Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
On Thursday, November 22, the 2024 Farm-City Breakfast brought together community members at the Jasper Civic Center to honor the vital relationship between rural and urban communities. The event’s theme, “Our Community Counts on Farmers,” emphasized farmers’ essential role in sustaining the American way of life.
Rebecca Barnett, Deputy Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), served as the keynote speaker, delivering an address on the challenges and triumphs of modern agriculture.
“The population is growing, and the need to feed more people is growing, but we’re seeing fewer and fewer farmers,” Barnett said. “Farmers aren’t just the backbone of rural communities; they’re the backbone of cities, urban areas, the state, and the nation. If there are no farmers, there’s no food. Food security is national security.”
Barnett shed light on the evolving demands on farmers, noting that while a single farmer fed 26 people in the 1960s, today, one farmer feeds 166 people despite facing fewer resources, higher costs, and less available land.
“When we think about the policies that we put in place, it’s important they involve common sense and sound science to help support our farmers,” Barnett urged. “We must continue to strive for a safe, abundant, affordable, and accessible food system.”
Barnett encouraged attendees to reflect on the resilience and dedication of farmers who continue to overcome challenges to ensure food reaches American tables.
Barnett also discussed the role of ADAI and its various divisions, including Ag Promotions, Farmers Market Authority, Food Safety, and Weights and Measures. She outlined how these divisions collectively support Alabama’s agriculture industry, ensuring the safety, efficiency, and promotion of agricultural products statewide.
The program also included participation from local youth. Walker County 4-H representatives Lily Kate Clark, a senior at Jasper High School, and Audrey Perry, a Sumiton Christian High School senior, led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge.
Additionally, winners of the Walker County Farmers Federation’s 2024 Farm City poster contest were recognized during the event. The students’ creative interpretations of this year’s theme celebrated the role of farmers in their communities and showcased the next generation’s awareness of agriculture’s importance.
The Farm-City Breakfast is part of National Farm-City Week, a tradition since 1955 that aims to bridge the gap between rural farmers and urban workers. Farmers’ efforts to produce high-quality food, fiber, and forest products depend on the collaboration of countless professionals, including truck drivers, factory workers, bankers, and chemists, among others. The week serves to deepen public understanding of this critical interdependence through educational events and outreach programs. WL
