FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2001
FARM-CITY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
COLUMBIA---At their recent quarterly meeting, the South Carolina Agricultural Council announced and presented the winners of the Farm-City Week Awards for 2000.
Farm-City Week, is celebrated every year during the seven days leading up to Thanksgiving. Established in 1955 by Kiwanis International Agriculture and Conservation Committee, Farm-City Week is designed to increase the understanding between these two vital parts of our nation and to help achieve unity among all workers---on and off the farm.
Throughout South Carolina, rural and urban citizens work cooperatively on projects that show the link between farm and city. These rural and urban citizens comprise the Farm-City Week Committees which include Clemson County Extension staff, Farm Bureau Women’s Committee members, and a host of others who share an interest in the health and well being of our state. The South Carolina Agricultural Council presents the awards each year.
This year, Oconee County received the award for Best Youth Event, Beaufort County for Best Individual Event, and Edgefield County for the Best Overall Event. Farm-City Week Honorable Mention recipients were: Allendale County, Clarendon County, Darlington County, Lexington County, and McCormick County. In addition to the state awards, both Saluda and Edgefield Counties have also been nominated for the national awards.
The Best Youth Event, designated as the best single event designed to educate and promote the farm-city philosophy to young people, was presented to Oconee County for their “Farm-City Days at Oak Grove.” This event was open to grades K-5 and included a worm farm, hay rides, tree planting, bees, snakes, Smokey the Bear, farm machinery, cows, horses, and goats just to name a few.
The Best Individual Event, presented to the county with the best single event held within Farm-City Week, was presented to Beaufort County for “Thanksgiving Dinner Take Outs for the Homeless and Homebound.” This event was unique, different, and involved a variety of individuals and organizations which made it so successful.
The Best Overall award, presented to the county that most ably fulfills all of the goals of Farm-City Week through their activities, was Edgefield County. Edgefield had a number of quality programs and functions that truly impressed the judges such as a banquet, youth activities, promotions, ag tours, and overall community involvement.
In addition to these awards, Saluda County and Edgefield County were selected as our state’s two nominees for national recognition. Both Saluda and Edgefield Counties had a number of diverse Farm-City activities that united the community---rural and urban.
For more information about the winning counties and their events, call: Terry Maner, Allendale Chairman - 843-584-4207; Ann Ackerman, Beaufort Chairman - 843-846-8832; Heidi Fanning, Clarendon Chairman - 843-435-8429, Alma Harris, Darlington Chairman - 843-393-0484; Patsy Hatcher, Edgefield Chairman - 803-637-3161; Frances Price, Lexington County - 803-892-2457; Verda Musier, McCormick County - 803-465-2112; Carolyn Harris, Oconee Chairman - 864-638-5889; and Philip Perry, Saluda Chairman - 864-445-8117. Or, call Faith Lawrimore at 803-936-4287.