SCFB News

Stephanie Sox

Nearly 600 South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation members from across the state gathered in Myrtle Beach December 5 - 7 to honor grassroots traditions, celebrate the accomplishments of volunteers and to set the organization's direction for the next year at the 81st Annual Meeting.

Governor Henry McMaster addressed attendees during the Welcome Program on Thursday, December 5. McMaster spoke about the hardships farmers have faced this year and promised to continue to work to secure relief funding. SCFB President Harry Ott also delivered his State of Farm Bureau address and challenged members to stand up and speak out on behalf of agriculture in the coming year.

In addition to the speakers, a number of awards were presented. Two legislators were honored with the 2024 SCFB Legislator of the Year Awards. Senator Mike Gambrel (Dist. 4) and Representative Cal Forrest (Dist. 39) were recognized for going above and beyond in their duties to support family farmers in South Carolina through key legislation. These elected officials have been dependable supporters of Farm Bureau, leading the way for agriculture, agribusiness and family farmers at the statehouse.

Three individuals were named as the 2024 Government Relations All-Stars for their progressive advocacy of SCFB's priority issues in the General Assembly. They included Bob Hall (York), Loren Lindler (Lexington) and Daniel Milam (Anderson). Each received a clock representing the time they dedicated to the work of Farm Bureau.

Raleigh Ward (Florence) received SCFB's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, as the highlight of the Awards and Recognition Program. Ward has given greatly to SCFB through his many years of dedication and volunteerism to agriculture in South Carolina.

Sam Quinney (Fairfield) took home a John Deere XUV sponsored by Duke Energy, $500 in STIHL merchandise and $500 cash after winning the SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet. Quinney competed against 16 other contestants in a face-to-face discussion about issues confronting today's farmers.

Each year, one South Carolina educator receives the Betty J. DeWitt Outstanding Educator Award. This year, Sara Porter Cornwell (Richland), a teacher at Satchel Ford Elementary School in Richland County, received the award, plus $1,000. The award is presented to a teacher of grades K-12 who has designed and implemented a lesson plan about the food and fiber industry.

The SCFB Youth Ambassador contest took place on Saturday afternoon. Carolina Richards (York) and Drake Ariail (Lexington) will each receive a $2,000 scholarship, plus exposure to state agricultural and government leaders, and leadership training opportunities. They will also make selected appearances on behalf of agriculture and Farm Bureau. The contestants were pre-judged on their application and an essay discussing the use of artificial intelligence in the agricultural industry. The three highest scoring young men and three highest scoring young women were invited to make a three-minute oral presentation before a panel of judges. The male and female contestants with the best overall scores were named the 2025 SCFB Youth Ambassadors.

The annual meeting came to a close after the business meeting of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation. Donnie Wakefield (Aiken) was re-elected to represent the Central District and Tim Donald (Oconee) was re-elected to represent the Piedmont District, both for a four-year term.

Click here to see photos from this year's event.