The Farm-City Committee of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce won four prestigious awards, including a youth award, at the Farm-City Awards Program at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham Thursday.

The Pike County Farm-City Committee was the runner-up as the Best Farm-City Committee in the Division II category (counties of less than 35,000). The committee was recognized for the Best Farm-City Tour and with the Target Award.

Joel Kervin, a junior at Pike Liberal Arts School, won second place in the state Farm-City state essay contest.

“The Pike County Farm-City Committee was honored to be recognized on the state level,” said Tammy Powell, committee member. “The committee works hard all year long and all of the hard work paid off.”

Powell said the committee received the award for the Best Farm-City Tour for its Pocosin Tour.

“We wanted to do something different and also something educational that could be shared,” she said. “We could accommodate 100 on the tour and we had 150 participate. We didn’t have room on the wagons so the overflow toured on cars and got out and listened to the presentations. It was a great tour. Keith Roling organized it for us.”

The Target Award went to the committee that best incorporated the national focus of dispelling myths about agriculture and supported the theme of “Grown Safely, Extra Tasty.”

“Throughout this past year, the Pike County Farm-City Committee members provided many opportunities for people in our county to learn about agriculture and urban life and their dependence on each other,” Powell said. “Through our fair exhibit, 4-H programs, radio presentations and civic club programs, we have strived to get the story told about how important we are to each other. “

Powell said by providing opportunities to each student in Pike County to participate in either the poster or essay program, the committee hoped that teachers would talk about agriculture and give their students the chance to research and present their ideas through either a poster or an essay.

“The state theme of ‘Grown Safely, Extra Tasty’ was incorporated into each of our exhibit, programs, projects, meetings and special events,” Powell said.