The Christian County Agri-Business Committee gave its awards during the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Salute to Agriculture breakfast Tuesday at the James E. Bruce Convention Center.
The awards were presented to:
- Friend of Ag — Ross Morgan
- Farmer of the Year — Kirk Brunson
- Agri Business of the Year — Buy-Rite Parts and Supply (Jeff Davis owner)
- Distinguished Service Award — Jay Stone, former agriculture extension agent
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles was the keynote speaker. He recognized the role of farmers during the pandemic, including their efforts to provide extra meat, produce and dairy products to food pantries that have seen greater demands for more than a year.
Quarles applauded Christian County as a leader in agriculture, which he called the “best organized” in Kentucky because of cooperation between farmers and local business.
The program also included an announcement from tourism director Brooke Jung about a new slogan for the community: Batter Capital of the World.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
