Marion County couple earns Florida Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Agriculture Award

Marion County couple earns Florida Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Agriculture Award

Scott and Sarah Joe Thomas, a Marion County couple, have been chosen as the top winners of Florida Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Agriculture competition. The honor is bestowed upon farmers and ranchers who are under the age of 35 and do not derive the majority of their income from an owned farm operation.

The Thomases received the honor during an afternoon session at Florida Farm Bureau’s 2008 Annual Meeting at the Peabody Orlando on Oct. 9. They collected $1,200 for their efforts. Contestants are judged on the basis of their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability, and their participation in Farm Bureau and in the life of their home community.

Scott is a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch while Sarah Joe does the bookkeeping for their farm and cares for their son. Together they farm watermelons and operate a cattle ranch. Sarah Joe is on the board of directors for the Marion County Farm Bureau, volunteers with Florida Agriculture in the Classroom and is a founding member of Florida Agri-Women. She served as deputy press secretary for former U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman. Scott is a member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association. He also serves as a member of Emerging Leaders of Ocala and as a mentor for Dunnellon High School.