While eating a hardy breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage and grits at the Central Alabama Farmer’s Co-op, residents and local officials heard about the large impact agriculture is having in our community.

The breakfast, “Eggs and Agriculture,” which was sponsored by Alabama AG Credit and the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce Thursday, recognized several individuals who play a key role in providing food for Dallas County.

During the meal, recognition was given to the 2012 Farmer of the Year, Sam Givhan, a West Central Alabama farmer who grows corn, soy beans, wheat and cotton while also raising catfish and cattle.

Among his many leadership roles, Givhan has served as president of the Dallas County Farmers Federation, president of the Central Alabama Farmers Co-op and a member of the committee for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

Following Givhan’s proclamation issued from U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell’s office, assistant vice president of Alabama AG Credit Dale Williamson delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of the farming community in the Black Belt region.

“This is an opportunity just to highlight the impact of agriculture in the Black Belt, Dallas County and all throughout the state,” Williamson said. “Today, each U.S. farmer produces enough food and fiber for 150 citizens throughout the country. And they are constantly being asked to do more with less. It’s important to highlight these guys.”

Callie Nelson, county extension coordinator, also discussed Farm City Week during the breakfast, which begins Nov. 17.

“Farm City Week is always celebrated during the week of Thanksgiving,” Nelson said. “So when you sit down for your meal on Thanksgiving Day, we are asking that you take a moment and be thankful for the farmers who produce our food and fiber for our county.”

The theme for this year’s Farm City week is “Grown Safely, Extra Tasty.” To get area children excited about the week, Nelson said students participated in an essay and poster contest relating to agriculture.

All first place winners of the contest were recognized at the breakfast.

“There was great artwork,” Nelson said. “It was really difficult for judges to pick the winners.”

She also said that since agriculture is such a critical part of our community, she encourages everyone to get involved in Farm City Week and to especially thank local farmers for all that they do.

“The purpose of Farm City Week is to educate city folks and farm folks about the interdependency that we have on each other through educational activities,” Nelson said. “If you ate yesterday as well as this morning, you participated in agriculture.”