By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: Farmer of the Year is Sam Abney.
The rich heritage and contribution of the farming industry in Autauga County was evident in everything said and done Thursday night as more than 240 people attended the annual Farm City Banquet. The banquet was held at the R.H. Kirkpatrick Agricultural Pavilion in Autaugaville.
The Prattville Chamber of Commerce hosted the celebration of the local agriculture, forestry, and other related industries in the area. Posters painted and drawn by Autauga County children outlining the important of agriculture to the economy lined the walls and rails of the Pavilion.
Guests dined on delicious grilled steaks, potatoes, salads and desserts.
The banquet included an award ceremony honoring local business leaders and farmers. Trice Nichols of the Autauga Forestry and Wildlife Stewardship Council presented The Gaines Smith Award to Jimmy and Martha Hughes.
Ousley Farms was recognized as a Century Farm by Bob Plaster, assistant commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and a large group of Ousley family members accepted the award.
Prattville YMCA General Director David Lewis presented the Business Leader of the Year award to Mike Lamar of River Bank and Trust. Lamar is president of the Farm City Committee and is extremely active and well known in the community.
Lowell Strock of the Farm City Committee presented the Farmer of the Year award to Sam Abney. Abney’s family is the fourth generation to live and work on the family farm. They have a successful goat farm and also raise horses and chickens.
Autauga County Extension Coordinator Darrue Stewart recognized the Farm City poster and essay contest winners. These students included Natalie Cornett, Kailey Harrell, Abbey James, Haden McBride, Lillian Robbins, Marissa Thrash, Alyssa Weaver and Hadi Wood.
Every year since 1982, the Chamber brings the community together to honor the rich agricultural heritage of the Prattville and Autauga County area at the annual Farm City Banquet. The banquet was not held last year due to COVID issues.
Farm City Banquet sponsors included the Alabama Ag Credit, All-Polly, LLC, Autauga County Farmers Federation, Autauga County Conservation District, Autauga Farming Company, Campaign to Elect Mark Harrell as Autauga County Sheriff, Central Access, First South Farm Credit, Home Place Farms, In Memory of Gaines Smith, Jessica Sanders for Republican Circuit Judge, Place 2, Long-Lewis of the River Region, Members of the Autauga County Board of Education, Merchants & Farmers Bank, Mickey Smith’s Tires Co., Prattville Farm Center, Re-elect Joe Sedinger for Sheriff, The Clark Law Office, LLC, Thrailkill Inc., and True Pull Trailers.
There were also numerous activities held in November to honor Farm City Month. The City of Prattville and the Autauga County Commission declared November 15-19 to be “Farm City Week.”
Other events included the poster and essay contests, Farm City Day for all sixth graders and an Autauga County landowner’s tour.
For more information about the Farm City Banquet, please contact the Prattville Chamber at 334.365.7392 or at [email protected].
