Washington County wins ninth in a row

HOT SPRINGS — The Women’s Committee from Washington County has won its ninth consecutive Outstanding County Women’s Program award. The group was recognized Dec. 1, during Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 82nd Annual Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Committee Chairwoman Mary Smith accepted the award for Washington County.

Each year, Arkansas Farm Bureau honors the county Women’s Committee that exhibits exemplary support of its county organization, activities and goals. Farm Bureau women help accomplish the organization’s mission by working with local schools and educating children about agriculture and where they get their food, fiber and fuel. From a variety of Ag in the Classroom activities to informing people how safe and affordable our food is, the women of Farm Bureau enthusiastically represent the organization by telling the farming and ranching story.

Farm Bureau also recognized its Sew With Cotton Contest winners at the Women’s Luncheon and Sew With Cotton Fashion Show. Mary Altenbaumer of Ashdown won the Adult Sweepstakes with her entry in the Adult Dressy Ensemble category. And Mikayla West of Searcy won the Youth Sweepstakes with her entry in the Youth Dressy Ensemble category. The 17-year-old is the daughter of Michael and Joy West and attends Searcy High School.

Both took home Husqvarna serger sewing machines, and each won $400.

Competition sponsors included Arkansas Farm Bureau and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with Family & Consumer Science Teachers.

Judy Riley of White County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee received the Arkansas Farm Bureau Women’s Diamond Award. The award was created to honor a county Farm Bureau leader whose volunteer efforts were above and beyond the norm. She and her husband, Tom, run a cattle operation near El Paso.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of almost 191,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.

Rob Anderson
(501) 228-1640
rob.anderson@arfb.com

 or

Gregg Patterson
(501) 228-1282
gregg.patterson@arfb.com

Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee chairwoman Peggy Miller (left) and committee vice chair Donna Bemis (right) present Washington County Women’s Committee chairwoman Mary Smith with the Outstanding Women’s Committee Award at the state Farm Bureau convention Dec. 1.

Farm Bureau’s Sew With Cotton winners Mary Altenbaumer (left) and Mikayla West show off their winning outfits. Altenbaumer won the Adult Sweepstakes and West, 17, won the Youth Sweepstakes.