011204 GA Farm Bureau Holds Annual Meeting

Jekyll Island, GA - Voting Delegates elected leaders and adopted policies on a wide range of issues affecting agriculture during the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation which concluded this afternoon at Jekyll Island.

Over 1,600 people met at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Dec. 2-4, to chart the future course for the state's largest farm organization. Georgia Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, voluntary organization which represents over 336,000 farm and rural families in the state. It is affiliated with the nation's largest general farm organization, the 4.9 million member American Farm Bureau Federation.

The more than 650 voting delegates, representing farmers from all 159 Georgia counties, deliberated and voted on policy resolutions, finalizing the organization's grass-roots policy development process for the year. Policies adopted by voting delegates addressed a variety of farm concerns including international lumber trade agreements, the upcoming farm bill, and production contracts.

The delegates adopted a resolution calling for the permanent reinstatement of the U.S./Canadian Softwood Lumber Agreement. This would benefit Georgia's huge forestry industry. Delegates also approved policy stating that the organization supports the marketing loan concept in the peanut title of the 2002 Farm Bill. The delegation also approved policy to seek legislation that would protect farmers who make long-term capital investments based on production contracts.

Policies adopted on national issues will be forwarded to the American Farm Bureau for consideration at their Annual Meeting in January in Reno, NV.

In addition to adopting policy, Georgia Farm Bureau Voting Delegates re- elected Donald McCallum of Coffee County to a two-year term as South Georgia Vice President of the organization. Donald Childs of Jackson County will continue serving as the organization's first vice president. Robert Fountain, Jr., of Emanuel County will continue serving as vice president for the Middle Georgia Region.

Wyatt Childs of Lamar County was re-elected to represent the GFB's 5th District. George Chambers of Carroll County was newly elected to represent the organization's 3rd District. Chambers and his family operate a commercial cow-calf farm and raise purebred Charolais. Voting delegates also re-elected ten unopposed members to two-year terms on the Georgia Farm Bureau State Board of Directors. State Board members who were re-elected unopposed were: J. Louis Hunt of Walker County, 1st District; Dean Jones of Hall County, 2nd District; Marvin Ruark of Morgan County, 4th District; Jimmy Perry of Bleckley County 6th District; Gennis Folsom of Tattnall County, 7th District; Phil Redding of Clay County, 8th District; Gary Paulk of Irwin County, 10th District.

Chad Brooks of Clay County was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. Lou Ellen Peek of Thomas County was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women's Committee. Both will serve one-year terms as committee chairmen and will sit on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

During awards ceremonies at Georgia Farm Bureau's 63rd Annual Meeting, the organization's most coveted award, the McKemie Award went to Cherokee County. Lex Strickland of Evans County was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his devotion and many years of service to the organization. The Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award was presented to David and Shirley Jarriel of Tattnall County, diversified row crop and cattle farmers. Pam Williams of Appling County won the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. Both Williams and the Jarriels will travel to American Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting in Reno, NV, Jan 6-9, to compete for national honors.

Other state awards included: Cherokee County -- recognized for their Information & Public Relations Committee and Women's Committee; Coffee County recognized for their Legislative Committee and Newton County recognized for their Young Farmer Committee. Shirley Duvall of Greene County was named the Outstanding Secretary of the Year. Trevor Cobb of Washington County won the Georgia Farm Bureau 7th Grade Essay Contest.

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