San Juan Basin Farm Bureau members met Nov. 13 for their annual meeting, dinner and entertainment at the Cortez Elks Lodge.

Elected to serve as officers for the coming year were Lynn Harvey, president; Sidney Snyder, vice president, and Dorothy Porter, secretary. Landis Porter was elected county women’s chairman, and Scott Mahaffey was elected county young farmer and rancher chairman.

Elected to two-year terms were directors John Sutcliffe, Gene Donovan, Rick Tucker, Charlie Lichliter, Jay Allen and Danny Decker. Directors whose terms did not expire are Nellie Donovan, Jim Porter, Janice Harvey, Joe Mahaffey, Peter Dericks, Anna Ruth Koppenhafer, Harvey Young and Phyllis Snyder.

Karen Salaz, Colorado Farm Bureau information director, discussed staff and program changes in Colorado Farm Bureau and then updated the group on some of the latest issues. Gov. Owens will be having meetings in Denver on state water issues.

State Rep. Kay Alexander discussed her plans to introduce legislation for sales-tax exemptions on agriculture repairs and agriculture buildings such as grain bins, and for other ag-related expenses.

She also discussed her concerns about the proposed White River National Forest plan, which will greatly alter the traditional multiple-use concepts of forest plans and could have tremendous impacts on local economies throughout the western states if all the forest plan rewrites follow this new format. She urged everyone to get involved in the public comment period with letters to CAET-USDA, Attn: Planning Rule, Forest Service, 200 E. Broadway, Rm. 103 P.O. Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807.

Guests attending the meeting and dinner included Tom and Penny Compton, president-elect of Colorado Cattlemen’s Association; Doug Davis, president of La Plata County Farm Bureau; Ben and Kay Alexander; Karen and Mike Salad; and Richard Connell, regional manager of the Colorado Farm Bureau.

More than 200 members and guests enjoyed the excellent buffet dinner prepared and served by the Cortez Elks Lodge, the very entertaining and talented stage show by the Bar D Wranglers, and the country dance music of Donny Johnson. A large selection of generous door prizes donated by area businesses were given away during the evening.