Submitted photo Guests will enjoy a local-food buffet, visit with agricultural producers to learn more about agriculture in Chautauqua County, and win local products as door prizes during the Chautauqua Farmer-Neighbor Dinner, which the committee is currently looking for donations towards.

ELLINGTON — As the Chautauqua Farmer-Neighbor Committee prepares to host its eighth annual Chautauqua Farmer-Neighbor Dinner in Ellington, organizers are now on the lookout for sponsors and donations to help.

The annual dinner is scheduled for Aug. 19 at the Grandview of Ellington, 1116 West Hill Road.

Cassandra Skal at Farm Credit East who is part of the committee said each year’s dinner is different in some way.

“This farm-to-table dinner will showcase a variety of delicious food products,” Skal said. “While each year’s dinner is different and dependent on the donations provided, it is sure to include a beautiful array of fruits, vegetables, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, maple syrup, and honey, all grown and harvested by Western New York farmers,” Skal said. “No farm-to-table dinner would be complete without locally produced beverages, including beer, wine, milk, and grape juice. The event regularly sells out, with over 250 people gathering to celebrate farmers and food.”

The dinner will include the giving out of several awards honoring local producers, with DennisWebster set as Master of Ceremonies. Skal said the event regularly sells out with over 250 people gathering to celebrate local farmers and agriculture.

As far as donations go, the committee is looking for monetary donations to help offset the cost of the event, though Skal said the committee has never raised the admission price over $20. The Committee is also currently seeking Chautauqua produced products to be included in the dinner.

“We are looking for items on our ‘shopping list’ for the dinner itself as well as monetary donations,” Skal said. “Depending on the donation tier, donors can receive complimentary tickets, promotion tables during social hour, and of course advertisement in our program, press releases, and placemats.”

Any kind of donation is essential to making the dinner happen each year, Skal said, adding that with the robust menu every year the dinner could not be put on without community support.

“We encourage farmers, ag professionals, neighbors, and friends to join us in celebrating agriculture and spend an evening immersed in agriculture,” Skal said. “A big thank you goes out to our current Barnraiser Sponsors, Chautauqua County Farm Bureau, an agricultural education and lobbying group who through policy development and education support local farmers, Chautauqua County Sheriff Quattrone, and Farm Credit East, a financial cooperative providing credit and financial services to farmers and agribusinesses.”

For more information about donations or tickets to the dinner, Skal can be contacted at cassandra.skal@farmcrediteast.com.