2024 GA FL Tobacco Tour

June 17 - 19, 2024

The 2024 Georgia-Florida Tobacco Tour includes multiple demonstration locations of thirteen released varieties grown in Georgia and Florida; multiple research test locations of eleven  varieties being evaluated for black shank resistance; a location of the Regional Farm Test for evaluation of eight varieties/potential variety releases for grower handling, cured leaf chemistry and production of cured leaf for production of cigarettes for evaluation by industry smoke/flavor evaluations; and an evaluation a new formulation Orondis premix applied in the transplant water as well as incorporated prior to transplanting for phytotoxicity and for black shank control.  A highlight of the tour will be a visit to Wetherington Farms green leaf boxing, curing and cured leaf baling facility in Valdosta.

General Schedule

The tour will begin with a Kick-Off Supper outside Metter, Georgia, on Monday evening, June 17, spend the night in Tifton, GA on Tuesday, June 18, and end in Live Oak, Florida with lunch on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. 

This is a car caravan tour with individuals in their own vehicle with outside visits of Georgia-Florida tobacco farms, farmers and on-farm demonstrations.  Meals will be provided.  

Monday, June 17, 2024

• The tour will begin at 6:00 pm with a reception and a Kick-Off Supper at H&H Farms, 1151 Evergreen Church Road, Cobbtown, GA 30420.  Supper will be served at 7:00 p.m.
  
  Rooms are available at the Days Inn by Wyndham Metter, 1225 South Lewis Street, Metter GA 30439 (PH: 912-685-3000).  Identify yourself as part of the “Tobacco Tour” for the group rate of $85.  This hotel will fill up.  Make your reservation before June 1.  A grab and go breakfast is available.  McDonalds is close.  Other hotels are available in Statesboro 30 minutes away.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

• Tuesday morning, the tour will leave the Days Inn in Metter, Georgia at 7:30 a.m. in a car caravan of individuals in their own vehicle for visits of Georgia tobacco farms, on-farm demonstrations and producers.
• Lunch will be in Georgia. After noon, we will visit several additional on-farm demonstration sites in Georgia and end the day in Tifton, GA., for the evening.
• Tuesday evening, the Georgia Tobacco Tour headquarters will be the Holiday Inn Express in Tifton, GA (Call by June 4 for the “2024 Tobacco Tour” rate, $119), (PH: 229-382-3300).

Instructions:

• Click on the booking link provided.
• The booking screen will have groups and events.
• Click on book now (top right).
• Select the correct check in and out dates.
• Select how many rooms and guest.
• Click on search.
• The group rooms will pop up on screen.
• Select the room type.
• The reservation screen will appear.
• Fill out your booking information and clock on book reservation.

Additional lodging in Tifton, GA

• Hampton Inn-Tifton (Call by June 4 for the “2024 Tobacco Tour” rate, $149) (PH: 229-382-8800).  Group Booking Link to be inserted.  Both hotels are located off Exit 62 of I-75 and GA Hwy 82. Complimentary breakfast is included with the room. Other hotels are available in the area. Directions for supper will be available at check-in.

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

• Wednesday morning, the tour will leave the Applebee’s parking lot in Tifton at 7:30 a.m. and visit the Wetherington Farms leaf handling facility in Valdosta and additional on-farm demonstrations in Georgia and Florida. The tour will end with lunch in Live Oak, Florida.