EAST SMETHPORT — At their fall annual meeting Tuesday at the United Christian Church in East Smethport, members of the McKean-Potter County Farm Bureau approved four policy resolutions that will be forwarded to the state organization’s annual meeting for consideration in Hershey on Nov. 12 to 14.

Tom Edgreen, vice-president of the local Farm Bureau, presented the first three recommendations for consideration.

The first one reads as follows: “We recommend that any product manufactured or grown in a laboratory as a substitute for farm-raised animal meat protein cannot use the word “meat” in naming, describing or promoting their product.”

The second resolution says: “We recommend that any legislation or regulation affecting agriculture in Pennsylvania be submitted to the State House/Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees in conjunction with Pennsylvania Farm Bureau for review and advisement before enactment.”

As presented, the third resolution states: “We recommend that the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue must have clear definitions of sales tax exemptions for agricultural use. (If the products are to be used for farm use, they should be tax exempt.)”

Jim Tanner presented the fourth resolution from the floor. It recommends that any unauthorized use of a drone over private property without the property owner’s express prior permission be illegal.

Justin Clapper, Region 7 organization director of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, explained several benefits programs major American corporations offer eligible Pennsylvania Farm Bureau members. One is John Deere Rewards, which gives discounts on that company’s farm equipment. Another is Ford Discount that gives a $500 cash bonus on the purchase of eligible 2017-18 Ford vehicles.

Clapper said that PFB has partnered with Cleveland Brothers Caterpillar Inc. and this benefit package provides eligible members with up to $2,000 in purchasing incentives on Cat equipment. PFB members can also take advantage of discounts at Hershey Park.

Larry Blount and Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Tim Rooke were speakers for the evening.

A master farm certified agent for Nationwide Insurance, Blount is assigned to the territory of New York to the Carolinas and Tennessee, where he advises farmers and ranchers about identifying, eliminating or minimizing potential hazards and offering appropriate coverage.

“We have crop insurance and dairy revenue protection policies,” Blount noted. “Our claims department is one of the tops in the business. In a recent case, the claim was settled in two weeks.”

Rooke reviewed some sections of the booklet, “Laws and Regulations of Pennsylvania Agricultural Vehicles.”

Rooke said that a farm vehicle is exempt from registration for two years, but the vehicle is not considered exempt unless a biennial certificate is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and currently in effect.

Rooke also briefly reviewed the four types of farm vehicle exemptions for roadways, which deal with weight ratings, times of the day for operations and where the vehicles can be operated.

Rooke also explained the proper procedure for passing slow moving farm vehicles on roadways.

Ben Hollamby, principal agent for the Hollamby Agency in Portville, N.Y., representing Nationwide Insurance,also offered brief remarks.

In his report, Membership Chairman Dave Peterson said, “As you know, we reached our regular member goal last year. This year, we area off and running to another great start,” he said. “We have signed up more than five percent new members, and our renewals are coming in faster than last year.”

President Dan Shetler was re-elected to fill an open seat on the board of directors.

Interested candidates in becoming delegates at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Annual Meeting are to contact any board member.

Director Richard Kallenborn mentioned the importance of the November elections, and urged Farm Bureau members to register and vote, without endorsing any candidates. Noting that a county commissioner and a staff member of a state representative were in attendance at the meeting, Kallenborn reminded members to be civil when speaking with elected officials, saying, “Speak to them with dignity and respect, and they’ll return respect.”