CENTRE– The McCord’s Crossroads Homemakers Club will host the 8th Annual Field to Fork celebration Saturday, Aug. 22. The event will honor farmers who help feed local families.

The celebration begins at 4 p.m. at the Hopewell Community Center at McCord’s Crossroads. In addition, the center sits at 7290 County Road 16 in Centre.

There, guests can enjoy a home-cooked meal, live music, door prizes, and a live auction. Also, Josh Bryant of Weiss Lake Egg Company will serve as the guest speaker. Meanwhile, Chad Steed will provide live entertainment.

Club representatives Ann Murphy and Karen Bobo joined Merry Jerry Baker on the WEIS Morning Show. During the Aug. 19 interview, they discussed the event and invited the public to attend.

You can listen to the interview here: 

Honoring the People Behind Every Meal

This year’s theme, “God Bless Our Farmers,” reflects the celebration’s main goal. In other words, it thanks farmers for the work that puts food on local tables.

During the interview, Murphy and Bobo praised the area’s farmers. They also explained how Field to Fork connects families with local farming.

For example, farmers produce fruits, vegetables, cattle, poultry, eggs, and many other foods. As a result, their work touches nearly every meal that families prepare.

Field to Fork brings those different parts of farming into one community celebration. At the same time, it shows residents how food travels from farms to their tables.

The Alabama Tourism Department’s Field to Fork listing describes the event as a salute to area farmers. In addition, the listing says the meal will feature locally grown vegetables, fruits, and meats.

Therefore, guests can enjoy local food while honoring the people who produce it.

The 2026 celebration continues the vision of founder Edna Jo Jennings. For years, Jennings strongly supported gardening and farming throughout the community.

In 2025, organizers honored Jennings during the seventh annual Field to Fork event. Now, the club continues the tradition she helped establish.

Field to Fork also helps residents learn more about food production. For example, guests can meet farmers and others who work in farming.

They can also learn about the many steps between the farm and the dinner table.

Home-Cooked Food, Music, and Agriculture

Club members will prepare and serve a home-cooked meal during Saturday’s celebration. The suggested donation is $12 per meal.

In addition, guests can win door prizes and take part in a live auction. As a result, proceeds will support the Homemakers Club’s community work and future activities.

Meanwhile, Chad Steed will perform live music for those attending.

The club selected Josh Bryant of Weiss Lake Egg Company as its guest speaker. Bryant represents a Centre family farm business that has operated for several generations.

For example, an Alabama Farmers Federation profile traces the company’s local roots to 1968. That year, Ralph Bradley acquired an egg-packing facility in Centre.

Today, Bryant and other family members continue Bradley’s farm legacy.

Therefore, Bryant brings firsthand experience with local food production. His appearance will give guests a local producer’s view of modern farming.

Continuing a Community Tradition

The Hopewell Community Center stands at County Roads 16 and 29 in McCord’s Crossroads. The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce lists the center at 7290 County Road 16.

The Chamber says the Homemakers Club moved the Hopewell building to its current site in 2015. Then, club members restored the building for community use.

As a result, Hopewell now offers a gathering place that preserves part of the area’s history.

Through Field to Fork, the club promotes fellowship and supports local farming. It also recognizes farmers whose work often happens outside the public view.

Finally, Murphy and Bobo encouraged residents to attend Saturday’s celebration. They asked guests to enjoy the meal, meet local producers, and thank area farmers.

The 8th Annual Field to Fork celebration begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. The event takes place at 7290 County Road 16 in Centre.

The suggested donation is $12 per meal. For more information, call 706-766-5207.