LETTER: Ag Day coordinator expresses thanks

To the Editor:

“Agriculture: Food Brings Everyone to the Table” was the theme celebrated at the 2023 Putnam County Ag Day event held on Saturday March 11, where families came together to learn about a farmer’s everyday life.

Ag Day kicked off its festivities with an Ag Day breakfast, followed by a short program by Indiana State FFA President Seth Ariens. Awards were also presented for the Friend of the Farmer, Farmer of the Year and Putnam County Farm Bureau’s Ag Production in Putnam County Photo Contest.

Immediately following the program was the Mini Farm Fest, where families participated in hands-on activities and had the opportunity to interact with farm animals, sample milk and popcorn, view farm equipment, view a movie in the barn theater and much more.

Our goal in reaching out to teach the community of Putnam County about the importance of agriculture could not have been achieved without the support of our many sponsors and exhibitors, including: Putnam County Farm Bureau, the Putnam County Community Foundation, Farm Credit Mid-America, First Financial Bank, First National Bank, Hoosier Heartland State Bank, Tri-County Bank & Trust, Almost Home, Burger King, McDonald’s, Putnam Inn and Subway.

Also to be thanked are: Putnam County Farm Bureau Insurance, the Putnam County Master Gardeners Association, Purdue Extension-Putnam County, Putnam County SWCD, Humphrey’s Outdoor Power, Chandler’s Fruit & Vegetable Farm, the Putnam County Antique Tractor & Machinery Association, Putnam County Beekeepers Association, the Putnam County 4-H Llama and Alpaca Club, the American Dairy Association of Indiana, Noah Poynter Media, Poynter Aerial Ag, 2022 Miss Putnam County Handley Everman, 2023 500 Festival Princess Gayle Baugh, 2023 Indiana Miss United States Agriculture, Cantonwine Family Rabbits, the Putnam County 4-H Poultry Club, the Putnam County Fair Board, North Putnam FFA, South Putnam FFA, Cloverdale FFA, Co-Alliance, AHW Rockville, Bane Welker Equipment, Indiana Soybean Alliance, York Automotive, the Indiana Beef Council, Grateful Gardens CSA, the Purdue Club of Putnam County, Woodall Family Goats, Beadles Family Sheep, the Putnam County Museum, Dixie Chopper and Cowpokes Work & Western.

Thanks also to Mark Evans for leading the event in prayer, and special thanks to the Ag Day committee of Ken Carrington, Steve and Patti Cash and Jenna Nees. Many thanks also to the Banner Graphic for their timely press coverage of the event.

Heather Poynter

2023 Putnam County Ag Day Coordinator