The Chamber’s Agribusiness Recognition Awards were presented in April to promote and show appreciation of the agribusiness and agricultural community in Hall County.
Farmer of the year Ann Jones is a life long farmer with farms in Georgia and Oklahoma. She is an international judge at horse shows and is very involved in agriculture promotion and politics.
Friend of Agriculture Sammy Smith is owner of a public relations firm and a member of the Gainesville City School Board who reached out to connect agriculture with Centennial Elementary during their fund raising efforts to buy a heifer for a family in Africa. Sammy also was a part of the poultry industry for a number of years.
Agribusiness of the Year Lanny Dunagan Welding Service is a family owned company started by Lanny’s father and now includes Lanny’s son, Paden. The company is rooted in agribusiness and created an innovative rollover protective structure for forestry right of way tractors.
Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Rick Hinton was a large animal veterinarian who specialized in equine care.
The awards program was presented by the Chamber and Hall County Cooperative Extension and sponsored by Jackson EMC. Additional sponsors included AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Crystal Farms, Hall County Soil & Water Conservation, Hall County Farm Bureau, Jaemor Farms, Mar-Jac, Fieldale Farms, Purina Animal Nutrition and United Community Bank.