WV Farm Bureau Magazine September 2015 | Page 5

Something to Think About Don Michael, WVFB Director of Governmental Affairs Wheels of Progress No one has worked harder to gain stakeholder Turning - Last month WVFB input and ensure that private property rights are President Wilfong and I joined protected. Stay tuned! stakeholders for two extensive meetings called by House On a sad note, the West Virginia agriculture Energy Chair “Woody” Ireland community lost another recognized leader last to discuss our respective month – Carl Wayne Larew of Preston County. My needs and concerns regarding wife and I were blessed to know Carl and his family reasonable and responsible through our association with Agricultural Education legislation regulating oil and gas exploration while and FFA in West Virginia. His two daughters, Alecia protecting private property/surface owners’ rights and Lesley, served as President of the West Virginia and the environment. Participant groups included: FFA Association. I first met Carl when we were at Farm Bureau, Land and Mineral Owners, Oil and WVU as undergraduates in Ag Education. Later Gas (IOGAWV and WVONGA), Royalty Owners we worked together as fellow Ag Ed professionals. and Surface Owners. Legislative leaders and legal Reflecting back on Carl’s days as a student, as well staff were also involved. as teacher, two things come Following discussions to mind – the phrase “Git Farm Bureau appreciates and review of possible R-Done” and the song “My the common sense leadership bill components, Way.” Carl was a “Gitstakeholder groups R-Done” guy, as could be provided by Chairman Ireland to were provided with draft evidenced by his efforts bring stakeholders to the table in legislation – “Horizontal with secondary and adult an effort to try to find consensus on Well Unitization and students (32-year teaching Landowner Protection workable, meaningful legislation.” career where he established Act of 2016” – to share one of the nation’s with their respective most innovative animal groups to gain input. The draft reflected stakeholder processing programs, championed a school farm, involvement from our meetings, as well as suggestions and was one of our state’s pioneers with embryo made by various individuals during and after the 2015 transfer), as well as his farming accomplishments and West Virginia Legislative Session. personal recognition, including the Honorary State FFA Degree and WV Vocational Agriculture Teacher On Tuesday, August 25, Chairman Ireland of the Year honor. In his quest to “Git-R-Done” Carl met with West Virginia Farm Bureau’s Board of generally did it his way. He was a “cut to the chase” Directors to review the 51-page draft. The Board guy who frowned on the political games that often offered a few suggestions for clarification and accompany the education process . . . and he wasn’t improvement. At this writing a stakeholders’ bashful about stating his opinion, which was always meeting is set for Monday, September 14, for built on integrity and experience. Carl was driven additional review and discussion. Farm Bureau by his students and the industry of agriculture he is hopeful the end result will be reasonable dearly loved. Per the song, “I planned each charted and responsible legislation to guide oil and course, each careful step along the byway, and more, gas exploration and strengthen our economy, much more than this, I did it my way.” Carl and “his while protecting private property rights. way” will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are Farm Bureau appreciates the common sense with Carl’s loved ones. Until next time, take care leadership provided by Chairman Ireland to bring FRIENDS, God bless and KEEP SMILING. stakeholders to the table in an effort to try to find consensus on workable, meaningful legislation. “ West Virginia Farm Bureau News 5