County represented at Young Farmer Conference
Harold and Betsy Hill and Eric McClam
Richland County residents Harold and Betsy Hill and Eric McClam were among a group of more than 150 young farmers from across the state attending the recent South Carolina Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Conference in Charleston, SC.
Since its beginning in 1972 the SCFB Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Program has played a prominent role in the SC Farm Bureau organization. The first state YF&R Conference was held in Columbia in 1973.
SCFB Young Farmer & Rancher coordinator Faith Lawrimore noted that, “Farm Bureau has a strong tradition and heritage representing farmers. In order for our organization to survive, grow, and prosper, it’s imperative to recruit future leaders into the organization. This conference was designed to encourage participants to take the lead in their communities and in Farm Bureau.” Lawrimore added, “I am encouraged by their successes, as well as their enthusiasm, creativity, and innovation. All these qualities are needed for the continued progress of agriculture in South Carolina.”
Lawrimore added, “Today’s young famers and ranchers have greater opportunities to succeed than the generations before them. They have more knowledge and information at their disposal and have higher degrees of technology at their fingertips.”
The purpose of the YF&R Program is to develop leadership skills among farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 on county, state, and national levels.
The SC Farm Bureau Federation is a non–profit membership organization formed to promote and preserve the work of family farmers and rural lifestyles across the state.
In exchange for their annual dues and financial support of education, promotion, and lobbying efforts on behalf of agriculture and family farmers, Farm Bureau members are entitled to discounts and access to a number of quality products and services.
Persons interested in supporting agriculture are encouraged to contact their county Farm Bureau office or the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation at www.scfb.org for additional information.
