Page 12 - CFANnov13

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

www.pcfb.org
Phone: 863.533.0561

I AM GREATLY HONORED to have been selected as your current

President of Polk County Farm Bureau. This is the time of year when we reflect
on the many things we are grateful for —so it is most appropriate that I express

how thankful that I am to be a part of this member organization, and its long
tradition of service to our agriculture industry and our community as a whole.

The members of Polk County Farm Bureau have a long-standing record of

understanding the value of investing in our community, particularly in our
youth. With that in mind, Polk County Farm Bureau is participating in the

“Building Our Legacy” campaign to build a new headquarters for the Florida
FFA Association. This campaign began with a partnership between Future

Farmers of America, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, and Florida Farm

Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, with the goal of constructing the new
headquarters on the Florida Farm Bureau campus in Gainesville. The new

headquarters will include a welcome center, meeting rooms, office space, and
state officer living quarters, allowing FFA youth to spread out to nearly 6,000 square feet in the new headquarters,

compared to just over 1,000 square feet in the office space they currently occupy. Polk County Farm Bureau will
match donations from its members to this effort, up to a total of $5,000. I encourage our members to participate at any

level they can. There is no greater contribution we can make to the sustainability of our industry than to our youth,
our industry’s future. If you would like to participate in this campaign, contact Carole McKenzie at (863) 533-0561,

ext. 111 or carolem@pcfb.org.

Our Young Farmer and Rancher Committee has been busy making plans for Farm City Week, Food Check-Out

Jimmy Williams
Day, and our annual Holiday Hayride fundraiser. Tickets are now available for the YF&R Hayride events along
with tickets for photos with Santa on December 13 and 14. Tickets are $5.00 per person for the Hayride and $5.00
Agency Manager
per photo with Santa. Contact Sharon Wheeler at (863) 533-0561, ext. 112 or SharonW@pcfb.org to reserve tickets.

The Polk YF&R Committee has also introduced the “AGGIE” program —Agricultural Growth through
Bartow Office Agents
Generational Interaction and Education. The goal of this program will be to establish cross generational dialogue and

Phone: 863.533.0561
industry spokesperson training and participation through 4-H, FFA, YF&R, and experienced industry professionals.
Daren Mason
James L. Moser, Jr. If you are interested in learning more or participating in the AGGIE program, contact Carole McKenzie at (863) 533-
0561, ext. 111 or carolem@pcfb.org.
Allan Prevatt
Jimmy Williams
Jason Yates
Finally, congratulations to all of our volunteers, supporters, members, and staff who participate in our many

programs throughout the year. Through your efforts, we were pleased to be recognized at the 2013 Florida Farm
Bureau Annual Meeting with the following recognitions:

Haines City Office Agent
• Award for Excellence in Legislative/Policy Implementation
705 Ingraham Ave, Suite 10
• Award for Excellence in Public Relations

Phone: 863.421.4545
• Award for Excellence in Organization & Management
Rhonda Ambrose
• Award for Excellence in Education/Agriculture Promotion
• Award for Excellence in Leadership Development

• Finalist in Achievement in Agriculture Award
Winter Haven Office Agents
221 Avenue O SW
Phone: 863.299.3892
Polk County Farm Bureau enjoys a great team of dedicated agents, staff, and board members. We appreciate
everyone’s efforts! On behalf of the PCFB board of directors, we wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Beverlee Lewis
Barry Walker
Sincerely,

Calling from Lake Wales
863.676.3187

KYLE R. STORY
President, Polk County Farm Bureau
12 | CFAN
FloridaAgNews.com