From the February/March, 2007 issue:
BIBB COUNTY
After 37 years of employment, Bibb County Farm Bureau Secretary Vonice Smith retired on December 31, 2006.

Smith began her career with Farm Bureau in 1968 with the Georgia Farm Bureau Investment Company and was hired by Bibb County Farm Bureau in 1969.

When Vonice began working at the Bibb County Farm Bureau, the county had less than 200 members. The county office had two desks, one telephone, and their office was housed in the Georgia Farm Bureau Investment Company on Ingleside Drive.

Vonice said the biggest challenge of her 37-year career was “dealing with the computer,” while her greatest reward was making new friends. She said the most important part of her job was “Service to Members.”  

Best of Luck to Vonice and her husband, Bill, in their retirement!


CHEROKEE COUNTY

Cherokee County Farm Bureau held a Farm-City Week Poster Contest for the three 3rd Grade classes at Ball Ground Elementary School.

Cherokee County Farm Bureau is a partner in education with the school.

The students were free to express the way they think farmers and businesses should relate to each other. Each first place winner received a $50 Wal-Mart gift card.

The 1st place winners, pictured left to right, are Jared Garrison, Jesse Langdon, and Andriana Gore.



COOK COUNTY

As part of the Cook County Farm Bureau’s celebration of National Farm-City Week in November, the CCFB Women’s and Young Farmer Committees hosted Farm Day at Cook Primary School. More than 400 Pre-K and kindergarten students participated.

The students experienced a day of farm life, getting to see farm animals, tractors, cotton, peanuts, and hay up close and personal.

Community leaders and volunteers who made this day possible included members of each committee; Cook County School Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield; Young Farmer Committee Chair and School Board member Chad Sumner; BCT Gin representatives Junior Bennett and Steve Bullard; Karen Nikitopoulos with the Georgia Cotton Commission; local farmers Don and Joey Williams, Michael Benefield, and Dwight Purvis, who brought tractors and hay; Jenifer Davis with Pike Creek Turf, who displayed turf grass, and Andi Branstetter with the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, who brought Mary, the dairy cow, in the “Got Milk” Mobile Classroom.

The CCFB women served ice cream and the CCFB young farmers distributed goody bags to all the students.  
COLUMBIA COUNTY

Columbia County Farm Bureau celebrated paying off the mortgage for its county office building with a note burning ceremony during its annual meeting.

Pictured, left to right, are board members Jimmy Young, Shim Knox, Gene Knox, CCFB President Lee Anderson, and board members Bert Bagley and Pete Allen.







CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Crawford County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee held a Farm Safety Mini-Camp for FFA students at Crawford County High School in November.

CCFB Young Farmer members Leighton Cooley, Daryl Baxley, and Brad Baggett conducted the Farm Safety Mini-Camp. 

Baxley, CCFB Young Farmer and Crawford County High School FFA Advisor, is shown talking to the students about ATV safety.

During the camp the students learned how to safely handle farm equipment such as tractors and ATV’s.

Red Cross First Aid videos were shown to help the students know how to react during an emergency. Knowing how to respond to emergency situations quickly and properly is especially important in rural areas where it may take longer for first responders to reach accident scenes. 

AgGeorgia Farm Credit ACA in Perry supplied the refreshments for the event.


GORDON COUNTY

The Gordon County Youth Leadership Class toured the farm of Gordon County Farm Bureau President Henry West as part of its 2006-2007 program.

The group consists of 45 junior or senior high school students who want to be involved in leadership roles and county affairs. The students are exploring leadership opportunities in the areas of education, business and industry, economic development, healthcare, state and local government and community service.

The grouped toured the West farm to learn more about agriculture since the industry has such a large economic impact in the county.

While at the West farm, GCFB Women’s Committee member Lois West talked to the group about farming. Terry West talked to the group about the farm’s poultry, cattle and hay operations and the economics of farming. GCFB representatives distributed Farm Bureau scholarship applications and information on ag careers.


HANCOCK COUNTY
Members of the Hancock County Farm Bureau celebrated the completion of their new office building with an open house on Nov. 13.

HCFB President Jimmy Kennedy said county Farm Bureau members worked hard for two years studying building plans and securing the land on which the new office is located. In addition to agent offices, the 1,500 square foot building includes a conference room and kitchen.

The conference room was dedicated in memory of Madeline B. Johnson during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Mrs. Johnson served as county president for four years and as the county secretary for 16 years.

“We thank Georgia Farm Bureau for everything they have done to help us get this building built and hope we can use it to continue serving the organization,” Kennedy said.

HCFB was established in 1942 with 39 members. Today the county’s membership totals almost 800.


JASPER COUNTY

The Jasper County Farm Bureau hosted the Mobile Dairy Classroom (MDC) for Washington Park Elementary students on December 12.

 The mobile classroom features a fully operational milking parlor with a real cow for feeding and milking demonstrations.

The students heard a 45 minute presentation from MDC Coordinator Andi Branstetter about how milk and other dairy foods fit into a balanced diet, how milk is processed, where milk comes from and what cows eat and how they live.  

The classroom is sponsored by dairy farm families of Georgia and operated by their promotion organization, SUDIA.



JEFF DAVIS COUNTY

Jeff Davis County Farm Bureau held an open house, Nov. 21, to celebrate the new building that they moved into last summer.

The new building is about 3,500 square feet and has seven offices for staff, a kitchen and conference room.

Established in 1944, the JDCFB has about 1,800 members.

“Our old building was kind of in a bad location, and we thought we needed a new location,” JDCFB President James Emory Tate said. “Now we’re in a busy area that I think everyone will like.”




LEE COUNTY

The Lee County Farm Bureau’s Christmas parade float won 1st place in the parade’s Commercial Division.

The Women’s and Promotion & Education Committees used the float to pro

Cartons of milk and individually wrapped cheeses decorated the Christmas tree on the float. Toys on the float were collected by the two committees and donated to the Lee County Department of Family and Children Services.

Donna Sumners chaired the Women’s Committee, and Lori Usry chaired the Promotion & Education Committee.


MACON COUNTY

As part of its Farm-City Week celebration, the Macon County Farm Bureau hosted a legislative breakfast on November 16.

The MCFB Women’s Committee and Board of Directors co-sponsored the event attended by 35 guests.

Those in attendance included (pictured from left to right, Donald Chase, Extension Agent Jeremy Kickler, Rep. Lynmore James, Sen. George Hooks, Michael McLendon, Stewart Newberry, Gordon Sutton, Scott Dougherty and MCFB President Glen Lee Chase.

Following the breakfast, Macon County Commission Chairman Roosevelt James, Ideal Mayor Cathy Gordon, Montezuma Mayor Willie James Larry and Oglethorpe Mayor Gerald Beckum signed a proclamation declaring Nov. 17- Nov. 23, Farm City Week.


POLK COUNTY

 The Polk County Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Women’s Committees hosted a Meet-the-Candidates Forum in October.  Local candidates participating in this event included:

District III County Commission Democrat Marshelle Thaxton and Republican Larry Reynolds; District 16 Georgia Representative candidates Democrat Rick Crawford and Republican Roger Waldrop.   Jeffery Harvey, Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Department assistant director, moderated the forum.

Many of the forum questions focused on legislative issues that will affect farm families. Women’s committee members who helped with the event were Julie Carlton, Joan Mitchell, Sue Cuzzort and Barbara Hudson. Polk County Extension Agent Ricky Ensley also assisted with the event.

Pictured, left to right, are PCFB President James Casey, Ben Hudson, board member, candidates Roger Waldrop and Larry Reynolds, GFB Legislative Dept. Assistant Director Jeffery Harvey, PCFB Vice President Chad Carlton, and candidates Marshelle Thaxton and Rick Crawford.



TALIAFERRO COUNTY

The American Red Cross of Augusta held a training class, Jan. 22, to form a local Disaster Action Team in Taliaferro County to respond to local disasters.

The class was a partnership between the American Red Cross of Augusta, Taliaferro County Farm Bureau and the Taliaferro County Family Connection. Nine Taliaferro County Farm Bureau members are on the new 10-person team including Women’s Committee Chair Jane Hubert and Office Manager Sandra Ingram.

Members of the team are (front row, L-R) TCFB members Catherine Harris, Sandra Ingram and J.H. Ingram (back row, L-R) Jane Hubert, Mary Rutherford, Jackie Butts with the Taliaferro County Family Connection, Sonja McCrary and Dean McCrary. Not pictured are TCFB members Charles and Sandra Greene.

Disaster volunteers, not paid Red Cross staff, deliver the majority of Red Cross services such as feeding, sheltering and mental health services. The most common local disasters are single-family house fires, but teams are prepared to respond to all types of disasters.