Hall County celebrated the past and future of agriculture during the annual Agriculture Day celebration in April at the Hall County Farm Bureau. Agribusiness awards recognized Hall’s agriculture community, several longtime farm leaders and students for their writing and art achievements.
The events were coordinated by the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee chaired by Jerry Truelove, Elmer Truelove Dairy, the Hall County Farm Bureau and the Hall County Extension Service.
The 2003 Agribusiness Hall of Fame recipients collectively represent years of farming and agribusiness experience. Abit Massey, executive director of the Georgia Poultry Federation; Clyde Outz, retired agriculture educator and FFA instructor; and the late Dan Whitaker, an original organizer of the Hall County Farmers Market, were the Agribusiness Hall of Fame award recipients and have meant much to Hall County’s agricultural community.
Conservationist Howard Cooper was named Friend of Agriculture.
Cattle Farmer Bob Whitmire received the Farmer of the Year Award. Mar-Jac Poultry, Inc. a chicken processing firm in Gainesville, was named Outstanding Agribusiness of the Year.
Hall County and Gainesville City students were honored for awards received on the state level by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Heather McDonald, an 11th Grader at Chestatee High School, was recognized for winning second place in the state’s high school competition for her art contest entry.
Sam Justus, a 5th grader at Lula Elementary, took first place honors for his essay for grades 4-8.
Other students from Chestatee High, Lula Elementary and Fairstreet Elementary were recognized for their “Honorable Mention” awards in art and essay from the state.
For more information about the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee, call Karen Lobstein, 770-532-6206.