Highlights of the 49th Annual Spotlight on Agriculture Event

March 15, 2023

Last week the 49^thAnnual Spotlight on Agriculture was held at First Presbyterian Church in Clinton. This is always a “who’s who” of Ag event for Laurens County. The crowd was estimated to be near 500 hundred.

The doors opened at 5:00 pm for time visiting vendor booths, and then the dinner and program began at 6:00 pm. As in years past, dinner was provided by Shealy’s Barbeque.

This year’s keynote speaker was Tim Keown, president of the South Carolina Governor’s School of Agriculture. Keown received a B.S. and master’s degree in Agricultural Education from Clemson University in 2004 and 2009, respectively. After a successful teaching career, he then served as the Associate State Director of Agricultural Education at Clemson University for five years. In addition to this, he served as the advisor to two State FFA Officers and two National Young Farmer Presidents. Click HERE for more information about the school and all that it has to offer.

After a great meal and an informative presentation by Mr. Keown, it was time for the award presentations. Everyone attending this event and working in the agriculture industry is a winner but those highlighted at the event are more than worthy of the recognition.

Winners of this year’s awards include:

Outstanding Laurens County 4-H Senior Candidate:

Kamryn Burch, Allison Jewell, and Andrew Jewell

Outstanding Laurens County 4-H Junior Candidate:

Brooklyn New and Ellie Shaw

Laurens District 55 High School Horticulture Student of the Year

Seth Ballentine

Laurens District 55 High School Outstanding FFA Member of the Year

Andrew Jewell

Clinton High School Outstanding FFA Member of the Year

Gray Gardner

Laurens County Clemson Extension Advisory Council Scholarship Winner