HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The North Alabama Agriplex on Thursday, Sept. 12, held its annual fundraising event, the Harvest to Home Local Foods Dinner & Auctions, at the Dr. William F. Peinhardt Conference Center at Wallace State Community College. The event was sold out.
The evening of celebrating Cullman’s agriculture and agritourism featured a silent auction full of items from local vendors, makers and businesses that use local ingredients or materials to create their goods. Such items included the first jar of honey ever produced by the Agriplex’s hive, manned by Beekeeper Bill Grimmett, and a hand carved wooden clock from the Peinhardt family.
Wallace State Community College President Dr. Vicki Karolewics welcomed the crowd, highlighting the significance of agriculture in the area.
“We are delighted to have you here this evening at our Harvest to Home celebration, our local celebration of the importance of agriculture, our local growers, our community – it’s our way of life in Cullman County.” Karolewics said. “Wallace State is honored to host this amazing event, once again, here in the Peinhardt Conference Center, named for a man who spent much of his life promoting agriculture.”
She continued, “The purpose of the North Alabama Agriplex is simple – to preserve our heritage, educating and feeding our neighbors and growing a sustainable future. And tonight, you all are an important part of that purpose, so thank you.”
Wallace State’s own Chef Aaron Nichols and Wallace State Culinary Pride planned and prepared the night’s meal. Guests enjoyed a starter of savory watermelon gazpacho with basil oil and toasted sourdough to graze on while keeping tabs on their bids for the silent auction. The main course was a savory and tender beef flight with local shrimp, blue corn grits and country frittata squash. A peach crème brûlée and ginger snap biscotti was the sweet end to the meal.
Keeping with the theme of Harvest to Home, the evening’s meal reflected the hard-working culture of Cullman’s farming community. The beef flight was provided by Cullman farmers Sullivan Creek Ranch, Idlewild Farm, God Fearing Farm, Blue Ridge Cattle Company, Mulberry Bend and Center Square Farm. D&Y Farm provided the shrimp, with other local farmers and growers coming together to provide the makings of the dinner’s sides, garnishes and flavors.
The purpose of the evening was to raise funds for the Agriplex and its capital campaign. The goal of the Agriplex’s “A New Home for the Harvest” campaign is $2.8 million, which will cover the construction of a new 8,525-square-foot facility. The new footprint would allow for a community teaching kitchen, private office space, the addition of the offices of the Cullman County Cooperative Extension and continued shared programming.
Before the live auction began, North Alabama Agriplex Capital Campaign Chairman Mike Roden updated supporters on the current status of the campaign.
“Currently, we have raised over $2 million; we are so close,” Roden stated, “If you haven’t had the opportunity to donate to this yet, and you would like to do that, come see any of us, or come to the Agriplex and we have those opportunities.”
Local growers and producers for the event included Watson’s Greenhouse, North Alabama Agriplex, Cullman Bakery, Clark Haynes Farm, J. Calvert Farm, Reeves Peach Farm, Spradlin Farms, North Alabama Mushroom, Humble Heart Farm, McEwen & Sons, Chambers Farm and White Farms.
The North Alabama Agriplex is located at 1714 Tally Ho St. SW. https://agriplex.org
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
