Colby Galey is the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Farmer of the Year.
Galey, 38, was one of four people honored at the 94th annual meeting of the chamber Thursday night. He received a $500 cash award, provided by Staplcotn and Wade Inc., as well as a plaque and a number of agricultural products and services
“I think it’s great. I’m very honored,” he said. “My award wouldn’t be possible without my dad. He instilled a lot of responsibility in me.”
Galey, a fourth-generation farmer who lives in Schlater, farms 1,875 acres of corn, soybeans and rice. His father, Terry, said his son has had farming in his blood since he was 6 years old.
“He’s always wanted to farm. I’m proud of him,” Terry Galey said. “He always had the capability to do it. He’s one of the children that was raised on the farm and wanted to stay.”
Galey, a progressive farmer, has practiced soil and water conservation in his operation. Over the years, he’s implemented tail-water recovery, which reuses field irrigation runoff, as part of his practices.
Galey credited the trust of Watson Pillow and his family in allowing him to farm their land.
“The Pillow family gave me the opportunity to farm — to pass the tradition on, which is very uncommon nowadays,” he said.
Also on Thursday, late Leflore County Olympian Willye B. White was inducted into the Leflore County Hall of Fame. White, who lived in Chicago, died of pancreatic cancer in February 2007.
On hand to accept the recognition on behalf of the White family were Viola White of Greenwood, a cousin, and Tommy White of Indianola.
“We grew up together. She grew up in Greenwood. She lived with grandparents,” Viola White said.
“I’m proud, really proud,” said Tommy White.
Gloria Williams was named the chamber’s Ambassador of the Year.
Williams, a retired teacher who taught at the Leflore County Vocational Center for 31½ years, said she knew it was just a matter of time before she won the title.
“I’ve been an Ambassador for at least six years,” she said. “I love this.”
Williams said the chamber is a warm, inviting place where she was made to feel welcome. Jean Cadney has been a mentor to her, and she also worked with Irvin Whittaker when he was president of the organization, she said.
Sara Ann Carter, owner of Russell’s Antiques and Fine Jewelry, was named Retailer of the Year. The store has been in business for 50 years.
Bill Crump, chairman of the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation, won the Community Pride Award. Tate Taylor, director of “The Help,” presented it.
Crump, a Viking Range Corp. executive and resident of Schlater, said the chamber was supportive during the filming and has contributed to other projects that help grow the city and county.
“This means so much to me,” he said when he accepted the award. “This is really something that belongs to so many people in this community.”
• Contact Bob Darden at bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
