Kick-off the holiday season with 3,000 of your closest friends at the 63rd Annual Farm City BBQ

The National Farm City Council was formed 63 years ago to help bridge the gap between the business and agricultural communities.

Their goal was to demonstrate the interdependence of a vibrant network of farmers and business owners that help support the economy and provide the essentials that every citizen needs.

Here in Collier County, our Farm City BBQ has similar roots. The old timers remember when our farmers had a bad year of crops and local business leaders reached out, inviting them for a BBQ and sharing the produce that was available so their families wouldn’t go hungry on Thanksgiving Day.

The following year, the farming community wanted to reciprocate the hospitality, so they invited the business leaders for a BBQ in the “country”.

In recent years, the BBQ has grown to attract nearly 3,000 business leaders, agricultural leaders, and elected officials who celebrate the traditions and relationships that make a community stronger.

Guests enjoy the opportunity to shake hands with each of the elected officials who volunteer as the event’s celebrity servers.

The Farm City BBQ supports leadership development in our next generation, by raising more than $400,000 to support the Collier County 4H Association, Youth Leadership Collier, Collier County Junior Deputy League, as well as the Collier chapters of Key Club International.

When you go, look like a regular by wearing your blue jeans and your best cowboy hat. Bring a friend and a few extra dollars to purchase your veggie bag of produce, fresh from local farms and participate in the raffle of prizes donated from area businesses including a grand prize – the Big Green Egg Grill!