Page 12 - CFAN_Mar2014

Polk County Farm Bureau
Protecting & Promoting
Polk Agriculture since 1942
PCFB | president’s column
www.pcfb.org

Phone: 863.533.0561

AS A LIFE-LONG MEMBER of the agricultural community, this issue of Central

Florida Ag News is another of those that relates to me personally and directly, as it does to
so many dedicated leaders in our industry today. One of the long-standing and consistent

goals of Polk County Farm Bureau—and those who represent our membership—is to
always be looking forward to our next generation of future industry leaders.

Whether you are an occasional observer, or someone who sees the Florida ag industry

through the eyes of a hands-all-in every day operation, I have no doubt that you will find
some common-ground inspiration in this March issue of Central Florida Ag News.

As I write this column, we are in the full force of the 2014 Agri-Fest event. I look forward
to further future testimony from our youth, as to what 26 successful years of partnership

for this ever progressing and successful event will bring. As Polk’s most premier annual
agriculture community education event, Agri-Fest educates almost 6,000 Polk fourth-

grade students each year on the local agriculture production activities that take place in
their own communities, each and every day. Each year, we invite these students to engage

in a fun and interactive quest that will develop their understanding of local agriculture
production, while challenging them to be future stewards of their own character and culture, and live Polk proud. I would like to thank

the volunteers, and Polk County Farm Bureau, Polk Extension, and School Board staff that make this event such a success.

I’m excited to report that this column launches our newly implemented POLK COUNTY FARM BUREAU STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
PROGRAM. Individual students at the High School and Collegiate Level may now join Polk County and Florida Farm Bureau at a

discounted membership dues rate of $30.00 per individual student. This new membership category offers high school and collegiate
students who are exploring, or looking forward to careers in agriculture, the opportunity to gain association with the “Voice of

Agriculture” at the local, state, and national level. For more information on joining as a Student Member, contact Carole McKenzie at
carole@pcfb.org, or (863) 533-0561, ext. 111.

Membership in Polk County Farm Bureau offers many benefits, at many different levels:

ACTIVE MEMBERS: Those directly engaged in commodity production. Dues are $69 per year for Full or Part Time Farmers/Ranchers,
Jimmy Williams
Farm/Ranch Employees, or Agriculture Related Businesses. Polk County Farm Bureau represents your business interests at the local,
state, and national level. We are at the table when issues that are critical to your agricultural related business are being addressed. Join Agency Manager

PCFB, and make your voice a part of “The Voice of Agriculture.” (Quoted dues include $6 in Political Action Committee (PAC) fee
participation. PAC fees are optional.)

Bartow Office Agents
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: Dues are $54 per year for those supporters of Florida agriculture’s critical economic force who are concerned
about preserving the future of an industry that contributes an estimated economic impact of nearly two million jobs statewide, and Phone: 863.533.0561
Daren Mason
an overall economic impact of more than $110 billion each year. (Quoted dues include $6 in Political Action Committee (PAC) fee
James L. Moser, Jr.
participation. PAC fees are optional.)
Allan Prevatt
Jimmy Williams

On behalf of the Polk County Farm Bureau board of directors, we send our sincere thanks to our current Jason Yates
and long-term members, sponsors and volunteers, and hope that this issue will remind you of the legacy

that you have created, and that we all strive to sustain.

Haines City Office Agent
Sincerely,
705 Ingraham Ave, Suite 10

WHILE SOME AGRI- Phone: 863.421.4545

LEADERS found their
Rhonda Ambrose
passion for Florida agriculture

through programs like 4-H and
KYLE R. STORY President, Polk County Farm Bureau
Winter Haven Office Agents
FFA, Kyle Story was raised in the
221 Avenue O SW
fields from a young age, getting hands-on Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Events:
Phone: 863.299.3892
experience through the family business, which PCFB Ag Deputy Luncheon,
is now known as The Story Companies.
April 10, 2014, Beverlee Lewis
11:30am-1pm. PCFBMembersareinvitedtoRSVPtoCaroleMcKenzieat
Barry Walker
carolem@pcfb.org or (863) 533-0561, ext. 111.
PCFB Harvest Celebration
- TICKETS

AVAILABLENOW! April25,2014,6:00pm,LakeEvaBanquetHall,Haines
City–OPENTOALLAGINDUSTRYSUPPORTERS. ContactanyPCFB
Calling from Lake Wales
board member, email carolem@pcfb.org or call (863) 533-0561, ext. 111.
FloridaAgNews.com
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