George Clayton Owens of Chipley, Florida graduated from Chipley High School,
Chipola College and Auburn University, where he received his bachelor’s degree
in Agricultural Education.
He retired from the Florida Department of Agriculture as an Environmentalist and
now lives and works on the family farm.
Owens has been a member of the West Florida Electric Cooperative for more than
forty-eight years and served as a member of your Board of Trustees for the past
twelve years.
During his tenure as your representative, he has been honored to attend the
Florida Statewide Electric Cooperative meetings in Tallahassee and obtained the
credentials of Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and
the Director Gold Credential, all to better serve the members of WFECA.
Owens has served his community through the Washington County 4-H,
Washington-Homes Cattleman’s Association, as an advisor to the University of
Florida Sub-Tropical Agroforestry Conference, Chairman of the Washington
County Extension Advisory Committee, Trustee for The First Baptist Church and
was elected to the Orange Hill Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Owens has developed a system called Silvopasture on his farm because of his
interest in timber and cattle, and is open for educational tours at any time.
Individuals have come from as far away as Texas and Washington, D.C. to attend
these tours.
He has spoken at numerous training and educational conferences and been
featured in the Furrow, Florida Farmer Magazine, Southern Farmer, Progressive
Farmer and Florida Cattlemen Magazine.
Owens has also been honored with the Outstanding Service Award given at the
Farm City Banquet, The Distinguished Service Award, along with the Innovative
Florida Small Farmer Award given by the University of Florida and Florida A&M
University. He has also received an honorable mention for the National Patrick
Madden Award for Sustainable Agriculture.
