Think 'Small' on Saturday

NOV. 25, 2016

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

SUPPORT OUR

LOCAL BUSINESSES

We have had "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday," and since 2010 "Small Business Saturday" has been added to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Small Business Saturday is a day designated to remind folks to shop at their locally owned small businesses in their communities. Small businesses are owned and operated by our neighbors and contribute much to the vibrance of our city.

In fact, small businesses drive much of the United States economy. According to Forbes magazine , there are 28 million small businesses which account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales.

The Tifton Grapevine urges you to get out on Saturday and visit our local small businesses. They offer unique items and true hometown service. And the money you spend has a direct impact on our local economy.

So, come Saturday, remember to "Shop Small"; it's a big deal for us all.

UGA NAMES TIFTON SOYBEAN PIONEER

TO HALL OF FAME

UGA soybean pioneer John Woodruff of Tifton was recently inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame along with former Ga. Rep. Richard Royal of Camilla.

The pair were inducted as the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and CAES Alumni Association recognized bankers, farmers and Cooperative Extension leaders as part of its annual awards program.


	Richard Royal, left, and John Woodruff

The Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame was established in 1972 to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to agriculture and agribusiness in the state.

The soybean industry in Georgia and worldwide has seen increasing yields because of John Woodruff, a pioneering UGA Extension soybean agronomist, UGA says. Woodruff has long been recognized as one of the top soybean specialists in the nation. He developed computer programs to assist county agents and farmers in selecting the best possible variety for individual fields and farms.

Woodruff's research helped Georgia soybean producers in creating higher yields and higher profits. In 2014, Woodruff adapted the early season soybean production system from Mississippi and Arkansas and worked with a soybean grower to produce 116 bushels per acre. This was the first time a 100-plus bushel per acre yield had been achieved in Georgia. Woodruff has also helped developing countries such as Haiti, Kenya and Tanzania produce higher yields to help combat their growing hunger rate.

During his 25 years in the Georgia General Assembly, Richard Royal earned a reputation as an advocate for agriculture. He helped to develop policies that supported Georgia farmers.

Royal was first elected to the Ga. House in 1983 from the 171st District, which included Mitchell and Colquitt counties. He helped craft the Conservation Use Valuation


SPARKS

Assessment law for Georgia, which allows agricultural or forest lands to be placed in a covenant for a lower ad valorem rate.

After retirement, Royal continued to play a role in crafting a law creating the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption ( GATE) in 2011, expanding sales tax exemptions for all agricultural inputs, giving agriculture the same status granted to other industries. Royal was also instrumental in securing funding for UGA's Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla.

Also this year, the UGA CAES Al umni Association awarded four Alumni Awards of Excellence, including one to Beverly Sparks, former CAES associate dean for Extension who grew up in Tifton and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before heading to UGA.

She was the first woman to lead UGA Extension, and she served as director of Extension until 2014. Her leadership is credited with helping Extension weather the financial turmoil that accompanied the recession.

Tift Commissioner Melissa Hughes, in red sweater at right, joins members of the Tift County 4H Club, which donated coats to the coat drive.

'KEEP 'EM WARM'

TIFT COAT DRIVE ACCEPTING DONATIONS


Some of the coats collected at the YMCA.

The local "Keep 'em Warm" coat drive continues through Dec. 2.

Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes coordinates the coat drive each year.

Donated coats may be dropped off at Kelly's Cleaners, at the Tiftarea YMCA and at the County Commission office in the Charles Kent County Administration Building on Tift Avenue.

All coats are needed, but especially ones for small children.

The Tifton Housing Authority and the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services will distribute the coats.

PEANUT COMMISSION PLANS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

The Georgia Peanut Commission will be hosting a Christmas Open House at the

GPC office, 445 Fulwood Blvd., Tifton, from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

The event is in conjunction with Tifton's Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration and is open to the public.

The Georgia Peanut Gift Shop inside the Peanut Commission will be open. GPC will be providing a variety of holiday peanut treats to guests as they visit. GPC hopes the open house puts visitors in the holiday spirit and encourages them to incorporate peanuts and peanut butter into holiday dishes.

The Georgia Peanut Commission represents approximately 3,400 peanut farmers in Georgia and administers programs in research, promotion and education.

For information, visit www.gapeanuts.com

Dec. 3, Downtown Tifton

Parade ~ 5 p.m.

Join Us for Downtown Tifton

Christmas Open House

5 p.m.~9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER RECEIVES RECERTIFICATION

The Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce was recently honored by receiving the "Georgia Certified Chamber" status during the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) Volunteer Leader Conference.

This was a recertification for the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, as it was part of the original Georgia Certified Chamber class of 2011.


	Tyron Spearman, left, and Brian Marlowe

Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce President Brian Marlowe received the award at the luncheon, joined by incoming Chamber Chairman Tyron Spearman. The ceremony was held at the Macon Marriott City Center hotel and only 23 chambers in the state achieved the official designation.

"This honor reflects the pro-business attitude that we embrace," Marlowe said. "The Chamber's mission is to help our members thrive and foster growth in the business community. This designation confirms that we are on the right track."

The GACCE Board of Directors began the program in 2011 as a way to recognize chambers in Georgia that focus internally on their operations to assess their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities to create efficient, effective organizations positioned to deliver great value.

Chambers must meet standards in organization, service intent and capacity, professional administration, financial management, communications, and advocacy in order to achieve the designation.

THIS MONTH'S TIFT 'BEAUTY SPOT'

The "Keep Tift Beautiful" organization is recognizing the property of Mr. and Mrs. Colton Smith of Crescent Drive in Tifton as the "Beauty Spot of the Month."

"Best-Selling Truck for 39 Straight Years"

511 West 7th Street

(229) 382-1300

griffinford.net

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

HOLIDAY CONCERT NOV. 29

Get into the spirit of the holidays with the annual holiday concert at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, in the Chapel of All Faiths at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The concert is a part of the First Tuesday Concert Series.

Dr. Susan Roe, head of the ABAC fine arts department, said the holiday concert has

been held annually for 15 years and is open to the public at no charge.

The evening will include a prelude from Dr. Andy Lagrimas, assistant professor of piano and theory; a welcome from Roe; and a reading from Dr. Brian Ray, professor of English and theatre.

The concert will feature the ABAC Jazz Singers under the direction of Roe, the Instrumental Ensemble under the direction of Johnny Folsom and accompaniment by Lagrimas.

ABAC Arts Connection Director Wayne Jones will perform "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," followed by an audience sing-a-long that includes "The First Noel," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Silent Night."

Roe will perform "O Holy Night" and "An Angel Breathing Out" before the ABAC Jazz Singers and the ABAC Instrumental Ensemble join past and present ABAC music students in the performance of "Everywhere Christmas Tonight."

For information, contact Roe at 229-391-4943.

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECT

The Enactus ABAC business club at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) students in Tift County High School marketing classes recently collaborated on a youth entrepreneurship project.

Club advisor Franzelle Pertilla said Enactus ABAC has an impact through entrepreneurial action. TCHS instructor Mike Beeman said CTAE is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for career readiness and

success no matter what trade or professional career they choose.

Pertilla, a faculty member in ABAC's Stafford School of Business, and Enactus ABAC club members managed the project. Beeman led the classroom instruction and coached the students at TCHS.

The project, "Build A Vibrant Generation and Strengthen the Economy," used the model of the reality TV show "Shark Tank" to expose students to the essentials of marketing, planning and selling a product.

"The inclusion of real business professionals added an element of social realism to this business challenge as they were judged on oral presentation, financials and overall feasibility of the product," said Pertilla.

"This student development project was a great platform for TCHS marketing classes and Enactus ABAC to stimulate interest in a business career. We hope that students will see opportunities at ABAC's Stafford School of Business after high school graduation."

Local financial professionals who participated as judges included Certified Public Accountant Keri Jones, Allen Pritchett & Basset LLP; Vice President Chris Cutts, South Georgia Banking Co.; Market President Morris Tankersley, Commercial Banking Co.; and Database Coordinator Ashley Griffin of the ABAC Foundation.