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Chapter 14 Minutes
Winter Meeting
Los Banos CA
February 21, 2026
Call to Order
In Attendance: President Roger Lubiens, Susan Lubiens, Ross Filipini and approximately 30 members and guests
Pledge of Allegiance to USA flag
Minutes: Referred to minutes recorded from our Fall meeting stored in website
Treasurer Report: Treasurer is in the hospital; Bank statement shows $6,256.00 in funds; $4,000.00 was transferred to Foundation to supplement FFA projects.
Membership Reports: 187 members are from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, & England. Sign up today. Five new members added since Fall meeting. Four new members were added at this meeting.
Foundation Reports: Bank funds total $8,779.00 . Latest FFA tractor project, $2,000 grant) is with Atascadero FFA and Luke Johnsen who is restoring a Farmall Cub tractor. Discussions currently include Santa Maria FFA (Farmall M) and Lincoln FFA (Farmall Cub), and Visalia Central Valley Christian School that teach AG Mechanics. Titan International Inc is again providing tires to FFA . Discovered PP&G offers free paint for projects.
Website: updated and current. 57,000+ visitors to our Facebook page in 2025.
Old Business:
- 26 tractors were at Marysville Veterans Day parade event.
- 9 tractors were at Folsom Veterans Day event.
- 3 tractors were at Loomis Thanksgiving event.
New Business:
- IHC Foundation with 46 completed restorations. Though mostly California sites we have included Washington state and Wyoming in past projects. Wyoming tractor was being used to grow sweet corn for a dude ranch. Students sell completed restoration and keep 90% of funds for personal use. We recommend donors provide gifts of $500 to $5,000. At World AG Expo, Ag Source provided advertising depicting Chapter 14 and funded FFA tractor projects to 108,500 show goers in Feb 2026.
- Donna Skarloken was elected as trustee to the Foundation. She is a returning member from some years ago.
- PowerPoint slideshow presented depicting upcoming shows at Tulare, Plymouth, and Rio Linda, and Red Power Roundup in 2026. Tulare has CAFES with a Saturday steak dinner; our table is reserved; Plymouth has truck show at the fairgrounds with 100 classic trucks on display. Red Power Roundup is Juine 25-28 in Huron SD; make plans to attend. It will be historic. Insurance coverage is for sanctioned events we hold covered by Cincinnati Mutal Insurance.
- Discovery of a west coast Winter IH Convention. Discussion was held by members with Tony Ramos discussing seminar he gave “Life on the farm” at RPRU. A Winter Convention in Feb 2027 could include seminars, ag tours and visit to Yosemite, with members arriving at Fresno airport. Chamber of Commerce would endorse and support a winter convention. Will explore how this event may bring IH Collectors to the west coast.
- We discussed AG mechanics taught in schools. David Santos has more tractors he wants to restore. Discussed contacting Lodi, Merced, etc. Wheatland and Carpinteria FFA projects resulted in each school restoring 75 tractors over a 20 year period.
- Discussed aging of members though 23% of members were born after 1970. Draw in younger members as young minds are needed to continue IH Collectors. We acknowledged 23 birthdays in February and March.
- Fall meeting will be at Tony Ramos farm on Saturday November 14, 2026 located near Fresno CA. It will be chance to see his IH tractors and trucks.
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President Roger asked for a motion to adjourn. Moved, seconded, and passed. Meeting adjourned.
Moments later the Santos farms served a delicious lunch of tri-tip, scalloped potatoes, green beans and vegetables, with a tossed salad. Marvelous cuisine enjoyed by all.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Lubiens, acting Secretary
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