June 24, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 25
GEORGIA MOTION DENIED IN SUPREME COURT WATER CASE Special Master Ralph Lancaster denied a motion by the State of Georgia to dismiss Florida’s water rights lawsuit before the Supreme Court. Georgia filed a motion for dismissal of the case, maintaining that the United States should be a party to the suit since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates a series of dams on the Chattahoochee River and at the southernmost point of Lake Seminole along Georgia’s southwest border with Florida, and thus controls the flow of water from the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers into the Apalachicola River. Florida argued that the relief it is seeking is a reduction of Georgia’s water use rather than minimum flow requirements for the Chattahoochee and Flint. Attorneys for the two states presented arguments on Georgia’s motion to dismiss during a hearing held June 2 in Washington, D.C. In a ruling published on June 19, Lancaster found that the case could advance “in equity and good conscience” without the United States as a party, saying that Georgia failed to prove otherwise. Lancaster, who as special master is managing the case on the Supreme Court’s behalf, also found that Alabama need not be a party to the suit. At the close of the June 2 hearing, Lancaster urged the two states to work toward a watersharing agreement outside of court proceedings. “Whatever the result is, whatever the Court does with this case after I make my report, we’re talking a lot of money and a result that I suggest neither one of you may be very happy with,” Lancaster said. “So, again, and again, and again, I’m going to urge you to discuss settlement seriously.” The suit, which Florida filed in October 2013, alleges that Georgia has overconsumed water from the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers, resulting in lower water supply and higher salinity in the Apalachicola Bay on the Northwest Florida coast, threatening the habitat of the bay’s oysters and other species there. The dispute between Florida and Georgia, as well as Alabama, over access to the water from the Chattahoochee and Flint has lasted for more than 20 years and has involved multiple lawsuits. Florida’s previous legal challenges have been ultimately unsuccessful. In a related development, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal met with Florida Gov. Rick Scott in Tallahassee, Fla., on June 9 to discuss how to resolve the long-running dispute, which according to published reports was at Deal’s request. Deal met with Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley in March for a similar discussion.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 WINNERS IN GFB YOUNG FARMER CONTESTS TO BE REVEALED IN JULY The winners in the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture Award will be announced during the 2015 GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference, to be held July 15-18 on Jekyll Island. The finalists for the Young Farmer Achievement Award are Matt and Melissa Bottoms of Pike County, Jonathan and Bridget Hitchcock of Washington County and Elton Baldy of Colquitt County. The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes farm families who derive the majority of their income from production agriculture. The finalists each receive a $500 cash award. The state winner also receives Polaris RTV570 Crew Cab Ranger sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. The Young Farmer Discussion Meet has 38 registered participants. The event is intended to simulate a committee meeting during which agriculturalists discuss issues impacting agriculture. The contestants will be divided into small groups of five or six to hold their discussions. The Discussion Meet winner receives a Polaris 4x4 ATV sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance and $500 cash from Georgia Farm Bureau. The Discussion Meet runners-up each receive $350 cash sponsored by SunTrust Bank. The finalists for the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award are Stephanie Butcher of Coweta County, Matthew and Kimberly London of White County, and Justin Shealey of Cook County. The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes individuals who derive the majority of their income from something other than production agriculture. A total of 13 young farmers from around the state entered the contest. The Excellence in Agriculture winner receives a Polaris 4x4 ATV sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. The runners-up will receive $500 cash sponsored by AgSouth Farm Credit. The state winner in each contest also receives an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention next January in Orlando to compete for national honors. The national winners in each contest receives their choice of either a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2016 GMC Sierra, sponsored by Chevrolet. The national finalists in each category receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor sponsored by Case, a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in Stihl merchandise sponsored by Stihl. GFB ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR COMMODITY COMMITTEES County Farm Bureaus have until Aug. 21 to nominate members to serve on the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Advisory Committees. Committee members offer input to GFB leaders and staff regarding their commodities. Nominees must be GFB members and active producers of the commodity for which they’re nominated. GFB has committees for the following commodities: aquaculture, beef cattle, cotton, dairy, direct marketing/agritourism, environmental horticulture, equine, feedgrain/soybeans, fruits, forestry, hay, honeybees, peanuts, pecans, poultry, sheep/goats, swine, tobacco, vegetables and water. Contact Don McGough at 1-800-342-1196 for more information.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 HOUSE PASSES TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY The House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (H.R. 2146) by a 218-208 vote. The bill includes language to allow the president trade promotion authority – the authority to negotiate trade deals with other countries. Eight of Georgia’s 14 members in the House voted in favor. Under the bill, Congress would be allowed right of approval through an “up or down” vote with no amendments. The measure now awaits final approval in the Senate. Congress has granted TPA to every president since 1974, with the most recent law being approved in August 2002 and expiring June 30, 2007. Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall applauded the bill’s passage in the House. “For Georgia agriculture to continue to compete globally, impediments to international trade must be eliminated,” Duvall said. “The House’s passage of TPA brings us closer to completing ambitious trade negotiations around the world. TPA streamlines negotiations and strengthens our position at the bargaining table.” Duvall expressed appreciation for the support of Georgia House members who voted for the legislation. “Georgia Farm Bureau thanks Congressmen Buddy Carter, Tom Price, Austin Scott, Rob Woodall, Jody Hice, Barry Loudermilk, Rick Allen, and Tom Graves for their support of TPA on the House floor and their commitment to moving trade forward.” In 2013, Georgia exported nearly $3 billion in agriculture products up from $1.8 billion in 2009, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Georgia exports help boost farm prices and income, while supporting about 22,500 jobs, both on the farm and in related industries such as food processing, transportation, and manufacturing according to the USDA. Nationwide, U.S. food and agriculture exports reached a record $150.5 billion in 2014, supporting more than one million American jobs. FORMER AFBF PRESIDENT KLECKNER DIES Former American Farm Bureau Federation President Dean Kleckner, 81, died on June 15. Dean lived and farmed in northern Iowa raising corn, soybeans and hogs. He was AFBF president for 14 years, from 1986 until 2000. Under Dean’s leadership, AFBF was a particularly important, visible influence on global trade issues. He was the only agricultural representative on a U.S. advisory team for the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations when they began in September 1986. Kleckner was appointed by Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton to numerous other national advisory committees and commissions. Prior to becoming AFBF president, he was, for 10 years, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and a member of the AFBF board of directors, after serving as Iowa Farm Bureau vice president and as president of his native Floyd County Farm Bureau. A public memorial service will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, Iowa, on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. Central. The committal, at McLarens Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, will be private. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024 or The Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Cards/condolences can be sent to Dean’s wife, Natalie Kleckner, at 100 Promenade Avenue, #534, Wayzata, MN 55391.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 FEWER VIDALIA ONIONS EXPECTED THIS YEAR Heavy rainfall and high winds contributed to Georgia farmers growing fewer Vidalia onions this year, but demand for the popular vegetable and low yields for Texas onions are keeping prices steady, according to a University of Georgia press release. University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center Coordinator Cliff Riner said Georgia’s onion crop was limited this year due to an accumulation of inclement weather. “We had temperatures as low as 15 degrees (Fahrenheit), hail storms, 40- to 50-mile-per-hour winds and really heavy rain,” Riner said. Weather conditions hurt a crop that was already short this year. “We were already planting 400 to 600 acres fewer than what we have been planting. There weren’t many growers that increased their acreage planted after last year. We just harvested an average crop, with some major losses to fields that weren’t even brought in,” he said. Riner said the biggest hit came on the second maturity group of onions, what is referred to as the “early main season.” Two major storms brought hail and winds through southeast Georgia just as fields were starting to mature. “This group of onions makes up our largest acreage. Some fields weren’t harvested because of the hail damage, and where there was just strong wind, we just didn’t get the size we needed. When the wind lays the tops down and knocks the leaves off, the onion won’t increase in size as it would normally. Some growers suffered losses worse than others, but the weather brought some challenges (to all growers) this year,” Riner said. Though production was lacking this season, farmers that did produce a good crop were rewarded with strong prices. Riner said the price could continue to rise through the summer, as demand is still strong and shipping is at full capacity. A crop shortage in Texas this year also led to a robust market for Georgia producers, according to Riner. GEORGIA BEEKEEPER WINS BAYER BEE CARE AWARD Georgia beekeeper Paul Vonk won the third annual Bayer Bee Care Community Leadership Award, according to a Bayer CropScience press release. Vonk was chosen because of his efforts to improve pollinator health, by educating the beekeeping community and students interested in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education fields through HiveTool, which provides a noninvasive way to analyze colony health. The award is sponsored by the Bayer CropScience's Bee Care Program and annually recognizes an individual who uses his interest in and commitment to honey bees to benefit his community. As the 2015 winner, Vonk will receive a $5,000 grant to continue his work. HiveTool provides a collection of readily available, off-the-shelf hardware and free, open source software that continuously monitors beehives. The system allows beekeepers to better manage their hives by giving real time feedback on hive conditions. Vonk also uses HiveTool to transmit data to NASA to study how bees are impacted by land use and climate changes. Vonk has made HiveTool the centerpiece of his work with a local school as well as regional beekeepers, sharing his passion and enthusiasm for beekeeping with students who previously had never worked with pollinators. The HiveTool system has attracted students to STEM fields by allowing the students to work with bees and learn more about bee health and beekeeping.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 STANLEY FARMS CLEARED OF ACCUSATIONS, PLACED ON PROBATION After a five-week investigation, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) concluded that Stanley Farms in Toombs County did not pack non-Vidalia onions in Vidalia-branded bags, according to published reports. The investigation was prompted by complaints from other growers. The GDA did find that Stanley Farms had stored non-Vidalia onions at its packing facility, according to a report in The Packer. Non-Vidalia onions can be held in Vidalia packing facilities, but to do so requires an approved plan and the non-Vidalia onions must be segregated from the Vidalias. Should another similar violation be found during the probationary period, Stanley Farms could lose its Vidalia onion license. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black told The Packer that Stanley Farms cooperated fully with the state investigation, which was reviewed by a third-party auditor, Atlanta accounting firm Metcalf Davis CPAs.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 See page 9 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! 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. 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.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 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. 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 8 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. 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 in July 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. 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.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.