(Cleveland)- November 16th – 22 has been designated by the White County Board of Commissioners as Farm City Week in White County. As part of the week’s celebration, the White County Chamber of Commerce held their annual Farm City Breakfast Thursday morning and along with recognizing the importance of agriculture in White County, they presented awards in three different categories.
Matthew London and Gilbert Barrett
The Excellence in Agriculture award went to Matthew London. Matthew London is a native White County farmer. He and his father, Stanley London, formed the partnership London Farms, Inc., under which they farm 1,000 acres and raise 1,800 head of dairy heifers and 300 head of beef cattle and calves.
Growing up, Matthew was heavily involved in FFA and showed dairy heifers during his high school career. Even today, he is involved with the Dairy Show Team in White County, taking care of show heifers housed at London Farms.
His values and work ethic seamlessly blend into his agricultural knowledge, gained both through education and experience, to truly define Excellence in Agriculture.
Susan Baker and Garrison Baker
Susan Baker was presented with the Friend of Agriculture Award. Susan Baker’s roots run deep in White County…all through the hollows and hills of the Blue Creek community where she was raised and now lives with her husband and high-school sweetheart, Garrison.
Susan in the past has been instrumental and active in Kids Farm and Fun Day and Farm City Week activities.
Past President of the White County Chamber of Commerce Judy Walker said of Susan, “I do know that Susan has always been a huge supporter of the agricultural community and was also helpful in obtaining and providing information about the recipients and families that were honored at Farm City Breakfast.
She always made sure HEMC, her employer prior to her retirement, was a participant in the Kid’s Farm & Fun Day and helped with the Agri-fest as well. She is definitely most deserving of this award.”
Charles Dyer
White County Agriculture Hall of Fame award went to Charles William Dyer who grew up on a farm in Blairsville, later operating a farm in Clermont and lastly on Post Road in White County.
He and his wife Bonnie operated a variety of farm operations until his passing in November of 2008, but his children now carry his legacy through the chicken farms he built from the ground up, and by the many lessons that were passed down to them.
