Guests at Thursday’s Farm to Fork dinner welcomed a new local family to the annually-growing roster of Cullman Farm City honorees: Stan and Suzanne Wood of Riverwood Farms.

The Woods will represent the Cullman area as the committee’s choice for this year’s Farm Family, a designation that — as the Farm City concept suggests — alternates from one year to the next between a local farming family and a family who represents city life.

The Woods replace outgoing City Family Jerry and Shirley Bonner, who also were honored Thursday for their past year of service.

Wood was self-deprecating in accepting the honor, joking that he’d come to farming from the business world and still regards himself as a “pretend farmer.”

Riverwood Farms, the Woods’ 4,000-acre tree farm in southern Cullman County, is a recipient of the Alabama Natural Resources Council’s Helene Mosley Treasure Forest award. Farm City Committee Chair Lynda Hankey commended the Woods’ rounded approach to managing their commercial operation, which emphasizes the preservation of wooded habitat for wildlife.

“Stan and Suzanne won this coveted award because of their commitment to good land stewardship and education,” said Hankey. “And they do this by investing in our community, hosting educational trainings in collaboration of many organizations including FFA’s forestry judging team, the Boy Scouts of America, Soil and Water Conservation, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the North Alabama Agriplex, the Alabama Natural Resources Council, and many more.

“It takes a few farmers thinking outside the box, looking for opportunities and finding new and innovative ways to grow and to go to market — and this year, our farm family certainly fits this description…[I]t’s not just about tree farming on the property. Stan has a passion for wildlife and ensures Riverwood is a perfect home for quail, deer, and many bird species.”

Farm City promotes the cooperation and interdependence between the farming community and the city community. The Farm City Committee’s annual selection of a Farm or City family is aimed at representing all that’s good about the ties between the urban and the rural.

Throughout the year, committee members participate in local tours and other activities to promote the relationship between rural and urban residents, and the annual Farm City calendar culminates each fall with the naming of a new Farm or City Family.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.