AG INDUSTRY UPDATE - December 15, 2024
December 15, 2024
Cheryl Smith | Agrotourism Manager | Georgia Grown
Cheryl Smith, Agritourism Manager | 678-640-4355
cheryl.smith@agr.georgia.gov
Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year! The next Update will be in February.
In the meantime, I will be posting food days/weeks/months and ag news, articles, etc. to the Georgia Grown Community Facebook page, so if you may want to join this page.
Ag Industry Update
This update is different from the Georgia Grown newsletter. If you do not currently get the update, click the following link to subscribe to the Ag Industry Update: http://eepurl.com/hCCVrn. If you are a member of Georgia Grown and are not getting the newsletter, please contact me.
Member News/Requests
We encourage our members to submit info on new products and developments, awards, etc. on the Georgia Grown Community Facebook page. Click here to submit your events to the GeorgiaGrown.com Events page. Please email me if you want something added that you would like other members to know about.
- Larry Lykins, Carecay Vineyards was interviewed in an article in the Georgia Recorder about the Lantern Fly: https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/11/19/georgia-fruit-growers-state-agriculture-experts-on-alert-for-spotted-lanternfly-sightings/
Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program
The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Georgia Grown campaign partners with the Georgia Restaurant Association each year for the statewide, Georgia Grown Executive Chef program. See information in the two following links.
- www.garestaurants.org/georgia-grown-executive-chef-program
- https://georgiagrown.com/2024-georgia-grown-executive-chef-program/
The mission of this program is to create a statewide, Georgia Grown Executive Chef program to promote and foster relationships between chefs and farmers. The program will create a mark of honor and distinction for each chef involved and garner a greater awareness both among restaurateurs and consumers about the availability of quality, local products on Georgia’s restaurant scene. Every year, the new class of Georgia Grown Executive Chefs are honored at the GRA's Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception. Email me for more information and application.``
Agritourism plays a critical role in rural economies, supporting farm viability and offering diverse income streams for agricultural producers. In a recent article published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, a team of agritourism researchers emphasize the importance of accurate data collection in this sector. The paper, titled Insights and oversights: Behind the data on agritourism and direct sales in the United States, highlights significant inconsistencies in the way agritourism and direct sales are defined and measured in the U.S., resulting in potential misrepresentations that could influence policy and support mechanisms. The authors advocate for more comprehensive data to better inform the future of agritourism development and rural entrepreneurship.
Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education Events
All events are free. For information call 229-430-9870, visit www.sherrodinstitute.org or contact burke.f@swgaproject.com or Lawrence.k@swgaproject.com.
- January 22 - Round 2 Agribusiness Tax
- February 20 - Forestry & Easement Workshop
- April 18 - Berry Family Farm Field Day
- April 23 - SWGA Project arm Field Day
The Entrepreneurship Center
The Entrepreneurship Center (TEC) was launched in Atlanta in October 2004. TEC was designed to assist entrepreneurs with starting and growing successful and sustainable businesses in the Metro Atlanta community. We are able to achieve our goal of cultivating successful and sustainable businesses through providing entrepreneurs with: Training Classes, Resources, and One on One Coaching Sessions. As a result of the services we provide, entrepreneurs find themselves taking their business concept from pre-venture stage to business start-up; acquiring funding to operate and grow their business; obtaining contracts to assist in growing their business; and hiring additional employees to assist with their business growth. https://ulgatl.org/entrepreneurship/
USDA News
- USDA Extends Deadline for Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Until December 13
- USDA & FDA Seek Food Date Labeling Clarity, Transparency and Cost Savings
- USDA’s MASC program offers over $2 billion to help expand markets and offset costs (1/8/25 deadline)
- USDA to Enhance Support for Farmers with Increased Replant Payments
Conferences, Workshops, Shows, etc.
December 18 GFVGA Produce Safety Alliance Upcoming Webinar (4-6pm)
January 16 GFVGA Food Safety Supervisor Training - West Palm Beach, FL
January 16 - Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference - Tifton, GA
January 24-25 - 2025 US Lavender Conference - St Charles, MO
January 24 - Georgia Ag Forecast - Macon, GA
January 24-26 Georgia Watermelon Association Annual Convention - Braselton, GA
February 4-6 - SOWTH Conference (Georgia Organics) - Atlanta, GA
February 6-10 - NAFDMA Convention & Expo - Lexington, KY
February 9-11 - Georgia Wine Producers Conference Featuring Georgia Grown Market - Athens, GA
February 19 - SEIFT (Southeastern Supplier’s Night Food Expo) - Atlanta, GA
March 17-23 - Georgia Ag Week
April 17 - Flavor of Georgia Reception - Athens, GA
June 10-12 - Southeast Green Conference & Expo - Duluth, GA
October 2-12 - Georgia National Fair - Perry, GA
October 14-16 - Sunbelt Ag Expo - Moultrie, GA
News/Articles/Grant Information
Note: Many of these articles feature other areas of the country are examples of successes stories, challenges, creative ventures.
- Republican governors urge Congress to pass Farm Bill
- Georgia Fruit Growers State Agriculture Experts on Alert for Spotted Lanternfly-Sightings
- Lawmakers recommend ‘multi-faceted approach’ to preserving Georgia farmland
- UGA redefines Southern hospitality through a thriving degree program
- Vegetable Growers News - November Issue
- Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Offers $65k in Scholarships
- New farmers see opportunity in Christmas trees
- Baker Farms Recalls Baker Brand Curly Mustard Due to Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
- Inside the Georgia orchard trying to bring back the South’s lost apples
- When Abnormal Becomes Routine: How to Stop BRD
- Beef Cattle Sustainability: Practical Solutions for a Greener Future
- Hydroponic growing
- UGA trials examine variety performance to help improve watermelons
- Fruit Growers News December Issue
- UGA-Griffin breaks ground on green stormwater demonstration site
- Monarch Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection
- UGA Extension experts search for safe seafood broth recipe
- Penn State to Offer Food Packaging Online Course
- Farm Credit of Central FL/SW GA Farm Credit Announce Merger
- What Can Bees Tell Us About Nearby Pollution? The Answer Lies in Their Honey, a New Study Finds
December Food/Ag Day
15 Lemon Cupcake Day
15 International Tea Day
16 Chocolate Covered Anything Day
17 Maple Syrup Day
18 Roast Suckling Pig Day
19 Hard Candy Day
19 Oatmeal Muffin Day
20 Fried Shrimp Day
20 Sangria Day
21 Hamburger Day/Kiwi Fruit Day
22 Date Nut Bread Day
24 Eggnog Day
24 Pfeffernusse Day
25 Pumpkin Pie Day
26 Candy Cane Day
26 Coffee Percolator Day
27 Fruitcake Day
28 Chocolate Candy Day
29 Pepper Pot Day
30 Bacon Day
30 Bicarbonate of Soda Day
31 Champagne Day
December Food/Ag Months
Fruit Cake Month
Eggnog Month
Tomato and Winter Squash Month
Root Vegetable and Exotic Fruit Month