FRANKLIN—A green thumb in the field or garden could earn recognition at this year’s Franklin-Southampton County Fair, which runs from Wednesday, Aug. 14, through Saturday, Aug. 17. A traditional part of the fair is the “Crop” building as it is sometimes called by local fairgoers.

Chris Drake, extension agent for Southampton County, is serving as chairman for the Field Crops, Horticulture, Flowers and Plants exhibition.

“The purpose of this event is to display the outstanding quality of Southampton County crops, plants and vegetables.” Drake said. “This is a community that has deep roots in agriculture. What better way to promote our most important industry than by displaying the finest commodities our farmers, gardeners and horticulturalists have to offer?”

The contest also promotes youth involvement in agriculture and offers encouragement for a job well done in producing that prize specimen for all attendees to see, he added.

Entries should be brought to the fairgrounds outside Courtland at 25376 New Market Rd. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13. The entry categories are described in the premium book, which is available at Janet’s Touch of Style and the Southampton County Extension Office, 21300 Plank Road, Courtland. The book can also be viewed online at Southampton County Cooperative Extension website at http://offices.ext.vt.edu/southampton/ under the “What’s New” tab.

There are youth and adult divisions. The youth category is for people 19 and younger.

First-, second- and third-place ribbons will be awarded to adults. Youths will receive $3 for a blue ribbon, $2 for a red and $1 for a white ribbon.

A sweepstakes winner in each division of the Field Crops and Horticulture contest will be chosen based upon the total accumulated points from all entries in that division. Trophies will be awarded to the respective sweepstakes winners.

Field crops entries are from fields of one acre or more and include cotton, peanuts, soybeans, wheat, hay, sunflowers, sorghum, corn, oats, barley and rye.

Horticulture entries include nuts, grapes, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, watermelons, peaches, figs, snap beans, and the popular category, Exhibitors Choice. This category is always fun and interesting to say the least. You can enter almost anything you grow in this “fits all” category if you have something unique and different.

All entries in the youth category must be entered by the competitor, and entries shall be attended until entered and judged.

The pre-registration form can be found in the premium book and at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, 21300 Plank Rd., Courtland.

Pre-registration is encouraged to expedite the entry process. Anyone wishing to pre-register can send forms to VCE-Southampton, P.O. Box 10, Courtland, Va., 23837, or fax to 653-2849 with attention to Chris Drake. Please postmark by Wednesday, Aug. 7 if you are going to mail the form. Call 377-8955 with any questions regarding the rules or entry process.