South Georgia Ag Scene May 2020 Handling COVID-19 Produce farms and packaginghouses learning new ways to stay safe, Page 22 The Moultrie Observer • The Tifton Gazette • The Valdosta Daily Times • Thomasville Times-Enterprise Page 2 Ag Scene May 2020 389406-1 May 2020 Ag Scene Page 3 SUBMITTED PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO Grand Champion market hog was shown by Thomas County Central High School sophomore Grand Champion steer was shown by Cross Creek fourth-grader Jaleigh Hurst and purchased Audrey VanLandingham and purchased by Thomasville Chrysler Dodge Jeep, represented by by Thomas County Farm Bureau, represented by Ben Hurst. Dave Stewart and Sam Carnline. Thomas County Junior Livestock Association holds second show THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Twenty-eight from pre-K to seniors competed for rib- ticipants can sell their animals after the ers of America (fifth-12th) members. children recently participated in the bons for their livestock projects. Some show. Before fourth grade they can compete as Thomas County Jr. Livestock Associa- of these students competed at the State Members who show their livestock TCJLA members. tion’s (TCJLA) second show. Students Livestock Show in Perry prior to the are either pre-club TCJLA (up to fourth Pictured are the winners and their from Thomas County Schools ranging local show. The local show is last so par- grade), 4-H (fourth-12th), or Future Farm- buyers. SUBMITTED PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO Reserve Champion steer was shown by Thomas County Middle School eighth-grader Ally Reserve Champion market hog was shown by Pre-K student Huxlie Stringer and purchased by Moore and purchased by JT Wilson Electric, represented by Jason Wilson. Thomasville National Bank, represented by Lindsay Taylor. Page 4 Ag Scene May 2020 UGA Extension celebrates Volunteer Appreciation Week BY AUSTIN CLARK ing with programs, 1,073 certified project achievement active status. In addition, these volunteers devoted more Georgia 4-H judges, 326 youth club leaders for local and statewide than 9,900 hours to continuing education to keep their programming and many other critical roles. information current and skills sharp. Throughout the week of April 19, University of Georgia “I love watching our kids grow at each event,” says “The excitement and passion of our MGEVs are Cooperative Extension is honoring the thousands of vol- Debbie Thigpen, Montgomery County 4-H volunteer. contagious and a continual motivation for me to provide unteers who facilitate 4-H, Master Gardener and Family “They teach me something new each time I’m around resources and opportunities,” said Kendra Stallings, Chat- and Consumer Sciences programming on the county, dis- them. I also enjoy meeting other volunteers and creat- tooga County program assistant. “They know so much. I trict and state levels for Volunteer Appreciation Week. ing new friendships. I’m in my eighth year as a volunteer am always learning from them.” For the 2018-2019 program year, Georgia 4-H adult and plan to continue for as long as 4-H will have me.” The Family and Consumers Sciences division of and teen volunteers from across the state devoted more For the 2019 calendar year, Master Gardener Ex- Extension reported 7,069 hours of volunteer interaction. than 218,900 hours — at a value of $5.6 million — to the tension Volunteers (MGEVs) from across the state More than 1,952 volunteer connections were made by development of youth through 4-H programming. These contributed 179,788 hours — at a value of $4.3 million individuals supporting programming in a number of roles, hours were cumulated by 7,787 adult and teen 4-H vol- — to support Extension programming in consumer such as teaching food demonstrations and volunteering unteers including more than 3,300 adult chaperones at horticulture. These hours were the cumulative product at the senior center, assisting with event management, district and statewide events, 2,010 teen leaders assist- of more than 2,300 MGEVs who meet state criteria for soliciting donations, and many other important roles for Georgians around the state. Several volunteers have been recognized for their achievements and dedication to volunteerism. Cisco Da- mons, a longtime Georgia 4-H volunteer, was honored as the 2019 National 4-H Council’s Southern Region 4-H Vol- unteer of the Year. In addition, Master Gardener Extension Volunteers in Cobb County were recognized during the 2019 International Master Gardener Conference with the David Gibby Search for Excellence Award in the Research Category. These and countless other outstanding volun- teers throughout the state are the reason why Extension is taking the time to honor these individuals. The week of celebration will include a social media campaign that will spotlight key volunteers and their con- tributions to program areas, interviews with volunteers about their experience with their respective organiza- tions and a video conference for volunteers to share their memories as a group. “Extension Volunteers are a true inspiration,” says Keri Hobbs, UGA Extension 4-H specialist for volunteer devel- opment. “I wish we could celebrate Volunteer Apprecia- tion Week every week. Nonetheless, I’m thrilled that we’ll recognize and appreciate Extension volunteer service throughout our organization. They are mission-critical and essential to our success. They extend the capacity of our programs so that we can make a larger impact and reach more Georgians through our programs.” UGA Extension translates the science of everyday living for farmers, families and communities to foster a healthy and prosperous Georgia. For more than a century, we’ve provided research and education through a network of committed specialists, agents and volunteers to help Georgians learn, grow and do more. To contact your local county Extension office and become involved, visit exten- sion.uga.edu. May 2020 Ag Scene Page 5 Coming Home Couple operates farm after relocating BY AMANDA M. USHER The two originated which sells pork, eggs and how unhealthy the food he [email protected] Schmoe Farm in Quitman “meat birds” – in produc- was eating was. in 2016, wanting to go from ing non-genetically modi- “I switched to eating liv- Opting to retire from a fast-paced life in New fied organisms. ing foods, meats that come a teaching career and be- York City to a quiet envi- While Christian Schmoe from here, ethical meat,” come farmers in the early ronment. said flavor is a big selling he said. “Since then, I’ve 1950s, Christian Schmoe’s It was recently awarded point for the business, sev- been a lot healthier.” grandparents established Agribusiness of the Year eral customers purchase Founding Schmoe Farm Blackwater Oaks Farm by the Quitman-Brooks the products because they gave him and Drew Schmoe years ago. County Chamber of Com- are environmentally friend- the opportunity to be a part He remembers working merce. l y. of a change and help move there during the summer- Living in a quaint “little “A lot of people buy regenerative agriculture time and is still connected white house” on family (them) because they want forward, he said. to it through his mother property, the Schmoes work humanely raised animals, Christian Schmoe said and siblings. on their farm daily tending and a lot of people like it his family would like to Following in their foot- to pigs, baby chicks and because it’s local for the eventually involve both steps, Christian Schmoe re- adult chickens. Their guard market that we sell,” he entities in an overall pas- located from the northern dog, Bear, and a few talk- said. ture-based operation, a pro- region and began his own ative guineas, help protect Healthy eating is cess he deems slow. journey into farming with the land from intruding what prompted Christian Part of this process is his husband, Drew Schmoe, animals. Schmoe to venture into to have the chickens follow PHOTOS: DERREK VAUGHN alongside him. While Blackwater is a farming. He said he was the cattle to scratch apart Drew and Christian Schmoe operate Schmoe Farm while their Their farm is a subset total of 1,043 acres, Schmoe in his 20s when he’d devel- cow patties and eat any pet, Bear, helps protect the farm. of Blackwater, which sells Farm is spread out over at oped bad cholesterol, high flies that are bad for the cattle. Christian Schmoe least 40 acres. blood pressure and weight cows. calls it a “farm within a The couple said they gain. “It’s a beautiful system,” In the springtime, provide,” Christian Schmoe farm.” take pride that the farm – He said he didn’t realize Christian Schmoe said. there are plans to double said referring to being able the paddocks for the pigs. to control the operation Paddocks are forest lanes from the time a chicken stretching about 600 feet hatches to when it’s pack- back and about 300 feet aged. across creating a walkway. As the farm grows, more Other future plans are to employees will be hired and construct a building to pro- the Schmoes would like to cess chickens from butch- expand annually with their ering to packaging on-land. animals to meet market A well will also be built for demands. fresh water. Visit schmoefarm.graze- “That’s a unique service cart.com, or call (229) 539- that we want to be able to 1921, for more information. Drew Schmoe, owner of Schmoe Farm, pets Pickles, a Drew and Christian Schmoe are owners of Schmoe Farm. breeding boar. Page 6 Ag Scene May 2020 More than 45 Georgia counties participate in Georgia 4-H Virtual Project Achievement BY CRISTINA LUISA DEREVERE Georgia 4-H More than 425 fourth, fifth and sixth graders participated in Georgia 4-H’s recent Virtual Cloverleaf Project Achievement contest.