Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference

In January of 2019, Anthony notified President Ott that Duke Energy was proposing an increase in their meter rates. Anthony worked tirelessly on this issue making sure the impact the increase would have on farmers did not go unheard. He gave 6 television interviews and contacted all Florence County Farm Bureau members to make them aware of the issue and the upcoming meeting with the Public Service Commission. The PSC hearing had so many attendees that the Florence County Fire Marshall issued a warning to the officials present. The end result was not only a compromise in the meter rate, but more importantly, the start of a dialogue between Farm Bureau and Duke on agricultural services. 

In addition to his work on the Duke rate increase case, he encouraged members to contact key legislators to advocate for much-needed disaster relief funding. 

Anthony also spearheaded an effort to notify Duke Energy that they were charging sales tax to farmers, though state law exempts them. After he brought this issue to light, farmers will now be retroactively reimbursed for the sales tax that had been paid. 

Founded in 2018 by partners JC Carroll and Ben Tillman, Agriliance is rooted in Risk Management. With over 30 years of combined crop insurance experience, we are the experts in providing peace of mind during the growing season. Agriliance’s unique approach allows our agents to advise growers on the best available risk management plan as it pertains to each farm and operation. It is our belief that to make an informed decision about risk management, you must be able to understand and unite all segments of a farms’ financials. Armed with the contacts and resources that only years of dedication to the Agricultural Industry can provide, we believe our team is the best suited to make recommendations for farming operations. Agriliance’s nationwide success is a result of our consultative approach which allows us to put ourselves in the grower’s shoes. Our continued commitment is to the American farm – which in our opinion is not only an ideal, but a lifestyle worth preserving.

Burnie Maybank is a member of Nexsen Pruet's economic development and banking & finance practice groups where he represents both public and private entities.

Maybank returned to the firm's Columbia office in 2006 after serving as Director of the South Carolina Department of Revenue under Governor Mark Sanford from 2003 through 2005. He also served in that position under Governor David Beasley from 1995 to 1999.

At the request of Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, Maybank serves on the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Study Committee. The Senate created the group in August 2008 to examine the feasibility and benefits of public/private partnerships to improve the state's roads, highways and bridges.

Maybank's practice focuses on: Economic Development incentives, State and Local Tax Controversy Work, Exempt Organizations and Charitable Giving, including Conservation Easements, Alcohol Beverage Control, Regulatory Work before the Public Service Commission and Public Finance. 

Cassie received her bachelors of science degree in animal science and her masters in equine nutrition from North Carolina State University.  She currently serves as an Area Livestock & Forages Agent for Laurens and Union counties  and the State Equine Extension Coordinator.

Chris LeMaster is the livestock and forages agent for Cherokee and York Counties. He also serves as the county coordinator and pesticide applicator training coordinator for Cherokee County. His primary interests include livestock reproduction and nutrition. LeMaster is a native of Cherokee County where his family has farmed for several generations. Aside from his professional duties, he spends much of his time outside whether working on the family farm, hunting, or in Death Valley in the Fall. Mr. LeMaster is excited for the opportunities that lay ahead for Clemson Extension and its constituents.

David earned his bachelors of science degree in agricultural mechanization and business from Clemson University. David's responsibilities with Clemson include extension educational programming in all areas of row crop production in Lee, Sumter, and Kershaw Counties. His primary areas of expertise are cotton, grain sorghum, tobacco, and soybean production. He serves as Private Pesticide Applicator Coordinator for Lee, Sumter, and Kershaw Counties.

Ph.D. agricultural and applied economist specializing in policy analysis and commodity markets. International public speaker on issues related to U.S. policy, risk management, international commodity markets, and market outlook. A frequent contributor to national TV networks, radio and in digital and print media. Cleared advisor to U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on issues related to agricultural trade and agricultural statistics.

Gizem Eras joined the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. in September 2017, as Agriculture and Fisheries Counsellor.  She is responsible for trade policy issues related to meat and livestock, fisheries, regulatory cooperation and border issues. 

Prior to her assignment in D.C., Gizem was a Deputy Director at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and also worked at Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa, Canada, in various areas of trade policy, including in trade in goods and services, tariffs and non-tariff barriers, geographical indications, pharmaceutical patents and trade remedies.  Since 2005, Gizem has been involved in numerous free trade agreement negotiations, including the Canada-EU Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (now the CPTPP) and the USMCA.  She also has private sector experience as an olive oil exporter.  

Gizem has also lived in Italy, Chile, Bangladesh, Iraq, Turkey and United Kingdom. She has a Master’s degree in International Trade Policy and Theory from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from City University in London, UK.

Jessica Cabrera is the Director of Member Engagement and Leadership Development at South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation. Originally from Columbia, Jessica received a Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a Master’s in Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University.

Jessica has worked in education, training and organizational development for more than 16 years. In a volunteer capacity, she currently serves as the President of the South Carolina Association for Talent Development and she serves on numerous committees through Farm Bureau to help promote agricultural interests in the state of South Carolina.

Jessica is energized by inspiring people and organizations to overcome their challenges and reach their full potential. At Farm Bureau, she works daily with young farmers, volunteer leaders and organizational partners to strengthen the agricultural community in any way possible. Jessica is married to her husband of 15 years and has two boys, ages 9 and 12. She enjoys traveling, watching her kids play sports, leading ministries at her church, and cheering on the Clemson Tigers! 

Landrum Weathers is a lifelong resident of Bowman South Carolina where he grew up on his family’s dairy farm. As with most children of a dairy operation, Landrum learned the value of hard work and dedication at a very young age.

Landrum received his degree in Agricultural Mechanization and Business from Clemson University is 2007. After graduation, he returned home to the family farm, as the fourth generation, where he has been managing the family’s row crop operation and continues to do so. Agriculture is a very important industry to Landrum and his family and he understands the life of a farmer. As a farmer himself, he knows the risks and rewards of the farmer’s way of life.

He currently serves on the Bowman town council and on the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Planning Process Advisory Committee representing state agricultural interests. This committee is a diverse stakeholder group, which is helping to revamp and expand the planning process for the State Water Plan.

Landrum lives in Bowman with his wife Ali, their son Ren(5) and their daughter Anna(2). In his free time he enjoys Clemson sporting events with his family, hunting, fishing, and being outdoors

Landrum is helping to ensure that the water needs for all our state agriculture activities are addressed for now and in the future.

From www.happilyfed.com

Things to know about me:

• I have a deep love for nature which is why I have an entire page dedicated to living a greener life.
• I graduated from The College of Charleston with a degree in Public Health.
• If it’s chocolate or a vegetable, I probably like it.
• You can often find my furry best friend, Finley, at my feet when in the kitchen.
• Grateful Dead will forever be my favorite band.
• I am at my happiest exploring nature with my pup and boyfriend, Andrew at my side.

I believe in cooking plant-based, seasonally inspired food that not only nourishes your body but is as equally delicious! For me, there is no better way to feed the soul than by sharing a meal surrounded by loved ones. Let’s ditch the processed junk and get back to cooking with real, whole foods!

Megan and her husband Richard, along with their eight-year-old daughter Lyla, have produced tobacco, corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat over the past 13 years. Currently, they also have a cornmeal and grits business where they grow, grind and package their own cornmeal and grits. Megan has a deep love for sustaining the future of agriculture and, particularly, women in agriculture. Being part of the Women's Leadership Committee provides her an outlet to pursue her passion!

Morgan Norris is the President of Front Porch Marketing, a full-service marketing firm representing clients in the agricultural industry. Prior to starting her own marketing firm, Morgan was the Executive Editor at Heartland In the Field Magazine.

She and her husband are involved with the DeSoto-Charlotte County Farm Bureau YF&R and the couple recently served on the Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group where Morgan was elected President of that group. Morgan serves as treasurer on her county Farm Bureau Board of Directors and is currently serving on the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Committee. 

Morgan is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she studied agricultural communications. She lives in Englewood, Florida with her husband, Brian, a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer, and their two daughters, Holland and Addison. In her free time, Morgan enjoys fishing in Charlotte Harbor, traveling and teaching her girls all about Gator football. 

Paige was born and raised on a row crop farm in eastern North Carolina. She found her passion in animal agriculture while attending NC State University. After working for several years at the University dairy farm, she had to opportunity to work as an extension associate focused around pasture and grazing management for beef cattle. While in this position, Paige’s primary job was to host workshops centered around “Ray’s Crazy Mix”. She continued to work with this mixture while earning her Masters of Science in Animal Science from NC State. She joined the Southeast Agriseeds team in August of 2016 after defending her thesis on clover establishment methods into perennial pasture.

SC Ag in the Classroom Director Tracy Miskelly first became involved with Farm Bureau as a volunteer, serving on the state Young Farmer & Rancher Committee as well as the York County Farm Bureau Board. A Winthrop alum, Tracy is certified in Early Childhood Education and has taught multiple grades ranging from Kindergarten to Third. Tracy also spent time as a school based literacy coach, assisting teachers with instructional reading strategies. She lives in York with her husband, Jesse, daughter Emily and son Hayes.