SIMCOE, Ala. – This year’s Cullman Farm-City Banquet was hosted by the Cullman County Farm-City Committee at Camp Meadowbrook Tuesday night, Nov. 21, and a new Farm Family of the Year was selected. This year’s winners are Rusty and Beth Daniel, owners of 4D Farm here in Cullman.
Farm-City Committee Chairman Trevor Shoemaker announced this year’s winners and shared how the Daniels first took ownership of the farm and how they’ve used to it entertain and educate students all over Cullman County.
“Rusty and Beth Daniel are the owners of 4D Farm in the Welti area of Cullman County. When a relative’s farm came open for sale, they decided to buy it, and after their child was born, Beth wanted to be at home to homeschool their children. She was teaching but she wanted to teach her own children. She needed a way to be at home with the kids while still having an income, so she decided to do a couple of activities and have farm birthday parties. From there they built a corn maze and a pumpkin patch and had slides built,” Shoemaker said. “4D Farm is open on select days in the spring and select days in the fall to the public and for school field trips. Offering educational field trips to preschool and elementary students is a priority for 4D Farm. They believe it is important that the heritage and dynamics of agriculture are something that all children have a chance to be exposed to. 4D Farm is able to help accomplish that goal in a fun, unique way.”
The Cullman County Farm-City Committee chooses a Family of the Year each year, rotating between choosing a Farm Family and City Family. It recognizes members of the community who fulfill the mission of “bringing about a better understanding between rural and urban people by increasing their knowledge and appreciation of each other as partners in progress.”
Shoemaker was also surprised with an award of his own at Tuesday night’s banquet. Shoemaker will be stepping down as Farm-City Committee chairman after this year and incoming Committee Chairman Oakleigh Callahan presented him with an award in honor of the time and service he has given to the organization.
“I could not do this without the help of our committee and our advisors, truly. They help out so much and this would not be possible without them,” Shoemaker said. “That’s what makes up Farm-City is the people who put the time into it and I really appreciate it.”
Along with this year’s Farm Family presentation, winners were also recognized in this year’s poster contest.
K-3rd Grade Poster Winners
1st place – Cora Hogeland, Holly Pond Elementary
2nd place – Mayer Phillips, Good Hope Primary
3rd place – Thomas Keough, Sacred Heart
4th – 6th Grade Poster Winners
1st place – River Nelson, Sacred Heart
2nd place – Marlee Whitehead, Holly Pond Elementary
3rd place – Kade Michall Gentry, Sacred Heart
The Farm-City Committee also recognized Outstanding FCCLA, FFA and 4-H Members for this year.
Outstanding FCCLA Member
Savannah Bischoff, Cold Springs High School
Outstanding FFA Members
Etta Hudson, West Point High School
Rex Harrison, Holly Pond High School
Outstanding 4-H Member
Ellanora Slusser, Homeschool Program
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