Farm Bureau holds Annual Meeting

A large crowd of Gilchrist County Farm Bureau members gathered at the Trenton Elementary Cafeteria last Thursday, September 23, to enjoy a barbecue dinner, fellowship and to do just a little yearly business. Farm Bureau members were pleased to honor Frank Colson for his many years of service as a member of the Board of Directors.

Roy Wilson presented Colson with a plaque in recognition of his forty plus years serving on this important local board. Wilson stated that several times in the last few years Colson has told him it was time for him to retire off the board but Wilson talked him into staying each time. Wilson went on to say that Frank Colson has always been interested in agriculture and what was going on in farming. He went on to say, “Frank has been a good friend and a good neighbor.”
After receiving his plaque Colson said, “Farm Bureau is a lot more than insurance as you’ve heard tonight. It’s a good thing and everyone should be a member.”
Wilson concluded, “We are not going to try to replace Frank; we are going to try to find someone to fill that seat.” Colson currently serves as the Vice President.
G. B. Crawford of Farm Bureau was on hand to remind members that a couple of important issues were coming up real soon. The estate tax change, which is a real possibility, would cost family farms and in some cases even make it difficult for the next generation to stay on the farm.
Crawford also promoted voting “No” on Amendment 4 which would change the state constitution to require a taxpayer funded referendum for every single change to a local government comprehensive plan. Crawford reported that “If Amendment 4 had already passed in the last 5 years it would have caused 5,000 local elections in Florida.”
Crawford went on to say this amendment was wrong for the state and local government.
The evening drew to a close with the annual door prize giveaway. Two big prizes given away were $50 prizes which went to Thomas Bryant and David Mikell. The other coveted prize was the handmade tray which Roy Wilson makes every year. This year’s tray winner was Susan Sellers.