By Jesse Wood
Nov. 14, 2012. Each year, the annual Farm City Banquet in November sells out, and this year was no different.
More than 250 folks attended the celebration presented by the Watauga County Cooperative Extension and sponsored by numerous businesses (see below), and more than 75 pounds of canned goods was collected for the Health & Hunger Coalition. The theme of this year’s banquet was “Local Farms Feeds Local Families.”
Among the many awards given out to members of the agriculture community in the High Country, one received special recognition.
Robert Shipley, who turned 100 years old in 2012 and is a World War II veteran, has not missed a single Farm City Banquet, attending all 57 of them. To recognize Shipley, the Farm City Committee donated $157 to the Robert G. and Agnes D. Shipley Agricultural Endowment.
Other awards handed out on Nov. 8:
- Spirit of Farm City Award: F.A.R.M Cafe
- Christmas Tree Farmer of the Year Award: Joey Clawson of Panoramic Tree Farms
- Cattleman of the Year Award: Doug Jones
- Beekeeper of the Year Award: Mark Hurst
- The Agri-tourism Award (in honor of Pauline and Constantine Alimanestiano): High Country Farm Tour (Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and others)
- Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s L.E. Tuckwiller Award: Boone Area Cyclists
- Woman in Agriculture Award: Amy Fiedler of Springhouse Farm
- Agriculture in Arts Award: Leda Winebarger
- Community Volunteer Award: Amy Hudnall of Horse Helpers
- Youth in Agriculture Award: MacKenzie Norris
- Friend of Agriculture Award: Cove Creek Farm Heritage Day
- Conservation Farm Family of the Year Award: Jeff Winkler of Winkler Farms
Donna Harmon was also recognized at the Farm City Banquet. She is retiring from her position within the Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation District and has volunteered many hours decorating the event.
Meghan Baker was recognized, too. She has been the Christmas tree and horticulture agent at the Watauga County Cooperative Extension for the past seven years and recently accepted a similar position in Buncombe County.
In closing remarks, the Boone Chamber President Dan Meyer thanked local businesses and indivuals that donated items in baskets
- Brian Chatham for Pumpkins
- Goodnight Brothers for hams
- Apples – Bill Moretz
- Cabbage – Critcher Brothers produce
- Muffins – Stickboy
- Honey – Watauga Beekeepers Association
- Birdseed – Bettie Bond
- History books – Extension Community Association
A Richard Tumbleston acrylic painting was the final door prize.
Sponsors
- Mountain Kubota of Boone
- Hollar & Greene Produce Co., Inc.
- Carolina Farm Credit, ACA
- PHARMN
- Life Store Bank
- MountainKeepers
- Watauga County Christmas Tree Assoc.
- Bare Essentials, Inc.
- B. Park Terrell Agency, Inc.
- Watauga County Farmers’ Market
- Appalachian Brian Estates
- Bandana’s Inc.
- Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture
- Watauga Soil & Water
- Evergreen Forest Management
- Watauga County Cattlemen’s Association
- Boone/Blowing Rock Lodging Association
- ASU Sustainable Development Department
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