TIM SMITH I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Agriculture-Natural Resources and 4H Extension Agent for Lincoln County. My name is Tim Smith, originally from Hawkinsville, Ga. Having grown up on the family farm and farming, I have never ventured far from agriculture. Upon completing high school in 1974, I attended ABAC and returned to the farm where we grew corn, cotton, peanuts, hogs and cows. The late 70's and early 80' were not farmer friendly and the grass looked greener in Atlanta, Ga.

I moved my young family to the city where I worked as shift manager for Sealtest Ice-cream, making Polar Bars. Boy, did we make Polar Bars, 120 bars per minute, 24 hours per day, 6 days per week, equals millions. While making those millions, I attended Dekalb College and was looking for a school to complete my degree. The grass in the city had lost some of its luster and agriculture was calling me again.

You guessed it, I attended the University of Georgia and earned a BS in Animal Science in 1985. I celebrated along with the University which was celebrating its 200th birthday. While attending UGA, I worked for Coble Dairies bottling milk and orange juice as shift manager and then assistant plant manager. After completing my degree, an opportunity arose in Macon, Ga. for me to become plant manager for Inman Cream Company, where we made Dairy Queen hard dip ice-cream and IceCream Churn ice-cream. This time my growing family and I moved to Hawkinsville, and I commuted to Macon for the next five years.

Once again opportunity knocked, this time in Peachtree City, Ga. where I worked as production manager for Sara Lee Company in their further processing of meat plant. Some of the products made were hamburgers, chicken nuggets and chicken sandwich patties. Soon after arriving in Peachtree City, Sara Lee decided to close the plant and I began looking for a way to re-enter agriculture. The decision was made for me to attend UGA where this time I earned a Masters in Agricultural Education in 1992.

The UGA Extension was in need of an agent in Crisp County. I moved my family back to Hawkinsville where I began work on the Gum Creek Water Quality Project. The project lasted for three years.

During this time, I realized what a great organization extension is and how it not only impacts 4-H youth and farmers but everyone in a community. What a great tool and a great idea for the university to have personnel in each county to help support agriculture, promote youth and help families.

During my three years with extension, I bought the family farm and built six broiler houses. This was a good means for our family to remain in Hawkinsville where we had become involved in school, church and the community.

For the next 10 years while a broiler producer, poultry litter distributor and broiler house equipment installer, I was an officer in the state poultry growers association, Farm Bureau board member and served on Pulaski County planning and zoning committee.

The kids are grown with the last one starting college in August. With this major achievement behind us, my wife and I are looking forward to moving to Lincolnton and me returning to this great institution of The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension where I will enjoy working with and for each of you.

Thank you for the warm welcome my wife Debbie and I have received from all we have encountered. I know Lincoln County is going to be a great place to live and work. Please contact me if I can be of any service to you. Lincoln County Extension, 288 N. Peachtree Street, Lincolnton, Ga. 30817, 706-359-3233.