[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 109 (Wednesday, July 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1363-E1364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE EDWARDS FAMILY AS THE 2011 SANTA ROSA COUNTY 
                  OUTSTANDING FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to 
rise today to recognize the Edwards family for being selected as the 
2011 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year.
  Alan Edwards is a fifth generation farmer whose love for farming came 
at an early age. At fourteen, he bought his first cotton picker. Since 
then, he has never lost sight of the value of hard work and good soil 
and continues to instill those values in his family today. He and his 
wife Michele, along with their three daughters, Shelby, Madison, and 
Brianna, sow and harvest 750 acres of cotton, peanuts, soybeans, hay 
and wheat, and raise beef cattle.
  The Edwards family, like all farm families, knows too well that 
taking care of a farm while raising a family is a full-time job. 
However, Alan and Michele remain very involved with their community. 
Michele works for the Century Correctional Institution, and Alan serves 
on numerous agricultural organizations, including the Santa Rosa County 
Farm Bureau, Florida Farm Bureau Peanut/Cotton Advisory Board, the 
Santa Rosa County Extension Advisory Committee, the West Florida 
Research and Education Center Advisory Committee, and the Florida 
Peanut Producers Association. This past year he was appointed by the 
Secretary of Agriculture to represent Florida on the USDA Cotton Board, 
the oversight and administrative arm of the Cotton Research & Promotion 
Program. He was also selected as one of two Florida growers to 
participate in the Peanut Leadership Academy. Among other community 
activities, Alan has served area schools through his involvement with 
the Future Farmers of America.
  Mr. Speaker, our great nation was built by farmers and their 
families. The Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year 
award is a reflection of the Edwards family's tireless work and 
dedication to family, faith and trade. On behalf of the United States 
Congress, I would like to offer my congratulations to the Edwards 
family for this great accomplishment. My wife Vicki and I wish them 
best wishes for continued success.

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