Flowers wants to ‘wear out, not rust out,‘ as Farm Bureau VP
Dwight Dana/Morning News
Published: April 21, 2008
Published: April 21, 2008
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AUBURN — Frank Flowers Sr. is into his ninth term as vice president of the Pee Dee District of the S.C. Farm Bureau Federation — and he has no intentions of slowing down.
Flowers, 79, is one of four district vice presidents statewide. They serve four-year terms. Flowers was first elected in 1975.
He represents 12 Farm Bureau chapters in the Pee Dee District: Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry (two chapters), Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter and Williamsburg counties.
“The price of freedom has been a great one borne by heroic individuals,” said Flowers, who served as an Army officer during the Korean conflict. “The Farm Bureau believes in a moral responsibility to help preserve freedom for future generations.”
Flowers said he decided he wanted to make farming a career when he was returning to the United States from Korea. He initially went into dairy farming.
And from the beginning, he was determined to get involved in an organization that “exemplified and perpetuated the American values we hold so strong.”
That’s one of the main reasons he became so involved with the Farm Bureau, where he was a full-time member of the staff for 10 years. He left in 1971 to return to his farming operation in the Auburn community of Darlington County.
“I truly believe in the Farm Bureau’s basic beliefs that have served it so well during the years,” Flowers said. “These beliefs encompass the Farm Bureau’s philosophy and are rudimentary to the continued existence and prosperity of all segments of our country’s population.”
Among the beliefs are individual freedoms, an effective federal government based on the constitution, the importance of state and local governments, a capitalistic economy and respect for the law.
“I’ve known Frank since the early 1980s,” said David Winkles, president of the S.C. Farm Bureau since 1997. “His dedication to the Farm Bureau is unsurpassed by anyone I know. I think you can honestly say he lives and breathes the Farm Bureau. He fully understands how important an organization is is to help farmers be an advocate for agriculture.
Flowers sold his diary operation in 1998 and concentrated on row crops and an Angus beef herd. In August that year, the family of his son, Marshall, purchased the property.
“They operate it and I’m kind of a senior advisor,” Flowers said. “They have a sizeable sod farm operation now and are getting ready to expand even more. I still have a deep interest and assist in any way I can. I’m just proud of Marshall and his family for carrying on the family tradition in such a fine fashion.”
Flowers has been deeply involved all his life in “my beloved church,” Black Creek Baptist. He is a diehard supporter of Clemson University, his alma mater.
Flowers is as devoted to his wife, Margaret, now as the day he met her. They have three other grown children: Dr. Frank Flowers Jr., Damon Flowers and Meg Flowers Clark.
“I’m not close to being retired,” he said. “I want to wear out, not rust out. I feel it’s extremely important if you’re going to enjoy life to the fullest, to involve yourself daily in things you are interested in.”
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