AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — From music and movies to books and TV shows, popular culture often draws comedic inspiration by highlighting differences between urban areas and rural communities. However, Alabama Farm-City strives to promote the similarities and interdependence that exist between farmers and city dwellers.

Many Alabama Cooperative Extension System employees volunteer as county Farm-City committee members to support local efforts. These committees plan and host banquets, award programs, proclamation signings, farm tours, job swaps and more — all with the goal of uniting rural and urban populations. Nikki Dyess serves as Geneva County Extension director and chair of the Geneva County Farm-City Committee. 

The Geneva County Farm-City Committee was named the Best Farm-City Committee for smaller-population counties. It was also honored for the Best Dinner. From left are Alabama Farm-City Committee Chair Jeff Helms, Geneva County Farm-City Committee Chair Nikki Dyess and Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation board member Mahlon Richburg.

“Farm-City holds a special place in my heart, because it brings together our county’s outstanding agricultural producers, business owners and community leaders,” Dyess said. “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. Showcasing that collaboration is the true meaning of Farm-City.”

Bringing Home Hardware

Earlier this month, the Geneva County Farm-City Committee was rewarded for their hard work during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon held at The Hotel at Auburn University. In Alabama, there are two Farm-City award divisions. Division one is for counties with larger populations, and division two is for counties with smaller populations. Geneva County received awards for Best Farm-City Committee and Best Dinner in division two. Also, two Geneva County Farm-City committee members, Debbie Dunn and Sharon Turner, received Volunteer of the Year recognitions.

“Our volunteers are absolutely amazing,” Dyess said. “Debbie and Sharon led our county committee when I first joined, and I truly learned from the best. Our committee includes members from the Geneva County Soil and Water Conservation District, local school systems, Poultry South and even a city councilwoman. These individuals also volunteer for Extension and other organizations throughout the year. We are blessed with a dedicated team that truly has hearts to serve.”

In 2025, the Geneva County committee welcomed nearly 200 attendees to its annual banquet, which blended rural and urban awards to reach a larger cross-section of the community. It also encouraged committee members to participate in civic clubs and hosted a tour in conjunction with the county’s new Future Young Farmers program.

Additional Awards

The Dale County Farm-City Committee was named the Runner-Up Best Farm-City Committee for smaller-population counties. It was also honored for the Best Scrapbook and with the Target Award. From left are Alabama Farm-City Committee Chair Jeff Helms, Dale County Farm-City Committee Co-chair Melissa Voynich and Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation board member Mahlon Richburg.

Dyess was not the only Alabama Extension employee to bring home trophies. Melissa Voynich, who serves as Extension director and Farm-City co-chair for Dale County, racked up division two honors including Runner-Up Best Farm-City Committee, Best Scrapbook and the Target Award for adhering to the state’s Farm-City theme. Additionally, Dale County Extension Administrative Support Associate Zandi Foss received the Service to Farm-City Award. 

“Our committee is grateful every day to do the work we do, and we would not have any success without the help of our advocates and community friends,” Voynich said. “These awards really represent an amazing community that comes together for a great cause. I cannot say enough about the people I have met through my journey of serving on the committee and then becoming co-chair. Plus, I have met wonderful people in many other counties, too.”

In total, eight Alabama Extension employees accepted awards on behalf of their county Farm-City committees. The remaining six Extension staff members and awards include the following:

• Best Media Coverage & Proclamation (division two) — Amanda Jones, Clay County Extension administrative support associate and Farm-City committee member
• Innovative Idea and Best Special Activities (division one) — Vanessa Roberts, DeKalb County Extension director and Farm-City co-chair
• Best Civic Club Activities (division two) — Katernia Cole, Franklin County Extension director and Farm-City chair
• Innovative Idea (division two) — Jimmy Jones, Henry County Extension director and Farm-City committee member
• Best Civic Club Activities (division one) — Micah Johnson, Houston County Extension director and Farm-City chair
• Best Media Coverage & Proclamation (division one) — Kristen Roberson, Marshall County Extension director and Farm-City chair

Supporting All Farm-City Efforts

As an assistant director of field operations with Alabama Extension, Allie Logan oversees and supports offices in southeast Alabama. While four counties within her region received awards, Logan emphasized the important work of Farm-City reaches beyond earning recognition.

“I am incredibly proud of the counties in my region that participate in the Farm-City program,” Logan said. “They work diligently with their local committees each year and consistently develop innovative activities and events. So many county Extension staff members devote significant time and effort to making Farm-City events successful. We are truly Wiregrass proud and continue to support one another in all that we do — even if it means some healthy competition.”

Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms commended Alabama Extension employees for their commitment to the Farm-City mission. 

“I’m not sure where Alabama Farm-City would be without our partnership with Extension staff in counties all across the state,” Helms said. “They work with local farmers and other volunteers to coordinate so many programs — whether that’s poster, essay and multimedia contests for school children; Farm-City Week proclamation signing events with city councils and county commissions; or developing local Farm-City tours and banquets. Getting to honor those dedicated volunteers and seeing the excitement when they find out they’ve won an award is always a highlight of my year.”

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. 

In Alabama, county Farm-City committees plan a host of special events throughout the year. 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.

For Farm-City Week 2026, the theme “America’s 250: Founded by Farmers” acknowledges agriculture’s significance during the nation’s semiquincentennial. Awards for the 2026 year will be presented the following spring.