Fruits An Overview of the Fruit Industry in Georgia

1. FruitsAn Overview of the Fruit Industry in Georgia Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Dr. Frank Flanders and Catrina Kennedy September 2006

2. Objectives Students will be able to: • Identify different fruits grown in Georgia • Describe the economic impact of fruit in Georgia

3. Fruit Industry in Georgia

4. Apples • North Georgia is the center of the state's apple industry. • Georgia's most popular varieties include: • Ozark Gold, Paulard, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Mutzu Crispin, Empire, Jonagold Jonathan, Arkansas Black, Fuji, Granny Smith, Stayman Winesap and Yates • The Farmgate Value for apples in 2005 was $4,084,600

5. Blueberries • Georgia ranks 7th in blueberry production • Georgia has more than 4,200 acres of blueberries. • In the southern part of the state blueberries are grown for commercial use. • The farmgate value of blueberries in 2005 was $59,387,913

6. Muscadines • Muscadines are a wild grape variety native to the south eastern United States. • Georgia is the largest producer of muscadine grapes in the nation with about 1100 acres. • In the Southeast, muscadines are grown to make juice. • The Farmgate value of muscadines in 2005 was $7,150,995

7. Watermelons • Georgia ranks second in total value from watermelon production. • Cordele, claims to be the "Watermelon Capital of the World“. • The Farmgate Value of Watermelons in 2005 was $119,775,186

8. Peaches • Peaches have long been a Georgia trademark and are now the state's official fruit. • Fresh Georgia peaches are available only 16 weeks each year, from mid-May to August. • Georgia growers produce more than 40 commercial peach varieties. • The 2005 Farmgate value was $24,406,425

9. Georgia’s Commodity Value

10. Interesting Facts about fruit • Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning. • A peach and nectarine are identical fruits, with one gene different – the gene for either smooth or fuzzy skin. • Watermelon is 92% water. • Watermelon is technically a berry, of which there are more than 50 varieties! • Blueberries are related to azaleas, camellias, heathers, and rhododendrons

11. Quiz • What fruit is also a wild grape? • How many different commercial peach varieties are grown each year? • Where does Georgia rank in blueberry production? • What city claims to be the “Watermelon Capital of the World? • What percentage of water is in a watermelon? • What two fruits have only one gene separating them?

12. Answers • Muscadine • 40 • 7th • Cordele • 92% • Peach and Nectarine