GAINESVILLE – For the second year in a row, Florida Farm Bureau has received a coveted national award for its programs and operations. The organization received the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 2013 Pinnacle Award, the highest recognition conferred upon a state Farm Bureau.
Presented on Jan. 12 during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Tex., the award denoted Florida Farm Bureau as the best state Farm Bureau in the nation within its membership class.
Judges based the honor upon evaluations of six categories of activities. Those activities include Leadership Development, Member Service, Policy Development and Implementation, Membership Initiatives, Education and Outreach and Public Relations and Communication. Florida Farm Bureau previously received the AFBF’s Award of Excellence for all categories.
Florida also garnered the AFBF President’s Award in Public Relations and Communications, Education and Outreach, Membership Initiatives and Leadership Development. The President’s Award is bestowed upon specific state Farm Bureau activities that are the best of their kind within each membership class.
Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick accepted the Pinnacle Award from AFBF President Bob Stallman at a morning general session. Hoblick said he received the recognition on behalf of the all Floridians who are involved in Farm Bureau.
“I am so proud of the accomplishments of our volunteer leaders, state staff, our county employees, our agents and our state staff,” Hoblick stated later. “They have once again proven their outstanding capacity for dedicated work that secures positive results.”
“To earn the Pinnacle Award in two consecutive years is a tremendous accomplishment,” he added. “It confirms that I have the privilege of serving in one of the best Farm Bureaus in the nation.”