County Farm Bureaus recognized for excellence of local programs

Farm Bureaus in the counties of Greensville, Isle of Wight, Mecklenburg, Powhatan, Rockingham, Tazewell and Wythe were recognized Nov. 30 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 and community activities, the seven organizations received Best in State and New Horizon awards at the 2016 VFBF Annual Convention in Hot Springs.

• Isle of Wight County Farm Bureau, led by President William Gwaltney, won a Best in State Award in the category for membership marketing, acquisition or retention. County Farm Bureau volunteers created and manned a booth at their county fair.
• Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau, led by President Irvin Matthews, won a Best in State Award in the agriculture promotion or education category for its installation of a Virginia agriculture map at the state welcome center on Interstate 85 at Bracey.
• Powhatan County Farm Bureau, led by President Max Timberlake, captured a Best in State Award for Farm Bureau promotion or involvement with its Celebration of the Horse event to benefit local 4-H and FFA activities.
• Tazewell County Farm Bureau, led by President Bill Osborne, won a Best in State Award for its governmental relations program. The county Farm Bureau mobilized farmers in opposition to specific zoning changes in Tazewell.

VFBF presented three New Horizon Awards in recognition of new and innovative county Farm Bureau programs.

• Greensville County Farm Bureau, led by President Joey Doyle, received a New Horizon Award for its Farm Bureau Day at Boyd GM/Chevrolet.
• Rockingham County Farm Bureau, led by President Lareth May, received a New Horizon Award for its work on the Farming Leaders Conference held earlier this year.
• Wythe County Farm Bureau, led by President Nate Aker, received a New Horizon Award for its Wythe County Faces of Agriculture program.

With 126,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy group. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization committed to supporting Virginia’s agriculture industry and preserving the Virginia way of life. View more convention news as it becomes available at VaFarmBureau.org/NewsVideo/ConventionNewsroom.aspx.