Cheltsie Holbrook
cheltsie@greenepublishing.com
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, the local Farm Bureau Agency held their 81st Annual Banquet at the Madison Church of God’s Family Life Center, located at 771 NE Colin Kelly Hwy., in Madison. This meeting was an opportunity to pay tribute to many local farmers who drive Madison’s leading industry, agriculture.
The meeting started with a delicious meal provided by Steven and Jennifer Williams. Then the meeting kicked off with opening remarks, before moving on to the awards and drawing for door prizes. The awards received were: County Youth Speech Winner, A’niyah Ray; Outstanding Farm Family, Troy Platt family; Service to Agriculture, Dr. John Lewis; George Townsend “Good Neighbor Award,” Freddy Pitts; Outstanding Young Farmer, Jacob Hanners and Conservation Farmer of the Year, Timmy and Mickey Tuten, of Tuten Farms.
Florida’s Farm Bureau Federation’s core mission is “to increase the net income of farmers and ranchers, and to improve the quality of rural life.” Farm Bureau strives to be “Florida’s Voice of Agriculture.” With over 132,000 members, Florida Farm Bureau is the state’s largest agricultural organization. There are 60 county Farm Bureaus across the state, which form the grassroots structure of the organization. They represent farm families who produce 300 of the state’s agricultural products, no matter the size or location of their operation. Florida Farm Bureau also provides advocacy for farmers and ranchers across Florida on the local, state and national levels. For more information on Florida Farm Bureau, contact the Madison County Farm Bureau at 233 W. Base St., in Madison, or call them at (850) 973-4071.
Outstanding Farmer of the Year
Conservation Farmers of the Year
Outstanding Farm Family of the Year
Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year