MIDDLEBURG – The Clay County Farm Bureau has earned a coveted award for its achievements in the past year. The local organization received the Apex Award at the 2022 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

The Apex Award is bestowed on a county Farm Bureau that exhibits the highest level of innovation, program effectiveness, involvement of volunteers, and goal achievements in each of the six-member group sizes across the state.

Farm Bureau members support families producing food and fiber in their communities. Agriculture and related enterprises in Clay County provide an economic impact of $931 each year that supports 19,295 jobs. Clay County Farm Bureau works hard to keep those jobs and dollars in our county.

Our members are also positive contributors to our community. They serve as volunteers in various civic and charitable projects, including the Clay County Fair, Cattlemen’s Corporation, U/F IFAS Extension programs such as 4-H and in-school programs like the Future Farmers of America.

Gayward Hendry, Clay County Farm Bureau President, said members have worked together to earn this award, devoting time and dedication toward achieving common goals.

“Our volunteers are the heart of our organization and it makes me proud to be a part of an organization that works to better the lives of those living in our community,” he said.

Farm Bureau members will join their fellow volunteers across the state to lead various activities and programs in the next year. The organization announced its Ag Literacy Reading program will soon start registration. Teachers across the county can sign up to receive a free copy of this year’s Ag Literacy book and Farm Bureau volunteers will be in the schools reading to students.

Plans are beginning for the 2023 Ag Venture Field Trips at the Clay County Fair, and the bureau expects to see more than 900 students participate in this educational experience.

For more information about the Clay County Farm Bureau and how to become involved, contact the local office at (904) 282-0644. The Clay County Farm Bureau is affiliated with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Information about the state organization is available at www.floridafarmbureau.org.