CULLMAN – The Cullman County Farm-City Committee has become a dynasty, claiming the Overall Best Farm-City Committee Award for the third straight year for excelling in Farm-City programs. County Chairman Lesia Van Gundy received a trophy during the Farm-City Awards Luncheon April 2 in Birmingham.
The group was also recognized in Division I with the Innovative Idea Award for encouraging Farm-City business sponsors to participate in a harvest display contest and received the Target Award for reaching a different audience through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“Cullman County has worked hard to involve everyone in Farm-City activities, from farmers and business owners to civic leaders and school students,” said Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms. “Farm-City committee volunteers across the state are passionate about developing a greater understanding of the connection between rural and urban residents, and this luncheon is a time to celebrate their work.”
In Division I, the Lee County Farm-City Committee was runner-up for best committee and received the Scrapbook Award. Other division winners were Coffee County, Best Farm-City Tour; Houston County, Best Media Coverage/Proclamation and Best Civic Club Activities; Mobile County, Best Farm-City Dinner; and Russell County, Best Special Activities.
The Pike County Farm-City Committee received top honors in Division II, made up of Alabama’s smaller counties, along with awards for Best Media Coverage/Proclamation and Best Special Activities. The Lawrence County Farm-City Committee was division runner-up and won awards for Best Farm-City Tour and Innovative Idea.
Other Division II winners were Fayette County, Target Award; Franklin County, Best Farm-City Dinner; Henry County, Best Civic Club Activities; and Randolph County, Scrapbook Award.
Jessica Jones of Crenshaw County was named the 2014 Volunteer of the Year. Jones was recognized for reviving the county’s Farm-City kindergarten tour. She worked with the Brantley High School FFA chapter to build a hay bale slide and train with sections painted like Holstein cows. Jones also scheduled the educational exhibits and displays for the event.
Farm-City committees across the state host numerous events throughout the year, culminating with Farm-City Week observed the week before Thanksgiving. Since 1955, Farm-City committees have hosted educational events and invited city folk to visit local farms for a first-hand look at how food is raised. The 2014 Farm-City theme was “Agriculture: 365 Sunrises and 7 Billion Mouths to Feed.”
Student winners in the annual Farm-City poster, essay and multimedia contests were also recognized during the luncheon.
