Press Releases
Make the CFM Passport a family custom
Posted on Mar 16, 2020 at 0:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kelly Thompson
478-474-0679, ext. 5235
MACON, Ga. – We all have to eat. It’s biology, right?
While you are meeting that requirement through the rest of 2020, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has a recommendation to enhance the experience: Visit a Certified Farm Market (CFM) near you.
For the second year, GFB is offering the CFM Farm Passport program. The best part? You can make it your custom without going through customs! Just hit the road in Georgia, and chances are you’re within an hour of straight-from-the-farm goodness, whether
it’s strawberries or peaches in the spring, fresh vegetables during the summer, apples in the fall or Christmas trees at year’s end.
The passport guides travelers across Georgia to farms that offer food items for virtually any taste. Travel with the passport to live out your love of exploring Georgia, supporting local farms and eating fresh. Passport holders will discover where their food comes from, meet the people who grow it, and see our state’s agricultural diversity firsthand!
In 2019, farm passport travelers made more than 2,400 visits to CFMs. Two of them – Robert Mills and Dennie Douglas of Warner Robins visited 63 of the 67 markets across the state.
“For me, it was a chance to get to see a part of Georgia that I had never really seen, to go to these small farms, these family-run farms,” Douglas said. “Even though I was born and raised in Georgia, there are lots of these areas that I’ve never actually been to. It was neat to see the seasons change. We started in May, and then July, and then it was November when we stopped. It really made me appreciate Georgia and everything we have here. All the different places and things you can do. It was nice to interact with all these different folks. They were so nice and welcoming, and appreciative. They were generous.”
In 2020, there are more markets for passport participants to visit, and they can earn some fun prizes.
Turn in your passport with stamps from five or more CFMs and you get a special CFM t-shirt. Stamps from 10 or more farms nets the t-shirt and assorted ag swag items like sunglasses, bumper stickers, hand sanitizer and more. Travelers who get stamps from 15 or more CFMs get all that plus their choice of selected CFM products. Get 20 or more stamps and receive a farm-to-table dinner and farm tour along with all the other prizes.
“I think the beauty of the program is it advertises what is already around you and available that people may not be aware of because a lot of the farmers, they don’t have billboards up, but they’re out there,” Mills said. “Some of them are just feeding the members of their local community. They’re feeding them the squash and the okra and the tomatoes or the pork or the beef. For those that like to get out, that like agritourism, there’s your motivation. Go beyond your locale and visit some of these people. They’d love to have you.”
The Georgia Farm Passport is available at county Farm Bureau offices and at the 78 farms participating in the GFB Certified Farm Markets (CFM) program. To find participating farms, visit www.gfb.ag/farmpassport. The deadline to submit your passport for prizes is Jan. 8, 2021.
The Farm Passport is a collection of GFB Certified Farm Markets. These markets sell directly on the farm or offer farm tours and a majority of goods sold are grown on their farm. Each farm is unique. Some farms offer a pick-your-own option, corn mazes, farm games, educational opportunities or host special events as specified in the Farm Passport.
One passport allowed per person. One stamp allowed per farm per person. As you visit, share your journey on social media with #farmpassport #gafarmbureau. While no purchase is required to participate, please be kind and make one since these farms are their owners’ livelihoods. Email cfm@gfb.org for questions.
Founded in 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general farm organization and has offices in 158 Georgia counties. As a membership-driven, nongovernment organization, GFB serves as the voice of Georgia farmers and rural Georgia by advocating for them on legislative issues and promoting Georgia crops. GFB membership is open to the public and offers a wide variety of benefits, including insurance and discounts for health, travel and entertainment services. Enrollment in any of the member benefits is optional and not a requirement for membership.
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