GFB News Magazine
Fall is a great time to earn Farm Passport stamps
by Kelly Henry
Certified Farm Markets Coordinator
Posted on September 4, 2024 10:33 AM
Georgia Farm Bureau helps consumers discover the farms in its Certified Farm Market (CFM) program with Farm Passports available at county Farm Bureau offices, participating farms and at www.gfb.ag/passport. Farm Passport travelers have 100 farm markets to visit this year, with 15 being new to the program.
These markets sell a wide variety of farm products such as fruit and vegetables, Christmas trees, eggs, meat or cheese. Some farms offer a pick-your-own option for apples and other produce or flowers. Some have corn mazes, Christmas lights and other agritourism fun and educational opportunities.
In 2023, farm passport travelers made more than 8,000 visits to GFB CFMs. That’s up from 2,400 farm visits in 2019, the program’s first year.
Last year, 10 travelers visited every farm in the Farm Passport to earn an elite Farm Passport Travelers Jacket. The travelers were sisters Marcia Benford & Linda Futch of Fitzgerald; Mark & Anne Gauthier of McDonough; Mike & Gaby Martin of Phenix City, Ala.; Robert & Mary Rockwood of McDonough; and Ken & Nicki Ross of Newnan. This was the second time the Rockwoods visited all the farms in a program year.
To celebrate the 10 adventurous travelers, GFB treated them to an ice cream outing at Dickey Farms in Musella. Dickey Farms received the most votes for “Best Ice Cream” from 2023 Farm Passport travelers. Farm owners Robert and Lee Dickey gave the group a tour of the farm’s peach packing house.
Passport travelers who visit at least 20 farms receive a farm-to-table dinner and farm tour at a GFB CFM. Dinners and farm tours for the 2023 qualifying participants were held at Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm, Paulk Vineyards and Pearson Farm this summer.
It is no easy feat to go to every Certified Farm Market (CFM) listed in the Farm Passport in a program year, especially considering the seasonality of many farms. Anne Gauthier said she and her husband drove about 5,500 miles for their CFM visits.
“It was something we thoroughly enjoyed. It was an inspirational trip. We love the farmers,” Anne said. “They were all so willing to share their farm lives with us.”
Those traveling with the Farm Passport this year can earn a limited-edition t-shirt for five farm visits. Visit www.gfb.ag/passport for a list of participating farms, all prizes, travel routes and complete details. Be sure to call the farm before visiting to make sure it is open as hours may vary from what is printed in the passport.
Jan. 6, 2025, is the deadline to submit your 2024 passport for prizes.
GFB held an ice cream date at Dickey Farms for the 10 travelers who visited all the farms listed in the 2023 Farm Passport. Attending were back row, from left, GFB President Tom McCall & his wife, Jane; Robert & Mary Rockwood, Lee Dickey, Mark Gauthier, Marcia Benford, Robert Dickey and front row from left, Linda Futch, GFB CFM Coordinator Kelly Henry & Anne Gauthier. Other passport travelers who visited every CFM but aren’t pictured were: Nicki & Ken Ross of Newnan and Gaby & Mike Martin of Phenix City.