[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 188 (Tuesday, October 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING JOE EDMONSON AND FAMILY

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                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 26, 2021

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and celebrate Mr. Joe Edmonson who has been named Mississippi's Farmer 
of the Year by the Sunbelt Agriculture expo. I am proud to have him 
representing our state.
  Joe has been a motivated and passionate farmer for his entire life. 
At the age of fifteen, he purchased his first forty acres of land. Both 
Joe and his wife Melissa grew up in farming families and have dedicated 
their lives to Topshaw farms. Melissa is a full partner in the farms 
and is an essential figure in the Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival. Their 
daughter, Brandi also works in the business side of the farm. Her 
husband, Shaun manages the packing warehouse line. Son Trent oversees 
planting and harvesting, and his wife is a nurse who aids in minor 
medical incidents around the farm. Son Cody manages sweet potato 
planting and grain harvesting and his wife Lindsey works in the packing 
warehouse offices and manages H2A work.
  The farm has endured multiple natural disasters that affected their 
crop and livestock. The Edmonson family has taken these hardships as 
opportunities to expand and built an impressive packing facility. They 
have taken into stride changes in agriculture technology and continue 
to evolve with the modern world. Joe and his family contribute to their 
surrounding community through the Boy Scouts, Vardaman FFA, Calhoun 
County 4-H and the state Farm Bureau.
  Family is at the core of Mr. Edmonson's fanning career. Joe, Melissa, 
Brandi, Trent and Cody have been a pillar of the Vardaman community and 
have made incredible contributions to Calhoun County. I am grateful for 
their lifetime of service and commend him for his outstanding work in 
agriculture.

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