By: Shayla Terry

The Luverne Kiwanis Club observed this year’s Farm City Week with a tour for the Crenshaw County kindergarteners and a luncheon for local farmers.

The theme for this year was “Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet”. The Kiwanis Club partnered with agri-supportive businesses of Crenshaw County to bring everything together.

On Nov. 18 kindergartens of all four county schools were taken on the Farm City Tour at the Tom Harbin Ag. Center in Luverne. Students were informed on the importance of water, preventing forest fires by Smokey the Bear and the operations of Alabama Agriculture.

Local farmers and supporters brought animals for the children to learn about. The Crenshaw County Young Farmers also hosted activities for the kindergarteners.

“There was a great turn out from the schools,” Luverne Kiwanis Club President Ruth Bayman said.

“They really got to talk to people about what farming is. We all had a great time.”

Farm City Week was closed out on Nov. 22 with a luncheon featuring speaker Ronnie Davis. Davis is the Alabama State Director of USDA Rural Development. Local farmers were invited to partake, and learn how the government assists in their profession.

Davis spoke to the audience on the advancement of economic development, and the success of rural water authorities.

“Crenshaw County officials had the vision to use our dollars to develop multiple water authorities,” County Extension Coordinator Derek Bryan said.

“It has been instrumental to agriculture, and the rest of the county.”

“It was about bringing the farmers and the city together,” Bayman said.

“We wanted to bring them to the city, and see how everything relates pertaining to farming.”

This year, more than 15 businesses and individuals helped to sponsor Farm City Week in Crenshaw County.