By Danny Harper
Danny Harper is the Development and Communications Manager at Georgia Organics.
Farming is the largest and oldest economy in the state of Georgia. It is the heartbeat of our state, grounding us in the rhythms of the earth. It nurtures the body with fresh, healthy food, and also the soul, offering a deep connection to the land and the cycle of life. Its labor becomes a quiet act of care, a way of honoring the seasons and traditions passed down through generations. In every seed sown, there is a hope for tomorrow, a reminder that the simplest things—like a homegrown meal—can carry profound meaning and warmth.
As we celebrate the holidays and look forward to the next year of farming and connecting with producers across the region, it’s important to listen to and uplift the voices of the dedicated, hard-working people out in the field. Hear from three Georgia farmers on the personal significance farming carries for them and their sense of home.
Daniel Parson, Oxford College of Emory University Farm
Image courtesy of Daniel Parson
A farmer of more than 25 years, Daniel Parson has built a life on stewarding the land. “At home, it means that we always have fresh vegetables for the table, dirt on the floor, and layers of practical clothes in the closet. We lived on the farm for ten years at Oxford and there it gave me a sense of satisfaction to look at our good work in the field out the breakfast-table window.” Oxford College Farm recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in October and over the past decade has served as more than just a farm—it's been a cornerstone of the Oxford community, a base for hands-on learning, sustainability, and connection to nature for hundreds of students. Under Daniel’s leadership, the farm grows 40,000 pounds of organic vegetables each year, with most of the food going to Oxford Dining and Emory University hospital. In season, the farm participates in a weekly farmer’s market for the Emory community and offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription service for produce boxes.
When asked what Georgia Organics services Oxford College Farm benefitted from, Daniel shared: “Throughout my career, Georgia Organics has brought people together. Farming can be so isolating with few chances to meet other farmers and share our experiences. I can think of countless friends I've made over the years at Georgia Organics events” In addition to giving farmers access to each other, Daniel emphasized how Georgia Organics offering information, healthcare, customers, and recruitment for extra help in the field has helped his farm immensely. “It's amazing to think of how [Georgia Organics] has grown in the past 25 years and how many vital services are now available to farms.”
Image courtesy of Jamillah McWhorter
Jamillah McWhorter, Procurement Fellow at Georgia Organics
Through her part-time work with Grow Where You Are Farm, Jamillah McWhorter sees farming as an opportunity for reconnection. “It’s a practice that my ancestors engaged in but was lost over several generations because of the socio-political climate at the time,” she shared. “It’s also an opportunity to provide better food for my community”
Jamillah got into farming as an aspiring chef and wanted to provide fresh farm ingredients for the restaurant she hopes to open one day. Now a Procurement Fellow with Georgia Organics, Jamillah works with our Farmer Champion program while getting an in-depth look on the farm-to-table relationship between producers and buyers. She shared, “I really appreciate this position because I get to learn all the different market outlets for farmers and how that process works and what the barriers may be for various institutions trying to increase their local food procurement.”
As a farm worker who wants their own ag operation one day, Jamillah expressed deep appreciation for the tools she’s gained through working with Georgia Organics. “I learn valuable information on the business and politics of farming whereas before getting access to this information would have taken a lot more digging if I hadn't worked with Georgia Organics.”
Image courtesy of the Rodale Institute
Paul Sorah, Hearts of Harvest Farm
Partners Paul and Lindsey Sorah bought their property, now Hearts of Harvest Farm, in 2017. “For our home, farming is the foundation,” Paul shared. “When we moved out of Atlanta, it came on quick. So for me, it’s the foundation for a very transitional point in our lives, it’s helped us to keep our home. Most times, that’s all it can pay for.”
For Paul, farming provides moral guidance. "Farming is truth. You can’t fake it, you can’t cut corners. It bites you when you do. Then you’re behind in the moment and behind in the future. In farming you’re living in the past and the present and future at all times. In which you’re trying to learn from your past mistakes, manage your current moment, and prepare for your future actions...You have to be prepared, and you have to show up.”
Paul and Lindsey were in Georgia Organics’ first Farmer Accelerator cohort, a recently-concluded program that combines expert coaching with tailored, on-farm investments to grow the vitality and resilience of Georgia farms while improving farmers’ quality of life. He shared that starting a farm with no prior farming experience had its obvious challenges but this program was an invaluable experience that afforded them the tools to continue their brave venture into agriculture. “That was really good for us...ultimately I think it was our foot into the resources and community of Georgia Organics.”
Today, Paul supports the Georgia Organics team as our Climate Smart Agricultural Specialist focused on the Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project. This project, spanning five states, led by the Rodale Institute and funded by the USDA, tests the environmental and socio-economic benefits of cover crop termination and planting into residue vs plasticulture. It is the largest grant in the Rodale’s history and with his expertise, the project sets new benchmarks for agricultural research and reinforces our commitment to sustainable solutions.
Oxford College Farm, photo by Jenna Shea Photojournalism
Georgia Organics is proud to work alongside all our farmer partners and look forward to collaborating with Paul, Jamillah, and Daniel in 2025! To fuel this vital work, please consider donating to our 2024 year-end fundraising campaign, Home Is Where the Harvest Is. Your gift will go toward supporting our 2025 initiatives and strengthen our work providing for Georgia’s small and organic local producers. With your help, we can ensure a healthy local harvest now and for generations to come.
Click here to give today, and thank you for an amazing year!