Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - July 8, 2015

July 8, 2015

www.gfb.org

Vol. 33 No. 27

GFB JOINS IN CELEBRATING ROCK EAGLE 60TH ANNIVERSARY Georgia Farm Bureau saluted unique partnerships with 4-H and the University of Georgia as a part of a June 30 event at Rock Eagle in Putnam County.

UGA and the Rock Eagle campgrounds staff made the day about the story of the 4-H program and its modest beginnings.

Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall joined Georgia 4-H Leader Arch Smith and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black for a tour that gave visitors a chance to see many of the campers engaged in a number of recreational events, like canoeing and zip lining.

Duvall told the attendees that 4-H had helped a lot of people in Georgia’s business and agriculture communities develop self confidence, and the organization has been a major player in developing leaders around the state.

“Everyone’s leadership skills start some place, and 4-H was a big part in bringing it (leadership) out in me,” Duvall said. “Rock Eagle shares Farm Bureau’s philosophy of training leaders for the future.”

A number of UGA leaders touted the working relationship they have with the Georgia ag community.

Invited guests included several Georgia House and Senate agriculture committee members.

Those in attendance included Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Wilkinson (R-Toccoa), Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen), House Ag Committee members, Rep. Bubber Epps (R-Dry Branch), Rep. Chuck Williams (R-Watkinsville) and Rep. Patty Bentley (D-Butler). Rep. Trey Rhodes (RGreensboro), whose district includes Putnam County, was also in attendance.

Smith used the occasion to share the rich history and mission of the youth organization that started in 1904. Smith told the group that nearly 1,000 campers from all around Georgia would be utilizing the Rock Eagle center and campgrounds at any given week during the summer months.

“Along the way, we hope we can drop a little knowledge in their heads about agriculture, and the need for sustainable and productive agriculture,” Smith said.

Before the tour concluded, Smith accompanied guests to the 22 newly constructed cabins that have just opened for use this season. There are additional cabins being built, and other upgrades that are part of a $15 million investment to the future of Rock Eagle.

Smith closed his comments with a thank you to those supporting the continued grow at Rock Eagle and other state 4-H locations. “We just appreciate the effort the Georgia Farm Bureau and others do in helping us do what we do.”

GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR DAIRY MARGIN, COTTON TRANSITION PROGRAMS Cotton and dairy farmers can now enroll in USDA commodity programs established by the 2014 farm bill, according to USDA press releases. Sept. 30 is the deadline to sign up for the Dairy Margin Protection Program (DMPP) for coverage in 2016, and for the Cotton Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).

CTAP provides interim payments to cotton producers in counties where the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX), a new insurance product administered by the Risk Management Agency, is not yet available. Most cotton-producing counties and cotton producers have STAX available and are not eligible for CTAP. A list of counties eligible for CTAP in 2015 is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/2015_ctap_map_list.pdf.

DMPP is a voluntary program established by the 2014 farm bill. It provides financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

Participating farmers will remain in the program through 2018 and pay a $100 administrative fee each year. Producers also have the option of selecting a different coverage level during open enrollment each year. Margin Protection Program payments are based on an operation's historical production. An operation's historical production will increase by 2.61 percent in 2016 if the operation participated in 2015, providing a stronger safety net.

USDA also has an online resource available to help dairy producers decide which level of coverage will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The enhanced Web tool is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool.

Dairy operations enrolling in the program must meet conservation compliance provisions. For more information, visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy for more information, or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the Margin Protection Program. To find a local FSA office in your area, visit http://offices.usda.gov.

FSA RESCINDS HISTORIC IRRIGATION PERCENTAGE POLICY The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has rescinded a policy that prevented many farms from combining farms (referred to as reconstituting).

The historical irrigation percentage (HIP) policy required farms being reconstituted to have the same HIP in order to be eligible to participate in the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) crop insurance program. This policy was not made public until after farmers had to choose which crop insurance program they would use through the life of the 2014 farm bill, which is in place until 2018. Part of the problem was that FSA software was not configured to accommodate reconstitutions where the farms being combined had differing HIPs. Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall wrote to the USDA last month asking that the HIP policy be adjusted to allow for traditional reconstitution of farms. Duvall noted that farmers might have chosen a different crop insurance program had they known the barrier to reconstitution was in place.

On July 6, FSA Deputy Administrator for Programs Mike Schmidt sent a notice to state and county FSA offices notifying them that the HIP policy is rescinded. To view the notice visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_Notice/cm_770.pdf.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 COURT OF APPEALS REVERSES RULING IN VIDALIA ONION SUIT In a ruling issued June 30, the Court of Appeals of Georgia reversed a lower court’s ruling in the case between Tattnall County onion grower Delbert Bland and the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA).

In a rule published in 2013, the GDA established the earliest packing date as the Monday of the last full week in April. The department cited quality concerns voiced by other growers.

Bland filed suit in Fulton County Superior Court, claiming that the quality and maturity of the onions are determined by climate and environmental factors rather than the calendar. The court agreed, striking down the rule.

The GDA appealed, arguing that Bland had no standing to sue and that the rule was consistent with requirements under the Vidalia Onion Act. The appeals court ruled that Bland did have standing to sue, but found that the GDA packing date rule is within the commissioner’s authority, and that the rule is reasonable in light of testimony and letters to the GDA about the declining quality of the Vidalia onion and the threat to the industry.

On July 6, Bland’s attorney, Michael Bowers, filed a notice of intention to petition for a writ of certeriori, asking the Georgia Supreme Court to review the case. Bowers declined further comment.

USDA ANNOUNCES 2015 PEANUT LOAN RATES The USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has announced the marketing assistance loan rates for four types of peanuts for the 2015 crop year. The rates are posted on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website at www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/pricesupport/commodity-loan-rates/index.

Marketing assistance loans provide interim financing to peanut producers so that commodities can be stored after harvest, when market prices are typically low, to be sold later, when price conditions are more favorable.

The 2014 farm bill established the national loan rate for peanuts at $355 per ton. The price support levels for each peanut type are determined using the national loan rate, five-year-average quality factors, and the three-year simple average weighted production. The rates take effect Aug. 1, which is the beginning of the peanut crop year. For an average grade ton of peanuts for the 2015 crop year, loan levels by type are: Runner, $354.51 per ton; Spanish, $337.34 per ton; Valencia, $359.28 per ton and Virginia, $359.28 per ton. Marketing assistance loans for the 2015 peanut crop are available through Feb. 1, 2016.

CCC applies premiums and discounts for quality factors to compute the loan value for an individual ton of peanuts. The actual loan level depends on the percent of various sizes of kernels in each ton. CCC uses the percentage of sound mature kernels and sound splits to compute the basic loan value of the load. Sound mature kernels are whole kernels that pass over the testing screen officially designated for each type of peanut. Sound splits are whole kernels split into two pieces. Excess sound splits receive discounts. For each percent of sound mature kernels in a ton of peanuts, plus each percent of sound splits, the loan levels are: Runner, $4.824 per percent; Spanish, $4.800 per percent; Valencia, $5.398 per percent and Virginia, $4.921 per percent.

For additional information, contact your local FSA office. To find your local FSA office, visit http://offices.usda.gov.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 PIEDMONT PARK INSTALLS SEED MACHINE TO FEED HONEYBEES On June 30, Bayer CropScience’s Feed a Bee campaign installed a free vending machine stocked with plant seed balls to help establish a flower garden in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, the most visited green space in the city.

The project, done in partnership with the Piedmont Park Conservancy, is part of a national effort to plant 50 million flowers and provide forage acreage to improve pollinator health.

The Education Garden at Piedmont Park teaches children and other volunteers all about growing nutritious fruits and vegetables, and the Conservancy is establishing an apiary near the garden.

The free vending machine dispenses plant seed balls. Visitors are then instructed to toss their seed balls into the green space it overlooks, dedicated to the future pollinator garden that will bloom and provide food for the bees in the apiary.

The June 30 installation event included Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Agribusiness Bo Warren, Piedmont Park staff, and a dozen students from Odyssey Atlanta, a summer program for students from Atlanta Public Schools.

After a short question-and-answer session on honeybee health and the role we all can play to support these pollinators, the children officially inaugurated the vending machine by throwing the first seeds into the marsh area by the vending machine. These seeds will eventually bloom into beautiful wildflowers and provide forage for thousands of bees in the park.

The vending machine will be in the park throughout the summer and early fall, providing park visitors with a fun, hands-on activity that will help raise awareness of the importance of honey bees and will help ensure bees and other pollinators thrive.

Visit www.feedabee.com to learn more information.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM EXPANDS TO CAREER, TECHNICAL ED As part of an executive order by President Barack Obama, career and technical education students will now be able to be designated as U.S. Presidential Scholars.

“We are extremely honored by this decision,” National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown said.

“This action elevates the value and importance of career and technical education where agricultural education plays a key role.”

Next year, the White House will welcome the inaugural class of 20 CTE Presidential Scholars, who will be selected by the Commission on Presidential Scholars based on outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability in career and technical education.

On June 30, First Lady Michelle Obama recognized outstanding students, teachers and administrators who have shown exceptional leadership in driving innovation in the field of career and technical education. Representing FFA were CTE Innovators Catherine Cincotta, a former student from North Burlington High School, N.J.; Whitney Bowman, currently a student at Virginia Tech; and FFA advisor and CTE Innovator Tyler Pope of Buckeye Central High School in New Washington, Ohio. In addition, FFA was represented by Tony Rice, former Pennsylvania state FFA officer, and Lauren Fillebrown, former state officer for New Jersey. Nan Hamilton, who is Cincotta's FFA advisor, also participated and provided exhibits for the event.

Established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of America’s top-performing students. Each year, the program recognizes two high school seniors from each state and 15 scholars at-large on the basis of excellence in scholarship. The Presidential Scholars program is overseen by the Commission on Presidential Scholars and administered by staff at the U.S. Department of Education.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 PEANUTS, SOYBEANS MAKE BIG GAINS IN PLANTED ACREAGE Georgia farmers planted 33 percent more acres in peanuts in 2015 than in 2014 and the state’s soybean acreage increased by 20 percent according to the June acreage report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The state’s peanut farmers planted 800,000 acres in 2015, up from 600,000 in 2014, when they harvested 591,000 acres.

Georgia’s soybean acreage increased from 300,000 in 2014 to 360,000 in 2015.

Acreage planted in cotton and corn declined, as did winter wheat. The state’s cotton growers planted 1.1 million acres in 2015, down from 1.38 million acres in 2014, a reduction of 19.6 percent. Georgia’s 2015 corn acreage of 315,000 is down 10 percent from the 350,000 planted acres in 2014.

The state’s sorghum growers increased acreage from 40,000 in 2014 to 50,000 in 2015.

Acreage planted in oats and rye, including acres planted last fall, also increased from the previous crop year, while winter wheat acreage decreased from 300,000 in 2014 to 260,000 in 2015, a decline of 13.3 percent.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 See page 9 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets!

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.

GEORGIA JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION FIELD DAY July 9 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Perry The field day is divided into tracks for ages 10 and under, 11 – 14 and 15 and over. Activities include a fitting demo, a hula hoop contest, coloring, a scavenger hunt and much more. Visit http://www.georgiacattlemen.org/fieldday.aspx for more information or to register.

SUNBELT AG EXPO FIELD DAY July 9 Spence Field Shuttles begin at 9 a.m.

Moultrie Farmers will get a chance to see the crops and research projects being conducted at Expo’s Darrell Williams Research Farm during this free event. Registration for door prizes begins at 7:15 a.m. followed by a free biscuit breakfast and welcome from Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Department of Agriculture representatives. Trams will depart for field tours at 8 a.m. sharp. University researchers and representatives from 30 of the top ag companies will provide the latest information on soil fertility, weed management, crop protection products, water management and irrigation and seed variety trials for cotton, peanut, corn and soybeans. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit www.sunbeltexpo.com.

YOUNG, BEGINNING, SMALL AND MINORITY FARMERS WORKSHOP July 17 UGA Tifton Campus Conf. Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tifton 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. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarewkshp.

GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION SUMMER CONFERENCE July 23-25 Sea Palms Resort St. Simons Island Registration is now open for this key GCA event. Speakers include Kim Stackhouse, Director of Sustainability Research with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and NCBA President Philip Ellis, who will share their experiences with NCBA and cattle operations throughout the U.S. In addition to committee meetings, there is a tour of the Georgia Ports Authority, a golf tournament, Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association Games on the Beach, a low country boil at Bennie’s Red Barn and much more for the whole family. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/gcasumconf.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 17TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 23-25 Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the numerous conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. For more information visit http://www.southernpeanutfarmers.org/spgc.asp.

CHEROKEE COUNTY POLITICAL FORUM July 28 Cagle’s Family Farm 6:30 p.m.

Canton Local, state and national candidates for office in 2015 and 2016 are invited to attend and will have two minutes to speak. Questions from the audience will follow. Current elected officials will be introduced and attendees will have time to meet and greet the candidates both before and after the forum. Homemade ice cream will be served by Boy Scout Troop 465, and drinks and peanuts will be provided by Cherokee County Farm Bureau. RSVP by July 24 by contacting Shirley Pahl at 770-479-1481 ext. 0 or sfpahl@gfb.org.

USDA PUBLIC HEARING FOR PECAN FEDERAL MARKETING ORDER July 27-29 Hilton Garden Inn 8 a.m. – 5 pm.

Tifton Pecan growers and other industry stakeholders, including handlers and shellers, will have a chance to offer testimony regarding the proposed federal marketing order for pecans that the American Pecan Board is working to implement. Witnesses are expected to testify regarding the costs, benefits and other potential impacts of the proposed marketing order. Individuals who wish to testify will register on the sign-up sheet on the day of their arrival and should be prepared to speak when the administrative law judge facilitating the hearing calls them. The proposed draft of the marketing order is available for review at www.pecanboard.com. For more information about the hearings or proposed marketing order call 903-649-2077 or email bmichaeladams@gmail.com.

FSA TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY COMMITTEES The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting nominations for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees through Aug. 3. To be eligible to serve on a FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency-administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where they are nominated.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2015 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 3. FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 9, 2015. Ballots will be due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 7, 2015. Newly elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1, 2016.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 10 AM. PEANUT SHELLERS/PEANUT BUYING POINTS JOINT CONVENTION Aug. 4-5 Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club Cordele Shellers and buying point managers meet to talk peanut issues, host an auction, present awards and install officers. For hotel rooms, call 800-459-1230. For more information, call 229-8882508 or 229-386-1716 or visit www peanut-shellers.org.

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 hear about research. For more information call 478-589-7472.

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.

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.

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.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET July 18, 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.

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.

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.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 10 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.

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.