- —
In 1950, counties throughout Georgia established agricultural shows to promote the produce of black farmers. Numerous ham & egg shows continued through the next few decades as a means for the state’s black farmers to demonstrate the quality of their produce and for businesses to support these efforts.
As years passed, Georgia’s ham & egg shows vanished along with the aging black farm population throughout the state. These ham & egg shows ceased being until only one survived.
That one lone show is in Lowndes County. It has been the state’s only ham & egg show for many years now. This week, the tradition continues.
Area farmers open the 62nd Annual Ham & Egg Show at the Lowndes County Civic Center. Local farmers’ hams and eggs will be tested and judged. Prizes will be awarded to the best hams, the highest quality eggs.
Then, all of the produce will be auctioned to the highest bidder from a pool of mostly local businesses. Though Lowndes County has the only surviving Ham & Egg Show in Georgia, maintaining the tradition hasn’t been easy. Several years ago, the Lowndes County Ham & Egg Show nearly suffered the same fate as similar events throughout the state — it nearly ended due to the attrition of African-American farms and the aging of black farmers.
Unlike other counties, Lowndes tapped the resources of the region’s young people. Entries from potential farmers in 4-H and other organizations revitalized Lowndes County’s Ham & Egg Show. Instead of slowly vanishing, the Lowndes County Ham & Egg Show has typically grown each year.
Increased interest by a younger generation in the Ham & Egg Show speaks not only to the tradition of the event but to the region’s older tradition of agricultural enterprise. The annual Ham & Egg Show should be supported as should the efforts of the person who makes farming his or her daily trade.
What We Think
What We Think: Ham & Egg tradition continues
- What We Think
-
-
Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
-
School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
-
Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
-
Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. -
Furloughs: They beat the alternative
As summer break nears, many area education boards have spent the final school days preparing faculty and staff for furloughs for the 2012-13 calendar.
-
Getting a jump on hurricane season
Come June 1, the 2012 hurricane season begins and lasts through Nov. 30.
-
A few thoughts for new graduates
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
-
Video helps veterans
During Thursday night’s Military Officers Association of America meeting, the local chapter shared a video presentation regarding the Community Blueprint program, which is also known as Valdosta Veterans First.
For those unfamiliar with Community Blueprint, Valdosta is one of three cities across the nation selected as a pilot city for the program. -
Happy Mother's Day!
Mother. Mama. Mommy. Ma. Mom. She fed us when we were too small to feed ourselves. She nurtured us, clothed us, cleaned us, protected us.
She helped us form our first words. - More What We Think Headlines
-
Congratulations, VSU Softball!
