Hello and well wishes from Polk County Farm Bureau.
The 2025 Polk County Agri-Fest event was a great success once again this year with almost 5,000 fourth-grade students and over 200 classrooms attending over the 10-day event. Students, parents, and teachers experienced interactive sessions on Citrus, Beef, Small Farms, Phosphate, Conservation, and Horticulture. (See photos on pages 18-19). I would like to say a special thanks to all of the volunteers who make this event a success each year. Educating Polk fourth-grade students about agriculture every spring is one of our most meaningful programs and all partners work hard to make the event impactful for our student attendees. Our thanks to the Polk County School Board, Polk County Extension Office, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, and the City of Bartow. A special thank you to this year’s Agri-Fest sponsors: SouthState Bank, The Florida Natural Growers Foundation, The Mosaic Company, and The Story Companies.
We recently held our Central Florida Ag Deputy Luncheon where members and guests were able to network with Polk agriculture law enforcement officers to exchange information on how to better protect your agribusiness property. Thank you to event sponsors Kelley Buick GMC, Lightsey Cattle Company, Magnatronix Corporation, Stokes Cattle Company, and The Mosaic Company. We are fortunate in Polk to have a great Sheriff and amazing Ag Deputies.
The Polk Young Farmer and Rancher Committee has announced the opening of the application process for the 2025 Will Putnam Young Farmer & Rancher Scholarship. This scholarship can range from $250 to $500 per recipient for graduating high school seniors who will be pursuing a career in agriculture. The application and all supporting documents must be submitted to Polk County Farm Bureau by 5 p.m., Friday, May 9. You can check our Facebook page for more information or contact Carole McKenzie at 863-533-0561, ext. 111 or carolem@pcfb.org to receive a copy of the application by email.
April Member Benefit Highlight: Farm Bureau members and AEST certificants can connect through the AEST job board, Hire.Ag. Agriculture Education Services & Technology, Inc. (AEST), a Florida Farm Bureau subsidiary, is supplying the agriculture industry with a certified workforce. AEST certificants are highly skilled and highly trained in unique areas of agriculture. AEST certifications provide employers with a trusted credential that can be used to make sound employment decisions. Hire.Ag is available, free of charge, to all Florida Farm Bureau members and AEST certified individuals.
We hope you will remember to take advantage of Farm Bureau membership benefits. New benefits are added regularly so if you have not checked them lately, visit www.floridafarmbureau.org/membership to see what you may be missing!
Sincerely,
Michael Matteson
President