Ag News
Sunbelt, Georgia National Fair still on schedule
Posted on Jun 16, 2020 at 20:00 PM
The Sunbelt Ag Expo grounds and Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) are reopening, and their signature events are scheduled to take place this fall.
Utilizing a new driving tour format, the 2020 Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day is scheduled for July 23. Farmers are invited to visit and learn practical information from the region’s top agricultural scientists about the newest technologies farmers can use to improve their farms. Sunbelt officials have indicated that the Sunbelt Ag Expo is planned to take place as scheduled Oct. 20-22 while abiding by any state COVID-19 regulations.
Visitors will enjoy Field Day from the comfort of their own vehicle as they move through the 600-acre Darrell Williams Research Farm and learn from university researchers and vendors.
The half-day event will take place at the Expo show site at Spence Field in Moultrie. Registration is free for anyone who works in agriculture. Visitors should arrive thru Gate 2 anytime between 8:00 am and 9:00 am to begin the tour.
Signs will direct those in attendance to a red tent where they will register, receive a welcome bag including snacks, register for CCA credits, and begin the tour. They will never have to step out of their vehicle for this process. Once registered, visitors will then drive-thru the tour path while viewing pre-recorded segments featuring university researchers and company vendors. In addition, farmers can choose to pull aside at stops that spark their interest to further investigate plots and visit one-on-one with the researchers.
Because this is the first time a new Field Day format is being offered, Sunbelt staff recommends bringing a smart phone or tablet to view the research videos during the tour. Videos will be accessible using the Official Sunbelt Ag Expo app, website, or YouTube channel. Visitors should connect their devices to their vehicle Bluetooth before beginning the tour.
UGA researchers, Extension specialists and ag chemical representatives conduct numerous trials at the Sunbelt farm for all major southern agronomic crops. To view more specific Field Day details, download the Sunbelt Ag Expo app or visit www.sunbeltexpo.com.
Effective July 1, the GNFA will reopen for business and events. This decision was made on June 10 during the GNFA monthly board meeting in Perry. Events scheduled beginning July 1 will be allowed with new guidelines and recommendations put in place by the GNFA as directed by the State of Georgia and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
New guidelines were established that will serve as operational standards and required protocol when attending or participating in any GNFA event. Much like CDC guidelines, some of the new suggestions will include: social distancing when at an event, wearing a mask when in a public gathering or event; as well as keeping personal hygiene top priority while washing and sanitizing hands regularly.
The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter will provide sanitizing stations throughout arenas and barns. Restrooms will be cleaned, sanitized and stocked with antibacterial hand soap frequently throughout each day. In addition, individuals who have felt sick or experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the last 24 hours prior to attending an event will be asked to refrain from traveling to or participating in events at GNFA. Show managers will receive all guidelines prior to scheduled events and will be asked to share these with participants and families.
In addition to the July 1 reopen date, GNFA is actively making plans for the 2020 Georgia National Fair. The 31st Annual Georgia National Fair will be held Oct. 8-18. Throughout the next several weeks, updates to guidelines will be released and made available for families to plan accordingly.
Throughout the next several weeks, GNFA will be updating its policies and guidelines for public events and will release this information via social media and gnfa.com.
For more information please contact Keaton Walker at kwalker@gnfa.com or 478-988-6483.
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