June 17, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 24
GA DEPARTMENT OF AG EUTHANIZES THREE CHICKEN FLOCKS Prompted by concerns over the possible spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) destroyed three non-commercial flocks of chickens on small farms in Meriwether and Ben Hill counties on June 16. Georgia State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb said he was notified by the USDA late in the week ending June 13 that chicks and eggs on three Georgia farms were shipped from a facility in Iowa that tested positive for the H5N2 strain of HPAI. The shipments arrived in Georgia around June 2. The Iowa facility tested positive after the birds and eggs were shipped. Cobb said he worked with the Georgia farms to help them receive some indemnity for their lost birds or eggs. Those farms, which Cobb described as small hobby farms, are under quarantine until they can go through a cleaning and disinfecting process. “There were no signs of any illness on any of the three premises,” Cobb told GFB media. “What we’re going to do is keep them under quarantine until such time as a flock plan can be established, which will include such things as cleaning and disinfecting and making sure that anything associated with these shipments, such as crates, are destroyed and disposed of properly, that all the incubators are cleaned and disinfected properly. Then at that time we can lift the quarantine.” Cobb said the H5N2 virus does not affect humans and emphasized that the spread of HPAI is not a food safety issue. “Any avian influenza-infected poultry is destroyed and does not enter the market as part of the food supply as far as commercial growers are concerned,” Cobb said. Poultry shipped from the Iowa facility were ordered over the Internet or through mail order. Such birds are required to have been tested for avian influenza prior to being brought to Georgia and their owners must have a certificate of veterinary inspection, Cobb said. On June 10 Cobb sent a letter to Georgia poultry producers raising birds with outside access urging them to move their birds into housing to reduce the potential for contact with migratory water foul. He recommended that they implement strict biosecurity measures, monitor the flocks for increased mortality or signs that the birds may be infected and report any concerns to state or federal animal health officials. In the interview with GFB, Cobb noted that the H5N2 virus spread to poultry from contact with wild birds and their waste during wild bird northerly migration in the Mississippi, Central and Pacific flyways. Georgia is in the Atlantic flyway, which has yet to have any reported cases of HPAI. However, because the wild birds are commingling in the Arctic Tundra, there is a significant potential that HPAI will show up when they migrate south. Visit the GDA’s website at http://agr.georgia.gov/avian-influenza.aspx for more information on HPAI.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 AFBF RELEASES ANALYSIS OF WOTUS RULE The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released documents outlining how the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule will give the agency sweeping powers to regulate land use despite a body of law clearly prohibiting such overreach. The AFBF analysis, now available online, makes available to the public details the EPA has refused to address in public meetings over the past year. The documents are available as PDF attachments. Visit http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=newsroom.news_article&id=311 to view the AFBF analysis documents. “Our analysis shows yet again how unwise, extreme and unlawful this rule is,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “Our public affairs specialists and legal team have assembled the best analysis available anywhere, and their conclusions are sobering: Despite months of comments and innumerable complaints, the Waters of the U.S. proposal is even worse than before.” The WOTUS rule, first released in draft form in April 2014, has garnered fierce opposition from farmers, ranchers and land owners of all kinds. Dozens of states and countless municipalities also oppose the measure since it would federalize regulation already handled at the local level. Just as important is the rule’s radical view of “water” which, in its view, should encompass the vast majority of land in the United States since it surrounds actual water that may or may not be protected under the Clean Water Act. A similar bill, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act (S.1140) is moving through the Senate and could come to a floor vote within weeks. The Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works approved S. 1140 on June 10 by an 11-9 vote. “The Federal Water Quality Protection Act will keep the focus of the Clean Water Act about protecting navigable water from pollution, preserve our clean water, and prevent EPA from using the WOTUS rule as a tool to control land or isolated water. I look forward to working with my colleagues to achieve a veto proof majority of the bill, and to bringing S. 1140 to the Senate floor for consideration,” committee chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said in a statement. The House of Representatives voted on May 12 to prohibit the EPA from enacting the rule, passing the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 (H.R. 1732) by a 261- 155 vote. TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY MEASURE STALLS IN HOUSE The House of Representatives voted down a bill containing a trade promotion authority provision that would give the president the freedom to negotiate trade deals with other countries. Deals reached under this provision would be subject to Congressional approval without amendment. In its deliberations of the Trade Act of 2014 (H.R. 1314), the House passed the trade promotion authority provision by a 219-211 vote on June 12, but progress of the bill snagged over another provision, trade adjustment assistance, which would provide federal benefits for workers who lose their jobs because those jobs are moved overseas or due to import competition. The trade adjustment assistance measure was voted down by a 302-126 vote, thwarting the entire bill. Georgia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation support passage of trade promotion authority.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 USDA SETS PUBLIC HEARING FOR PECAN FMO IN TIFTON JULY 27-29 Pecan growers and other industry stakeholders, including handlers and shellers, will have a chance in July to offer testimony regarding the proposed federal marketing order for pecans that the American Pecan Board is working to implement. The USDA has announced dates and locations for a series of public hearings to be held in each of the three U.S. pecangrowing regions – Eastern (Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North and South Carolina), Central (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas) and Western (New Mexico, Arizona and California). The Eastern Region hearings will be held July 27-29 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tifton at 201 Boo Drive. A fourth day of testimony may be held July 30 if enough stakeholders express an interest in testifying. The hearings will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. 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. “I believe that a federal marketing order is needed for the pecan industry to have sustained profitability in the long-term,” Garrett Ganas, chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Pecan Committee, said. “I’d encourage people who are interested in or concerned about the marketing order to attend one of the three days of hearings the USDA will hold in Tifton.” Hearings will be held in Las Cruces, New Mexico, July 20-21 for the Western Region and on July 23-24 in Dallas, Texas, for the Central Region. According to the APB proposal, qualified growers would be defined as those producing a minimum of 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans during a representative period (average of four years) or owning a minimum of 30 pecan acres as recognized by the Farm Service Agency. While qualified growers will be the only segment of the industry to cast votes to determine if they want to implement a marketing order, both qualified growers and shellers would serve on the council that would oversee the order. If the referendum passes, qualified growers and shellers from each of the three growing regions would nominate their respective peers as potential council members. Small growers and shellers as well as large growers and shellers would be represented on the council. Each region will be represented by three growers and two shellers. After receiving the industry nominations, the Secretary of Agriculture would appoint the council members. The first council would be seated in 2017, and then that council would propose assessment rates. While final assessment rates won’t be determined until after the referendum is passed and the council is seated, proposed rates for three categories of pecans are: 1 to 2 cents/inshell pound for native and seedling varieties; 1 to 2 cents/inshell pound for sub-standard pecans and 2 to 3 cents/inshell pound for improved varieties. Each handler who first handles inshell pecans would pay the assessment. For more information about the hearings or proposed marketing order call 903-649-2077 or email bmichaeladams@gmail.com.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 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. While FSA county committees do not approve or deny farm ownership or operating loans, they make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are about 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers. HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REPEAL COOL PROVISIONS On June 10 the U.S. House passed the Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015 (H.R. 2393), which would repeal country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for beef, pork and chicken. The American Farm Bureau Federation supports the legislation. The bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-Texas), comes after a May 18 World Trade Organization (WTO) decision that the COOL rules place beef, pork and chicken products from Canada and Mexico at a competitive disadvantage. The WTO ruling prompted Canada and Mexico to request authorization from the WTO to assess a combined $3.6 billion in retaliatory measures on imports from the U.S. Conaway said in a statement that these measures would hurt U.S. agriculture and other economic sectors. Canada is the U.S.’ largest trading partner and Mexico ranks third, combining for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. international trade according to the U.S. Census Bureau. H.R. 2393 passed by a 300-131 vote, with all of Georgia’s delegation except Reps. John Lewis (D-5th District) and Hank Johnson (D-13th District) voting in favor. Georgia Reps. Rick Allen (R-12th District), Sanford Bishop (D-2nd District), Austin Scott (R-8th District) and David Scott (D-13th District) were among the bill’s 82 cosponsors.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 ENROLLMENT UNDER WAY 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. The new programs, established by the 2014 farm bill, trigger financial protections for producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues. More than 1.76 million farmers have elected ARC or PLC. In Georgia 100 percent of peanut farms elected for PLC, while Georgia farmers producing all the other covered crops generally favored ARC. For instance, 87 percent of Georgia’s soybean growers, 84 percent of the state’s corn growers and 74 percent of its grain sorghum growers went with ARC. Nationwide, 96 percent of soybean farms, 91 percent of corn farms and 66 percent of wheat farms elected ARC while 99 percent of peanut farms, 99 percent of long grain rice farms and 94 percent of medium grain rice farms elected PLC. Commodities covered under ARC and PLC include peanuts, soybeans, wheat, corn, grain sorghum, canola, barley, large and small chickpeas, crambe, flaxseed, lentils, mustard seed, oats, dry peas, rapeseed, rice, safflower seed, sesame and sunflower seed. Upland cotton is covered by the STAX program. SORGHUM GROWERS REAFFIRM CHECKOFF The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today that sorghum producers and importers voting in a national referendum have approved the continuation of the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order, commonly known as the Sorghum Checkoff Program. The referendum took place from March 23, 2015, through April 21, 2015. Of the 1,202 valid ballots cast, 1,160 or 96.5 percent favored the program and 42 or 3.5 percent opposed continuing the program. For the program to continue, it must have been approved by at least a majority of those eligible persons voting for approval who were engaged in the production and sale of sorghum during the period January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014. The goal of the program is to strengthen the position of and to develop and expand the markets for sorghum and sorghum products. The United Sorghum Checkoff Board administers the program and comprises 13 sorghum producers, which includes representatives from the three largest sorghum producing states and four at large members.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 See page 9 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! UGA EXTENSION GARDEN TRAINING FOR TEACHERS June 23 UGA Research and Education Garden Griffin June 25 UGArden Athens June 30 North Fulton Government Annex Atlanta This summer, University of Georgia Extension is offering targeted training sessions to help north and middle Georgia teachers and administrators make the most of existing school gardens or start new gardens. The course involves a short, online training program; some homework; and a halfday, hands-on workshop. The workshop will cover garden care and maintenance as well as strategies to build lesson plans around the school garden that cover state standards in all subject areas. Teachers will leave with a complete lesson plan that can be used when they head back to class in the fall. Registration closes June 18 at 5 p.m. The class costs $25 and is open to teachers across the state. For more information or to register, visit ugaurbanag.com/schoolgarden. Teachers who the complete the program will receive a certificate verifying their school garden training. COTTON INCORPORATED CONDUCTING NATURAL RESOURCES SURVEY Cotton Incorporated is surveying cotton growers through June 30 about their farming practices and conservation efforts as a part of Cotton Leads, a program founded by an alliance of cotton industry organizations in the U.S. and Australia. The survey is completely anonymous and should take about 20 minutes to complete and respondents are eligible to receive a free t-shirt. To take the survey visit www.cottoninc.com/agsurvey. For more information call 919-678-2220 or send an email to agsurvey@cottoninc.com. GEORGIA AG COMMISSIONS TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD SEATS June 30 Deadline for nominations The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions for apples, blueberries, cotton, milk, peaches, pecans, tobacco and vegetables are accepting nominations to fill positions on each commodity commission board. The length of each term is three years. In order to be nominated a person must be a Georgia producer of the mentioned commodity. Nominations can be made by producers of the applicable commodity by filling out a nominee information form available at Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, county Farm Bureau offices, and grower associations or on the Georgia Department of Agriculture commodities promotion web page at www.agr.georgia.gov/cpf. The completed form should be mailed to the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 19 MLK Jr. Drive S.W. Room 324, Atlanta, GA 30334; faxed to 404-656-9380 or emailed to andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov. Each nominee should be an active and qualified producer of the applicable commodity in Georgia. Geographic representation may be considered when making appointments. For more information contact Andy Harrison at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or 404-586-1405.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 AFBF CHALLENGE OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS THROUGH JUNE 30 The American Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting applications for the 2016 Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. Entrepreneurs will compete for $145,000 in startup funds. Applications must be submitted by June 30. The competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations being cultivated in rural regions of the United States. All applications, which include a business plan, video pitch and photo, must be submitted online by June 30. Judges will review the applications and provide feedback to the participants. The top 10 teams will be announced on Oct. 15. Finalists will compete for the grand prize title Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneur of the Year and $15,000 in additional startup funds to implement their ideas. One finalist will also be honored with the People’s Choice Award and $10,000 in additional startup funding. The competition timeline, detailed eligibility guidelines and profiles of the 2015 finalist teams are available at http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge. CABBAGE CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE Cabbage growers in Brooks, Colquitt, Tift and Toombs counties have until July 1 to buy, review or modify their policies before the sales closing date has passed. Crop insurance provides protection against production losses due to drought, hail and excessive moisture. A list of crop insurance agents is available online at http://www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html Growers can use the RMA cost estimator at https://ewebapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/costestimator/ to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. 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. Register by June 30 and receive a t-shirt! STRIPLING IRRIGATION RESEARCH PARK FIELD DAY July 8 Stripling Irrigation Research Park Camilla Information from a variety of SIRP projects will be shared with visitors during this annual field day. For more information, call 229-522-3623. 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.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 10 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. 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. 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. GEORGIA STATE TRAIL RIDE & CHUCKWAGON COOKOFF CANCELED The trail ride and cookoff, scheduled for Aug. 8 at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, has been canceled. 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
Located just 45 minutes from Savannah in Bulloch County, the 25th 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.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 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. 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 10 of 10 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. SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET June 20, 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.