‘Local Farms Feed Local Families’

The 57th annual Watauga County Farm City Banquet will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Boone United Methodist Church.

The theme for the 2012 Farm City Banquet is “Local Farms Feed Local Families,” as the event celebrates locally produced farm products and farmers, food entrepreneurs and supporters of local farms.

This year’s guest speaker is Denise Cerreta, the founder of the One World Everybody Eats Cafe movement, who helped provide vision for the local F.A.R.M. Café in downtown Boone.

Following a local food supper catered by Bandana’s Bar-B-Que and Grill, individuals will be recognized for their contributions and support of the local agricultural economy. The banquet will also feature door prizes that will be given out toward the conclusion of the celebration, including a print by area artist Richard Tumbleston, who will finish the piece at the event.

Each year, the public is asked to nominate outstanding people they know made a positive impact on youth, agriculture and our community. A list of awards and application forms can be downloaded from the Watauga County Cooperative Extension website, http://watauga.ces.ncsu.edu, or picked up from the Watauga County Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension at 971 W. King St. in Boone.

Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off to the extension office or e-mailed to kathy_lee@ncsu.edu by Friday, Oct. 19.

Those interested in attending the banquet may purchase tickets at the Watauga extension office through Nov. 7. Adult tickets cost $10, and tickets for children ages 6 to 12 cost $5. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Tickets will not be sold after Nov. 7.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate to area food banks.
For more information, contact the Watauga Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension at (828) 264-3061.