Governor Perdue Launches Seventh Annual National Agriculture Awareness Week in Georgia
Awards given for environmental stewardship and Flavor of Georgia Contest

ATLANTA (March 16, 2010) – Today Governor Sonny Perdue and the Governor’s Agriculture Advisory Commission launched the seventh annual National Agriculture Awareness Week in Georgia to recognize the contributions of agriculture and agribusiness to our state. A celebration held today at the Georgia Freight Depot featured approximately 60 agriculture commodities and organizations from throughout Georgia displaying food products and related information. Guests attending today’s event included state legislators, Future Farmers of America, 4-H, Young Farmers and other agriculture related organizations.

“Georgia’s agricultural community is the backbone of our economy,” said Governor Perdue. “As they innovate and grow, the entire state benefits.”

Governor Perdue also announced today the 2010 winner of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Agriculture – Earl and Wanda Barrs and Gully Branch Tree Farm in Cochran. The award honors farmers for good stewardship of all aspects of the environment in their farming practices.

The district stewardship winners include: Jamie Jordan, Riverbend Farm, Rome; Keith Nichols, Oak Valley Farm, Toccoa; Stanley Corbett, Stanley Corbett Farms, Lake Park; and Wayne McKinnon, McKinnon Farms, Douglas.

The Governor also announced Savannah Bee Company as the overall winner of the 2010 Flavor of Georgia contest for their Grill Honey with No Drip Pump. The contest focuses on the Agricultural Advisory Commission’s goal of entrepreneurship and rural development by showcasing the diversity of Georgia’s agriculture and food processors.

Category winners were: 

· Meat & Seafood: Blue Marlin International LLC, Blue Marlin Brand American Shrimp;

· Snack Foods: Goodness Gracious! Granola Goodness Gracious! Granola ‘You Struck Gold’

· Dairy: CalyRoad Creamery Clouds of CalyRoad – Camembert

· Jams, Jellies & Sauces: Olive Affairs, Inc., Olive Affairs Gourmet Olive Tapenade

· BBQ & Hot Sauces: Savannah Bee Company, Grill Honey with No Drip Pump

· Confections: Lane Southern Orchards, Lane’s Fresh Peach Bread

· Other (Miscellaneous): Vidalia Valley Organic, Vidalia Onion Tomato Basil Dressing

The Governor’s Agriculture Advisory Commission brings together members of various sectors within the agricultural community to act as a sounding board for economic development ideas and to implement the Governor's agriculture strategies and initiatives. The commission is divided into four subcommittees – economic development and retention, education, environmental and agriculture awareness.

Agriculture is Georgia’s oldest and largest industry, and it remains a leading source of jobs and income. Georgia features thriving and diversified farm economies, leading the country in the production of poultry, pecans, peanuts, eggs and forestry products. The state is also taking the lead in converting agricultural produce to ethanol and biodiesel. Georgia consistently ranks as a top producer of watermelons, rye, peaches, sweet potatoes and cotton and is home to the world famous Vidalia onion.