Published: 10:18 PM, 08/17/2009

Last updated: 12:52 PM, 11/17/2009

By: Scott Nicholson

The 54th annual Farm City Celebration, held on Saturday, recognized some of the key contributors to local agriculture, part of an afternoon focusing on local crops, produce, livestock, and the people who share them with the community.

Dick Hearn, who served on the organizing committee, read from a proclamation adopted by local governments.

"Cooperative networks strengthen our community and quality of life," Hearn said, noting that Aug. 8 through Aug. 15 had been designated "Farm City Week."

Ben Henderson of Bare Essentials Natural Market won the Friend of Agriculture Award for his long-time support of local farmers. This year, the Boone business became a pick-up point for a community-supported agriculture project.

Lee Rankin won the Woman in Agriculture Award for her agritourism efforts. She operates Apple Hill Farm in Matney and serves on farmer's market boards and committees.

Amanda Munday was given the Youth in Agriculture Award. Munday is active in the 4-H Livestock Club and the Future Farmers of America and plans to major in agriculture-related fields.

The Watauga County Christmas Tree Farmer of the Year is Dale Cornett. He has served on the board of directors for both the county and state Christmas Tree Associations and won an award for his use of integrated pest management techniques.

Terry Munday won the Cattleman of the Year Award. He operates a herd of 45 cattle.

The Farm and Food Steward Award went to Bill Moretz, who grows more than 90 apple varieties on Big Hill Road and also raises exotic crops like seaberries, huckleberries, pawpaws and kiwis. He also raises free-range chickens and supplied the meat for the event's dinner.

Amy Johnston was named the Beekeeper of the Year. Johnston is president of the local beekeeper's club and coordinates an annual course on bees as well as growing vegetables and hosting educational field trips.

Jennifer Patt won the Beeker's President's Award. Patt began raising bees when she noticed fewer bee populations in the region.

The Appalachian District Health Department won the "Active At Work" Community Award. The health department administered an obesity-prevention grant and held its own weight-loss competition, with the staff losing more than 515 pounds.

The Urban Gardening Award went to the Appalachian State University Edible Garden, a landscape on the campus that features edible plants, produce, and classroom efforts.

Mountain Ruritan won the Growing Healthy Communities Award. It's served the community for more than 40 years, supporting events such as Farm Heritage Day and the Cove Creek Music Festival.

The Community Healthcare Clinic also won a Growing Healthy Communities Award. The free clinic draws on volunteers and medical staff, offering health care to those who can't afford treatment or insurance.

The Youth Volunteerism Award went to Katie Vance. She is a 4-H alumnus who now volunteers with the program.

Marge McKinney won the Adult Volunteerism Award and has served at the Hospitality House since 1985, working in the community soup kitchen and helping start gardens at two Hospitality House facilities.

The Watauga County Farmer's Market won the Agritourism Award for its draw to consumers and its role offering a market to local growers.

The L.E. Tuckwiller Award, sponsored by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, went to the Elk Knob Community Heritage Organization. The community group works with Elk Knob State Park and helps organize the Elk Knob Headwaters Day each September.

The Spirit of Farm City Award went to Margie Mansure. She is a nutritionist with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and has worked with schools on healthy eating habits and school gardens.

The dinner featured local chicken, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, cabbage and strawberries. The event was held at the historic Blair Farm in Boone.

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