[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TENNESSEE FARMER OF THE YEAR, JOHN VERELL, III

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KUSTOFF of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John 
Verell, III, of Madison County, Tennessee.
  Johnny, as he is better known to his friends, was named Farmer of the 
Year by the University of Tennessee.
  Johnny is a third generation farmer who began farming in 2005, 40 
years after his grandfather started the family business.
  Farmers from across the State were nominated for the honor by their 
county extension agents. Johnny's commitment to land stewardship, 
community service, and savvy business tactics stood out among all other 
nominees.
  The Verells' farm is over 5,000 acres of wheat, soybean, and corn. 
Johnny manages all the land for sustainability, including installing 
wildlife food plots, planting buffer strips along streams, and using 
best practices that reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticides 
applied to the crops.
  He has even planted 20 acres designated as pollinator habitat to help 
native bee populations survive and thrive.
  With the help of technology and precision agriculture, the Verells 
have been known to produce in excess of 300 bushels per acre.
  That is the way things are done in west Tennessee.
  Congratulations to Johnny, his wife, Crissy, and their daughter, 
Emmi.

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