Jimmy Montgomery accepts his Citizen of the Year award at the Farm-City Banquet Monday.

Who will sustain future generations?

This was the question posed, answered and celebrated at the 2015 Annual Farm-City Award Banquet. The answer, of course, is: farmers.

“Farming is a hard job – a very time consuming job,” said Franklin County Extension Coordinator Katernia Cole-Coffey. “People take it for granted. Farmers make a lot of scarifies to provide us with the food we have. They deserve to be recognized. Without farmers, we would be hungry and naked.”

The banquet, held at the A.W. Todd Centre Monday, celebrated those who have contributed to farming in a variety of ways. The following awards were presented:

– Cattlemen of the Year: Stewart Blackburn

Orland Britnell presents the Cattlemen of the Year award to Stewart Blackburn.

– Farm Family of the Year: Ronnie and Carol Glass

Ronnie and Carol Glass accept the Farm Family of the Year award.

– Farmer of the Year: Derek Jackson

Derek Jackson accepts the Farmer of the Year award.

– Agricultural Lifetime Achievement awards: Gene Hamilton, Lottie Hillman and Billy Sturdivant

Billy Sturdivant accepts an Agricultural Lifetime Achievement award.

Extension Director Katernia Cole-Coffey presents Lottie Hillman with an Agricultural Lifetime Achievement award.

Extension Director Katernia Cole-Coffey presents Gene Hamilton with an Agricultural Lifetime Achievement award.

Ben Guyton Jr. accepts a Community Development award.

– Community Development awards: Bert Fowler, Ben Guyton Jr. and Billy Bolton

Billy Bolton accepts a Community Development award.

The top award, of course, is the Citizen of the Year. This year’s award goes to a man who is a Vietnam War veteran, a former Russellville City Councilman, a cancer survivor and a member of the Shriners, Jaycees and Civitans: Jimmy Montgomery.

“For an old boy from Tharptown to get this award, that isn’t bad,” Montgomery said.

He was nominated by the Civitan Club.

“Just about every activity we have, he is there wanting to volunteer … He is definitely a huge part of the community,” said Civitan President Matt Oglesby. “It’s an honor to see him get the award. I know it means a lot to him. I’m glad to see him get recognition.”

Other accolades for Montgomery include his work in approving funds that launched the building of the A.W. Todd Center; being instrumental in creating the emergency weather response system; and establishing Franklin County Relay for Life. For that, of course, he humbly insists on sharing the credit.

“I’m just one of many who has brought that on through the years. It takes teamwork to pull that off,” Montgomery said.

Much of his civic engagement and his achievements are tied to his eight-year city council stint.

“I’ve gotten people wanting me to run again this year, but I won’t do it,” he said with a chuckle. “Get some younger people to do it.”

Montgomery thanked his wife Sandy for her support through the years.

At the banquet, contest winners were also awarded, including the following:

Poster contest, K-3

– Anna Kate Burks, first place (Vina)

– Landon Cox, second place (Belgreen)

– Abby Shelton, third place (Vina)

Poster contest, 4-6

– Gracie Montgomery, first place (Tharptown)

– Leslie Staggs, second place (Tharptown)

– Macy Thomas, third place (Phil Campbell)

– Kaleigh Massey, honorable mention (Tharptown)

– Justin Wade, honorable mention (Phil Campbell)

Essay contest, 7-9

– Anna Belle Humphres, first place (Vina)

– Madison Raper, second place (Vina)

– Emma Humphres, third place (Vina)

Essay contest, 10-12

– Emma Henderson, first place (Tharptown)

– Gant Dill, second place (Tharptown)

– Cole Daniel, third place (Tharptown)

Multimedia contest

– Emilia Bahena, first place (Tharptown)

– Patience Lucas, second place (Tharptown)

– Lizbeth Macedo, third place (Tharptown)

For pictures of contest winners, pick up a copy of the January/February “Franklin Living.”