The Richland County annual Farm-City Week was recently celebrated with a luncheon at Seawells. Richland County students received awards in the following categories: Bulletin Board, Essay, Photography, Dress-Up and a new Science Project Contest, all of which promoted a better understanding of the interdependence of Farm and City. A Bob Bailey scholarship was also awarded.

Four Partner in Progress awards were given honoring local horticulture operations.

The Celebrity Chefs served omelets to an appreciative crowd. The Chefs included Joe Pinner and Maggie Alexander from WIS; Jim Gandy from WLTX; Areille Riposta from WACH; James Hill from WOLO; Megan Sexton, Neil White & Allison Askins from The State Newspaper. Presiding was Sydney Whalen, SC Dept. of Agriculture. Program participants attending were Val Hutchinson, Richland County Council; Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture and student representatives from Future Farmers of America and also 4 H Club volunteers.

	Farm-City Luncheon attendees enjoyed winning Bulletin Boards submitted by the Richland County Students.
	The Farm-City Awards Luncheon was recently held at Seawells. Becky Bailey (l) presented the 2006 Bob Bailey Scholarship to Richland Northeast student, Vessela Radieva.
	Richland County’s 2006 Farm-City Celebration recognized several horticulture operations in the Midlands for outstanding support of agri-business and our communities for many years. Receiving the Farm-City Partner-in-Progress Awards were Bruce’s Greenhouses on US 321 near Blythewood, and Rebekah’s Garden at the Farmer’s Market, Carter Farms and Nursery in Eastover and Cooper’s Nursery off Parklane. We salute their professional industry and courtesy service to all citizens.
	St. Joseph School won first place in the Farm-City Dress-Up Contest. Pictured are students from Barbara Hevia’s class who were farmers and city slickers. Students from l-r on back row: Sam Hall (Lawyer), Palmer Kinsey (Vet), Lilly Heidari (Vet), Emmie Gause (TV Reporter), Cam Tringali (Restaurant Owner) Front row from l-r Sarah Grace Ford (Chef), Wyatt Millard (Goat Farmer), Courtney Mauro (Dairy Farmer), Joseph Castellano (John Deer Factory Owner)