ECHS Young Farmer and Agribusiness Chapter receives awards at state conference

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TURBEVILLE - The East Clarendon High School Young Farmer and Agribusiness Chapter took "a record number of awards at the state conference held in late January in Myrtle Beach," teacher Bert Beasley said. Young Farmer member Dan Gause was recognized as the Outstanding Young Farmer in the Pee Dee Region, receiving a plaque and a cash award from AgSouth Farm Credit, who sponsors the conference's recognition program. Gause was also the state winner for Non-Irrigated Corn and Soybean production, receiving an engraved plaque and cash award sponsored by Pioneer Seed. Gause also won the State Farm Shop Award and received an engraved plaque and a cash award sponsored by Agri-Supply. He operates a 2,500-acre farm in the Camp Branch community. "He has a 5-year-old son, Daniel, who looks to be following in his father's footsteps," Beasley said. Ashley Altman was named the Pee Dee Region Outstanding Agri-business Person of the Year. Altman is employed with Arbor One Farm Credit, where he serves seven counties in the Pee Dee region. "He assists farmers in developing a crop insurance portfolio that meets their individual needs," Beasley said. "Ashley lives in Johnsonville, along with his wife, Melissia, and the couples two daughters, Lillian and Madeline." Beasley himself was named South Carolina's Young Farmer Advisor of the Year, an award sponsored by Country Meats, A French Tradition and the South Carolina Young Farmers Agribusiness Association. Beasley has taught agricultural education at East Clarendon High School for six years. He lives in Lydia with his wife, Heather, and two daughters, Ava and Emma. The East Clarendon Young Farmer and Agribusiness Chapter was recognized as the Outstanding Chapter for the Pee Dee Region. This award is sponsored by Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance. "The East Clarendon Young Farmer and Agribusiness Chapter is honored to be among the outstanding adult agricultural education programs in our state." Beasley said. "The East Clarendon chapter has a long-standing tradition of offering an excellent adult education program for those interested in agriculture and the related industries surrounding it." The East Clarendon chapter meets monthly and encourages anyone who is interested in joining to call Beasley at (843)-621-2499 for more information.