Hello everyone!
The rush and excitement of the holiday season is behind us, but we are certainly not slowing down. Even though we all have full calendars, cattlemen and cattlewomen always show up when they are called. I was moved by the number of members who didn’t hesitate to help with our hurricane relief efforts but was recently in awe at the number of members in attendance at the funeral service for the father of DeAnne Maples, Florida Beef Council Executive Director. It’s an honor to be the President of an association with such great members.
The county leaders of District 3 met for a membership recruitement and retention workshop. Thank you, District 3 Representative Barney Cherry and Warner University, for hosting us and feeding the attendees. Membership Committee Chair Tom Bryant and At Large Representative Dan Smith have done a great job working with district and county leaders to get these district membership workshops scheduled, thank you gentlemen. Our state membership numbers are still on the rise and these workshops are helping to push us in the right direction.
FCLA Class XI is stacked with some great individuals who I had the pleasure of hosting at Horse Creek Ranch for session 2 of their 4-session leadership class. I hope President Elect Rick and the rest of the class enjoy it as much as I did, FCA Director of Field Services, Dusty Holley, has put together a great program.
Last month I spoke at a meeting of the Republican Women’s Club of Lakeland. I provided them with an overview of Florida’s cattle industry and the FCA as well as an update on our legislative wins and current issues we’re fighting in Tallahassee.
I had the opportunity to welcome attendees to the 42nd Annual Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show in Okeechobee and give an update on the current works of the FCA. The UF/IFAS Extension agents always put together a great event.
I attended the 40th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference in Miami along with Past President Pat Durden and FCA Water and Environmental Manager, Benita Whalen. Thank you, Pat, for continuing to spread the #CowsKeepForidaGreen and #LoyalToTheLand messages around the state. For those of you that do not know Benita, believe me when I say she is an asset to the FCA and all Florida cattle producers.
The Fun N’ Gun Banquet is finally here! I look forward to a great night supporting the Florida COW PAC and Florida Cattlemen’s Association.
Sincerely Honored,
Dale Carlton