scheduled this week

By JAINE TREADWELL

Once again, it’s time to honor the Pike County agricultural community.

Each year, when the harvest is in and the "mule is in the barn" so to speak, the agriculture committee of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce takes time to pay tribute to those who provide us with food and fiber of the highest quality and at the cheapest prices in the world – the American farmer.

The agriculture committee has finalized plans for Farm-City Week which is a time set aside in recognition of the cooperation and interaction between farm and city that is necessary to keep food on the table and clothes on our backs, said Jennifer Simmons, chamber director of community development.

Farm City Week Nov. 19-25 will get a jump-start with the Farm-City Banquet Tuesday, Nov. 16 at the Adams Center ballroom.

Awards will be presented to winners in 11 categories who were chosen from nominees submitted to the agriculture committee by groups and individuals.

Awards will be presented for the following categories: Agribusiness, beef, conservation, cotton, forestry, peanuts, poultry, farm of distinction, poultry, service to agriculture, youth and young farmer.

During Farm City Week, mini-farms will be held at area schools, farmers will come to town to see what a workday in the city is like and city folks will go to the country for a taste of farm life.

"During Farm-City Week we all learn to appreciate each other and the contributions each makes to our economy and how each contribution improves the quality of life for every citizen of Pike County," Simmons said.

Everyone is encouraged to support the the winners of the 1999 Farm City Awards and the Pike County agricultural community by attending the banquet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from any member of the agriculture committee, at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce office in Troy or First National Bank in Brundidge.

Members of the agriculture committee are Malcolm Bundrick, David Carpenter, Wayne Craft, Arlene Davis, Max Davis, Jewel Griffin, Randy Hale, John Huggins, James Johnston, James Ketchum, Hank LaFountaine, Virginia Payne, Tammy Powell, Bill Sanders, Brenda Steed, Lamar Steed, Taron Thorpe, Jaine Treadwell, Ed Walter, Don Wambles, Norvelle Ward and Rita Wesley.

Nov. 13, 1999, 10 PM