Leadership Lincoln class members tour community agricultural sites

Leadership Lincoln class members traveled through the county recently to learn about the importance of agriculture in the community. According to tour guide Dr. Farris Beasley, "Agriculture is alive and well in Lincoln County!"

Beasley said that agriculture contributes approximately $60 million annually to the county, more than all other industries combined. During the day-long event, Leadership participants visited the Elora Cotton Gin and learned about cotton farming and its impact in Lincoln County. The group also toured Lyons Family Farm and Deer Valley Farm, learning how both produce and beef production contribute to the county economy. They finished out the day by attending a livestock auction and having a question and answer session with Ronnie Osteen, David Qualls and Tom Hall. Many class participants seemed genuinely surprised at the level of agricultural production in the community. "I was amazed at the impact the county has in the field of agriculture on both a local and a national level," class member Paula Whisenant said.

Whisenant, who has lived in Lincoln County for just over a year, said she knew agriculture was a strong industry here, but had no idea the worth until she attended Leadership Lincoln's Agriculture Day. "I have learned a tremendous amount in just a few short hours," she said. "And I'm excited to learn what local business and the agriculture industry are doing here and the significance they have. Dr. Beasley, the presenters and the businesses that so graciously opened their doors to us today were a wealth of information." Leadership Lincoln is a personal development program designed to motivate participants to develop leadership qualities for addressing community needs. It consists of a day and a half retreat and eight one-day seminars, in addition to a class project. In November the class will attend History Day, designed to help members learn when and how Lincoln County was settled and to become familiar with the major events and influential people in the history of Lincoln County and Fayetteville from early settlement through present day. (Back to Class Days)