By Pauline Fletcher Cogdill

On January 1, 1942, Mr. Huffman and Mr. Gilmore opened a small farm store in Live Oak and had a very successful operation serving farmers in Live Oak and surrounding areas with their feed, seed, fertilizer, hay and chemicals. John Hughes would call on the Huffman & Gilmore Store with fertilizer supplies, and in 1976, Mr. Huffman told Mr. Hughes he wanted to sell his store. Mr. Hughes purchased the store and shortly thereafter he decided to make Live Oak his new home. With a table Mr. Hughes made in Valdosta and his prize typewriter, Mr. Hughes was ready for business.

FOR 75 YEARS the Huffman & Gilmore location became a business where young people would gravitate to because of Mr. Hughes great love for the children. In fact, young Harvey Bennett went to Huffman & Gilmore to purchase baby chicks in 2001. Mr. Hughes showed Harvey the baby chicks, assembled them in the box and told him what feed he needed to feed them. Mr. Hughes treated him with great respect just like any prospective buyer, walking him around his showroom and showing

Harvey the choices he could make, and even gave him a line of credit just as he had done for many young prospective farmers. Yes, you guessed it, Harvey became a lifetime customer.

There are so many stories to tell about Mr. Hughes and his kindness to

our young farmers. When it came time for the Livestock Show and Sale at the Fair each year, no buyer could match Mr. Hughes’ generosity for the young would be farmers. It would probably be fair to say, Mr. Hughes spent a great deal of his

FARMERS COOPERATIVE

STANDARD MAIL

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT # 130

LIVE OAK, FLFARMING NEWSVol. 30, No. 3 Live Oak • Madison • Florida April 1, 2017

Purina Products Now at Co-op

Huffman & Gilmore Closes

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Photo left to right: Todd Lawrence, General Manager, Kevin Huesman, Dealer Business Specialist for Purina,Gwen Leathlean, Danny Smith, Purina Sales

Specialist, and Barry Long, Agronomy Division Manager

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Continued from Page 1

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John Hughes with his infectious smile on his 86th birthday

Co-op Now Purina Feed Dealerprofits on buying hogs and steers at our Annual Suwannee County Fair.

Mr. Hughes generosity did not stop with making many of the young people very proud of their animals but also gave them that sense of accomplishment that helped make them the successful individuals they are today.

We at Farmers Cooperative are very grateful for the relationship we have always had with Huffman & Gilmore. Robert Sapp, our Crop Specialist, worked with John on many occasions when he might need a product that we had and his had not arrived at the store. Robert said he always felt that if we had run short on a particular product that John had, we were able to supply our customer with the item. By the same token, if John ran out of a chemical or any other item that we had, he was certainly welcome to it.

IN 1977, John Hughes daughter, Gwen Leathlean joined her dad at Huffman & Gilmore and has worked six and one-half days a week by her dad’s side for 40 years. They made a great team along with their loyal employees such as their long-time Warehouse Manager, Albert Green (retired in the late 80’s), grandson, John Rothenberger, Patty Ross (31 years), C J Lewis, (11 years) Dianna Robinson (16 years), Corey Salisbury, and grandsons Roger Palmer and Lee Leathlean, and great grandson, Devon Brady. Old invoices from 1950-1960. Back in 1958, white salt block $2.00, 2 Egg

Chow $5.30, and an Ax Handle 0.75¢

I came across this recipe years ago, when we were first discovering our daughter’s food intolerances. I love that this recipe uses wholesome ingredients and it really sticks with you unlike the boxed cereals. This granola cereal stores well and is guaranteed to become a favorite! Enjoy with milk, yogurt, or by itself. -CJ Lewis GRANOLA BARS / CEREALRecipe from 100 Days of Real Food Prep Time: 10 min, Cook Time: 75 min; Yield 3 lbs INGREDIENTS:3 1/2 cups rolled oats (if you want bars, try steel cut oats)1 cup raw sliced almonds

1 cup cashews, walnuts, or pecans1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds2 tsp ground cinnamon1 1/2 tsp ground ginger1/2 tsp ground nutmeg6 TBS unsalted butter (Kerrygold is a great choice) or virgin coconut oil1/2 cup honey (I like Thomas Honey, which is now sold at Live Oak Co-op)2 tsp pure vanilla extract1/2 tsp salt (a good mineral salt like Himilayan Salt or Redmond Real Salt is preferred)Optional: 1/2 - 1 cup dried fruit - any combination of raisins, dried cherries, dried cranberries, dried apricots, or datesYou can also add chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flax to this mix based on your preference.

DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cover a rectangular baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the dry ingredients (except the salt) together in a large mixing bowl. Heat the butter and honey together in a small saucepan over low heat. Once the butter melts, stir in the vanilla and salt. Pour the hot liquids over the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula until evenly coated. Spread mixture onto prepared pan in an even layer. Bake for approximately 75 minutes. (You can stir often unless you want granola bars.) The granola will become crisp as it cools. When cools, you can break into pieces or small chunks. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Can You Help Locate These Co-op Members?

For the Past Quarter

NEW CO-OP MEMBERSLIVE OAK STOREPatricia Rogers, Live Oak Huey Hawkings, Ft. WhiteChuck Andres, Live OakPaul Schmitz, Live OakRicardo Gonzalez, Live OakVictor Pirie, Live OakBillie L. Vincent, BranfordEric Johnson, Live OakKelly Workman, O’BrienLee W. Scogin, Haleyville, ALJon Bell, II, Live OakJohn Hurley, TampaLake City Christian Academy, Lake CityJanica Sikes, Live OakDerrick Williams, Live OakDaniel Lynch, Lake CityK & W Livestock, Lake CityTammy Ogburn, White SpringsPamela Eady, Live Oak John Gary Wilson, Lake CityKenneth Stone, JasperHubert Hightower, MonticelloWalter J. Norris, Live OakWayne Owensby, Ft LauderdaleJoy B. Wells, McAlpinJoe Huff, Live OakJan Joy, Live OakEugene Hall, OrlandoTimmy A. Kelley, BranfordAmber Rex, Live Oak Linda Gaylord, WellbornClark Hare, Live OakMichael O. Herlong, Ft. WhiteJason Jones, JenningsLynda D. Brown, Live OakRandall W. Ethridge, Live OakJim Story, Live Oak Gerald Foran, Lake CityChristin Emmons, MarathonHolly Velez-Moore, Live OakJohn Fedorczy, O’BrienJames R. Adams, Vass NCBrenda L.Sword, Live OakTracey Smith-Given, N. Palm BeachWilla L. Howard, GainesvilleCarl Schmirr, Live OakJoyce Dinyar, Live OakHill Jack Acres, Live OakKyle Snow, McAlpinHarriet Sutton, JasperEdwin Barber, Lake City

Marcus A Boone, Lakeland Melba J. Richardson, Port St. JoeMary A. Hunt, Lake CityLarry J. Hammock, PinettaJulie Lainhart, MadisonMax & Rhonda Lepper, Live OakJorge Ibarna,Sr., Live OakSherril Ross, Live OakRaymond J. Mickel, O’BrienSouthern Forestery Consultants, Inc.,

Monticello Sharon VanEvery, Live OakJames D. Greene, Live OakGeorge Malliarakis, JasperNaomi B. Hurst, Live OakJeffery L. Calhounm Live OakErik Delcastillo, Lake CityBeverly A. Flores, Live OakWillie James Harris, Lake CityTommy David, LeeTimothy T. Odom, Live OakMary Crosby, O’BrienAmos Townsend, Live OakRalph E. Reid, Lake Park, GAEmma L. Owens, Live OakMargaret Wimmer Monk, JenningsJulia Sanchez, Live OakIzell Granville, Live OakSharon Yanelli, Live OakTimothy R. Taylor, Lake CityRaymond Terry Ryals, O’BrienMurphy B. McLean, Jr., Lake CityMiguel Huerta, McAlpinRichard Dowling, St George, GAHarold Donaghe, Live OakMark Allen Cherry, MadisonAnthony P. Townsend, JasperErnest Lee, McAlpin Apache Oil Co., New London, CTMark Hoover, Lake CitySidney R. Whichard, Lake CityTad Jenkins, Live Oak Richard B. Jackson, Lake CityJim Hurst, BranfordOtis Tulley King, Jr., Lake CityDavid W. Duckett, MayoThomas Thompson, MayoCarla Goldie, JasperDon E. Rexrode, Sr., Live OakAngela G. Tanner, Lake CityMark H. Emerson, Live OakBruce Crusaw, WellbornGail K. Smith, Wellborn

Kristin Carter, Live OakJ Larry & Lana Morgan Osteen,

MayoCathy L. White, LeeTania Tappen, Live OakRoger Palmer, Live OakPaul M. Mangone, Cape CoralJoseph Sheppard, White SpringsCydney Raye Edge, BranfordBenjamin Glass, Live OakFred E. Moore, Live OakBrenda Valladares, Live OakJohn M. Moses, Live OakN & J Farm LLC, LeeGwen Leathlean, Live OakTeresa Ansley, Live OakStephen M. Buncher, Live OakSteve Baker, Live OakMichael C. Chandler, Live OakBill O’Briant, Live OakFrank D. West, Live OakPorsche Neal, Live OakKaitlin Martin, Live OakScott Mason, Valdosta, GARussell Schultz, MayoJan “Jesse James, White SpringsDouglas Hohman, Live Oak

MADISON STORE Gary Lee Hayes, JacksonvilleMarjorie Norris, GreenvilleGeorgia Rosado, Pinetta Jason Holton, Greenville Debbie & Johnny Blair, MadisonMark Yuen, Madison Darren Webb, Madison Peggy Reese, Pinetta Gregory L Glombowski, PerryJim Wickett, Madison Greta Joseph, Madison Eric Robin, Lee Harold W Burns, Lee Kyle Whitaker, Madison Ranie De Rocco, Jasper Densie Dyal, Madison Hunter Chambers, Lake Park, GARebecca McQuay, Pinetta Ira & Ruth Klein, Lee Jason Barber, Greenville Robert B Paulk, MonticelloCatherine Hodges, Madison Grete M Case, Tallahassee James E Gallman, Greenville Jerry W & Donna J Chandler, Lee TMP Investors, LLC., Perry

Sharon Jandula, Perry Paul & Jamie Loper, Hawthorne Danny Stokes, St. Augustine Ryan DaSilva, Madison Tracy D Baggett, Cairo, Ga Richard Webster, Lee Elise Dawkins, Madison Glenna Adkins, Jennings Bill Kelley, Blackshere, Ga Horce K Phillips, Perry Jared Kirby, Live Oak Bridgett Livingston, Greenville Lionel Easler, Jenning Ronald E Roberson, Jasper Tab Cooper, Madison W David McCracken, Valdosta, GA Connie Woodward, Lee Donald Wayne Waters, Lee James Patterson, Madison Phillips Family Farm, Lee Pinckney Hill Farm, LLC., MonticelloGreater New Zion IAME, MadisonSean Cary, Jennings Charles D Edwards, Madison Lisa & Kevin Hotchkiss, JasperWilliam Sever, Lamont Alesha Wing, Madison Joel D Davis, Greenville Henry Straughter, Madison Mcleod Poultry, LLC., Madison John T Douglas, Madison Stephen Zipperer, Valdosta, Ga Norman McCall, Jennings Shirley P King, Jennings Troy Platt, Greenville Rachael & Jon Propson, MadisonSara LJoseph, St. Petersburg Frank Traebing, Greenville Stanley Bonk, Miami Sammy A Hutto, Greenville Larry Ellis, Madison David Culpepper, Jasper Tyler Barstow, Madison Evelyn Longsdorf, Lee R & A Cattle, Madison Jorge Monreal, Madison Corner Grill, Madison Heather Wakefield, Madison Johnny Stevens, Madison Sirmans VFD, Greenville Roland A Gray, Lee Jason Jones, Jennings Dennis M Gibson, Lee Basil Bryan, Madison N & J Farm, Lee Barbara Greiner, Pinetta Jesse Travis Mizell, Axson, Ga

WHERE ARE THESE FOLKS?

Farmers Cooperative is trying to locate the following people whose patronage refund checks have been returned from the U. S. Postal Service as “undeliverable.”

William Alexander, Madison William L. Bass, Lake City Travis Carter, Live Oak Ralph M. Keene, Jr, Live Oak Earl L. Young, Live Oak Timothy Touchton, Wellborn

Farming Newswww.farmerscooperative.org

Is published quarterly, or as the need arises, by Farmers Cooperative in Live Oak and Madison.Todd Lawrence, Publisher & Editor

Ted Henderson, Live Oak (Suwannee County)

Eddy Roberts, O’Brien (Suwannee County)

William T. Carte (Suwannee County)

Tim Steichen, Wellborn (Suwannee County)

Kevin Morgan (Hamilton County)

Kenneth McLeod (Madison County)

Jeff Lee (Suwannee County)

Jeffrey Hamrick (Madison County)

Co-op Directors

P.O. Box 610 P.O. Box 390 Live Oak, FL Madison, FL 32064 32341 Phone Phone 386-362-1459 850-973-2269

Purina FeedsContinued from Page 2

CJ Lewis

Young Scott Allen & Albert Green, Warehouse Supervisor

Now, it is time to “pass the baton” as Purina sales representatives, Kevin Huesman, and Danny Smith said when they met with Todd Lawrence, Barry Long and Gwen to start the wheels in motion to get Farmers Cooperative set up as a dealer for Purina Feed. We are purchasing their remaining Inventory when they officially close the doors on March 10, 2017.

We’ve been fortunate in employing Corey Salisbury in our warehouse and C J Lewis. C J Lewis has been most helpful in entering Purina’s inventory in our system, and as much as we would like to employ her full-time, C J has been planning for sometime now to open her own natural health store focusing on nutrition. As C J said, “I’m going from nutrition of animals to nutrition of people.” C J has been a tremendous help to our staff with her pleasant, energetic attitude… she’s a real asset to Huffman & Gilmore and in the transition to Farmers Cooperative we are very pleased to have her working with us.

When you visit our Live Oak Cooperative you will see a lot of changes

in our showroom and warehouse since we’ve stocked most of the items that you are used to seeing at Huffman & Gilmore. If you do not see the item you need and we do not have it stocked, just check with our sales staff about ordering it for you.

We look forward to a great relationship with our new customers from Huffman & Gilmore, and we wish Gwen the best of luck in her retirement as she enjoys spending time with her family.

It’s a given that she certainly has earned it.

Harvey Bennett, (2001)showing his chick to his cat

Win Two River ‘Jam’ PassesFarmers Cooperative has several

varieties of tomatoes, eggplants, squash, cucumbers, bell peppers, hot peppers and sweet peppers, strawberry, petunias, mari-golds, coleus, and begonia plants in stock, and now is the time to plant.

Bonnie Plants and Farmers Coopera-tive want to give you a chance to win two

free general admission weekend passes to the Suwannee River Jam, May 3rd thru May 6, 2017 at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. These free weekend passes are valued at $180.00 and will be drawn on April 22nd.Each time you come in and pur-chase Bonnie plants, you will get a chance to register to win these weekend passes.