Title: Peach Industry An Overview of the Peach Industry in Georgia
1Peach IndustryAn Overview of the Peach Industry
in Georgia
Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum
Office Dr. Frank Flanders and Adrienne
Gentry August 2006
2Objectives
- Students will be able to
- Explain the importance of the peach industry in
Georgia. - Name four peach products.
- Name three varieties of peaches grown in Georgia.
- State key facts about peaches.
- Name three of the top peach producing counties.
- Rank the peach industry compared to other Georgia
agricultural commodities. - Rank Georgia with other states in peach
production.
3Why is the peach industry important?
- Peaches have long been a Georgia trademark and
are now the state's official fruit. - Although Georgia is called the Peach State, it
ranks third in the United States peach
production behind California and South Carolina. - Peaches are a healthy alternative to sweets and
taste great. - Peaches provide significant income to our states
economy annually.
4The History of the Peach in Georgia
- Peaches were first grown in Georgia during the
colonial period of the 1700s. - After the Civil War, Georgia growers developed
several hardy peach varieties. These new
varieties boosted the commercial peach industry
and made Georgia the "Peach State. - The first peaches grown in Georgia were the
Elberta variety and during the late 1800s, were
highly successful on northern markets because of
its exceptional color, size and quality.
5Peach Products
Fresh Peaches Peach Cobbler Peach Pie Peach
Juice Peach Salsa Peach BBQ Sauce Peach Ice
Cream Peach Syrup Skin Care
Peach Butter Peach Jelly Peach Jam Peach
Candies Peach Salad Dressing Peach Cider Peach
Hot Sauce Peach Bread Lotions
6When selecting peaches
- Don't squeeze peaches they bruise easily.
- Place firm peaches on the counter for a day or
two, and they'll ripen. - Promptly refrigerate ripe peaches and eat them
within a week of purchase. - To keep sliced peaches from darkening, add lemon
juice or ascorbic acid.
- Smell the peach. The peach is a member of the
rose family and should have a pleasingly sweet
fragrance. - Look for a creamy gold to yellow under-color. The
red or "blush" of a peach is an indication of
variety, not ripeness. - Peaches should be soft to the touch but not
mushy. - Look for a well defined crease that runs from the
stem to the point.
7Peach Varieties
- The three common varieties of peaches grown in
Georgia are - Clingstone
- Semi-Free
- Freestone
8Peach Producing Counties in Georgia
Many Counties in Georgia produce peaches but most
of the top producing counties are located in
Central Georgia.
1. Peach County 2. Macon County 3. Taylor
County 4. Brooks County 5. Houston
County
9Georgias Commodity Value
10US Peach Production
- Top peach producing states
1. California 2. South Carolina 3. Georgia
11Peach Production
12Interesting Facts
- Peaches are low in fat, naturally sodium free and
have no cholesterol. - Peaches are a low calorie snack, a medium size
peach contains only 40 calories. - Peaches contain vitamin A which helps us see in
dim light. - Peaches are considered a good source of fiber.
The skin of a peach provides both roughage and
fiber.
13Assessment
- 1. Name four peach products.
- 2. Where is Georgia ranked nationally in peach
production? - A. 10th B. 3rd C. 1st D. 5th
- 3. Name the 3 common varieties of peaches grown
in Georgia. - 4. Name two Georgia counties that produce large
quantities of peaches. - 5. Peaches were first grown in Georgia during
what era? - A. 1700s B. 1600s C. 1900s D.
1800s - 6. What was the first peach variety grown in
Georgia? - A. Peachy Sweet B. Elberta C. Omega Brights
D. Lola - 7. What family is the common peach in?
- 8. When selecting a peach, it should be
__________. - A. soft B. slightly firm C. very firm
C. mushy - 9. When selecting a peach, look for a well
defined ________ that runs from the stem to the
point. - A. line B. crease C. hole D. dark
mark - 10. The skin of a peach provides both roughage
and ______. - A. sugar B. starch C. carbohydrates
D. fiber
14Quiz Key
- 1. Fresh Peaches, Peach Cobbler, Peach Pie, Peach
Juice, Peach Salsa, Peach BBQ Sauce, Peach Ice
Cream, Peach Syrup, Skin Care, Peach Butter,
Peach Jelly, Peach Jam, Peach Candies, Peach
Salad Dressing, Peach Cider, Peach Hot Sauce,
Peach Bread, Lotions and any other specifics. - 2. B - 3rd
- 3. Clingstone, Semi-Free, Freestone
- 4. Peach County, Macon County, Taylor County
- 5. A - 1700s
- 6. B - Elberta
- 7. The Rose family or Rosaceae
- 8. A - soft
- 9. B - crease
- 10. D - Fiber
15References
- http//www.gapeaches.com/peachyFacts.htm
- http//www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/browsetree
s.cfm?SortScientific