The Newton County Farm Bureau’s Legislative Dinner was held Jan. 30 at the Newton College and Career Academy.

The legislative committee decided to use the facility to show elected officials what an asset the academy is to our community, as well as to agricultural education programs.

The five local FFA advisers volunteered to cook the steaks, and culinary students from the career academy volunteered to cook and prepare the squash, mashed potatoes, salad, and cheesecake.

The local adviser for Piedmont Academy and her students helped serve and direct guests.

The Women’s Committee promoted "My Plate" by designing baskets filled with fresh, locally grown collard greens and canned fruits and jams from Dalton’s Farm Fresh Produce in Mansfield. They also included local canned salsa and chow chow from Mitcham Farms and a grow- your-own strawberry kit. A basket was placed on each table, and at the conclusion of the meeting, there was a drawing for the baskets.

The dinner turned out to be a huge success. The highlight was when both of Newton County’s U.S. Congressmen spoke about the Farm Bill and other agriculture-related issues.

Among others who attended were: Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown; four members of the Newton County Board of Commissioners; Judge Henry Baker; Clerk of Court Linda Hays; two of our Board of Education board members; GFB Director of the Legislative Department Jon Huffmaster; and the Newton County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, office staff, insurance agents, and many of our Farmer members. Total attendance reached 94 this year.

All the plans for the evening went just as hoped.

The most important aspect of getting our elected officials together is to share current issues that are affecting Georgia agriculture.

Jon Huffmaster, Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Department director, was happy to attend and give a presentation covering the state Farm Bureau’s priority issues for 2014.

Those attending also enjoyed hearing from a past commissioner about the progress of obtaining a local Agriculture Center in our county.

Chairman of the County Commissioners, Keith Ellis, presented Newton County Farm Bureau President Keith Mitcham with a proclamation naming Jan. 30 Newton County Farm Bureau Day in Newton County.

This was a very unexpected but honoring event for Newton County’s hard work.

Newton County Farm Bureau’s Legislative Dinner is an effective part of our county’s efforts to promote and support Georgia agriculture.

The Legislative Committee plans to make it a key part of our legislative program for years to come.