Baker retires from Farm Bureau

PRESCOTT – According to Janey Baker, for the next six months all Ronnie Baker will be doing is playing golf and mowing the yard.

She said this at Baker’s retirement party Tuesday at the Farm Bureau office, where Baker has been the last 40 years. He started as an agent in July 1984 and was promoted to agency manager in November 1999.

“It’s been a long tenure,” he said, “and a lot has changed in the industry, a lot for the better. I’ve met a lot of great people.” Baker said Farm Bureau is unique as it has two faces, the insurance one and federation side. The federation side lobbies for farmers and is a strong voice in both Little Rock and Washington, D.C. In talking about what he plans to do after retiring, Baker said he plans to play a lot of golf and has 80 acres to take care of. “I’ll do what comes along. I’ve enjoyed my time here. This is a good organization and I couldn’t have worked for a better company.”

Bob Cummings, Farm Bureau president, said Baker will be missed. “It’s been a long, hard 40 years with a lot of ups and downs. We didn’t always agree, but he did well.”

The Farm Bureau community room was packed with well wishers, all who were asked to sign a guest book. There was also plenty of mingling with people sharing memories of the last 40 years.