Small meat processors across Georgia will soon have access to customers across the country following a new agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
The Chattooga County Young Farmers will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the Chattooga County Ag Barn.
The featured topic for the evening will be the Chattooga County Fair, with Lynn Hall serving as the guest speaker. Organizers encourage anyone interested in learning more about the fair or the Young Farmers program to attend.
Dinner will be available for $10 and includes grilled pork chops, loaded mashed potatoes, and salad.
Anyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP by lunchtime on Tuesday, August 4. To reserve a meal or for more information, contact Chris Ramsey at 256-419-8524 or by email at cramsey@chattooga.k12.ga.us.
The Chattooga County Extension Office is now accepting registrations for the 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program, an educational series designed for cattle producers looking to expand their knowledge and improve herd management.
The program will be held Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.
The registration fee is $100, which includes all in-person sessions, educational materials, a UGA Beef hat, and meals. The registration deadline is September 8.
The Master Cattlemen’s Program is offered through UGA Extension and covers a variety of topics related to beef cattle production and management.
Those interested can register online through the UGA Beef Team website or contact the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744 for additional information or assistance with registration.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper is urging federal trade officials to strengthen protections for American specialty crop producers as negotiations continue over the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
University of Georgia students are helping Georgia farmers spend less time behind a desk and more time in the field through a new artificial intelligence-powered platform called FieldLog.
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair has announced its entertainment lineup and event schedule for the 2026 fair, which will be held August 27 through August 30 at the Chattooga County Fairgrounds and Agricultural Center, located at 40 Middle School Drive in Summerville.
Georgia farmers are being encouraged to participate in a new statewide survey designed to better understand the financial challenges facing agriculture and help shape future policy and advocacy efforts.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper has officially proclaimed July 2026 as Georgia Grown Watermelon Month, recognizing one of the state’s most recognizable crops and the farmers who produce it.
The announcement highlights Georgia’s position as the nation’s leading watermelon-producing state, with growers harvesting more than 200 million pounds of watermelons each year. The crop is a key part of Georgia’s agriculture industry, which contributes more than $100 billion annually to the state’s economy.
“Georgia’s watermelon growers are among the hardest-working farmers in the nation,” Harper said in announcing the proclamation. He encouraged consumers to support local agriculture by purchasing Georgia Grown watermelons throughout the summer season.
Watermelons are typically harvested across Georgia from June through August, making July one of the peak months for fresh, locally grown fruit. Georgia’s warm climate and fertile soils provide ideal growing conditions, helping the state consistently rank first in national watermelon production.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture says buying Georgia Grown products supports farm families, strengthens local communities, and helps sustain one of the state’s largest industries. Consumers can identify locally grown produce by looking for the Georgia Grown logo at grocery stores, farmers markets, and roadside stands.
Commissioner Harper said the month-long recognition celebrates both the quality of Georgia-grown watermelons and the important role agriculture continues to play in the state’s economy.
A landmark settlement between John Deere, the Federal Trade Commission, and five state attorneys general is expected to significantly change how farmers repair their equipment, giving owners and independent repair shops access to many of the same tools previously available only to authorized John Deere dealerships.
Cattle producers across Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and improve herd management this fall as the University of Georgia Extension brings the 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program to Chattooga County.
The eight-week program begins Monday, September 14, and will meet each Monday at 6 p.m. through November 2 at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center.
Participants will hear from University of Georgia specialists and industry experts on a wide range of topics, including beef quality assurance, herd selection, cattle economics and marketing, herd health management, parasite control, facilities, nutrition, reproductive management and forage management.
The registration fee is $100 and includes a notebook, program hat and meals. Registration is open through September 8.
To register, call the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744, scan the QR code on the program flyer or visit bit.ly/49yrFld.
Extension officials say the program is designed for both new and experienced cattle producers looking to strengthen their management skills and improve the profitability of their operations.