Governor Bentley Has Officially Declared October 24, 2014 as Food Day

Governor Bentley Has Officially Declared October 24, 2014 as Food Day as Agricultural Commissioner Mc
 
ATMORE, Ala. - Oct. 24, 2014 - PRLog -- This Friday, October 24, State Leaders and Organizers will gather across the state in an effort to support Food Day, a national celebration conceived by The Institute for Science and Public Interest. This year is the first year that Food Day has been coordinated on a statewide level – and this year’s main priority is to leverage PR opportunities, promote unity within the agriculture community, start a conversation and use this year as a springing board for Food Day 2015.

The event has garnered a great deal of support from Governor Robert Bentley and Agricultural Commission, John McMillan, who have both issued Proclamations encouraging support for the efforts. A number of Mayors have issued Proclamations of support as well. Organizers state, “We are very encouraged by the support and collective efforts we are seeing as we move forward with this event. Everyone is coming together for a common good. This is what Alabama needs to take a lead in Agriculture, our state’s second – top industry that provides $70.4 billion to our state’s economy and 580,295 jobs.

The statewide celebration will be officially kicked off from Atmore, Alabama. The kickoff celebration will be held at The Atmore Farmer’s Market. Atmore Mayor, Jim Staff will conduct the kickoff ceremony. Speakers will include: Mayor Staff, Atmore Councilwoman Susan Smith; RMFF founder and a Director of Governmental Relations, Amy McGhee; Wind Creek Hospitality’s (WCH) Director of Community Relations and Agriculture Initiatives, Lynn Woodcock; as well as Tribal Leadership from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Mayor Jim Staff and City Council Woman, Susan Smith, have worked tirelessly in an effort to spearhead the events in Escambia County. “Escambia County has 454 farms and 107,639 acres of land that is being farmed. The Agricultural Sector plays a vital economic role in Escambia County and throughout the state. I support all efforts that will foster positive growth for Alabama’s top industry. It’s an honor to be hosting the official kickoff for this statewide initiative,” stated Mayor Jim Staff.  “Agriculture is key to bolstering our economy and improving rural health and development. Alabama is richly blessed with an abundance of resources. I believe we will see Alabama taking a lead in Agriculture as we move forward. The possibilities are endless as are the economic benefits. I am encouraged to see such a collective effort emerging in our Agriculture Community,” Stated Smith. Smith is currently working in conjunction with a Multi-County Strategic Agriculture Initiative that has been conducting research to identify and justify innovative solutions that will maximize the efficiency and profitability of Alabama Farmers, particularly in Senate District 22.

Immediately following the kickoff, WCH’s Mission In Motion, will be hitting the Road to attend an event at Victory Teaching Farm in Mobile.  Agriculture Commissioner, John McMillan and Mobile Mayor, Sandy Stimpson will be in attendance. Other farm visits include a stop and tour at Hasting Farms in Bay Minnette, Alabama. EAT South will be hosting an event in Montgomery and KJ’s Fish Camp (Auburn) will host a gathering for Auburn University’s Department of Agriculture, Animal Science. Other events are scheduled in Birmingham, Auburn and Huntsville.

The state host and PR/Partnership Coordinator for this year’s event is The Rigsby-McGhee Farm Foundation (RMFF), an organization that specializes in Governmental Affairs and Public Relations as they relate to Agriculture. RMFF’s mission is to identify and lobby for opportunities that create win-win scenarios for all agriculture interest in Alabama by advocating for: A Next Generation Farming Initiatives, Urban Agriculture Initiatives, New Market Identification & Development, Reduction in Food Insecurity, Further Development of statewide Food Forums, Regional and Rural Agriculture Based Community Development, The Promotion Of Favorable Agriculture Policy And Initiatives, and Policy-Maker Education, Support & Outreach. “I am thrilled to see such a collective effort, comprised of a diverse group of organizations come together to make this year’s efforts possible. I think Alabama is well on her way to restoring historical levels of revenue, inevitably bolstering the state’s economy and that of rural communities,” stated Amy McGhee, Founder and Executive Director for RMFF.

Supporting Partners for this year’s event include: WCH’s, Good to Go, WKRG, The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, The Alabama Department of Agriculture & IndustPerdido River Farms, Lagniappe, The Bay Area Food Bank, Eat South, The Rigsby-McGhee Farm Foundation, Growing Alabama, The City Of Atmore, The Atmore Farmer’s Market, KJ’s Fish Camp, The Beckerle Law Firm, The Atmore Advance, The Choctaw Sun, Hasting Farms, Conecuh County News and Views, The Clarke County Democrat, The South Bay Community Alliance, and Bamboo Hollow, Mobile Cattlemen's Association, Baldwin County Cattlemen's Association.
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