March 14, 2012
www.gfb.org
Vol. 30 No. 11
AG DAY GIVES SAMPLING OF GEORGIA PRODUCTS, FEATURES AWARDS The 2012 Celebrating Agriculture in Georgia Ag Day event at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta on March 13 gave visitors a taste of the many products grown and processed in Georgia. The event featured the presentation of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards for Agriculture and the announcement of the winners of the final round of the Flavor of Georgia Contest. The event was hosted by Gov. Nathan Deal and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. It drew visitors from across the state, including many 4Hers and FFA students, along with members of the Georgia General Assembly and representatives from many of the state’s agricultural organizations. “This is truly a magnificent time to see so many Chris and Marilynn Hopkins young people and so many of you who are involved not only in agriculture directly but also agribusiness,” Deal said. “It’s a good time to see what our products are, see what services are available and, I hope, to continue to have the optimism about what agriculture means in our state.” Approximately 50 ag organizations, including Georgia Farm Bureau, had exhibits at the event, and many of them brought samples of food products fashioned from Georgia commodities. Deal and Black recognized Toombs County Farm Bureau Director Chris Hopkins as the state winner of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award. Hopkins and his wife Marilynn, who also won the 5th District award, operate Hopkins Farm, growing cotton, peanuts, corn, wheat, timber, watermelons, rye and pecans on 600 acres of leased and owned land. Their conservation efforts include installing parallel terraces and grass waterways, using conservation tillage and removing highly erodible land from production. “For us, this means our conservation efforts are being recognized,” said Chris. “As farmers it is our responsibility to conserve the land that we make a living from.” Other district winners were James Burton of Walker County, Dr. Carl Jordan of Clarke County, Glenn and Rabun Waller from Washington County and Adam Graft of Sumter County. High Road Craft Ice Cream, represented by Nicki Schroeder of Atlanta, won the Grand Prize in the 2012 Flavor of Georgia Contest with its Brown Butter Praline Ice Cream, which also won the dairy category. The Three Generations of Georgia, represented by Cindy Fulghum, won the People’s Choice Award with its Chicken Log. The contest, designed to promote Georgia entrepreneurs producing food products made with Georgia-grown commodities, drew 75 entries, from which 26 finalists were chosen. The finalists’ products were offered for final judging and sampling during the Ag Day celebration.