Nearly 200 farmers and ranchers gathered at the Ronan Community Center last Friday for the 43rd annual Ag Appreciation Banquet, sponsored by the Ronan Chamber.

Katie Elliott, head of the committee that organizes the epic undertaking, credits “our amazing community and volunteers” with pulling it all together.

From fresh flowers supplied by Westland Seed, to free libations from Valley and Glacier Banks, and potatoes donated by Lake Farms, the community shows up to honor the agricultural producers who contribute to the Mission Valley’s economy and way of life.

Since it’s been going on for more than four decades, Elliott calls the banquet a “tried and true event” in terms of planning. Organizers make sure there’s enough to feed 250 people in a celebration that also coincides (hopefully) with the onset of spring.

“Farmers and ranchers really look forward to this event,” says Elliott. “So many of them are just staples in the community.” Each year brings many familiar faces, and a few new ones too.

Sadly, this year’s event paid homage to one face that was missing – that of lifelong Charlo rancher and former Lake County Commissioner Dave Stipe, who died March 18 after a long battle with a rare form of skin cancer. His death was acknowledged with a moment of silence and a remembrance.

The banquet also honored another longtime member of the ag community – recently retired Lake County Extension agent Jack Stivers – as Agricultural Ambassador. “He’s been such a huge part of this event in years past,” said Elliott. “It’s always been his thing.”

Stivers stepped down Feb. 15 after serving as the agricultural Extension agent for 32 years. "He has been such an advocate for the agricultural community,” Elliott said.

She also saluted the hard-working crew that makes the event possible, including the Ronan school kids who prepped the spuds and members of the Boys and Girls Club who cooked them; Dave Marmon and friends, who grilled a few hundred steaks in the barn adjacent to the community center; local FFA members who presented the flag, 4-H members who helped serve and clean up the kitchen; and Valley Bank scholarship recipients who helped set up and clean up the community center.

For Elliott, all those helping hands represent the community’s appreciation for those who make a living off the land. “There’s just a lot of heart that goes into this event,” she said.