5th Annual Founding Farmer’s Gala A Success!

The EC Diversified Agriculture graduating class of 2021 were celebrated, and local farm families were honored on Tuesday evening in the John W. Swails Center as more than 250 members of the local community attended Emmanuel’s 5th Annual Founding Farmer’s Gala.

The event served as a thank you to the members of the Northeast Georgia community who have been instrumental in the early success of the Diversified Agriculture program at Emmanuel College. 

Event Sponsors included Pinnacle Bank, Fieldale Farms, The Roystonian Restaurant, and Bar-H BBQ.

Emmanuel College President Dr. Ron White presented Kenneth Shealy and family with the Excellence in Agriculture Award for their continued dedication to the agriculture industry.

Diversified Agriculture Program Chair, Owen Thomason then recognized the 2021 graduates of the program. Graduates include – Grayson Bradley, Colton Evans, Lucas Sasaki, Kyle Decker and Emily Dixon.  Grayson Bradley was presented with the “Outstanding Student” award.

Mr. Thomason is excited about the continued growth of the Agriculture program and the bright future ahead.

“The Emmanuel College Agriculture Department is very excited to gradate another outstanding class of students that will certainly make an impact on the Agriculture industry, he said. “This group, much like the last three graduating classes, have the potential to be world changers, community leaders and stars in the business of feeding, clothing, and providing shelter for people. “

“The instructors of the Agriculture Department at Emmanuel College are ecstatic about the attendance and support shown to our students tonight at the Founding Farmers Gala,” Thomason continued. “In the midst of a pandemic and the slow return of social gatherings the dedicated supporters of our mission showed up excited about the agriculture program that was started five years ago.”

At the event, a silent auction and Live Auction took place, raising money for the Diversified Agriculture program and future projects.

Vice President of Development, Brian James closed the program by thanking those present for their continued support of the Diversified Agriculture program and spoke on the future of the program, which includes the construction of the Ray and Marlowe Collins Agriculture Center which will house labs, demonstration areas, and classrooms as well as another greenhouse. He also spoke on the plans for an outdoor teaching center to be constructed in the future. 

For more information on the Diversified Agriculture program or on how you can partner with us by making a contribution to this worthy program, visit ec.edu/ag or  contact Owen Thomason at othomason@ec.edu

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