October 8, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 40
GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY The Georgia National Fair kicked off on Oct. 2 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with Gov. Nathan Deal and Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority Chairman Gene Sutherland manning the scissors in Reaves Arena at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. Deal was the featured speaker for the ceremony and presented Sutherland with a commendation recognizing 25 years of the Georgia National Fair in Perry. “This is the opportunity for farmers across the state to showcase what they have done and what they are doing as a part of our agricultural economy,” Deal said. “Twenty-five years is certainly a significant time for something like the fair. It is a rare opportunity that we see enterprises like this survive for a quarter of a century.” In the Georgia Grown Building, the Georgia Department of Agriculture unveiled its a photo exhibit called “Seasons and Faces of Georgia Agriculture.” The exhibit shows Georgia farmers working in virtually every commodity produced in the state. In addition to photos, the exhibit included agricultural artifacts, crop plants, seeds and agricultural tools, as well as information sheets detailing Georgia agriculture facts. Georgia 4-H and FFA members are competing in livestock shows being held at the fair. Georgia Farm Bureau sponsored the grand champion prizes for the Market Goat Wether and Market Goat Doe awarded during the Junior Market Goat Show held Oct. 3 and 4. GFB also sponsored the grand champion Market Lamb prize awarded at the Junior Market Lamb Show on Oct. 5. According to show organizers, 443 students showed 783 goats while 118 students showed 249 lambs. For the fourth consecutive year, Worth County FFA member Chase Roberts won the Grand Champion Market Wether prize of $1,500. Roberts, who started showing goats in 2005, is the son of Anita and Michael Roberts. He is a sophomore at Worth County High School. “I never thought it would be four years in a row,” Roberts said after winning. “It takes a lot of dedication and a lot of hard work. I’m probably at the barn a couple of hours every day or every other day walking my goats.” Banks County FFA member Payton Jackson won the Grand Champion Market Doe prize of $1,500. Jackson, who has shown goats for five years, is the daughter of Kipp and Lara Jackson. She is a sixth grader at Banks County Middle School. Elbert County 4-Her Ansley Ruff won the Grand Champion Market Lamb prize of $1,000. Ruff, a junior at Georgia Cyber Academy, has shown lambs for five years. She is the daughter of Greg and Shannon Ruff. The Georgia National Fair continues through Oct. 12.