MARION COUNTY FARM BUREAU 5800 SW 20th St. • Ocala, FL 34474 Phone (352) 237-2124
“THE VOICE OF AGRICULTURE” MARION COUNTY FARM BUREAU Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Federation Coordinator Florida Farm Bureau Field Staff Joe Siegmeister joe.siegmeister@ffbf.org Farm Bureau Insurance Agency Manager Tom Cothron tom.cothron@ffbic.com Main Office 5800 SW 20th St. (352) 237-2124 Agent: Clint Walding, Scott Williams, Henry Allcott clint.walding@ffbic.com scott.williams@ffbic.com henry.allcott@ffbic.com Branch Office 245 NE 36th Ave. (352) 694-9800 Agent: Denise Berlin denise.berlin@ffbic.com
It is always entertaining to watch three year olds. A few days ago I had the opportunity to watch a class of three year olds plant a tree in honor of Earth day. Miss Jennifer was carefully creating a teachable moment as she told her class about plants and how to care for them. After several distractions, consisting of worms, ants and other crawling creatures, the hole was dug and the tree planted. Mission accomplished! As I watched the class water the tree, I couldn’t help but think that one day one of these three year olds will bring their child to play under the shade of that tree. As I looked around, there were several large trees whose shade I have enjoyed over the years. I began to wonder who had planted those trees, what was going on in their lives, what struggles did they experience? I suppose the ones who planted these large trees never had the opportunity to enjoy the shade they are now providing. How often do we do things so that others may benefit? It appears to me that we spend a lot of time preserving the present rather than planting for the future. Our nation, Democrats and Republicans alike, have been spending money at an alarming rate. Some studies I have read suggest that we are now spending the money of our great grandchildren. Where does this stop? I believe it is up to each of us to have influence over policies and politics from the local to the federal level. Your voice counts! Your Marion County Farm Bureau has been busy in Tallahassee and Washington encouraging your legislators to be frugal and to continue to keep American agriculture strong. Our organization’s strength is based on its membership. If you are not a member of Farm Bureau let me encourage you to consider joining so that our voice can be even stronger. Membership doesn’t costs, it pays! As we work to keep Florida agriculture strong, let’s remember to plant some trees so the next generation will be able to enjoy the shade. Blessings,
Russ
Russ Randall
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Russ Randall, President; Jimmy Lefils, Vice President; D.A. Lewis Jr., Treasurer, Todd Dailey, Secretary; Al Kunz, Jimmy Lefils, Sam Love, Russ Randall, Joe Roman, Jerry Spears, Sarah Joe Thomas, Jeff Vermillion, Travis Wiygul, Chris Reese 4
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
MAY 2010