Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black will be the keynote speaker at the Polk County Cattlemen’s annual State of Industry meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24.

Glenn Robinson, president, will give the welcome during the event, scheduled at American Legion Post 86, Cedartown.

Commissioner Black was elected as Georgia’s 16th Commissioner of Agriculture in 2010.

He began his career with the Georgia Farm Bureau in 1980 as a Field Representative and later served as Coordinator for the State Young Farmer Program.

Black started a Washington Leadership program for young farmers in 1983. It still attracts youth to the federal legislative process.

He was president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, an organization for farmers and agricultural business owners, for 21 years. He also co-managed the Georgia Food Industry Partnership for 21 years.

History of the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association reveals it was organized in 1972 when the groundwork was laid by accessing the needs of the local cattlemen, planning, setting goals and developing educational programs. Membership increased by involving county cattlemen and their families, local banks, feed companies, cattle pharmaceutical suppliers, and Polk County Agricultural Agencies.

From the beginning, monthly dinner meetings brought members together for fellowship and education. Topics then, as now, focused on helping Polk cattlemen improve their pastures, herd health, and profitability. Additionally, they have worked as advocates for beef through community outreach with a variety of programs including farm tours, scholarships, and local grocery promotions.

Membership in the Cattlemen’s Association fell dramatically as Polk County lost farmland to development.Current estimates are that there may be fewer than 150 cattle producers remaining in the county. Statistics show there was an estimated 3,600 beef cows in 2009, down from a high of 10,000 in 1975.

Robinson and committed board members embraced goals to increase membership, bring in new sponsors, build a viable junior cattlemen program, widen community outreach, establish by-laws, and create a financial sound budget.

There are now more than 110 members, including a group of enthusiastic juniors, who represent the majority of cattlemen in Polk County.