Anderson County
Ansley Fricks, the daughter of Brandon & Lindsay Fricks, won the junior one division in Talent Contest at the SCFB State Convention. She entertained the audience with a lyrical dance.
Our Women’s Committee participated in the 1st Annual Martin Acevedo Farm Show. The show raised funds for the Anderson Livestock Show Award, SC State Fair Awards, bluegrass instrument lessons and lake rescue equipment. Anderson Youth Ambassadors Katie Martin and Hunter Dove, as well as Anderson’s Women’s Committee participants Linda Smith, Gloria Bolt, Diane Rentz and Jane Acevedo also attended the SCFB convention.
Clay and Emily Alexander, from Starr, were appointed to the State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.
Davis Peeler, a board director for Anderson County, was named the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award runner-up at the AFBF convention in New Orleans.
Calhoun County
Calhoun County Farm Bureau Insurance and Federation spread holiday cheer by helping those in the community facing hardship. Through Farm Bureau Cares, county Farm Bureau offices across South Carolina provide a monetary donation during December to help a family or charity of their choice. Each local donation made by the County Farm Bureau and local agents is matched by Farm Bureau Insurance.
The local office donated $1000 in support of a campaign run by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department. Their “No-Shave November” campaign begins with the deputies growing out their Santa beards in anticipation of delivering toys to less fortunate families in the county.
Statewide more than $40,500 was donated through Farm Bureau Cares to assist charities and countless individuals this holiday season.
Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County gave ag folders, pizza activity books, pencils, book markers and activity sheets to the 3rd grade class in Chesterfield County.
For SCFB Annual Meeting, Chesterfield County donated to the Country Store, Silent Auction & the AITC Golf Tournament. They also had several members volunteer handing out ice cream and 15 women attend the Women's Luncheon. Two women served as voting delegates.
Chesterfield County gave $1,000 to the Connie Maxwell Home.
Greenville County
Eight women from the Greenville WLC attended the Women’s Leadership Conference in Aiken. The Greenville WLC also prepared over 100 donations for the Country Store at SCFB Annual Meeting.
YF&R donated milk for Harvest for All to Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. Greenville had one YF&R member compete in the Discussion Meet and two other YF&R members compete in the Excellence in Agriculture competition this year at the YF&R competitions at the SCFB Annual Meeting.
Greenville County donated to and had several members attend the 2018 South Greenville Fair.
Edwin Terry participated in Cherrydale Elementary Harvest Day where he took a calf to interact with students. They were also able to experience the SCFB Ag Simulator.
As part of the Palmetto Pick of the Month, several board members have volunteered to meet and talk with the students at Skyland Elementary. This quarter, Katie Moore and Amanda Drew visited with the students to explain and illustrate the life cycle of the apple tree. Duff Hughes visited with the students to give a presentation on sweet potatoes.
Pickens County
The Pickens County Annual Membership Appreciation BBQ had a turnout of around 450 people, where members were able to fellowship.
Two ladies attended the Women’s Conference.
The Farm-City Breakfast was held at the Pickens County Career Center in Liberty, featuring guest speaker Representative Davey Hiott.
Thirteen members attended SCFB Annual Meeting. Pickens County was awarded a 2018 County Performance Award. The Pickens County Secretary, Carlene Gilstrap, qualified as a Star Secretary Award Winner for having 10% in member email addresses in the membership database.
Saluda County
The Saluda County Farm Bureau held its first ever State and Local Government Officeholders Appreciation Breakfast at the Persimmon Hill Golf Club. State legislators, county council members, school board members, mayors and sheriffs were invited to enjoy breakfast and could visit with members. Sen. Shane Massey and Rep. Cal Forrest were in attendance and are looking forward to the 2019 Legislative Breakfast.
York County
York County Farm Bureau joined with York Soil and Water Conservation to hold their annual Legislative Banquet. Lewis Hicks was awarded the Champion of Conservation Award for his commitment to conservation in agriculture.
Wesley Edmunds, Evelyn Edmunds, Clint Boyd and Carolyn Boyd serve on the Clover FFA Advisory Board and regularly attend their meetings.
At the SCFB Annual Meeting, Lewis Hicks and Beth White were named 2018 Grassroots All-Stars. Carolyn Boyd received the County’s Women’s Committee Activity Award, the award for the Women’s Leadership Committee Membership Contest and was named one of the Master Membership Recruiters, as well as the Outstanding Membership Recruiter. Sandra Robbins was named as one of the Star Secretaries for 2018. Ruth Harper, Dickie Harper, Joe Barton, Judy Barton and Clint Boyd volunteered serving ice cream sundaes Sam and Lindsey Hall were named as finalists in the YF&R Achievement Award.
The Ag Simulator was brought to Crowders Creek Elementary School in Clover. Beth White, Carolyn Boyd and Tracy Miskelly were there to talk to the pre-K and kindergarten classes.
Planning of this year’s Shoot4Ag has begun. If anyone has feedback based on last year’s event, please contact Larabeth Smith, Cameron Ramsey or Kristen Whitesides.