1998 Minnesota Statutes

     37.03 Membership. 

    Subdivision 1.    Members.  Members of the state 
 agricultural society must be citizens of this state.  The 
 membership is as follows: 

    (a) Three delegates chosen annually by each agricultural 
 society or association in the state which maintains an active 
 existence, holds annual fairs, and is entitled to share in the 
 state appropriation under the provisions of section 38.02.  If 
 one of those societies or associations fails to choose 
 delegates, then its president, secretary, and treasurer, by 
 virtue of their offices, are its delegates.  If two fairs 
 receiving state aid are operating in one county, each delegate 
 from each society or association is entitled to one-half vote at 
 regular or special meetings of the state society.  

    (b) One delegate appointed by the county board of each 
 county in which no county or district agricultural society 
 exists.  

    (c) Individuals elected by the society as honorary members 
 for having performed eminent services in agriculture, 
 horticulture, or related arts and sciences or long and faithful 
 service in or benefits to the society.  Honorary members must be 
 elected by two-thirds vote at any annual meeting.  The number of 
 honorary members may not exceed the society's membership and 
 only one honorary member may be elected annually.  Each honorary 
 member is entitled to one vote. 

    (d) Two elected delegates and the president may represent 
 each of the following societies and associations:  Red River 
 Valley Winter Shows, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, 
 the State Dairyman's Association, the Minnesota Dairy Goat 
 Association, the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Inc., 
 the Minnesota Livestock Breeders' Association, the Minnesota 
 Crop Improvement Association, the Minnesota Pork Producers 
 Association, the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, 
 the Minnesota Horse Breeders' Association, the Minnesota 
 Veterinary Medical Association, the Minnesota Cattle Breeders' 
 Association, the Central Livestock Association, the Minnesota 
 State Poultry Association, the Farm Equipment Association, the 
 North Central Florist Association, the Minnesota Garden Flower 
 Society, the State Fair Exhibitors' Organization, the Minnesota 
 Federation of County Fairs, the State Forestry Association, the 
 Minnesota Horse Council, Minnesota Nurserymen's Association, 
 Minnesota Apple Growers' Association, State Grange of Minnesota, 
 Minnesota Farmers' Union, American Dairy Association of 
 Minnesota, and the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.  

    (e) The following societies and associations are entitled 
 to one delegate each:  Central Minnesota Vegetable Growers 
 Association, the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers' 
 Association, Minnesota Shorthorn Breeders' Association, the 
 Minnesota Milking Shorthorn Association, Minnesota Guernsey 
 Breeders' Association, Minnesota Jersey Cattle Club, Minnesota 
 Holstein Association, Minnesota Hereford Association, Minnesota 
 Aberdeen Angus Breeders', Minnesota Red Polled Breeders', 
 Minnesota Ayreshire Breeders' Association, Minnesota Brown Swiss 
 Association, Minnesota Poland China Breeders' Association, 
 Minnesota Duroc Breeders', Minnesota Chester White Association, 
 Minnesota Turkey Growers' Association, Minnesota Gladiolus 
 Society, Minnesota Hampshire Association, Minnesota Suffolk 
 Association, North American Dairy Sheep Association, and the 
 Minnesota Berkshire Association.  All of these societies and 
 associations must be active and statewide in their scope and 
 operation, hold annual meetings, and be incorporated under the 
 laws of the state before they are entitled to a delegate.  The 
 societies and associations must file with the secretary of 
 state, on or before December 20, a report showing that the 
 society or association has held a regular annual meeting for 
 that year, a summary of its financial transactions for the 
 current year, and an affidavit of the president and secretary 
 that it has a paid-up membership of at least 25.  On or before 
 December 31, the secretary of state shall certify to the 
 secretary of the state agricultural society the names of the 
 societies or associations that have complied with these 
 provisions.  

    (f) The members of the board of managers of the state 
 agricultural society are members of the society and entitled to 
 one vote each. 

    Subd. 2.    Eligibility to vote.  On all questions 
 arising for determination by the state agricultural society, 
 including the election of members of the board of managers, each 
 delegate present is entitled to one vote.  The society shall not 
 recognize proxies except that when less than three delegates of 
 a county or district agricultural society shall attend the 
 annual meeting, those present may cast the full vote of that 
 society.  All delegates must be accredited, in writing, and 
 their credentials must be signed by the president and secretary 
 of the society or association represented.  

    HIST: (7861) RL s 3080; 1905 c 307; 1911 c 381 s 1; 1913 c 
 194; 1919 c 116 s 1; 1921 c 290 s 1; 1927 c 144 s 1; 1931 c 231; 
 1933 c 136; Ex1934 c 57 s 1,2; 1935 c 227; Ex1936 c 110; 1937 c 
 106 s 1; 1961 c 630 s 1; 1973 c 97 s 1; 1985 c 265 art 2 s 1; 
 1988 c 522 s 1; 1991 c 35 s 1