By Pauline Fletcher Cogdill

Farmers Cooperative is not just a farm supply store. Many of our members will tell you it’s a place to visit with friends and families, get advice about the many farm supplies the Cooperative has in stock or maybe just to get a cup of coffee on a cold day. Over the years, friendships are forged with families and you watch their children grow and mature into such solid citizens in our community, and of course, we are proud that we have been a part of their lives.

Arnett Eubanks is one of those special little boys who would visit the Co-op and we would see him especially around Christmas time with a gift of cane syrup and always a smile on his face. It was hard to imagine this shy young man would leave Suwannee County to serve the Lord on several mission trips, which included Brazil, Honduras and Mali, West Africa.

Farming was always a way of life for Arnett and his dad, Kiah Eubanks. Many of you will remember Arnett’s grandfather, Floyd Eubanks, who was a Suwannee County Extension Agent for several years. Floyd would take his son,

Kiah, with him so he could learn all about the 4-H programs and agriculture in general. This learning process was a trait handed down to Kiah and Kiah to his son, Arnett, as well. Kiah would take Arnett to team pinnings on the weekends in Lake Butler, Florida where they met David Rivers. David would lead cowboy church at these team pinnings. Mr. Rivers and Arnett developed a special friendship, and David invited Arnett to go on his first

mission trip to Honduras. It may have been at this time Arnett started thinking about his full-time service to serving others.

Four years after graduating from Branford High School, Arnett met the love of his life, Crystal Newberry and they were married on April 2, 2005 at First Baptist Church in Live Oak.

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FARMERS COOPERATIVE

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PAIDPERMIT # 130

LIVE OAK, FLFARMING NEWSVol. 27, No. 3 Live Oak • Madison • Florida April 1, 2014

Arnett and Crystal Eubanks

Co-op Members on a Mission

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

The Eubanks Family: Arnett with Nema, Crystal with Titus, and Zeke III in the tree

It was on a mission trip to Brazil that Crystal felt the tug to go on the mission field for an extended amount of time. Crystal didn’t share her feelings with Arnett and just prayed for God’s will in their lives. It was not long before the young Eubanks couple decided to apply for a mission. Crystal will tell you they prayed about their commitment, and before long doors opened for them to go to Africa.

Crystal was employed with First Federal Bank at that time and she gave her notice to her supervisor that she was leaving. In October 2008, the Eubanks headed to Richmond, Virginia for eight weeks of training prior to their departure to Mali, Africa. This missionary trip

Continued from Page 1Arnett and Crystal Eubanks on a Mission

was a three year commitment for Crystal and Arnett to share the Bible with the Bambara people, and to build relationships with the local families. There were many joyful times and many lonely times: mostly missing their families. The young Eubanks couple not only witnessed to the Bambara people but also taught them how to improve their farming methods on their staple crops of peanuts, corn and sorghum. Arnett’s agriculture experience was another plus for him in Africa.

On May 28, 2009, Arnett and Crystal were blessed with a son, Zeke III, who was born in a local hospital in Senegal, Africa. Of course, Lynn and Crystal’s mom scheduled a trip to be with Crystal and Arnett when little Zeke was born.

A few months later, Kiah had waited long enough to meet his grandson, and he and Lynn booked a trip to Africa to have time with their children. It was indeed a long tiring trip; however, it was a very memorable time getting to know their new grandson.

Kiah and Lynn truly enjoyed meeting the wonderful people in the village, and learning so many of their customs. Kiah was so impressed with their generosity especially when one of the older men in the village made a few shirts for him that he still wears with great pride. “When you see their resources and know they give straight from their heart, it humbles you,” Kiah said. Certainly, it is a time Kiah and Lynn will always cherish.

Crystal and Arnett learned so much about the local Bambara people, and before

they knew it, they were leaving to return to Florida. After returning to Florida, they have been blessed with two more children. Daughter, Nema (which means Grace) who is two years old and she is ready to teach her little seven month old brother, Titus, everything he needs to know.

While Crystal and Arnett have not ruled out another mission trip, they are back on the family farm working the land that provides a good living for the Eubanks. Kiah and Arnett grow hay and small grains. Eubanks Farms delivers round and square hay bales to feed stores within a 150 mile radius. They also do custom lime and fertilizer spreading and deliver sawdust to poultry growers.

You will probably see Kiah at the Livestock Show in Live Oak at the Suwannee County Fair, volunteering to help show participants. This is a job he has enjoyed for so many years since graduating from the University of Florida and returning to his home in Suwannee County.

When you think of the sacrifices that missionaries make in foreign countries and to know that Mali’s population of approximately 14.5 million people, and less than 5% of their population consider themselves Christians, you know why Crystal and Arnett felt the call to serve in the mission field. It’s giving and serving people such as the Eubanks family who make Suwannee County such a good place to live.

Farmers Cooperative has several varieties of tomatoes, eggplants, squash, cucumbers, bell peppers, hot peppers and sweet peppers in stock, and now is the time to plant.

Bonnie Plants and Farmers Cooperative want to give you a chance to win two free general admission weekend passes to the Suwannee River Jam, April 30th thru May 4, 2014 at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. These free weekend passes are valued at $180.00.

Each time you come in and purchase Bonnie vegetable plants, you will get a chance to register to win these weekend passes.

Win Passes

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Arnett and Crystal Eubanks with Zeke III in Mali, AfricaArnett’s parents Kiah and Lynn Eubanks with Chief Diara of Mali, Africa

For the Past Quarter

NEW CO-OP MEMBERSLIVE OAK STORELeah LeBlanc Chapin, TallahasseeDavid R Stevenson, Lake CityJohn D. Dukes, Live Oak Cristobol Orellana, Live OakMichael Mitchell, Jasper Lewis Weeks, WellbornScott Randell, Wellborn Mark Stewart, Live OakLyle Horne, Branford Joseph Lee Mora, Jr., JasperJanie L. Fox, Live Oak Donna Guyer, Cape CoralNorth Florida Animal Rescue, WellbornDaniel A. Bruno, Live OakJoe R Kirkland, Lake City Deborah P. Ware, Lake CityCrystal Tigue, Live Oak George H. Begin, McAlpinJason Kastor, Live Oak Lucian Napier, McAlpinJorge H. Gonzalez, Live Oak Donald D. Newton, Live OakMarie Spencer, Live Oak William A. Millick, Lake CityRocky Nelms, Live Oak Marta I Avila – O M Farm, Live OakApril Brockway, Live Oak Pamela Strickland, Live OakMichael Ozimok, Live Oak Dwain Worthey, Jasper Robert E. Carr, Jasper Velma Lee, Live Oak

Kimberly Frazier, Palmdale Paul C. Garrow, O’BrienEarl Harvol, Lake City David Pratt, BranfordJustin Fletcher, Live OakJennifer Northrop, Live OakAshley Carver, McAlpin John Hudson, OBrienWilliam Sanders, McAlpinRafael Ferro, Live OakChristopher Hurst, Live Oak Ric Donovan, Live OakArthur Clemons, Live OakRoger & Roxanne Ward, Live OakMilitello D S Ranch, McAlpinJames V. Sposato, McAlpinDavid Metzler, Lakeland Paul Golub, Live OakCassie Branske, Live Oak Heath Barrett, Live OakDoug Cagle, Live Oak Wanda Williams, BranfordGregory Waltrip, Lake City Mike Kymick, Live OakSuada Brkic, Live Oak Wesley Vann, Live OakTimothy Costen, Live Oak Charles Brannaka, Lake CityDebra & James Williams, Jr., Lake CityDaryl Richardson, Lake CityAlvin Huckabee, Live Oak Era Morris, Live OakHenry E. Richardson, Jr., Live OakTravis Peiffer, Live Oak

Katelyn Bates, Madison Ruth Stanley, Live OakRonald T. Roberts, Bell Linda Reeves, WellbornDanny Reeves, Lake City Timothy Lee Smith, Live Oak W.C. “Bill” Nickerson, Dowling ParkJames J. Hook, Live OakGretchen Thevenau, Live Oak Craig C. Topping, Live OakCharles R. Peek, Ft. WhiteHalley Allbritton, Wellborn Brenda McDaniel, Jasper

MADISON STOREMary Frances Mauldin, MadisonJerome L. Wright, MonticelloWayne Crawley, TallahasseeShanna Swope, MadisonLong & Dusty Road LLC, GreenvilleJohn Adams, JacksonvilleMichael Roland, GreenvilleHenry C. White, MadisonSam Scott, MonticelloTed Ensminger, MadisonPatrick D. Dempsey, PinettaTroy Lorenz, TampaHal A. Thompson, MadisonJonathan F Asbell, ValdostaStanley & Cheryl Bronson, JenningsScott L. Nelson, SopchopyEleanor B. Hawkins, Monticello, FlKittie C. Waltman, Monticello, Fl

Co-op Promotion Rewards FFA ChaptersTo celebrate National FFA Week in

February, Farmers Cooperative decided to

Billy Warren, Madison, FLChristina Gomez, Jasper, FlJay Hartranft, MadisonGerald Lewis, MadisonMarie G. Brown, MadisonKendrick Olives, MonticelloJoan Keen, PinettaEdward w. Mathos, JenningsBilly Joe Bass II, PinettaChristina Sandoval, MadisonRegina W. Brown, MadisonRamiro Vargas, MadisonGreat Southern Wood Preserving,

Abbyville, AlSteve Graham, ValdostaShain Beck, JasperYvonne Wilson, MadisonWilliam Meacham, PerryPaul & Denise McKenzie,

HahiraMatthew Williamson, LeeKathy & Alan Palmer, JuniperMarion Cook, MadisonCarmen Yawn, LeeEdward G Ringe Jr.,

MonticelloDavid Cody Criss, PinettaWilson D. Lloyd, JasperBrad Kinsey, MonticelloKenneth “Les” Goins, LeeAlvin Hammock, PinettaKevin Skinner, Madison

have a Facebook promotion for the month of February to give members a chance to support

a local FFA Chapter.When they bought a $10 Blue

and Gold Farmers Cooperative T-Shirt during the month of February, Farmers Cooperative donated $5 to the local FFA Chapter of the customer’s choice.

If they posted a picture on Farmers Cooperative Facebook Page wall wearing the T-Shirt and an additional $5 was donated to the local FFA Chapter of their choice. Several local Chapters received checks from Farmers Cooperative including Suwannee Middle FFA, Suwannee High FFA, and Branford FFA. FFA Members Shelly Williams (l-r) and Mallory

Morgan accept check from Todd Lawrence

Eddie Curl, longtime manager of Farmers Cooperative in Madison, receives plaque for 25 years of service from General Manager Todd Lawrence at the Co-op’s Annual Christmas celebration.

Crystal would like to share one of the Eubanks favorite recipes:

Chocolate Cake

2 c. sugar 1 ¾ c flour¾ c baking cocoa 1 ½ tsp. baking powder1 1/2 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. salt2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 eggs1 c. milk ½ c. vegetable oil1 c. boiling water

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 9 inch round baking pans. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Stir by hand. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in boiling water. Stir by hand (batter will be thin). Pour into pans. Bake 30-45 min. or until wood pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans. Remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, softened¼ c. butter2 tsp. milk1 tsp. vanilla4 c. powdered sugar6 Tbs. Baking cocoa2 Tbs. oil

Mix cocoa and oil with spoon in the bottom of a large bowl. Add cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar on low speed, 1 cup at a time, until spreadable.

Note: You can freeze the left over frosting and use it again.

Farming Newswww.farmerscooperative.org

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

Kenneth Dasher, McAlpin (Suwannee County)Ted Henderson, Live Oak (Suwannee County)Eddy Roberts, O’Brien (Suwannee County)E. Richard Terry, Madison (Madison County)William T. Carte (Suwannee County)Tim Steichen, Wellborn (Suwannee County)John C. Webb, Lee (Madison County)Walter K. Brown (Suwannee County)Kevin Morgan (Hamilton County)Kenneth McLeod (Madison County)Jeff Lee (Suwannee 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

Eubanks Family

By Barry Long The results are final for the 6th Annual

Big Buck contest at Farmers Cooperative.On February 8th officers from the

Florida Wildlife Commission visited the Live Oak store to measure potential winners for the contest. There was a good turnout of hunters and spectators to witness the event.

First place winner, pictured left to right, Jerry Owens, Madison Crop Specialist, presented a $500 gift card to Rodney Tyre of Hamilton County with a net score of 143 3/8. Second place winner, Wyatt Smith of Suwannee County received a $200 gift card. Wyatt’s net score was 135 3/8. Third place winner, Gary Silvernell from Madison, with a net score of 128 6/8 received a $100 gift card.

Alabama Propane Crisis

Co-op’s GM to the Winter Rescue

Big Buck Pays

In late January, Alabama Farmers Federation staff members joined numerous

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Co-op GM Todd Lawrence (right) received plaque from ALFA President

Jimmy Parnell

briefings on the propane crisis with representatives of the governor’s office, Alabama Propane Gas Association and other state Emergency Management agencies. From those briefings, Federation staff reached out to their friends at Florida Farm Bureau and Alabama Farmers Cooperative to see if they might have any suggestions on how to help poultry growers that were in a crisis for propane in Alabama. Both organizations gave the staff the name of Todd Lawrence, General Manager of Farmers Cooperative Inc. Within forty eight hours, all the necessary permits, calls and loads had been setup and Todd and his transport driver Heath Hicks were in Opelika, Alabama by 10:30 p.m. Friday night. Over the next four days Farmers Cooperative’s transport traveled over 3000 miles across North Alabama to deliver propane to those in need.

On February 26, 2014, Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell recognized Farmers Cooperative General Manager Todd Lawrence of Live Oak, Florida, at the Alabama Farmers Cooperative Annual Meeting in Montgomery, Alabama. Parnell thanked Lawrence for his assistance to Alabama poultry farmers during the recent propane crisis. Lawrence and his employee hauled about 70,000 gallons of propane to help poultry farmers. Lawrence commented that he is proud to lead a Cooperative that not only cares for its local customers but is truly concerned about others in need wherever they are. Thank you to our customers who support us and give us the ability and financial resources to be able to serve others.