|
|
2003 Agribusiness Banquet highlights team efforts of Lee County
| Name | Randy Cubbage | | Situation | Less than one percent (1 %) of Lee County's people produce food and fiber for others. This is below the national average of 2% of farmers doing so. As economics have forced two of the three largest county employers to close plants and force people to look elsewhere for work, the only large employer left is the Lee Correctional Center. Farming has been and still is the backbone of this rural county, and our farm numbers continue to decline as the farmers too must look for alternative incomes. Farmers in general are clannish due to the nature of their business; however, a true common bond between the rural and urban folks here is the biennial Agribusiness Banquet. | | Response | This Agribusiness Banquet is a celebration of National Farm-City Week.
Approximately thirty individuals collaborate to design and implement the event. The committee begins preparations in early winter every other year, making plans to bring together both rural and urban folks on common ground just before Thanksgiving. Members of this committee are strategically located across the county, so all have the opportunity of knowing about the banquet and have the opportunity to attend. Our local newspaper editor gives the banquet free coverage. Attendance is usually close to 250 people and there is a good mix of rural and urban representation. The leadership of the committee is alternated among Lee County Extension, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. | | Impact | Our Chamber of Commerce director served as the emcee. He produced a short video and entitled it "Pride, Productivity, and Pleasure" with full support of the committee. This video was shown at the end of the banquet program. Several individuals participated in taking footage and supplying pictures of activities in the county to highlight the theme mentioned above. The impact of the event was the team effort and networking of the Lee County people to keep reminding them how each sector depends on the other. The banquet is well supported by friends of agriculture, which is a plus for beginning plans our next banquet in 2005. The program is a highlight of Lee County, a tribute to our farmers, and an ongoing success story. |
Last update3/19/2008
This website is maintained by Tomika Orgbon.
|
