Agricultural Awareness Community Event a Huge Success!

STATESBORO, Ga. - Aug. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- On Saturday, August 3, 2013, employees of AgSouth Farm Credit joined together with members of the community to  raise awareness of the importance of agriculture. Nearly 3,000 people turned out for the event, which was held at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market in Atlanta

According to Van McCall, chief lending officer for AgSouth’s Georgia region, “The purpose of this outreach program was to pull together representatives from all different segments of the community – agriculture, finance, government, education, media, as well as interested individuals – to work together to bring awareness to the tremendous benefits of supporting local agriculture.”

AgSouth donated two raised flowers beds and a new picnic table in honor of the Peachtree Road Farmers Market volunteers in a dedication ceremony that included statements from Congressman David Scott (GA-13), Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, and AgSouth’s Van McCall. All parties emphasized the vital role agriculture plays on our economy and the importance of all members of society to continue to support local farmers.

Concurrent with the project, AgSouth hosted a free field day for youth and their parents who attended the dedication and farmers market. This educational mini workshop, the “Ag Experience,” featured several learning stations that simulated the full process of a blueberry farm, including agricultural lending, production and the crop sales experience, in a fun, hands-on environment. Parents were very happy that their children had the opportunity to understand that their food doesn’t just magically appear on a grocery store shelf. As McCall stated, “The food we eat is generated by farmers who plant and harvest our crops, lenders that finance the farmers, agricultural production companies that use those crops to make all sorts of food and products, businesses that sell the final products, and consumers who purchase those products. There are many hands connected to the one strong arm of agriculture.” This project was a part of AgSouth’s continuous AgAware® program, whose focus is to promote and educate the next generation of young, beginning, and small farmers.

 

About AgSouth

AgSouth Farm Credit has nearly 8,000 members in Georgia and South Carolina and more than $1.5 billion in assets. The agricultural lending cooperativeprovides loans for land, equipment and production agriculture; crop insurance; leasing; and home mortgages.  The association is headquartered in Statesboro, Ga., with administrative offices in Spartanburg, S.C., and Orangeburg, S.C. The cooperative’s 26 branches serve 59 Georgia and 34 South Carolina counties. AgSouth is an equal housing lender. For more information, visit www.AgSouthFC.com.

 

About Peachtree Road Farmer Market

Now in its seventh year, Peachtree Road Farmers Market (PRFM) is a leader in the community. PRFM is the largest producer-only farmers market in the state. Producer-only means that everything at the market has been grown, raised, or made by the seller, ensuring fair prices for both the vendors and the consumers. The market is held Saturday mornings from April 6th, rain or shine, through December 14th.

PRFM is a Wholesome Wave market and accepts and doubles SNAP (EBT/food stamp). There are over 35 chef demonstrations scheduled for this season and 50 weekly vendors. Each week brings new produce, vendors, events and fun!

For more information about the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, please contact Executive Director Lauren Carey at 404-365-1078 or laurencarey@peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com.