The Ninth Annual Agriculture Appreciation and Awareness Banquet is Monday, March 29, at Banita Creek Hall, 401 W. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches. The event will begin with a meet and greet at 6 p.m., buffet opens at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Legendary football coach and rancher Gene Stallings is the keynote speaker. Scholarships will be awarded to students studying or intending to study agriculture, forestry or environmental science at SFA.
Honored this year are Dr. Dale Perritt for the Ag Educator of the Year award, sponsored by Citizens 1st Bank; Albert Thompson for the Pete Smith Agricultural Pioneer award, sponsored by Heritage Land Bank; Sam B. Hayter Trust for the Agribusiness of the Year award, sponsored by First Bank & Trust East Texas; and the Jerry Nichols Family for Farm Family of the Year.
The banquet is a cooperative effort of local agencies interested in promoting and honoring agriculture in Nacogdoches County. Local agencies include Nacogdoches County Farm Bureau, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Cooperative Extension Program, Pineywoods RC&D, Stephen F. Austin State University - Agriculture Department and Texas Forest Service.
Banquet tickets are $22 each or $200 per table of eight and are available now at the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, 2516 North Street. Businesses are welcome to sponsor tables to provide complimentary admission for youth agriculture groups. Call the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, 560-5533, or go to www.nacogdoches.org for tickets and table reservations.
