Tift: Home of Greens & Cantaloupes

Jan. 3, 2017

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

TIFT LEADS STATE

IN CANTALOUPES
AND GREENS

AND RANKS NO. 2 IN WATERMELON PRODUCTION

Agriculture is Georgia's biggest industry, and Tift County leads the state in producing cantaloupes and greens, while ranking second in watermelon and zucchini

production, according to a new report.

The University of Georgia's 2015 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, released recently,

provides each county's agricultural acreage and the value of farmers' agricultural production.

The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development compiles the previous year's sales and production data, offering a detailed look at the state's agriculture sector.

According to the report, Georgia's total agricultural production value of $13.84 bil lion was down $151 million, or 1.08 percent, from the previous year. But some commodity groups showed gains: Ornamental horticulture, with an increase in value up 30 percent; forestry, up 8.6 percent; vegetables, up 7.2 percent; and poultry and eggs, up 0.6 percent.

The top five commodities in Georgia in 2015 were b roilers, with $4.4 billion in production, representing 32 percent of the state's total; e ggs, $937 million; b eef, $923 million; c otton, $713 million; and p eanuts, $685 million in production.

Colquitt County led the state in total farm gate value with $473 million. Tift County ranked 27th with $142 million; Worth County was 29th at $137 million.

Tift led the state in the production of greens with 3,300 acres and a value of $13.9 million. Tift also led in cantaloupe production with 1,000 acres and a $7.7 million value. And Tift County was ranked second, right behind Crisp County, in watermelon production at 2,050 acres and a value of $15 million, as well as second in producing zucchini.

Among other commodities, Tift County was t hird in squash production; fourth in Southern peas and tomatoes; fifth in snap beans, tobacco, bell peppers and cabbage; and seventh in sweet corn.

Tift County ranked 19th in Georgia in peanut production, and 24th in cotton.

To see the entire report, Click Here!

Y MCA 'POLAR BEARS' BEGIN YEAR

WITH A PLUNGE IN THE POOL

The annual Tiftarea YMCA Polar Bear Plunge brought 10 people out to the YMCA pools on Sunday, Jan. 1, to plunge into the "frigid" water (well, it was 65 degrees) to raise money for local charities.


	Mike Beeman takes the plunge.

Pictured, above from left, and the organizations they represented, are: Paul Horst, TAGA; Kristen

Morrison , Coastal Plain CASA ; Darian Peavy, Soup Kitchen; Mayor Julie Smith, Save Our Pets; Ruben Rubio (kneeling) VFW; Mike Beeman, Ruth's Cottage; Lt. W. Whitley, PattiCake House; Jarrod Roberts, Literacy Volunteers; Dr. Bret Wagenhorst, Meals on Wheels; and Dr. Dixie Griffin, Called to Care.

Griffin won the challenge by raising the most money for her non-profit, enabling her charity to keep 100 percent of everything collected during the challenge. All other participants' charities split their collections 50 percent with the Tiftarea YMCA.

"Best-Selling Truck for 39 Straight Years"

511 West 7th Street

(229) 382-1300

griffinford.net

GA JOBLESS RATE 5.3%;

TIFT COUNTY AT 5%

Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in November, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 5.2 percent in October; the rate in November 2015 was 5.5 percent, according to the Georgia Department of Labor.

"For the third consecutive month, strong growth in our state's labor force caused a slight increase in our unemployment rate," said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

"However, in those same three months, we've seen more than 56,000 people become employed."

The Southwest Georgia jobless rate declined to 5.7 percent, down from 6 percent the month before, as the number of employed residents increased and the labor force grew. Labor officials said the number of employed residents increased by 2,315, and the labor force grew by 1,899. The number of unemployed residents in Southwest Georgia declined by 416 to 8,634.

Tift County's unemployment rate for November was 5 percent. In the Tiftarea, Worth County had a 5.5 percent rate; Turner County, 6.1 percent; Irwin County, 6.5 percent; and Ben Hill County, 7.6 percent.

RR MAINTENANCE TO DETOUR

TRAFFIC NEAR DOWNTOWN

A traffic detour has been scheduled for two days this week on U.S. Highway 82/State Route 520 for maintenance of a railroad crossing near downtown Tifton.

Weather permitting, the detour is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday and end at 5 p.m. Thursday, say Georgia Department of Transportation officials.

While the detour is in effect, westbound traffic on U.S. 82 will turn right on Main Street, left on Second Street, left on Ridge Avenue South, and right to return to U.S. 82.

Eastbound traffic on U.S. 82 will turn left on Ridge Avenue South, right on Second Street, right on Main Street, and then right to return to U.S. 82.

TIFTON ROTARY SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR

ETHICS IN BUSINESS

The Rotary Club of Tifton is seeking nominations for its Tifton Rotary Ethics in Business Award to recognize a local business that has demonstrated exceptional ethical behavior.

Criteria for the award, which will go to a business physically located in Tifton or Tift County, were developed by a committee of Tifton Rotary Club members. The nominated business must have consistently demonstrated high ethical standards of honesty and

integrity in dealing with employees, customers and contractors while enhancing the economic well-being of the company and providing local jobs, opportunity and profits.

In addition, the business must have participated in activities beneficial to the community beyond the provision of economic benefits of the business and must adhere to fair and truthful business practice reflected in the Rotary Four-Way Test:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Nomination applications are available from the Tifton Rotary Club, which meets for lunch each Wednesday at noon at the Tiftarea Conference Center on Highway 82, and are on the club's Facebook page, Click Here!

Applications must be submitted and received by Jan. 10, and may be sent to: Tifton Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1354, Tifton, GA 31793.

Registration Begins at 9 a.m. and the Contest starts at 1:30 p.m.

i n the gym on Victory Drive.

Sponsored by TCRD and Tifton Elks Lodge No. 1114

PEANUT FARM SHOW

RETURNS TO TIFTON JAN. 19

The 41st annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show will be held Thursday, Jan. 19, at the

University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center.

The one-day show offers peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry the ability to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research going on.

For information, call the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-386-3502.

Keep Tift Beautiful announces its annual

live Christmas tree recycling program at

Fulwood Park from 9 a.m. to noon

Jan. 7, 2017.

Bring your Christmas tree

and receive a free seedling!

20th CENTURY LIBRARY CLUB

DONATES GIFTS TO REHAB RESIDENTS

Members of the Tifton Twentieth Century Library Club enjoyed a Christmas party at the Elks Lodge in December. The vice president/president-elect of the Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs, Tina Daniel Reasey, was the guest speaker, and she led the group.

Club members brought gifts for nursing home residents, which were presented later to the Rehabilitation Center of South Georgia. First Vice President Genie McCook led the group in a gift exchange and a fellowship circle. Enjoying their club's social time are (seated, from left) Corresponding Secretary Sandi Newman, Parliamentarian Debbie Thompson, new member Sybil Ogilsby, and Southwest District President Susan Saye. Standing, left to right: Harriet Herring, Pat Doss, Irene Blalock, Treasurer Shirene Daniell, State V.P. Tina Daniel Reasey, Club President Bonnie Sayles, First V.P. Genie McCook and Second V.P. Kristie Shiver.