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LEWISTOWN - Noting that farmers from throughout Mifflin County help to feed people across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States and around the world, the Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday adopted a proclamation designating Nov. 20 to 26 as "National Farm-City Week."

According to the proclamation, farmers are able to accomplish these lofty goals by relying on essential partnerships with urban and suburban communities to supply, sell and deliver finished products.

"Rural and urban communities working together have made the most of our state's rich agricultural resources as they contribute to the health and well-being of the commonwealth and to the strength of our economy," the proclamation continued.

The commissioners said the purpose of the proclamation is to "recognize the importance of the cooperative network," adding that agriculture generates one out of every seven jobs in Pennsylvania, including farmers, shippers, processors, marketers, retailers, truck drivers, inspectors and others who annually generate more than $45 billion into our economy.

"The agricultural industry provides for trade, the hard work and successful cooperation between farmers and city dwellers, and will continue to play a vital role in our nation's future," the proclamation stated.

On hand to accept the proclamation were two representatives of the Mifflin County Farm Bureau: Frank Bonson, the organization's president, and Tim Goss, a member of the board of directors.

"We're here representing production agriculture as well as the Mifflin County Farm Bureau," Bonson said. "We've been active for many years. We may change faces from time to time but we continue to work to provide cooperation and interdependence with all people of the world. We humbly accept this on behalf of the local farming community."

Commissioner Otis Riden commented, "You're a big part of our community. People driving around here often take our farms for granted. They need to realize what an important part of the economy you are for the county."

In other business Thursday, the commissioners gave their approval for the county's human services department to apply for a state grant that would aid in the department's efforts to combat violence against women.

Lisa Stalnaker, grant writer for the human services department, told the commissioners that the grant, which would come from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, would go toward establishing the Mifflin County STOP Violence Against Women project.

"This project will enhance Mifflin County's capacity to respond to domestic and dating violence, stalking and sexual assault, by providing culturally relevant victim services that meet the needs and safety requirement of victims while holding offenders accountable for their crimes," Stalnaker explained.

The grant being sought is in the amount of $200,032 and would last for a period of three years, if approved.

Stalnaker said the project would be made up of four components:

The development and support of a multidisciplinary approach to improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems' response to victims of violence through the creation of a STOP Coordinating Team;

Providing training to law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals on the dynamics of domestic violence in rural areas on an annual basis;

Enhancing the follow-up and investigative procedures that are used with domestic and dating violence, stalking and sexual assault cases. The follow-up and investigations, which are primarily being done by law enforcement officers, will be done by county detectives under the terms of the grant;

Increase victim advocacy and services available to women who have been victims of violent crimes. Under the terms of the project, the county's ability to provide victim services will be increased and include a focus on providing services to underserved populations, specifically Latino and Hispanic citizens.

Stalnaker said the Commission on Crime and Delinquency will review the grant application at its December meeting.

In other business, the commissioners:

Approved the Mifflin County State Food Purchase Program Agency Agreements through June 30, 2010, for the following: Hand of Grace, $25,000; Bible Baptist Church, $7,227; and The Abuse Network, $5,000;

Approved the appointment of Craig Wheeler of Lewistown to serve on the county's Hazmat Mitigation Steering Committee;

Approved the resignation of James Spendiff from the SEDA-Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority;

Approved the appointment of Robert Postal, president of the Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation, to fill an unexpired term on the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority.

Approved a proposal from the accounting firm of Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC of Harrisburg to perform Mifflin County's single audit for the next three years at a cost of $43,775 for 2009, $45,100 for 2010 and $46,450 for 2011. The commissioners said the new agreement will save the county approximately $5,000 while providing expertise because this firm is strictly into governmental audits and represents a number of different counties throughout the state.

Announced that next week's workshop meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Meeting Room A to accommodate for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.