Karen Baxley, James L. Fanning III and Barry Hawkins.
FANNING NAMED OUTSTANDING FARMER IN STATE
COLUMBIA, SC….Orangeburg County farmer James L. (Jay) Fanning III of Neeses, SC, was recently named the Outstanding Farmer in South Carolina by the SC Young Farmer-Agribusiness Association, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the organization.
Mr. Fanning, a third generation farmer who began working on the farm at an early age, became a full partner in the operation in 1995. Currently, his farming interests consist of 140 acres of peanuts, 120 acres of corn, 100 acres of cotton and 100 acres of soybeans.
Modern farm equipment in use includes a new Unverferth Strip-Till subsoiler, a set of John Deere conservation-tillage planters and a T&L Center Pivot system. The irrigation system makes a positive impact on corn yields and the strip-till practice results in substantial increases in cotton and peanut yields.
Mr. Fanning is in the process of acquiring additional land and equipment, including more center pivot irrigation systems.
An FFA alumnus and active member of the Edisto Young Farmer-Agribusiness Chapter, Mr. Fanning serves as president of the agricultural education organization. He is also active in the Lebanon United Methodist Church where he serves as a trustee, Sunday School teacher and chairman of the administrative council.
Mr. Fanning was presented a cash award and engraved plaque by Karen Baxley, Regional Vice President of AgSouth Farm Credit who sponsors the award in concert with the SC Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association.
Barry Hawkins, Agricultural Education instructor at Edisto High School, serves as the professional advisor to the Edisto Young Farmer and Agribusiness Chapter.