August 5, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 31
PECAN STAKEHOLDERS TESTIFY IN FEDERAL MARKETING ORDER HEARING Georgia pecan growers, shellers and industry leaders gave testimony in support of a proposed federal marketing order (FMO) for their crop during a three-day hearing the USDA held July 2729 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tifton. On July 28, Garrett Ganas, chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Pecan Advisory Committee, testified in favor of the marketing order. “Farm Bureau supports the right of growers to vote on a national promotion program and recognizes the many benefits that can come from the program,” Ganas said. “As a small producer – I grow 150 acres and do some custom work for other growers – and as a young producer, I think this is the future of our industry. As a unified industry we can better gain funding for research and crop information. I have children and my orchard is something I’d like to pass on to them. I feel like through a national Garrett Ganas promotion program we will have better research, better promotion and better price support and we have a better chance of competing on the national market against other tree nuts.” Leaders of the U.S. pecan industry formed the American Pecan Board (APB) several years ago and have been working to establish the FMO in hopes it will increase domestic demand for pecans the same way marketing orders for almonds and pistachios have. The marketing order would affect commercial growers who own a minimum of 30 acres or annually produce a minimum of 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans. If pecan producers in the 15 states where pecans are commercially grown pass the FMO during a referendum to be held next year, the final assessment rate would be determined after the first American Pecan Council is seated. Proposed rates for three categories of pecans are: 1-2 cents/inshell pound for native and seedling varieties; 1-2 cents/inshell pound for sub-standard pecans and 2-3 cents/inshell pound for improved varieties. Based on these proposed assessment rates, if a small grower produced the minimum amount of 50,000 pounds of improved pecan varieties, the first handler to receive his crop would pay $1,500 to the FMO. If the grower produced an additional 500 pounds of sub-standard pecans, his crop would be assessed an additional $5. “That’s a pretty good example of what you would pay on the small end of production,” Ganas -continued
GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 PECANS, continued from previous page told GFB media. “If we start paying this money it’s going to pay for better crop data and better advertising, which should increase the price we receive per pound of pecans. The benefits of the order would outweigh the costs.” Dr. Lenny Wells, a UGA Extension Horticulture/Pecan specialist, testified July 28 regarding the biology of pecans, production practices and cost of production, which served the purpose of verifying the need for the FMO and FMO provisions regarding production. Wells also testified as a small grower, saying, “One of the problems with pecans is you can go to parts of our country where people don’t know about pecans and their health benefits. I think by far the benefits of this marketing order far outweigh the costs. I don’t see why we would not have the same results as other commodities that have marketing orders.” Janice Dees, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association and chief operating officer of the U.S. Pecan Growers Council, spoke in favor of the proposed marketing order during her July 28 testimony. “The proposed federal marketing order for pecans in no way interferes or competes with the work and missions of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association and the U.S. Pecan Growers Council,” Dees said. “I see the problems of pecan growers daily. Price volatility, inadequate supply, lack of reliable industry data and opportunities that cannot be seized because of inadequate industry funding. The proposed federal marketing order for pecans is the right move for the industry. We cannot be a real player in the tree nut industry if we do not get this done, now.” Thomas Mason, chairman of the Georgia Pecan Commission, testified in support of the proposed marketing order on July 28 saying, “The proposed American Pecan Council would have some authorities that are similar or the same to those of the Georgia Commodity Commission for Pecans. I do not view this as a conflict for several reasons. I absolutely welcome the new revenue for promotion from the American Pecan Council. We really do not have enough from the Georgia Commodity Commission for Pecans to make a significant marketing impression on domestic consumers, but the money from the American Pecan Council might. When the American Pecan Council is in place, what I would like to see is the Georgia Commodity for Pecans redirect its efforts and funds towards more Georgia-specific research.” Randy Hudson, of Ocilla, who serves on the APB as a grower representing the organization’s East Region, and Larry Willson, of Albany, who represents the APB’s Eastern Region as a grower/sheller, testified on July 27 regarding why the FMO was written with its proposed provisions. Other Georgia growers, shellers and industry leaders testifying during the 3-day hearing included: R.G. Lamar of Hawkinsville, Jeb Barrow of Matthews, Trent Mason of Kathleen; Brad Ellis of Cordele, J.B. Easterlin of Macon; Lamar Jenkins of Albany; Jeff Worn of Valdosta; Thomas Stevenson of Albany; Jaclyn Dixon Ford of Alapaha; and Jerry Dowdy of Wrens. Witnesses from other states included Tom Harmon of Gilbert, S.C.; Homer Henson of Louisville, Alabama.; and Fred Beshears of Monticello, Florida. Hearings were held July 20-22 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and July 27-29 in Dallas, Texas. Visit http://tinyurl.com/USDAPecanFMOhearings to read testimony submitted by witnesses each day of the hearing. Visit http://tinyurl.com/USDATiftonpecanhearing to see photos from the July 28 Tifton hearing. Visit http://tinyurl.com/GFBNewspecanfmo to read an article from the GFB News explaining the proposed marketing order.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES TO HAY CONTEST AND HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the GFB 2015 Quality Hay Contest. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the University of Georgia Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and likely animal intake of hay. Producers may enter more than one sample in the contest. There is a $15 entry fee for each sample entered in the contest to cover lab costs. Applications and instructions for submitting samples are available at county Farm Bureau offices or may be downloaded at the GFB website http://www.gfb.org/commodities/hay_contest.html. Submitted samples must be dried in the field. Samples with moisture levels above 18 percent or nitrates greater than 4,500 parts per million will be disqualified. To review the contest rules in their entirety visit the website above. Checks to cover the entry fee should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Entry forms and samples should be sent to the GFB Commodities Department, 1620 Bass Road Macon, Ga., 31210. The deadline to enter is Oct. 30. The first-place prize is free use of a Vermeer TM1200 trailed mower for one year courtesy of Vermeer. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale are also invited to list their farm in the 2016 GFB Quality Hay Directory. The directory will be printed in late November. Hay producers should complete a form and send to the GFB office in Macon along with a check for $10 for each listing. Checks should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Those entering the hay contest can receive a free listing in the hay directory. The deadline for submitting entries for the hay directory is Oct. 30. Because this directory is used for the entire year, producers should include normal and projected production of round and square bales they anticipate selling. Directories are sent to all county Farm Bureau offices, county Extension offices, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, cattle producers, dairy producers, horse owners, directory participants, and at the Sunbelt Expo and the annual GFB convention. The directory is also listed on the GFB website, http://www.gfb.org/commodities/hay.html. GEORGIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION NAMES VILLEGAS PRESIDENT & CEO At the Georgia Forestry Association’s Annual Conference and Forestry Expo on Jekyll Island on Aug. 1, Chairman Joe Parsons of Graphic Packaging International announced Andres Villegas as the next president of the Association. The news was the culmination of a national search process that followed the announcement of the retirement of Steve McWilliams who served as president of the association for 12 years. Villegas will begin his service to the organization on October 16. Villegas brings to the association more than 16 years of domestic and international experience in a variety of positions with Weyerhaeuser, Langdale Industries and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Andres is currently serving as plant manager for a Weyerhaeuser Engineered Lumber Product (ELP) mill in Corvallis, Oregon. Villegas received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from The University of Georgia and an Executive Certificate of Management and Leadership from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 FARM FOUNDATION TO HOLD WORKSHOPS ON VFD The Farm Foundation has scheduled a series of free workshops around the country to provide livestock producers, their feed suppliers and veterinarians an understanding of FDA guidance and the revised Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD), which was finalized earlier this year. According to information on the Farm Foundation website, many producers and businesses across the entire food and agricultural value chain have already taken action to reduce the use of medically-important antimicrobial drugs in food animal production. FDA’s GFI 209 and GFI 213 call on animal drug sponsors of approved medically-important antimicrobial drugs administered through medicated feed or water to remove production uses (i.e., to promote growth or improve feed efficiency) from their product labels, and bring the remaining therapeutic uses of these products--to treat, control, or prevent disease--under the oversight of a veterinarian by the end of December 2016. Manufacturers of products containing these medically-important antimicrobial drugs have voluntarily agreed to submit changes to their product labels to comply with the GFIs. Additionally, FDA revised the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) to facilitate the increased veterinary oversight of medicated feeds called for by GFI 209 and 213. As a result, by the end of 2016, administration of these products to food-producing animals will be restricted to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. The nearest workshop for Georgia is scheduled for Aug. 25 at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, just north of Birmingham. While the workshops are free, registration is required. The workshops last from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about the FDA guidance and the VFD, as well as a complete schedule of the workshops, visit http://tinyurl.com/vfdworkshops. GA COTTON COMMISSION APPROVES MORE THAN $600,000 FOR RESEARCH At its July board meeting, the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Board of Directors approved its Fiscal Year 2016 budget which includes more than $600,000 to fund the GCC research program. A total of $605,588, or about 24 percent of the overall budget, is allocated to research. “Even with the lower number of cotton acres this year and the commission’s lower expected revenue, we were able to maintain funding for research projects at a level similar to 2015,” GCC Chairman Mike Lucas said. The FY16 budget includes funding for 20 projects. Some of these projects are a continuation of GCC yearly support for the UGA Cotton Team, on-farm variety testing, PGR management research, and irrigation research. GCC provided funding for additional research projects this year based on feedback from growers across the state. “We’ve heard of producers wanting more fertility information, so we funded a new project from Dr. Glen Harris that will look specifically at cotton fertility in Georgia,” Lucas said. The fertility project will expand on Dr. Harris’ existing research and extension activities in Georgia cotton. GCC also funded a new project from UGA Extension Entomologist Phillip Roberts that will address thrips management in Georgia cotton. “Since the loss of Temik, thrips have become more of a concern so we feel like Dr. Phillip Roberts’ thrips management project is both timely and appropriate. It will add resources to the existing thrips work he already does,” Lucas said. For more information about the Georgia Cotton Commission research program please visit www.georgiacottoncommission.org and click on the ‘Producer’ page or call us at 479-988-4235.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE OFFERS RESEARCH UPDATES Peanut growers from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi attending the Southern Peanut Growers Conference held July 23-25 at Callaway Gardens received information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition, the conference offered lots of family activities. During the general session on July 24, growers had the chance to hear from a panel of peanut researchers regarding genomics and the traits that will be available in future peanut varieties. The panel included Dr. Scott Jackson with the Peanut Genomics Initiative; Dr. Doug Britton, Georgia Tech; Dr. Corley Holbrook, USDA; Dr. Jason Ward, Mississippi State University; Dr. Diane Rowland, University of Florida; Dr. Kris Balkcom, Auburn University and Dr. Scott Monfort, University of Georgia. “This morning we have been talking about genomics and how they are going to help our peanuts and how they are going to help us develop new cultivars in a faster way. That is important because it takes 12 to 15 years to develop a cultivar now and get it to where I can plant it in my field. If we can shorten that down to getting a new product out there for us, that would make things much better,” said Tift County Peanut Producer Wes Shannon, who serves on the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Peanut Committee. GFB President Zippy Duvall welcomed the group to Georgia. “I tell you one of the loves I have gained since I ran for president nine years ago is to ride in south Georgia in late September and the first of October and smell the peanuts that have just been dug,” Duvall said. “Can y’all relate to that? That is one of the most wonderful smells that I have ever experienced.” Another highlight from was hearing from USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden, a native of Camilla, whose family grew peanuts. Harden said she always introduces herself around the world as the daughter of a Georgia peanut grower. “This is a great industry with great people,” Harden said. “There is something about peanuts, maybe it’s because they are so good for you. Maybe it’s because you just can’t eat one. I don’t know, but it brings people together with all kind of snacks and what kid did not grow up eating peanut butter, many kids would not have had protein if not for peanut butter.” Georgia Peanut Commission Chairman Armond Morris gave GFB media an update on GPC activities and the value of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference. “It is a good time for farmers to come and get away from the farm and understand a lot of new technology that is being developed whether it is a research area or whether it is in industry,” Morris said. STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL ASK EPA TO DELAY WOTUS RULE Noting that the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule finalized by the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would take effect well before courts have the opportunity to resolve numerous pending lawsuits, a group of 32 state attorneys general, including Georgia’s Sam Olens, on July 29 asked the agencies to delay the rule’s effective date by at least nine months. The WOTUS rule, which takes effect on Aug. 28, is being challenged in several courts by dozens of states. The EPA has requested that the cases be consolidated into one court. Georgia and eight other states filed suit in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia, seeking a preliminary injunction and asking the court to declare the rule unlawful. The court has scheduled an Aug. 12 hearing in Brunswick to consider the request for an injunction.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 ARMY CORPS MEMOS REVEAL CONFLICTS OVER WOTUS RULE A cache of internal memos that federal regulators intended to keep private reveals a culture of secrecy, falsehood and dysfunction that permeated the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rulemaking process, according to a July 31 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) press release. On July 30 the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released more than 50 pages of documents in which the Army Corps of Engineers repeatedly rebuked EPA officials for their abuse of the rulemaking process in producing the deeply controversial WOTUS rule. The entire economic analysis used to support the rule, Army Corps officials wrote, was not based on science or economics, according to Corps of Engineers memoranda. “It is clear from the memos that there were dire concerns internally that EPA was getting it wrong and with a high degree of arrogance,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “The flawed economic study is just the tip of the iceberg, and it was known internally that trouble was ahead. In fact, the memos themselves were stamped ‘Litigation Sensitive.’ They were never intended to see the light of day.” The Corps documents also validate AFBF’s own concerns that the rule makes it impossible for anyone, including the Corps, to know which features on the landscape are regulated, and which are not. The Corps even raised concern that it would be difficult to determine whether “a low depressional area on a farm field that ponds water after a rainstorm for ten days” would be a regulated “water” or an excluded “puddle.” EPA insisted throughout the rulemaking process that “puddles” would not be regulated. As the Army Corps memos clearly show, political appointees repeatedly ignored vigorous objections of career agency staff in order to rush the rule through. “The Corps documents confirm what we have been saying all along,” Stallman said. “Even the Army Corps of Engineers concedes this rule is unworkable. The Army Corps’ name is on the rule, yet experts tasked with determining its validity said they wanted the Corps’ name removed from the economic analysis used to justify it. “U.S. Army Assistant Secretary Darcy pleaded with Congress to keep these memos from the public eye. Well, now we know what they say, and we want to know more. What other internal agency documents are out there? If the Corps’ economists objected so strongly, what did the EPA’s economists think? What else are these agencies hiding from the public? As Americans, we expect better, but during the entire WOTUS rulemaking process, we got worse – much, much worse.” AFBF is calling on EPA to immediately withdraw its flawed rule, go back to the drawing board and address the concerns of farmers, ranchers and business owners across the country.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 See page 9 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! NEW LOCAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEORGIA FARMERS Common Market Georgia, based in Atlanta, is now working to link farms and value-added producers with wholesale market opportunities, through aggregation, distribution and support for farmers. The organization is conducting a survey to identify Georgia farmers to include in its directory, which will be publicly available and provided to companies looking to source local. To take the survey visit http://goo.gl/forms/aQ2woBT0Fv or call The Common Market Georgia at 678-343-9525, ext. 21 and leave a message with your name and phone number. SE GEORGIA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER FIELD DAY Aug. 12 Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center Midville Hear research specialists talk about crops, technology, and their research. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. For more information call 478-589-7472. 10TH ANNUAL GEORGIA HORSE OWNER’S SEMINAR Aug. 15 UGA Livestock Arena 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Athens Horse owners will get the latest research-based information on how to care for their animals at this one-day event, which includes a trade show from 9:50 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. A lunch break is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. A demonstration of the Wells Fargo Stagecoach will be presented during the lunch break, which will include rides on the coach. Adult registration is $50, students 5-17 years of age pay $30, and children five and under are free. Tenth anniversary water bottles will are available for purchase before the event for $10 or the day of the event for $15. Registration includes lunch, a t-shirt, registration materials and a digital copy of all seminar proceedings. After Aug. 8, registration is $60 for adults and $35 for students. A 10 percent discount will be given to groups of 10 or more by emailing Andrea Massa atajmassa@uga.edu. 26TH ANNUAL BROOKLET PEANUT FESTIVAL Aug. 15 Brooklet th Located just 45 minutes from Savannah in Bulloch County, the 25 Annual Peanut Festival includes a peanut run, a parade at 10 a.m., arts and crafts, exhibits and entertainment. Visit www.brookletpeanutfestival.com for more information. YOUNG, BEGINNING, SMALL AND MINORITY FARMERS WORKSHOP Aug. 28 University of West Georgia Coliseum 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Carrollton Sponsored by AGAware, this workshop is designed to assist young, beginning, small and minority farmers with developing a strong farm plan. Topics include income statements, applying for financing, preparing a business plan, risk management and federal government programs through the USDA, the Small Business Administration and other agencies. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarewkshp.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 11 AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 17 Westbrook farm, UGA Griffin Campus 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Griffin This event, hosted by UGA Griffin every three years, will provide attendees with information on ways to increase the value of their land. Federal and state government agency officials and representatives of private business will provide management recommendations and demonstrate real-life techniques at this unique educational event, which features more than 30 topics, including wildlife openings, pond management, feral hog issues and many more. Continuing Education Credits (CEU) are available for several fields, including pesticide (several categories), forestry, loggers, arborist and wildlife. Registration is $25 prior to Sept. 3 ($30 after) and includes lunch. Pre-registrants will receive an Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day ball cap. Field trip opportunity and special pricing is available for high school students. For more information or for registration information, visit www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html. 20TH ANNUAL LUMBER CITY FARM DAY FESTIVAL Sept. 11 & 12 Downtown Lumber City Festival events begin Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. with a fish fry at the Lumber City American Legion on Hwy 341. The opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Main Street with entertainment by Old Souls of the South from Atlanta. Events on Sept 12 begin with breakfast at the Lumber City Methodist Church from 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., followed by a 5K run/walk at 7:45 a.m. ($20 5K registration includes a free breakfast for all runners), a dog show at 9 a.m. and parade at 10 a.m. Other events will include live stage entertainment, an amusement park, cakewalk, arts & crafts, and food vendors all day. A street dance will be held from 7-ll p.m. featuring the Soul Purpose Band from Atlanta, admission is free for all festival events except 5k. A community church service will be held Sunday at 9 a.m. on Main Street. For more info visit www.lumbercityfarmday.org or call 912-363-4341. 2015 GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR Sept. 15-17 Thomasville and surrounding area The 29th annual Georgia Peanut Tour brings the latest information on peanuts. Tour stops will be made in several peanut producing counties including Thomas, Grady, Decatur, Seminole and Early County. This year's tour includes on-farm harvest demonstrations and clinics, peanut processing facilities, and several special highlights which include research at the University of Georgia Research & Education Center in Attapulgus, Lewis M. Carter Manufacturing, FudgeBirdsong Peanuts Buying Point and Birdsong Peanuts shelling plant. Hotel accommodations can be made at the Best Western in Thomasville by calling 229-226-9998. Rooms are available at the rate of $101 for a single/double room and $115 for a suite. Once the Best Western is full, additional hotel accommodations can be made at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites by calling 229-226-4666. Be sure to ask for the Georgia Peanut Tour room block. To register online visit http://2015gpt.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2139089481. To download a registration form, visit http://tinyurl.com/pnuttoursignup. Registration is $75 per person until Aug. 14 and $90 per person after Aug. 14.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 2015 GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL APPLE PIE RECIPE CONTEST Oct. 10 Lions Club Fairgrounds 10 a.m. Ellijay This annual contest is part of the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. The 1st-place winner will receive $300 and a ribbon. The 2nd place winner will receive $100 and a ribbon. To enter, submit an entry form and the recipe (Attn: Recipe Contest) to the Gilmer Extension office in Ellijay. Only put your name (contestant name) on the back of the recipe, not on the front. All recipes must be received by noon on Sept. 18 and all recipes must use fresh Georgia apples. Five finalists will be selected from the entries. There are no kitchen facilities available at the festival, so upon notification, final contestants will bring their prepared apple pie to the Lions Club Fairgrounds Oct. 10 by 9:45 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m. Eligibility rules apply. Only one entry per family and only one entry per person. Contestants must be 10 years old or older. For more details or to get an entry form, call the Gilmer County Extension office at 706-6354426 or visit the office at 1123 Progress Road in Ellijay. Office hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Georgia Apple Festival “recipe contest” is coordinated by the University of Georgia Gilmer County Extension office and sponsored by the Georgia Apple Festival in cooperation with the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Apples. TRAVELER'S REST PIONEER DAY Sept. 19 Traveler’s Rest State Historic site 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Toccoa The public is invited to join in this celebration of 200 years of history. Traveler's Rest Stagecoach Inn opened for business around 1815. All ages will enjoy the Pioneer era demonstrators, musicians, crafts, and samples of open-hearth cooking. Tour this historic inn, which still has some of the original family furnishings from the 1800's. Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site is located at 4339 Riverdale Road in Toccoa. For more information visit www.gastateparks.org/TravelersRest or call Tugaloo State Park at 706-356-4362. On Saturdays and Sundays call Travelers Rest Inn 706-886-2256 ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY FOR FARM BILL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS Farmers have until Sept. 30 to formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety-net programs for 2014 and 2015 according to a USDA press release. Farmers and producers had until April 7 to make a one-time choice of the program in which they would participate. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill. ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this monthly open-air market that will allow local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Each month’s market will have a different theme. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. The farm is unique for its collection of intact historic buildings that exist in their original location and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online. HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332. MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com. ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Through Nov. 21 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public. Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact RDCFB Office Manager Susanne Bell at shbell@gfb.org or call 770-922-3566.
GFB News Alert page 11 of 11 WHITE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays through Sept. 27 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Freedom Park near downtown square Cleveland White County Farm Bureau helps sponsor this market, where customers can shop for some of the freshest produce around while listening to local musicians. The market also features themed market days throughout the season with recipes, taste testing, and other fun events. For more information contact the White County Extension Office at 706-865-2832. Vendors can rent space at the market for $10 per Saturday. Vendors must be residents of White County and or adjacent counties and goods must be grown or locally made. UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 31 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 27 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com or 706-439-6043.