6th generation Bulloch County farmer David Cromley was presented Bulloch County's Young Farmer of the Year award at the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce at the 2023 Blessing of the Crops on Thursday morning, March 9, 2023.
In presenting the award to Cromley, John Roach with Morris Bank described Cromley as follows:
David Cromley is a shining example of someone who volunteers and works hard for the ag industry. He serves on several boards in our local community and within the state. Locally he is a board member for Excelsior EMC, and the County President for Bulloch County Farm Bureau. On a state level he serves on the College of Ag and Environmental Sciences Alumni Board at the University of Georgia and is a graduate of Leadership Georgia.
After moving back to the farm he has continued to share his love and passion for agriculture by hosting groups at their farm from Georgia Southern, the Chamber, and area schools. He was the State Chairman for Georgia Farm Bureaus Young Farmers and Rancher program in 2015. In 2022, Cromley received a Young Alumni Achievement Award form the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Above all he and his family are strong in their faith and very active at Brooklet United Methodist Church. Cromley is a great steward of the land and wants to protect farming in Bulloch County to support his family for future generations.
"This is totally unexpected and I appreciate this. I am humbled to be here with fellow believers, and just to be in the presence of God. In a time of so much division in our world I just want to see our community pull together like this every day of the year. I think we still can," said David Cromley. "I think farming still has a bright future in Bulloch County, we have to to adapt, but I think we have a strong future. I think this is evidence of that and I appreciate your support and I pray that we can continue to keep this going for a long time."
Comely went on to say how wonderful it is to see the business community come together at this event to show their support for the ag community. "We could not be successful without the support of many of these businesses from the extension service, bankers, accountants to suppliers who are critical partners. Events like this show the relationship between the ag community and how we all work together to make things better for our community," said Cromley.
The annual Young Farmer Award recognizes annually a young, outstanding farmer, who has strong roots, a current and promising future in agriculture in Bulloch County by distinguishing themselves through participation in community programs and leadership, family activities, civic service as well as displaying outstanding farm operation management.
Blessing of the Crops
This years annual Blessing of the Crops and Young Farmer presentation was held at Pittman Park United Methodist Church in Statesboro. A large group of local farmers and community members attended the early morning event.
PPUMC Pastor Jonathan Smith welcomed the audience and Chad Wiggins of Synovus Bank, who is also serving as the Chair of the Chamber, presided over the event. After some welcome remarks, Wiggins asked John Emery Brannen, a Bulloch County farmer, to begin the prayer service. With Brannen's opening prayer, farmers and community members prayed for the farmers and this season of crops.
Pastor Donald Chavers closed the prayer service and Jennifer Davis, Chamber President, recognized Bulloch Commissioners Jappy Stringer, Anthony Simmons and Toby Conner for attending and thanked the sponsors and her staff members, including Mandy Broadwell and Landon Haralson, for their help in putting the event together.
