Page 72 - Life In Naples Magazine - November 2015
P. 72
Dust off your cowboy boots
for the Farm City BBQ’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary!
Business and agricultural leaders prepare to celebrate what has become known as
a favorite Thanksgiving tradition in Collier County. Leadership and Education Conference.
60 years ago, the national Farm City Council was formed in an effort to help When you go, you can look forward to a sizzling
bring together business and agricultural communities. Their goal was to demonstrate
the interdependence of a vibrant network of farmers and business owners that help hot steak, corn, and baked beans served by our
support the economy and provide the basic essentials that every citizen needs. From local elected officials. Bring some extra money to
the truck driver, to the rancher, to the grocery store clerk, to the futures broker and participate in the raffle of prizes donated from area
the biotechnologies, we all play an important role in making sure that Americans have businesses including a grand prize – the Big Green
Egg Grill!
access to a healthy and abundant supply of
food, fiber, and natural resources. COME AND JOIN US!
In Collier County, the Farm City BBQ Date: Wednesday, November 25th
was formed in a similar way. The old timers Time: 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
remember when Collier County’s farmers
had a bad year of crops. The business leaders Location: Junior Deputy’s Camp Discovery
reached out to the farmers, inviting them for Cost: Tickets are $20.00 and include a Shula’s
a BBQ and sharing in the little produce that steak, Immokalee Salad, corn, baked beans and
was available so that their families wouldn’t
go hungry on Thanksgiving Day. A year complimentary beer, wine and sodas
later, the farming community wanted to Tickets are available on
reciprocate the hospitality so they invited the www.FarmCityBBQ.com
business leaders for a BBQ in the “country.”
Hosted by the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office
As the years have passed,farming practices and the Junior Deputies League of Collier
have evolved to meet the growing demands County.
of our nation. They have become more high-
tech and interdependent with the business Cattle Baron Sponsors:
community, that also continues to grow and Waste Management, Arthrex, Collier
thrive in Naples. But, the relationships run Enterprises, Shula’s Steak House, First Florida
generations deep at the Farm City BBQ Integrity Bank, Lipman Produce, Life in Naples,
where there are no suits or formal titles, just
good friends that you greet with a hug. Naples Daily News and D’Latinos
“With technology, we are more plugged Proceeds benefit:
in than ever and yet more separated. The Collier County 4H Association,Youth
Farm City BBQ helps connect us in the Leadership Collier,The Collier County Junior
most important way – through a handshake Deputy League and Key Club International
and a hug with an old friend,” said Stephanie
Kissinger, 2015 Farm City BBQ Chair. If you go, look like a regular.
• Proper attire is Cowboy Boots, blue jeans
Over the past decade,the Farm City BBQ
has grown from 600 guests to over 2,200 and your best Cowboy Hat.
guests who share in the traditional steak and • Buy your Veggie Bag early – as they often sell
Immokalee Salad. And while the roots of the
Farm City BBQ are about developing those out.
relationships, the organization has grown • Bring a friend to share in the best
to support future leaders in our community Thanksgiving Tradition in Collier County!
through four non-profit organizations.
Top: Commissioner Penny Taylor was one of the many celebrity
In recent years, more than $250,000 has servers to greet more than 2,000 guests and attendees.
been donated back into our community Middle: In celebrating agriculture, the Farm City
through the Collier County 4H Association, Youth Leadership Collier, Collier County BBQ showcases locally grown produce.
Junior Deputy League, as well as the Collier chapters of Key Club International. Funds
have helped support the progress of these organizations in providing hands-on classroom Bottom: The Farm City BBQ starts off with the pledge of
education from elementary through high school students. Additionally, a portion of the allegiance and a stunning rendition of the national anthem.
proceeds have helped kick-start the development of the Junior Deputy’s Camp Discovery
as well as providing scholarships for sending emerging leaders to the Key Club District
72 Life in Naples | November 2015
