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Marion County Farm Bureau
5800 SW 20th Street
Ocala, FL 34474
(352) 237-2124 | |
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Volunteer Opportunities
If you enjoy sharing your knowledge about agriculture with others or just enjoy volunteering your time for good causes, please contact Traci Mason at the Marion County Farm Bureau office to learn more about volunteer opportunities with our
Ag-Venture & Ag Literacy Day programs.
Traci can be reached at
(352) 237-2124 or at traci.mason@ffbic.com | |
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The Farm Bureau is pleased to announce a new benefit for all Florida Farm Bureau Members through the
GM Private Offer Program
Farm Bureau members can now receive a $500 discount on each qualifying 2011 or 2012 model year Chevrolet, GMC or Buick vehicle (except Chevy Volt). Take advantage of this exclusive offer for vehicles purchased or leased at participating dealerships.
You must have been a Farm Bureau member for at least 60 days prior to the date of delivery of the vehicle selected.
For more details regarding the GM Program please click here or visit the membership benefits section of the Florida Farm Bureau website. | |
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| News You Can Use | December 2011 | |
Dear Friend of the Marion County Farm Bureau,
It is hard to believe that it has been a year since we began using the Enewsletter system. We have learned a lot in that year and are becoming more technology savvy by the day. In this newsletter you will be caught up do date on our latest happenings.
As we come into the Holiday Season, we are thankful for the farmers and ranchers who help to provide the food that feeds our nation. Just last week we celebrated National Farm City week and received a formal proclamation recognizing this special week from the Marion County Board of County Commissioner's. During these tough economic times, the agriculture industry has continued to have a postive influence on our local economy, employing more than 24,000 people through production agriculture and allied industries in Marion County.
During the holidays and all year long, we give thanks for all of the individuals involved in getting our food from the farm to the table.
 Sincerely,
Traci Mason
Activity Coordinator
Marion County Farm Bureau
Pictured to the right: Marion County Farm Bureau President, Jimmy LeFils receiving Farm City Week Proclamation from County Commission Chair, Charlie Stone. |
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Marion County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Recap | | |
On September 20th we held our annual membership meeting at the Marion County Extension Auditorium. Commissioner of Florida Agriculture, Adam Putnam, spoke to over 200 Farm Bureau members that evening.
Following Commissioner Putnam's speech, the business meeting took place and the following new board members were voted onto the board: Jim Boyer and Sam Howard. As always the meeting closed with our annual Women's Fund cake auction. This year we had 24 cakes donated for the auction and raised over $1300.
Special thank you to all of those who provided cakes for the auction and to Mr. Dale Long who volunteered his time to serve as our auctioneer that evening. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Greenbriar Nursery for donating flowers and greenery for decorations that evening and to all of the FFA and 4-H studentes who volunteered at the event.
 
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| Marion County Farm Bureau Receives Top Honors at Annual Florida Farm Bureau Convention | | |
Once again the Marion County Farm Bureau has been awarded the prestigious Florida Farm Bureau's President's award for their hard work in the areas of: Legislative Policy, Public Relations, Organization & Management, Education and Leadership Development. To qualify for the President's Award County Farm Bureau offices also had to make their membership quota. We are proud to say that we made our membership quota and that we are 4,543 members strong in Marion County.
In addition to receiving the President's award, Marion County Young Farmer & Ranchers were well represented at the Florida Farm Bureau annual Convention. This year, Jimmy & Sara LeFils were finalist for the YF&R Achievement in Agriculture award and YF&R member, Scott Thomas placed second in the Discussion Meet competition.
Pictured below: Russ Randall receives the Florida Farm Bureau's President's Award, from Florida Farm Bureau President, John Hoblick at the Florida Farm Bureau 2011 Annual Meeting.
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| Florida Farm Bureau Federation Introduces CARES Newsletter | |
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is excited to introduce the CARES (County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship) Newsletter. The intent of the newsletter is to provide CARES recipients and supporters with the latest Best Management Practices (BMPs) and CARES information. Given the current regulatory climate, BMPs are becoming the best line of defense against environmental regulations that are not based on sound science. As many of you know, the CARES program began in 2001 to publicly recognize farmers and ranchers who have implemented environmentally friendly BMPs. Ten years later, there are over 450 farmers and ranchers who have been recognized and proudly display a CARES sign on their farm. CLICK HERE for the first edition of the CARES newsletter. |
| The Passing of the Gavel | |
On October 11th, the Marion County Farm Bureau Board of Director's held their annual officer elections. The 2011-2012 officers are as follows: Jimmy LeFils, President; Todd Dailey, Vice President; Sarah Joe Thomas, Secretary and D.A. Lewis, Treasurer.
A huge THANK YOU to Russ Randall who has served the board well as president the past two years. |
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Young Leaders explore The Pickin' Patch on October 15th. | | |
On October 15th, the Dickins and Thomas family opened up The Pickin' Patch in Dunnellon at 9 a.m. for a special event for Marion County Young Farmer & Rancher members and Ocala / Marion County Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders members.
Young leaders from both groups got the opportunity to learn more about Marion County agricluture and it's impact on the local economy and also got to explore The Pickin' Patch. Guests that morning were treated to donuts and coffee, taken on a hayride and were given free time to go out and explore the farm.
Pictured Below: Marion County Farm Bureau Board Member, Sarah Joe Thomas talks with Marion County Chamber, ELO members about the pumpkin patch operation.
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Florida Agriculture Center & Horse Park 2011 Legislative Trail Ride | |
On Friday, Nov. 18, the Marion County Farm Bureau sponsored an important day of agricultural education and festivities at the Florida Agriculture Center in south Ocala.
Dubbed the (inaugural!) 2011 Legislative Trail Ride and Cookout, the event was designed to share an agricultural message with elected officials and community leaders throughout Florida. Several state senators and representatives rode horses on the trails throughout the Park during this time, and others were represented by staff members. Wagon rides/tours pulled by a tandem hitch of draft horses (sponsored by the Marion County Farm Bureau) were a major hit, and a live band entertained more than 130 guests during lunch, which was sponsored by the Florida Cattlemen's Association, Farm Credit of Florida, Great American Insurance and multiple other generous sponsors and volunteers.
"We are so grateful for the opportunity to host this inaugural legislative event at the Park," said Summer Best, executive director of the Foundation for the Florida Horse Park. "We hope to continually encourage our elected officials and leaders to see, firsthand, the economic impact, the quality-of-life value, agricultural benefits and healthy initiatives we are all working on. We look forward to even more moments to share these messages in 2012."
Guest speakers during lunch included Senator Alan Hays, member of the Florida Senate Agriculture Committee, and Connie Wise, chair or the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.
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