Franklin County Retail Merchants Association, Inc.

Farmer of the Year - George Thomas Amos

(Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer)

GREAT DAY - GREAT WEATHER

The 2009 Farmers Apreciation Day was held on October 3, 2009 on a day for which we could not have ordered better weather.  FCRMA was happy with the turnout of hundreds of people of the beautiful day.  We want to thank all of our volunteers who made this day possible.  

Pictured above are George Thomas Amos (center) of the Sontag community, who was named Farmer of the Year and Herbert Jones (right) who came in second.  FCRMA representatives Tom Gourley (left) and Dorothy Cundiff (on stage behind) were handing out awards and making announcements.

People attending were able to see demonstrations of tobacco auctioneering, blacksmithing, chair caning, butter making, old timey equipment, new equipment, cider making and old timey housekeeping items.  Farm Agencies were on hand to provide information about their programs and to let children carve and paint pumpkins and decorate cookies in the halloween theme.  Howard Austin provided horses and buggy to provide rides to children and adults.

The largest pumpkin was entered by Brian Doyle and J.C. Ayers entered the largest sweet potato. The market was full of vendors selling everything from fruit and produce to home canned items, to baked goods, to locally processed meats, to wood crafts, to fall flowers and fried apple pies.  Best vendor display was by Brian Doyle, and Market Vendor of the Year award was won by David Cooper.

FARM MARKET VENDOR OF THE YEAR - DAVID COOPER

(photo courtesy of Sarah Dillon)

The best cake entered was judged to be a Coconut cake with walnuts entered by Kandi Siddle of the Sontag community.  Congratulations to Kandi.  There were a total of 15 cakes that were auctioned off after the judging to help offset the costs of putting on this event.

Traditional farm foods of pinto beans, cornbread and "tater and onions" were a hit with the local crowd.  Who washed it down with milk, buttermilk and chocolate milk supplied by Homestead Creamery, who also provided free samples of their ice creams and yogurts.   

Thanks to all who helped and all who visited the event this year.