By Tiffany Green
The Cullman Times
CULLMAN — Sam and Cynthia Black and family were honored as the 2010 Farm family of the year at the annual Farm-City Banquet Thursday evening at the Cullman Civic Center.
“We are honored and want to thank the committee,” Cynthia Black said.
The Blacks have been involved in farming since the mid 1980s and now are egg producers for Tyson.
They have two children, Cassie and Sam David.
“We have been involved in farming for a lot of years,” Sam said. “We have really been blessed.”
Recently, the Blacks got devastating news that Cynthia is battling breast cancer, but said they have faith in God to make it through this difficult time.
“We have got a hill in our lives right now, but with the help of the Lord, we will make it,” Sam said.
For the past 53 years during November, Americans have observed National Farm-City Week to express thanks to farmers, recognize the achievements of the farmers, rural townspeople and the city residents who make the nation’s agricultural production and distribution system so successful.
“When you look around Cullman County, we have got a lot to be thankful for,” said Leonard Slade, committee member. “We all the opportunities and I’m so glad for the opportunities God has given me.”
Mayor Max Townson commended the Farm-City committee for all their hard work.
“Farm-City week is a great week for the entire county,” he said. “We are number one in agriculture and one of the main reasons is the creation of Lake Catoma many years ago.”
Kirk Mancer, vice chair, gave an overview of this years activities. Activities included the strawberry cook-off, Farm-City Day at the Festhalle, agricultural teacher banquet, proclamation breakfast, Farm-City tour, sweet potato cook-off and finally the Farm-City banquet.
“I think it has been a very productive year,” Mancer said.
Don and Dean Green were recognized for being the 2009 Cullman County city family of the year.
“Farming is very important,” Don said. “On my desk, I had a little sign that someone had made for me that said, ‘No farm, no food.’ This is a special honor for my family and me.”
The Greens were presented with a portrait.
“This picture is going to remind me of the love you have for me and the love we have for all of you,” Don said.
Whitney Haynes presented awards for outstanding FCCLA, 4-H and FFA members.
“If these young people are any indication of what we will be seeing in the future, we have something to look forward to,” Haynes said.
Denise Schuman recognized the poster winners. There were more than 700 posters entered this year.
Winners: Outstanding FCCLA member were Amie Hill of Holly Pond and Sydney Whittle of Vinemont.
Outstanding FFA member Corey Wilkins of Holly Pond.
Outstanding 4-H member Grace Drouet of West Point.
Poster Contest winners: Kindergarten-3rd grade
1st Landan Taylor, 2nd Chandan Makwana and 3rd Noelia Palma-Amador
4th-6th grade
Anamarie Dahlke, 2nd Madison Hogan and 3rd Cloey Taylor
* Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
