GEORGETOWN — Pickens County residents Ardona Summerall, Yvonne Bryant, Nan Boggs and Melanie Ginn joined more than 100 women from across the state in Georgetown last month for the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

The group of women participated in workshops that highlighted Ag in the Classroom programs, offered personal development and provided tools to promote agriculture in their counties.

The program opened with keynote speaker Kalena Bruce, a farm mom, former American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher committee chair and a CPA. Bruce recently ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, and she shared her story of volunteer leadership and inspired attendees to be advocates for agriculture.

Following the keynote speaker, attendees heard from four county Women’s Committee chairs as they shared insight into their success with their local programs.

New this year, two tracks were offered so the women could personalize their conference experience. The Agricultural Literacy track focused on Ag in the Classroom programs and resources while the Agribusiness and Advocacy track gave attendees tools for growing their business and being successful advocates for agriculture.

The conference concluded with a tour of the area, including stops at Brookgreen Gardens and Hobcaw Barony.

Farm Bureau Women at county, state and national levels coordinate agricultural education and promotional activities. Their work includes supporting important legislation for family farmers, youth programs, educational activities, leadership development and commodity promotions.

“Farm Bureau women work hard to advance agriculture in South Carolina,” Agricultural Literacy and Women’s Program director Elizabeth Wood said. “Their knowledge of and interest in family farms contributes so much to the organization, as they work for the future success of agriculture in our state.”

The SCFB Women’s Leadership Program works through the organization’s volunteers to tell the farm story through education and advocacy with children and youth. The SCFB Women’s Leadership program is one of many purpose activities sponsored by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation.

• Pickens planning plenty holiday cheer

The city of Pickens will be starting the holiday season with a tree lighting at the Doodle Pavilion at 7 p.m. Nov. 25. On Dec. 2, the community will come alive with the annual Christmas parade at 7 p.m. in downtown Pickens. As the holiday grows closer, the Pickens Fire Department plans on doing an “Around Town” Parade, along Main Street in Pickens, starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 18.

• Easley to kick off Christmas festivities

The city of Easley will be holding a tree-lighting ceremony that will take place at Easley City Hall downtown at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25. At 6 p.m. Dec. 10, the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade of Lights will be making its round through the downtown area. To bring holiday cheer to everyone around the area, the Old Market Amphitheater will host a Christmas Carol concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 16, where various singing groups will come together, while children will have festive activities to attend.

• Holly jolly time set for city of Liberty

Liberty will be hosting its annual Holly Jolly Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 3, starting at the old Liberty football stadium.

• Central attempts to create new traditions

The town of Central will be holding its annual tree-lighting ceremony at the Central Main Street Caboose at 5 p.m. Dec. 2.
After the lighting ceremony, the town of Central will be holding its Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade will start at Cannon Memorial Baptist Church and end at the Mt. Zion Cemetery area. Members of the community will be starting a new tradition of a Central Porch Tree Tour. Participating residents will decorate a tree however they want and display it on either their porch, patio or front yard.
To be a part of the new tradition, enter your address at centralmainstreet.org before Dec. 3, when the organizers will be releasing a map of all of the participating locations in town.

• An Ole Fashioned Christmas is Dec. 9

To kick off Six Mile’s Christmas festivities, the town will have its signature lights brighten Main Street at the annual Ole Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 9.
The next day, on Dec. 10, Six Mile’s 51st annual Christmas parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Afterward, a Christmas market will be held at the Red, White and Brew Coffee Co. building, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. All shoppers will have free entry.