Southern Agriculture Industry Advancement Scholarships
AMVAC, an American Vanguard Company, is excited to announce the selection of seven recipients of its 2024 Southern Agriculture Industry Advancement Scholarship, formerly known as the Cotton Industry Advancement Scholarship.
The winners and the schools they attend are:
■ Maranda Hains, Louisiana State University.
■ William Tucker LaMastus, Mississippi State University.
■ Emma McAnally, Texas Tech University.
■ Zoë Annabelle Meeks, Texas A&M University.
■ Bennett Carl Harrelson, Clemson University.
■ Megan Mills, Texas Tech University.
■ Anna Claire Graves, Mississippi State University.
AMVAC is awarding each recipient a $2,000 scholarship to help them pursue their intended careers in agriculture. Career plans for this year’s recipients range from weed science and agronomic research to agricultural autonomy and legislative policy.
“AMVAC is proud to support the education of these highly qualified individuals who are committed to serving in and advancing key areas of agriculture,” says Wen Carter, Marketing Manager at AMVAC.
Scholarship winners were selected after being nominated by consultants or professors. The student must have also studied or worked in the ag industry between 2021 and 2023 and must be a senior in high school or currently enrolled in an agriculture program at an accredited college or university.
Meeks, a Texas A&M junior majoring in agricultural economics, attended a Texas 4-H Congress while in high school and says the experience ignited her interest in agricultural policy. Last summer she interned in Washington, D.C. with the National Cotton Council.
“That was a really cool moment for me, going from experiencing agriculture on our cotton farm to working in Washington, D.C., and seeing how critical it is that we get legislation passed that supports the agriculture industry,” she said.
Hains, who is pursuing her master’s degree at Louisiana State University in weed science and researching new herbicides, notes that the scholarship and support of AMVAC is particularly important as she and others strive to build careers supporting the industry and helping farmers.
UT Extension Farm Equipment Expo Scheduled
Extension agents in the lower Middle Tennessee area and specialists from the University of Tennessee Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science are offering a Farm Equipment Expo on Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the Coffee County Fairgrounds, 99 Lakeview Drive, in Manchester, Tennessee. There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided.
The event will include presentations to assist producers with making informed financial decisions and proper safety and maintenance of farm equipment, as well as demonstrations with various types of equipment. Local farm equipment dealers and vendors will be at the event and skin screening tests will be available free of charge for participants. Pesticide points will be available.
“One of the most important decisions producers make is purchasing equipment for the farm,” says Rachel Painter, UT Extension farm management specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.”
“Maintenance and safety of equipment is extremely important, and we want to provide an opportunity for producers to see proper cleaning, winterization and calibration in-person with equipment demonstrations on-site,” says Amy Prince, UT Extension agent in Coffee County.
Register to attend online at tiny.utk.edu/farmexpo or contact your local agricultural Extension agent for more information and registration.
Voluntary 4-Bale Module Averaging Pilot Program
The National Cotton Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are pleased to jointly announce the launch of the 4-Bale Module Averaging Pilot Program.
This voluntary program aims to enhance cotton bale fungibility through modern techniques, increasing efficiencies in warehouse bale selection and improving overall quality.
The initiative stems from the collaborative efforts of the NCC’s Cotton Flow Committee and the Quality Task Force, which identified cotton bale fungibility as a key area of mutual interest.
Gary Adams, NCC President and CEO, stated, “I am pleased we are able to jointly announce this pilot program. We believe this represents an important step forward in enhancing cotton bale fungibility and improving U.S. cotton’s competitive position.”
The pilot program includes specific criteria for averaging bales and reporting data back to customers. Participation is flexible, allowing customers to submit modules in multiples of four up to a total of 48 bales.
To learn more about the program and how to participate, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/4-bale-module-averaging-pilot.
Save The Date For The 2025 Beltwide In New Orleans
The National Cotton Council and its cooperating partners welcome all to the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Jan. 14-16 (Tuesday-Thursday) at the New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, Louisiana.
A dynamic program, along with the opportunity to network with peers from across the Cotton Belt, separate this conference from all others in agriculture. The conference will be educational, as well as enjoyable.
Come, learn and experience all the sites and attractions that New Orleans has to offer. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!
Georgia Cotton Commission Announces Board Members
Georgia Cotton Commission Chairman Bart Davis, a cotton, peanut, corn and cattle farmer from Doerun, Georgia, has been reappointed to another term on the board. Chad Mathis, a cotton, peanut and corn farm of Arlington, Georgia, was reappointed to the board as well.
Bart Davis operates Davis Farms with his wife, daughter and two sons. He holds a State FFA Degree as well as being named Georgia Star Farmer. He was honored in 2023 as the Georgia Farmer of the Year and the Cotton Achievement Award winner. Davis also serves as chairman of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of Georgia, an alternate delegate to the NCC and a Director for Southern Cotton Growers.
Chad Mathis is a partner in Mathis Farms General Partners along with his father and brother. He graduated from Valdosta State University with a BBA in Marketing, returned to the farm in 1998 and has three sons. Mathis has served on the Cotton Commission’s board since 2018. In addition to service with the Commission, Mathis serves the industry as a delegate to the NCC, as an officer of the Southern Cotton Growers and a director of Cotton Incorporated. He is also a graduate of Leadership Baker.