Benton Partnership hosts the 2024 Farm to Fork dinner

October 28, 2024 Submitted Featured Slider, Local News, Top Stories
Farm to Fork meal is served in the Marshall County High School Cafeteria.

By Abby Miller

The Benton Partnership hosted the 2024 Farm to Fork dinner at Marshall County High School on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Marshall County High School’s Culinary Class prepared a variety of food for guests. The meal was buffet style and included pork BBQ, chicken, fish, meatloaf, buffalo chili, baked potato, corn on the cob, freezer pickles, squash, zucchini, black-eyed peas, green beans, blackberry cobbler, and peach cobbler. Local farmers donated all the food.

After dinner, people gathered in Shadowen Performing Art Center for the awards and scholarships ceremony. The ceremony began with Benton Partnership’s Elena Blevins opening the event with some wise words, “I am blessed to be a part of such a night of Thanksgiving.” Farm to Fork brings recognition to local farmers for all their hard work. Miss Kentucky 2024, Chapel Tinius played the violin. She compiled some of her favorite songs that she will present at Miss America later this year. To follow, the commissioner of Agriculture, Jonathan Shell, spoke about the importance of locally grown produce. Afterward, the MCHS Media Team presented a video highlighting last year’s Farm to Fork Award winners. The scholarships were presented to the following students. The Media Scholarships were awarded to Macye Scott and Dylan Sumner, seniors at Marshall County High School. Abby Miller was presented with the Christian Fellowship Media Award. The Culinary Arts Scholarship was awarded to Karlye Owens. The FFA & Agriculture Program Scholarship was awarded to Abby Treas. 

Awards to local business and farmers were presented after the scholarships. Agribusiness of the Year was presented to Higgins Meats and Eats. Junior Farmer of the Year was presented to Kora Joseph. Young Farmer of the Year was presented to Logan Freeman. Woman in Agriculture of the Year was presented to Brandi Green of Harvest Time. And Farmer of the Year was presented to Lanny Dale Fisk. The Benton Partnership honored Mrs. Ann Riley for her hard work over the past decade. This event would not be possible without her dedication.

Elena Blevins welcomes guests at the 2024 Farm to Fork dinner.
Laura and Mya Higgins and Kylee Hines’s family enjoy the meal at Farm to Fork.
(left) Chapel Tinius plays the violin and various bird calls. (right) Jonathan Shell, commissioner of Agriculture, shares his love for farming and his plan for Kentucky’s future.
(left) Macy Scott is awarded one of two of the Marshall County Media Scholarships. (center) Dylan Sumner receives a scholarship for Media. (right) Abby Treas receives the Marshall County High School FFA and Agricultural Program Scholarship.
(left) Jason and Laura Higgins, owner of Higgins Meats and Eats, wins the Agribusiness of the Year award. (center) Brandi Green from Harvest Time is awarded the Woman of Agriculture award. (right) Kora Joseph is awarded the Young Farmer of the Year award.
(left) Lanny Fisk won the award for Farmer of the Year. (center) Abby Miller accepts the scholarship for Christian Fellowship Media. (right) Logan Freeman was awarded the Young Farmer of the Year award.