I was so excited to open my mailbox today and find a copy of the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin which is published by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. I had let my subscription expire more than ten years ago and was recently reminded of the bi-monthly newspaper. I opened the pages and discovered that this was the semi-annual Equine issue with ads for stud services, carts & wagons, and hand stitched saddles. Subsequent pages had ads for hand-drawn raw tupelo honey, farm fresh eggs, and angel trumpet plants. The Cooking column features a recipe for peach cobbler with ice cream and a balsamic peach salad. I learned that the “cow-itch” vine does not really make cows itch and that NASS (USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service) will be conducting the 2010 Cotton Objective Yield Survey at the end of this month.The Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin has served as a medium of exchange for Georgia’s farmers and consumers since its beginning in 1917. Throughout its history, the non-profit periodical publication was produced weekly until it was reduced to a biweekly schedule by the Georgia General Assembly in its 2003 session. In addition to providing free advertising to Georgia farmers and consumers, the Bulletin features a variety of articles about agriculture and has regular features including a gardening column to promote Georgia products.
Throughout the spring and summer months, several “Pick-your-own” listings are included in the Bulletin to provide consumers with the location of farms where they can pick their own fresh produce. Monthly handicraft editions also are published, which feature items handcrafted by advertisers, and during the Christmas-season, a list of the state’s Choose-and-Cut Christmas tree farms is featured.
I can't wait for the August 11th "Handicraft" issue! Georgia residents may subscribe to the Market Bulletin for $10 per year, and out-of-state subscribers must pay a $20 annual fee. To receive your own copy, click here.