As agricultural Extension agent in field crops, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the award winners of the Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet, sponsored by the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and the Robeson County Crop Promotion Association. The banquet was held January 28 at the Southeastern North Carolina Agricultural Center and Farmers Market to recognize agricultural contributions to local communities of the county. Approximately 150 people attended the banquet to honor those receiving awards.

The speaker for the banquet was Judge Herbert Richardson, district court judge for Robeson County. He spoke on the future of agriculture in his speech entitled "A Crop of Hope."

Robeson County ranks within the top ten counties in the state in production of tobacco, cotton, soybeans, corn, and wheat, which total over $84 million in estimated farm value. Total value of agricultural products for Robeson County amounted to nearly $208 million in 2001.

Of the four major awards presented, winners were as follows:

The Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award was presented by William Davis, chairman of the Robeson County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, to Edward L. Holland (right) retired director of Robeson/Scotland Natural Resource and Conservation Service, for his 37 years of service and significant contribution toward the total advancement of agriculture in Robeson County for the benefit of agricultural producers and our agricultural economy in general.

Robeson County Family Farm of the Year Award was presented by Kenneth Carroll of Royster-Clark, Lumberton, to Thomas, Angus, and Jimmy Powers of St. Pauls for involvement in their farm operation and exceptional dedication to their farm heritage.

Robeson County Young Farmer of the Year Award was presented by John McElveen of Helena Chemical, Fairmont, to Christopher Strickland (right) of Rowland for his active involvement in production agriculture and community involvement.

Robeson County Farmer of the Year Award was presented by Ricky Oxendine of the Southeastern North Carolina Agricultural Center and Farmers Market, Lumberton, to Sybil Bullard of Pembroke for devoting considerable effort and time beyond her normal farm operation in providing for the advancement of agriculture in Robeson County and in North Carolina.

Ricky Oxendine (left) was also recognized by Giles Floyd, incoming Crop Promotion Association President, for dedicated service as President of the Robeson County Crop Promotion Association for 2002.

Mollye Briley Memorial Award was presented by James Moore, Extension Advisory Council vice-chairman, to Bobby Rogers, 4-H volunteer, for outstanding Extension service and dedication.

A new type of recognition called "Breaking New Ground" was presented by Everett Davis, county Extension director, and Rodney Barbour, Agri Supply store supervisor and award sponsor, to growers who do things differently while setting examples for others to follow. The three recipients were:

Eddie and Shorty Moore -- traditional tobacco, corn, and soybean farmers from the Wakulla and Prospect communities for Moore Brothers meat.

Jeff McPherson -- was recognized for his innovative method of marketing vegetables produced on his Long Branch farm using the honor system.

Lesley Sanderson -- received recognition for his involvement in research and education efforts to develop new and innovative crops as a part of his vegetable operation in the Prospect community.

1st place, Leggette Farms (Darwin Leggette pictured) of Rowland with 73 bushels per acre, variety FFR 566. Leggette Farms also received 2nd place in the Southern Coastal Plain Area in the North Carolina Wheat Yield Contest recognized by the North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association.

2nd place, Tommy Stone with P & S Farms of Rowland with 61.2 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 26R38.

3rd place, Luther (pictured) and Eddie Moore of Prospect with 49 bushels per acre, variety USG 3209.

Winners of the 2002 Robeson County Corn Yield Contest, Conventional Till Category

1st place, Charles Roberts of Lumberton with 192.58 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 31G98.

2nd place, Bryan Roberts of Lumberton with 189.54 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 31G98.

3rd place, Jimmy and Mitzi Powers of Lumberton with 160.26 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 31R88.

4th place, Brad Leggett of Lumberton with 154.63 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 31G98.

Winners of the 2002 Robeson County Corn Yield Contest, No-Till Category

1st place, Rufus Cox, Jr., of Lumberton with 196.64 bushels per acre, variety DK 697.

2nd place, Tommy Stone of P & S Farms of Rowland with 119.63 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 31B13.

3rd place, Luther and Eddie Moore of Prospect with 89.95 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 3223.

1st place, Leggette Farms (Darwin Leggette pictured) of Rowland with 62.9 bushels per acre, variety DP 7220.

2nd place, Charles Roberts of Lumberton with 33.1 bushels per acre, variety Pioneer 9831. Charles Roberts also received the Most Efficient Soybean Yield for the Southern Coastal Plain Area and was also the Southern Coastal Plain Area Winner in the North Carolina Soybean Yield Contest recognized by the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association.

Others recognized during the banquet were:

Joey Powers of Lumberton was the recipient of the Linwood Singletary Memorial Scholarship made available each year by the Robeson County Crop Promotion Association. The scholarship is awarded to a deserving student pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field of study. The Association hopes that deserving young students with a strong desire to pursue a career in agriculture will use this opportunity to continue the lifelong education process and, in doing so, will follow Mr. Singletary's example of devotion to agriculture, integrity in all that they do, and concern for their peers. Joey is attending Southeastern Community College with plans to transfer to North Carolina State University in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. He is the son of Jimmy and Mitzi Powers of Lumberton. We are thankful for young people like Joey who have a "heart" for agriculture! Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Congratulations to all who have made significant contributions to our county's agricultural communities! We honor farmers for they are worthy. Let us all realize and appreciate agriculture.

For more information, contact Georgia Love, agricultural Extension agent with the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, by phone (910-671-3276).

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 2/21/03.