What is the purpose of Farm-City Week?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question: What is Farm-City Week?

Answer: For over five decades, there has been a National Farm-City Week. Founded by Kiwanis International, the week was established to help achieve unity among all American workers - on and off the farm.
In 1955 there was concern about the poor public image of agriculture, the strong urban influence of agricultural policies and the growing population with no direct ties to the farm. It seemed farm and city people were destined to pull further apart. They realized positive public relations between farm and city dwellers must be improved.

In 1955 farmers were facing financial hardships. The agricultural industry lost one million farms between 1950 and 1955. Farm income was low, and farm costs, debts and property taxes were rising. Declining economic conditions yielded a poor public perception of struggling farmers.

Kiwanis recognized farmers were going through difficult times. The organization led the drive for a better image of agriculture. They were joined by American Farm Bureau Federation in their beliefs.

Thus was born Farm-City Week. Out of the faith of well-intentioned farm and city people, an effort was and continues to be made to ensure a more sound, friendly course between rural and urban dwellers. National Farm-City Week is a broad-based program including producers, agricultural organizations, businesses and schools. Farm-City programs serve communities throughout the United States by educating youth and adults about the interdependence of agriculture and urban populations.

The reasons for uniting farm and city communities are more important now than they were in 1955. Most counties in states throughout the United States have activities which include school competitions, programs, tours and banquets. Harnett County has two farm related awards that are presented during Farm-City Week - Farm Family of the Year and Friend of the Farmer. Kiwanians also sponsor a college scholarship which is awarded to a high school senior.

To learn more about the national Farm-City Week Council, visit http://www.farmcity.org/index.html If you have any questions about Harnett County’s activities, call me at 910-893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

Harnett County is fortunate to have leaders in the towns of Lillington, Coats, Angier, Dunn and Erwin which value the interconnectedness of farmers and city dwellers. After all, agriculture is our “bread and butter.”

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County