Each year just before Thanksgiving, Farm Bureau members celebrate the positive relationships between farm families and city residents with Farm-City Week. Farm Bureau volunteers donate food, money and time to local charitable agencies that provide aid for citizens in need.
Sharing an abundant harvest is a Farm Bureau tradition. Contact your local county Farm Bureau for information about Farm-City Week activities in your community.
Alachua County Farm Bureau Alachua County Farm Bureau hosted a luncheon and featured guest speakers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science.
Baker County Farm Bureau
Baker County Farm Bureau and the UF/IFAS Extension Office collected non-perishable food items and donated baskets of meals to families in need.
Bay County Farm Bureau Bay County Farm Bureau raised money for a local church and donated to their local peanut butter and backpack drive for families in need.
Bradford County Farm Bureau
Bradford County Farm Bureau and UF/IFAS held its annual Farm-City Week luncheon on Nov. 6 at the Bradford County Fairgrounds. The luncheon was themed “Community Resilience After Disaster.” Guest speakers included the UF/PIE Center and a special highlight to local strawberry growers.
Brevard County Farm Bureau
Brevard County Farm Bureau will celebrate Farm-City Week with a proclamation signing on December 19.
Broward County Farm Bureau
Broward County Farm Bureau celebrated Farm-City Week at the Broward County Fair. Volunteer members helped bring awareness to agriculture at informational displays and educational booths that were set-up during the week.
Clay County Farm Bureau
Clay County Farm Bureau and UF/IFAS held its annual Farm-City Week luncheon on Nov. 20 at the Clay County Fairgrounds. The luncheon gathered 150 local residents and had a guest speaker from UF/IFAS to highlight the areas timber history.
Collier County Farm Bureau
Volunteer members at the Naples Farm-City BBQ extravaganza prepared 1,500 pounds of Black Angus strip steaks and served up corn, salad and baked beans and rolls to feed 3,000 people. The celebration alternates between the city and countryside, giving attendees an opportunity to see rural and urban partnerships firsthand. Collier County Farm Bureau volunteer members also helped out with the Hendry/Glades County Farm-City Week Farm Tour. Attendees were able to visit with farmers and ranchers and learn what fresh fruits and vegetables are grown in their county.
Columbia County Farm Bureau
A catered luncheon at the Women’s Club Garden on Nov. 14 was enjoyed by Columbia County residents in honor of Farm-City Week. The future of agriculture was well-represented at the meeting through local FFA students and 4th grade Pinemont Elementary student, Ansleigh Kelley, who had the opportunity to read her winning essay on “Why is Agriculture Important in Florida?”
Dade County Farm Bureau
Dade County Farm Bureau celebrated Farm-City Week with a food drive to feed migrant farmworker children. They also set up an informational agricultural display at the County Commission building during the week.
DeSoto/Charlotte County Farm Bureau
DeSoto/Charlotte County Farm Bureau and Publix sponsored a poster contest for Desoto County elementary students. The theme was “Who Grew my Thanksgiving Dinner?” More than 140 third grade students participated. The winners of the contest were recognized at the DCCFB Annual Meeting and the winning posters were displayed in the local Arcadia Publix.
Duval County Farm Bureau
Duval County Farm Bureau hosted a luncheonNov. 16 connecting local farmers with the general public. Local FFA and 4-H students helped serve lunch to a full crowd.
Escambia County Farm Bureau Escambia County & Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau worked in the fields of Jay to harvest vegetables to feed hundreds of needy families for Thanksgiving.
Gadsden County Farm Bureau Gadsden County Farm Bureau President Lawson Taylor, right, answers questions posed by Havana Herald editor Randall Lieberman during a Farm-City Week event held at the Havana History and Heritage Museum on Nov. 21. The new museum showcases the local area’s shade tobacco production in past years as well as the current importance of agriculture for the life of the community.
Flagler County Farm Bureau Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns Counties celebrated Farm-City Week by hosting a farm tour and luncheon. Three local farmers and ranchers for environmental stewardship with a CARES award. Attendees were able to meet the local farmers and legislators, as well as learn about commodities grown in the counties.
Hamilton County Farm Bureau
Hamilton County Farm Bureau highlighted the importance of agriculture at its annual Farm-City Week Awards Banquet on Nov. 16. The banquet recognized the top five Hamilton County 4th grade students who wrote winning essays on “Why is Agriculture Important to America?” The contest was open to all Hamilton County 4th grade students. The contest helped educate students on the importance of agriculture and farming. Guests were treated to a pancake and sausage supper prepared by Hamilton County Farm Bureau volunteers.
Hendry/Glades County Farm Bureau Hendry/Glades County Farm Bureau and UF/IFAS coordinated an annual Farm-City Week Farm Tour for city dwellers to learn about production agriculture in Hendry and part of Collier County.
Hernando-Citrus County Farm Bureau A Farm-City Week Festival was celebrated on Nov. 15 with live music, petting zoo, tractor parade, farmer’s market and a host of vendors. The free Liberty Park event celebrated the strong ties that local farmers and ranchers have with urban residents.
Highlands County Farm Bureau Highlands County Farm Bureau highlighted the importance of agriculture at the Highlands County Fairgrounds during the three-day Highlands Ag. Venture, Inc., Nov. 14-16. More than 150 volunteer members helped set-up the event, served lunches, worked stations representing various agricultural commodities and helped educate more than 1400 students, parents and business leaders on the importance of agriculture. Learn More.
Holmes County Farm Bureau Holmes County County Farm Bureau sponsored its annual Farm-City Week community banquet and recognized as the Farm Family of the Year, Justin and Catherine Peel.
Jackson County Farm Bureau Jackson County Farm Bureau hosted their 44th Annual Farm-City Week Breakfast on Nov. 3, five farm families were recognized for their outstanding efforts in environmental stewardship.
Jefferson County Farm Bureau
Jefferson County Farm Bureau Director Buck Carpenter, left, introduced Jason Vinson and his wife, Jessica, and son, Jase, as the local organization’s 2017 Farm Family of the Year at the Nov. 15 Farm-City Week Luncheon held in Monticello. The Monticello Kiwanis Club hosted the event.
Lafayette County Farm Bureau Layfayette County Farm Bureau and the Rotary Club of Mayo held a Farm-City Week luncheon on Nov. 15. Members learned about the history of Farm-City Week and Mayo Mayor Marnie Thomas signed a declaration proclaiming it Farm-City Week in Mayo.
Lee County Farm Bureau Lee County Farm Bureau participated in Farm-City Week by participating in a food drive at Tice Elementary school in Ft. Myers on Nov. 18. The items were distributed from the Harry Chapin Food Bank for citizens of east Fort Myers. Remaining items were distributed to Tice Elementary.
Lee County Farm Bureau Leon County Farm Bureau donated food to the Refuge House in honor of Farm-City Week. The donation by farmers and ranchers helps support victims of domestic violence or abuse.
Levy County Farm Bureau Levy County Farm Bureau donated 20 turkeys and conducted a canned food drive in the local community in celebration of Farm-City Week. Farmers and ranchers donate thousands of pounds of food to various food banks each year throughout the Sunshine State.
Lake County Farm Bureau In partnership with UF/IFAS, Lake County Farm Bureau hosted its annual Farm-City Week Farm Tour. Over 100 community residents visited diverse agricultural operations including a hydroponic farm, a local vegetable farm and farmer’s market, and blueberry farm with a distillery on site.
Madison County Farm Bureau
Madison County Young Farmers & Ranchers teamed up with the Lee Library to spread the word of agriculture to 270 students from Lee Elementary during the Madison County Farm-City Week Farm Equipment Showcase. Students learned about the daily life of a hay farmer and how cotton blooms.
Manatee County Farm Bureau Manatee County Farm Bureau and UF/IFAS Manatee County sponsored an agricultural bus tour to celebrate Farm-City Week on Nov. 17. The fun-filled, day-long bus tour included transportation, snacks, lunch and a look into the counties finest farms.
Marion County Farm Bureau Marion County Farm Bureau held an Ag Hall of Fame Banquet on Nov. 16 in celebration of Farm-City Week. The banquet marked the induction of Wilet (Bud) Albright and Robert Boyer into the 2017 Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet.
Martin County Farm Bureau Martin County Farm Bureau and One Martin hosted a farm-to-table luncheon at Kai-Kai Farm on Nov. 16. A panel discussion with local business leaders, farmers and ranchers, marine professionals and local residents highlighted the economic opportunities and challenges within the community. The county also proclaimed in Farm-City Week and hosted a “virtual” farm tour on its social media channel.
Nassau County Farm Bureau Nassau County Farm Bureau hosted a Farm-City Week breakfast in celebration of Farm-City Week. County officials and residents had the opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked breakfast and learn about the history of Farm-City Week and the beneficial partnerships between city and rural residents.
Okaloosa County Farm Bureau celebrated Farm-City Week with its annual “Worlds’ Smallest Parade” in Crestview. Two tractors pulled trailers of produce to distribute to needy families in the community. Woodlawn Baptist Church hosted the food distribution and supplied volunteers. Read more.
Okeechobee County Farm Bureau
More than 300 Okeechobee community members gathered at the KOA Convention Center for the Farm City luncheon on Nov. 16. Local 4-H and FFA student clubs hosted display booths at the event in support of agriculture.
Orange County Farm Bureau Orange County Farm Bureau will host an agricultural display during Fort Christmas Cracker Christmas on Dec. 2-3, 2017 at the Fort Christmas Historical Park in Christmas. The display booth will celebrate the historic importance of agriculture to the local community.
Osceola County Farm Bureau Osceola County Farm Bureau sponsored t-shirts for 625 4th graders in Osceola County who attended Osceola County Farm-City Days at Osceola Heritage Park. Osceola County 4-H and FFA members led the 4th graders through stations in the areas of animal science, food/crop production, consumption and environmental protection. In addition to teaching components of agriculture, we were able to share the heritage of Osceola County and the rodeo by demonstrating roping, whip cracking, trick riding, and barrel racing. The 4th graders left with a new appreciation for agriculture and the county in which they live. Events sponsors included Osceola County Farm Bureau, Osceola County Cattlemen’s Association and Silver Spurs Rodeo.
Palm Beach County Farm Bureau
Palm Beach County Farm Bureau volunteer members coordinated Farm-City Week with Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau by helping with the luncheon and working educational booths at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Pasco County Farm Bureau Pasco County Farm Bureau Board of Directors participated in a food drive.
Pinellas County Farm Bureau Pinellas County held their annual Farm-City Week event at the Heritage Village. More than 350 children participated in educational hands-on activities that highlighted the importance of local agriculture, 50 volunteers helped make the event a success.
Polk County Farm Bureau
Polk County Farm Bureau coordinated with Hendry, Glades, Collier and Highlands Counties and UF/IFAS to host an annual Farm-City Week tour for city-dwellers to learn about production agriculture in the counties surrounding them.
Putnam/St. Johns County Farm Bureau
Putnam, St. Johns, and Flagler Counties celebrated Farm-City Week by hosting a farm tour and luncheon. Three local farmers and ranchers for environmental stewardship with a CARES award. Attendees were able to meet the local farmers and legislators, as well as learn about commodities grown in the counties.
Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau made a monetary donation to the local food bank to supply meals to families in need during the holidays. The donation symbolizes the goodwill of farmers and ranchers year-round.
Sarasota County Farm Bureau The Sarasota County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee hosted a two- day food drive at the local Publix to help bring awareness to agriculture. They engaged local shoppers by asking agriculture-related trivia questions and collected more than 300 pounds of food for the All Faiths Food Bank and 900 pounds of food for the Old Myakka United Methodist Church in Sarasota. The welcomed food donation to the church stocked bare shelves.
Sumter County Farm Bureau Sumter County Farm Bureau celebrated the abundant harvest of Florida agriculture. Its Farm-City Week event took place at the Brownwood Paddock Square in the Villages retirement community. Residents sampled local foods, shopped at the farmer’s market, visited with legislators and had the opportunity to participate in a farm tour to experience local agriculture.
Suwannee County Farm Bureau Suwannee County Farm Bureau hosted a Farm-City Week banquet to recognize local students and their journalistic skills. The event highlights included an awards presentation to local elementary students for writing the winning essays on agriculture.
St. Lucie County Farm Bureau St. Lucie held a luncheon with Kiwanis on Nov.
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Taylor County Farm Bureau
Taylor County Farm Bureau observed Farm-City Week in conjunction with their annual meeting where 137 were in attendance. The late Ernest Houck, a longtime FFB member, and Taylor County Farm Bureau board member was honored for his lifetime contributions to agriculture. Distinguished Service Award winner Henry Davis was also recognized at the event. Freddy Pitts, Agency Manager, was also recognized.
Union County Farm Bureau Union County Farm Bureau and University of Florida /IFAS Extension held a Farm-City Week Dinner on Nov. 16 at the Lake Butler Community Center. The dinner was open to the public. Local Farm Bureau volunteers and 4-H clubs served up a delicious meal while attendees learned about agriculture’s importance to the local community.
Volusia County Farm Bureau
Volusia County Farm Bureau celebrated Farm-City Week with its 36th annual Farm Tour on Nov. 17. The self-guided tour allowed drivers to visit five farms throughout the county and visit with local farmers one on one. Agriculture represents 3 percent of the county’s economic activity and farms cover 229,000 acres. The tour was free and open to the public.
Washington County Farm Bureau Washington County Farm Bureau sponsored its annual Farm-City Week community breakfast and recognized as the Farm Family of the Year.
Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau Western Palm Beach Farm Bureau celebrated Farm-City Week at the South Florida Fairgrounds. More than 300 visitors attended a luncheon with guest speakers Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Joyner and Farm Bureau President John Hoblick. A local television station also interviewed President Hoblick about Farm-City Week. Visitors were also able to learn about agriculture at various educational displays at the fairgrounds.