Dalton Dockery, Special to the Journal

ELIZABETHTOWN — As we prepare for the holidays, it is a special time to reflect on the bounty most of us enjoy every day.

It is a time to remember that our food, and products used to produce our clothing, housing, medicines, fuel and other products used on a daily basis did not just appear in a store. They go there thanks to a tremendous partnership of farmers and ranchers, processors, brokers, truckers, shippers, advertisers, wholesalers and retailers.

The Bladen County Farm-City Week Banquet was held on Nov. 25, at the Powell-Melvin Agricultural Service Center. It was sponsored by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and the Elizabethtown Kiwanis Club.

“Partners in Progress” is the ongoing theme of Farm-City Week.

This year, several speakers spoke on the importance of agriculture and how we all need to partner in progress in order to achieve success.

William Brisson of the N.C. House of Representatives gave remarks and Robert Sutter with the N.C. Peanut Growers Association was the keynote speaker. He focused primarily on the importance of peanuts not only to Bladen County, but the whole state as well.

Several presentations took place as well. Becky Spearman, livestock agent, and Brenda Gooden, extension secretary, were recognized for their untiring efforts in contributing to the citizens of Bladen County.

An endowment was created in honor of the late Harvey Morris, long-time agriculture extension agent in Bladen County, and his wife, Elizabeth, who still resides in Dublin. It was truly a wonderful event.

As we prepare to gather with family and friends around the holidays, it is fitting that we count among our blessings the vital farm-city partnerships that have done so much to improve the quality of our lives.

Rural and urban communities working together have made the most of our rich agricultural resources, and they continue to contribute to our health and well-being and to the strength of our economy.

— Dalton Dockery is the Bladen County Extension Director.