The Franklin County Farm City Banquet has been a successful community event for over six decades. Like many events, the pandemic required postponement in 2020. The 2021 committee wrangled with various scenarios to ensure safety as well as a meaningful experience. Unable to predict what the safest venue would be, the volunteers decided to re-envision the whole event.

Anticipating that an outside event would be the safest, it was changed from a semi-formal spring banquet to a luncheon at the park pavilion in the fall. Despite the changes in venue 175 business people and farmers attended to honor the Pioneer Farmer, Pioneer Educator and Outstanding Young Farmer. Commissioner Quarles was the key-note speaker and over a dozen business sponsors set up displays.

The event change was a success and the sponsoring partners (Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, UK & KSU Extension) plan to continue the new tradition.