Charles Ruth

Charles Ruth is a Wildlife Biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and currently serves as the Big Game Program Coordinator. He has been employed by SCDNR as the Deer Program Coordinator since 1995. He also oversees the Wild Turkey program and Black Bear program. 

He earned his bachelors degree in biology from the College of Charleston in 1986. He later earned his masters degree in aquaculture, fisheries and wildlife biology from Clemson University in 1990.

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Dr. Greg Yarrow

Dr. Greg Yarrow is a professor of Wildlife Ecology in the Department of Forestry and Environment Conservation at Clemson University. His teaching, research and extension responsibilities include: 

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Billy Van Pelt II

Billy works with major funders throughout Kentucky, the Southeast and Texas; presents at conferences and meetings of allied organizations; and secures partnerships to expand AFT’s programmatic work across these regions. Before joining AFT, he ran his own government relations firm. During this time, he served as the founding CEO of Woodford Forward, a land use advocacy organization. As a landscape architect, he worked in both the private and public sectors, including over a decade as the director of a farmland protection program in Lexington, Kentucky, where he conserved 28,000 acres.

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Kalena Bruce

Kalena Bruce is a 5th generation farmer who lives in Stockton, Missouri along with her husband Billy & daughter Willa. The Bruce’s operate a commercial cow/calf operation. She is active with Missouri Farm Bureau and other agriculture organizations in her community. She has served a 2-year term on the Missouri Young Farmer & Rancher committee, served as the chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher committee, and serves on the local county Farm Bureau board.

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Learn new tools to teach ag literacy, hone your advocacy skills and catch up with friends at the 2022 Women's Leadership Conference in the Pee Dee District.

Gail Sanders

Gail Sanders has served as vice president of Policy Services since November, 2005.  She began her career with SC Farm Bureau in 1994 as supervisor of Central Records and Account Bill. She is responsible for all policy processing, mail services, document imaging and the call center. 

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Sterling Martin

Sterling Martin came to Farm Bureau in April of 2011 and was hired as the Application and Development Manager. Sterling was promoted to the IT Manger position in 2015. Sterling graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1989 with a bachelor of science degree.  Sterling is a US Army veteran. He lives in Columbia with his wife Leslie and daughter Alahna.

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Amanda Shirey

Mandy began her employment in April of 1998 with South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company as a File Clerk, Policy Services Analyst and Account Bill Analyst. In 2001, Mandy transitioned to Executive Secretary – Operations for the Actuarial Department and she worked in that capacity until she was hired as an Account Underwriter in June of 2012. Mandy was promoted to Senior Account Underwriter in 2018. In 2021, Mandy transitioned to the Training Department where she accepted the Associate Director of Training position.

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Let this be the year you Unmask Your True Potential! This year's conference is packed full of sessions to help you maximize your potential and your impact as a county secretary. Network with your counterparts from across the state and get a little pampering while you're at it!

Lydia Yon

Lydia Yon, along with her husband Kevin, operates Yon Family Farms, a family-owned business, in Ridge Spring, SC. Both Yons are graduates of Clemson University with degrees in Animal Science.

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