The annual Farm-City Awards Banquet Thursday night at Cattleman Park will be the culminating event of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Farm-City Committee for 2013.

The banquet will recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the field of agriculture during 2013. Tickets are available by calling the Chamber office at 334-566-2294 until 5 p.m. today.

Kathy Sauer, Chamber president, said that the Farm-City Committee is active throughout the year in an effort to promote the partnership between the rural and urban communities.

“The farming community provides the food and fiber that we depend on for everyday living,” Sauer said. “The urban community provides the resources and services need to get food and fiber to the people. It takes both, working together, to keep Alabama growing.”

Sauer said the Farm-City Committee is one of the strongest Chamber committees.

“The committee is made up of 20 members who represents all segments of the community,” she said.

“This longstanding committee has won numerous statewide awards for its innovative ideas and outstanding promotion of agriculture and the farm-city partnership.

“Among the Committee’s past awards is the Farm-City of the Year in its classification. And, this year, the Committee received a proclamation from Gov. Robert Bentley. The Committee appreciates the recognition it receives but even more it appreciates the efforts of all of those involved in the Pike County Farm-City partnership.”

Sauer said the Farm-City Committee has been very involved in activities leading up to Farm-City Week, Nov. 22-28.

“The Committee participated in two farm tours, Classroom in the Forest at Gene Renfroe’s farm and the Farm-City Tour that included sites at Mt. Moriah and Orion and the Harold and Mary Mitchell home.”

The Committee participated in the Pike County Fair with an award-winning display and in the Peanut Butter Festival with a parade entry.

“The annual Farm-City Swap with Troy Fire Chief Thomas Outlaw and Ed Jones, owner of South Alabama Livestock, trading jobs was a special and fun event,” Sauer said.

The Farm-City Banquet Thursday night will recognize outstanding contributions in different areas as well as youth award winners.

Tammy Powell, who spearheads the Committee’s annual poster, essay and media contests for students, said the entries in all three categories were outstanding.

“There are fewer and fewer farming opportunities for young people these days,” Powell said.

“But there are many agriculture related jobs that are available with or without a college education. Young people need to know about our food and fiber systems and roles they play in our daily lives and the opportunities they present.”

For more information about the Pike County Farm-City Committee or to become a member, call the Chamber office at 334-566-2294.