[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE FRED BABER FAMILY AS THE 2009 OKALOOSA FARM 
                           FAMILY OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is a great honor for me to 
rise today to extend congratulations to the Fred Baber family for being 
selected the 2009 Okaloosa County Farm Family of the Year.
   Mr. Fred Baber, the family's patriarch, celebrated his 90th birthday 
this year, but he still loves to rise before dawn and head out to farm 
in Laurel Hill, Florida. He is the herd manager for Roger's Ranch and 
manages 60 head of cattle. In their early days as Ohio farmers, Fred 
and his brother were pioneers in the fields of artificial insemination 
(AI) and dairy herd improvement association milk testing (DHIA). Fred 
brought his advanced knowledge of these techniques to Florida. He also 
built one of the first Harvester silos in the local area, and was 
instrumental in bringing the Tampa Independent Dairy Farmers Milk Co-op 
to the Florida panhandle.
   Fred's family is a huge part of his successful farming career. His 
son Andy helps him run the family farm, producing peanuts, soybeans, 
and hay. Andy, the oldest of eight Baber children, and his wife Barbara 
both work at Ruckel Properties. Andy also serves on the Okaloosa County 
Farm Services Agency Board.
   Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like 
to offer my congratulations to Baber family's tireless work and 
dedication to family, faith and trade. They are a role model for all of 
us. My wife Vicki and I wish their entire family best wishes for 
continued success.

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