With the increasing cost of producing the food and fiber America and the world needs, the American farmer is faced with his own financial survival, however, as the consumer shops for products that are directly related to the agricultural industry, they rarely take the time to appreciate the effort that goes into bringing that product to them.

Recognizing the critical part agricultural plays in our daily lives, Martha Road Baptist Church would like to say “Thank You” to the farmers and ranchers of Jackson County. Kevin Baker, pastor of Martha Road stated, "this is the least we can do for those who feed us everyday. We want to say thank you to the men and women who provide our meals by giving them a ‘free lunch'".  Baker said, "While talking to Lynn Scalf, local gin manger at the Martha Coop, the idea to say thank you to the farmers through a Farmers Appreciation Lunch was birthed."  "We wanted to do something for the local farmers before they got busy in the fields harvesting cotton and planting wheat."  The Appreciation Day has been set for Tuesday, September 9th.  Local agri-business firms have been invited to come and participate in a farm trade show prior to the meal. Many local vendors have already committed to be here including; Western Equipment, Air Evac Lifeteam, Atwoods, Wilmes Ford, Shamrock Bank and many others. The trade show will begin at 11 am and the meal will be served at noon. Ray Wyatt a wheat farmer from Elgin,Oklahoma will be preparing a chuck wagon BBQ brisket meal with all the "fixins" and peach cobblers cooked in Dutch ovens over an open fire. We even have a special treat for the ladies who attend, there will be a spa area set up where they can relax and be pampered a little. Mikela Jo Balderas will provide entrainment during the meal and door prizes from the participating vendors will be given away after the meal. MarthaRoadBaptistChurch is located at the Martha Y, 6 miles north of the Jackson County Courthouse on highway 283. For more information please call the church office at 580-482-3377. All farm and ranch producers and their employees are invited to attend.