Special to the Herald

Local agricultural producers and supporters gathered Dec. 12 at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center in Rincon for the Annual Effingham County Young Farmers Association Christmas Awards Banquet. The event celebrates the agricultural community in Effingham County and recognizes some of the best and brightest in the industry.

The event was attended by special guests including a long-time agriculture supporter District 161 Representative Bill Hitchens.

Among the many awards presented was the Gene Hart Leadership Awards named after a leader in the local agricultural industry. These awards recognize the leadership abilities of young people in agriculture student organizations and were presented to National FFA Organization Presidents at each of the middle and high schools in Effingham County as well as a Senior Leader in the Effingham County 4-H. The award winners are, from left: Landon Kessel - President of Ebenezer Middle School FFA; Chloe Peavy - President of Effingham County Middle School FFA; Bhuvan Mahesh - President of South Effingham Middle School FFA; Gabrielle Bennett - President of Effingham College and Career Academy FFA; Andrew Greene - President of Effingham County High School FFA; Marcello Piraino - President of South Effingham High School FFA; and Abbie Sulkowski - Senior Leader of Effingham County 4-H

These awards were presented in cooperation with Effingham County Schools.

Awards were also given to students who exhibited livestock through FFA and 4-H! The Livestock Excellence Awards were given to young agriculturalists who were the Senior Showmanship winners at the Effingham Fair and the Grand Champion Livestock Animals at the Effingham County Livestock Extravaganza hosted at Honey Ridge Agricenter. Each award winner received a commemorative belt buckle sponsored by the Effingham County Young Farmers.

The Livestock Excellence Award winners were as follows: Effingham County Fair Champion Senior Showman: Senior Goat Showmanship - Emma Connelly; Senior Swine Showmanship - Allison Smith; Senior Sheep Showmanship - Will Brackin; and Senior Cattle Showmanship - Kaylee White

Effingham County Livestock Extravaganza Grand Champions: Grand Champion Market Doe - Emma Connelly; Grand Champion Market Wether - Hallie Grace Rahn; Grand Champion Market Ewe - Will Brackin; Grand Champion Market Wether Lamb - Abbie Gay; Grand Champion Breeding Swine - Katelyn Arnsdorff; Grand Champion Market Swine - Olivia Arnsdorff; Grand Champion Breeding Heifer - Kaylee White; and Grand Champion Market Cattle - Alexis Thompson.

The awards were presented by Todd Wall, the Director of Honey Ridge Agricenter.

The next award was the Friend of the Farmer Award co-sponsored by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service of Effingham County, and given to an individual or group that works to advance agriculture in the community who may not be a farmer or involved in an agribusiness.

Blake Carter, County Extension Agent, helped to present the Effingham Fair Association as the 2024 award recipient.

Each year the Effingham Fair is a vital platform for showcasing the importance of agriculture. Through educational exhibits, hands-on displays, and opportunities for local farmers and gardeners to highlight their products, the fair serves as a bridge between agriculture and the broader community. The fair association also strongly supports the youth who are engaged in agriculture. From the 4-H fair booths to livestock showing, the fair association invests heavily in helping local youth organizations.

The remaining awards showcase local agriculture industry professionals and producers who are the best of the best in Effingham County

The Outstanding Beginning Producer Award is given to local producers who strive for excellence in agricultural production while in their early years in the industry or excel in creating new opportunities within a young and already established operation.

The 2024 award recipient was Jake Patrick, who owns and operates Leaning Oaks Farms with his wife Shannon and their four children. Leaning Oaks Farms is a growing operation outside of Guyton producing high-quality show-ready goats, cattle and swine for their new mobile meat business “Leaning Oaks Farm Meats,” and custom-cut Bahia grass hay to meet their animal's needs as well as assist other cattle producers in the area.

The award was presented by the Effingham County Young Farmers chapter advisor Benjamin Richardson.

The Agribusiness of the Year is given annually to an outstanding local agribusiness or other business that provides a substantial impact to the Effingham County agricultural community.

The 2024 recipient of this award was Hadlie Sales, Service, and Rentals in Springfield. This local business opened its doors in December, 2023 taking over the space previously owned by the iconic Gnann’s Fix-It Shop.

This new business was seamlessly integrated into the owner, Alston Rahn’s, metal fabrication business, Hadlie Custom Works, a local name known for its dedication to quality craftsmanship. Named after the owner's two children. With a dream to own his own business, Rahn’s journey began with a focus on trailer repair and metal fabrication, but it has since expanded to encompass a range of services and products.

His new business venture offers a wide variety of outdoor power equipment, including lawnmowers, chainsaws, and other essential tools, alongside expert repair and servicing of these items. They also provide trailer repairs, equipment rentals, and even mobile and onsite welding services, further cementing their role as a reliable, one-stop shop for the community's needs.

The award was presented by the Effingham County Young Farmers Chapter President Brad Hayes.

The final award for the evening was the Farmer of the Year given to a local producer who exemplifies excellence and efficiency in their agricultural operation and/or has rendered outstanding contributions to the local agricultural industry.

The 2024 award recipient was Eddie Connelly who manages the 324-acre Honey Ridge Agricenter. Connelly keeps up with the beef cattle, goats, sheep, and other animals on the farm all while maintaining the facilities and helping to host educational events for the students of Effingham County Schools.

Connelly recently retired after 30 years of service to Georgia Pacific and also runs his own goat production operation, B&E Farms with his wife Charlotte and daughters Bailey and Emma.

Connelly’s greatest passion other than his family is helping students in Effingham County learn about agriculture and experience agriculture first hand through the experience of livestock exhibition.

The Effingham County Young Farmers look forward to 2025 and would like to thank the community for its support. For more information or to get involved in the Effingham County Young Farmers Association, contact Richardson, at 912-429-6974.