Don Smith, President of the Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau Board,
welcomes guest to the Farm Bureau sponsored NETLA Buyers Luncheon
on Tuesday, hosted at First Baptist Church.
Farm Bureau Hosts Buyers' Luncheon
to "Kick-Off" Youth Market Show Week
by: Bobby McDonald
It was a wonderful meal of prime rib and all the trimmings, as well as delicious homemade desserts, that awaited invited guests at Tuesday's NETLA Buyers' Luncheon, sponsored by the Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau, hosted at First Baptist Church. The event marked the first of many activities that will take place this week in conjunction with the NETLA Youth Market Show. The climax of the week will be the Sale of Champions to be hosted in the Civic Center at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday.
Kevin Gibson, President of the NETLA Board, and Yvonne King, Mistress of Ceremony, for Tuesday's
luncheon, told about the many aspects of youth experiences and the benefits afforded with animal projects.
"This is your opportunity to secure the next generation of leaders!" expressed Don Smith, President of the Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau, in his opening remarks, as he welcomed guests. "We're excited and remain steadfast in supporting these outstanding you leaders as they continue to make their mark in the community and look toward the future!"
Rick and Carla Frazier of Farm County have always been longtime sponsors
of the NETLA Youth Market Show.
"You're soon to find out just how talented these young people are," denoted Mistress of Ceremony, Yvonne King. "You're going to hear from three of the youth who have been a part of the Youth Market Show for several years, and I'm certain you'll agree that they're already headed to bigger and better things!"
Sulphur Bluff's Cody Vance "wowed" the audience with his presentation on Tuesday.
King then introduced Cody Vance of Sulphur Bluff, Kaylee Giles of Cumby, and Colten Froneberger of Sulphur Springs, who addressed the crowd about their experiences with working with their many projects through the year and the benefits that they'd received from hard work, dedication, and selling their animals in the Sale of Champions.
Youth from each of the FFA and 4-H Clubs served as the waitstaff at Tuesday's luncheon.
"I'll see that little Vance boy when he's running for President," expressed Betty Allain. "His speech was outstanding and he told us he was going to be a veterinarian, but I'm certain with speaking abilities like that he's going to be a politician. And, this is coming from a veteran teacher!"
Cumby's Kaylee Giles and Sulphur Springs' Colten Froneberger, told the group of buyers, all about their experiences and the lessons they had
gained from their NETLA animal projects, over a number of years.
Giles told the group about her steer projects for the past seven years and the many, many benefits she had learned, as well as that one of her steers this year was an orphan, and how she had raised the calf from the time he was two months old, when his mother died. Froneberger covered the leadership aspects of the training youth received, as they learned from their animal projects and the lessons learned that aided them in reaching goals, scheduling time, and working toward furthering their educations in college!
Previous buyers enjoyed a prime rib dinner, with all the trimmings, and homemade desserts.
"This is your opportunity to be a part of something big!" expressed King. "Join forces and encourage your friends to be a part of the future of Hopkins County, as we go out and make certain that college funds are built, projects are sold, and students are rewarded for their hours of work and dedication!"
This group from City National Bank and the one below from Alliance Bank were "serious" about
getting the great meal!
"I like the motto of the NETLA organization," continued King. "A man never grows so tall as when he stoops to help a child!"
Mike Miesse and Robert Vanwinkle discuss how the Farm Bureau sponsored luncheon got
started some ten years ago, to add to Market Show Week.
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