Cliff Collins Honored with Young Farmers & Ranchers Award in Madison
Agricultural advocacy in Georgia took center stage recently as Columbia County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Chairman Cliff Collins received a regional honor. According to Augusta Good News, Collins was presented with the Georgia Farm Bureau 4th District Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award during the organization’s annual district meeting in Madison.
This prize honors agricultural producers aged 18 to 35 who derive the majority of their revenue outside of traditional production agriculture. For Collins, an Appling resident with deep-rooted ties to the farming community, the recognition marks another milestone in a lifelong commitment to the industry.
Collins Serves Burke County Farmers as an Extension Agent
Growing up working on his family farm and participating in his local FFA chapter laid the foundation for Collins’ career path. Those formative experiences eventually steered him toward agricultural education. Today, he serves as an Extension agent in Burke County, delivering hands-on resources, education, and assistance to farmers and others involved in agriculture across the county.
His outreach extends well beyond farm visits and office consultations. Collins also hosts an ag talk radio program, broadcasting agricultural information directly to the community. When he isn’t managing extension duties or broadcasting, he remains actively involved on his family’s farm while managing his own agricultural business—a honey operation boasting 50 hives.
Columbia County Farm Bureau Recognized at District Meeting
The 4th District gathering also spotlighted broader organizational achievements within the region. The Columbia County Farm Bureau, operating under the leadership of President Jim Steed, earned recognition during the event. The county chapter was commended for increasing its membership alongside making donations to the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and the GFB ImPACt Fund.
Established originally in 1937, the statewide Georgia Farm Bureau Federation now encompasses 158 county chapters. Functioning as a non-governmental, member-supported body, the group serves as a champion for rural residents and agricultural producers in Georgia by lobbying on policy matters and advocating for local commodities. While membership remains open to the public and includes optional perks such as insurance and discounts for health services, travel and family entertainment, the federation’s core mission centers on legislative advocacy and promoting agriculture awareness.
