Georgia Grown Farmer Showcase Deemed a Success

  Originally published in the Aug. 7 issue of the Market Bulletin

Visitors check out the Calhoun Produce table at the showcase

The Atlanta State Farmers Market was the place to be in the metro area on July 27.

Hundreds of visitors and several media outlets turned out for the Georgia Grown Farmers Showcase, which many hailed as the best yet of such events.

“There was a lot more people, a lot more interaction,” said Lynn Batchelor of Wally Bees Honey. “They do a good job. We’ve been here in the good and the bad, but this was the best.”

The Newnan-based company had only a few jars of local honey and fewer than 10 beeswax candles on its table by the end of the day. Southern Press and Packing, a Blackshear, Ga., company specializing in 100 percent blueberry juice, brought 31 cases of product and sold all but one.

As consumers traversed the Georgia Grown shed, they got to sample a variety of produce and meats – sausage, salsa, jams, jellies, peaches, watermelons and more.



Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture
Gary W. Black and Georgia Watermelon
Queen Carol Anne Mitchell

“I like the fact that I can come try local-sourced produce and things, and I can sample everything before I buy it,” said John Stalvey, an attendee from Hapeville, Ga. “I just love seeing family farms trying to get out there and survive.”

And it wasn’t just farmstands that enjoyed the turnout. Henry County Farm Bureau representatives called the showcase a great way to share their mission.

“We do good to get one membership a day because it’s so hard in a short phone call for people to understand what we’re about. Here, we can … talk to them and they can see our display and understand more what we’re about and about our support of the farmers,” Jean Dykes said. “Once they understand and we have that opportunity to be in front of them, they’re signing up. In two hours, we signed up seven.”

Be it the antique tractor display, the cow train or meeting the Georgia Watermelon Queen, the showcase had something for everyone, said Gary W. Black, Georgia commissioner of agriculture.

“Vendors came from all across Georgia to mix and mingle with consumers as they sold their locally grown produce and goods,” Black said. “I look forward to more Georgia Grown events of this kind that allow the rare opportunity for consumers to directly connect with the producer.”

Peppers and squash for sale at the Georgia Grown
Farmers Showcase on July 27

Wendy Wagner, an attendee from Roswell, Ga., said she enjoyed seeing the variety of healthy, fresh food options from Georgia producers, and hopes to attend the upcoming December showcase.

Several vendors are planning to return as well, already planning their holiday-themed booths.

“We didn’t expect these kind of results. The crowd’s great, it’s fun,” said Henry County Farm Bureau representative Ross McQueen. “It’s working for us. We’re planning on coming back, let me put it that way.”