Farm-City Committee evaluates, plans future events
Published 2:00 am Wednesday, October 14, 2015
The Farm-City Committee of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday morning to discuss recent Farm-City Week events and shore up its plans for upcoming events.
Committee Chair Randy Hale wasted little time in waving the blue ribbon the committee won for its Pike County Fair booth. Although, the committee has made a habit of winning the blue ribbon, Hale said this year’s booth was especially deserving.
“We had 100 farm and farm-life related items in the booth and a lot of people have said how much they enjoyed the booth,” he said. “A lot of people contributed items to the booth and it was amazing to see all of the food and fiber products that are produced in Pike County and everything that is made from them as well as items related to farm life.”
Heath Wesley, Pike County Extension coordinator, reported on Pike County Farm Day held at Cattleman Park on Oct. 8. About 400 third-grade students from all schools in Pike County attended Farm Day, which featured 11 stations that helped tell the story of agriculture in Pike County, from cotton, corn and peanut production to food safety and soil conservation.
“The kids always enjoy getting to touch the animals and we had rabbits, goats, chickens and horses,” Wesley said. “Smokey Bear was there to talk about fire safety and the kids learned about tractor safety. The kids had a good time and the feedback from the teachers was good.”
The Farm-City Committee participated in Pioneer Days at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama on Friday and Saturday with the Soil Conservation trailer and will also have the trailer on-site at the Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge on Oct. 31.
Darryl Calhoun reported that this year’s Farm-City Job Swap will be between Barry McKnight, Troy University broadcasting director, and John Henderson, logger.
The committee’s Classroom in the Forest is set for Oct. 27 and 28 at the Gene and Jana Renfroe Farm and will continue on Oct. 29 at John and Carol Dorril’s Clay Hill Farm.
Hale said all fifth grade students in the county will participate in Classroom in the Forest at the Renfroe farm and will participate in activities related to forest and pond management. Troy University international students will participate in the Classroom in the Forest at the Dorrill farm.
The annual Farm-City Banquet will be on Nov. 5 at Cattleman Park. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Pike County Chamber office at 101 East Church Street in Troy.
This year’s Farm-City tour will be to the Science and Agriculture Academy at Goshen High School on Nov. 10.
Members of the Pike County Farm-City Committee are available to speak at local clubs, organizations and other groups. To schedule a speaker, call the Chamber office at 334-566-2294.