Agriculture and Technology

Guest speaker at Thursday's Rotary meeting was Jeff Vander Werff, a Sparta farmer and  field agronomist with extensive knowledge in a very wide range of crops.  Jeff talked about the many electronic tools used in today's farming from growing crops to animal husbandry.  Jeff also discussed how social networks on the Internet can help teach people about farming.  He discussed how local companies use local products in their stores and restaurants and how locally grown products end up on our shelves far more than we imagined.  When asked what he thought was the greatest threat to agriculture he surprised a lot of Rotarians by stating government regulations.  He commented on how locally grown products are rigidly regulated but that foreign foods do not necessarily get inspected or meet the standards that are expected from American farmers.

On Wednesday evening, Comstock Park High School presented its Academic Awards program, and the Comstock Park Rotary participated and presented two $750 scholarships to two seniors, who exemplified the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self".  The scholarships were presented by incoming Rotary president Alex Arends to seniors  Katherine Caballeros and Alicia Saenz.  Two juniors, Amanda Ciancio and Alaina Wier were also selected to attend the District Rotary Leadership   Institute scheduled to take place near Cadillac this summer.  The Rotary will also be presenting two scholarships and select two more students to attend the Leadership Institute from the student body at Kenowa Hills High School.

Dana Quick (Edward Jones) and Rotary guest speaker Jeff Vander Werff

The topic was timely and Rotarians listened attentively

The Comstock Park Rotary will assist thee District Lions  in selling tickets for a new car raffle in an effort to raise funds for both organizations.  Any benefit to the Rotary will go towards the costs of building a new well in El Salvador.