The annual Ag Appreciation Luncheon is our way to say “thank you” to those who provide our food and fiber. Because agriculture is the largest industry in Decatur County, we invite agricultural-type businesses and farmers who operate in Decatur County to the event, which features a seafood buffet, door prizes, and a program given by a leading industry expert.
A seafood lunch for sponsors and farmers will be served by Gay’s Seafood beginning at 11:30 AM on November 9th with a speaker following at Noon. In addition to a keynote speaker and door prizes, an Ag Man and Woman will be awarded and recognized at this event. As a result of the generous sponsorship contributions each year from businesses, this lunch and program are free of charge to farmers in Decatur County.
The Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee is also honored to present awards to the Decatur County Agriculture Woman of the Year and Man of the Year at our event. The purpose of these awards is to recognize a woman and a man in Decatur County who are outstanding leaders in agriculture and make leadership contributions to the agriculture industry and community. The committee also awards the Ag Influence Award when an honorable recipient is present in the community. This award highlights someone that that has made a lasting impact on Decatur County's agricultural landscape throughout their lifetime work.
Past Ag Man recipients include: Donald Barber, Hubert Dollar, Tommy Wheeler, Robert Humphrey, Marvin Rentz, Eddie McGriff, Alvin Newton, Dr. Oscar Jackson, Keith Griffin, Jud Greene, Glenn Heard, Willis Berry, Andy Bell, John Bridges, Sr., John Bridges, Jr., Charles Bailey, Greg Calhoun, Tommy Dollar, Kim Rentz, Clifford Dollar, Jr., Douglas Dean, Jerry Long, Russell Day, Alan Davis, Harold Barber, J.B. Kendrick and Dale and Greg Murray, Robert M. Cohen, Paul Digby, Buster Bell, Rob Cohen, Van Smith, Donald Barber, and Tarrell Bennett.
Past Ag Woman recipients include:Laura Manley, Lillian Griffin, Jo Smith, Sybil Mills, Leslie Barber, Debby Braswell, Carolyn Bridges, Frances Edmunds, Janice Long, Ruth Day, Lindsay Hayes, Diane Stuart, Kathy Hornsby, Anita Kendrick, Waldine Scott, Emma Jean Bell, Kathy Smith, Kelli Long, Jan Jones, Claire Powell, Laura Manley, and Gloria Davis.
