*From: *Liz Rivera-Brown <[log in to unmask]> *Date: *Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 3:23 PM *To: *Rivera-Brown, Lizaura <[log in to unmask]> *Subject: *[Test] Georgia Department of Agriculture Celebrates Georgia Ag Week March 18th – 24th *CAUTION:** This email originated outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.* View this email in your browser <https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=1c15216d903f8ece34875b4b3&id=393ba78957> *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: * Thursday, March 14, 2024 Office of Communications 404-656-3689 *Georgia Department of Agriculture Celebrates Georgia Ag Week* * March 18th – 24th * *Atlanta, GA – *Today, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced the kickoff of the 2024 Georgia Ag Week, running from March 18th to March 24th, 2024. This week-long celebration pays tribute to the unwavering dedication of Georgia’s farmers and farm families, who serve as the backbone of the state's #1 industry - agriculture. Through a diverse array of events, participants are invited to join in activities aimed at deepening their understanding and appreciation for Georgia’s No.1 industry. “Celebrating Georgia Ag Week is an opportunity to honor the hard work and dedication of our farmers and farm families who fuel the success of our state's No.1 industry,” *said Commissioner Tyler Harper.* “This week-long celebration not only recognizes their invaluable contributions, but we hope it will help foster a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of the critical role agriculture plays in our lives every single day. I encourage Georgians in every corner of the state to join us in commemorating Georgia Ag Week and supporting our farmers and producers.” *2024 Georgia Ag Week* *All Week: 2024 Georgia Grown Photo Contest* - Categories include faces of agriculture, open pastures & growing fields, education, and backyard gardens, with a special category for photographers under 18. Winning photographs may be featured in the 2025 Georgia Grown Magazine and the Department's social media platforms. To submit entries, visit https://gdaforms.wufoo.com/forms/2024-ag-week-photo-contest/. *Monday, March 18th - Hands-On Garden Day* encourages participants to explore horticultural products and resources. *Tuesday, March 19th - Lead the Way Tuesday* spotlights the future of Georgia agriculture through student involvement. - Get involved with the student leaders poised to be the future of the ag industry by visiting https://georgia4h.org/ and https://www.georgiaffa.org/. (Pictured, Georgia 4H members participating in ag events throughout the state.) *Wednesday, March 20th - Ag Hero Day* honors the unsung heroes of agriculture. Post a picture of your ag hero & tag us on social - #AgHeroDay. *Thursday, March 21st - Ag Literacy Day* promotes agricultural literacy among children and the general public. - Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper reads ‘My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me’ by Roxanne Troup - here <https://youtu.be/ZURXBSg1BII>. - Children’s ag literacy reading list - here <https://agr.georgia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ag-week/ag-week-kids-reading-list.pdf> . - Adult-oriented ag reading list - here <https://agr.georgia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ag-week/ag-week-adult-reading-list.pdf> . *Friday, March 22nd - Fork in the Road Friday* highlights agriculture and cuisine across the state. Tune in to GPB Saturdays at 8:30 AM for live broadcasts and catch up on episodes here <https://georgiagrown.com/forkintheroad/>. *Saturday, March 23rd - Buy Georgia Grown Day* encourages Georgians to shop for Georgia Grown products from local producers. Purchase Georgia Grown products online <https://georgiagrown.com/shop/>, in person, at a farmer's market, or in the grocery store, take a picture, and then tag us on social—#GeorgiaGrown and #BuyGeorgiaGrown. *Sunday, March 24th - Sip & Shop Local Sunday* culminates the week with a family-friendly event at Georgia’s Food and Wine Festival. For more information & to purchase tickets, visit https://georgiafoodandwinefestival.com/events/sunday-funday/. In addition to the photo contest, the *Georgia Mobile Dairy Classroom*, operated by the Georgia Milk Commission, can be booked to come to your school for a hands-on agriculture experience for students in grades K-5. Within the 30 ft. Mobile Dairy Classroom, attendees can observe live cow demonstrations, gaining a better understanding of milk's journey from farm to table. For further details and scheduling, please visit https://www.milkcow.org/. (Pictured, the Georgia Mobile Dairy Classroom at a school visit in Jackson County.) Follow the Georgia Ag Week festivities on social media using the hashtags #GaAgWeek, #GeorgiaGrown, and #GDA150. For more information on resources and to participate in Georgia Ag Week, visit http://georgiaagweek.com/. *###* *Media Contacts* Matthew Agvent <[log in to unmask]> Communications Director 770-238-7216 Liz Rivera-Brown <[log in to unmask]> Deputy Communications Director 404-772-2056 [image: Twitter] <http://www.twitter.com/> [image: Facebook] <http://www.facebook.com/> [image: Website] <http://mailchimp.com/> *Copyright © 2024 Georgia Department of Agriculture, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this because you asked to be kept informed of all Georgia Department of Agriculture news. *Our mailing address is:* Georgia Department of Agriculture 19 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW Atlanta, GA 30334-9004 Add us to your address book <https://georgia.us14.list-manage.com/vcard?u=1c15216d903f8ece34875b4b3&id=5b658f8f50> Want to change how you receive these emails? 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[image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid=1c15216d903f8ece34875b4b3> -- Martin Bius GA Ag Education Adult Education Director Executive Secretary GA Young Farmers Association GA FFA Alumni Director [log in to unmask] 229-254-3886 -- Christa Christa Steinkamp, EdS *Georgia Agricultural Education* Curriculum & Technology Director 1420 Experiment Station Road Watkinsville, GA 30677 [log in to unmask] www.gaaged.org 706-244-8991 Cell 706-542-6366 Office *Agricultural Education Mission* "Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems."