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Alabama Representative Attends Youth Field Day and Tours Farmers Coop

By Janie B. Howell, SWCD DAC, Geneva, AL

 

Howell and Representative Beck stand in youth garden.
Janie Howell, DAC, Geneva County SWCD and Representative Warren Beck (standing center) gets firsthand experience in the garden, as the Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative Youth gathered vegetables to sale.

Have you had your fresh vegetables today? If not, the Wiregrass Farmers Coop may have what you want in their variety of good, fresh vegetables available for you and your family.

Representative Warren Beck, from the 87th District in Geneva, toured the Wiregrass Farmers Coop Garden in June 09. Youth from across southeast Alabama met to pull weeds, harvest vegetables, and participate in the Youth Field Day.

The 27 youth and 19 adults participated in gathering vegetables and presenting programs.

The Geneva County SWCD/NRCS worked closely with the Wiregrass Farmers Coop to develop programs and learning opportunities for citizens from Geneva and surrounding counties. Mr. Beck helped pull weeds, assisted with an automated pea-sheller demonstration, and observed the harvesting of vegetables from the garden to sale.

Speakers for the Youth Day were James Currington, DC-NRCS Geneva FO; Janie Howell, DAC-SWCD; and Melissa Baxley, Demonstrator. Programs included recordkeeping, purpose of cover crops, safety, and "A Vision for the Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative."

Dr. Samuel and Marcia Scott from the North South Institute in Davies, FL, along with Samae Scott and Miguel Haye, presented programs on producing vegetables and marketing strategies. Dr. Scott encouraged youth to explore careers in agriculture. He presented the idea that there are many rewarding careers in agriculture that are not often considered.

Marcia Scott brought ingredients and presented fun programs. The youth worked in teams and made their own butter and ice cream that everyone got to sample.

There are always lots of activities and events going on at the Coop. The youth are in the process of developing youth programs within the Wiregrass Farmers Coop. They are electing their own officers and forming committees. Interested youth should contact the Wiregrass Farmers Coop, at 334-684-9836 or 6703.

Come join and be a part of the Wiregrass Farmers Coop.

Vegetables for sale at Wiregrass Coop

Gathered vegetables are graded and displayed for sale at the produce stand at the Coop Building on Goat Hill Road, south of Geneva. NRCS DC James Currington (r), presenter Melissa Baxley (c), and Coop member discuss marketing.

Ice Cream demonstration.

(l-r): Rev. Louis Tyson, Marcia Scott, Dr. Sam Scott, and a very interested Tiara Robinson, participate in a demonstration on making ice cream at the Youth Day at the Wiregrass Farmers Cooperative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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