Ag luncheon thanks farmers

Down in Bainbridge, several hundred people filled the Cloud Livestock Building at the County Fairgrounds on Friday for the annual Agriculture Appreciation Luncheon. The luncheon, sponsored by the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce and many of its member businesses, recognized all of Decatur County’s farmers and what they contribute, not only to the local community, but to others around the world, said Bo Jones of Decatur County Farm Bureau. Not only have farmers produced a $194 million 2008 Farmgate—strengthening the local economy—they also support a way of life Decatur County citizens love, Jones said. Jeffrey H. Dorfman, a professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Georgia, was the luncheon’s guest speaker and talked about the state of the U.S. economy and the impact of the recession on agriculture. Farmer Jerry Long and his wife, Janice, were honored as the Chamber’s 2009 Ag Man and Ag Woman of the Year. The Longs have 400 head of cattle, run a 100-acre “U-Pick” produce farm and grow numerous crops, Decatur County Extension Agent Mitchell May said. Mr. Long is also involved with many farmer and rancher groups, while Mrs. Long is also a second-grade school teacher in Miller County. The Longs’ son, Justin, also helps run the farm.