happens if the company goes bankrupt?
For more information, contact your local Farm Bureau or go to https://ofbf.org/2016/10/24/ask-questions-signing-solar-lease/.
* * *
Resolution
The board voted, 2-0, to approve a Board of DD request to establish a new endowment fund and appropriated $190,000.
Commissioner Jeff Duncan is on vacation, but was in electronic communications with the board regarding the tornado that struck the Leesburg area early Wednesday morning. Commissioners extended their concerns for everyone's safety and well-being following the severe weather.
Accepting the 4-H proclamation – designating March 5-11 as Ohio 4-H Week in Highland County – were Ohio State University Extension Educator and Highland County Extension Director Kathy Bruynis and local 4-H members Lane Frost and Braden Heizer of Fairfield High School and Lynchburg-Clay senior Quinn Walker.
Walker was last year's Highland County Fair queen, and both Heizer and Frost have served as county fair king. All three students are active in 4-H leadership and mentoring young members.
Walker attended the Washington, D.C. Leadership Conference and was in the nation's capital for President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Bruynis told commissioners that Highland County last year had 817 members in traditional 4-H clubs, 79 in camps and 421 in school enrichment programs through 4-H. She thanked commissioners for this year's proclamation.
The 4-H Pledge reads as follows:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
* * *
• In other news, Commissioner Wilkin reminded land owners that at a recent meeting with the Highland County Farm Bureau and the Brown County Farm Bureau, an issue of solar power technology installations was raised.
According to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, solar power technology has grown considerably over the past few years, and landowners are increasingly being approached about leasing part of their property for solar-powered projects.
The size of the proposed projects ranges from 60 acres to 800 acres, according to Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of energy, utility and local government policy.
Wilkin said the local Farm Bureau representatives are advising landowners to seek counsel prior to signing any contracts for solar-power installations.
"We're heard that 63 to 68 percent of these contracts are signed on the hood of a pickup truck," Wilkin said.
The OFBF (https://ofbf.org/2016/10/24/ask-questions-signing-solar-lease/) advises that several things should be considered before leasing land for these projects:
• Research the company. Does the company have experience with long-term development, construction and operation of the facility, or is this lease package being created for speculative purposes?
• Contract vs. regulatory issues – Some program provisions are determined in your negotiated lease; others are a matter of state and federal regulations. Know exactly what provisions you can control and negotiate.
• How long will the project be on your property?
• What are the tax ramifications? How will this affect your Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV)?
• Who pays the cost of dismantling the solar project and returning the land to its original condition at the end of a lease? What happens if the company goes bankrupt?
For more information, contact your local Farm Bureau or go to https://ofbf.org/2016/10/24/ask-questions-signing-solar-lease/.
* * *
Resolution
The board voted, 2-0, to approve a Board of DD request to establish a new endowment fund and appropriated $190,000.