PHOTO PROVIDED Pictured are, from left, Amber Concepcion, Mark Higgins, Jim Coslo, Julee Smith, Devyn McPheeters, Evalene Isher, Ethan Howard and Steven Dershem.

BELLEFONTE — Centre County is home to over 1,000 farms, with over 300 of those being full commercial-scale operations.

Farm City week is celebrated nationally and it celebrates and recognizes the partnership between rural and urban communities — all over the country farmers and ranchers will be celebrated.

The Centre County Commissioners have proclaimed Nov. 22-29 as Farm City Week.

Jim Coslo, Conservation District Manager, spoke about the annual Farm City Banquet taking place on Nov. 1 that celebrates the conservation efforts and importance of sustainable agriculture; this year the event is going to be held at the New Hope Lutheran Church in Spring Mills

“In Centre County we traditionally celebrated with a banquet in early November where the Conservation District and our many partners come together for an evening of fellowship and celebration,” said Coslo.

“I always appreciate when you hold events at the New Hope Church in Spring Mills because A.) the food is very good, and B.) they serve gravy by the pitcher,” joked Chairman Mark Higgins.

Coslo read out the Conservation District partners, noting the Farm Bureau, Kiwanis, the Grange, Penn State Extension, 15 FFA students from four different chapters and their advisors, the Centre County Dairy Princess, the Centre County Grange Fair Queen and many others.

The event kicks off with a milk and cheese reception hosted by the Centre County Dairy Princess beginning at 5:30 p.m. Following the reception, attendees will gather at 6:30 p.m. for a turkey dinner.

The guest speaker for the evening is Herb Grove of the Brush Mountain Bison Farm, located in Penns Valley, who will share his experience and insights into sustainable farming practices. Conservation awards will be presented to individuals who have contributed significantly to conservation efforts in the community and strive to protect natural resources.

There will also be opportunities to win door prizes and participate in a silent auction.

Coslo also spoke about the Farm City Committee who attended the meeting with him.

“I’d like to recognize the Farm City Committee for doing a lot of the hard work in getting this celebration prepared,” said Coslo.

He introduced the committee members, Julee Smith and Devyn McPheeters with the Conservation District; Evalene Isher, with the Centre County Farm Bureau; and Ethan Howard with Penn State Extension.

“Anytime you can mesh the conversation about the folks that live in town and the folks that make the food, it’s a general appreciation of everything that we are in Centre County. I think a lot of counties probably have this mix, but I think we have it in a really amazing way,” said Commissioner Steven Dershem.

He pointed out that in Centre County, farmers are celebrated at the Grange Fair, in community farmer’s markets and more.

“(This) gives us all an opportunity to understand not only about farming and agriculture but also the conservation efforts that are going on to keep those farms productive and safe,” said Dershem.

“I think it’s really critical for everyone who lives in our more urban centers to understand how reliant we are on our agricultural industry here in Centre County and the importance of supporting our local farms,” said Commissioner Amber Concepcion.

“We have just about the ability to feed all 160,000 residents of Centre County with the farms we have here in Centre County. Obviously we want to strengthen those bonds between the farms, people in suburbs and people in the small city of State College. We love celebrating agriculture here in Centre County,” said Higgins.

Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door; they are $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 5-12 and children 4 and under are admitted free of charge.

To ensure your seat for the event, you must RSVP by Friday, Oct. 20.

For ticket reservations and inquiries, please contact the Conservation District at (814) 355-6817.