October 16, 2007
CONTACT: Rod Hemphill, director, Public Relations 352-374-1545
Kathy Richardson, manager, Public Relations Programs, 352-374-1533
EDITORS: This is a summary of all convention releases.
(Gainesville, Fla.) - More than 560 Florida Farm Bureau Federation leaders from across the state gathered at the Hilton Oceanview Resort at Daytona Beach for the 66th annual meeting Oct. 10-12, 2007. Delegates to the annual meeting adopt policies that will guide the organization for the next year, hear reports from leaders and honor those who have provided exemplary service to agriculture.
President John Hoblick presented the organization's highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, to Carl B. Loop, Jr., the Jacksonville nurseryman who served as Federation President for 23 years, retiring in 2006. Loop founded Loop's Nursery and Greenhouses in 1949. American Farm Bureau elected him to its board of directors in 1986; he served as vice president from 1995 until 2001. He also served as president of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company and Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Group. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush each appointed him to advisory panels with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative's Office.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10162007_01
Chris and Kelly Lyons, a Lafayette County couple, drove away from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's 2007 Annual Meeting with a new Dodge Ram Quad Cab truck, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company after having been selected as the winners of Florida Farm Bureau's Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher competition. They will also receive an all-expense paid trip to New Orleans in January to represent the Sunshine State in the national competition at the American Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting in New Orleans in Jan. 2008. The winner there will receive a Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 SLT pickup truck and an Arctic Cat 454 4x4 ATV.
Jeb and Wendy Smith, who produce sod, perennial peanut hay and mud minnow bait fish in St. Johns County, and Keith and Stephanie Shiver, owners of a dairy and beef cattle operation in Lafayette County, were the runners-up for this prestigious award.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10152007_01
Charlie and Kelli Hofer, a Marion County couple, were chosen as the top winners of the Excellence in Agriculture competition. The honor is bestowed upon farmers and ranchers who are under the age of 35 and do not derive the majority of their income from an owned farm operation. They collected $1,200 for their efforts and will represent Florida at the American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture competition at the January 2008 annual meeting.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10152007_02
Matt Harrison of Desoto County won the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. Harrison ranches with his father, Ken Harrison, who is also president of the Desoto/Charlotte County Farm Bureau. The discussion meet is a forum that allows young farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18 and 35 to demonstrate their ability to express ideas and opinions on major agricultural issues. Harrison received a $500 cash award and an expense-paid trip to New Orleans where he will represent Florida Farm Bureau in the national YF&R Discussion Meet.
The Florida Farm Bureau recognized Sen. Mike Haridopolos and Reps. Denise Grimsley and Baxter Troutman as Legislators of the Year for 2007 for their leadership, vision and support of Florida's agriculture industry.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10152007_04
Greg Griffin, a Certified Crop Advisor for Douglas Fertilizer & Chemical, Inc. in East Palatka, is the 2007 winner of the Florida Excellence in Crop Advising Award sponsored by the Florida Certified Crop Adviser Program and the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. As Florida's Certified Crop Adviser of the Year, Griffin received a plaque and a $500 cash award.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10122007_01
Austin Gibson of Baker County was the winner and Valerie McKee, Okeechobee County, was the runner-up in the state Youth Speech. Gibson, a junior at Baker County High School, is the son of Brenda Gibson of Olustee. Valerie is a sophomore at Okeechobee High School and is the daughter of Cary and Fran McKee of Okeechobee.
The board of directors reelected Mark Byrd, an Apopka nurseryman, to be its Secretary and Jon W. Deas, a farmer from Jennings, to be Treasurer. The board elects its secretary and treasurer annually, immediately following the annual meeting.
Mark Sodders, a Pahokee sugar producer, was elected to the board to represent District 17. Roland Yee, a Port St. Lucie vegetable producer who was elected class president of the FFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Group, also joined the board. Chris Lyons, who runs a diversified agricultural operation near Mayo, will continue to serve on the board as immediate past class president. Michelle Williamson, newly elected chair of the FFBF State Women's Leadership Committee, and Virginia "Ginny" Paarlberg, who was elected Women's Vice Chair, will continue to serve on the state board.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10152007_06
In addition to a new chair, four women were elected to the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's State Women's Leadership Committee. Michelle Williamson of Sydney is the new chair, taking over from Ginny Paarlberg. Paarlberg was elected vice chair. Both serve on the Florida Farm Bureau board of directors and Paarlberg serves on the American Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee. Ann Christmas of Cottondale was elected to represent District 1; Kelly Lyons of Mayo will represent District 2; Cheryl Fulford of Frostproof was elected to represent District 5 and Tracie Fulford of Monticello is the Young Farmer and Rancher representative.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10152007_03
Florida Farm Bureau Federation honored several members of the media for outstanding coverage of agriculture and farming issues over the past year.
Full release is posted at: http://floridafarmbureau.org/news/press_releases/10152007_05
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