Hello and well wishes from Polk County Farm Bureau.
Polk County Farm Bureau delegates recently attended the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting to represent our members at the “Tied to Ag” themed event. In addition to resolutions adopted as policy for 2025, the meeting included award and recognition programs to honor outstanding young farmers and ranchers, state lawmakers, county Farm Bureaus and individual members for their service to agriculture.
We are very pleased to announce that Polk County Farm Bureau has received the Florida Farm Bureau Apex Award! The highest state award, the Apex Award is presented to county farm bureaus that go above and beyond their programs and events throughout the year by exhibiting the highest level of innovation, effective use of resources, and proven results.
Polk County Farm Bureau was also recognized with the following awards:
- President’s Award
- Excellence in Legislative/Policy Implementation
- Excellence in Public Relations
- Excellence in Organization & Management
- Excellence in Education/Agriculture Promotion
- Excellence in Leadership Development
- Excellence in Membership
- Florida Agriculture Marketing Association Award of Excellence
- Mind Your Melon Survey Award
Heading into the holiday season, Thanksgiving is a time when many Americans gather with their families and reflect upon many blessings. One of those blessings is a nutritious and diverse food supply produced by our farmers and ranchers. We also benefit from other agricultural products that provide clothing, housing, medicines, fuel, and other products we use on a daily basis. These basic necessities are available to us because of a broad partnership of farmers, ranchers, processors, brokers, truckers, shippers, scientists, wholesalers and retailers. Our collaborative partnerships help maintain our standard of living. In appreciation of our farm-city partnerships, the President of the United States annually proclaims the week leading up to Thanksgiving Day as National Farm-City Week. Florida agriculture, natural resource, and food industries employ more than 2 million individuals and annually contribute $182.6 billion to Florida’s economy. We encourage our fellow citizens to pause for a moment this holiday season and consider the many diverse and healthy foods available to us. Neither the farm nor the city can exist in isolation. Our interdependence creates jobs, markets and relationships that build our economy and support our collective security. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us remember the farm-city relationships that have allowed us to create an outstanding quality of life for all Floridians. Please join us in celebrating Farm-City Week, Nov. 21-27, as we give thanks for all that we enjoy.
In celebration of Farm-City Week, the Polk Young Farmer and Rancher Committee is once again sponsoring a Farm-City Week Essay contest for 4-H and FFA students in 9th – 12th grades. This year’s essay topic is “How do farmers, distributors, retailers, scientists and consumers all play a vital role in making the American food supply possible?” The winner will receive recognition in our publications and a $100 Visa gift card! Applications are due by Friday, December 27 at 5 p.m. to saraht@pcfb.org. Get the application on the Polk County Farm Bureau or Polk Young Farmer and Rancher Facebook pages, or contact Sarah True at 863-533-0561, ext. 112.
Sincerely,
Michael Matteson
President
