Young Farmers honor retiring supporter

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Former Young Farmer State President Vanessa Forgy (left) reads a card on behalf of the association to Cindy Still (right). Still recently retired as event planner for the association due to several medical problems. Still is supported by Tommy Ketchum of the San Saba Young Farmers chapter. � Staff photo by Montgomery

Jan. 26, 2006 - “If ever a group gave me value in life, value of love, value of soul, it’s been the Young Farmers. A group of people who had all of the above and stood strong to their beliefs and taught me about life, that’s the Young Farmers. They did it,” said Cindy Still after being recognized by the State Association of Young Farmers of Texas at their 52nd annual convention in Corpus Christi.

For her 15 years of loyalty to the Young Farmers organization, she was presented with a case of her favorite wine.

Still, of Corpus Christi, “came aboard as the meeting planner to take care of the young farmers” in the early 1990s, and is retiring due to medical reasons.

Outgoing Young Farmers President Vanessa Forgy said, “(Cindy) has always been there to support and guide us as individuals and as a group. The relationship began years ago with her being a meeting planner and her assistance in getting the conventions organized. It’s been a great friendship on all parts. She’s just the sort of person that when you meet her, you fall in love with her personality and spirit. She’s weathered many personal situations like family deaths of members and always mail a card or show up to the funeral. Babies being born and parents passing away – she’s there emotionally with her support. Her friendship has evolved much more on a personal level than professional.”

In 2004, Still suffered a heart attack, but it was a fall in October 2005 that changed life dramatically for HER. She was paralyzed on the right side. After undergoing several surgeries, the vivacious lady is gaining motion back, but it is slow coming. 

Thus, it is time to give up her “babies,” which is what she calls the Young Farmers.

�These guys are my babies. They are the most gracious human beings on this Earth. They have fun. They are dear hearts. If I ever loved a group (that I worked with), this is the one.�

The love is returned by the association, which was evident by the outpouring of gratitude, and the hugs and kisses she received during the convention, which left her exhausted, on Friday night.

�Cindy has been like our mother. She took care of us and became our mom, mentor, our friend,� said Tommy Ketchum, a Young Farmer member from San Saba, who Still counts as her brother. (Her brother, Tommy, died and Still said God sent her another Tommy.)

This association also changed non-agricultural Still into a very ag-oriented person. She said she knew milk and eggs came from the grocery store but the association gave her a new awareness.

�I�ve seen things in my life, driving down the road, or flying, and I think �Oh my God, young farmers have done this.��