Breakfast in a Corn Field

This morning I ate breakfast in a cornfield.  No, I’m not having flashbacks to the movie, “Field of Dreams.”

The cornfield was the setting for the Farm-City Breakfast in which Arizona farmers and ranchers, government officials and agriculture advocates gather together for breakfast and share ideas, information, and concerns.

Farmer Mark Freeman discussing important issues with a guest.

This monthly breakfast is hosted by the Maricopa County Farm Bureau, The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for Maricopa County and the County Supervisor, and has been occurring in Maricopa County for the last 18 years.

Farmers of all ages and specialties were in attendance including Mesa dairy farmer Jim Boyle.

Mesa corn farmer Mark Freeman and his family hosted the breakfast, which was catered by Coopers Cowboy Campfires.

The breakfast was also attended by local city, state, and other government officials including Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, Representatives Cecil Ash, Steve Court and Rich Crandall among others.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Gilbert Mayor John Lewis

The agenda for the breakfast included a short message from Maricopa County Farm Bureau President, Adam Hatley, about the importance of communication and education between the farm community and the public.

Afterwards, we heard from two speakers offering their arguments for and against Arizona’s Proposition 100, the temporary sales tax measure.  Both speakers did an excellent job of presenting their arguments.  It is easy to see why this is such an important issue for our state.

The breakfast was a terrific opportunity for folks to gather in an informal environment and get to know each other, and that they did.  Big thanks to everyone who participated!  The lesson I learned was to make a difference, get involved.