Farm Bureau Manager Promotes Grain for Growth

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Published on October 31 2016 10:31 am
Last Updated on October 31 2016 10:31 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Fall harvest can be a difficult time for county Farm Bureau managers to visit with their farmer members. In Effingham County, manager Julie Stephens hitches a 150-bushel grain cart to her vehicle and heads to the fields.

In 2012, the county started the Grain for Growth program, in which farmers donate a portion of their harvest. Some of her visits are scheduled, but other times she’ll hit the road and pull into a field when he sees a combine running.

“A lot of times I might not have any idea who’s going to be in the combine,” Stephens said.

The 20-year county manager said she recently met a new area farmer just by pulling into his field.

“I started talking about our program and encouraged him to get involved. He’s looking forward to joining our program. So not only did I get a donation of grain, but I also got a new volunteer.”

South Central FS is a part of the county’s Partners for Ag Literacy. The coop voluntarily absorbs any costs associated with drying or dockage from the grain Stephens brings in.

“Their staff is wonderful to work with,” Stephens says, adding that on occasion they’ll stay a little late knowing she’s bringing in a final load.

Through the Grain for Growth program, Effingham County Farm Bureau was one of 28 county Farm Bureaus nationwide last year to be recognized in the County Activities of Excellence by the American Farm Bureau Federation.