Take a look at what’s been happening with North Carolina county Farm Bureaus across the state:
Showing Gratitude
As a way to show their appreciation to Tyrrell County law enforcement officers, the Tyrrell County Farm Bureau purchased a $20 gift card for every staff member, allowing them to purchase a meal at a place of their choice. Daniel Spruill, who serves as the county Farm Bureau’s vice president, met with Tyrrell County Sheriff Kevin Sawyer to present the gift cards and thank them for everything they do to keep the county safe, including helping local farmers as they move equipment from field to field on highways.
Holiday Helpers
For the fifth year running, Northampton County Farm Bureau partnered with the Department of Social Services to sponsor a Christmas toy drive to help brighten the lives of foster care children and families in need during the holiday season. Donations were collected at the offices in Conway, Gaston and Jackson in cooperation with the insurance company. They would like to thank all the citizens of Northampton County and the Northeast Academy Junior Beta Club for their generous outpouring of love and gifts for the needy children in our community.
More Than 40 Years of Service
At the end of 2020, Mae Clay stepped down from the Cherokee County Farm Bureau board after serving over 40 years, with most of those years as county Farm Bureau president. Mae also served on the state board of directors for three terms, including two terms on the executive committee. She has also worked hard in other leadership roles in the county, including with Cooperative Extension to help start and foster community clubs and support 4-H programs. She was also director of group homes in the county for over 20 years, helping to provide safe homes for residents with mental and physical disabilities. Mae continues to serve in an advisory capacity to the Cherokee County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Safety First
Directors of the Sampson County Farm Bureau (SCFB) recently made a decision that could mean the difference between life and death for farmworkers and emergency personnel: They purchased a grain bin emergency rescue kit.
SCFB President Buddy Clement says directors for the organization saw purchasing the kit as a great opportunity to increase awareness of the safety precautions that should be taken when working in and around grain bins.
“There are lots of grain bins in the county here because this is a big farming community,” Clement says. “There’s always opportunity for someone to become trapped in a bin, and while we hope [this kit] is never needed, we do want to try to make sure that if it does happen, we’ve got all the right tools in place to avoid a fatality if at all possible.”
A study from Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program documents 30 grain entrapment cases in 2018 alone (with 15 resulting in fatalities), an increase of 30% from 2017.
The Season of Giving
Last November, Buncombe County Women of Farm Bureau collected food donations that provided food for Thanksgiving meals for six houses at the Black Mountain Home for Children. Buncombe County Farm Bureau also donated $1,000 to the home.
A Lasting Impact on Agriculture
The Anson County Farm Bureau Board of Directors would like to recognize Glenn Phifer in appreciation for his service and dedication for over 35 years. He left a lasting impact on the agricultural industry in Anson County and North Carolina.
Cattle Corral
The Caldwell County Farm Bureau recently purchased an OK Portable Cattle Corral that is available for rent to local cattle farmers to assist in safely catching livestock. The portable corral system is available for rent through the Caldwell Cooperative Extension Service.
Annual Meeting Notices:
Northampton County: Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m., Northampton County Farm Bureau, Jackson
