Jay Clarke was presented the 2021 Bulloch County Farmer of the Year award by Allen Davis, Second Vice Chair of the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, November 17, 2021. The Farmer of the Year award is presented annually by the Chamber's Agribusiness committee. The chamber hosted a farm city week luncheon at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex.
Grice Connect live streamed the event. You can watch the full event below:
Jay was introduced by his brother Will Clarke, who is also the manager of Tillman and Deal farm supply. The award was very special and emotional for the Clarke brothers, because their father passed away last week.
Winston Daniels, a student at Ogeechee Technical College, was presented an OTC scholarship by Michelle Davis, OTC, V.P.
Jon Jackson, owner of Comfort Farms and CEO of Stag Vets in Milledgeville, Georgia was the keynote speaker.
Comfort Farms makes a difference for Vets
Stag Vets created the nation's first Acute Veterans Crisis Agriculture center named (Comfort Farms) named in Honor of Army Ranger Captain Kyle A. Comfort, (KIA, May 8, 2010).
At Comfort Farms they prepare veterans and students for careers in sustainable food production that integrates economic profitability, environmental stewardship, and healing through the use of Agro-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and time-tested natural approaches.
The facility will also serve veterans in acute situations where time and help are of the essence. Featuring a short-term stay lodge that can provide rooms for up to two veterans or one family, Comfort Farms is building the resources to offer shelter and therapy that allows veterans to regain strength and re-boot for everyday life and a fulfilling future.
Since its inception, Comfort Farms has provided crisis services for over 80 veterans within the past three years of operations. With the support of the USDA, Comfort Farms has also educated and assisted well over 500 veterans with agricultural grants. Comfort Farms is proud to have welcomed over 10,000 visitors to the farm in the last three years as well.
Agribusiness Committee
Zach Murphy with AgSouth Farm Credit chairs the Agribusiness Committee. Sarah McCorkle with Bulloch First Banks serves as the Co-Chair.
A delicious barbeque lunch was provided by chamber member Baby CJ's Rib Shack located in downtown Portal, Georgia.
