ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Local farmers and agribusinesses now have a chance to benefit from the highly anticipated football game between Georgia State and Georgia Southern.

Through a partnership with the state teams, the Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Grown Team is having the very first “Georgia Grown Bowl.” So, farmers and producers who need to promote their products will have their products on display to encourage consumers to shop locally.

“It’s just an exciting opportunity to highlight Georgia athletics, but also Georgia Farmers, Georgia Producers, and our Georgia Grown products here in the state of Georgia,” Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper said. “Especially the fact that the game will be in Atlanta next week, to put Georgia Grown in front of those that never saw Georgia Grown before and hopefully encourage them when they go to the grocery store that they look for those Georgia grown products.”

Georgia State University Director of Athletics Charlie Cobb says they are happy to compete so Georgians can know the importance of the Georgia Grown Program throughout our state.

“We look forward to competing so local farmers, agribusinesses, and others benefit from the positive awareness our rivalry game creates.”

And right here in downtown Albany will be the second Georgia Grown Innovation Center giving students a chance to bring their handcrafted jewelry, their freshest fruits and vegetables, and their delicious treats right here in the community.

“Those individuals that have an idea can have an innovative space to help create and build on that idea and hopefully take it to a larger operation that gives them an opportunity to build a business,” Harper said.

The Innovation Center will be on 115 and 121 North Front Street with an opening in later 2025.

For farmers who want to be a part of the GA State, GA Southern GA Grown Program, to sign up for a membership to receive perks and more, click here.

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