Agriculture has a tremendous impact on our local economy and the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce is preparing to celebrate this industry on Nov. 4.

The Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to the opportunity to recognize local farmers for the food and fiber they produce.

The 15th annual Ag Luncheon will feature keynote speaker Georgia Farm Bureau President (and Bainbridge resident) Jerry Long. 

Long was named President of Georgia Farm Bureau in January 2016. He is a diversified farmer, raising cattle and growing peanuts, vegetables, corn, cotton, hay, small grains and timber with his family on their farm near Bainbridge. Long has been a member of Farm Bureau since 1970 and was first elected to the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors in 1999. In addition to his Farm Bureau leadership, Long is a member of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and serves on the board of the Decatur County Cattlemen’s Association. He represents GFB on the Georgia Beef Board and serves as treasurer of the board. Long and his wife, Janice, have three adult children and two grandchildren, and are members of the First Baptist Church of Bainbridge.

In addition to a great meal and program, another highlight of the luncheon is recognizing an outstanding Ag Man and Ag Woman for their contributions to Decatur County agriculture. There have been many distinguished and deserving recipients of these awards over the years. 

Past Ag Man recipients include: Hubert Dollar, Tommy Wheeler, Robert Humphrey, Marvin Rentz, Eddie McGriff, Alvin Newton, Dr. Oscar Jackson, Keith Griffin, Jud Greene, Glenn Heard, Willis Berry, Andy Bell, John Bridges, Sr., John Bridges, Jr., Charles Bailey, Greg Calhoun, Tommy Dollar, Kim Rentz, Clifford Dollar, Jr., Douglas Dean, Jerry Long, Russell Day, Alan Davis, Harold Barber, J.B. Kendrick and Dale Greg Murray, and Mayo Livingston Jr.

Past Ag Woman recipients include: Lillian Griffin, Jo Smith, Sybil Mills, Leslie Barber, Debby Braswell, Carolyn Bridges, Frances Edmunds, Janice Long, Ruth Day, Lindsay Hayes, Diane Stuart, Kathy Hornsby, Anita Kendrick, and Waldine Scott.

The Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Ag Man and Ag Woman recipients. To be considered as a candidate for the award, a nominee should be an outstanding leader in the field of agriculture in Decatur County with proven contributions to the agricultural industry and community. 

Nominations will be accepted from the general public.  Please contact the Chamber office at 246-4774 for a nomination form or downloaded a form from the Chamber’s website www.bainbridgegachamber.com. 

The nomination deadline is Oct. 7.