This year our County Farm Bureau Board, Farm Bureau Women, and the new agents and staff have been busy in the Union County. The Farm Bureau has always been more than ready to help out the community and support positive projects and there is much opportunity. Through community outreach, our local Farm Bureau is doing its best to promote the importance of agriculture as well as support other needs when possible.
Recently, some board members came together to work toward the startup of a Union County Young Farmers and Ranchers group. Several planning meetings have been held with participation in many Farm Bureau events across the state this year. The group invites folks interested in supporting the future of agriculture in Tennessee to become involved, no matter your age. If you are interested, reach out to ampadgett3@gmail.com and we will get you added to the group so you can begin getting information as it grows.
As a part of growing the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R), Ethan and Ashley Mike represented Union County at the Young Leaders Conference in February in Franklin, Tennessee. This trip was full of farm tours, policy talk and several keynote speakers, including the very entertaining Cowboy Dan—if you haven’t heard of him be sure to look him up on YouTube.
There was even a tour of Kix Brooks’ Painted Springs Farm scheduled, which was exciting in itself, even though it had to be cancelled at the last minute due to sickness on the farm.
In July, Young Farmers Jordan Campbell, Allison Campbell, Tyler Sweet and Ashley Barker attended the YF&R Summer Conference in Lebanon. This was more of a hands-on experience training and educational opportunity for the participants. Collegiate discussion meets, safety demonstrations, auctions and more were held. Childcare was even provided for those that needed it in order to attend—what an offer. A lot of work is going into the development and growth of this organization locally to support our future in agriculture.
This spring, Farm Bureau shared their support with the Union County High School Baseball team by donating a uniform set for the team’s road games. This idea sprang from the following of Coach Josh Orrick’s daughter, Evie Rose’s story.
Cody Brown, agency manager, was touched, having a one-year-old of his own, and wanted to show support. Baseball is close to his heart, as he played many years, including for the University of Tennessee from 2006-2009. Therefore the idea of honoring Evie Rose and supporting the baseball team aligned perfectly.
“Cody, along with all the other local sponsors, are what keeps Union County Baseball thriving,” said Coach Josh Orrick with appreciation.
Alongside the hard work happening on the local level, Tennessee Farm Bureau works overtime across the state and nation in policy development to stand up for and support positive policies and laws for farmers.
This fall there were many policy development meetings held across our great state inviting communities, stakeholders, partners, lawmakers, agricultural educators, farmers, etc., to voice their concerns and outlooks on the future of agriculture in Tennessee. Cody Brown, Derek Williams, Eddie Thompson, Everette Weaver, Wayne Ellison, Mary Ellison, Joe Hickle and Sue Hickle attended the Knox County meeting representing our community. In likeness, a very formal President’s Conference was held this fall. Cody, Everette and Lawana Wilkerson attended this meeting in West Tennessee.
Farm Bureau on the local level is very supportive in our growing community. They will be set up at the Union County Heritage Festival, so stop in and say hello. Union County 4-H members count on annual support to help sponsor their programs and trips. High schoolers apply for college scholarships every spring. This year the awardees were Kadynce Collins, Koby Dyer and Sarah Wright, who all completed outstanding resumés in a pool of very competitive peers. Brown says, “We look forward to supporting the community more in the future.”
All members are invited to join the board for the annual meeting on Thursday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Union County Farm Bureau office. For more information call the office at 865-992-3871.