“We’re excited Devin has become Master Certified,” said Agency Manager Lisa Kirk. “He has made a commitment to help protect farmers and ranchers in our area with the highest levels of professionalism and service. Master certification tells our area farmers that he’ll keep investing in training to be sure he is positioned to help protect them now and into the future.”
The Master Farm Certified designation is also intended to help farmers and ranchers recognize agents who have made a continuing commitment to understanding the complex risks faced by the agriculture industry. Only agents who successfully complete the program will be awarded the designation, and agents must uphold education and service commitments to retain their Master Certification.
“Nationwide Agribusiness developed this multi-level certification program to provide additional education and resources to insurance agents who have made a commitment to protecting farms and ranches,” said Jerry Hillard, Farm Sales AVP, Nationwide Agribusiness. “We’re proud of the agents who complete the program and are excited about the level of service farmers and ranchers can expect from partnering with Master Farm Certified agents.”
Devin said, “I believe in what I do and I truly want to help better our farmers and ranchers. I'm super flexible so if the best time to talk to you is 8:00 in the evening at your kitchen table or a Sunday afternoon at your shop, you let me know and I'll make it happen. Tell me what I have to do to write your farm or ranch and I'll work my tail off to make it happen. I want to earn your business and be your agent. You can call or text me anytime at 573-421-5630 or email me at dbusby@bcddagency.com.”
Birch Tree, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Tom Martin of Birch Tree on being named Missouri’s State Logger of the Year for 2016! Martin was also named the regional logger of the year for the Ozark Region.
He has been a contract logger for Smith Flooring for almost a quarter century and has worked on private, state, and federal-land timber sales across the Ozarks. Martin works by himself, cutting, skidding and hauling timber.
Martin was nominated by MDC Resource Forester Gary Gognat, who says his work represents the top tier of loggers in Missouri. “There’s a trait common to all past logger award winners, and Martin has it,” said Gognat. “It’s that inherent desire to do the very best job in the woods that he can, each and every day.”
MDC Forest Products Program Supervisor Mike Morris added, “Tom represents exactly what we want from Missouri’s professional loggers. He recognizes the value of proper training, safety, and conservation of resources.”
In recognition of his award, Martin received a framed certificate from MDC and a STIHL chainsaw donated by long-time partner Crader Distributing of Marble Hill at the Missouri Forest Products Association summer meeting.
The Missouri Department of Conservation partners with Crader Distributing to give annual awards to loggers who have demonstrated outstanding performance and good working relationships with landowners and foresters. The loggers are recognized for minimizing damage to trees and natural resources and using best management techniques that preserve Missouri's forested lands for generations to come.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Senior Center will have a Bake Sale beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19th. Lunch will also be served.
Lunch will be pepper steak, catfish, baked beans, fried okra, bread/hushpuppies, and coconut cake and a drink.
The Dexter Senior Center is located at 23 W. Stoddard St. in historic downtown Dexter. You don't have to be a senior to eat. They serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and the cost is $3.50 for seniors and $5.00 for non-seniors.
Dexter, Missouri - Missouri Delta Hospice in Dexter will be holding a Flood Relief Drive for those affected by the recent flooding in Louisiana.
You may drop-off non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and personal items at 1615 West Business Hwy 60 Suite A in Dexter. They are open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.
The last day to donate before the truck heads to Louisiana is Thursday, August 25th at 4:00 p.m.
Staff from Missouri Delta Hospice will be taking donated items directly to victims.
"Members of our team have been personally affected and have had to evacuate their homes from the recent flooding," commented Melissa Pennington of Mo Delta Hospice.
Items that are needed are non-perishable foods such as canned goods, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, power bars, trail mix, baby formula, cereal, crackers, bottled drinks, and cookies,
Personal items can be paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic eating utensils, toothpaste, toothbrush, laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, deodorant, hairbrushes, and baby powder.
Cleaning supplies needed are bottles of bleach, hand wipes, Germ X, sponges, towels, rubber gloves, trash bags, and buckets.
Don't forget the pets as well. Dog food, cat food, leashes, and shampoo are needed as well.
Dexter, Missouri - Harry Blackwell Dodge in Dexter will host a Blood Drive on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 from NOON - 4:00 p.m. in the show room located at 1660 West Business US 60.
Please bring your American Red Cross card or a valid photo ID.The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a critical summer blood shortage.
The summer months are among the most challenging times of years to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs. Many regular donors delay giving while they take vacation and participate in summer activities. The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break though.
Two summers ago, Kelly Griswold was involved in a life-threatening jet-ski accident while vacationing. She was airlifted to a hospital and underwent three surgeries over the course of two days. Griswold, a blood donor prior to the accident, suddenly knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of blood donations. “Without the support of people that can give blood, the ones who have needed it would not be here today – myself included.”
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to give now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and double red cells can be donated every 112 days. In appreciation for helping to save lives, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.
