50 years of Farm-City
By Sherrie Norris

It was the social event of the season for many as farmers, nursery owners, garden clubs and service organizations gathered Thursday at Boone United Methodist Church to commemorate a milestone in the history of Watauga County.  The 50th Annual Farm City Banquet recognized the efforts and contributions of many whose impact has been felt in bridging the gap between rural and urban lifestyles in The High County.

There was a moment in the spotlight for men, women, and youth during the celebration, as many were honored for their great contributions to the beauty, preservation and support of the county’s strong farm/city relationship.

Watauga County Extension Director Sue Counts, was joined by members of the Farm-City committee, elected officials and past award winners for numerous presentations during the ceremony.

The event was dedicated to Nora Wilson and Robert Shipley, with admirable comments throughout the evening and a video recognizing their many years of support to Watauga County’s agriculture, extension service and beautification efforts, as well as their life-long dedication to Farm City.   

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce president Dan Meyer returned as master of ceremonies for the evening, joined by Watauga Board of Commissioners chairman Jim Deal with welcoming remarks.

Prior to the banquet, guests enjoyed viewing displays of antique farm implements and fading newspaper clippings that helped promote Farm City in years past.

A highlight of the event was the naming of the Soil and Water Conservation’s Farm Family of The Year.

The winner, Denny and Charlotte Norris own and operate C & D Farm, a 115-acre spread on which they live in the eastern part of the county. Twenty-five acres of this farm consist of timber; the remainder is used to sustain their cow-calf-stocker operation. Their herd consists of 40 head of Salers and Angus cows and 40 calves.  The family rents another 100 acres for pasture and hay and harvest approximately 530 rolls of hay each year to feed the livestock during the winter months.

They were recognized for “best management practices,” including  exclusion fencing, using a water tank as an alternate watering source; stock trails, and a feed/waste storage facility (under construction). The Norris Family is involved in the Farmland Preservation Program; Denny is supervisor on Watauga Soil and Water District Board, member of the Watauga and NC Cattlemen’s Association, serves of the  Farm Bureau board of directors; he chairs the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Commission, serves on the advisory board for Caldwell Community College,  board of directors for Todd Community Preservation; Green Valley Park board of directors, Todd Ruritan board of directors, and is a member of the executive committee of the Republican Party. They are members of South Fork Baptist Church where Denny is chairman of the deacon board, member of pulpit committee and, adult Sunday school teacher. He is the plant manager of Leviton Tooling Facility in West Jefferson.

Denny and Charlotte have three children: Christy, Derrick, and Charity who also help on the farm, assisted by grandson Dakota, who loves the tractors. 

Charlotte works part time at Appalachian State University and enjoys spending time with her family and working in her flowers and garden; her blueberry bushes rendered 106 gallons of berries last year, alone.

Derek Goddard, Watauga Soil and Water District Technician Watauga SWCD, said: “The Norris farm is a model conservation farm. They understand that profitability is directly tied to wise use of natural resources, therefore they protect and conserve their land.”

 “Denny and Charlotte are not only great farmers, but leaders in the agricultural community. They set an example of conservation”

Goddard added, The Norris farm is the first farm in Watauga County to participate in the beef feeding and waste storage facility project to protect surface water. The project is sponsored by the soil district and the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Agricultural Cost Share Program

This year’s banquet was chaired by Lyn Getz and Christoff den Biggelaar and vice-chairwoman Becky Wallace. Members of the general committee who made it all possible were: Meghan Baker, Pat Beaver, Frank Bolick, Bettie Bond, John Bond, Richard Boylan, Cheryl Brown, Angela Church, Loretta Clawson, Sue Counts, Lillian Danner, Bill Dotson, Derek Goddard, Mary Hall, Dick Hearn, Joan Hearn, Marcia Hoffman, Karee Mackey, Margie Mansure, Kathleen McFadden, Dan Meyer, Sherrie Norris, Wendy Patoprsty, Cheryl Piracci, Dale Roark, Rob Robertson, and Susanne Winebarger.

The recipients of Farm City awards are as follows:

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS

BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS:             

Garden Clubs: Blue Ridge Garden Club              Mountaineer Garden Club, Boone Rhododendron Garden Club, Extension and Community Club, Happy Hearts ECA Club.                                                                                                 

RECYCLING AWARDS:                           

Bethel School              , Blowing Rock School, Hardin Park School, Parkway School, Valle Crucis School              , Watauga High School, Appalachian State University, Green Valley ECA, Town and Country ECA

INDIVIDUAL AWARD: Mary Ann Lawrence

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE

The friend of agriculture award is presented to an individual or business making significant contributions (financial or otherwise) to local agriculture.

Southern Ag. Inc.

Bare Essentials Natural Market

WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE                                                       

Janet Mahala

YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE

Erin Isaacs

WCNA NURSERYMAN OF THE YEAR                                                       

Thad Taylor

Past President’s Award                                                                                   

David Tucker             

WCNA Appreciation Awards

Gene Brewer, Boone Town Council, Watauga County Commissioners

FARM AND FOOD STEWARD AWARD                                                       

Brad Hinckley

CATTLEMEN’S AWARD                                                                                   

Bill McNeil                           

BEEKEEPERS’ AWARD                                                                                   

Elmer Jones             

COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROMOTION AWARD                           

Watauga Opportunities

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

The Watauga River Conservation Partners

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AWARD

Blue Ridge Community Theatre

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS (SERVICE) AWARDS

Mountaineer Ruritan

FAMILY LIVING DIVISION

Green Valley Extension and Community Club

YOUTH DIVISION

Appalachian Trailblazers 4-H Club             

COUNTY VOLUNTEERISM AWARD

Bud Altmayer

YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM AWARD                                                                     

Tara Fickling

SCD FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR                                         

Denny and Charlotte Norris

AGRI-TOURISM AWARD                                                                                                 

Diane Price

L. E. TUCKWILLER AWARD                                                       

Beaver Dam/Bethel Community

Quality of Life Award                                                                                   

Choose and Cut Christmas Tree industry

Spirit of Farm-City Award                                                       

Matthew Cooper

Recognition and Thanks

Frank Bolick, Agriculture agent who will be taking an early retirement at the end of this year.