ABAA Annual Meeting 2012
The American Blonde d'Aquitaine Association held its 37th annual meeting at Westdale Farms in Centuria, WI. The meeting was hosted by Rick and Jolene Wester. The northern location was the first time in recent years that the group has gone "north" for its meeting, and all in attendance were impressed with the land and productivity of America there.
Members from Wisconsin, North Dakota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Canada attended the meeting which was held at the farm. Members then were able to see not only the Wester's cattle operation and calves being fed for sale to Laura's Lean Beef but also saw and began to understand the Wester's grain production as well as their grain storage facility. They are busy people!
One of the best parts of the meeting was the tour of the hydroelectric plant on
the St. Croix River on the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. All came away with a greater appreciation of the strength and value of water.
At the meeting three directors were elected: Doug Diebold of Oklahoma and Janella Garrett of Texas were re-elected, and Brad Miller was elected for his first term. In addition, Bill Crabtree of Texas was appointed to complete the term of Pierre Livaudais of Louisiana who had recently resigned. In other business, Mrs. Garrett announced that a new registrar had been hired for registrations and transfers. The new registrar is Kathy Richburg of Fyffe, AL. Other business matters, such as office and treasury reports, and other routine issues were covered and accepted by the members present
. The board of directors also met before and after the meeting. The following officers were elected: President is Jay Opoien of North Dakota, Vice-president is Rick Wester of Wisconsin, Secretary is Janella Garrett of Texas, and Treasurer is Cliff Easley of Mississippi. The directors decided to begin meeting via teleconference in January to enable all to be present and contribute to the meeting. The site for the next annual meeting is to be decided in the spring.
Everyone at the meeting had a great time and found the trip to Wisconsin well worth the drive. Thanks to the Westers, it was a great annual meeting.
ABAA December 2012 Newsletter (click to view)
ABAA July 2012 Newsletter (click to view)
ABAA December 2011 Newsletter (click to view)
ABAA June 2011 Newsletter (click to view)
ABAA December 2010 Newsletter (click to view)
ABAA August 2010 Newsletter (click to view)
ABAA December 2009 Newsletter (click to view)
ABAA April 2009 Newsletter (click to view)
2011 Annual Membership Meeting
The 2011 ABAA Annual Membership Meeting took place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 in Grand Saline, TX and was hosted by Wilson and Janella Garrett. Good fellowship, food, weather and Blonde cattle made for a great weekend and a great setting to discuss the business of the ABAA.
The highlights were these:
Election of three directors: Cliff Easley of MS, Pierre Livaudais of LA,
and Jay Opoien of ND. Jay also agreed to serve as Vice President
of the ABAA.
Ample discussion as well as the opportunity to visit with members
who had travelled a good distance for the meeting.
Following the meeting and a delicious southern barbecue lunch, members toured the Greenhill Farm via hay wagon and had plenty of time and opportunity to see the Garretts' Blonde cattle and share experiences.
It was a good meeting and a great day.
American Blonde d'Aquitaine Association
7407 VZ County Road 1507 - Grand Saline, TX 75140 - 903.570.0568 -
info@blondecattle.org