Mrs. Genia T. Bone

Both Dale and Genia were born and raised in Nash County. Genia Bone received a degree from the Raleigh School of Data Processing. She served in numerous roles in her 29 1/2 years with Hardees Food Systems, Inc., including Data Processing, Corporate Personnel, and Training and Regional Human Resources. In retirement, she is a valued volunteer with several local civic organizations. Dale Bone earned a BS degree from NC State University with a double major in Crop Science and Agricultural Economics. He farmed over 14,000 acres for most of his career under the banners of Dale Bone Farms, Inc., and Nash Produce Company. He and his wife provide support to a wide range of organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Wilson, Sandy Cross Methodist Church, Barton College, and Nash Community College. He was known as one North Carolina’s most successful agricultural businessmen, an innovator, and an agricultural leader, particularly in the area of labor relations. A past president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers and a member of the executive committee, Dale Bone, until his death in 2012, continued to address immigration reform at the national level. He continuously provided support for his employees and others in the local community by stressing the importance of education, encouraging his employees to speak English, paying tuition plus hourly wages for those who attended English classes, assisting employees with achieving citizenship, providing support to those pursuing higher education, and improving their lives.