Greetings!
Polk County Farm Bureau delegates recently attended the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting to represent our members at the “Rooted in Resilience” themed event. In addition to resolutions adopted as policy for 2023, 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.
Polk’s own Maddie Dvorak (now a member of the University of Florida Collegiate Farm Bureau) won the Collegiate Discussion Meet Award, and our Senator Ben Albritton was a recipient of the Legislator of the Year Award. A most special celebration of his many contributions to the agriculture community was enjoyed when William D. “Will” Putnam III was posthumously honored with the prestigious Distinguished Service Award.
In addition, Polk County Farm Bureau has received the following Florida Farm Bureau recognitions:
- Excellence in Legislative/Policy Implementation
- Excellence in Public Relations
- Excellence in Organization & Management
- Excellence in Education/Agriculture Promotion
- Excellence in Leadership Development
In October, the Polk County Farm Bureau elected two new board members. Rob Teston is a returning board member having previously served both on the board and as an advisor, and Brett Costine is past chair of the Polk Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. Welcome, Rob and Brett!
Farm-City Week is November 16–23. This week is designated to celebrate and recognize the beneficial partnerships between rural and urban communities that make our food supply safe and plentiful. 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. The essay topic is “Natural disasters have become a major topic among business leaders, policy makers, and consumers. As an industry that depends on the weather, what are some ways that city and state governments can help ensure our farmers and ranchers have the assistance they need during natural disasters?” The winner will receive recognition in our publications and a $100 Visa gift card! Applications are due to carolem@pcfb.org by December 16 at 5 p.m. Get the application on the Polk County Farm Bureau or Polk Young Farmer and Rancher Facebook pages, or at pcfb.org/farm-city-week-essay-contest/ .
On behalf of the PCFB board of directors and staff, we wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Leigh Ann Wynn
President