From the August, 2007 issue:
BIBB COUNTY
Bibb County Farm Bureau held a ground breaking for their new building, June 21. The new office will be located at 100 Northside Crossing in north Macon.

Several board members came prepared, with shovels in hand, to break ground for the new building. Pictured left to right are BCFB Directors Jewett McKinney and Neil Skipper, Vice President Jimmy Jordan, President Oney Hudson, GFB 6th District Director Jimmy Perry, GFB Middle Georgia Vice President Brent Galloway, GFB President Zippy Duvall and BCFB Directors Milton Minchew and Calvin Minchew.

  GFB staff attending the event were GFB Treasurer/Corporate Secretary Wayne Daniel, 6th District Field Rep. Don Giles, GFB Director of Field Services Gene Jacobs and Field Services Assistant Directors Bob Ragsdale and Mike Copeland. Also attending were Mrs. Juanita McKinney and the BCFB staff and agency force. The members and staff are looking forward to being in their new office by the end of the year.


BROOKS COUNTY

The Brooks County Farm Bureau (BCFB) recently teamed up with second grade teacher Jessica Webb to teach her students about poultry.

The BCFB donated 30 eggs to the class. Parents Scott and Traci Edmondson donated an incubator. The students read books about chicks, and how they grow, as they waited for the eggs to hatch.

To the surprise of the students, over 20 eggs hatched. During this project a parent brought a grown chicken to the class for the children to see, pet and learn to care for.  The class also participated in a coloring contest and received certificates of participation in the project.

On behalf of BCFB & McDonald Realty, BCFB Office Manager Carolyn Collins andSandra McDonald, Women’s Committee member, presented the class Chick-fil-A gift certificates.

Sandra Ramsey is the BCFB Women’s Committee Chairman.


CHATTOOGA COUNTY

Chattooga County Farm Bureau (CCFB) sponsored the children’s games and story time during the annual Down Home Farm Day, June 2.

The children enjoyed games such as a hay bale race, egg relay, three – legged race, and an egg toss.

Poultry was one of the main topics highlighted during this event. During story time, women’s committee member Marilyn Davis portrayed “Mother Goose” and read stories about farming, chickens, and eggs throughout the day.
CHEROKEE COUNTY

The partnership between the Cherokee County Farm Bureau and Ball Ground Elementary School has had many highlights over the years. This year has proven to be another outstanding year together.

The 5th grade students, led by teachers Jodie Hulsey, Kelly Dill and Lisa Nations, competed in the Georgia 2007 Agricultural Awareness Week competition. The Ball Ground 5th graders were finalists at the state level and placed first in Cherokee County. The competition involved an application process, which highlighted the annual Farm Days event that the Cherokee County Farm Bureau hosted at Ball Ground Elementary, April 13.

The Farm Days event included local groups such as Tanglewood Farms, The Art Barn, a horseshoeing demonstration, a honeybee exhibit, wool spinning and a booth hosted by Shirley Pahl of the Cherokee County Farm Bureau. Cherokee County Farm Bureau has included many opportunities for student and staff enrichment in regard to agricultural education.

“We are very grateful for the many activities, support and the generosity of the Cherokee County Farm Bureau in our school. This partnership enables our students and staff to gain hands-on, real world exposure to the Georgia Performance Standards as they relate to Agricultural Education,” Principal Doug Knott said.


COFFEE COUNTY


The Coffee County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee recently furnished several cases of chicken strips and french fries to a local shelter for abused children as part of its poultry commodity promotion.

The shelter is managed by the Georgia Baptist Association, and the staff members are to be commended for the wonderful work they do at this center.

CCFB representatives Frances Smith (front row, left) and Carla Palmer (front row, right) are pictured presenting the food to the Children’s Home staff members.

Marilyn Smith serves as chairman of the Women’s Committee.



COLUMBIA COUNTY

Columbia County Farm Bureau recently sponsored a fishing tournament for FFA students in the county. Crappy, bass and bream were jumping out of the water as the FFA members enjoyed an afternoon of fun in the sun.

CCFB donated prize money for the largest fish caught in each species category. The tournament was held at the pond of CCFB President Lee Anderson. Thirty-six FFA members from area high schools participated in the tournament.

Pictured from left, CCFB Young Farmer Chairman Bert Bagley presents prize money to Tori Knox, a Harlem High School FFA member who won the crappy division, Cody Knox, a Greenbrier High School FFA member who won the bass division, and Josh Coleman, an Evans High School FFA member who won the bream division.

CCFB President Lee Anderson offers his congratulations to the students.



CRAWFORD COUNTY
The Crawford County Farm Bureau hosted a Legislative Breakfast, April 21.

Women’s Committee Chairman Joyce Moncrief and Young Farmer Chairman Leighton Cooley presided over the meeting.

The audience consisted of local farmers, the CCFB Board of Directors, Young Farmer Committee members, and the Women’s Committee. They were also pleased to have GFB Legislative Director Jon Huffmaster, 5th District Field Rep. Cliff Bowden, Crawford County School Superintendent John Douglas, and Jamie Jones of AgGeorgia Farm Credit ACA in Perry attend the event.

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop and Bill Stembridge of U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ office were on hand to talk with the group and answer questions.

A wonderful breakfast was prepared by Terri Cooley, Donnelle Wright, and Sue Young. Several members of the Young Farmer Committee served the breakfast. AgGeorgia Farm Credit ACA in Perry sponsored the food for the event.


DAWSON COUNTY

Dawson County Farm Bureau was one of the sponsors for Kilough Elementary School’s annual field day, May 4.

DCFB provided t-shirts that each student wore as they competed in events such as tug of war and water games.








GWINNETT COUNTY

Gwinnett County Farm Bureau members celebrated the completion of their recent office renovations with an open house, June 14.

As GCFB membership nears 5,800 members, more office space was needed, so county leaders voted to expand the existing office, adding 2,640 square feet to the existing 2,200 square foot building for a new total of 4,840 square feet.

“The expansion gave us a new conference room, work rooms and nine new offices. We had nine agents and recently got four more. We have room for up to 18 agents,” GCFB President Cecil Gober said.

Pictured cutting the ribbon (left-right) are: GCFB Director Phil Hall, GFB 3rd District Directors George Chambers and Nora Goodman, GCFB President Cecil Gober, GCFB Director Gay Gober, GFB President Zippy Duvall, GCFB Directors Mike Pass, Jim Dunagan, Winford Lindsay and GCFB Vice President John Archer.

“People want to do business with companies that are successful. Having new offices like this makes people want to come in and be a part of it,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “People want to come in and do business with us because they want to know who their agents are, and that’s what we do best, meeting people person by person.”


HALL COUNTY

Hall County Farm Bureau joined forces with the Hall County Cooperative Extension Service to host an Ag Day, June 22.

A group of about 25 local business leaders, county and state officials toured agribusinesses in the county to learn about the economic contributions agriculture makes to the local economy.

The group toured Full Bloom Nursery, owned by Tim and Kellie Bowen; Chandler Equipment Company, which makes equipment used to spread fertilizer, manure and gravel; Westfork Farm, a broiler operation owned by Todd Chapman; and Jaemor Farms, a diversified fruit orchard and vegetable farm owned by the Echols Family.

“We want them to know agriculture is still big business here in Hall County. Approximately 300 million dollars in farm gate income is generated in the county with an estimated economic impact of 900 million dollars a year,” Hall County Extension Coordinator Billy Skaggs said.

While the adults toured the local agribusinesses, several hundred pre-schoolers participated in activities at Jaemor Farms to learn about agriculture. SUDIA’s mobile milking parlor was on hand to give the students a live milking demonstration.

Pictured from left, Hall County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman Drew Echols, HCFB Director Jerry Truelove and his nephew Tyler Basile talk to the students participating in the Ag Day about how cows are milked.

“We’ve been talking about holding an event like this for a few years, and we decided it was time to quit talking and do something about it. We’re trying to get these kids interested in what’s going on in our county. Not just the kids, but also their parents and teachers,” Drew Echols said.


JASPER COUNTY

Jasper County Farm Bureau hosted its 6th Annual Farm Safety Camp June 14. Fifty-six children attended the all-day event making this year’s camp the largest yet.

The camp began with Andrew Turnage, a staff member of the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute, showing the kids the importance of wearing seatbelts. Turnage placed crash dummies not wearing seatbelts in a rollover simulator. A 35 mph rollover crash was simulated, allowing the audience to observe the results of not being properly restrained. The crash dummies were then buckled in for a second simulation that demonstrated the importance of wearing safety belts in a vehicle.

The children were then split into five groups where they heard presentations on livestock handling, chainsaw/weed eater safety, firearm safety, snake safety and electrical safety. Women’s Committee Chairman Londa Champion distributed pizza to the campers during lunch. After eating, the children were processed through the I-Dent-A-Kid Services where each child was photographed and fingerprinted.

Afternoon classes included storm safety, fire safety, ATV safety and tractor safety. Fire department volunteers sprayed the children down with the fire truck hose and ambulance service staff demonstrated first aid and let the children tour the ambulance.

Donations and volunteers from Georgia Pacific, Bank of Monticello, McIntosh State Bank, Green South, Mid-Georgia Livestock, Spencer Barnes Glass, Lindsey Machine Shop and Hooper Trailer Sales made this day possible. Special thanks go out to group leaders and class presenters Natalie Fuller, Billy Bryant, Ike English, Ed Westbrook, Melissa McElheney, Jarrett Slocumb, Billy Bryant, Mike Shields, Kelly Thomason, Tyler Fritz, Blake Robison, Cherie Haddock, Cliff Bowden, Mills Smith, and Heather Tyler for guiding the students to each learning station. Camp organizers also thank Merrill Clark and the Masonic Lodge for the use of the Rodeo grounds and JCFB President Paul Kelly for the countless hours of volunteer time he gave for this event.


MADISON COUNTY

Madison County Farm Bureau sponsored its 3rd Annual Farm Day for Madison County 3rd grade students at the Comer Fairgrounds, May 1.

About 400 students attended the event designed to teach the students about the different kinds of livestock found in the county, the importance of agriculture and conservation. There were also exhibits regarding forestry, tractor safety and electrical safety.

 For many students, this was the first time they touched a live farm animal. The livestock on display included a cow, horse, chickens, goats, sheep and oxen. Don Brock is pictured talking to the students about his oxen. Andi Branstetter, with the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, conducted a milking demonstration with Hazel the Holstein.

FFA members from Madison County High School served as group leaders to guide the students and teachers around the livestock and exhibit displays.


MCDUFFIE COUNTY

The McDuffie County Farm Bureau recently participated in the Dearing Mayfest.

Vice President Skeetter McCorkle served as master of ceremonies for the event, which is held each year to raise money for the Dearing Gym renovation.

MCFB staff and members hosted a booth, where they sold peanuts, jams and jellies and distributed goody bags to visitors.

The gift bags included egg and poultry recipes, pencils, erasers and peanuts. Children received poultry coloring books. MCFB Women’s Committee Chairman Avis McGahee (left) and committee member Lucy McCorkle are pictured manning the booth.


MONROE COUNTY

The Monroe County Farm Bureau hosted a legislative breakfast, June 22.

Legislators attending were Georgia Sens. Ronnie Chance and Cecil Staton and Georgia Rep. Jim Cole. U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss was represented by staff member Bill Stembridge, and U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall was represented by Hobby Stripling.

The MCFB Board of Directors and Legislative Committee members discussed the past session of the Georgia General Assembly with the state legislators and what lies ahead for agriculture.

Other issues discussed included immigration and the state water management plan. MCFB President and GFB 5th District Director Jim Ham (center, in front of wall) is shown leading the discussion at the breakfast meeting.


POLK COUNTY

Polk County Farm Bureau hosted its 22nd Annual Farm Day at the Polk County Fair Grounds in May.

More than 560 3rd grade students attended.  

The Polk County Extension Service, local FFA and 4-H students and PCFB Board members and staff all assisted with making this event successful.

Special thanks go out to Melissa Gowens of Barko Response Team, a fire, flood and storm restoration company, for donating $350 to supply food for all of the Farm Day volunteer workers.

Polk County Farm Bureau Women’s Chair Joan Mitchell is pictured talking about cattle to Corben Cuzzort, grandson of PCFB Office Manager Sue Cuzzort.


SPALDING COUNTY

The Spalding County Farm Bureau recently held its annual Farm Day at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds in Griffin.

This event is held each year for all 1st graders in Griffin/Spalding County.

More than 1,000 kids attended and about 50 volunteers from various organizations helped out including representatives of the Griffin Kiwanis Club, the Georgia Beef Board, the Retired Teachers Association, AARP, and the 4-H and FFA Clubs of Spalding County.

The kids were treated to a hayride, ice cream and lemonade. One of the FFA students volunteered to dress as a dairy cow and greet all of the kids as they arrived at the fairgrounds.


TURNER COUNTY

The Turner County Farm Bureau and Women’s Committee presented its first scholarship this year.

Randall Williford, son of Jack and Trina Williford of Sycamore, was the recipient of the $1,000 scholarship.

Randall is enrolled in Valdosta State University for the fall quarter. He plans to pursue a degree in engineering.

Pictured from left are Jack Williford, TCFB President Russell Smith, Randall Williford and Trina Williford.