The 47th Annual Farm Tour (200 to 250 people) began with breakfast at 7:30 a.m., on July 18 at the Santa Rosa County Extension Office, Milton. After breakfast, it was on to the Clear Creek Farm in Milton; arriving at about 8:35 a,m. At about 9:30 a.m., the Farm Tour arrived at the (UF/IFAS WFREC) Experimental Field to learn about Corn Production, Deer Crop Damage, and to take a break. The Farm Tour arrived at the Farmer's Opry in Chumuckla at about 11:00 a.m. to see 4-H and FFA Youth Projects, eat lunch, and to recognize the Keith Campbell Family, the Farm Family of the Year. At about 1:30 p.m., the Tour arrived at the Jimmy Nelson Farm and Flying Service for Crop Spraying Demonstrations with the help of Smith Tractor. Around 2:25 p.m., the three large buses, along with cars and trucks, arrived with the Farm Tour to visit Gabbert Farm. They came to see the restored antique farm equipment, 1930s Farm Museum, and the 1940s Gabbert Implement Museum, a replica of a 1940s John Deere Dealership. Gene Gabbert gave them the history of his family coming to Jay, becoming a John Deere Dealer in August, 1975, moving his family to Jay in January, 1977, and about collecting and restoring antique farm equipment. He also told of the death of his youngest daughter from cancer in March, 1990, and the beginning of the Peanut Festival in October, 1990. He invited everyone to this year's 24th annual Peanut Festival October 5-6, 2013. After leaving the Gabbert Farm, it was back into the buses, cars and trucks to travel on to Holland Farms, arriving at about 3:15 p.m. Bruce Holland and his family specialize in growing and selling peanuts. Holland Farms supply all the green peanuts sold at the Peanut Festival. After visiting Holland Farms, it was back on the road again after a full day of fun and information. The Farm Tour arrived back at the Santa Rosa County Extension Office at about 4:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Farm Tour visits Gabbert Farm