By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
AUBURN—The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES or Alabama Extension) is recognizing another year of strong participation and community engagement through its Farm-City program, highlighting efforts across the state to strengthen connections between farmers, businesses, schools, and urban communities.
The statewide initiative brings together local committees that organize educational events, student contests, farm tours, and community programs designed to increase awareness of agriculture’s role in everyday life. Officials say the goal remains consistent: helping residents better understand how food, fiber, and forestry products move from farms to households and businesses.
“Farm-City holds a special place in my heart, because it brings together our county’s outstanding agricultural producers, business owners and community leaders,” said Geneva County Extension Director Nikki Dyess, who chairs her local Farm-City Committee. “Our farmers are dedicated to producing quality food, fiber, and forest products for all of us. Moving those products from farms to homes requires cooperation with people from varying walks of life.”
The Farm-City program has been part of Alabama communities for decades and continues to grow through local volunteer leadership. County committees across the state coordinate activities throughout the year, culminating in recognition programs that honor outstanding participation, innovative outreach, and educational impact.
State Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms praised this year’s level of involvement, pointing to the variety and quality of submissions and events across Alabama.
“We were amazed at the talent this year,” Helms said. “From brightly detailed posters and carefully crafted essays to top-notch Farm-City tours and banquets, participation continues to show how strongly communities value agriculture and education.”
Several counties received recognition for their efforts, including Geneva County, which earned top honors in its division for committee organization and banquet programming.
Dale County also earned multiple statewide honors. The Dale County Farm-City Committee was named Runner-Up Best Farm-City Committee for its population category and was additionally recognized for Best Scrapbook. The committee also received the Target Award, highlighting its strong overall participation and program excellence.
Zandi Foss Honored with Statewide Farm-City Service Award Last Month
Dale County Alabama Extension Office’s Administrative Support Associate Zandi Foss was also recognized last month with the Farm-City Service Award. Foss was honored during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon held in Auburn on April 9.
Foss, who serves with the Dale County Extension Office and is quite active in agricultural programs, was honored for going above and beyond her role and for her extensive work supporting Farm-City programming and agricultural outreach efforts throughout the county and the state.
The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to promoting the Farm-City mission, often serving as key connectors between rural producers and urban communities.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Foss is active in local civic organizations and has been a consistent advocate for expanding awareness of agriculture’s importance in everyday life.
Foss said the recognition carries deep personal meaning, reflecting her lifelong connection to agriculture and her family’s farming roots.
“Receiving the Alabama Farm-City Service Award is truly an honor that hits close to home,” Foss said. “I grew up spending most of my time on my papaw’s farm, where my roots in agriculture were planted early. My daddy’s lifelong work with the Alabama Farmers Cooperative running the local co-op further shaped my understanding of how deeply connected our farms and cities truly are. I’ve seen that when agriculture thrives, our entire community thrives. I am incredibly blessed to serve through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and to support people wherever there is a need. To be honored by the same industry that raised me is a full-circle moment I’ll never forget.”
Her nominator noted Foss’s commitment to the program, highlighting her willingness to work early mornings and late nights while helping coordinate events, support outreach efforts, and strengthen connections between rural and urban communities.
Program leaders say recognition like this underscores the broader mission of Farm-City: building lasting relationships between producers and consumers while educating younger generations about the importance of agriculture to Alabama’s economy and way of life.
As planning begins for the next Farm-City season, Extension officials say local committees will continue expanding outreach efforts, strengthening school participation, and developing new ways to connect rural and urban communities across the state.
About the History of Farm-City
“National Farm-City was first established in 1955 as part of Kiwanis International. The goal has always been to highlight the important connections between urban and rural residents,” according to Alabama Extension.
“In Alabama, county Farm-City committees plan a host of special events throughout the year,” the explanation continued. “However, the celebrations culminate with Alabama Farm-City Week, which starts the Friday before Thanksgiving every year. Along with awards for county committees and outstanding volunteers, the annual recognition program in April honors statewide poster, essay, and multimedia contests, as well as the year’s Alabama Farm of Distinction.”
Alabama Extension also highlighted that “For Farm-City Week 2026, the theme “America’s 250: Founded by Farmers” acknowledges agriculture’s significance during the nation’s semiquincentennial,” The awards that will honor recipients for this year will be presented in spring 2027, according to officials.
