Newton County Farm Bureau (NCFB) was recognized for its outstanding member programs during the Georgia Farm Bureau 3rd District annual meeting, held Sept. 6 in Douglasville.

The NCFB Women’s Leadership Committee, chaired by Mary Nichols, received the GFB 3rd District Outstanding Women’s Leadership Committee Award.

The committee hosted an educator workshop and farm experience last fall for elementary school teachers in Newton County. The event reached approximately 20 teachers, who heard from the GFB Field Services Department, the Newton County Cooperative Extension Office and the NCFB board of directors. The teachers were provided with educational materials for use in their classrooms.

NCFB received the 2016 GFB Membership Award, presented to county Farm Bureaus that increased their membership throughout the past year.

NCFB members Joshua and Ashley Spears received the 3rd District Young Farmer Achievement Award. The Spearses grow hay and raise cattle on approximately 200 acres. They live on the family farm in Mansfield.

Founded in 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general farm organization and has 158 county offices. Its volunteer members actively participate in local, state and national activities that promote agriculture awareness to their non-farming neighbors. GFB offers its members a wide variety of benefits, including insurance, but enrollment in member benefits is optional and not a requirement for membership.