Avoyelles Parish Farm Bureau Takes Home President's Trophy for Unprecedented 4th Time

Phillip Lemartiniere, left, president of Avoyelles Parish, accepts the 2016 President's Trophy from Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson, right. Avoyelles Parish has won the top honor given out by the Louisiana Farm Bureau for an unprecedented four years in a row.  

STORY BY Allie Doise

Some might say a four-year winning streak is being lucky, but Phillip Lemartiniere, president of the Avoyelles Parish Farm Bureau, said it's all about hard work and teamwork.

Lemartiniere accepted the President’s Award for the fourth year in a row on behalf of the Avoyelles’ membership at Louisiana Farm Bureau’s 94th Annual Convention. This prestigious award is the top honor a parish can receive during the convention. A panel of judges who review parish applications, which include the parish’s quota, involvement and service, determine the recipient of the award.

“It takes a lot of hard work, and it’s not just about me,” Lemartiniere said.  "We have a great group of people.”

While Lemartiniere said he felt truly honored to accept this award again this year, but it was not something he had expected.

“I know some of my neighboring parishes have worked very hard and they’ve done a lot in their organizations,” he said.  “I knew they were going to give us a pretty good run. I am surprised, I really am truly surprised.”

Lemartiniere credited the success of their parish to the hard work of their members and dedication of staff and volunteers.

“We have an outstanding Women’s Committee, a great Board of Directors, and everyone pitches in,” Lemertiniere said.  “We have a secretary staff that's second-to-none.  They’re amazing at what they do. It’s a group effort definitely.”

As much as he is elated at continuing to win the President’s Trophy, Lemartiniere encouraged all parishes to get out there, participate and be active.

“Strong competition pushes us to compete harder,” he said.  “At the end of the day, our farmers and Farm Bureau as a whole are better off for it.”