12-8-05
Contact: Reginald S. Hall, (803) 936-4409

Representative Witherspoon Receives Farm Bureau Legislative Award

Myrtle Beach, SC - State House of Representatives Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Committee Chairman Billy Witherspoon, of Conway, received South Carolina Farm Bureau’s (SCFB) Legislator of the Year Award during the non-profit agricultural advocate organization’s 62nd annual meeting recently in Myrtle Beach.

Witherspoon, whose district is in Horry County, was recognized for his service to South Carolina and for his statewide leadership in agriculture, especially for his work that led to overwhelming support in the House on the State’s Essential Water Use bill. That bill protects farmers’ rights to use water in times of severe or extreme drought. Witherspoon is also credited with successful passage of a bill that will help keep many dairy farmers from closing their operations. The Chairman was also recognized for continuous efforts to fight for the rights of South Carolina’s family farmers.

This is the first year SCFB has presented Legislator of the Year Awards. SC Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Larry Grooms, of Bonneau, SC, also received the award.

SCFB President David Winkles presented each lawmaker with a unique 12-inch metal sculptured palmetto tree created by Belton, SC artist Ron King. The trees were each forged from discarded farm implements, which King hand cut and formed into the works of art. The sculptures were commissioned by SCFB as a symbol of the State’s official tree, which has become a sign of prestige, strength, resilience, commitment, and dedication.

Winkles said, “Representative Witherspoon is a great friend of farmers. He understands our business and he is a brilliant communicator of the farm story as he has helped influence many positive decisions for agriculture through the years. As one of the few remaining grassroots organizations, Farm Bureau needs lawmakers who will stand up for the rights of family farmers to help produce the world’s food and fiber.”

SCFB is a membership organization that works to promote agriculture and rural lifestyles in South Carolina.

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Cut-line for attached photo – SC Farm Bureau President David Winkles presents the Farm Bureau 2005 Legislator of the Year award to Rep. Billy Witherspoon during Farm Bureau’s 62nd annual meeting in Myrtle Beach. The award is a commissioned palmetto tree sculpture crafted by Belton, SC artist Ron King. It was forged from old farm implements.