Honorees Recognized for their Support of the South Carolina Agriculture Industry
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner
Media Contacts: Stephanie Sox, 803-734-2196, ssox@scda.sc.gov
Ronnie Summers, 803-268-2481, rsummers@agsouthfc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 11, 2016
Honorees Recognized for their Support of the South Carolina Agriculture Industry
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Advocates for Agriculture held its ninth annual Advocates of the Year Recognition Reception on August 4 to honor two individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to supporting and promoting the state’s agriculture industry. Representative Brian White and Larry Rogers each received the 2016 Advocate of the Year award.
Representative Brian White, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, represents District 6 in the South Carolina House of Representatives and has served the people of Anderson County since 2001. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as an experienced and dedicated bridge builder who shapes public policy based on his commitments to strong families, sound economic growth and high-quality public education. Representative White has proven himself as a champion for South Carolina farmers, most notably as the author of House Bill 4717 South Carolina Farm Aid, establishing this one time lifeline to aid farmers devastated by last October’s flooding.
Larry Rogers, State Outreach Coordinator for the Farm Service Agency, began his career with the United States Department of Agriculture in 1962. His 54-year-long career has run the gamut, from the county office to the state office and providing training at the national level. While Rogers says he has enjoyed each of his different assignments, he most enjoys working directly with farmers. Rogers has attended the SC FFA State Convention for 36 consecutive years where he presents the Governor’s Citation of Accomplishment to the top three Gold Emblem FFA chapters in South Carolina.
Advocates for Agriculture president, Ronnie Summers, said during the annual recognition reception, “The past year was devastating for South Carolina agribusiness, but due to the efforts of agribusiness organizations like the Advocates and leadership from individuals like our Advocates of the Year, the state’s largest industry, agribusiness, will without doubt remain viable as we move forward from this catastrophe.”
South Carolina Advocates for Agriculture was created in 2005 to assist in marketing and promotion of the State’s agriculture products and the overall agriculture industry. For more information regarding SC Advocates for Agriculture, visit scadvocates4ag.org.
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