UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

458 Highway 98 North

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail:  indianco@ufl.edu

Article reprinted courtesy of:

 

 

Sunday, November 22, 2009. pp-1-2

  

 Miller, Williams honored at Farm City lunch
 By Charles M. Murphy, Okeechobee News

 

The 16th annual Farm-City week luncheon was a hit once again as the KOA convention center had nary an empty seat Thursday.

The Kiwanis Club and Ag Council sponsor the lunch each year which is an opportunity to promote local youth groups that work in agriculture through the Cooperative Extension and the 4-H program.

 

Among the groups on hand Thursday were the Yearling FFA, the Rough Riders Next Generation 4-H Club, the Bacon Bunch 4-H Club, the Osceola FFA, Raisin Em Right 4-H Club, Bits and Spurs 4-H Club, Cattle Kids 4-H Club, Okeechobee Sharpshooters 4-H Club, the Okeechobee High School FFA, the Wild Bunch 4-H Club, and the Udder Bunch 4-H Club.

Pat Miller, who recently retired after 25 years with the Okeechobee Cooperative Extension, was honored for his service to the community. He was also the key note speaker. He focused the speech on 4-H and the many contributions they give to the community.

He explained the origins of the Cooperative Extension service and the need to get information to the community about agriculture.

He said there are no records of when the 4-H program began in Okeechobee. He said Gladys Freeman was the first chartered 4-H leader in Okeechobee.

Miller also spoke about his career which began at Purdue University and went on to include stints as a livestock agent in Indiana, and in Okeechobee.

Miller said the 4-H builds young people into future leaders.

“4-H is a tool, a means to an end. It develops strong capable young adults who can contribute to the community,” he said.

He praised Debbie Clemons for her strong leadership of the youth programs in Okeechobee.

He told the youth in the crowd that they should take advantage of all the things they learn in 4-H. He said Okeechobee needs agriculture to thrive and that young people will keep agriculture strong into the future.

Clayton Williams, the chairman of the Farm City lunch for the past 12 years, handed the reigns over to Jeff Sumner this year. Williams was honored for his special service to the event.

Kiwanis Club President Jim Vanish served as master of ceremonies for the luncheon.

Rick Amsden, David Hazellief and Noel Chandler were the chefs.

Sponsors this year included the Kiwanis Club, the Okeechobee Area Agri-Council, Farm Credit of South Florida, the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association, Emory Walker Company, Everglades Farm Equipment, Riverside National Bank, Diamond R Fertilizer, Lakeland Animal Nutrition, PNC Bank, Seacoast National Bank, Walpole Feed and Supply, Eli’s Western Wear, and the Okeechobee Cattlewomen’s Association.

Special thanks were given to the following businesses for donations: Farm Credit of South Florida, the Okeechobee County Farm Bureau, Berger Insurance Services, Orchid Island Juice Company, Syble’s Flowers and Gifts, Pogey’s Family Restaurant, The Atlantic Group at Morgan Stanley, Bills Mini Mart, Dairy Farm, Inc., and Syfrett Feed Company.

 

Copyright © 2009 Okeechobee News 11/22/2009