By Betsy Finklea
Harry Ott, the State President of the S.C. Farm Bureau, spoke about the challenges of farming at the Dillon County Farm Bureau meeting on Monday night.
Ott began his remarks by thanking every member of the Farm Bureau. “Without your membership, we are non-existent,” said Ott. He thanked everyone for being a part of the Farm Bureau family. He also praised Rep. Jackie Hayes and Senator Kent Williams for their 100 percent Farm Bureau voting record in Columbia. He then began his remarks about farming.
“It’s difficult out there,” said Ott. “I’m a farmer, and I know it’s difficult.” He said that every county in the state was in some type of drought status this year. He said 45 days later due to Tropical Storm Debby the lower half of the state was in a flood. The upper part of the state was faced with an invasion of army worms.
Also, Farmers are facing historically high prices, while they are selling crops at historically low prices. Ott said a bushel of wheat today sells at the same price as it did in 1972. He said it’s impossible almost to stay in business.
Ott said farmers understand the “ups and downs” of farming, but when it all pours in at once, it’s difficult. He said farmers need reasonable safety nets, but at the federal level, they can’t get the Democrats and Republicans to talk about a Farm Bill.
“The challenges are great,” said Ott.
Ott said more challenges are on the horizon. He said more people are moving to South Carolina per capita than any other state. He said these people are locating on farm land. He said this puts more pressure on farmers. He said he supports economic development, but they have got to have a plan for the future.
“Agriculture is the leading industry in South Carolina,” Ott said, “and employs more people than anyone else.” He said the trend of more people moving in puts this at risk. He said they have to have growth with a plan.
Ott said at Farm Bureau, they wake up every day thinking about these big problems. He said what scares him most is the lack of a plan.
Ott also spoke briefly about educating people on where their food comes from–the farm, not the grocery store. His speech was well-received.
In his President’s Report, Keith Allen said they gave out two $1,000 scholarships to Mason Miller and Eva Newell; Allen along with others on the National Legislative Committee went to Washington and visited the Congressmen and Senators. He said he spoke to Congressman Russell Fry about possible disaster relief for the drought and was not encouraged.
He also said they needed to reintroduce and vote on a resolution from last meeting on the state deer population. The resolution reads: “The state deer population has increased over the last few years to a point where farmers are unable to control the population and unable to grow crops in some areas. The S.C. Farm Bureau recommends SCDNR create a program that makes doe hunting a requirement to obtain a buck tag. At least 3 does must be killed before being issued a buck tag. Hunters may report the total by utilizing SCDNR’s electronic tagging system.”
Allen also gave the nominating committee 2023-2024 report:
OFFICERS OF DILLON COUNTY FARM BUREAU: President-Keith Allen, Vice-President-Cullen Bryant, Executive Secretary-Joe Gleason, Treasurer-Tommy Stephens, State Director-Cullen Bryant, and Alternate State Director-Joe Gleason
2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Keith Allen, Cullen Bryant, Joe Gleason, and Tommy Stephens
2024 DIRECTORS: Elizabeth Snipes, Daniel Coleman, Randy Berry, Caleb Coleman, Bruce “Sonny” Price, Jr., Daniel Baxley, Fitzhugh Bethea, Lavern Brigman, Curt McSwain, Heather Benjamin, Gerald Arnette, Tre Coleman, Harold Gasque, Joe Hayes, and Wesley Price
2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Woman’s Committee Chairman-Kate A. Miller, Legislative & Public Affairs Chairman-Cullen Bryant, and Toung Farmer Committee Chairman-Caleb Miller
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Betsy Finklea/The Dillon County News, LLC
Click to enlarge.
