The county Farm Bureaus in District 1 (Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren) once again coordinated their combination chili cook-off and Young Farmer Discussion Meet after a two-year pause due to COVID.
Members were eager to resume the event and came out in droves to participate. Hosted Feb. 12 at Griner Farms in Cass County, 100 Farm Bureau members from across the great southwest came out to sample chili and cheer on their favorite Young Farmer in the 2022 District 1 Young Farmer Discussion Meet.
New this year, the district also added a belt sander race to the agenda, attracting 13 contestants racing decorated and, in some cases, highly modified belt sanders.
Cass County’s Shane Harris took home the gold medal with Rich Baker from St. Joseph County coming in a very close second. Harris also won in the best-decorated category with his Red Bull entry.
Fourteen contestants took part in the chili cook-off and 10 in the discussion meet.
Chili winners included Chad Geoit of Kalamazoo County (individual category); Rich Baker Farms, LLC of St. Joseph County (sponsor category); and Van Buren County Farm Bureau taking the people’s choice award. St. Joseph won the traveling trophy by winning the county chili category.
Discussion meet finalists included Chad Geoit of Kalamazoo County; Mark Trowbridge (St. Joseph); Emily Swift (St. Joseph) and Marcia Cripps (St. Joseph). Drew Bordner and Emily Mead, both of St. Joseph County, were chosen as alternates.
As a fundraiser for the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, the event raised $2,500 through donations at the door, sponsorship donations and an auction held at its conclusion.
As the event’s primary organizers, the District 1 Young Farmers were very happy to bring the event back to life with fun, food and Farm Bureau fellowship for all in attendance!