50/50 RAFFLE:

CHRIS BIANG asked HARRIET COPPOC to draw a ticket.  The owner of the ticket was CHRISTA KECK.  Unfortunately, the Aces eluded her so she received a coupon from Dominos Pizza.

CONGRATULATIONS:

CHRISTA KECK presented CHRIS JOHANNSEN with a new Paul Harris pin with two sapphires signifying that he has given at least $3,000 to the Rotary Foundation.

PROGRAM:

CHRIS JOHANNSEN introduced Joe Anderson, Head of the Department of Agronomy at Purdue University, whose topic was “Agribusiness Employment: Huge Demand - Short Supply He opened by telling us that there are 55,000 openings annually in the business and science occupations related to agriculture.  There are 53,500 graduates available for those jobs.  Fifty four percent of the openings are filled by fully qualified graduates.   To add to the urgent need for qualified employees, 50% of current employees will retire in the next 5 – 10 years.  Agronomists, Plant and Soil Scientists and Agromony Business graduate are in the highest demand, commanding starting salaries of $41,000 - $60,000 per year.   He described Purdue’s Department of Agromony, which focuses on a great education, developing leadership skills and providing a well rounded education.  Joe’s intent is to grow the program by 100 students.   He asks us to help him get the word out to any young people we may know and to high school counselors.

HIGH SCHOOL GUESTS:

FRED KUIPERS introduced Katie McAllister and Levi Starrett from Faith Christian High School.  Each received a certificate and a travel mug with the 4 – Way Test to commemorate meeting with us today.

VISITING ROTARIANS:

BILL LAPCHESKA and MATT SALSBERY, Daybreak

GUESTS:

Nikki and Gracie Fisher, wife and daughter of JONATHAN FISHER

THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELP WITH
MEETING FUNCTIONS:

Money Collectors: KIM MOTULIAK and LIZ SOLBERG; Greeters: LETA KELLEY and JACK KELLEY; Invocation: JOEL RASMUS; Piano: RAY PEETERS; Song Leader: HARRIET COPPOC; 50/50 RAFFLE: CHRIS BIANG and CECIL BLIGNAUT; Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting: TOM MORAN and JO WADE. Webmaster: LARRY HUGGINS

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong.”  John Diefenbaker, Canadian Statesman
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