BIBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBERS RECEIVE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT AWARDS MACON, Ga. – Bibb County Farm Bureau (BCFB) was recognized with two individual Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) district awards during the organization's 6th District Annual Meeting, held Sept. 30 in Eastman. BCFB member Alan Thiese received the 6th District Volunteer of the Year Award, and BCFB President Haley Scruggs received the 6th District Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. Thiese, a U.S. Navy veteran who is originally from Iowa, has a lifelong passion for agriculture and community service. Since becoming a member of Georgia Farm Bureau in 2021, he has dedicated his time to educating children in Bibb County about farming, sharing personal stories and hands-on experiences from his youth on the farm. Through his volunteer work, Thiese inspires future generations to value and support farmers while strengthening connections between agriculture and the local community. Scruggs is a fourth-generation farmer and board-certified family nurse practitioner who specializes in vascular surgery. Alongside her husband, Seth, and family, she operates a 78-acre farm where they grow pecans and Bermuda hay while running a choose-and-cut Christmas tree business. Scruggs is passionate about connecting her community to agriculture, hosting hundreds of students for farm tours, writing a children's book about growing Christmas trees, and organizing events like the blessing of the crops breakfast and fundraisers for local causes. Balancing her medical career with her agricultural work, she uses her voice to advocate for the industry and inspire the next generation of farmers. The Excellence in Agriculture Award is presented to farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 who earn the majority of their income from something other than production agriculture. Scruggs was named the state winner in July and will represent Georgia in national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in January. The GFB 6th District includes county Farm Bureaus in Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Dodge, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Laurens, Montgomery, Telfair, Treutlen, Twiggs, Washington, Wheeler and Wilkinson counties. Founded in 1937, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general farm organization. The organization has 158 county offices and extra satellite offices in Bryan, Richmond and Walker counties. As a membership-driven, nongovernmental organization, GFB serves as the voice of Georgia farmers and rural Georgia by advocating for them on legislative issues and promoting Georgia commodities. Its volunteer members also actively participate in activities that promote agriculture awareness. GFB membership is open to the public and offers a wide variety of benefits, including insurance and discounts for health services, travel and family entertainment. Enrollment in any of the member benefits is optional and not a requirement for membership. If you would like more information about agriculture, please visit www.gfb.org, like Georgia Farm Bureau on Facebook @GeorgiaFarmBureau or follow on Twitter @GaFarmBureau. IPL0281813 Oct 19 2025