The Daily Sentinel

Alta Hughes, a retired employee of the Jackson County school system and a current active worker on behalf of food and farm programs, was presented the Service to Agriculture award at the Jackson County Farm-City Week Banquet Thursday night at the Scottsboro Goose Pond Civic Center.

The award was presented by Neal Bryant, vice president of the Jackson County Farmers Federation.

Bryant said he felt this was quite an honor and Mrs. Hughes was the first woman to ever receive the honor in Jackson County. Orville Hughes of Dutton received the award last year. Among other former recipients of the honor are Gene Airheart of Scottsboro, Ben T. Richardson of Scottsboro and the late Harry Campbell of Section.

Hughes worked in the Jackson school system as a secretary at Rosalie School, Pisgah High School, and later as a bookkeeper/clerical person for federal programs in the Child Nutrition Program at Pisgah.

She is secretary of the Jackson County Farmers Federation, chairperson of the County Federation Women's Committee, communications coordinator for the County Federation, and is chairperson of the Farm-City Committee of the County Federation which annually sponsors the Farm-City Banquet. Between 400 and 450 persons attend the banquet each year including this time.

Mrs. Hughes helped host the Scottsboro Chapter of the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Early Bird Breakfast in connection with Farm-City Week on Wednesday, October 8, at the Jackson County Farm Federation offices.

She goes annually into all of the schools in the Scottsboro and Jackson County systems presenting agriculture coloring books to all of the second graders.

Hal Lee of Hartselle, north district vice president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, was the guest speaker and urged everyone to remember as they enjoy their Thanksgiving meal that their food was grown by American farmers.

Lee mentioned this country's dependence on foreign oil and said he hopes this nation never becomes dependent on food from foreign countries. "We will be in trouble if we do," he stated, but commented he seriously doubts that will ever happen.

Lee said only two percent of the people in the United States farm full-time without having another job.

The group was welcomed by Scottsboro Mayor Dan Deason. County Federation President Frank Hughes was the emcee. Introductions were by Treasurer Phillip Thompson. Invocation was by the Rev. Gary Tubb.

Poster and essay winners were recognized by Joy Thornhill and presented checks by Walter Vinson of First Southern State Bank.

Other on the program making presentations were Robyn Starkey and Beth Reed.

Closing comments were by Kyle Hayes of Guntersville, district representative for Alabama Farmers Federation.

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