Farm Bureau Events 90th Annual Meeting
Region 1 Women’s Chair Deniese Swindoll of DeSoto County presented a workshop, entitled “Talking Tools,” which gave tips for effective public speaking. Deniese is a graduate of the American Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Communications Boot Camp, which helps women in agriculture become better communicators.
WLBT-TV Chief Meteorologist Barbie Bassett received the Ag Ambassador Award for 2011. She was recognized for going beyond her normal range of activities in promoting Mississippi agriculture. Barbie, who grew up on a farm and is a former Miss Farm Bureau-Mississippi, is pictured with his parents, Harold and Brenda Wiggs of Quitman County, and MFBF President Randy Knight.
The 2011 Women’s Program Outstanding Achievement Award recipients are as follows: Information, Organization and Governmental Relations, Montgomery County, Georgia Caffey, chair; Community Service, Jackson County, Debbie Hackler, chair; Agriculture in the Classroom, Yalobusha County, Jody Bailey, chair; and Youth/Safety, Marion County, Glenda Shivers, chair.
2012 Farm Bureau Ambassador Alan Smith of Pearl River County is pictured with, from left, State Women’s Committee Chair Betty Mills, Kelsey Unruh of Noxubee County, alternate, and MFBF President Randy Knight. Smith received a $2,000 scholarship, and Unruh received a $1,000 scholarship. Both are students at MSU. Left: Entertainer Paul Ott presented the devotional during the closing general session.
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MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY
Lester Spell, who announced in 2011 that he would be retiring as Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner, spoke during the opening general session. MARCH/APRIL