Here is a feature article from the Winter 2004-05 Issue

Gov. Perdue delivers keynote address
at GFB 66th Annual Convention

By Jennifer Whittaker, Editor

While addressing Georgia Farm Bureau members at the organization’s 66th annual convention on Dec. 6, Gov. Sonny Perdue said he will seek full funding for agricultural education programs in the FY06 budget.

Perdue’s FY06 budget recommendations will include $7.4 million for agricultural education programs including $2 million for the FFA youth camps, area teacher program, young farmers program and food processing plants. A budget recommendation submitted to the governor’s office by the state education department this fall reduced funding for these programs.

“Most recently the issue of ag education has been lighting up my phones. You have sent a strong message to me and the legislature, and I think the message has been received,” Perdue said. “I’ve observed these young people, and I know the importance and the success of ag education in Georgia. I’m proud of these adults who work with these young people. They’re not just teaching them how to judge a plant or an animal, but they’re growing citizens.”

Perdue (above with GFB President Wayne Dollar) commended Georgia Farm Bureau members for serving as advocates for their industry.

In regards to the ongoing discussions of Georgia’s water resources, Perdue promised, “Georgia Farm Bureau will have an important seat at the table as we continue to address Georgia’s water needs. We will look at the finite resources of our water and work to prevent groups with different interests from being pitted against each other.”

GFB recognizes volunteers, county chapters

Georgia Farm Bureau recognized the best of the organization’s volunteers and county chapters during an awards program at the GFB 66th Annual Convention on Jekyll Island.

“Our county volunteers are essential to the success of Georgia Farm Bureau. All of our volunteers are to be commended for the ag days, meet-the-candidate forums, policy development breakfasts and numerous other activities they have organized during the past year to promote agriculture,” Wayne Dollar, GFB president, said.

GFB President Wayne Dollar (back row, far right) congratulates the 2004 GFB state winners: (front row,L-R) Joann Metts, Outstanding Information & Public Relations Committee, Coffee Co.; Charlotte Wingate, Outstanding Secretary of the Year, Colquitt Co.; Nancy Mitcham, Outstanding Young Farmer Committee, Newton Co.; Sandi Mitcham, Young Farmer Achievement Award, Newton Co.; Sarah Thornton, Outstanding Women’s Committee, Wayne Co.; (back row, L-R): Joel McKie, Young Farmer Discussion Meet Winner, Wilcox Co.; Albert Cagle, Outstanding Legislative Committee, Cherokee Co.; Donald McCallum, McKemie Award, president of the Coffee Co. Farm Bureau and Keith Mitcham, Young Farmer Achievement Award, Newton County.
Coffee County Farm Bureau received the prestigious McKemie Award - the highest honor awarded to a county Farm Bureau - in recognition of their member service programs. The McKemie Award is a memorial to one of the organization’s former presidents, W.J. McKemie. This is the second consecutive year the county has won the award.

Keith and Sandi Mitcham of Newton County were named the Young Farmer Achievement winners. The Mitchams have a cattle operation near Oxford, Ga., where they raise stocker cattle before shipping them to a Kansas feedlot. They also grow hay and have a cow-calf herd. Keith has served on the Newton County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee since 1995 and has served on the Newton County Farm Bureau board of directors since 2002. The Mitchams competed for national honors at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Charlotte, N.C., in January.

Joel McKie of Wilcox County won the Young Farmer Discussion Meet and competed for national honors at the AFBF Convention in Charlotte. Other finalists included Chad Carlton of Polk County, Chris Paulk of Berrien County and Peyton Sapp of Greene County. During the discussion meet, the contestants discussed the topic “What effect will country of origin labeling (COOL) have on American agriculture?” McKie received a $500 cash award courtesy of Dodge Truck. The three finalists each received a $250 cash award from SunTrust Bank.

At the AFBF convention McKie made it to the final four round of the competition and was named one of three runners-up in the contest. He received a $6,000 U.S. Savings bond from Cummins Engine Co.

Other state awards presented included: Coffee County, recipient of the Outstanding Information & Public Relations Committee Award; Wayne County, recipient of the Outstanding Women’s Committee Award; Cherokee County, recipient of the Outstanding Legislative Committee Award and Newton County, recipient of the Outstanding Young Farmer Committee Award.

Charlotte Wingate, Colquitt County Farm Bureau office manager, was named the Outstanding Secretary of the Year. She has been employed with the Colquitt County Farm Bureau for two years.

Trevor Sanders of Oglethorpe County won the Georgia Farm Bureau Essay Contest. Trevor’s winning essay answered the question: “Why is Agriculture Important to My Everyday Life?” As the state winner Trevor received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and $150 cash.