LEAF GROWERS ATTEND THE

FARM SHOW LOOKING FOR DEALS

The weather was lowering for most of the three days of the Southern Farm Show, Feb. 2-4, but despite fears of Covid and the questionable state of the farm economy, attendance was not far below recent years. Photo courtesy of Southern Farm Shows. The weather wasn’t always propitious, and the threat of Covid was still around, but exhibitors at the Southern Farm Show on February 2-4 generally found a satisfactory audience.   For instance, it was a good show for Granville Equipment Company, says Stephanie Keith, Granville’s general manager. “We had very good traffic by our stand,” she says.” There was a lot of interest in Granville’s two-row multipass harvester and four-row hand primer, both relatively new machines. “Farmers with older machines are trying to calculate the impact of the cost of new machines with the savings of labor it can give them.” There is another problem for farmers who are trying to maintain older equipment, and several exhibitors beside Keith pointed it out to TFN— replacement parts are getting harder and harder to find, making it more feasible to buy new. Another tobacco machinery maker, Tom Pharr of MarCo Manufacturing, said he he didn’t get an order for a multipass harvester the whole three days he was at the Show. Air toppers were more popular. An unusual aspect of this show was that though there was plenty of equipment on display, much of it was already sold! It seemed that manufacturers had trouble getting equipment from the factory for the show and relied instead on dealers to supply equipment for display from their lots. They did, but most of it was already spoken for and couldn’t be sold. As far as Zimmerman could tell, this situation was a result of high demand for equipment and the supply chain problems that have been extensively reported. Other observations from the show: --There was plenty of interest in hemp mechanization, and several manufactures had hemp machines. --New tobacco sprayers were in plentiful supply, and farmers were giving them a hard look.  --Jason Farmer of Louisburg, N.C., received the 2022 Innovative Farmer of the Year Award presented at The Tobacco Farm Life Museum’s annual breakfast on the last day of the Show. Jason and his wife Natalie operate Wester Farms. They grow tobacco as part of very diverse Franklin County farm The contest is sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of N.C. --Ag commissioner wants flue-cured back up to 400 million pounds. "We had a 21,000 acre increase in flue cured [plantings] in 2021 and a 41 percent increase in flue-cured production," said N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in his  State of Agriculture address at the Ag Forum on the second day of the Show. --About 252 million pounds were grown., he added. "[That] is good but not what it needs to be." Troxler's goal? "A level of about 400 million pounds that we can count on year after year." But don't count on that happening soon. "[It] is still a work in progress," he said.

Additional 2022 GAP Connections Training Dates --Tuesday, February 15, 9-11 a.m. (EST0. CONTACT Amy Rochkes at (865) 622-4606 or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, 2900 NC Highway 125 South, Williamston, NC 27892. --Tuesday, February 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (EST). CONTACTJoanne Jones at (434) 542-5884 or jojenki1@vt.edu. Midway Baptist Church, 2595 Midway Road, Phenix VA 23959. --Wednesday, February 16, 9-11 a.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes at (865) 622-4606 or arochkes@gapconnections. com. Johnston County Agricultural Center or 2736 NC 210 Highway, Smithfield, NC 27577. --Thursday, February 17, 9-11 a.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes at (865) 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Northeast Park Meeting & Event Center, 3441 Northeast Park Drive, Gibsonville NC 27249. --Friday, February 18, 9-11 a.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes at (865) 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Yadkin County Agricultural & Education Building, 2051 Agricultural Way, Yadkinville, NC 27055. --Wednesday, February 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, arochkes@gapconnections. com. James E Bruce Convention Center, 303 Conference Center Drive, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. --Thursday, February 24, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, arochkes@gapconnections.com. Clay Community Center, 3400 Indian Mound Drive, Mt. Sterling KY 40353. --Wednesday, March 2, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606 or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Wilson County Agriculture Center, 1806 Goldsboro St SW, Wilson NC 27893. --Thursday, March 3, 9-11 a.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, or rochkes@gapconnections.com. Wood Haven Restaurant Jimmy B’s, 1963 E Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571. --Thursday, March 3, 1-3 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Wood Haven Restaurant Jimmy B’s, 1963 E Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571. --Monday, March 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Beau Neal, (859) 257-5582, or beau.neal@uky.edu, Fayette County Extension Office, 1140 Red Mile Place, Lexington, KY 40504. --Monday, March 7, 6-8 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Jay Hettmansperger, (859) 792-3026, or jay.hettmansperger@uky.edu. Garrad County Extension Office, 1302 Standford Street, Lancaster, KY 40444. --Tuesday, March 8, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Joe Griffy, (931) 232-5682, or jgriffy1@utk.edu. Stewart County Visitors Center, 117 Visitors Center Lane, Dover Tn. 37058, Wednesday, March 9, 6-8 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Jessica Barnes, (859) 234-5510, or jessica.barnes2@uky.edu. Harrison County Fairgrounds (McCauley Building), 2849 US Highway 27 South, Cynthiana, KY 41031. --Thursday, March 10, 6-8 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Keith Allen, (615) 666-3341, or kallen@utk.edu, Macon County Junior High Auditorium, 1003 St. Rt. 52 E, Lafayette, TN 37083. --Monday, March 14, 2-4 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Matt Futrell, (270) 839-6651, or matthew.futrell@ uky. edu. Christian County Extension Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. --Monday, March 14, 7-9 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Matt Futrell, (270) 839-6651, or matthew.futrell@uky.edu. Christian County Extension Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. --Tuesday, March 15, 9-11 a.m. (CST). CONTACT Matt Futrell, (270) 839-6651, matthew.futrell@uky.edu. Christian County Extension Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. --Tuesday, March 15, 1-3 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Matt Futrell, (270) 839-6651, or matthew.futrell@uky.edu. Christian County Extension Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. --Tuesday, March 15, 6-9 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Graham Cofield, (270) 522-3269,OR graham.cofield@uky.edu. Trigg County Recreation Complex, 303 Complex Road, Cadiz, KY 42211. --Wednesday, March 16, 1-3 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Leann Martin, (270) 726-6323, or leann.martin@uky.edu, Logan County Extension Office, 255 John Paul Rd., Russellville, KY 42276. --Thursday, March 17, 1-3 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Matt Chadwick, (270) 753-1452, or matthew.chadwick@uky.edu. Calloway County Extension Campus, 93 Extension Way, Murray, KY 42071. --Monday, March 21, 1-3 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Turbotville Community Hall, 41 Church Street, Turbotville, PA 17772. --Tuesday, March 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, 865 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections. com. Solanco Fairgrounds – Hoffman Building. 172 South Lime Street, Quarryville, PA 17566. --Tuesday, March 22, 1-4 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Solanco Fairgrounds – Hoffman Building, 172 South Lime Street, Quarryville, PA 17566. --Wednesday, March 23, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections. com. Garden Spot Fire Rescue, 369 East Main Street, New Holland, PA 17557. --Wednesday, March 23, 1-4 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, or arochkes@gapconnections.com. Garden Spot Fire Rescue, 369 East Main Street, New Holland, PA 17557. --Monday, March 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Chris Schalk, (270) 651-3818, or chris.schalk@uky.edu. Barren County High School Trojan Academy, 505 Trojan Trail, Glasgow, KY 42141. --Tuesday, March 29, 5-8 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Carol Hinton, (270) 756-2182, cmhinton@uky.edu. Breckinridge County Extension Office, 1377 Hwy 261 South, Hardinsburg, KY 40143. --Wednesday, March 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (CST). CONTACT Carol Hinton, (270) 756-2182 or cmhinton@uky.edu. Breckinridge County Extension Office, 1377 Hwy 261 South, Hardinsburg, KY 40143 --Wednesday, March 30, 6-8 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Kyle Weaver, (812) 427-3152, or keweaver@purdue.edu. Jefferson County 4-H Community Building, 3767 W State Route 256, Madison, IN 47250. --Thursday, March 31, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Richard Purdin, (937) 544-2339 or purdin.19@osu.edu.modRaines Farm and Greenhouse, 2667 Nichols Ridge Road, Seaman, OH 45679. --Thursday, March 31, 6-8 p.m. (EST). CONTACT Jeffrey Moore, (740) 446-7007 or moore.3036@osu.edu. Gallia County Extension Office, 111 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, OH 45631. For more information or to register go to https://shop.gapconnections.com/training.

A BIG MONTH FOR TOBACCO FARMERS

 

SHOW Special, February 2022

Filling the gap: Farmers line up for a seat at the GAP farmer training session at the Southern Farm Show several years ago. A similar farmer training meeting will be held at this year's show (February 4--see details below). File photo by Christopher Bickers. A BIG MONTH FOR TOBACCO FARMERS WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: SOUTHERN FARM SHOW IN RALEIGH Then last of GAP meetings in March The Southern Farm Show is back this week after a year off because of COVID, and a good time is promised for all. Sadly, there has been some attrition among the exhibitors. I have compiled a list of exhibitors who are seeking the business of tobacco farmers (below). It's not as long as it used to be, but there are plenty to occupy your attention for three days. And at the end of the three days, plan on attending the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina for a good program on current tobacco events. Jim Graham Bldg.   222 Evans Mactavish Agricraft. 227 Kelley Mfg. Co. Agricultural equipment.  302 Hardee by EVH Manufacturing Co. Sprayers.  704 @8720 Agri Supply. Agricultural materials.   Kerr Scott Bldg.  ·        1002 TriEst Ag Group. Fumigation supplies.  ·        1104 GoldLeaf Seed Co. Tobacco seed. ·        1107 Flue Cured Tobacco Services. Curing controls. ·        1015 Yara North America. Fertility products. ·        1116 Cross Creek Seed. Tobacco seed. ·        1120 BeltWide Inc. Transplant technology.     ·        1201 Carolina Greenhouse & Soil Company. ·        1202 Reddick Equipment Company Inc. Spray equipment.  ·         1213 H&H Farm Machinery. “Building sprayers your way since 1978.” ·   1306 Foley Seed and Service. a family owned tobacco seed company. ·        1311 Transplant Systems. Greenhouse systems.           Exposition Bldg. 3127 (& 8609) Benchmark Buildings & Irrigation. Transplanters/irrigation. 3135 Southern Container Corporation of Wilson. Bale sheets and packaging.   3306 Tobacco Growers Association of N.C. 3311 Flame Engineering. Weed control with flame. 3520 First Products Inc. Fertilizer boxes for cultivators and tool bars. 3605 MarCo Mfg. Tobacco machinery. 3712 Suretrol Manufacturing. Curing Control.  Scott Tent ·  1315 Drexel Chemical Company. Sucker control chemicals.    7034 (&8012) Coastal AgroBusiness. A full-service agricultural solutions provider. Outdoors ·   8204 EquipAg. Tobacco spray equipment.  ·   8217 Granville Equipment. Tobacco and Hemp Machinery.  ·   8301 De Cloet SRL. Tobacco machinery. ·   8516 Mobilift of Burlington, N.C. Forklift sales and service.   ·    227 Kelley Mfg. Co. Agricultural equipment. 2022 GAP TRAINING MEETINGS:  Remaining Dates Note: Date of each meeting in the following list is followed by starting- and stop- times, contact information, location and address. --February 4, 1:30 PM TO 4 PM EST. CONTACT Amy Rochkes, at arochkes@gapconnections.com or (865) 622-4606. Southern Farm Show, NC State Fairgrounds, Holshouser Building, (after TGANC annual meeting), 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh NC. --February 8, 10 AM TO 2 PM EST. CONTACT Rebekah Sla-bach, at rslabach@vt.edu. Or 434-476-2147. TMJ Community Center, 1011 Huell Mathews Highway, South Boston VA. --February 9, 1 PM TO 3 PM. CONTACT Matt Adams at matt.adams@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121. Hardin County Extension Ofc., 111 Opportunity Way, Elizabethtown KY. --February 9, 6 PM TO 8 PM CST. CONTACT Clint Hardy at chardy@uky.edu or 270-685-8480. Daviess County Exten-sion Office, 4800A New Hartford Road, Owensboro KY. --February 10, 6 PM TO 8 PM EST. CONTACT Tad Campbell, atmcampbel@uky.edu or 606-564-6808. Maysville Com-munity and Technical College, 1755 US 68, Maysville KY. --February 11, 9 AM TO 12 PM EST. CONTACT Corinne Belton, at corinne.belton@uky.edu or 502-633-4593 Shelby County Extension Office, 1117 Frankfort Road, Shelbyville KY. --February 15, 9 AM TO 11 AM EST. CONTACT Amy Rochkes, at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, 2900 NC Highway 125 South, Williamston NC. --February 15, 10 AM TO 2 PM EST. CONTACT Joanne Jones, at jojenki1@vt.edu or 434-542-5884. Midway Baptist Church, 2595 Midway Road, Phenix VA. --February 16, 9 AM TO 11 AM EST. CONTACT Amy Rochkes, at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Johnston County Agricultural Center, 2736 NC 210 Highway, Smithfield NC. --February 17, 9 AM TO 11 AM EST. CONTACT Amy Rochkes, at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Northeast Park Meeting & Event Center, 3441 Northeast Park Drive, Gibsonville NC. --February 18, 9 AM TO 11 AM EST. CONTACT Amy Rochkes, at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Yadkin County Agricultural & Education Building, 2051 Agricultural Way, Yadkinville NC. --February 22, 10 AM TO 12 PM EST. CONTACT Amy Rochkes, at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Meadowview Conference Center, 1901 Mea-dowview Pkwy, Kingsport TN. --February 23 , 10 AM TO 12 PM CST. CONTACT Amy Rochkes, at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. James E. Bruce Convention Center, 303 Conference Center Drive, Hopkinsville KY. --March 7, 6 PM TO 8 PM EST. Contact Jay Hettmansperger at jay.hettmansperger@uky.edu. or (859) 792-3026. Garrard County Extension Office. 1302 Standford St., Lancaster KY. --March 10, 6 pm to 8pm. Contact Macon Co. Ext. Office @ 615-666-3341. Must call to reserve spot.  Meal served. Bring Gap card and photo id. Macon Co. Junior High School Auditorium. pull around back of school to enter). 2550 Days Rd, Lafayette TN. --March 14, 2 PM to 4 PM CST. Contact Matt Futrell at matthew.futrell@uky.edu or 270-839-6651. Christian Co. Ext. Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville KY. --March 14, 7 PM to 9 PM CST. Matt Futrell at matthew.futrell@uky.edu or 270-839-6651. Christian Co. Ext. Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville KY. --March 15, 9 AM TO 11 AM CST. Contact Matt Futrell at matthew.futrell@uky.edu or 270-839-6651. Christian Co. Ext. Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville KY. --March 15, 1 PM TO 3 PM CST. Matt Futrell at matthew.futrell@uky.edu or 270-839-6651. Christian Co. Ext. Office, 2850 Pembroke Road, Hopkinsville KY. --March 16, 1 PM to 3 PM CST. Contact Leann Martin at leann.martin@uky.edu or 270-726-6323 Logan County Extension Office, 255 John Paul Rd., Russellville KY.  --March 21, 1 PM TO 4 PM EST. Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes@gapconnections.com or at 865 622 4606. Turbotville Community Hall, 41 Church St., Turbotville PA. --March 22, 9 AM TO 12 PM EST. Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622 4606. Hoffman Building-=Solanco Fairgrounds. 172 South Lime St., Quarryville PA. --March 22, 1 PM TO 4 PM EST. Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606 Hoffman Building --Solanco Fairgrounds 172 South Lime Street Quarryville PA. --March 23, 9 AM to 12 PM EST Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Garden Spot Fire Rescue, 369 East Main Street, New Holland PA. --March 23, 1 PM to 4 PM EST. Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Garden Spot Fire Rescue, 369 East Main Street, New Holland PA. --March 17, 1 PM TO 3 PM CST. Contact Matt Chadwick at matthew.chadwick@uky.edu or 270-753-1452. Calloway County Extension Campus, 93 Extension Way, Murray KY. --March 21, 1 PM to 4 PM EST. Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes @gapconnections.com or at 865-622-4606. Turbot-ville Community Hall, 41 Church St., Turbotville PA. --March 22, 9 AM to 12 PM EST. Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes@gapconnections.com or call 865-622-4606, Hoffman Building - Solanco Fairgrounds, 172 South Lime Street, Quarryville PA 17566 Lancaster. --March 22, 1 PM TO 4 PM TO EST. Contact Amy Rochkes at arochkes@gapconnections.com or 865-622-4606. Hoffman Building--Solanco Fairgrounds, 172 South Lime Street, Quarryville PA. --March 28, 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM CST. Contact Chris Shalk at chris.schalk@uky.edu or 270-651-3818. Barren County High School/Trojan Academy, 505 Trojan Trail, Glasgow KY.

--March 29, 5 PM to 8 PM CST. Contact Carol Hinton at cmhinton@ uky. edu or at 270-756-2182, Breckinridge Co. Extension Office, 1377 Hwy. 261 South., Hard-insburg KY. --March 30, 10 AM to 12 PM CST. Contact Carol Hinton at cmhinton  @uky.edu or 270-756-2182. Breckinridge County Extension, Office 1377, Hwy 261 S, Hardinsburg KY. --March 30, 6 PM TO 8 PM EST. Contact Kyle Weaver at keweaver@purdue.edu or 812-427-3152. Jefferson County 4-H Community Building, 3767 W SR 256, Madison IN. --March 31, 10 AM to 12 PM EST. Contact Richard L Purdin at purdin.19@osu.edu or (937) 544-2339. Raines Farm and Greenhouse, 2667 Nichols Ridge Rd., Seaman OH. --March 31, 6 PM TO 8 PM EST. Contact Jeffrey Moore at moore.3036@osu.edu. or 740-446-7007. Gallia County Extension Office, 111 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis OH.