The 69th Annual Farm City Banquet is set for Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Boone United Methodist Church. Organized annually by the Watauga County Cooperative Extension, this long-standing community event celebrates the heritage of agriculture and recognizes its continued importance in the local economy.
The banquet will feature a dinner, with ingredients sourced from local farms and catered by JP Mason & Coyote Kitchen. Following the meal, an awards ceremony will take place, acknowledging significant contributions to agriculture, the economy, businesses, and supporting volunteers. Guests can also expect music and door prizes, which will include baskets filled with locally produced foods and other items. In a special highlight, acclaimed local artist Richard Tumbleston, who has supported the event for decades, will unveil an art project specifically for the Watauga County Agricultural Services Center.
This year, the event continues its tradition of hosting a canned food drive, asking guests to bring items for area food banks. Additional sponsors for the event include New River Building Supply and Southern Ag, with Watauga Farm Bureau providing platinum sponsorship.
Tickets for the banquet are $15 per person. Children aged 5 and under eat for free, while children aged 6-12 are $5. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the NC Cooperative Extension Office, located at 971 W. King St., Boone. There will be no ticket sales at the door, and attendance is limited to 225 people. For further information, interested individuals can call 828-264-3061.
A variety of awards will be presented during the evening. Commodity groups will recognize their respective producers of the year. The Watauga Soil and Water District will present the Farm Family of the Year award. The Boone Chamber of Commerce will bestow the “Tuckwiller Award,” which honors achievements in Community & Economic Development and is presented in memory of the late Lake Ernest Tuckwiller, a past Watauga County Farm Agent.
Further recognition includes the “Youth in Ag Award” for a standout in Watauga High’s FFA program, the “Outstanding in their Field” award from Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, and the “Community Volunteer Award” presented by Cooperative Extension. The Blue Ridge Conservancy will present the “Conservation Award,” while Appalachian State University's Sustainable Development Department will present the “Charles Church Sustainability Award.”
The Farm City Banquet has a rich history, with its origins tracing back to Cove Creek just over 70 years ago, according to the late RG Shipley, who helped organize the first event. Nationally, the concept of “Farm City Week” began in 1955, following a discussion between a Vermont businessman and the Chairman of the Kiwanis International Agriculture and Conservation Committee. Their discussion centered on declining farm income, rising farm costs, and the increasing separation between rural and urban communities. This led to the creation of the National Farm-City Committee, which Kiwanis International coordinated until 1988, before the American Farm Bureau Federation assumed responsibility.
In Watauga County, the event has been celebrated annually, aligning with statewide traditions. While National Farm City Week is observed the week before Thanksgiving, County Extension Director Jim Hamilton explained that the county has celebrated Farm City on the first Thursday in November for over 20 years. This scheduling choice, he noted, addresses potential weather impacts on roads later in the month and reflects Watauga County's proactive approach.
