By Julie Tomascik
Editor

A new county awards program is launching this year to help promote membership and incentivize county Farm Bureaus for excelling in participation of purpose activities.

The Golden Buckle Awards Program will run concurrent with Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) membership year Nov. 1, 2022 through Oct. 31, 2023.

“The Golden Buckle Award is designed to document, incentivize and reward county Farm Bureaus for participating in purpose activities,” Charles Benton, TFB director of Field Operations, said. “This program is designed to be a program of work that, if the county follows the guidelines, they’re going to have a really good year because this program touches every aspect of Farm Bureau.”

Purpose activities include membership drives or events, legislative advocacy efforts and local agricultural promotion. It also includes attendance or participation in TFB events and conferences, as well as Young Farmer & Rancher programs and educational and urban outreach activities.

County Farm Bureaus will receive points for attendance or participation by county leaders.

“County Farm Bureaus earn points for basic purpose activities such as membership work, local ag promotion and attendance at state meetings and some district meetings. Additional credit can be earned by participation in organization programs and legislative activities,” Benton said.

County Farm Bureaus must complete and submit the awards program worksheet and essay questions by Nov. 7.

“The area where the county Farm Bureau gets to shine is the County Specific Activity with three essay questions. This section is where the county has the opportunity to tell their story and why they are deserving of the award,” Benton said.

The winning county Farm Bureau will receive $10,000 and an appropriate prize package. The first runner up will receive $5,000, and the second runner-up will receive $2,500.

In addition to the state Golden Buckle Award, each district will also have a winner and runner-up. The top two counties in each district will receive $1,000 to help with expenses of attending the TFB annual meeting.

For more information on the program, contact Benton at cbenton@txfb.org or call 254-751-2282.