On Thursday, January 24th, the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce and Supreme Rice honored over 600 hard-working farmers at the annual Farmers’ Appreciation Dinner at the International Rice Festival Building in Crowley. Guests began arriving at 5:30 pm, giving them an opportunity to visit exhibitor booths and socialize. Earlier that morning, Chef Night Train Blane Faulk and his crew began preparing a Seafood Étouffée served over Acadia Parish rice. The seafood was graciously donated by Bocage Crawfish and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.
To begin the program, entrepreneur Eddie Rispone began with the pledge of allegiance and Reverand Peter Gaughin of the First United Methodist Church in Crowley lead prayer.
Melinda Malmay, Acadia Chamber Chairwoman, recognized the special guests we had in attendance: 82nd IRF Presidential Party; Crowley and Acadia Parish royalty; local and state elected officials. Benjy Rayburn, Assistant Commissioner for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, gave the farmers an update from their department.
Dinner was served with help from Acadia Parish 4-H Ambassadors, Crowley High FFA, and Acadia Chamber Board Members. Door prizes donated by local businesses were given away throughout the evening. A Beretta A300 Outlander Synthetic 12 Gauge Shotgun donated by G&H Outdoor Store and Rice Palace was raffled off at the end of the evening. Congratulations to Steven Hoffauir on winning the shotgun!
We would like to thank all of our volunteers, sponsors, and donors who made this evening possible.
The purpose of our annual Farmer’s Appreciation Dinner is to honor our hard-working farmers on a successful crop season and harvest! Our farmers make such a large contribution to not only our economy but also our culture, and for that, we are truly grateful. With nearly 600 farmers in attendance, it is always an honor and pleasure to recognize these hard-working community members who strive to keep the agricultural industry forever alive!
Thank you Mr. JC Webb for these photos!
