Ag News

McGough receives GFB Commodity Award

Longtime Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Commodities Director Don McGough received the 2017 GFB Commodity Award during the GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 3 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. One of the organization's highest honors, the commodity award is given each year to honor individuals who have supported and promoted Georgia agriculture.

"I've known Don throughout my time being involved with Georgia Farm Bureau. His dedication to our farmer members through the years was evident by the relationships he has made with all the groups he has worked with," said GFB President Gerald Long. "Don was an integral part of our organization's success for nearly 40 years."

McGough was born in Tifton and grew up in Lee County on his family's farm, where they grew peanuts and corn and raised cattle and hogs. In his youth he was an active 4-H'er and in high school, McGough participated in FFA. As an FFA member, he raised boars, showed steers, participated in public speaking projects, and sang in the FFA Quartet.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Georgia in 1977, McGough began working at Georgia Farm Bureau in the Field Services Department. After a brief stint at the organization's state offices, he moved to GFB's 10th District and was the district field representative. McGough briefly left GFB to work in agriculture research for DeKalb Seed in Edenton, North Carolina, but soon returned to GFB as a commodity specialist in the Commodities/Marketing Department in 1980. 

In 1986 McGough was named assistant director of the department and was promoted to department director in 1997. McGough, who worked under six GFB presidents, retired March 30 after 37 years with GFB. He has been married to his wife, Patti, for 42 years and has three grown sons: Jon, Alan and Patrick. 

 

---

• Categories:

• Tags:

---