Mark Spooner selected 2023 Ag Person of the Year
Each year the Donalsonville-Seminole County Chamber of Commerce and the Seminole County Young Farmers honor one individual who makes valued contributions to the agricultural industry of Seminole County and presents them with the Ag Person of the Year award.
At the chamber’s 24th Annual Farmer Appreciation event, held as a luncheon last Thursday, March 2nd, Mark Spooner was announced as this year’s recipient.
Spooner has a love of farming that has been growing since birth. For the past sixteen years he has assisted the Seminole County and Southwest Georgia farming community through his position as partner and Chief Operating Officer of Seminole County’s Cook & Associates, Inc., an agricultural consultant business providing land management, grain merchandising and real estate and appraisal services.
Spooner also serves as a Seminole County Commissioner representing District 1, and is a member of the Donalsonville-Seminole County Industrial Development Authority.
In 2020 Spooner had the opportunity to be in present in Washington D. C. and witness President Donald Trump sign the Phase One Trade Agreement with China, a historic trade agreement that could significantly impact Seminole County’s ag-based economy.
Jeff Braswell, President of the Seminole County Young Farmers commented, “I can think of no one more deserving of this honor. Mark’s years of service as both a farmer and ag industry representative here in Seminole County more than qualify him for this award. Farmers in our area are very blessed to have someone like Mark looking out for us.”
In receiving the award Mark commented, “My family and I are blessed to live in this community. Through the years, I have learned a lot from the farmers and agribusiness people in the surrounding area. I am passionate about farming and I do love the dirt. I am proud to see the growth of agribusiness in our area. Farming is a wonderful way of life. I never imagined myself in a position to receive this award, and I am humbled by the recognition.”
Mark is married to Lisa Cook Spooner and they have two sons, Ray Spooner and the late Buck Spooner.
