Saline Rotary Club Hosts Area Farmers for Annual Luncheon

Close to 80 people were in attendance at this year’s Farmer Day luncheon, held Thursday at the UAW Hall in Saline. Every year the Saline Rotary Club gives back to area farmers by offering a meal, fellowship and an informational speaker.

“It’s a tradition to have our Annual Farmer Day to thank all of you for what you provide to our community,” said Walt Byers, President of the Saline Rotary Club.

The noon meeting began with introductions from each attendee. Farmers and family members each spoke their name, in some cases spanning three generations.

Lyle Wahl is Saline’s club treasurer, Rotary Foundation Chair and President elect. 

“Farmer’s Day has been going on for over 50 years,” Wahl said. “The Rotary invites all farmers to come in for a meal and fellowship, and then we always have a speaker for them.”

Linda Rector, Director of the Farm Service Agency of Wayne and Washtenaw Counties was this year’s speaker. She spent over 30 minutes explaining the different financial aid programs available for farmers. She talked about what her agency does, and explained the ins and outs of programs that affect payments for crops like the Direct and Counter Cyclical Program (DCP), the Acre Program, and Sure Program, which has been signed into law by President Barack Obama to give financial assistance to farmers, given they have crop insurance. Rector also spoke a bit about the Farm Bill.

A short presentation by artist Rick DeTroyer offered farmers the opportunity to showcase any of the hidden antiques or treasures they may have on their farms. Detroyer is creating a public art display, planned for Saline’s downtown area. He would like to use some historical agricultural artifacts for his art piece.

David Blough, a Rotarian since 1974 acknowledges the nostalgia that was felt in the room.

“This is about returning to the roots of Saline, that for years was a farming community,” he said.

A real sense of togetherness and appreciation was present in the room, as expressed by Becky Pazkowski.

“I think this is the only time that farmers in Saline come together for a social and educational effort annually,” she said.

The hearty lunch consisted of chicken, pork, scalloped potatoes, fresh vegetables and salad. There was a lot of conversation, an opportunity for questions, raffle drawings and camaraderie.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Saline, visit there website here.