CATAWBA COUNTY FARM BUREAU Board of Director’s Member Lucas Richard received the Outstanding Contributor to Agriculture Award for 2009. The award is presented each year as part of the Farm City Banquet Program, which was held Nov. 24 at the Hickory American Legion Meeting Hall.

CLAY COUNTY FARM BUREAU Members participated in the county’s Tractor Parade on Sept. 19. The parade, sponsored by the Clay County Tractor Club, stretched almost two miles and included about 80 entries, from a 1940 Farmall to the latest farm equipment. The event raised $3,000 for the Dwight Smith Scholarship Fund, created in honor of a local resident killed in a farming accident. The money will be awarded to a student studying for a career in agriculture, farming or forestry.

COLUMBUS COUNTY FARM BUREAU Member Garland McCullen was among the first 100 inductees to the North Carolina 4-H Hall of Fame in summer 2009. McCullen was Agriculture Extension Agent and Extension Service County Director.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY FARM BUREAU honored Justin Kyle Smith as its Young Farmer of the Year during its annual meeting. Smith, 23, is a 2007 graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in agricultural business management. He currently produces 700 acres of cotton, 350 acres of soybeans and 25 acres of tobacco with his father on their family farm.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY FARM BUREAU awarded Bill Tew with its Outstanding Service Award. Tew is a Member of NCFB’s Board of Directors, as well as the county Vice President.
Tew is a shining example of outstanding achievement and public service. Among Tew’s many achievements, are the following highlights:
Served as a Cumberland County Farm Bureau Board Member for 37 years.
Served as a North Carolina Farm Bureau State Board Member for 17 years.
Served on the USDA Farm Service Agency Community Committee for 15 years.
Served on Agricultural Advisory Boards.

DAVIE COUNTY FARM BUREAU presented retiring Board Member Charles Phillips a plaque honoring him for 46 years of service. Fellow Board Member Edwin Boger presented Phillips with the recognition during the county Annual Meeting.

DUPLIN COUNTY FARM BUREAU Women’s Committee recently presented 37 one-gallon bags of drink tabs, which were collected for the Ronald McDonald House. Also, they presented a check for $50 to the Kenansville Fire Department.

DUPLIN COUNTY FARM BUREAU held its county Annual Meeting on Oct. 15, with guests Ben Parrish and Josh Smith from the Sheriff’s Department Gang Enforcement Unit. They presented a gang awareness program to about 220 members during the annual meeting.

FRANKLIN COUNTY FARM BUREAU recently participated in the third North Carolina Goat & Sheep Producers Roundup at the Guilford County Cooperative Extension Center in Greensboro. Franklin County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors sponsored the “NC Chefs Cook-off of Lamb and Chevon,” which included a $2,000 prize for the winning chefs. Catawba Farm Bureau Member and goat producer Susan Proctor was one of three judges in the competition. The two-day event drew more than 135 goat and sheep producers from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. It also included educational sessions and a training session for youth.

HAYWOOD COUNTY FARM BUREAU honored dairy farmer Wade Francis during its Annual Meeting for 48 years of dedicated service to the organization. Francis served 19 years as county President and 28 years on the state Board of Directors. During his service as President, Francis was instrumental in moving Haywood County Farm Bureau from rented property to its own property and a new state-of-the-art building to serve the membership. Francis worked diligently to address the concerns of county and state farmers on issues concerning production agriculture, and was an outstanding spokesman for vocational education, farm land-use tax, farmland preservation, agriculture research and environmental issues. Haywood County’s 4,500 members are appreciative of the 48 years of leadership Francis gave the organization.

HAYWOOD COUNTY FARM BUREAU was recognized for its support for NCFB’s Agriculture in the Classroom Program. The county paid the salary of nine substitute teachers and provided breakfast and lunch for workshop participants. Attendees included Anne Garrett, Superintendant of Schools; Terry Rogers, Haywood County Farm Bureau President; Sandy Caldwell, Elementary Supervisor; and Chuck Francis, School Board Chairman.

IREDELL COUNTY FARM BUREAU recently presented financial aid to the county’s five Future Farmers of America chapters. County President David Sides, fourth from left, presented representatives from the five chapters with the donations.

LEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU was a sponsor of the Third Annual Meat Goat Show held Sept. 16 at the Lee Regional Fair. The event included a Showmanship Competition and exhibitors from Richmond, Moore, Montgomery, Hoke, Anson and Lee counties. County Farm Bureau President John Cameron and Katherine Southard, Miss North Carolina 2009, presented ribbons to the winners of the goat show.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY FARM BUREAU established an Agriculture Foundation endowment in honor of NCFB Senior Vice President J.M. Wright Jr. The $50,000 endowment is a scholarship for Rockingham County students planning to attend North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, or a North Carolina community college to study for a career in agriculture or agri-science. The endowment honors the commitment that Wright has demonstrated as a leader and former President of the Rockingham County Farm Bureau. Rockingham County Farm Bureau previously established an endowment at Rockingham Community College and provides three $1,000 scholarships.

SAMPSON COUNTY FARM BUREAU Women’s Committee served a pizza and Pepsi lunch to the Compensatory Education Class at Sampson Community College. About 50 people were served.

WAKE COUNTY FARM BUREAU Women’s Committee recently visited Hope Chapel preschoolers to help educate them during their farm unit of study. Sixty children milked a cow, made “moo masks,” painted pumpkins and made pumpkin pie snacks. Also, Women’s Committee Member Michelle Dupree delivered pumpkins to kindergarten and first-grade classes at Willow Springs Elementary School.

WILSON COUNTY FARM BUREAU Women’s Committee recently held a car seat safety check at Rock Ridge Elementary School, with the help of the school’s principal, the Highway Patrol, the Department of Transportation and the local EMS. Before the event, parents were notified that when they came to drop their child off at school, they could have their child’s safety seat inspected to make sure it was positioned and secured in their vehicle properly. Parents were also given pamphlets on car seat safety. The inspections were free.

COUNTY FARM BUREAU Members from Anson, Ashe, Catawba, Iredell, McDowell, Lincoln, Rowan and Yadkin counties traveled to Moultrie, Ga. in October 2009 to attend the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo. North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten also attended this year’s event as North Carolina was the Spotlight State in 2009. NCFB, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina State University and The N.C. State Grange collaborated on an exhibit representing North Carolina agriculture. Henderson County sod farmer Fred Pittillo was recognized as the North Carolina Farmer of the Year.

WAKE COUNTY FARM BUREAU set up interactive agricultural displays at the Jordan Lake Heritage Day on Oct. 3. Vice President Richard Jenks showed visitors how to shell corn and loop tobacco. Michelle and Melanie Dupree offered children the chance to milk a cow, make a “moo mask,” and choose an activity book to take home. About 50 children participated.

WAYNE COUNTY FARM BUREAU Members Bryant and Debbie Worley were among the four winners nationwide of the 2009 Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award given by Pork Checkoff in conjunction with National Hog Farmer Magazine. Judges representing pork producers and environmental groups selected Bryant Worley Farms, Inc. of Princeton from among candidates who demonstrate commitment to upholding the ideal relationship between pork production and the environment. The Worley’s operate their farm with the thinking that farmers were the first environmentalists, and they were previously honored in 2005 as the North Carolina Soil and Water Association’s Outstanding Conservation Farm Family. The Worley’s also played an important role in raising the 2009 National Thanksgiving Turkey presented by the National Turkey Federation for the White House “Pardoning.” The Worley Family Farm, growers for Goldsboro Milling, Company, Inc., cared for the birds.

NORTH CAROLINA FARM BUREAU’S LEAD TEAM had its fall conference Sept. 17-19 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville. The focus of this September’s conference was Communicating with the Media. Bob Wilson, of American Farm Bureau, conducted a session called “Have I Got A Story for You,” during which participants held mock interviews with each other and were critiqued. The group visited WLOS-TV’s station to learn how television programs are put together and how to prepare themselves for television interviews. They also visited the Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper, where they met with the editor and the agriculture reporter to learn ways to hone their skills for print media. The conference also included a visit to the Biltmore vineyard, a workshop on the proper way to write Thank You notes and a trip to the Asheville Farmers Market.

JOHN ALLEN, 35, of Iredell County, is a finalist for the second year in a row. A tree farmer, Allen holds patents on two varieties of trees and is developing several other tree varieties to patent next year and in coming years.
“Plant patents are expensive to get and enforce, but the royalties can be a nice supplemental income if marketed correctly over the 20-year period of the patent,” Allen says. “The intangible benefits are great as well, because they become an advertisement for your nursery by every other nursery that grows those trees.”
Furthermore, Allen helped form a regional marketing group that won a $30,000 Commodity Community Investment Fund grant from the Rural Advancement Foundation International. The money will be spent on educational field days, pesticide courses for credit, tours and literature at local nurseries.
Allen is manager and part-owner of his family-run, 365-acre operation, which was recently incorporated.
The economic downturn posed a challenge to the nursery, as less homebuilding meant less demand for landscaping.
“Shade trees were very popular, (and) now flowering trees have taken more market share, so plant diversity has mitigated the downturn for our nursery,” he says.
A past president of the State Nursery and Landscape Association, he led an executive search committee for that group last year, and is serving on an N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services advisory committee. He continues his interest in politics and remains active as a volunteer firefighter and member of his church.

ANDREW AND ASHLEY BURLESON, both 31, of Stanly County, met while studying agronomy (him), and animal science (her), in college. Marriage and two kids later, the couple and his family have 3,411 acres primarily devoted to cotton, but they also grow soybeans, corn and wheat and have 24 head of cattle.
The Burlesons farm the land his grandparents bought in the 1940s, and today they farm with Andrew’s dad, uncle and cousin on that land as two limited liability corporations. Ashley also runs a home-based embroidery business and is a homemaker and full-time mother.
The farm is also partial owner of a family-owned cotton gin and warehouse, which serve farms in the seven surrounding counties.
“This past year the farm cooperated with the gin and manufacturers to produce T-shirts that are produced entirely within our state,” Andrew says. “Cotton grown on our farm and ginned at our cotton gin was spun, dyed, sewn and screen-printed locally.”
The Burlesons farm has used some innovative methods to reduce the need for seasonal labor. Andrew worked with a welder and the gin manager to modernize a tarping system to allow them to harvest with two workers, instead of four.
A challenge for the Burlesons has been urban development, yet they’ve taken steps to ensure the future of farming in their family. They’ve purchased land in areas with less commercial and residential growth to provide a stable land base for the next generation.
The Burlesons are involved in the Cotton Producers Association, County Environmental Health Board, the State Agriculture Foundation, Cooperative Extension, Southern States and their church.

LUCAS RICHARD, 29, of Catawba County, bought his first calf at 5 years old, when his grandfather sold it to him for two cents. He reinvested his proceeds from the sale of that cow’s calf and has been investing in his diverse farm operations ever since.
“I’m a firm believer in reinvesting in the operation first,” he says. “This has allowed me to achieve the growth that I have over the past 10 years.”
Until he got out of high school, Richard farmed alongside his grandfather. Then he started with 50 acres of row crops. Today his businesses, L.F.R. Farms & Greenhouses and L.F.R. Grain Chemical, Inc., require three greenhouses, 1,600 acres of his own and 1,000 acres of custom work for other farmers. Richard has 10 full-time employees.
Richard grows wheat, barley, corn, soybeans and strawberries, and started a grain division that includes a grain elevator and chemical and seed store three years ago.
Furthermore, to keep up with the latest chemical and seed products, Richard became a commissioned agent for Coastal Agribusiness.
Richard started farming just out of high school and typically puts in 16-hour-or-longer days but recently decided to make time to go back to school. He is finishing up an associates degree in business administration this semester.
Looking ahead, Richard plans to add more grain storage, add row crop acres, and possibly buy or build another location.
Richard is president of the Small Grain Growers Association, and is involved with the National Wheat Growers Association, his local fire department, and is an Eagle Scout.

ALEXANDER COUNTY Farm Bureau President Lee Herman recently presented a $1,000 Theft Reward program check to a member. The recipient, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave the sheriff’s department information regarding a theft where the proper sign was posted. The Theft Reward program offers $1,000 for information leading to an arrest for arson, malicious damage to property, burglary or other felonies committed at a property where a sign is posted and resulted in a final conviction or guilty plea on a felony charge or a lesser included offense.

ALLEGHANY COUNTY Farm Bureau, in conjunction with Alleghany Partnership for Children, co-sponsored a Car Seat Safety Day, Aug. 16. The board of directors and office staff participated in this event, which served many families by inspecting, replacing or adjusting car seats.

ASHE COUNTY Farm Bureau President Don Tucker sent two N.C. Fraser fir Christmas trees to troops stationed in Farah, Afghanistan. Richard Sessoms, Tucker’s son-in-law, received the trees for his unit, PRT (provision reconstruction team). Sessoms, seated at far right, said the troops really enjoyed and appreciated the trees.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY Farm Bureau President Billy Johnston, right, presented a plaque to Kenneth Reeves, county extension director, during the November Board Meeting. Reeves, who is a loyal associate “honorary” board member, is retiring after 32-plus years. He was honored for being a valuable resource for Buncombe County’s residents and farmers, for fostering strong relationships among ag groups and for fostering a strong appreciation for farmers and farmland in the county.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY Farm Bureau board member Gary Hutchins and Willy the Safety Squirrel visited TC Roberson Pre-School Dec. 12 for a Home Chemical Safety Day event. Hutchins discussed relevant safety issues, led relevant classroom exercises and passed out coloring books and crayons to the students.

CASWELL COUNTY Farm Bureau participated in the Caswell County Christmas Parade Dec. 6 in downtown Yanceyville. Farm Bureau member Donna Ligon drove Willy the Safety Squirrel and U.S. Congressman Brad Miller. Farm Bureau member Neal Bowen drove his 1954 Chevy. Member Loria Slade walked with the Head Start float, and member Cathy Hayes walked with her son and the Bartlett Yancey High School band. N.C. Rep. Bill Faison tossed candy to the crowd. Also, county President Hester Vernon helped Georgie Holden and Jennifer Cook decorate the outside of the county Farm Bureau office, which competed in the Chamber of Commerce’s Window Decoration Contest.
CASWELL COUNTY Farm Bureau member David Berry Jr. of Yanceyville, left, and “Mr. Dry Pistol,” a three-year-old American quarter horse gelding, were crowned the 2008 NC Horse Ranch Inc. Open champions and Berry was awarded the championship buckle.
Berry owns and operates David Berry Performance Horses and trains horses on his farm.

CATAWBA COUNTY Farm Bureau’s past President Ira Cline (left) was presented the Old North State Award for dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the Great State of North Carolina. Presenting the award is N.C. House Rep. Mark Hilton. The award, signed by Gov. Mike Easley, was presented at the Catawba County annual Farm City Dinner on Nov. 25.

CATAWBA COUNTY Farm Bureau hosted Richard Thompson (left) of the Hickory Kiwanis Club as he presented the Outstanding Contributor Award to Worth Killian, of Catawba County Farm Bureau, at the Annual Farm City Dinner on Nov 25. Killian is a Board Member of Catawba County Farm Bureau and has been a Soil and Water District supervisor for more than 50 years.

HENDERSON COUNTY Farm Bureau sponsored a booth at the annual Farm City Day event at Jackson Park. Board Member Larry Roper and his wife, JoAnne, volunteered at a booth that included a mechanical cow used to demonstrate hands-on milking to children, as well as a full-grown cow and a calf. Board Member Wayne Barwell contributed gift certificates, which were prizes in a contest to guess the weights of the cow and calf from his roadside packing house, Free milk and cookies were also available to booth visitors.

ONSLOW COUNTY Farm Bureau member Arnold Maready continued his annual tradition of lending his spotted draft team of horses and handmade cart on behalf of Onslow County Farm Bureau for the Jacksonville Christmas Parade. Maready finished this cart the night before the parade and Onslow County Farm Bureau would like to thank him for his years of dedication to rural North Carolina and Onslow County Farm Bureau.

PERQUIMANS COUNTY Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee marked National Farm-City Week, Nov. 21-27, by donating a “The Farmer Grows a Rainbow” kit to Mrs. Julie Roberts’ kindergarten class at Perquimans Central School. Students were also given Rudy Rooster agriculture coloring books, pencils and a copy of American Farm Bureau’s 2007 Book of the Year, Chuck Leavell’s The Tree Farmer. The committee also put Farm-City placemats in local restaurants.

SURRY COUNTY Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program organized an “Operation Santa Claus” drive for less fortunate children in Surry County. Participating were Andy Collins, Wesley Johnson, Sidney Whitaker and Joshua Cave.

WAYNE COUNTY Farm Bureau conducted a workshop, Jan. 12, at Mt. Olive College for Ag in the Classroom’s “The Farmer Grows a Rainbow” kit. Fifteen teachers from nine schools attended the workshop. Wayne County Farm Bureau donated a “The Farmer Grows a Rainbow” kit to each school represented with the hope that the newly trained teachers will excite other teachers at their schools to use the curriculum. ]]> http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/2009/03/achievements-lifestyles-2-3/feed/ 1 http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/2008/09/2008-county-annual-meetings-2/ http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/2008/09/2008-county-annual-meetings-2/#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:03:58 +0000 Farm Bureau http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/?p=684