Johnson County Farmer Has a New Hero

Last October in Johnson County, Ga., a canine hero named Hank saved the life of his owner.

P.W. Wesley, a Johnson County farmer, is always followed by his dog Hank wherever he goes. One day last October was no different, as Hank followed Wesley to the tractor and on to the field. Wesley was going to hook up to a piece of equipment, but lacked a few inches connecting. He got off the tractor and standing beside it, reached over to bump the starter to edge the tractor forward. Instead the tractor cranked and took off, pinning his foot and running up his leg and over his body, rendering him unconscious and his body broken. Hank stayed by his owner, licking him in the face until he regained consciousness. Once Wesley came to, Hank stood rigidly by his side, allowing Mr. Wesley to put his weight on the dog and pull himself up. Somehow Wesley and Hank managed to get back home. An ambulance was called and Wesley was rushed to the hospital. The farmer suffered from four broken ribs, a broken sternum, lacerated liver, bruised lung and cracked bones in his neck.

This heroic act earned Hank second place in the Dog of Valor Award, a national award from the Humane Society of the United States for an “extraordinary act of courage by heroically helping a person in need.”

Hank was given to Wesley by his grandson. Mr. Wesley wasn’t sure what to make of the dog at first, but now says Hank can follow him anywhere and can’t imagine life without his pet friend.

FSA Conducts Outreach in Southern Georgia

Approximately 70 producers from Valdosta, Ga., recently attended an outreach info session hosted by the Lowndes-Echols-Lanier-Clinch County Office of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Presentations covered the 2008 Farm Bill, basic program eligibility requirements, farm loan programs, Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment program (DCP), noninsured crop disaster assistance program (NAP), and the County Committee nomination and election process.

County Executive Director Terrie Wolford deemed the event a success. “The FSA team coordinated an informative and quality meeting. We were able to provide information firsthand to area producers and landowners, including many minorities, as well as socially-disadvantaged and limited-resource producers.” FSA team members who presented include Chad Scruggs, Terrie Wolford, Kyndal Haney, Judy Kight, Pamela Dennis, Cindy Andersen and Teresa Bryan.

Representatives from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, the Southeast Agricultural Coalition Inc., Fort Valley State University, and the Office of U.S. Congressman Jack Kingston also attended the event.