Agriculture is the leading industry in the Greenwood-area and Delta region.
Leflore County produces more than $125 million in ag and ag-related revenues each year, and more than 5,000 ag and ag-related jobs have ties to the county.
On Tuesday, the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate that industry during the 2016 AgFest.
“Ag is a far-reaching industry,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. “When you stop and think about it, the impact that ag has on our county and our region as a whole is in the millions of dollars.”
The fourth annual event will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Leflore County Civic Center.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and should be purchased by noon Tuesday. Tickets can be purchased at the chamber, located at 402 U.S. 82 West, or online at www.greenwoodmschamber.com.
Last year, AgFest brought out a few hundred attendees and continues to grow in popularity each year. It was known as Salute to Agriculture before the chamber revamped and renamed it in 2013.
“We reinvented it and gave it a fresh, new identity and began holding it during a good time of year for farmers,” said Stevens. “We’ve really seen a boost in attendance and participation.”
AgFest now is an event for the whole family.
“We want the entire family to come to this event and enjoy themselves,” said Stevens.
This year, AgFest will feature live entertainment by popular Greenwood-based country duo Jon and Angela Byrd.
Larry’s Fish House will provide a catfish dinner. The event will also include a business and agriculture expo.
Again this year, AgFest will include many children’s activities, such as a corn hole game, a cupcake walk, bobbing for apples, face painting, pictures made with a cow mascot, and a big trough of cotton filled with prizes.
Farm Bureau of Leflore County and the Leflore County 4-H will also attend and provide children’s activities.
Stevens said another thing that’s fun about this event is its laid-back atmosphere.
“You can come in your jeans and boots,” she said.
At 7 p.m., a program will be held. The 2016 Young Farmer of the Year will be announced.
Last year, Shaw native and longtime Greenwood resident Justin Jefcoat won the honor.
The program will also feature guest speaker Chip Morgan of Delta Council.
Morgan, of Leland, has served as executive vice president of Delta Council since 1982. He is one of only two people to have served as the chief executive of the 65-year-old organization. In this role, he has developed strategies and input from Delta Council on national farm policy, state four-lane highway legislation, flood control and the Delta Health Alliance.
During his time with Delta Council, Morgan has expanded its role to include improvement of access to health care, funding for higher education, promotion of adult literacy, confrontation of critical teacher shortages in the Delta and development of a higher education curriculum to train high school administrators in the Delta.
Morgan holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Mississippi.
Prior to this position, Morgan served for seven years as director of the Industrial and Community Department of Delta Council.
Stevens said that AgFest is not only for farming families but also for those who would like to celebrate how important the agriculture industry is to the county.
For more information, call chamber at 453-4152.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
