People from different areas are standing together to shed light on agricultural challenges and achievements.
The 72nd Annual Rural Urban Dinner & Awards ceremony took place Wednesday night at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham.
People recognized for their contributions in the agricultural sector include Robert Kerr for Agriculturalist of the Year and Joseph Grootenboer for Agriculture Innovator of the Year (Individual).
Kerr said he has farmed in Chatham-Kent for 48 seasons, following in the footsteps of his father.
"I really do feel honoured to be recognized of course, but I also think we need to think about the future of agriculture in Chatham-Kent," said Kerr.
Speaking about climate change, Kerr said there's potential for the agriculture sector to protect soil from erosion and reduce phosphorus runoff into the Great Lakes.
"My proposal is to invite the leadership in our province and our country, to reward farmers for sequestering carbon," he said. "If we did that we would leave the world a better place for our grandchildren and it would benefit all of society."
Grootenboer said he too felt honoured to receive an award Wednesday night. With a farm in Dresden, Grootenboer has changed his business model so that people can order what they want online through Localline.ca and have their produce delivered.
"We're a little company. We have an impact in the area because we deal so directly but we're not at all a big play," he said. "But it's nice to be recognized."
Dylan Sher, the producer of the documentary Before the Plate, was featured as a guest speaker at the event. The Toronto native recently completed a project, which featured farms in Chatham-Kent and took a look at the agricultural community to observe the food process.
"Along the journey, I realized that some of the things that I thought were true in the city [of Toronto], weren't exactly the case and that's brought into the documentary," said Sher.
Adrian Van Dyk, chairman of the agriculture committee for the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, said the event not only acts as a way to show appreciation and recognition, but as a way to network between residents and businesses.
"Over the last five to six years [the event] has sold out every year," said Van Dyk. "Agriculture is one of the leading industries in Chatham-Kent ... we rely on one another."
Other award recipients include Emma Richards and Adam Reid for 4-H Members of the Year, Ron Faubert for Friend of Agriculture, and Veritas Farm Business Management for Agriculture Innovator of the Year (Business).
-With files from Allanah Wills.
