Emerald Greene Parsons
emerald@greenepublishing.com
The Annual Farm-City Week Celebration was held Thursday evening, Nov. 17, at the Madison Extension office, with teachers, principals, students, parents and guests attending. The highlight of the meeting was the local Farm Bureau presenting prize money to four fifth graders in the county, for doing an excellent job at writing an essay on the importance of agriculture.
Several weeks ago, the Madison County Farm Bureau contacted every county school and presented the Annual Essay Contest guidelines. Every fifth grader had the opportunity to write an essay on, “Why is Agriculture the Most Important Industry in America?”
The 100+ word mini-essays were judged in Gainesville by professional public relations employees at the Florida Farm Bureau Headquarters. The top four students in the county were awarded cash prizes, but all the children received a prize for participation. First place went to Leah Webb, from Madison Creative Arts Academy (MCAA); second place went to Abigail Paige, from MCAA; third place went to Anthony Robinson, from Madison County Central School (MCCS); and fourth place went to Teresa Durante-Santiago, from MCCS. Additionally, the teacher with the winning student received a check for their classroom to use as they see fit, for classroom supplies. The winning teacher was Jennifer Raines, from MCAA.
Prior to the awards ceremony, all those attending enjoyed a pizza party dinner with salad, tea and dessert.
The Madison County Farm Bureau sponsors this essay contest every year as a way to promote Farm-City Week, which is held every year during the week leading up to Thanksgiving.
During the celebration dinner, Richard Terry, President of the Madison County Farm Bureau, and Carol Gibson, Madison County School Board Member, signed the official proclamation designating this time frame as the official Farm-City Week for Madison County.
Richard Terry also took a moment to explain what Farm-City Week means to us and to America.
“Farm-City Week is really important to agriculture,” said Terry. “Our essay contest is likewise important because we need to teach our students the value of farming, and we do this every chance we get.”