South Carolina Farm Bureau

As of April 23, 2013

Clarendon County FB purchased 25 “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?” books to give to schools with grades K-5 to second grade in Clarendon County. A local farmer went to some of the classrooms and read to the students.

David Richburg, County Board member and State Director, read to K4 and K5 classrooms at Manning Early Childhood Center.
































Mac Eaddy, County Board member, read to K5 thru 2nd grade at LMA.


















Clarendon County FB President Steve Brunson read to K5 at Clarendon Hall.


















Thomas DuRant, vice president, read to a 1st grade class at Walker Gamble.
 


















Newberry County Farm Bureau recently held their Annual Legislative Banquet. Senator Ronnie Cromer and Representative Walt McLeod were in attendance along with local county council, school board members, and the local sheriff and chief of police. Each special guest was given an opportunity to address the group.
Young farmers and ranchers from Newberry County recently attended the SC Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Conference in Charleston where they were recognized for having the largest attendance of young farmers in the state.
The Newberry County Farm Bureau Board of Directors continues to collect food items at its monthly meetings for “Farmers Feeding Families.” The food items are donated to our local Manna House.

Holly Whiten, daughter of Charlie and Sherry Whiten, Oconee County FB Women’s Chair, was chosen out of 2,500 entries to perform on the Shotgun Red Variety Show that airs on RFD-TV. The show, which was filmed on February 15th in Nashville, will air twice. The first show will air on June 20 at 5:00 pm and it will be rerun on June 23 at 1:00 pm. Holly is a world champion clogger who has been clogging since the age of 3. She performs with the Southern Junction Cloggers in Easley.

Florence County FB Board Members, spouses, and secretaries greeted participants at the Farm Bureau booth during the SC AGRI-BIZ, which was held at the Florence Civic Center on January 16-18, 2013.
Mrs. Rhett Bacot, Women’s Chair, and Mrs. Lisa Lee, Membership Chair, assisted 4th Grade class at Dewey L Carter with Career Bingo on February 6, 2013
Mrs. Lee also read the book “How Did That Get In My Lunchbox?” to the 4th Grade class at Dewey L Carter on February 8, 2013. Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Bacot assisted the kids with filling their lunch boxes with healthy foods.
Florence County FB donated $97.00 in food items to the McLeod Guest House in Florence, SC, on February 15, 2013, in observance of Food Check-Out Week. Several local news media were present for this event. Mrs. Barbara Britton made a personal donation of $100.00 in food items to the McLeod Guest House in March 2013.
Rhett Bacot, Judy Brigman, Barbara Britton and Jean Kenyon attended Women’s Day at the State House on March 19, 2013.
Mrs. Rhett Bacot, Mrs. Judy Brigman and Mrs. Jeanette Cox attended the Pee Dee District Women’s Meeting on March 26, 2013.

Five ladies from the York County FB Women’s Committee attended the Food Check-Out event at the Ronald McDonald House in February. They took much needed supplies to help the families who stay there when their loved ones are sick.
York County had four ladies, Annie Turney, Helen Myers, Peggy Harshaw , and Carolyn Boyd, attend Women’s Day at the State House on March 19.
Clint and Carolyn Boyd, Women’s Chair, attended the Legislative Banquet in Newberry on March 18. They received updates on national, state and local issues.
Carolyn Boyd, Membership Chair for York County, attended a training workshop in March. Each person attending was encouraged to sign up at least five new members. They were also encouraged to get all directors involved in this membership drive.
York County Farm Bureau supported the York County Livestock Show and Sale on March 23. The event was a collaboration of the 4-H Project of Clemson Extension Service and York and Clover FFA Chapters. The York County Farm Bureau Board of Directors awarded each of the 48 participants $25 for their entries.
The York County Women’s Committee lost one of its members, Sybil Biggers on March 18. The ladies will miss Sybil’s smiling face and her active participation in the York County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.

Anderson County FB sent five young farmers to the SCFB YF&R Conference.
Our annual Ladies Night was held on February 11 with directors, agency staff, secretarial staff, and spouses invited. Special guests were SCFB President David Winkles and his wife Cas.
County President Brian Bolt recognized Ronnie O’Neal who retired from the Anderson County FB Board at the end of 2012. Mr. O’Neal served on the Board for over 40 years.
Anderson County FB Women’s Committee members participated in the Food Check-Out event held at the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville. The ladies donated $750 in food, paper items, and money.
Janice Wood, Piedmont District Women’s Leadership Vice Chair, attended Women’s Day at the statehouse in Columbia.
Al Rentz, Membership Chairman, attended a membership training session in Columbia in March.

Joyce Kirkland, Lexington County Farm Bureau secretary, went on a mission trip to Costa Rica from March 27 - April 3 as part of a team of 12 people. While in Costa Rica, she stayed at Camp Brittney in Atenas. Her team visited a school to do maintenance work, painting and cleaning windows, and also an orphanage, where they raked leaves and painted a fence.
The group also entertained 75 children in their camp to an American Easter egg hunt, where the children dyed eggs, played games, made crafts, played in the pool, had lunch and were told a bible story. The kids left with a bag full of goodies.
On another occasion the group visited Los Guido (a very poor village) where they hosted a kids’ club in morning and teenagers in the afternoon. Those attending were treated to a day filled with games, fun times and bible stories. Each child received a bag of goodies (toothbrush, toothpaste and candy). The group also visited 15 families and gave them food bags.

Greenville County Farm Bureau participated in the 17th annual Farm Day on Saturday, April 20, at historic Lindsey Plantation, a beef and hay operation in Taylors. The Blue Ridge High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter hosted the event.
Greenville County FB used the event as a way to promote Farm Bureau, educate the public about agriculture, and to recruit new Farm Bureau members. Both the SCFB Ag in the Classroom simulator and the SCFB promotional trailer were on site.
The free event was managed by Blue Ridge students and volunteers who helped with hay rides, animal exhibits and a plant sale. Antique and new tractors were displayed along with other equipment exhibits. Live entertainment accompanied the locally-smoked BBQ lunch.


As of January 29, 2013

Florence County Farm Bureau had five ladies attend the 2012 SC Farm Bureau Women’s Conference in Pawleys Island.  An article was submitted to the Florence Morning News and published in early December.   Florence County also had their scrapbook on display during this event.

Florence County Farm Bureau held its Annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, November 16, 2012.

Florence County Farm Bureau contributed items towards the Silent Auction and Country Store during the SCFB Annual Convention and had six ladies to attend the Women’s Luncheon on Friday.

York County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee had seven ladies to attend the Women’s Conference at Pawley’s Island in October. These women were, Annette Boyd, Faye Lineberger, Peggy Harshaw, Sybil Biggers, Annie Turney, Helen Myers and Carolyn Boyd. The ladies really enjoyed all the workshops and tours. These conferences always leave the ladies with a feeling of kindred spirits among the women’s committees in the the farming community.

York County Farm Bureau and York Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a Legislative and Recognition Dinner on December 6, 2012. A number of our local legislators attended this event. David Winkles, SC Farm Bureau President, along with other state officials also attended. President Winkles spoke about issues with the Farm Bill.

Dickie Harper, York County Farm Bureau Vice-President, received the Champion of Conservation Award.

A number of York County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Women’s Committee members were present.

The event was planned by Carolyn Boyd, Chair of the York County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Barbara O’Connell, District Co-ordinator for York Soil and Water Conservation District, and Peggy Palmer, Chair of York Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Anderson County Farm Bureau:  Victor Salazar, Male Ambassador representing Anderson County Farm Bureau, won male state ambassador at the Annual SCFB Convention in Myrtle Beach, and Savannah Vickery, Female Ambassador from Anderson County was among the top six finalists.  Scottlyn Cloninger from Anderson County won the Senior Talent Contest (Division 1).

Allison Honea from Anderson County won the Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet at the SCFB Convention and will compete in the national American Farm Bureau YF&R Discussion Meet.

Anderson County received the County Performance Award at the State Annual Convention.  Janice Wood, Women’s Chairperson was a recipient of Volunteer Membership Worker Award, and Mike McKee, agent in Anderson County won second place in the service agent’s membership award contest.

Anderson County will begin its new year with a new County President, Brian Bolt.  We will host our annual Legislative Breakfast on January 21, 2013, for our County Delegation and Board Members. 

Newberry County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, along with the Newberry County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, sponsored a “Fall for Safety Day” at Tractor Supply in Newberry on November 3.

The South Carolina Farm Bureau “Ag Simulator” was there along with South Carolina DNR with information on hunter and boater safety.  ATV safety information was provided by the 4H ATV Safety Program, and the ATV was provided by Wilson Marine.  Newberry Electric Cooperative provided a bucket truck for the kids to observe.  Newberry City Fire Department brought a fire truck and Wilson Tractor of Newberry provided a tractor and implement.   Everyone in attendance enjoyed the day.

The Newberry County Farm Bureau Board of Directors also brought items to our board meetings to donate to our “Farmers Feeding Families” project.   The items are collected and donated to the local Manna House. 

Williamsburg County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chair, Mary Sutton, and Seth Walker attended the SCFB Women’s Leadership Conference at Pawleys Plantation in October.

Our Board formed a membership committee with Al McIntosh as the chairmen and committee members Brian McClam and Will Carsten.  Kevin Gowdy is our new Vegetable Advisory Committee member.   Williamsburg County was a hole sponsor in the Ag in the Classroom Golf Tournament during the SCFB Annual Meeting.

The Dairy Bar was a huge success during the SCFB convention this year and we would like to send a big thank you to Peggy Haddock who was responsible for bringing the Dairy Bar back, and to Mary Sutton who even made aprons for everyone to wear while working in the Dairy Bar.  A special thanks to Eric Snyder and his family for all their help.  Eric came from Fort Hood, Texas; his wife, Rebecca and daughter Anna came from Columbia; and daughter, Rachel, came from college.  They are all pros at running the Dairy Bar.  Thanks to all the women from Williamsburg County who worked so hard to make this a success:  Mary Sutton, Seth Walker, Courtney Walker, Peggy Haddock, Sara Beth O’Quinn, Cathy Britton, and Kim McClary.

Our Women’s Committee also helped with the Country Store and Silent Auction either by working or with donations.

Congratulations to Mrs. Mary Sutton and our Women’s Committee for winning the Activities Award for the second year in a row.

Mr. William J Chandler, Jr., 91 of Henry, SC passed away December 18, 2012 at his home.  Mr. Chandler was a founder and the first president of Williamsburg County Farm Bureau.

Mr. Louie Claude McClary, 90 of Salters, SC, passed away January 20, 2013 at his home.   He was a lifetime member of Williamsburg County Farm Bureau, having served 52 years in several capacities.  He was one of the founders also and served as president, state director, and board member.

Beaufort County Farm Bureau: Riverview Charter School in Beaufort had Colonial Days recently and two ladies from the Beaufort County Farm Bureau attended and wore outfits from that time. The women visited the school and demonstrated events from that era to forty-four 4th graders. The children shelled and cracked corn, used a blender to make the corn fine enough to make corn bread, and churned their own butter to put on the corn bread. The children also learned about cast iron skillets and pots. One of the ladies showed the children how to prepare and cook a chicken in a cast iron pot.
 
John & Kelly Lesesne put on a farm tour at Chisholm Plantation for a local Sunday school group for ages four through eleven. The Lesesnes had ten children and twelve adults attend. The children had a hayride, learned about cows, were given the history of phosphate mining, and had a cookout/bring a dish meal.


As of October 16, 2012

Aiken County: The Aiken High FFA chapter was named among the top 10 in the nation by the National FFA Association in two categories--the Model of Innovation Award, and the Model of Excellence Award. Aiken County FB sponsored the total expenses for two students to attend the competitive presentations at the national convention.

Beaufort County FB youth leadership participants helped to serve 1,958 cups of free Pet ice cream to children and adults during Children’s Day at the Beaufort Water Festival using the SCFB promotional trailer. PET donated 150 boxes of chocolate, banana split and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
The Beaufort Conservation District held its ECO Camp July 23- July 27 at the Technical College of the Lowcountry for children ages 6 -12. Beaufort County Women’s Committee sponsored six children to attend the camp and provided lunch on Friday, the last day of the camp. The camp theme was “Dive into World Oceans.”

Clarendon County FB helped sponsor “Messy Play Date” for primary and elementary children to learn more about agriculture. The event, hosted by Buck and Bull Farms and Walton Farms, featured animal petting, hayrides, and a dirt mountain.

Dillon County: Senator Kent Williams was the guest speaker at the Dillon County FB annual meeting at the Charcoal Grill in Dillon in September. Other special guests included Senator Dick Elliott, SCFB President and Mrs. David Winkles, and SCFB Pee Dee District Vice President Frank Flowers. Members were also entertained by the Pee Dee Blue Grass Band.

Dorchester County: Ryan Huff, a rising junior from Dorchester Academy in Harleyville, has been named one of three national award winners in the American Farm Bureau’s “Agriculture in a Growing World” essay contest. Ryan will receive a $100 cash prize, made possible by program partner Nutrients for Life, and the school will receive a $250 grant to help further their agricultural education program. The contest was promoted through Farm Bureau’s agricultural literacy program to teachers across the state. Ruth Anne O’Cain, teacher and Dorchester Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chair, was instrumental in getting Ryan to participate in the contest.

Florence County FB recently donated two hand painted pictures to the Palmetto Palate Silent Auction and had eight county participants to attend.
Rhett Bacot and Lisa Lee handed out gift bags to 2nd and 3rd grade teachers at Dewey L. Carter Elementary School in August. The gift bags included items from the 2012-2013 teacher wish list. A letter of appreciation was also included that thanked each teacher for allowing Farm Bureau into their classroom to help teach the importance of agriculture.
Sterling Sadler, Chair of the SCFB Equine Committee, was interviewed by the Florence Morning News regarding the rise of encephalitis in the Equine industry.

Greenville County: Morgan Reynolds, granddaughter of Bruce and Anna Holcombe (Greenville County FB Women’s Committee Co-Chair), Wayne Reynolds, and Brenda Leopard, won the title of Miss South Carolina Peach Festival Teen Queen 2012 on July 20 in Gaffney. An 8th grader at Woodmont Middle School in Greenville County, Morgan is the daughter of Nate and Dr. Beth Reynolds.

Oconee County: William Jimmy “Jim” Whiten of Westminster died Wednesday, October 10, 2012, in Oconee Medical Center. He was the father of Oconee County FB State Director Charlie Whiten and father-in-law of Oconee County Women’s Chair Sherry Whiten.

Richland County FB made a donation of $250 to the SC Palomino Youth, helping send six kids to the World Championship Palomino Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sydney Beasley, daughter of Ken Beasley (Richland County Director, Scholarship Chairman, and SCFB Equine Advisory Committee member) won first place in the reigning competition. Sydney was the first youth from South Carolina to win this event.
Richland County FB awarded two scholarships of $1,000 each for the 2012-2013 school year to the following rising juniors at Clemson University: Allie Trippe, majoring in Animal & Veterinary Science (pre vet), and Merritt Gantt, majoring in Horticulture.

York County: Arthur Black, York County FB President, has announced that Chad Everett Whitesides, son of Everett and Caylen Whitesides of York, is the recipient of the 2012-2013 York County FB Scholarship. Chad is in his senior year at Clemson University majoring in Agriculture Mechanization and Business. He will receive an award of $1,000.
In September, York County FB participated in the York County Fall Livestock Show, hosted by Tony and Beverly Callahan and High Tension Ranch in York. York County FB contributed a $1000 donation to the event. A membership booth was set up by Chris Stephenson, Agency Manager, and Sandra Robbins, Secretary, to promote Farm Bureau membership. Children in attendance also enjoyed the Farm Bureau Ag Simulator.

Williamsburg County FB awarded three scholarships this year to students attending Clemson and majoring in agriculture--Baker Myers, Kelly Williamson, and Tripp Williamson.
Representative Carl Anderson was among the special guests at the Williamsburg County FB annual meeting held at the JJ Mitcheom Community Center in Hemingway in September. SCFB Pee Dee District Vice President Frank Flowers also attended.


As of April 27, 2012


Bamberg County
Wingard Copeland receives Bamberg County Soil and Water Conservation District  Award from Landis Hiers 

Bamberg County:  Wingard Copeland, State Director from Bamberg County, was named the “2011 Cooperator of the Year” by the Bamberg County Soil and Water Conservation District at its awards banquet on March 27.  He was recognized for many years of natural resource conservation efforts and for being an outstanding spokesman for conservation in the area.      

Beaufort County FB held its annual Kids Fest at the Cross Creek shopping center on March 31.  The children were able to see a number of farm animals including a miniature horse and donkey, sheep, goats, turkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, and ducks.  Children also shelled corn by hand, roped a sawhorse steer, and guessed the amount of corn, pecans, beans, and cotton in jars to win a cookbook or a $20 prize.  In addition, over 200 people visited the Ag Simulator and a 1945 John Deer tractor.  

Beaufort County:  Beverly Brown, Beaufort County FB Women’s Committee member, had 58 preschool children tour the Penn Center as part of Heritage School Day.  The children toured the museum, learned about animals, plants, and crops, and also planted seeds in newspaper pots to learn about recycling.
  

Cherokee County:  Celeste Cash has been named the recipient of the 2012 Cherokee County FB Kline W. Cash Memorial Scholarship.

Clarendon, Lee, and Sumter County FBs are sponsoring the Central Cattlemen’s Association meeting on May 24th at the Sumter County FB office.

Florence County:  Charles Brigman, Florence County FB President, and other board members presented Senator Hugh Leatherman with a PAC check on March 5th.  The Florence County FB Board also plans to present Representative Lester P. Branham, Jr. and Representative Phil Lowe a PAC check in the upcoming weeks.

Florence County Farm Bureau provided ice cream for the Special Olympics on April 19, 2012, at Johnsonville Elementary School and Hannah Pamplico Elementary School. 

Florence County:  Rhett Bacot, Florence County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chair, read the Farm Bureau book of the year to students at Dewey L. Carter Elementary on April 25, 2012.

Georgetown County