COVENTRY – Tuesday night’s inclement weather didn’t deter members of the Chenango County Farm Bureau from meeting to discuss the past, current and future initiatives for the agricultural group.

Braving near blizzard conditions, the group gathered for its 53rd Annual Meeting and Dinner at the Silo Restaurant in Coventry.

The Farm Bureau’s president, Bradd Vickers, began the proceedings with a presentation on oil and gas leasing issues.

“CCFB is working with many communities on the role of local government and the gas drilling issues,” said Vickers, who is active on the county’s Natural Gas Advisory Committee.

His presentation provided information on the Marcellus Shale Formation and the drilling process. He touched upon controversial issues like the impact on water, land disturbances, industry oversight, seismic testing and hydro-fracking.

“These are some of the things county legislators are quite concerned with,” he explained.

The Farm Bureau is advocating the use of a closed-loop drilling system, which Vickers said this option offers “better containment” than the open pit system. Other benefits include a reduction in the volume of water required, less truck traffic and better cost efficiency.

Land leasing is still a hot topic for many county landowners, especially farmers. “There’s no such thing as a standard lease,” said Vickers as he fielded questions from CCFB members about the intricacies of the leasing process.