Local farmers awarded for prize tomatoes

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Heaviest Slicing Tomato first-place winner David Westbrook poses with his 2-pound tomato. (Courtesy of Cullman County Extension)

CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Extension Office held its first Tomato Taste-Off Saturday, June 25, at the Festhalle Farmers Market. A total of 11 entries were submitted in the categories of Best-Tasting Slicing Tomato, Best-Tasting Cherry Tomato and Heaviest Slicing Tomato. Many contestants were local farmers selling at the market that day who were able to show off their tomato-growing skills.  

The first-place winners were Delby Chambers of Chambers Farm (Best-Tasting Slicing Tomato), Jimmy Burns of Jimmy Burns Farm (Best-Tasting Cherry Tomato) and David Westbrook (Heaviest Slicing Tomato- a whopper at 2 pounds!)

Winners received $10 gift certificates to and courtesy of Chambers Farm and Garden Supply.

Extension Coordinator Kira Sims said, “We look forward to hosting the event again next year, but we plan to hold it July 15 with hopes more tomatoes are ready to enter by farmers and home gardeners. Thank you to all who participated!”

For those who wish to become better gardeners, Cullman’s Extension Office provides information and workshops throughout the year to assist amateurs and professionals.

A seed starting workshop will be held at the Extension Office Tuesday, July 12, from 6-8 p.m., with a focus on starting seeds for a fall garden, including warm and cool season vegetables. This workshop will cover the basics of starting seeds, what crops can be started for a late summer garden and how to manage those crops once planted.

“Hopefully this workshop will encourage people to start their fall garden now, so they have produce to enter in the (Cullman) County Fair in October,” said Sims.

The workshop is free, but registration is required. Register at www.aces.edu/event/prepare-for-the-fair-seed-starting-2.

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