AUGUST 20, 2009 ISSUE
Farm City Celebration Awards
The 2009 L.E. Tuckwiller Award, sponsored by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, was presented to the Elk Knob Community Heritage Organization (EKCHO). Pictured from left to right are Chamber President Dan Meyer, EKCHO President Patsy Eller and EKCHO Vice President Juanita Miller. Photo submittedThe 54th annual Farm City Celebration was held on Saturday, August 15, at the Blair Farm in Boone. The event was moved to an earlier date this year so it could be outdoors and include activities and exhibits for families, in addition to the traditional awards and banquet. During an awards ceremony, individuals and groups were recognized for their involvement in agriculture and the community.
Friend of Agriculture
Ben and Mary Henderson with Bare Essentials have given long-term support to local farmers. Most recently, they helped facilitate the distribution of local, organically produced vegetables and fruit to Watauga County farmers, opening their doors to one of the newest CSAs (community supported agriculture) so that 50 participating families can pick up their weekly vegetables.
Woman in Agriculture
Lee Rankin strives to bring attention to the agricultural side of the High Country through agri-tourism tours of her alpaca farm in Matney, strong involvement in the development of a farmers’ market and serving on local committees and boards. You can find Rankin at most local events, from parades to concerts, hauling a trailer full of llamas and alpacas, always eager to educated others about her animals and farm life in general.
Youth in Agriculture
Amanda Munday is involved on the family farm raising beef cattle and horses and is a member of the 4-H Livestock Club and FFA. Munday serves as an officer in both the 4-H Livestock Club as well as Watauga FFA. She plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in an agricultural field, with the goal of making agriculture a part of her life.
WCCTA Tree Farmer of the Year
Dale Cornett has served on the board of directors of both the Watauga County Christmas Tree Association (WCCTA) and the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. Cornett has also collaborated with Cooperative Extension on several farm demonstration projects, which model new tree production strategies to other local growers. He is a founding member of the Watauga County Wholesale Alliance that helps local wholesale tree growers market their trees on a national scale.
Cattlemen’s Award
The Cattlemen’s Award went to Terry Munday, father of Amanda Munday.
Farm and Food Steward Award
Bill Moretz of Moretz Mountain Orchard has been on the farm tour for eight years and gives workshops on fruit tree grafting at the High Country Growers School and Seed Swap. His educational outreach has also benefited ASU students, who tour his farm every fall to see an example of a small, sustainable family farm.
Beekeeper of the Year Award
Amy Johnston is the current president of the Watauga County Beekeepers Club and is involved in many efforts locally to educate the public about beekeeping. For the past two years she has coordinated the Beginning Beekeepers Short Course and she also hosts an annual Field Day at the Farm for new beekeepers to introduce them to hive management.
Beekeepers’ President’s Award
Jennifer Patt is a first-year beginner beekeeper who originally got into beekeeping because she was noticing fewer bees over the past few yeas. Her main interest is natural beekeeping, without chemical intervention, and she has attended natural beekeeping conferences around the country.
Active at Work Community Award
The Appalachian District Health Department was one of five in the state that were awarded a $360,000 legislative grant to address childhood obesity. As a result, a worksite wellness initiative for 13 childcare centers and every school in the county, as well as the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) was supported. Sixty childcare teachers participated in a Biggest Mover competition, schools received funds to support a teacher wellness library and the “Love Your Life” program for the employees of ARHS was supported.
Urban Gardening Award
The ASU Edible Schoolyard, located on the slope leading to the campus’ Living Learning Center, has been transformed over the last five years into vegetable, herb, flower and fruit gardens. Instructors teach a class using the Edible Schoolyard and K-12 classes benefit from the garden as well. In addition to students and faculty, several community members have adopted some plots.
Growing Healthy Communities – Two Awards
The Mountaineer Ruritan Club provides meals to the sick and shut-in, supports events such as Farm Heritage Day and the Doc Watson Cove Creek Music Festival and awards several scholarships to high school seniors, among other activities.
The Community Care Clinic was founded in 2006 by a small group of volunteer healthcare providers to provide care to the uninsured. The clinic is located in the old health department building and draws on a number of community volunteers to help people lead healthier lives.
Youth Volunteerism Award
Katie Vance, a former 4-H participant, has spent the last two summers volunteering for 4-H summer programs, and she assists with after school activities during the year. She helps keep an eye on the children, provides a positive role model and is always helpful with set up and clean up.
Adult Volunteerism Award
Marge McKinney has been a faithful volunteer at the Hospitality House since its inception in 1985. She regularly works in the community soup kitchen, prepares kits of essential items for residents and provides care and support for other people. She established gardens for two of the facilities, and the residents call her “Garden Marge.”
Agri-Tourism Award
Founded in 1974, the Watauga County Farmers’ Market has operated every growing season, providing family farmers a friendly venue to sell their produce and other farm goods. It has given High Country residents and visitors alike an opportunity to buy local and direct from farmers and crafters in a convenient downtown location.
L.E. Tuckwiller Award
In 2000, the Elk Knob Community Heritage Organization (EKCHO) communities were on the brink of radical transformation, with the potential for development of a ski slope or gated community. With help from many community partners, the Nature Conservancy was able to purchase a large tract of land, which became the Elk Knob State Natural Area in 2003. EKCHO started the Elk Knob Headwaters Day to showcase musical and cultural traditions of the area, and Saturday, September 12, will be the fifth anniversary of the preservation of the natural and cultural history.
Spirit of Farm City Award
Margie Mansure, a family and consumer science agent with the Cooperative Extension, combined her love for health and nutrition with her passion for a healthy food system by organizing farm to school programs for school youth. In partnership with the Watauga County Childhood Obesity Prevention Project, Mansure linked local farmers and produce with the kids in fun ways.
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