The 2024 Dillon County Farm-City Banquet and Award ceremony held Tuesday, November 19th, was a celebration of the importance of the farming and business relationships in the community and a recognition of those who have excelled in farming, business, industry, and those who have been recognized as outstanding students by their schools.
Cullen Bryant, a well-known local farmer and economic development leader, was the master of ceremonies of the event, where approximately 150 people attended. After a welcome by Cullen Bryant, Barbara Causey gave a beautiful rendition of the national anthem and then led the Pledge of Allegiance. Tally McColl gave the prayer and the blessing of the food.
People enjoyed a chicken bog meal prepared by Donnie Grimsley, Randy Grimsley, and friends. The meal was served by The Pearls of Promise and Purpose (POPP) and local volunteers.
After the meal, Bryant introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Jane Dever, the new director of Clemson’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center (REC). She gave informative remarks.
Bryant then introduced David Longacre, a Palmetto Leadership Dillon County Board Member and South Carolina State University Pee Dee Advisory Council Chairman, who presented the awards.
The award winners selected by the Dillon County Farm-City Committee were as follows:
FARMER OF THE YEAR
The Farmer of the Year for 2024 is Baxley and Baxley Farms, which was accepted by Daniel Baxley.

BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
The Businessman of the Year for 2024 is Martin Alvarez of M&A Roofing. No one from M&A was able to be present to receive the award.

INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR
The Industry of the Year for 2024 is Inland Port Dillon, which was accepted by Michael Elmore and Rachel Jackson.

The Farm-City Week outstanding students as selected by their respective schools were:
LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Lake View High School’s Outstanding student this year is Michael Brigman.
Michael Brigman is a senior at Lake View High School. He is the son of Gail Brigman. Michael is a 4-year FFA member and the current FFA President.
Michael Brigman has earned his State FFA degree and has competed in multiple Career Development Events including, Soils and Land Classification, Tractor Driving, Farm Business Management, Tool ID, John Deere Gator Wars, and Wildlife Management. Michael has attended 4 Chapter Officer Workshops, 3 state FFA plant presentations at the Capital, 3 FFA State Legislator’s appreciation day at the Capital, 3 State FFA conventions, 1 National FFA convention, and the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Ga. Michael Brigman is a valued member of the Lake View FFA.

DILLON HIGH SCHOOL
Ryan Sawyer Carter has been chosen as Dillon High School’s Farm-City Week Outstanding Student. Ryan is an energetic and enthusiastic young man who has proven how determined and serious he is in achieving his goals by his high academic achievements. He has not only taken the most rigorous courses at Dillon High School, but he has taken many dual credit courses with Northeastern Technical College. Ryan has never shied away from rigorous courses, as he consistently seeks to broaden his abilities and knowledge.
Besides his very solid academic performance, Ryan also participates in Dillon High School’s National Honor Society, Beta Club, Chief Junior Marshal (11th grade), Baseball team (Captain 2023-2024), and attended the 2024 American Legion’s Palmetto Boys State.
A strength that Ryan exemplifies often is his ability to prioritize his time. While maintaining high grades, participating in clubs and organizations, he also volunteers his time by unloading trucks of food to distribute to the less fortunate, assisting with the set up for the fall festival with Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, assisting with field day activities at local elementary schools, waiting tables at the Dillon Pregnancy Crisis Gala, and setting tables for the Pilot Club’s Mother-Son Dance.
As evidenced, Ryan Sawyer Carter is an exceptional teenager who is truly deserving of this recognition. He strives for educational excellence while balancing academics, extracurricular activities and his personal life.

LATTA HIGH SCHOOL
Latta High School’s Outstanding Student i Jennifer Brooke Gasque. She is the daughter of Scotty and Danielle Gasque. Brooke is a senior at Latta High School. She is also the President of the Latta FFA Chapter and part of the FCA leadership team. After high school Brooke plans to attend Clemson University and major in Agricultural Education. Brooke said, “FFA is very important to her and has impacted he life in many ways. It has helped her to grow as a leader and as an individual.”

DILLON COUNTY TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Madelyn V. Rodriguez has been honored as the “Outstanding Student” for Farm City Week at Dillon County Technology Center for the year 2024. She is the daughter of Madel Carmen Rodriguez and is currently a senior at Grace School Associations in Florence, South Carolina. In addition to her studies at Grace School Associations, Madelyn is enrolled in Dillon County Technology, where she is pursuing dual enrollment in Auto Technology and Information Technology Programs.
Madelyn has consistently demonstrated dedication to her academic pursuits while enrolled at Dillon County Technology Center. She has earned multiple state and national certifications that equip her for the workforce. Her accomplishments encompass, but are not limited to, the OSHA 10 General Certification, ServSafe Certification, CPR Certification, CompTIA ITF Certification, SP/2, Computer Service 1, and Information Technology Fundamentals Career. Currently, Madelyn is focused on obtaining Automotive Service Excellence certifications to further prepare herself for a career in the automotive service sector.
Madelyn intends to enroll at York Technical College following her graduation, where she will pursue a major in Mechanical Engineering. After two years, she plans to transfer to the University of South Carolina to finalize her education.
Madelyn is a versatile young woman with a variety of interests, including playing sudoku, experimenting with new recipes, exploring photography and the history of cameras, engaging with computers, acquiring knowledge of different languages, and reading articles related to automobiles and computer.

DILLON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Dillon Christian School has selected Michael Love as the Farm-
City Week Outstanding Student representative for the 2024-2025 academic year. Michael is the son of Brandon and Georgia Love and the grandson of Mr. & Mrs. George Angus Pate Jr.
Michael carries forward a family tradition that not only includes a dedication to education and community but also a deep connection to the land that has supported his family for generations.
Michael’s heritage is rooted in Gapland Farms, an agricultural enterprise established in the early 1900s. His grandfather, George Angus Pate Jr., remains an influential figure in the family’s farming legacy. The farm was originally purchased by two Pate brothers and has since been divided among family members, continuing to thrive as a significant part of their heritage. Today,
Gapland Farms spans approximately 500 acres, producing corn, soybeans, and hay. Livestock, including beef cows and calves, is also raised on the farm, though tobacco, once a primary crop, is no longer grown.
As the fifth generation to work the land, Michael represents a lineage of hard work, dedication, and agricultural expertise. His connection to the land not only shapes his identity but also exemplifies the values of responsibility and resilience that Dillon Christian School seeks to instill in its students. DCS proudly celebrates Michael Love as a role model for his peers and a true
representative of the spirit of Dillon Christian School.
Michael’s academic journey is marked by his relentless quest for knowledge and excellence. As he navigates his final year of high school, he stands out not only in his high school classes but also through his commitment to dual-credit courses at the community college. This academic rigor reflects his dedication and focus, as Michael plans to attend North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. His ambition aligns seamlessly with his family’s agricultural background, and he hopes to apply his education to continue innovating and advancing sustainable farming practices.

Door prizes were awarded throughout the event.
Closing remarks were given by Bryant, who thanked everyone for coming and told them he looked forward to seeing them next year.

SPONSORS
Sponsors for this year’s event included Anderson Brothers Bank, Arbor One, Carolina Eastern, Fred’s Tire & Auto, the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, First Bank, Duke Energy, Dillon County council, Perdue, City of Dillon, McLeod, Garrett Byrd, McLeod HEalth, Dillon Kiwanis Club, Dillon Seed & Supply, Morrell Tire Service, MPD, Dillon Tractor & Implement, Inc., Coastal Agro, South of the Border, and The Dillon County News, LLC. (adv.)

PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC