DESOTO COUNTY FARM BUREAU
CHARLOTTE/DESOTO
1278 SE US HWY 31, ARCADIA, FL 34266 863.494.3636
COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Greetings from the DeSoto/ Charlotte Farm Bureau! I have just arrived in Tallahassee for Farm Bureau Day at the Capital. The first of the two day event began yesterday, March 21, 2011. Three of your DeSoto/ Charlotte directors arrived yesterday and have participated fully with Legislators and staff on the Legislative Issues that are of major concern to Florida agriculture (DeSoto/ Charlotte agriculture). Jim Brewer, Mike Carter, and Ken Harrison have taken off from their busy schedules to come to the Capital to speak on the behalf of DeSoto/Charlotte agriculture issues. This is what makes Farm Bureau the “Voice of Agriculture.” Please take time to thank these three individuals for their efforts on behalf of you and our local agriculture industry. When this issue of “In the Field” comes out and you read this article, I hope you who are interested in agriculture are paying attention to what is going on within our state. One important way of doing that is to follow the issues of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Website: www.floridafarmbureau. org. If you do not have it bookmarked, then you might want to do so when you visit the website. There are a number of key issues this year. Last year the legislature passed a general ag bill, HB 7103, which was later vetoed by then Gov. Charlie Crist. This year’s general ag bills, HB 707 by Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and SB 858 by Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, are going through the process of the legislature. I would encourage you to go on-line and look these legislative bills up and then talk to your legislators. At the Farm Bureau Office on Hwy 31 S, we have a flyer on the Legislative Issues for 2011. There is not space or time for me to list the 11 Legislative Issues spelled out in that flyer, but I would encourage you to become familiar with them. Of the 11,
the General Ag Bill that I spoke of in the previous paragraph is number one. Florida Farm Bureau also will oppose any legislative attacks on: • Sales tax exemptions for agriculture • Agricultural property tax classification (Greenbelt) • Agricultural education, career and technical programs • UF/IFAS and FDACS budgets Now to change gears a bit!!! Spring is a fantastic time of the year. Just recently all of the oak trees have begun to put out their new green leaves and they sure make the countryside beautiful. I for one, though, am always glad when they are through blooming and I make it through the allergy season that coincides with those blooms. From the non-visual, we get the fantastic aroma of the orange blossom. Spring, along with the celebration of Easter, reminds us of a new beginning and rebirth. We have a lot to be thankful for in the spring of the year just as we do in the fall! We just have to open our eyes and see the wonders of this land that God has given to us. I would also like to ask that each of you remember our soldiers who serve our country so faithfully and especially those serving overseas in harm’s way. Please hold them up in your prayers and your thoughts. Finally, if you are not a Farm Bureau Member, we encourage you to join our grass roots organization. You can call the DeSoto/Charlotte Farm Bureau Office at 863-494-3636 to learn how to join.
Jim Selph, President
DeSoto/Charlotte Farm Bureau
DESOTO COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Selph, President; Jeffrey Adams, Vice President; Bryan K. Beswick, Secretary/Treasurer; Jim Brewer, John Burtscher, Mike Carter, Steve Fussell, Richard E. Harvin, Matt Sullivan, John Pfeil, Ann H. Ryals, Mac Turner, Matt Harrison 6
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
April 2011
www.InTheFieldMagazine.com
HARDEE COUNTY HIGHLANDS COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARM BUREAU
1278 SE US Highway 31 Arcadia, FL 34266
1017 US Highway 17 N Wauchula, FL 33873
6419 US Highway 27 S. Sebring, FL 33876
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 863.494.3636
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Charlotte Line: 941.624.3981 Fax: 863.494.4332
Phone: 863. 773.3117 Fax: 863.773.2369
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 863. 385.5141 Fax: 863.385.5356 Web site: www.highlandsfarmbureau.com
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President............... Jim Selph
Sec./Treasurer ..... Bryan K. Beswick
President................ David B. Royal Vice President...... Greg L. Shackelford Sec./Treasurer...... Bo Rich
DIRECTORS FOR 2009-2010
DIRECTORS FOR 2009-2010
Vice President ..... Jeffrey Adams
President................ Marty Wohl Secretary..........Drew Phypers Treasurer..........Scott Kirouac
DIRECTORS FOR 2009-2010
Joseph B. Cherry • John Platt Corey Lambert • Daniel H. Smith Steve A. Johnson • Bill Hodge David B. Royal • Greg L. Shackelford Bo Rich
Sam Bronson • Carey Howerton April Butler • Mike Milicevic Andy Tuck • Mike Waldron Jim Wood • Doug Miller Steve Farr • Lindsey Sebring Charles Lanfier
Susan Chapman County Secretary
County Secretary Janet Menges
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS
Agency Manager Cameron N. Jolly
Agency Manager N. Jay Bryan
Agency Manager Chad D. McWaters
Agents Dawn A. Hines
Agent George L. Wadsworth, Jr.
Agents Joseph W. Bullington
1278 SE US Highway 31 Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 494-3636
1017 US Hwy 17 N. Wauchula, FL 33873 (863) 773-3117
6419 US Highway 27 S. Sebring, FL 33876 (863) 385-5141
Jim Brewer • John Burtscher Mike Carter • Steve Fussell Lindsay Harrington Richard E. Harvin • Ann H. Ryals Mac Turner • Matt Harrison Ken Harrison County Secretary Katherine Renfro
www.InTheFieldMagazine.com
April 2011
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 7