Farmers, businesses, students recognized at Farm-City Banquet

HAMILTON — Marion County farmers, county and local officials and business owners gathered at Tombigbee Electric Cooperative in Hamilton for the annual Farm-City Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Farm-City Week falls on the week leading up to Thanksgiving and began in 1955. The week serves as a time to remember farmers, businesses and industries that produce food for the U.S. and the world.
Marion County Farmers Federation President Kenneth Real opened the banquet and Hamilton Kiwanis Club President Conley Ellis led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation by Farmers Federation Director Warren Williford.
The Farm-City Proclamation was read before awards were presented.
The first awards were the Ag in the Classroom mini grants, which went to several teachers and other education faculty for their work in teaching students about agriculture.
Marion County 4-H Extension Agent Rebecca Danley then awarded the Farm-City Poster Awards.
This year’s winners were Aleigha Lawrence with the blue ribbon, LouElla Papania with the red ribbon in second place and Addie Taylor in third place.
Next, Kenneth Real presented the annual Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture award, which went to Bartlett Kimbrough.
Kimbrough has been teaching agriscience at Phillips High School for 12 years. He also runs his own cattle operation as well as Timber Rattlin’ Kennel where he trains English coon hounds. He is also a certified artificial insemination technician. He has a wife and three children.
“I stay pretty busy, I’ll say that,” Kimbrough began after accepting the award. “I appreciate y’all sincerely for this award. It means a lot to me. I’ve been living agriculture pretty much my whole life.”
Ellis presented the final award of the night on behalf of the Kiwanis Club. The Business Award went to Fred’s Pharmacy in Hamilton.
“Every year we look for a business that reflects the heart of the club: service, leadership and commitment to improving the life of children and families,” Ellis said. “This year's recipient has demonstrated all that and more.”
“The Bible says in Matthew 5:16: ‘Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.’
“The Sandlin family is a great example of generosity, consistency and willingness to serve quietly behind the scenes. Your light has truly shined across the community.”
Sandy Sandlin, representing the second generation of family ownership, accepted the award for Fred’s Pharmacy.
“I don’t know who wrote all that, but I want them to do my obituary!” Sandlin joked as he accepted the award. “I started at the drug store in 1958 when I was 10 years old at the soda fountain, and I’ve been there ever since.
“My father had no idea it would go this far, I’m sure, when he started it. I still have people older than me who comment on how he took care of them. We’ve tried to carry that on all these years and appreciate the recognition tonight.”