Broward Wins Awards at State Convention

Broward County Farm Bureau received numerous honors at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Convention held in Orlando October 27 to 29. Judy Paul, Broward County Women's Chairman, accepted the award for outstanding achievement by the area's women at the Women's Reception and Annual Meeting. Fred Segal, Broward County Farm Bureau President, received a plaque on behalf of the Board of Directors as one of only five county farm bureaus in the nation to qualify for the American Farm Bureau Foundation's Leader Award. Broward County also received the award for the most new members in the past year in Florida. In addition, Broward County was recognized as outstanding in all five categories of county farm bureau activities for the past year. This involved participation in the categories of Education/Ag Promotion, Leadership Development, Legislative/Policy Implementation, Organization & Management, and Public Relations/Information. Only a few of the more than 60 farm bureaus in the state qualified for this top award.

The county annually sponsors a speech contest for high school students, the winner then competes in the district speech contest. The winner of the district contest goes on to compete in the state finals. This year Mindy China of Davie represented Broward County and District Eight to compete in Orlando on the topic of why political activism is essential to agriculture. Her excellent speech and poised delivery earned her third place statewide, with only a half point between first and second and a half point between second and third.

The meeting included workshops, competitions and receptions in addition to awards and recognition ceremonies. Following the President's Reception and Gala the group was entertained by hypnotist Doc Holiday. Although the audience was initially skeptical, the members Holiday enlisted to come on stage and participate proved interesting and often hilarious. A keynote speaker at the conference was Patrick Cleburn McClary III, a Vietnam hero from South Carolina who overcame a near-death experience on the battle front to become an outstanding inspirational speaker. He lost an eye, an arm, use of his remaining hand and almost lost his legs. Yet he spoke of overcoming hardships and enjoying every day, a much-needed message to farmers who were hard hit this year by four hurricanes. His wife, Deanna McClary, was the featured speaker at the Women's Reception. She told of the adjustments they had to make in their marriage following his Vietnam injuries and how it strengthened their marriage.

The 63^rd annual conference at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort featured messages from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Anne Venneman (video tape) and by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson who presented the state's Ag-Environmental Leadership Awards for conservation. Recognized were Blue Heron Groves in Lakeland for innovative water usage; M & B Products Inc. in Tampa for a state-of-the-art dairy model and public education of its operation; and Stan Carter at McArthur Farms Inc. Citrus Division for formulation of a Best Management Practices Manual for the Indian River area citrus producers. Bronson praised those receiving awards as conservators of the state's resources.

Florida Farm Bureau President Carl Loop was reelected for another term, with Rick Roth of Western Palm Beach serving as Vice President. Representing Broward County at the three-day event were Janice and Roger Brooks, Parkland; Debbie and Mindy China, Davie; Kathleen Dempsey, Pompano Beach; July Paul, Davie; and Fred Segal, Pompano Beach.