This month’s spotlight shines on one of our newest directors, Silas Rossow. Silas has been involved in farming since he was a “wee little lad.” He grew up in his family’s custom farming business where he drove a John Deere electronic crop thinner, harvested beans and helped service equipment. He now provides growers with information, support and technology that will help increase quality and yields for almonds, alfalfa, corn, cotton, tomatoes and wheat. Silas also farms with his brother in Dos Palos and helps with their family’s cow-calf operation.

Upon joining Farm Bureau Silas said his priority is to help promote ag awareness which he believes to be crucial for agriculture’s continued success. As he states, “ There is a voting majority in the United States that hasn’t been educated about where their food comes from, how safe it is and how blessed we are with the variety of foods we have to choose from. We, as a nation, do not know what it is like to go hungry. Many people take their food supply for granted.”

When asked why Silas decided to get involve with Farm Bureau he stated, “I wanted to get more involved in supporting our local agriculture and be more informed on the issues that will affect ag for my children’s generation.”

Silas and his wife Julie have a son, Dillon (2 years) and a daughter Abby (3 months). They are involved with the Yosemite Church in Merced and in his free time Silas has a large home improvement to do list which he loves to spend time on.

Silas also revealed he loves playing practical jokes on people, but said he can also appreciate a good joke played on him. (It looks like our own Mrs. Lorraine Passadori has been presented with a challenge in the years to come with Silas. For those of you that do not know, Lorraine is the Queen of practical jokes. Just ask former Executive Director Mike Wade.)

When asked if he would like to add anything Silas quipped, “Do I get paid royalties for this?” No Silas, but we think we might have opened Pandora’s box. We anticipate many humorous moments throughout the year with Silas. If you see Silas around town let him know you read all about him in this month’s Farm News.