ATLANTA, Ga. — The American Farm Bureau Federation will honor 18 county Farm Bureaus at its 103rd Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 7-12. The selected winners participated in the County Activities of Excellence program and demonstrated a commitment to offering quality programming to their counties. Attendees can learn more about these winning programs, and several of last year’s winning programs, during the trade show at convention.

“These county Farm Bureaus are leading through innovation to support and engage with their local communities despite the challenges brought on by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

The winners (listed by state and county Farm Bureau) are:

California

• First in the Nation Mass Vaccinations for Farmworkers, Santa Cruz. Partnered with a local hospital, county health department and other local organizations to become the first county in the nation to provide mass vaccinations for its farm workers.
• Measure V Campaign, Tuolumne. Created a social media and radio campaign that helped successfully defeat a ballot measure that would have harmed local landowners.

Florida                                                                                              

• COVID-19 Testing, Broward. Provided timely COVID-19 testing services to members and others.
• Ag-Venture in a Box, Hillsborough. Developed Ag-Venture boxes containing education materials, videos and instructions for hands-on learning activities for use in elementary classrooms.

Kansas

• Ditch the Ring, Save the Finger, Sumner. A campaign educated members on the dangers of degloving accidents and the safety benefits of wearing a silicone ring instead of a metal one.

Kentucky

• Take What You Need – Give What You Can Little Pantry Project, Bourbon. Built and funded two little pantries in rural communities facing heightened food shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• You’re not Alone, Daviess. A campaign highlighted the importance of mental health to farmers.
• Kid Vouchers for Farmers’ Market, Owsley. Partnered with local organizations to promote and educate children on the benefits of healthy eating.

Maryland

• County Farm Bureau Livestock Expo, Garrett. Hosted a county Farm Bureau expo where youth could showcase and sell their livestock products.

Michigan

• District 1 Farm Bureau Leadership Summit, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. Current and future county leaders participated in leadership training and development.

Minnesota

• Agriculture Training for Law Enforcement, Cass. Curriculum development and organization of an agriculture training field day for law enforcement cadets at a technical and community college.

Missouri

• Urban Give Back With Beef Partnership, St. Louis. A unique agricultural partnership that promoted the beef industry to a metropolitan audience.

Nebraska

• County Connections Grant, Lancaster. Offered grant money to other county Farm Bureaus to assist in funding member leadership development projects.

New York

• Farm Medic, Broome. Partnered with local emergency services to offer free trainings on how to respond to farming accidents.

Ohio

• Drive-Thru Breakfast with Santa in the Barn, Jackson-Vinton. A free drive-thru Christmas event featured a hot breakfast, farm animals and a family picture with Santa.
• Date Night at the Orchard, Knox. A fundraiser for the county Farm Bureau scholarship fund encouraged community members to visit a farm.
• Hop Around Wood County, Wood. A tasting event featuring local beer and wine producers increased awareness of Farm Bureau.
• Land Use Actions for the Future of Our County, Wayne. Workshops for community members highlighted the need for balanced land use.

For more information on the winning programs, contact Elise Cruce, managing director, leadership development (elisec@fb.org, 202-406-3738).

–American Farm Bureau Federation