Elizabeth Bailey
Greensburg Daily News
Greensburg —
Decatur County Farm Bureau held its annual meeting, Thursday evening, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Greensburg.
County president Don Yager welcomed the members before Rev. Danny Wolford blessed the evening's meal. As members finished their pie, Wolford offered devotions, Nick Wenning led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and Steve Gauck directed the election process.
Ruthanne Gordon, WISH TV, was the evening's guest speaker, offering comments about PETA and keeping news balanced. Gordon graduated from North Decatur High School before attending college at the University of Evansville. She has been at WISH TV for nearly 30 years. As an anchor, reporter and assignment anchor, she noted that the station works to keep news balanced.
"If we show 20 seconds of a PETA rally, I will insist we show 20 seconds from the other side," she noted.
She explained that she is not easily swayed by messages from groups that question agricultural practices. As someone raised on a Decatur County farm, she knows what good practices look like, she said.
"I could show this county as the right way to do it," she noted.
Decatur County has also served as a resource for a variety stories.
"The things I value most came from here," she said.
She explained that in modern television news, the Internet drives the newscast, and every click on the website is scrutinized. Each day, they talk about the ratings from the show from the day before, learning that weather is of top importance to viewers and trying to present news in a manner that will increase ratings, often by making sure to be the first station to break a story.
"Keep watching," she told the Farm Bureau members, "and hold us to the standard we should uphold."
She noted that she sometimes yearns to be out on a tractor once again.
"I still have my coveralls, and I still have my boots," she said.
After her talk, the organization moved on to the remaining business of the annual meeting. Minutes and treasurer's report were presented by departing secretary/treasurer Rosemary Schroeder, announcements were made, and the results of the election were announced before the crowd headed out into the night.
