On June 28, 2024, the entire Hart County Extension team as well as several volunteers participated in the Hart County Cattlemen’s Farm to Table Dinner.  This event is an annual event held just prior to the beginning of the Hart County Fair.  What started as an idea to promote beef and products grown in the county has become an event looked forward to by many, creating eagerness amongst sponsors to be a part of it as well as excitement at ticket sale time.  For the past couple years, the tickets that have been sold have all been spoken for within 24-36 hours of advertising.   At this year’s event, there were 305 in attendance to enjoy a locally prepared, locally grown meal and to fellowship with friends, family, and neighbors.  New to this year’s event was an auction benefiting the Hart County FFA alumni chapter.   Thanks to donations as well as willing bidders, the auction brought in over $16,000 to go towards the FFA alumni chapter.  That money will be used to promote Ag education, give scholarships, and purchase those blue corduroy jackets for students that may not have the financial means to do so.  

This year’s menu consisted of Cole slaw, fresh tomatoes, broccoli salad, smoked brisket, pork loin, squash and zucchini medley, new potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls, strawberry desserts, ice cream, and freshly sliced watermelon.  Nearly all the fruits and vegetables and a portion of the meat were produced in Hart County, which is a testament of what Hart County has to offer its community.  This equated to approximately $2500 in sales directly to producers in Hart County.  A portion of the meat had to be purchased from a meat processor in an adjacent county.  However, this was a new facility who had received funding through the Hart County Ag Development Board.  Once again, this has proven to be a great event that is a highlight of agriculture in Hart County.