Bulloch County farmers had a great deal of praise for Bulloch County agent Bill Tyson, named the 2018 Ag Partner of the Year Friday at the annual Farm City Week Luncheon.
In a crowded room at the Bulloch County Center for Agriculture, members of the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce agribusiness committee showed a short video featuring various area farmers speaking about why Tyson was the top choice for the honor.
Comments heard during the video included “Without this guy, Bulloch County would be lost;” “He is a real asset and always has our back;” and “We can always trust in him to tell us the right thing.”
As Bulloch County agent and extension coordinator with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, Tyson doesn’t just sit in an office. He is constantly out in the fields with farmers, inspecting their crops, giving them advice on planting, tilling, and harvesting as well as helping diagnose and solve problems involving issues regarding fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and disease control.
Tyson, who attended the luncheon with his family, became emotional as he accepted the honor, along with a trophy and jacket presented by Andrea Whitfield, agribusiness committee member.
“I don’t know how you did this without me knowing about it,” he said. “I am the luckiest person to be able to work with these people in agriculture. In good times and bad times they are always looking for the bright spot.”
His voice broke as he continued. “When you’re working with the best folks in agriculture … thank you. Thank you.”
The luncheon featured speaker Edward Fulford, communications manager with the Georgia Ports Authority. He spoke of the growth seen by the port, and said Georgia has ranked first for 19 years as the fastest growing state regarding business.
He spoke of pending changes and growth, and said the Savannah port project is slated for completion in 2021.
Whitfield was also honored Friday, presented with the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee’s Distinguished Service Award.
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at 912-489-9414.