Page 12 - CFANOct13

PCFB | president’s column

Our thanks again to

CenterState Bank, Mosaic and

the law firm of Peterson &

Myers for sponsoring this year’s

Annual Meeting.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE thatattendedourrecent71stAnnualPolk
County Farm Bureau Membership Meeting. Our guest speaker, Florida Farm

Bureau President John Hoblick, provided an update to attending members on
Florida Farm Bureau initiatives and also recognized four members of Polk

County’s state legislative delegation with Florida Farm Bureau’s Champion for
Agriculture awards. This award recognizes lawmakers who have played key

roles in passing legislation that supports agriculture production. Sen. Denise
Grimsley, Rep. Neil Combee, Rep. Ben Albritton and Rep. Mike LaRosa were

recognized with the award.

Polk County Farm Bureau also honored two local agriculture teachers at the event. Lake Gibson Middle

School teacher Erica Morse was recognized as the organization’s Ag Teacher of the Year and Crystal Lake
Middle School agriculture program instructor Gregory West accepted the award for Ag Program of the Year.

Congratulations Erica and Greg!

Our thanks again to CenterState Bank, Mosaic and the law firm of Peterson & Myers for sponsoring this
year’s Annual Meeting.

I am pleased to report that Polk County Farm Bureau board members have unanimously elected Kyle R.
Story as your new county president. Many of you likely know Kyle and are familiar with his strong dedication

to our agriculture industry. Kyle is constantly at the table for Polk agriculture when decisions are being made
and will be a strong leader for our organization. Kyle is a fourth-generation citrus grower and vice president

of The Story Companies in Lake Wales. The Story Companies include multiple family owned and operated
agricultural corporations in Central and Southwest Florida including citrus, cattle, and peach production, as

well as marketing and management services. Your other elected officers are Kevin Updike, vice president; Dean
Evans, secretary; and John Langford, treasurer. I know all of these individuals will continue their exemplary

service to Polk County Farm Bureau.

It has been my great pleasure to serve as your county president for the last two years and I’d like to thank

the board and staff for all of their support. As a long term PCFB member, I have witnessed Polk County Farm
Bureau’s many successful initiatives over the years— efforts that have made all of the difference in industry sus-

tainment and our continued quality of life in Polk County. We have many challenges ahead and I will continue
to be proactive in Polk County Farm Bureau goals. I wish all the officers the best in their new roles. We are

truly fortunate in Polk to have the caliber of industry leadership that we enjoy.

Sincerely,

LESLIE W. DUNSON, III

President, Polk County Farm Bureau

12 | CFAN
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