City and county government officials met with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Farm- City Committee Tuesday morning and signed a proclamation declaring the week of Nov. 16 through Nov. 22, 2012 National Farm City Week in Pike County.

Troy Mayor Jason A. Reeves, Goshen Mayor Jack Waller and Pike County Commission Chair Homer Wright signed the proclamation that calls upon all citizens of Pike County to join in recognizing the accomplishments of America’s productive farmers and of the urban residents who cooperate to create abundance, wealth and strength in the nation.

Reeves said that, when he was a member of FFA during his high school days, he remembered that less than 2 percent of America’s population lived on the farm.

“Today, that number is even less,” Reeves said. “The numbers of those who protect and feed us are small. We should be grateful for their service and give proper recognition to those who feed and clothe the world.”

Kathy Sauer, president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, said that, for the past 57 years during Thanksgiving week, the American people have observed National Farm-City Week to express gratitude for the bounty with which God has blessed the nation.

“And also to recognize the achievements of the farmers, rural townspeople and the city residents who make the nation’s agricultural production and distribution system so successful,” she said.

“Truly, this cooperation between rural and city residents for mutual benefit helps ensure our country’s well being.”

The Farm-City Proclamation 2012 states that American farmers have provided food and fiber to sustain the country’s people throughout decade after decade of progress.

Farmers’ productivity has increased steadily, thanks largely to their initiative in supporting and adopting the methods and materials developed by scientific research.

“Like the proclamation stated, American farmers not only meet the nation’s basic needs for food but also produce agricultural goods for export,” Sauer said. “American agriculture and the many service industries that depend on it is a story of extraordinary labor creating extraordinary abundance.

“So, at this time of the year, it is only fitting that all Americans offers some special sign of thanks to those who grow, harvest and bring to our Nation’s table the fruits of the harvest.”