The Farmville Herald And Farmer Leader

New Field Representative Will Assist 23 County Farm Bureau Groups

John R. Batts began work this month as a field representative of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. He is serving 23 counties in the southern and eastern sections of the state.

Batts, a native of Dinwiddie county, has been working with the Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company in southwest Virginia as sales supervisor since May 1.

For two years prior to his joining the state-wide work, Batts had been a county Farm Bureau leader in the state, leading his county to a high position in number of members. Under his guidance the membership quota was reached each year and the number was increased from about 150 to over 600 members in two years.

Upon graduation from high school, he farmed a year before entering Pennsylvania State College and studying a special course in production engineering. After completion, he moved to Richmond and worked while attending night school at the University of Richmond, studying federal taxation and business.

In 1949 he returned to his home county and in 1950 joined the Farm Bureau movement as county secretary and insurance advisor. He is active in many civic affairs and was defeated by a narrow margin for the state senate in 1952.

Batts will be headquartered in Dinwiddie county and will work in the following counties: Pittsylvania, Campbell, Halifax, Charlotte, Appomattox, Prince Edward, Buckingham, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greenville, Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Prince George, Isle of Wight, Nansemond, Norfolk, Princess Anne, Northampton, and Accomac.