Farm City Week Banquet Held
Hall of Fame honoree Edna Prather (right) receives her award
Local officials hear from a top Senate official at an annual banquet.
Gwinnett County State Senator and Senate President Pro Tempore David Shafer spoke at Thursday’s annual Farm City Week Banquet, hosted by the Stephens County Farm Bureau at the Toccoa Falls College Dining Hall.
Shafer said he was honored to be speaking before Stephens County’s farm community.
He said that without farms, there would be no cities.
“So many people in the parts of Georgia I represent have no understanding of it at all and do not appreciate that every creature comfort they enjoy would be impossible without the planning and hard work of the farmer,” said Shafer.
Shafer then went on to talk about what he considers to be the biggest issue facing the country, breaking the inter-generational cycle of dependence on government.
According to Shafer, since the “War on Poverty” started in 1965, the federal government has spent $2 trillion to eradicate poverty, but the poverty rate has not moved off of 15 percent, which is where he says it was 50 years ago.
He said he feels it is something that needs to be re-evaluated.
“What pains me is not the money we wasted, it is not that the fact we had to borrow a lot of that money and will have to raise taxes to pay it back, what truly pains me is what we have done to help people, I do not believe has helped people, it is actually hurting them,” said Shafer. “There are no substitutes for the values of work, thrift, savings, self-reliance, and of dependence on family and community.”
Stephens County Farm Bureau also handed out a number of awards at Thursday’s banquet.
This year’s Hall of Fame honoree is Edna Prather and the late Joe Prather.
Presenter and 50th District State Senator John Wilkinson said that the Prathers have been long-time members of and leaders in Stephens County Farm Bureau.
Edna Prather said she is thankful for the Farm Bureau and appreciates the award.
“Thanks to all of you,” said Prather. “This is really a surprise.”
Other award winners were as follows:
Farm Family of the Year — The Stovall Family; Len, Sonya, and Logan
Cattleman of the Year — Vernon Cash
Friend of Agriculture — Tom Law