MARIANNA, Fla. — 50th Annual Farm-City Celebration Awards Banquet – 6:00 PM November 14, 2023 Rivertown Community Church Marianna, Florida
In past years, the annual Farm-City banquet or breakfast was an invitation only event. In 2023, 150 tickets will be offered for sale to the public, first come, first served. Limit of 6 tickets per transaction. Tickets will be available to purchase starting today through October 31, or while supplies last. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to support agricultural youth organizations in the county.
Tickets can be purchased in person, via cash or check, during normal business hours at the:
Jackson County Farm Bureau Office
4379 Lafayette Street Marianna, Florida
Jackson County Extension Office
2741 Penn Avenue, Marianna, Florida.
Tickets can also be purchased online through Eventbrite with debit or credit cards by using the following link:
https://23farmcitybanquet.eventbrite.com
Special for the 50th anniversary celebration will be recognition of descendants of James I. Ditty, the very first Outstanding Farm Family. Jackson County Farm Bureau has been selecting and honoring an Outstanding Farm Family since 1955. Join us as we recognize this local family and celebrate the legacy of generations of successful farm families in Jackson County.
As is past years, the Farm-City Banquet is an opportunity to highlight the success of 10 farm families through the annual Farm-City Awards. Each year different organizations nominate farmers and ranchers in the county to be recognized. These awards include the Outstanding Farm Family, Peanut Farmer of the Year, Cotton Farmer of the Year, Corn Farmer of the Year, Cattlemen of the Year, Hay Farmer of the Year, Specialty Crop Farmer of the Year, Tree Farmer of the Year, and the Conservationist of the Year. There will also be a farm that will receive the “This Farm Cares” designation highlighted at the event. The final recognition will be the Scholarship Winner of the Ed Jowers Future of Agriculture Farm-City Scholarship.
In addition to the awards, each of the agricultural youth organizations in the county will provide representatives to share highlights of their success this year. Representatives from 10 FFA chapters, the Junior Cattlemen’s Association, and 4-H clubs will be on hand to share brief reports. There will also be key volunteers or financial supporters of our agricultural organizations recognized as an AgVocator.
The purpose of the annual Farm-City Celebration is to highlight the importance of the agricultural industry to Jackson County. Less than 4% of Jackson County citizens are actively engaged in ownership or management of farms and ranches in Jackson County. Yet, the 1,154 farms manage over 275 thousand acres that contribute $93 Million annually in farm gate sales to the local economy of the county. (Source: USDA Census of Agriculture) Most of these businesses don’t have store fronts, or sell direct to consumers, but are vital in keeping Americans fed, clothed, and sheltered with products and byproducts from the crops and livestock produced in this county.
–UF/IFAS
