Index of News Releases

June 5, 2008
South Carolina Farm Bureau Urges Family Farmers, Individuals, and Small Business to Carefully Study South Carolina’s New Immigration Law

Columbia, SC - While continuing to call for a federal solution to the nation’s immigration issues, the president of South Carolina’s largest general farm organization called the immigration law enacted by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, “trouble for family farmers and small businesses.”

March 14, 2008
SC Farm Bureau Invites Public to Help Celebrate
National Agriculture Day March 20

Columbia, SC – South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation (SCFB) President David Winkles is encouraging all South Carolinians to help celebrate National Agriculture Day on March 20 and support the row crop farmers, fruit and vegetable producers, food scientists, livestock ranchers, and others who will take our country's agriculture industry into the future providing food, fiber, and fuel for the rest of the world.

February 19, 2008
Farm Bureau Position on Immigration Reform

SC Farm Bureau president David Winkles reinforced the state’s largest general farm organization’s position on immigration reform this week when he said, “Farm Bureau continues to maintain that immigration reform is a federal issue and should be resolved by congress in order to keep the United States from having as many as 50 different state laws regulating migrant labor.”

November 7, 2007
FARM BILL - Editorial to The State Newspaper
David Winkles, SC Farm Bureau President

I am writing in response to the Nov. 7 editorial to clarify several points about the farm bill. The editorial left out a justification in favor of government subsidies: to ensure a safe and healthy supply of products that would not otherwise be available. We know what it feels like to depend on imports of foreign oil. The farm bill ensures we can largely depend on Americans to feed Americans. It also ensures safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly methods are used to produce our nation’s food, fiber, and alternative fuels.

October 5, 2007
Women Attend State Conference

The 2007 South Carolina Farm Bureau Annual Women's Leadership Conference was held recently in Newberry. More than 90 women attended the conference.
Farm Bureau Women at county, state, and national levels coordinate public relations activities and projects promoting agriculture. Their work includes supporting important family and agricultural legislation, youth programs, “Education in AG-tion” activities, leadership development opportunities, and commodity promotions.

September 20, 2007
Family Farmers Convene in Charleston
For National Promotion and Education Conference

Family farmers and Farm Bureau staff from 21 states will meet in Charleston September 25-28 for the American Farm Bureau Federation® (AFBF) annual Promotion and Education Conference. The meeting is hosted by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation (SCFB), a non-profit advocate organization promoting the value of family farms and rural lifestyles.

July 18, 2007
Youths Attend
State Leadership Conference

Some 62 high school juniors and seniors from around the state recently participated in the 2007 South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Youth Leadership Conference.

The annual SCFB conference was held on the campus of Columbia College and featured a number of workshops that focused on developing leadership, team building and legislative involvement along with programs that built understanding and awareness of agriculture. The students had the opportunity to tour Clemson University and learn about the opportunities available in agriculture, and visit a diverse midlands farm where an Ag Olympics competition was held.

June 29, 2007
Teachers Learn About Agriculture as
They Prepare for New School Year

Fifty South Carolina teachers representing 26 public and private schools in 18 counties are ready to start the school year with a greater appreciation for agriculture and are better equipped to teach their students about the sources of their food, fiber, and forestry products.

June 5, 2007
Lexington County Woman Wins 4th Annual
Farm Bureau Strawberry Recipe Contest    

Cayce, SC – The recipe for “Strawberry Lover’s No-Bake Cheesecake” took first place in the Fourth Annual SC Farm Bureau Roadside Market Strawberry Recipe Contest held recently in Cayce. Chef Denise Birt, sponsored by The Farmer’s Shed in Lexington, won $150 for her “berry” good recipe. This is the second consecutive year The Farmer’s Shed strawberries and recipe have earned first place in the contest.

June 5, 2007
Chesterfield County Woman Places in 4th Annual
Farm Bureau Strawberry Recipe Contest

Cayce, SC – Anna Moore’s recipe for “Strawberry-Coconut Chocolate Cake” won second place in the statewide Fourth Annual SC Farm Bureau Roadside Market Strawberry Recipe Contest held recently in Cayce. Moore, sponsored by McLeod Farms in McBee, SC, received a $75 cash prize. McLeod Farms has placed in the statewide strawberry contest every year since the contest’s inception. The statewide competition featured winners of similar contests at each of the participating roadside markets. 

April 5, 2007
Farm Bureau Says Peach Growers Are in for a VERY Long Weekend

COLUMBIA, SC – Freeze and frost warnings mean peach growers and other farmers will work around the clock, especially in the evening and nighttime hours, until threats of freezing temperatures are gone. Peach growers along the Ridge (parts of Saluda, Edgefield, Aiken, and Lexington Counties where a number of peaches are grown) and growers in the Upstate of South Carolina are bracing for possible freezing temperatures as early as tonight. Frost and or freeze damage can cause severe crop losses for peach growers who have already thinned their trees to hold just the number of peaches they will harvest this summer. Any loss now will eat into any profit growers might make.

March 19, 2007
Local Farmers Donate Children’s Ag Books

Local Farmers Donate Children’s Ag Books
 (Springdale, SC, March 16, 2007)—First graders at Springdale Elementary have new books at their fingertips that accurately portray the lives and work of farm families, thanks to an initiative launched by local farmers. Members of the Lexington County Farm Bureau donated two books about agriculture to Springdale Elementary through the new Accurate Ag Books initiative for early elementary children.

March 16, 2007
Celebrate National Agriculture Day on the First Day of Spring
Op-Ed By
David Winkles, Jr, President
SC Farm Bureau Federation

Can you imagine life without farmers? The best description I’ve heard is that we would all be “naked, homeless, and hungry.” The first day of spring, Wednesday March 21, is a time to celebrate America’s family farmers and agribusinesses. It’s National Agriculture Day, a time to honor family farmers for providing safe, abundant and affordable products, a strong economy, a source of renewable energy, and a world of job opportunities.

February 19, 2007
Calhoun County Farm Bureau
Nationally Recognized for Ag-Education Project

St. Matthews, SC - Calhoun County Farm Bureau was recognized recently by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) as having one of the best agricultural education and promotion activities in the country. AFBF honored Calhoun County Farm Bureau with the County Activities of Excellence Award presented during the national organization’s annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah in January.

February 14, 2007
Response to Feb 13 Editorial on
Misuse of Agricultural Property Tax Incentives
By David Winkles, President
SC Farm Bureau Federation

I want to applaud your editorial written February 13, 2007 entitled “When a golf course becomes a farm” about those who take advantage of incentives designed to protect and preserve family farmers in South Carolina.

Nothing could be truer than your statement, “Our very lives depend upon [farmers sticking with] it because we are better as a people when family farmers are a part of our society.”
 
October 9, 2006
Farmers Learn More about Gubernatorial Candidate

Sumter, SC - Farmers from across the state gathered around television screens on Sunday (Oct. 8) to hear what Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tommy Moore had to say about agriculture, family farms, and rural lifestyles in South Carolina in response to their questions.

September 5, 2006
Dorchester Academy Teacher Attends National Education Conference

Dorchester Academy Teacher Attends National Education Conference
Vonne Baker, a Dorchester Academy teacher, was one of some 300 people to attend the 25th annual Agriculture in the Classroom Conference June 21-24, 2006.

August 10, 2006
Youths Attend State
Leadership Conference

Some 47 high school juniors and seniors from around the state recently participated in the 2006 South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Youth Leadership Conference.

July 26, 2006
South Carolina Teachers
Learn About Agriculture as
They Prepare for New School Year

Forty eight South Carolina teachers are ready to start the school year with a greater appreciation for agriculture and are better equipped to teach their students about the sources of their food, fiber, and forestry products.

May 31, 2006
Right to Farm Bill

Statement by David Winkles, President,
South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation

The future of South Carolina agriculture shines brighter for family farmers now that the “Right to Farm” bill (S. 1205) has become law. After healthy debates, the bill was overwhelmingly passed by the General Assembly and Governor Sanford set aside his predisposition to veto the bill and allowed it to become law without his signature.

May 9, 2006
Allow Guest Workers or
Outsource U.S. Food Production

By David Winkles, President,
South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation
Guest Editorial

Walk down the produce aisle of your grocery store today, and you are likely to see stickers on some of the fruits and vegetables indicating they were grown outside the United States. The chief reason is those products were not in season for U.S. growers.

December 9, 2005
Laurens County Youth Wins SC Farm Bureau Competition

Myrtle Beach, SC – Laurens County resident William Nelson, son of James and Dawn Nelson of Clinton, was named one of two state winners in the South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Youth Ambassador Scholarship Contest held recently during the organization's 62nd Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach.

December 9, 2005
Anderson County Youth Wins SC Farm Bureau Competition

Myrtle Beach, SC – Anderson County resident Allison Waggoner, daughter of Steve and Kitty Waggoner of Pendleton, was named one of two state winners in the South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Youth Ambassador Scholarship Contest held recently during the organization's 62nd Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach.

December 9, 2005
Christie and Jay Crouch Receive
Farm Bureau Excellence Award

Christie and Jay Crouch of Saluda County (center and right) receive an award for being named the winners of the 2005 SC Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award.

December 9, 2005
Lara & Roger Estridge Receive
Farm Bureau Excellence Award

Lara and Roger Estridge (center and right) receive an award for being named the first runners-up in the SC Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award.

December 9, 2005
Nancy & Jim Ollis Receive
Farm Bureau Excellence Award

Nancy and Jim Ollis (center and right) receive an award for being named the second runners-up in the SC Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award.

December 9, 2005
Norris Named First Runner-up in Farm Bureau Young Farmer Discussion Meet

Bo Norris of Chesterfield County (right) receives an award from SC Farm Bureau President David Winkles for being named the first runner-up in the 2005 SCFB Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet.
As first runner-up, Bo received $150 in cash compliments of the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company.

December 9, 2005
Haddon Wins Farm Bureau
Young Farmer Discussion Meet

Lee Haddon of Fairfield County (right) receives a plaque and the keys to a John Deere Gator from David Winkles, President of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, for being named the winner of the 2005 SC Farm Bureau Young Farmer Discussion Meet. The ATV Gator was presented as the grand prize compliments of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

December 9, 2005
Vonne Baker Receives Farm Bureau Outstanding Educator Award

Vonne Baker (center) of Dorchester County receives the 2005 Betty J. DeWitt Outstanding Educator Award from Frances Price (left), SC Farm Bureau Women's Committee Chair, during ceremonies at the organization's 62nd Annual Meeting held recently in Myrtle Beach.

December 8, 2005
Senator Grooms Receives Farm Bureau Legislative Award

Myrtle Beach, SC - State Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Larry Grooms, of Bonneau, SC received South Carolina Farm Bureau’s (SCFB) Legislator of the Year Award during the non-profit agricultural advocate organization’s 62nd annual meeting recently in Myrtle Beach.

December 8, 2005
Representative Witherspoon Receives Farm Bureau Legislative Award

Myrtle Beach, SC - State House of Representatives Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Committee Chairman Billy Witherspoon, of Conway, received South Carolina Farm Bureau’s (SCFB) Legislator of the Year Award during the non-profit agricultural advocate organization’s 62nd annual meeting recently in Myrtle Beach.

December 8, 2005
SC Farm Bureau President Re-elected for a Fifth Term

Myrtle Beach, SC – The voting delegate body, representing South Carolina family farmers, unanimously reelected Sumter County farmer David Winkles for a fifth two-year term as president of the SC Farm Bureau Federation (SCFB) at their 62nd annual meeting in Myrtle Beach. Winkles is the fifth person to hold the CEO position of Farm Bureau since the organization’s formation in 1944.

December 7, 2005
SC Farm Bureau Announces Distinguished Service Award Recipient

Myrtle Beach, SC – Lifetime Calhoun County resident Othniel H. Wienges, Jr. was presented the South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Distinguished Service Award during the non-profit agricultural advocate organization’s 62nd annual meeting in Myrtle Beach. The award is the highest honor SCFB bestows upon members who have shown extreme dedication and service to the organization.

December 3, 2005
Orangeburg County Farm Family
Awarded 2006 Dodge Truck

Thad and Jennifer Wimberly of Orangeburg County have recently been recognized as winners of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award for 2005.

December 3, 2005
Newberry County
Young Farm Family Honored

Kevin and Jennifer Satterwhite of Newberry County have recently been recognized as finalists in the South Carolina Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award for 2005.

December 3, 2005
Lee County
Young Farm Family Honored

Tyler and Keisha Epps of Lee County have recently been recognized as finalists in the South Carolina Farm Bureau Achievement Award for 2005.

October 26, 2005
Fairfield County Residents Appointed to State Farm Bureau Committee

COLUMBIA, SC – Fairfield County residents Lee and Laura Haddon were recently appointed to the South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Young Farmer and Rancher Committee by SCFB President David Winkles.

October 26, 2005
Sumter County Residents Appointed to State Farm Bureau Committee

COLUMBIA, SC – Sumter County residents Marion and Brenda Huggins were recently appointed to the South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Young Farmer and Rancher Committee by SCFB President David Winkles.

October 26, 2005
Orangeburg County Residents Appointed to State Farm Bureau Committee

COLUMBIA, SC – Orangeburg County residents Jonathan and Beth Berry were recently appointed to the South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Young Farmer and Rancher Committee by SCFB President David Winkles.

October 26, 2005
Lee County Residents Appointed to State Farm Bureau Committee

COLUMBIA, SC – Lee County residents Zan and Mary Adele Tomlinson were recently appointed to the South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Young Farmer and Rancher Committee by SCFB President David Winkles.

October 24, 2005
SC Farm Bureau Awards Five Scholarships at SC State Fair

Keri Perdue of Patrick, the daughter of Johnnie and Gregory Gaskins, received a $1,500 college scholarship as the winner of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Junior Swine Competition held recently during the SC State Fair.

October 24, 2005
SC Farm Bureau Awards Five Scholarships at SC State Fair

Matthew Davidson of Duncan, the son of Bruce and Donna Davidson, received a $2,500 college scholarship as the winner of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Junior Beef Competition held recently during the SC State Fair.

October 24, 2005
SC Farm Bureau Awards Five Scholarships at SC State Fair

Three York County students received college scholarships as winners of livestock competitions held recently during the South Carolina State Fair.

October 14, 2005
Women Attend State Conference

Some 75 farm women from across the state attended the recent South Carolina Farm Bureau Women's Conference in Columbia. This year’s conference had a “Putting on the Ritz” theme.

October 5, 2005
From Petroleum Gas to Biomass: SC Teachers Learn About Alternative Fuels from Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Program and the SC Energy Office

Columbia, SC -  South Carolina middle and high school teachers have a greater appreciation for potential energy sources from agricultural products and are better equipped to teach students about food, fiber, and forestry products after receiving complimentary lesson plans entitled “Biomass – Lesson Plans on Alternative Fuels.” The plans, as well as a teacher workshop on the topic, were co-sponsored by the SC Farm Bureau Federation (SCFB) and the South Carolina Energy Office (SCEO) through a grant provided by the U. S. Department of Energy’s Special Projects Program.

September 28, 2005
Upstate Resident Talks Her Way Into a College Scholarship

CLEMSON, SC – Travelers Rest, SC resident Stephanie Moore talked her way into a $500 college scholarship and an all expenses paid trip to a national competition in February. Moore is the winner of the 2005 Clemson University Collegiate Discussion Meet sponsored by the SC Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. The annual contest was held conjunction with Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences Tailgate festivities.

September 23, 2005
Farm Bureau Calls on State to Consider Farmers’ Needs as Natural Gas Supplies Run Out

Columbia, SC – South Carolina Farm Bureau President David Winkles has called on the SC Public Service Commission and the Governor’s office to intervene in the interruption of natural gas service to agricultural operations. He has also put the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) on notice that the shortage of natural gas may create a disaster for some of South Carolina’s farmers.

September 15, 2005
Richland County Farmers Salute Local Teachers

Six Richland County teachers were honored recently for their efforts in bringing the true farm story to their students.  Farmer and volunteer members of the Richland County Farm Bureau saluted the efforts of  Mary Brown, Carole McConkey , Kathleen Garnett, and Erika Hattler, all of St. Peter’s Catholic School, Peter Reibold of Cardinal Newman High School, and Mildred Robinson of VV Reid Elementary School, at the 2005 Richland County Farm Bureau annual meeting.  

September 1, 2005
Farm Bureau Calls on State to Consider Farmers’ Needs as Fuel Supplies Run Short

Columbia, SC – South Carolina Farm Bureau President David Winkles has called on SC Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers to exercise his full constitutional authority to protect farmers from rising fuel costs and short supplies.

August 22, 2005
SC Tobacco Growers and Quota Owners Helped by North Carolina Supreme Court Ruling

South Carolina tobacco growers and quota holders received a boost today from the North Carolina Supreme Court. The North Carolina high court ruled that tobacco growers and quota holders in 14 tobacco producing states, including South Carolina, are due a total of $424 million in payments that had previously been withheld by tobacco companies.

August 10, 2005
60 Youths Attend State
Leadership Conference

The 2005 South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Youth Leadership Conference was held on the campus of Columbia College and featured a number of workshops focusing on leadership development, team building and communications skills. Additional programs aimed to enhance students understanding of state government’s impact on agriculture.

July 20, 2005
Teachers Learn About Agriculture as
They Prepare for New School Year

Forty-seven South Carolina teachers are ready to start the school year with a greater appreciation for agriculture and are better equipped to teach their students about the sources of their food, fiber, and forestry products. 

June 13, 2005
South Carolina Farm Bureau Schedules Tobacco Buyout Information Meetings

COLUMBIA, SC – South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) has scheduled a pair of meetings to talk about its partnership with Farm Bureau Bank to offer lump-sum settlements to participants in the tobacco buyout.

June 2, 2005
South Carolina Farm Bureau Offers Lump-sum Tobacco Buyout Payment

COLUMBIA, SC – South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) is partnering with Farm Bureau Bank to offer lump-sum settlements to participants in the tobacco buyout

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