Attendance strong at downtown farmers market
The Gilmer County UGA Extension Service has returned to a normal operating schedule after limited hours the last few months, but some of the office’s programming is still being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our office is open from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. We are encouraging clients to call before stopping by the office to see if we can handle their questions via phone or email,” confirmed Jessie Moore, county extension coordinator.
Face-to-face programming, such as educational classes, has not been offered since late March. The local office typically holds recurring classes at the Gilmer County Library, which has not yet reopened its community meeting room.
“We are continuing to operate virtually for programming including 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture-Natural Resources,” said Moore.
Recent online offerings have included a Less Stress Meals social media campaign, led by Moore, which offers tips for making shopping and meal preparation less stressful during the pandemic, virtual Food Talk: Better U classes (a healthy cooking program led by local SNAP-Ed program assistant Becca Pritchett) and an online type 2 diabetes prevention program.
“We’ve been offering many programs virtually since the beginning of the pandemic through online meeting platforms including Zoom and our Facebook page: UGA Extension – Gilmer County. Opportunities to attend virtual classes have been promoted through that page,” Moore said.
The extension office is still offering soil and water testing, but it could take longer to receive those test results.
“We continue to offer water and soil testing kits from our office during our staffed hours. All testing is done through labs located in Athens and there have been reductions to staffing at those labs with some delays in getting test results. If anyone has questions about specific tests, they can contact our office (706-635-4426) for more information,” said Moore.
The local 4-H program has been significantly impacted by the health crisis, which prompted cancellation of several in-school and summer activities and events, confirmed 4-H Extension Agent Machelle Gill.
“The 4-H program is very hands-on and is tailored to the interests of our members, so the impact has been significant. All face-to-face programming from March 20 through July has been canceled,” she added.
Canceled 4-H events and activities have included in-school and after-school club meetings, award programs, practice and competition for local poultry judging and shotgun teams, end-of-year club celebrations, state council, summer livestock events and summer programs at the Gilmer County Library and Boys and Girls Club, Gill confirmed.
“Adaptation to the current situation continues as we receive information and guidance from UGA and local and state authorities concerning the safety of our clients and personnel,” she added. “We offered Cloverleaf 4-H’ers the opportunity to compete virtually in 4-H Project Achievement and seven students submitted virtual presentations. We are continuing to revise and change to a virtual program platform as much as possible, but some programming, such as summer camps, cannot be offered in a virtual format.”
Farmers market off to strong start
One of the extension service’s most popular recurring events, the Ellijay Farmers Market, is being offered and it’s off to a strong start.
The market, which is sponsored and maintained by the Gilmer Master Gardener Extension volunteers, opened for its 2020 season June 13 and will continue Saturdays, from 8 a.m.-noon, until Oct. 3.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the opening day. We were bracing ourselves for a very low turnout of both vendors and customers, but we had over 30 vendors, which is about standard. Some were new and some were returning. We also had a lot of people come out and shop,” said local master gardener and market volunteer Julia Padgett.
The market, which is held along Broad Street beside the courthouse, has adopted a new a “one-way” aisle layout. Customers have been accepting of that and other changes, Padgett noted.
“We have marked off directional arrows to show which way people should be walking so they aren’t crossing back and forth. People have been very respectful of that and I think they know we aren’t trying to make it difficult for anyone. We’re just adhering to the UGA guidelines,” she said.
Wearing protective face masks is among the new requirements for those working and shopping at the market.
“Maybe it’s not their favorite thing, but they understand the need for it if it keeps the market open,” Padgett said.
“We had also requested that pets not be brought out, but a lot of customers have brought pets. We’re trying to very gently remind them (about that). Sometimes leashes get tangled or one dog doesn’t like another dog, but another reason is there is so much food there. The UGA (guidelines) definitely discourage having pets where food is involved.”
On behalf of the master gardeners, Padgett thanked market vendors for adhering to the new guidelines and customers for coming out to support local farmers, crafters and bakers.
“We will be there bright and early Saturday morning. This past Saturday was our third one to be open and we had more produce. Not the big baskets of tomatoes and corn yet, but we did have cucumbers, blueberries, potatoes and squash. The produce is beginning to arrive from our local farms and we expect it to increase each week,” Padgett said.