program applicants sought

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Farming is changing and so is the way the Agriculture Committee of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce is approaching Farm City Week 2001.

Max Davis, chairman of the Agriculture Committee, said members of the Farm City Week subcommittee have explored ways to recognize and honor the changing face of agriculture while continuing to pay tribute to traditional farming in Pike County.

"The committee also looked for more ways to recognize the "city" aspect of Farm City Week," Davis said. "There will be added interest to the Farm City Week banquet this year, when the new awards and recognitions are in place."

Davis said members of the committee are excited about the opportunities to recognize more individuals and businesses that contribute to the success of agriculture in Pike County.

However, when taking a hard look at agriculture and what it has meant to the economy of Pike County over the many years, it is important to recognize those who have been a part of the farming community – over the many years.

The State of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has a program that recognize these long-term contributions to farming.

The Farm City Committee will promote the state’s Century and Heritage Farm Program as part of its Farm City Week activities. But, in order to do so, the committee must first identify those who qualify, Davis said.

The state program recognizes farms in two categories – century and heritage

– and sets standards for acceptance into each.

The selection standards for the Alabama Century Farms are:

·

Farm must have been in the family continuously for at least 100 years.

·

Farm must be at least 40 acres of land owned by the applicant or nominee.

·

Farm must currently have some agricultural activities.

·

Owner must complete an ownership registration form that will be supplied by the Alabama

Department of Agriculture and Industries.

The selection standards for the Alabama Heritage Farms are:

·

Farm must have been operated continuously as a family farm for at least 100 years.

·

Farm must possess interesting and important historical and agricultural aspects, including one or

more structures at least 40 years old.

·

Farm must be at least 40 acres of land owned and operated by the applicant,, who must reside in

Alabama.

·

Owner must complete an ownership registration form to be supplied by the Alabama Department

of Agriculture and Industries.

"We have several century farms in Pike County that have already been designated and recognized and we believe there are others that are deserving of this distinction," Davis said.

Davis said the applications are available through the Farm City Committee. The applications are relatively short and simple to complete. The deadline for the applications is Aug. 31, 2001.

For more information, contact Max Davis at

566-2060 or the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 566-2294.