News Release:

County Farm Bureaus recognized for program excellence

Farm Bureaus in Bedford, Craig, Essex and Wythe counties were recognized Nov. 27 by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for their work in educating the public and promoting agriculture and Farm Bureau.

As a result of their cultivation and retention of members, and their promotional activities, the four county organizations received Best in State Awards at the 2007 VFBF Annual Convention in Chantilly.

Bedford County Farm Bureau, led by President Bill Nance, won in the category for membership involvement and education, thanks in large part to a Safety Day it sponsored at the Springlake Stockyard. The event attracted producers from Bedford and surrounding counties, as well as local media, and increased safety awareness in the area.

Craig County Farm Bureau, led by President Mary Hunter, won in the membership acquisition and retention category. In May, the organization’s newly organized Young Farmer Committee helped increase Farm Bureau membership during the 2007 Craig County Young Farmers Expo, attended by more than 500 people.

Essex County Farm Bureau was recognized for its governmental relations program. Led by President Joe Swinson Jr., the organization’s members were actively involved in lobbying county supervisors to approve a land use assessment ordinance, which was enacted in June.

Wythe County Farm Bureau, led by President George Johnstone Jr., captured honors for agriculture promotion and education targeting second graders at Spiller Elementary School. Farm Bureau volunteers helped create an educational children’s garden on the Willowbrook Jackson/Umberger Homestead to help youngsters understand the process of growing and harvesting food.

“The Best in State Awards are the principal awards presented by the federation to county Farm Bureaus,” said Brad Lowery, VFBF director of field services. “The areas of work that we examine—membership activities, structure and procedures, promotion and education, commodity activities, communications, women’s activities, young farmer activities and governmental relations—are key to a county Farm Bureau’s success.”

Each winning organization received an event tent imprinted with its name.

With 148,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farm organization. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization that supports its members through legislative lobbying, leadership programs, commodity marketing and risk management services, insurance products and other benefits.