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By Clint Thompson for CAES News To avoid losing their farms following Hurricane Michael, Georgia farmers need financial relief as soon as possible, according to Jeff Dorfman, a professor and agricultural economist in the University of Georgia Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. South Georgia growers are still picking up the pieces after the hurricane hit Oct. 10-11, destroying homes and agricultural commodities. The storm’s timing could not have been worse for the producers who were impacted, as cotton, pecans, peanuts and vegetables were ready to be harvested. “The timing of this was not good,” Dorfman said. “Farmers have already…

Coffee Middle School continues to make headlines – for all the right reasons. CMS Principal Sherri Berry represented CMS at the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principal’s Conference in Savannah on Sunday and Monday. She had a 20-minute presentation on Sunday and a 12-minute presentation on Monday where she was able to showcase the progress that CMS has made over the last few years. At the award luncheon on Monday, Mrs. Berry received a ring for being the Middle School Principal of the Year and a plaque for CMS being a Breakout Middle School. The Principal of the…

Here are some things Georgia farmers are thankful for: rich soil, access to water, and a climate favorable for a long growing season. Here’s another one, equally important: The folks in town. Bankers, lawyers, trucking companies, food processors, the list goes on and on, ending with consumers. Agriculture is Georgia’s largest economic sector, and that status depends on the cooperation between farmers in the state’s rural areas and their partners in town. As we prepare to sit down with family and friends for Thanksgiving, Coffee County Farm Bureau invites you to celebrate Farm-City Week Nov. 14-21. Farm-City…

Little Miss Kallie Rose Lott, infant daughter of Kyle Timothy and Kasey Rebecca Lott, passed away late Friday evening, November 9, 2018 at Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla. She was preceded in death by her maternal great grandfather, Larry McDuffie and paternal great grandfather, Orville Miller. Survivors include: Parents Kyle Timothy and Kasey Rebecca Purcell Lott of Douglas; sister Kylynn Lott of Douglas; maternal grandmother Renee Leedom of Douglas; maternal grandfather Charlie Purcell of Douglas; paternal grandparents Tim and Paula Lott of Broxton; maternal great grandmother Sue McDuffie of Douglas; paternal great grandmother Pauline Miller of Douglas; paternal great grandmother…

Theresa Lynn Cleland, age 50, of Douglas, passed away on Tuesday November 13, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Theresa was born on September 30, 1968 in Ajo, Arizona, the daughter of Agnes Pearl Miller Roland of Beatrice, Neb., and the late Marvin Eugene Roland. Mrs. Cleland was a supervisor with Spectrum Distribution Center in Douglas. In addition to her mother survivors include her husband, John Reese Cleland Jr., of Douglas; three daughters, Amy Nicole Wiedel Stewart of O’Neill, Neb., Alexandria Cleland of Douglas and Victoria Cleland of Douglas; two sons, John Marshall Cleland (wife Jessica Diane) of…

Dianna Marie Youngblood, age 39, of Nicholls passed away on Saturday November 10, 2018 at Memorial Health, Savannah. Dianna was born on October 14, 1979 in Douglas the daughter of Samuel Paul Youngblood and Elizabeth Ann Dale. She worked as a welder with Live Oak Homes and was a member of West Green Church of God. Dianna was preceded in death by her step-father, C.W. Deen and Granny, Ollie Mae Dale. Survivors include four sons, Tyler Youngblood (wife Chelsie) of Nicholls, Devin Reliford of Seattle, Clearance Reliford of West Green, and Cameron Reliford of West Green; two…

Coffee Middle School gives a special thanks to Douglas National Bank and Liz Grantham for donating the bottled water that went with our sugar cookies to recognize our 8th grade 1st quarter Honor Roll students. We had 156 8th grade students who made the 89.5 average Honor Roll this quarter. We like to give them a little treat every quarter to recognize their hard work and success in the classroom, and community partners like DNB help us to make it possible!

The City of Douglas Assistant Finance Director Heather Butler-Brockington has received the Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). Mrs. Brockington was presented her certificate on November 2 in Duluth. GMA’s Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate program is designed to strengthen the understanding of city managers, city clerks, finance officers, customer service staff, elected officials and other city employees on different municipal revenue sources and applicable laws of the administration and collection process. In order to receive the certificate, recipients must complete all six program courses: Ad Valorem Tax 101, Delinquent Tax Collection, Governmental Fund Revenue Sources…

What would happen if there were no farmers or ranchers?” That’s the question Georgia Farm Bureau is asking middle school students to answer in its annual essay contest. The Coffee County Farm Bureau encourages 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to enter the 2019 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Essay Contest. The contest is open to students attending public or private schools and homeschooled children. Students may enter in the county in which they live or attend school but not both. The first place winner of the Coffee County Farm Bureau Essay Contest will receive $100, the second place winner…

Are you a high school student who likes to create art or do you know one who does? Then check out the 2019 Georgia Farm Bureau High School Art Contest. The state winner will receive $250, two state runners-up receive $150, and 10 district winners will each receive $100. The contest is open to all public, private and homeschool students in 9th through 12th grades. Finished artwork must be on 8.5×11-inch white paper and should be created in the colors black, white and gray. Contestants may use a variety of media to create their artwork including graphite, charcoal,…