] 2012 VFBF ANNUAL CONVENTION ^
Pittsylvania County farmer and state veterinarian honored
Wythe County farm couple claims Achievement Award
Retired VFBF board member Joseph H. Williams of Pittsylvania County and State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Wilkes were recognized Nov. 28 with Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Awards. A member of Farm Bureau since 1971, Williams raised 400 acres of tobacco in Pittsylvania County for decades before starting a vineyard and winery with his family. Williams also served on the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Rural Joseph H. Williams Revitalization Commission and is a past president and board member of the Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau. As state veterinarian since 2005, Wilkes has been a spokesman for animal agriculture at a time when animal activist groups have sought to redefine how farm livestock is treated. He was a key player in the passage of a bill in the 2011 Virginia General Assembly to define standards of care for agricultural animals to ensure that their proper care be defined by science. He also has been instrumental in leading the development of the Virginia State Animal Response Team for emergency situations. The Virginia Department of Agriculture Dr. Richard Wilkes and Consumer Services’ Office of Veterinary Services administers laws and regulations that apply to health requirements for livestock and poultry. Wilkes has been a leader in putting in place plans to stop the spread of disease through commerce—both in and out of state.
Nate and April Aker of Wythe County have been named winners of the 2012 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Achievement Award. The Akers live and work on their family’s thirdgeneration dairy farm. In addition, they raise beef cattle and grow vegetables to diversify the operation. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers Nate Aker who are successful in production agriculture and provide leadership on and off the farm. Nate Aker serves on the Wythe County Farm Bureau board of directors. The Akers will receive up to 200 hours’ use of a Kubota M-series tractor from Kubota Tractor Corp.; a new Stihl chain saw from Mid-Atlantic Stihl; $500 from Virginia’s Farm Credit associations; and $500 from Chesterfield County Farm Bureau. They also will receive travel packages to the 2013 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn., and the 2013 VFBF Young Farmers Winter Expo in Harrisonburg. They will compete for the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award in January in Nashville.
County Farm Bureaus recognized for excellence Farm Bureaus in the counties of Prince George, Chesterfield, Pittsylvania and Montgomery were recognized Nov. 28 with Best in State Awards for their work in education the public and promoting agriculture and Farm Bureau. Prince George County Farm Bureau, led by President W.D. Kreider, won in the category for membership acquisition. Chesterfield County Farm Bureau, led by President Howard Nester Jr., won in the member involvement and retention category. Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau, led by President Jay Calhoun, captured honors for agriculture promotion or education. Montgomery County Farm Bureau, led by President Bruce Stanger, was recognized for its governmental relations program.
VirginiaFarmBureau.com
Farm Credit marketing specialist wins Discussion Meet Justin Cruise, a marketing specialist for Farm Credit of the Virginias and a part-time farmer in Westmoreland County, took top honors Nov. 27 in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Young Farmers Discussion Meet. The Discussion Meet is a committee-style discussion on a predetermined agricultural topic. Participants are judged on their ability to build consensus and work toward solutions. Cruise was awarded a John Deere Gator utility vehicle, courtesy Justin Cruise of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co. He will compete on the national level in January at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet.
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