Farm City Banquet honors farmers, volunteers February 4
The annual Avery County Farm City Banquet is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Crossnore Baptist Church, with a snow date of Feb.18.
The banquet is a collaborative presentation of Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Avery Soil and Water Conservation District, Avery County Farm Services Agency, Avery High School FFA and Avery County Farm Bureau. Its purpose is to celebrate the ties and growing partnership between the agricultural and urban communities and Avery County's role, as well as to continue to promote understanding and partnerships that will help protect the county’s land, air, water and food sources.
Attendance is healthy at each year's event, and organizers expect another large group to take part this year, said Integrated Pest Management Technician Doug Hundley with Avery County Cooperative Extension.
The evening program will include awards that recognize individuals whose stewardship of the land and/or volunteerism exceeds expectations and provide positive role modeling. The award winners have already been selected, Hundley said, and there have been rare occasions where the recipients have been surprised.
"Usually the award winners know ahead of time and seldom are surprised," Hundley explained. "If we don't inform the winner of an award before the banquet, we normally inform the winner's family so the winner is encouraged to attend. With most every case, though, we'll discuss the award with the winners and make sure they are comfortable with receiving the recognition in the public setting."
Among the awards that will be presented at this year's banquet are Farm Family of the Year, Young Farmer of the Year, Woman in Agriculture, Teacher of the Year, Youth in Agriculture, Volunteer of the Year and more. Winners in past years have included Herman Dellinger and Sam and Margaret Cartner.
"A number of very important people in the community have been award recipients through the years," Hundley said. "Volunteers honored typically include those who have a real passion for volunteering their time and talents throughout the county. Past winners have included Jane McNeil and Jean Crenshaw. Both are the kind of people we look forward to giving recognition to. We try to recognize folks who give back to the county's people."
According to Hundley, winners of Farm Family of the Year are often dedicated to proper soil and water conservation.
"Every one who wins the award generally has a working relationship with both NRCS and the county's soil and water board, meaning that the recipient has worked on his or her farm to implement best management practices in soil and water conservation, making a strong environmental statement," Hundley said.
As in previous years, Farm City Banquet will award numerous door prizes to attendees, thanks in part to a host of area businesses that donate services, meals and other gifts.
"Our county's local businesses are extremely generous," Hundley added. "We receive many goods people sell. They aren't necessarily expensive, but they're always very nice."
Dan’l Boone Inn is catering this year's banquet, and the event promises to be an evening of celebration of local agriculture and volunteerism.
"This is the largest of the agricultural banquets each year, and we want to recognize good farmers, regardless of time spent in the industry," Hundley said. "We have local live music and entertainment, along with a great meal. Roy Krege will serve as master of ceremonies and it will be an entertaining program."
For more information or to purchase tickets for this year's Farm City Banquet, call Avery County Cooperative Extension office at (828) 733-8270.
The banquet is a collaborative presentation of Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Avery Soil and Water Conservation District, Avery County Farm Services Agency, Avery High School FFA and Avery County Farm Bureau. Its purpose is to celebrate the ties and growing partnership between the agricultural and urban communities and Avery County's role, as well as to continue to promote understanding and partnerships that will help protect the county’s land, air, water and food sources.
Attendance is healthy at each year's event, and organizers expect another large group to take part this year, said Integrated Pest Management Technician Doug Hundley with Avery County Cooperative Extension.
The evening program will include awards that recognize individuals whose stewardship of the land and/or volunteerism exceeds expectations and provide positive role modeling. The award winners have already been selected, Hundley said, and there have been rare occasions where the recipients have been surprised.
"Usually the award winners know ahead of time and seldom are surprised," Hundley explained. "If we don't inform the winner of an award before the banquet, we normally inform the winner's family so the winner is encouraged to attend. With most every case, though, we'll discuss the award with the winners and make sure they are comfortable with receiving the recognition in the public setting."
Among the awards that will be presented at this year's banquet are Farm Family of the Year, Young Farmer of the Year, Woman in Agriculture, Teacher of the Year, Youth in Agriculture, Volunteer of the Year and more. Winners in past years have included Herman Dellinger and Sam and Margaret Cartner.
"A number of very important people in the community have been award recipients through the years," Hundley said. "Volunteers honored typically include those who have a real passion for volunteering their time and talents throughout the county. Past winners have included Jane McNeil and Jean Crenshaw. Both are the kind of people we look forward to giving recognition to. We try to recognize folks who give back to the county's people."
According to Hundley, winners of Farm Family of the Year are often dedicated to proper soil and water conservation.
"Every one who wins the award generally has a working relationship with both NRCS and the county's soil and water board, meaning that the recipient has worked on his or her farm to implement best management practices in soil and water conservation, making a strong environmental statement," Hundley said.
As in previous years, Farm City Banquet will award numerous door prizes to attendees, thanks in part to a host of area businesses that donate services, meals and other gifts.
"Our county's local businesses are extremely generous," Hundley added. "We receive many goods people sell. They aren't necessarily expensive, but they're always very nice."
Dan’l Boone Inn is catering this year's banquet, and the event promises to be an evening of celebration of local agriculture and volunteerism.
"This is the largest of the agricultural banquets each year, and we want to recognize good farmers, regardless of time spent in the industry," Hundley said. "We have local live music and entertainment, along with a great meal. Roy Krege will serve as master of ceremonies and it will be an entertaining program."
For more information or to purchase tickets for this year's Farm City Banquet, call Avery County Cooperative Extension office at (828) 733-8270.