"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.”
Georgia Organics' Conference & Expo is Growing and Adapting for More Meaningful Impact
Georgia Organics is pleased to announce that our long-beloved Conference & Expo is growing and adapting for more meaningful impact.
For well over 20 years, Georgia Organics’ Conference & Expo has birthed incredible partnerships and collaboration in the Georgia farming and organic agriculture space.
With the post-pandemic return of Conference this February 2023 in Perry, GA, we were amazed by the turnout and positive feedback. It reminded us of the deep value of this gathering.
It’s a crucial space for hardworking farmers and food leaders across the state to gather, collaborate, and refuel. It directly speaks to our Strategic Plan values of Farmer Prosperity and Community & Collective Impact.
2023 Georgia Organics Conference & Expo, all photography: Jenna Shea Photojournalism
In the months following our 2023 Conference, we have weighed feedback and the value of this event in the scope of our strategic work and decided to shift to an every-other-year schedule.
GEORGIA ORGANICS CONFERENCE & EXPO IS NOW BI-ANNUAL
As a statewide organization and leader in the Southeastern agriculture and community food space, we acknowledge that we must diversify how we gather—regionally, statewide, and locally—and ensure that we’re highly collaborative and foster maximum impact when we do gather. Change can be hard, but to stay relevant, Conference must evolve.
The post-pandemic world and increased needs for climate responsiveness and food equity action prompt us to reevaluate how and where we spend our time as an organization. The decision to shift Conference to a bi-annual schedule will give Georgia Organics’ staff the capacity to plan and execute these meaningful gatherings. And in Conference “off-years,” the team will remain focused on our increased direct services work with farmers and community partners across the state. Explore this work and the pillars of our Strategic Plan in our recent Impact Report at georgiaorganics.org/impact.
We will launch this bi-annual schedule in a big way: the 2025 Conference & Expo will be a partner-led, regional Conference serving farmers and sustainable ag leaders across the Southeast.
We will not hold a Conference & Expo in 2024.
GEORGIA ORGANICS’ CONFERENCE IN 2025 WILL BE A REGIONAL EVENT
The 2025 Regional Conference will reflect the deepening, collaborative nature of our work. We need collective wisdom and collective impact at this pivotal moment.
The current needs of farmers and local food communities, plus the challenges of climate change far exceed the state of Georgia. We’re asking how can we activate both hyperlocal and statewide networks for a more robust web and thriving Georgia food system?
We are currently working in partnership with organizations and local leaders in 12 sister states in the South to build a regional network. In the short term, the network will provide strategic direction and input in developing the 2025 Regional Conference themes, track topics, and other core elements. In the long term, we hope that the network will continue to grow and serve the unique needs of our region and our farmers.
One thing is clear in these conversations: This is an event centered on sustainable, organic, and regenerative farmers. We also are aligned on the themes of joy, diversity, and renewal for this exciting re-seeding of a regional conference. We aim for this event to chart the path laid by the much-missed Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) regional conference.
Georgia Organics President & CEO Alice Rolls, who is spearheading the Regional Conference network, notes of the decision to host our first bi-annual Conference as a regional event: “the environmental, policy, and resource challenges in sustainable agriculture show us that we need to be more sophisticated in approach, moving beyond state lines. This is about regional knowledge-sharing of agriculture and community food work.” She adds, “our aim is to lift up the farmers in our community and attend to our neighbors, create a welcoming, inclusive, productive space.”
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
We have a lot of work ahead, not only in Georgia Organics ongoing direct service work and community support to Georgia organic farmers, but so that we produce a 2025 Regional Conference that drives impact beyond Georgia.
We’re currently seeking additional affiliate and steering partners for the 2025 Regional Conference and encourage members of local farming and sustainable ag policy communities to reach out to us at alice [at] georgiaorganics [dot] org. Closer to the regional event, we will issue calls for volunteers via our email newsletter, The Dirt.
Between now and 2025, we will prioritize in-person gatherings across the state for farmers, including the continuation of our Farmer Field Days, farmer happy hours, and more. Our time and efforts remain invested in farmer prosperity-driving work through the direct services of our Farmer Services program. Explore this work at farmerservices.georgiaorganics.org and sign up for Grower News at bit.ly/growernews.
Our Community Collaboration team is also gathering and collaborating around the state—currently in Savannah and Waycross—activating local networks for local food and farm partners on strategies to reduce childhood food insecurity. Learn more at georgiaorganics.org/familyfarmshare.
Furthermore, our Farmer Advocacy work continues, with heavy focus on the 2023 Farm Bill and the active state meetings, D.C. fly-ins with key organic partners, and active advocating for the needs of organic farmers, led by Georgia Organics’ Director of Farmer Advocacy Michael Wall. Learn more at georgiaorganics.org/advocacy.
We remain steadfast in our day-to-day commitments to organic farmers and constantly evolving to provide robust community support and activation.
Stay tuned, we cannot wait to see you in 2025!
Farmer Field Day Recap: Integrated Pest Management in Organic Cropping Systems
By Ain Chiké
Ain is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics
On a sunny and moderately breezy morning in June, the Georgia Organics Farmers Services team, representatives from Seven Springs Farm Supply, researchers from the University of Georgia, and over 50 attendees gathered at Crystal Organic Farm in Newborn, GA for a Farmer Field Day to discuss the ins and outs of Integrated Pest Management. The definition of Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, varied from one presenter to the next, but all agreed that it is an environmentally sensitive tiered approach to long-term pest management.
Armed with a bullhorn and a combined lifetime of farming and IPM experience, farm hosts Nicolas Donck and Jeni Jarrard-Donck started the field day farm tour by welcoming participants with a condensed overview of the farm’s thirty-year history as a Certified Organic farm. Once acclimated, participants walked the 30-acre farm and learned more about how their hosts manage insect pests and crop diseases.
IPM is a core pillar of organic farming, and the seasoned growers at Crystal Organic Farm demonstrated this foundational organic principle in their farm planning and systems. Certified Organic farms must have a pest, weed, and disease management plan to comply with the National Organic Program (NOP) standard 205.206. This standard states that Organic growers must use a hierarchical approach to managing pests, weeds, and disease, meaning they must first use prevention practices, then control practices, and as a last resort, input applications may be used. IPM strategies use non-chemical and chemical approaches to suppress and control pest populations. To determine how to respond to an outbreak, farmers using IPM strategies monitor the pest or disease, accurately identify the issue, assess and consider the economic injury threshold (a threshold is the point at which action should be taken), implement a treatment strategy, and evaluate the success of treatments.
Daniel Sweeney of Seven Springs Farm Supply standing in front of aging cucumbers
Photo by Meg Darnell of Georgia Organics
One of the first stops on the tour was a swath of perennial herbs. While taking in the herbs and flowers Jeni explained how this type of planting uses cultural practices and biological control. The native plants encourage beneficial species and predators to remain on the land, helping to keep pesky bugs populations in check. Further down the row, attendees came upon season-extending high tunnels filled with cucumbers in varying degrees of age and health and were asked to determine if the presenting issues were pest or disease-related. Attendees learned from Daniel Sweeney, a Seven Springs Farm Supply crop adviser, that a “pest” is any animal or plant harmful to crops or humans. In this case, the cucumbers were suffering from age and heat. At this point, Nicolas explains that part of his strategy was not spending lots of time keeping the fast-growing, disease prone crop alive past its initial harvest. However, he does use successive plantings to keep a good flow available throughout the growing season. To keep disease from spreading, Nicolas and Jeni’s team harvest the youngest and healthiest fruits first before tending to the older vines.
Within an IPM system, farmers employ multiple tactics and levels of control to reduce crop damage. The IPM control tiers are:
Cultural Practices: Agricultural practices using biodiversity to make the environment less favorable to crop damaging insects and disease. Examples include crop rotation, plant selection, trap crops, and adjusting the timing of planting or harvest. These strategies are considered ‘prevention practices’ in the NOP standard 205.206.
Physical and Mechanical Control: Mulching to suppress splash back from the soil, placing barriers that keep birds or insects out, reducing breeding sites through mowing, and physically removing pests from plants. These strategies are considered ‘control practices’ in the NOP standard 205.206.
Biological Control: Using beneficial predators, parasitoids, pathogens, and plants to combat and control the insect pest, or “bad bug,” population. These strategies are considered ‘control practices’ in the NOP standard 205.206.
Chemical Control: Applying natural or synthetic chemical substances to repel or eradicate pests. This is usually a last resort as chemical control can affect the beneficials within the area. Pheromone disruptors or specialized bacteria like Bacillus Thuringiensis (B.T.) are specialized means of control that target a specific type of pest. These strategies are considered ‘input applications’ in the NOP standard 205.206. Certified Organic and transitioning to Organic growers should verify that any synthetic inputs they use are included on the National list of synthetic substances allowed for use in Organic crop production.
Photo by: Alena Ivakhnenko of Seven Spring Farm Supply
As the tour continued, the group split in two. Jeni took one group to learn more about various herbs and their medicinal properties, while others went with Nicolas to learn more about crop production and management.
As the sun began to make its presence known, everyone settled in the shade and recharged with a delicious lunch from Taqueria El Futuro. Following the intermission, UGA professor and entomologist Dr. Jason Schmidt, presented on how to deal with insects through identification and learning about their life cycles. Knowing when a pest population will peak and what it likes to eat is instrumental in crop planning. Dr. Henry Sintim, a UGA professor in the Crop & Soil Sciences department, followed with an impassioned speech about the necessities of soil fertility and nutrient management. He performed a percolation test which he mentioned is one of the fundamental keys to determining if your soil will allow water to penetrate and move through the medium, and it evaluates the ability of the soil to absorb nutrients. Last but certainly not least, the final presenter Daniel Sweeney, gave insight into the services that Seven Spring Farm Supply provides and an overview of foundational and practical integrated pest management.
As the day wrapped up, attendees left with their heads full of information on how to tackle the issues presented within their growing operations, equipped with a multitude of different IPM strategies to quell the influx of pests that routinely visit their crops.
RESOURCES
To learn more about Integrated Pest Management, visit the University of Georgia IPM handbook for home and commercial growers.
Curious about performing a percolation test? Follow these step-by-step directions
Visit the Seven Springs Farm Supply website to view their pest management solutions and check out their field day recap blog!
Access the Farmer Field Day presentations by Dr. Jason Schmidt, Dr. Henry Sintim, and Daniel Sweeney via Google Drive here.
Are you transitioning to Organic Certification and have questions about IPM or the other NOP standards Organic growers have to adhere to? Visit Georgia Organics’ GO Organic! page for resources and more information on receiving one-on-one technical assistance.
Are you a current Certified Organic grower in Georgia? Visit Georgia Organics’ GO Organic! page for cost-share resources and more information on joining the Georgia Certified Organic Network (GCON).
FAMILY FARM SHARE PROGRAM EXPANDS TO SAVANNAH
Georgia Organics and Forsyth Farmers Market Partner on Strategies to Reduce Childhood Food Insecurity
The Savannah Family Farm Share Partners: (Back row, left to right) Director of Early Childhood Education and Care of Greenbriar Children’s Center Jennifer McMichael, Executive Director of Forsyth Farmers’ Market Dr. Deidre Grim, Food Coordinator of Greenbriar Children’s Center April Mixon, Farm Truck Manager of Forsyth Farmers’ Market Brian Heyward, Community Collaborations Coordinator of Georgia Organics Yaza Sarieh, and Community Collaborations Director of Georgia Organics Kimberly Della Donna .
(Front row, left to right) Director of Community Engagement and Market Manager of Forsyth Farmers’ Market Asia Harold, Community Collaborations Manager of Georgia Organics Kimberly Koogler, Director of Education of Forsyth Farmers’ Market Tasha Wei, and Executive Director of Greenbriar Children’s Center Gena P. Taylor.
SAVANNAH (Aug. 3, 2023) – Georgia Organics and The Forsyth Farmers Market announce the launch of Savannah Family Farm Share, a group style Community Supported Agriculture program designed to address childhood food insecurity for children ages birth to five while developing a new outlet for small scale farmers. The goals of this initiative are to expand opportunities for small scale farmers, increase access to organic and healthy food and educate families about how to prepare and enjoy a weekly bounty of fresh, local food.
Beginning with the Greenbriar Children’s Center, Savannah Family Farm Share hopes to enroll up to 800 members this year, in a low-cost vegetable subscription program specifically designed for families with young children enrolled in Early Care and Education centers.
The Family Farm Share Program is primarily funded by the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation and Takeda, though Georgia Organics has raised over $1.5 million to expand the program ten Georgia communities by 2025. The Savannah Family Farm Share program builds on the work of the Waycross Family Farm Share Pilot that began with a Community Transformation Grant of $75,000 from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
The Savannah Family Farm Share program is one of five communities where Georgia Organics is facilitating a local collaborative, joining Head Start communities in Ware, Bacon and Pierce counties.
The project commenced in May, and work is underway identifying local farmers for participation. Email market(at)ffm-sav(dot)org if you are a Savannah area farmer interested in working with the collaborative. In July, the collaborative began engaging farmers and early care families to discuss their needs and preferences for fresh food. Progress and stories of the pilot program will be shared at georgiaorganics.org/familyfarmshare and on Georgia Organics’ and partners’ social media.
“Forsyth Farmers’ Market is ecstatic to be a part of such a great program that will strengthen our local food system by financially supporting our local farmers while eliminating the barriers that make it hard for residents to access fresh local produce. Food apartheid areas are becoming more recognizable and opportunities to patronize our local farmers are limited. Thus, making the expansion of the Family Farm Share program an ideal collaboration to meet both needs.” Dr. Deidre Grim, Executive Director, Forsyth Farmers’ Market Inc.
“What an awesome collaborative opportunity to improve the health of our community; to increase the knowledge of families about fresh food and to increase access fresh produce to families.” “Greenbriar is excited to be an active participant of this program that will yield healthy outcomes for families and children.” Gena P. Taylor, Executive Director, Greenbriar Children’s Center.
“What I love about Family Farm Share is we’re meeting families where they’re at, within their daily routines at daycare and early care centers, while connecting small farmers to new markets close to their farms. We hope to make Savannah a model that other communities can adapt and make their own.” Suzanne Girdner, Community Outreach Manager, Georgia Organics
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Forsyth Farmers’ Market is so much more than a farmers market because they offer programming and services 7 days a week. The organization holds a weekly market in Savannah’s Forsyth Park Saturdays from 9am - 1pm. Farm Truck 912, their mobile farmers’ market makes stops throughout the community with the intention of eliminating barriers to access to fresh locally sourced produce. Forsyth Farmers’ Market accepts and double SNAP/EBT benefits at the Saturday market and on Farm Truck 912. They also offer a variety of other programming and education to build community and create a sense of place. Click here to learn more about the Forsyth Farmers Market.
Georgia Organics celebrates National Farm to School Month: Pepper Palooza
Every year, Georgia Organics coordinates a state-wide campaign to get kids across Georgia eating, growing, and learning about a new fruit or vegetable during October Farm to School Month. The lessons, activities, resources, and workshops reach over one million students statewide through classroom, cafeteria, and community educators who sign up to participate. This year’s celebration: Pepper Palooza! Sign up for FREE to access digital resources for families and educators at bit.ly/livinlavidaokra. Click here and here to view additional free resources from Georgia Organics’ Farm to School team to engage kids with fresh food!
ABOUT SAVANNAH FAMILY FARM SHARE PARTNERS
About Georgia Organics
Georgia Organics is a member-supported, non-profit organization that champions organic agriculture and healthy families by prioritizing farmer prosperity, engaging children with good food in their cafeterias and classrooms, and convening local leaders to address food access issues by making organic and local food accessible to all. The organization has been rooted in providing direct support to small and organic farmers across our state since the 1970s, before formally incorporating as a 501(c)(3) in 1997. For more information, visit georgiaorganics.org.
About Forsyth Farmers Market
Forsyth Farmers’ Market Inc. is Savannah's largest food and horticulture market. Each Saturday over 50 vendors offer fresh produce, pastured meats, local honey, artisan dairy and cheeses, craft breads, baked goods, and a wide variety of prepared foods. All vendors come from within a 200-mile radius of Savannah. We envision a just and equitable food system that has an interest in producing food for the health of citizens and the environment. For more information, please visit forsythfarmersmarket.com.
About Greenbriar Children’s’ Center
Greenbriar Children’s Center is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the healthy development of children and the strengthening of families through a multitude of services. These services include early childhood education and care; family and individual counseling and support services; an emergency shelter for children ages 11-18 and Project Safe Place. For more information, please visit www.greenbriarchildrenscenter.org or call 912-234-3431.
A Letter from Georgia Organics President & CEO Alice Rolls
July 27, 2023
Dear Friends & Colleagues,
In January 2024, I will celebrate 20 years at Georgia Organics, a landmark that invites exciting change for the organization and me personally. I told myself years ago that if I made it to this milestone, it would be time to step away from my role as President and CEO and make room for new leadership. Thus, I’m sharing this announcement with you.
The good thing about a long tenure is you get to witness true change. When I started in 2004, there were only seven farmers markets in Georgia, the National Organic Program was two years old, and “local food” was not part of our vernacular. Thanks to an incredible group of passionate farmers, advocates, and partners, the local food movement has grown and flourished in transformative ways. There are now 150 farmers markets, 150 Certified Organic farms in Georgia, and more Certified Naturally Grown farms than in any other state. Eighty-two percent of Georgia households now purchase organic food on a regular basis. Farm to school programs dot Georgia’s landscape, and there are inspiring efforts to justly support Black and Brown farmers and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
You could say I had exquisite timing when I took this job, and that would be true. But I have also had the unique privilege of leading and working alongside visionary and committed colleagues at Georgia Organics, and beyond, who have made this change happen.
Positioning the organization for the future is a challenge I take seriously, and thus I have been quietly working on succession planning the last two years. I am confident that this planning, along with our strong leadership team, will allow our organization to be continuous in our mission, goals, and execution. Our Board of Directors and a newly formed search committee will be focused in the coming months on hiring a new Executive Director sometime later this year. A job description has been posted on our website and will be circulated through various outlets. During the upcoming transition, I will be here to support the new Executive Director and our regional collective impact work in a President Emeritus role for a short term. Afterwards, I will be seeking new adventures in work and play.
It isn’t easy stepping away from work that has been my heart and soul for two decades. I love this organization and what we do, particularly our newer mission to invest in organic farmers for the health of the land and our communities. Georgia Organics has deeply shaped me and cemented an enduring respect for local and organic farmers who steward public and environmental health. No matter where I go, I will continue to champion them.
If you are getting this letter, that means you have been a valued ally, supporter, friend and/or mentor in my professional and personal journey. For that, I’m humbled and grateful for all that we have accomplished together during the past 20 years.
Warm regards,
Alice Rolls
President & CEO
Conservation & Crop Rotation Farmer Field Day Recap
By Kimberly Koogler, with contributions from Ben Sterling, Meg Darnell, and Lauren Cox
Kimberly Koogler is Georgia Organics’ Community Collaborations Manager, Lauren Cox is the Farmer Services Director, and Meg Darnell is a Farmer Services Coordinator. Ben Sterling is McIntosh SEED’s Program Manager.
Everyone gathered in the Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative. Photo by Lauren Cox.
In mid-April, when spring was still feeling like spring and not yet like summer, the Georgia Organics Farmer Services and Community Collaborations teams and McIntosh SEED brought a group of about 30 Southeast GA farmers together at the Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative in Glennville, GA for a full farmer field day all about conservation programs and crop rotation systems. Georgia Organics has been making concerted efforts to engage farms outside of the metro-Atlanta area, and this instance proved to be even more successful and rewarding than we could have hoped.
Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative tour. Photo by Meg Darnell.
Ben Sterling of McIntosh SEED speaking at the Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative. (Left to right) Kimberly Koogler and Meg Darnell of Georgia Organics. Photo by Lauren Cox.
Our gracious hosts at the Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative gave us a tour of their farm and facilities and shared with us the history of their Cooperative, their process for getting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified, as well as their hopes and concerns about there being young people to take over operations and keep the Cooperative running and consistently producing and selling.
Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative processing facilities. Photo by Lauren Cox.
Everyone partook in a delicious lunch catered by local restaurant Sho’ Nuff Smokin’ Good BBQ. While folks ate, Farmer Services Director Lauren Cox went over the tiers of farmer services available to growers through Georgia Organics; Meg Darnell of Georgia Organics and Ben Sterling of McIntosh SEED introduced an exciting, new Climate Smart Farmer Program available to Black growers in Southeast GA through funding that the two organizations just received from Drawdown Georgia; Connie Oliver of WayGreen presented about the Family Farm Share program, what it currently looks like in Waycross, and their need for more growers as they expand into neighboring counties; and Mr. Charlie Grace of NRCS explained and answered growers’ questions about NRCS programs and services.
Daniel Parson of Oxford Farm at Emory presenting at the Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative. Photo by Lauren.
To finish out the day, Daniel Parson of Oxford Farm at Emory University presented a crop rotation workshop in which he provided a tried-and-true crop rotation system for growers to use on their own farms. Each farm also received a certified scale, a soil testing probe, a crop rotation guidebook for organic farms, and two rolls of 83”x250’ Agribon-30 row cover to take back to their farms.
Key takeaways from this gathering:
Two communities of growers from the region came together to learn about things that can help all of their unique farming operations.
This gathering was rich in diversity of farms and people in terms of race, age (small children to 80+ were involved), diversity of crops grown and held certifications, and backgrounds of farms (homesteaders to generational farming).
NRCS representative, Charlie Grace was able to provide a level of transparency that some farmers had not yet been exposed to about NRCS programs.
Networking of farms in the Southeast is said to be “rare”, according to a couple of farmers in attendance, and they seem to be hungry for more of it. In other words, more opportunities like this, please!
The crop rotation workshop gave context to and details about the importance of and science behind participating in this conservation practice.
The participants went home with many valuable supplies, including Agribon row cover, soil testing probes, certified scales, and crop rotation guidebooks.
The Coastal GA Small Farmers Cooperative, of which Common Market Southeast is currently a customer, strives for consistency and quality in all of their products, which include collard greens, squash and zucchini, peas, melons, and more. Their growers recognize a need for young people to join as they head into the future.
Sho’ Nuff Smokin’ Good BBQ sho’ nuff makes some smokin’ good BBQ!
To learn more about McIntosh SEED, visit mcintoshseed.org or follow them on Facebook facebook.com/mcintosh.seed.5 and Instagram @mcintoshseed.
To learn more about Georgia Organics visit georgiaorganics.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube by searching (Georgia Organics).
Georgia Organics Conference Recap: Community Collaboration Session on the Use of Storytelling to Improve Social Awareness, Grow Leaders, and Foster Belonging in a School Setting
By Yaza Sarieh
Yaza Sarieh is the Georgia Organics Community Collaboration Coordinator.
Active Inclusion Session - Photo by Jenna Shea Photojournalism
In mid-February, the annual Georgia Organics Conference & Expo created space for community members to learn from each other and reinvigorate impactful connections at the Perry National Fairgrounds. On a rainy Thursday morning, the Community Collaborations track kicked off with a session titled: Active Inclusion – How telling our collective stories improves social awareness, grows leaders, and fosters belonging in the community, facilitated by Sagdrina Jalal, Founder of SageD Consulting, and Rukia Rogers, Founder of the Highlander School of Atlanta. This interactive workshop provided participants with tools to help them transition from an understanding and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to implementing strategies that support the changes they desire.
Sagdrina Jalal - Photo by Jenna Shea Photojournalism
Rukia Rogers - Photo by Jenna Shea Photojournalism
Both Sagdrina and Rukia are Social Justice Activists and Educators with extensive experience supporting leaders to develop their impact through the use of storytelling and authentic engagement. They started the experience with a commemoration and acknowledgment of the Muscogee tribe and African American slaves who were stewards of the land that we occupy. This reflection transitioned into a discussion about mission-driven programming, using The Highlander School of Atlanta as a case study.
One of the core principles of the Highlander School’s mission is that children are “active discoverers and constructors of their own knowledge,” and that “they have the right....to be a part of the decision-making process.” To fulfill this mission, Rukia talked about how the school must constantly and rigorously reflect on the ways their mission and values are present in daily activities. For instance, when students encountered an unhoused person asking for food, they started to ask questions, and expressed a desire to help enhance food equity in their community. Educators allowed the students to take the lead, and so they made bowls for unhoused people to eat from, and they inspired the creation of a community garden accessible to everyone in need. This is just one example of how stories can reflect and communicate the values and missions of an organization in meaningful, tangible ways.
The Highlander School - Photo by SageD Consulting
The example of the Highlander School was a segway into the interactive portion of the Active Inclusion workshop. For this portion of the session, Sagdrina used her background as the Founder of SageD Consulting to coach participants on effective messaging of their missions. Sagdrina emphasized that effective messaging cultivates community-centered networks and amplifies diverse voices. Some of the factors she encouraged participants to consider were adapted from the Anti-Racist Farmer’s Market Toolkit and include:
Who are the sponsors, partners, and collaborators?
What are those partner organizations’ values?
Where does your organization advertise? What are the advertisers’ values?
Does the organization have community partnerships that benefit the most vulnerable members of the community?
These questions are crucial for communicating the message consistently, and ensuring that it represents and resonates with the intended audience. Session participants then engaged in a small group campaign activity to create messaging campaigns that related to a shared topic and values. This learning opportunity proved to be a strong start to the conference, as participants collectively practiced how to promote healing, belonging, and equity in this setting and beyond.
Interactive Activity - Photos by Jenna Shea Photojournalism
To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn by searching the handle @GeorgiaOrganics or Georgia Organics.
To learn more about SageD Consulting, visit www.sagedconsulting.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram (@sagdrina), and LinkedIn.
To learn more about The Highlander School, visit www.thehighlanderschool.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram (@rukiarogers), and LinkedIn.
Introducing the 2022-2024 Accelerator Cohort!
By Lydia Hsu
Lydia Hsu is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics.
The Farmer Services team here at Georgia Organics is excited to formally introduce the farmers in the 2022-2024 Accelerator cohort!
The Georgia Organics Accelerator Program combines expert coaching with tailored on-farm investments to grow the vitality and resiliency of Georgia farms and improve the quality of life for farmers.
The seven farms selected for the 2022-2024 cohort are all doing incredible work to grow their farm products and businesses, sustainably and organically. Each farm was chosen based on their proposed utilization of the program, which includes identifying three focus goals and one in-hand resource that the farms work towards achieving and completing by the end of the program.
The Farmer Services team is working closely with each farm to develop their goals and in-hand resource, and to support them over the next two years as they execute their Accelerator plan. We have a robust directory of coaches that will be working hand-in-hand with the farmers to provide technical assistance, guidance, and training on a vast array of topics that help them with long-term farm business planning. In-hand resources can look like a Soil Fertility plan, a Food Safety plan, a Labor plan, a Transition plan, and more!
The coaches will also advise farmers on how to maximize their Accelerator funding for their strategic capital investments. This funding can be applied towards farm expenses — including on-farm infrastructure, labor, healthcare, and marketing.
Accelerator Coaches, Case Managers, and Farmers mingle at December 2022 Networking Session. Photo by M.F. Espinoza (@healianthusfarms).
In addition to the individual support farmers receive from coaches and case managers, a key part of the Accelerator program is the cohort community itself, and the peer-to-peer connections the program provides space for. The farmers have the opportunity to participate in networking sessions with their fellow cohort members, as well as Accelerator alumni farmers. These networking opportunities, hosted by Georgia Organics both online and in-person throughout the year, allow the cohort to learn from each other, discuss the Accelerator program together, and connect with other Georgia farmers while visiting each other's farms. Our hope is that these networking sessions become an invaluable way to grow community and friendships with other farmers.
The seven farms in the 2022-2024 cohort are located across the state of Georgia and range from diversified vegetable operations to fiber and livestock farms. Without further ado, here are the 2022-2024 Accelerator farmers!
Andrew Douglas and family of Crossroad Farm and Garden. Photo credit: Southern Soil.
Crossroad Farm and Garden (Facebook, Instagram)
Andrew Douglas | Alma, GA
Crossroad Farm and Garden is a Certified Naturally Grown farm owned and operated by Andrew Douglas. The farm uses sustainable practices to cultivate the soil and grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits. As a member of WayGreen, a local food coalition in southeast Georgia, the farm provides food for the community through the Family Farm Share program in Waycross.
Brendan Gannon of Gannon Organics. Photo credit: Gannon Organics.
Gannon Organics (Facebook, Instagram)
Brendan Gannon | Savannah, GA
Gannon Organics was founded by Brendan Gannon in December 2019. The operation is a 4-acre sustainable and diversified vegetable farm serving Savannah, GA. Brendan has been farming organically for over a decade, uses 100% organic methods to grow his produce, and uses cover cropping and field rotation as means for a regenerative growing environment.
Keisha and Warren Cameron of High Hog Farm. Photo credit: High Hog Farm.
High Hog Farm (Facebook, Instagram)
Keisha and Warren Cameron | Grayson, GA
High Hog Farm is run by returning generation farmers Keisha and Warren Cameron. They officially started cultivating the land in 2014, regenerating the soil, and quickly becoming students of permaculture, agroecology, and indigenous practices. They produce locally grown fibers and plant-based dyes from heritage breed sheep, rabbits, and heirloom seeds.
Brennan and Gwendolyn Washington of Phoenix Gardens. Photo credit Kayla Williams.
Phoenix Gardens (Facebook)
Gwendolyn and Brennan Washington | Lawrenceville, GA
Phoenix Gardens was started in 2006 and is owned and operated by Gwendolyn and Brennan Washington. The farm is Certified Naturally Grown and uses sustainable methods to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits. The farm has been a mainstay in Gwinnett County for over fifteen years, hosting farm tours and educational events for the community.
Stephanie Simmons of PolyCulture Production at Gaia Gardens. Photo credit: Food Well Alliance.
PolyCulture Production at Gaia Gardens (Instagram)
Stephanie Simmons | Decatur, GA
Stephanie Simmons started PolyCulture Production at Gaia Gardens in 2022. With 2.5 acres in production, Stephanie grows a variety of vegetables and fruits organically. The farm focuses on soil health as the foundation for plant, community, and cultural health and on mimicking the biodiversity of nature by producing multiple crops in the same space.
Ashley Rodgers of Rodgers Greens and Roots Organic Farm. Photo credit: Rodgers Greens and Roots Organic Farm.
Rodgers Greens and Roots Organic Farm (Facebook, Instagram)
Ashley Rodgers | Douglasville, GA
Rodgers Greens and Roots Organic Farm is a Certified Organic farm owned and operated by Ashley Rodgers on 64 acres of historic farmland along the Chattahoochee River. Currently, 15 acres are under cultivation; 10 acres in vegetables, and 5 acres in perennial fruit orchards. The farm’s growing style is medium-scale and sustainable practices are the backbone of the farm.
Rahul Anand of Snapfinger Farm. Photo credit: Snapfinger Farm.
Snapfinger Farm (Facebook, Instagram)
Rahul Anand | Covington, GA
Rahul Anand started Snapfinger Farm in 2016, when he took horse pastures and turned them into vegetable fields, built a walk-in cooler, wash station, hoop houses, and more. The farm is Certified Naturally Grown and uses sustainable growing methods. The farm expanded onto a new property in 2022 and will be scaling up from 2.5 acres to 30 acres of production.
JOIN US IN WELCOMING THE NEW COHORT OF ACCELERATOR FARMS!
GIVE THEM A FOLLOW AND SHARE THE LOVE AS WE LAUNCH A GREAT YEAR.
MAP OF CURRENT & ALUMNI ACCELERATOR FARMS
To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn by searching the handle @GeorgiaOrganics or Georgia Organics.
Our full suite of programs and services is accessible to our Farmer Members at no additional cost and can be discovered by visiting farmerservices.georgiaorganics.org. Not a member yet? Visit georgiaorganics.org/membership to become a member today!
Countdown: 25 Reasons to Support Georgia Organics in 2022!
Starting on Nov. 1st, we took to social media with 25 Reasons to Support Georgia Organics. Our goal? To raise $150,000 for our 25th Anniversary “From the Ground Up” Campaign.
We’re thrilled to announce we have just surpassed our goal! Congratulations and thank you to you, our outstanding community, for your support!
The good news about reaching our goal is that any additional funds we raise between now and Dec. 31st will supercharge our efforts to grow farmer prosperity.
There are just three days left of this campaign, so if you haven't made a contribution yet, this is your last chance to give!
Make a 25th Anniversary donation and invest in our future... from the ground up!
Here are 25 great reasons TO join us.
#25 The answer is in the soil.
We work with farmers who prioritize soil-focused stewardship. These farmers abandon synthetic herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizers - all to better care for the land, the water, and our air.
#24 Everything we do works toward farmer prosperity.
Our Farmer Services team provides organic farmers with one-on-one support, resources, group instruction, and deep-dive programs like our Accelerator, Emergency Support, and Healthcare programs. These tailored services help farmers build and maintain strong farm businesses and achieve farmer prosperity.
#23 We further hands-on, farm-to-school education practices.
Photo Credit: Jenna Shea Photography.
With a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we helped students at South Columbus Elementary School team up with a local farmer to learn and practice Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Students dove into planting, growing, harvesting, marketing, and selling produce - all on school grounds. Plus, they planted an orchard of fruit trees and bushes that will last for years to come! What if every school had resources to teach students how to grow their food?
#22 We supply local farmers with localized solutions.
Through the Farmer Accelerator Program and our other Farmer Services, we provided more than 120 hours of one-on-one business coaching and $120,000 in direct investments to farmers in 2022.
#21 We're ready for anything.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, the local food system has been in flux. Because of our networks across industries and sectors, we were able to mobilize several wide-reaching response efforts to the pandemic to stabilize and preserve Georgia's food system: from providing farmers who lost markets with direct investments, to supporting farmers pivoting to online sales, to Food Fight GA—which provided weekly farm-fresh produce boxes to unemployed restaurant workers.
#20 We make puns with a purpose.
At Georgia Organics, we’re investing in the future...from the ground up. And we’re inviting you to support us from the GROUNDS up with Café Campesino! Throughout November and December, Café Campesino will donate $1.85 for each bag sold directly to Georgia Organics. Check out our celebratory 25th Anniversary packaging and order yours today!
#19 Because Spinach to Win It!
Wait, because Spinach to Win It? Yes! Spinach to Win It! This year, we reached more than 700,000 youth in this October’s Spinach to Win It! #FarmtoSchoolMonth Campaign. We even provided mini-grants to outstanding school projects to achieve their farm-to-school goals.
#18 We build farmer allies (part 1).
In 2022, we expanded the Farmer Champion program which incentivizes local and organic purchasing by culinary professionals to include 45 restaurants, bakeries, butcheries, caterers, early care centers, and pop-ups across six cities in Georgia.
#17 We build farmer allies (part 2).
In 2022, we announced our intent to delve more deeply into our role in farmer advocacy. We sought feedback from more than 1,000 farmers to inform our Farmer Advocacy platform. We look forward to sharing more about our plans with farmers, partners, and agricultural policymakers.
#16 The amazing Georgia Organics team!
What started as a one-person office in a church basement has grown into a dynamic, 17-person team with a 20-member board of passionate individuals dedicated to a positive food future.
#15 We mobilize the community.
Georgia Organics is powered by thousands of members, volunteers, and partners. They support us by attending and leading educational events, sharing information, advocating, and so much more. Wholeheartedly, they answer the call to participate and invest in the local food movement.
Photo Credit: M.F. Espinoza.
#14 We bring farmers together.
Through our annual Conference & Expo, Farmer Field Days, Farmer Mixers and other events, Georgia Organics provides a platform for farmers to share information and resources, mentor and learn from each other, and build community.
#13 We can help you plan a casual date night that gives back to community!
This Tuesday, November 29, take your date to Farm Burger to celebrate #GAgivesDay! ALL Georgia locations ALL day will donate 10 percent of sales directly to Georgia Organics. You could say they're really moooo-ving us closer to our year-end goal! Thank you, Farm Burger, for investing in our future… from the ground up!
#12 Because it’s #GAgivesDay!
What a great day to SUPPORT FARMERS! We know that healthy farmers are the cornerstone of healthy communities. They heal the earth, increase food access across the state, and sustain life. From the soil itself — living and breathing — to the plants, the people, and everything in between.
#11 To be a part of a generous and passionate community!
Last Tuesday was #GAgivesDay 2022, and you all showed up by donating more than $15,000, making it an extraordinary day as we climb closer to our overall year-end goal as part of our 25th Anniversary “From the Ground Up” Campaign!
#10 “Without good solid healthcare, then the sustainable farm, I don’t think exists.” - Farmers Chris & Jenny Jackson, Farmer Members
In 2022, we enrolled eight new farmers for FREE Gold Level Health Insurance through the Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program.
#9 The answer is in the soil (part 2).
Georgia Organics invests in farmers so that inch by inch, the soil gets the care it needs. We support these farmers so that they can grow in a way that heals the earth, increases food access across the state, and sustains biodiversity and life, from the soil itself (which is living and breathing!), to the plants, the people, and everything in-between.
#8 To break bread with inspiring legends and leaders of our movement.
On December 10, we hosted renowned chef, cookbook author, and food activist, Alice Waters for a 25th Anniversary Dinner for 68 guests prepared by some of our favorite chefs. This six-course dinner turned into a community salon, with a passionate conversation unfolding about the future of our food movement.
#7 Gifts made between now and Dec. 31st will go twice as far!
We have an anonymous donor who just pledged to match all gifts made between now and midnight on Dec. 31st up to $15,000. Donate now and your gift will be supercharged toward our goal!
#6 We honor the contributions of our land stewards.
Each year, we offer awards to outstanding members of the food and farming community in three categories: the Land Steward Award, the Barbara Petit Pollinator Award, and the Farmer Champion awards. Land Steward and Pollinator Award winners are nominated by the general public and voted on by our Board and Governance Committee. Together, we can continue to uplift the strong work of our soil stewards and champions!
#5 Georgia’s land needs stewards like never before.
Every day, Georgia’s land, growers, and communities stand at the mercy of ongoing and increasing environmental pressures, social and economic gaps, and barriers to access. Deeply entrenched agricultural practices and policies make these challenges worse, further degrading the soil and access to land and food. Meanwhile, the champions in our local food system work daily to stem this tide. They make sacrifices to prioritize soil and community health. They lead the way, showing us that it is possible to build a future in which Georgia’s food is produced accessibly, equitably, and sustainably by thriving community farmers.
#4 Conference is back, baby!
After a two-year hiatus, we’re thrilled to have the chance to come together for our cornerstone annual gathering featuring keynote speaker, farmer and community activist, Karen Washington. For three days, farmers, community advocates, educators, equity activists, and climate leaders will connect, learn new skills, and generate fresh ideas to foster a healthy and sustainable food system. Get your tickets for the 2023 Conference and Expo today!
#3 Our brand new Farmer Apprenticeship Program.
In fall 2022, more than 20 beginning farmers applied for an apprenticeship to learn regenerative farming and sustainable business practices from established organic farmers. This program creates a pipeline for new and beginning farmers while supporting a cohort of farm hosts as they increase their business capacity. We look forward to selecting nine top candidates to launch into their work in early 2023!
#2 Our history.
We’ve been at it for 25 years. With your support, we've grown the number of organic farmers and acres. We've instigated, cajoled, and convened. We've been a centering rock on which new local food organizations and coalitions have found their footing. What started as a one-person office in a church basement has grown into a dynamic 15-person team with a 20-member board and a network of farmers, partners, and allies dedicated to a positive food future.
The #1 Reason to support Georgia Organics: Our future.
Photo Credit: Kayla Williams.
With 25 years under our belt, we’re gearing up for the next 25. We’re investing in our future from the ground up, and we need your support! We believe in a future where Georgia’s food is produced accessibly, equitably, and sustainably by thriving community farmers, and we are centering our work on farmer prosperity to achieve that vision. For 25 year past and 25 years to come, if you invest in farmers who are investing in the soil, you’re investing in a more bountiful future for all.
Join us to today. Make a 25th Anniversary donation and invest in our future... from the ground up!
For more information on ways to support Georgia Organics, contact Fundraising Manager, Emmy Carter, at emmy@georgiaorganics.org.
To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit www.georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Instagram@GeorgiaOrganics, Twitter @GeorgiaOrganics, and at Facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics.
Farmer Field Day Recap: Solar Array and Conservations Projects at 3 Porch Farm
By Meg Darnell
Meg Darnell is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics .
Want to know how you can help support our GA farmers? Building resiliency against climate change is a great place to start.
Do your part by ensuring your local farmer can supply the community with fresh, local produce and meat. Click here to learn more about The Farmer Fund and how to invest in farmers—when they need it most.
All photos by M.F. Espinoza, Georgia Organics 2022-23 Communications Fellow.
On Oct. 31, 2022, Georgia Organics hosted over 25 participants at 3 Porch Farm in Comer, GA, for a farmer field day.
The event centered on the many benefits of on-farm solar energy and conservation projects for climate change resiliency. Mandy and Steve O'Shea, owners of the farm, jumped right into things. Informed by their experience, they shared how to best source and install solar panels on a farm. The O'Sheas also covered how the USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP) grant and the Federal Tax Credit offset the cost of their solar installation. The farm owners even shared their breakdown of associated costs and savings to detail how farmers in attendance could follow the process.
Mandy and Steve discussed the many conservation projects 3 Porch Farm has implemented with the assistance of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Specifically, we discussed how the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was a valuable resource for the farm. NRCS agent, Bryan Barrett, was also on hand to explain the program and how to apply.
We organized the field day so attendees would leave with the following:
A better understanding of solar-power benefits for a nine-acre, Georgia farm
How this solar-based sustainable operation does/doesn’t translate to their farm
Examples of real on-farm solar projects, funded through the REAP grant
An outline of considerations, costs, challenges, and best practices for installing solar
How to apply for the REAP grant & Federal solar tax credit
Examples of on-farm infrastructure, funded through the EQIP grant
An understanding of EQIP’s High Tunnel Initiative
Knowing if they qualify for EQIP and, if so, what projects to select
An open-ended barn at 3 Porch Farm (Athens, GA). Built by farm owners Mandy and Steve O-Shea, the barn doubles as a covered storage area and solar array system.
We began our field day under an open-sided barn built by Mandy and Steve. The do-it-yourself project was inspired by their desire to cover farm equipment and provide roof space to install a solar array system. Thanks to their ingenuity, we were able to stay out of the rain and take turns introducing ourselves; attendees were primarily farmers — some traveling from hours away.
As the rain let up, we ventured into the fields. There, participants discovered how sustainability is woven into everything Mandy and Steve do at 3 Porch Farm. They discussed their journey of transitioning from selling in-person at farmers markets to selling online and providing nationwide shipping.
They spoke with a climate-science professor who informed them that the carbon footprint of shipping was much lower than they previously thought, so they were able to move past some preconceived notions and pivot their whole business model.
The O’Sheas explained how they choose to ensure the offset of their carbon footprint by using all biodegradable/recyclable packaging and rounding up their mileage, paying 1.5 times in carbon offsets.
Guineafowl (also known as Guinea hen or original fowl) are native to the Western region of Africa and rank among the oldest of the landfowl birds.
Their flock of guinea hens joined us briefly, a pleasant surprise, so Mandy and Steve took the opportunity to explain the fowls’ presence as organic pest control, more specifically, tick eradication. Our hosts explained that the guinea hens allow them and their employees to work in the fields without the stress of contracting tick-borne illnesses. They went on to share their philosophy on employing workers, providing them with a living wage, year-round work, and health benefits to support high employee retention.
The O’Sheas were able to secure installation of their high tunnel systems with funding from an EQIP initiative. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is accessible through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
We meandered on a path through the farm’s different growing fields, stopping next to one of 3 Porch’s many high tunnels made possible through EQIP’s high tunnel initiative. Mandy explained that they added extra trusses and propane heaters with temperature sensors to the tunnels to mitigate damage from snow storms or sudden cold fronts with freezing temperatures.
Bryan Barrett, NRCS agent (pictured far right) attended our Farmer Field Day in Comer, GA. Above, he shares details about EQIP’s struggle to keep up with US economic inflation. Farmer Russell Brydson (pictured far left) of Narrow Way Farm in McDonough, GA shares his experience navigating farm life post-2020.
They explained that the cost of high tunnel additions is offset by the standing protection they offer against chaotic weather. Since a single, sudden storm or cold front has the capability to impact the entire farm, the O’Sheas learned that having year-round protection is essential to crop retention. We spent some time discussing how prices for high tunnels have gone up dramatically in the past ten years. Bryan Barrett, an NRCS agent, joined us and explained that the EQIP program has not increased its cost share accordingly. EQIP reimbursement to farmers approved for the program in 2012 was around 75 percent of the cost. Today, reimbursement rates have dipped to around 50 percent. In light of the increased cost and smaller reimbursement rate, Mandy and Steve remained firm in their positive endorsement of the benefit of high tunnels.
3 Porch Farm’s four-stall compost barn sits amongst a small bamboo forest.
We left the high tunnel and headed to the compost barn, another conservation project that the NRCS supported. The barn helps organize waste, turn it when necessary, and produce quality compost that goes back into their soil, improving its health.
The tour concluded back at their old packing barn, where Steve broke down the cost of their most recent solar energy project, completed in 2019 — totaling a sizable 13kW power supply. They have completed five solar array projects in all, including rooftop panels on the barn, workshop, lumber/tractor shed, and parking structure. This comes to 36.5kw that powers the whole farm, producing twice the amount of energy needed so they can sell power back to the grid at a profit. They explained that between installing the solar themselves, taking advantage of the USDA’s REAP program and the federal tax credit, the return on investment was as little as 1 to 2 years. In addition, they benefit from a 80 percent reduction of their energy bill, plus, the ability to profit from selling the excess energy they produce. You can see the cost analysis from Mandy and Steve O’Shea of 3 Porch Farm below, along with links to all other shared resources from our field day.
Visit georgiaorganics.org to see all of what we do and follow us on social media @georgiaorganics for updates and weekly happenings.
Investing in Our Future From the GROUNDS Up with Café Campesino!
At Georgia Organics, we’re investing in our future from the ground up, and we need your support! Our goal is to raise $150,000 for our From the Ground Up! 25th Anniversary Campaign by the end of 2022.
Luckily, our good friends at Café Campesino have stepped in to help! Throughout November and December, when you buy a pound of Georgia Organics Special Blend Medium Roast Coffee, Café Campesino will donate 10 percent plus a quarter of your online purchase ($1.85) per bag directly to Georgia Organics to support this goal.
Georgia Organics Special Benefit Blend, Medium Roast Coffee - Fair Trade & Organic
The best part? Café Campesino sources beans directly from soil-focused farmers and roasts them locally in Americus, Georgia. I guess you could say that when you purchase our Georgia Organics Blend from Café Campesino, you’re investing in our future... from the GROUNDS up!
Here at Georgia Organics, we love coffee. Okay, it may not be the unanimous #1 beverage of all of our staff, but collectively, it’s at the very top. Especially this year.
It’s our 25th Anniversary, and we’ve been busy celebrating and planning what’s next in our organization’s journey. It’s safe to say, our cups have been fueling some really vital work.
After a two-year hiatus, this year, we dove into hosting in-person events and convenings again. We held a 25th Anniversary Roast & Toast, granting awards to some incredible land stewards in our community. We hosted several Farmer Field Days and launched two new programs, including our pilot Family Farm Share in Waycross and our Farmer Apprenticeship Program (now accepting applications!). We just announced the return of our annual Conference & Expo taking place in February in Perry.
Photos by Coop Coffees
Furthermore, we’ve been thinking long-term. We mapped out and released our brand-new strategic plan designed to increase farmer prosperity and community collaboration while centering racial equity and climate solutions in agriculture.
But here at year’s end, our work is not done. As a matter of fact, movement-building is marathon work, and we’re just hitting our stride. We’re building the resources we need to fulfill the ambitious goals outlined in our strategic plan. So, let’s pour another cup!
Want to deepen your impact? You can contribute to Georgia Organics directly with a gift to the 25th Anniversary Campaign. Make a donation and track the progress toward our goal at georgiaorganics.org/donate.
By supporting Georgia Organics, you are investing in solutions to climate change, food access, and most importantly, the unique and varied challenges faced by organic farmers on the ground and at the forefront of our local food movement.
Cheers to the next 25! May they bring us closer to our vision that all Georgia farmers nurture and heal the land, people and communities.
Farmer Advocacy at Georgia Organics: The Next Commissioner of Agriculture
For the first time in 12 years, Georgians will elect a new commissioner of agriculture this November, with three candidates vying for the position that oversees, regulates, or assists with dozens of crucial aspects of the food and farming system in Georgia. Agriculture is the state’s leading industry, generating $74 billion in economic activity each year.
Recognizing this historic moment, and the lack of attention this important race typically garners, Georgia Organics invited all three candidates to tour a certified organic farm, get to know the organization and the local and organic food movement, and speak with five certified organic farmers.
The Democratic and Republican candidates both accepted this invitation, and agreed to allow Georgia Organics to publish the answers to a series of questions so that our constituents could have a better understanding of their stances on issues important to our growers and members.
Democratic candidate Nakita Hemingway met with us on Oct. 3, 2022, and Republican candidate Tyler Harper met with us on Oct. 7, 2022. The Libertarian candidate David Raudabaugh was invited to answer the same questions on two occasions through a portal on his campaign’s website and has yet to reply. If he does, we will promote his answers as well.
To learn more about Georgia Organics’ Farmer Advocacy work, visit georgiaorganics.org/advocacy.
From left to right, Demetrius Milling, Russell Honderd, Joe Reynolds, Monica Ponce, Nakita Hemingway, and Daryll Bartolome.
From left to right, Russell Honderd, Joe Reynolds, Tyler Harper, Monica Ponce, Judith Winfrey, Georgia Organics President and CEO Alice Rolls, Matthew Agvent, and Demitrius Milling.
To learn more about our Farmer Advocacy work, visit georgiaorganics.org/advocacy and sign up for our email newsletter, The Dirt, for updates at bit.ly/thedirtsignup.
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What do you think is the most important trend in agriculture affecting Georgia farmers right now?
There are a number of issues currently impacting our industry.
Agricultural land loss and access to land/capital is a significant issue. We are losing agricultural land every day, and that’s a significant loss to Georgia farmers. Right now, Georgia is projected to lose as much as 800,000 acres of agricultural land by 2040. Protecting Georgia’s Ag land is vitally important to the success of our industry. We also need to find ways to increase access to capital for our new and beginning farmers.
Input costs & inflation are putting a squeeze on all farmers and not just commodity farmers. I feel it on my own operation every day. This year the USDA forecasts a 5 percent decline in farm revenue, and there’s been a 50 percent decline in farm revenues over the past 20 years. We need to work on a way to get the retail dollars back to the farmer.
Labor is a significant issue. It’s in the top five if not the number one issue in agriculture today. A viable labor force is vital and that’s a really heavy problem in Georgia.
What do you think organic farmers in Georgia need from the Department of Agriculture?
Organic agriculture plays a vital part of agriculture in Georgia. Organic farmers need the same resources any farmer can expect from the department, and that is that we are partner in that farm’s success. It is vital for the department to ensure all of agriculture in Georgia is successful, and organic agriculture is a part of Georgia agriculture. The department can be and should be vitally important partner for Georgia’s organic farmers and groups like the Georgia Organic Peanut Association as they are getting their feet under them.
The Georgia Development Authority, which is chaired by the commissioner of agriculture, can support organizations like GOPA and Georgia Organics through financing, education, partnerships, and marketing. We can also work with the University System of Georgia and Georgia Technical College System on partnerships for research.
At the end of the day, I want to be a partner in making sure your operation is as successful as it can be.
What role if any do you think the GDA should have in dealing with climate change?
At the end of the day, the climate is always changing and the department can and should do things to allow agriculture be successful with climate change. Farmers have always and still deal with issues and forces outside of their control. Certain crops grow here now that we couldn’t grow before. Satsumas are grown in South Georgia now. It’s neat to see that. As the commissioner of agriculture, we are working to ensure the right resources are available for farmers related to climate change, from a resource and regulatory standpoint, the department can ensure Georgia farmers have access and are allowed to deal with a changing climate.
Soil health was identified as the number one issue our farmers care about. What does soil health mean to you, and how can the GDA better support farmers who are working towards improved soil health?
If you don’t take care of the land, the land won’t take care of you. If you don’t have proper soil health, you’ll see declining soil health, declining yields, and declining crop viability. Soil health allows you to grow crops, to grow a product.
Utilizing organic matter is important on my farm. We utilize peanut hay and chicken manure to improve soil health on my farm. Looking after soil health is ensuring you are taking care of your farm. The department partners with education and research institutions and everyday they are working on soil health at the different research plots across the state. If we are not working on soil health every day as farmers, we won’t be very successful on our farms.
What’s the most important function or program at the department you want to improve?
The most important program at the department is the Georgia Grown program and the most important role of the department is ensuring that Georgia’s food supply is safe, reliable, and secure. At the end of the day, the department needs to get resources from the General Assembly to make sure our food supply is safe, secure, and reliable. Having served in the Senate the 10 years, I’ve built strong relationships with bipartisan members of the General Assembly and Governor Kemp, and I’ll be able to make sure the department has the resources necessary to achieve this goal.
Georgia farmers are more efficient and more productive than they’ve ever been. Yet, hunger and farmer stress are both at all-time highs. What’s the solution for this paradox?
True. Mental health & farmer stress are significant issues in agriculture in Georgia and across the nation. I know that happens to me sometimes at my farm. University of Georgia held a farmer stress summit earlier this year and they are partnering with County Extension Services to connect farmers with local healthcare providers and nonprofits. We can tap into that extension that is present is every single county in Georgia to get farmers those needed resources.
On the hunger side, it is also a significant concern. In the legislature I was proud to work with the Governor to create and deliver funding for the Farm To Foodbank Program. Through this program we were able to get $800,000 in the state budget for foodbanks to purchase local produce that was not going to grocery stores. You know, 40 percent of the produce grown in Georgia doesn’t make it to market. So this program allows foodbanks to negotiate a price, buy from farmers, and get produce to the foodbank. Partnerships with foodbanks, religious institutions, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture will help us fight food insecurity and hunger in our state. That’s is really connecting farm to table and that is what the department can do.
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What do you think is the most important trend in agriculture affecting Georgia farmers right now?
In a positive way, I believe 2020 really helped people connect the dots to just how insecure our food system really is, and how vulnerable we are to just supply chain shocks. The way that we respond has been phenomenal. I will admit a lot of people probably never even looked at my face on Facebook, but I've been in all of these gardening groups. I'm the person who they could have sworn was a 70-year-old lady giving everyone advice on how to cultivate tomatoes in your backyard for the first time.
There is this thirst for knowledge and connectedness around our food and where it comes from and how we can be a part of that, that I believe it's a profound opportunity for us to expand upon that curiosity and grow the next generation of farmers and build out what those support systems look like. You guys, by your own admission, you went to technical colleges to learn this because you didn't want to go through an entire four-year curriculum just to get the essentials in order for you to be efficient in this new love of yours. I don't even consider it a passion or identity or a job because to farm you must love it or be born in it and trapped in it.
That's one aspect. The negative aspect is the lack of control over the marketplaces and the opportunities in this space. We have policies that on surface they say, "This is essential to protect society, to make sure that marketplace is free, fair, equitable for everyone," but we know it's not equitable for everyone. How do we think differently about the end game goal, which is to get more of Georgia-grown foods on the tables of families and get more money in the pockets of farmers?
For me, when I'm travelling throughout the state and I'm talking to some of the more rural farmers who don't have as much access as even you guys do, their number one question is, "How are you going to get my foods on the shelves of the grocery stores?" I tell them, "I'm not, but this is what I'm going to do." Reality is you've got to be able to scale to produce in order to get the products on the grocery stores. Then there's that extra layer of, you're selling this wholesale to them at the prices they've determined. There's no negotiating because they have all the power.
That's now cutting into your profit margins and your end-dollar is smaller. What if we built more farmers' markets? What if we create more digital opportunities for people to know about you and build more agritourism regulations so that you have a tourism component where people are coming to tour your farm, see your operation? You're making more of your money. You're becoming more self-sustaining in your business practice. At the end of the day, that's what you really want.
Then in about 5 years when the grocery stores are not as profitable, they'll come back and they'll want to renegotiate terms. Guess who has all the power? You do. Then you can negotiate terms that are more favorable for you. That's how we shift the narrative. We can't operate from a space of weakness when we're trying to negotiate deals. We've got to take some bold steps, so we can shift that power structure to where we are winning in the end.
What do you think organic farmers in Georgia need from the Department of Agriculture?
Support. When you made that apparent that that need is not there, and it is something that we need to incorporate, it's not just having somebody sit in that seat and champion those ideas, we need a whole educational component behind it.
I do understand Georgia Organics has their system, but I do believe there's power and redundancy as well. That's what I'm looking at. Then it is how can we build community around this. It can't be so stoic that it's just government and private. There needs to be community support around that so that it's organic in its adaptation.
What role, if any, do you think the Georgia Department of Agriculture should have in dealing with climate change?
I think we can do a lot. The sunflowers you're growing, there's sequestering. They can remove heavy metals and toxins out of the soil. If you do the research and you look at Chernobyl, that was one of the two crops they planted. The other was cannabis and hemp to try and remove some of the radiation. I believe it's about education and educating growers on companion planning. I wouldn't say commodity farming doesn't have its value because everything has a value, but I do want to lean in more to how can we add crop rotation or companion planning so that we use less toxins in the soil.
We do it a lot with our cut flowers, so we know which flowers that we can grow next to each other because they're going to take care of, much like what you guys do with your vegetables, that they're going to take care of each other. There's been a lot of research in the use of chrysanthemum oil and what it can do for pesticides, but also for human beings too, for figure. I believe agriculture can do a lot. There are emerging opportunities in agriculture structure as carbon farming, which is selling carbon credits to corporations by types of farming. We don't have a system for that here in Georgia. It is a new opportunity.
I definitely want to look into that. Also going back to the Hemp cannabis conversation, let's look at it from beyond where everyone likes to take the conversation into medicinal versus the psychedelic attributes of it. Let's look at it from the environmental aspect of this as well. Then one day I would love to be able to get in zoning codes where you're not tied into the grid, and you can have solar or hydro-powered facilities because I think that's impactful. You can't do that yet in Georgia. As a matter of fact, they just passed a bill, if not this term, last term, where certain parts of South Georgia must be tied into a grid. They don't have an option.
Soil health was identified as the number one issue our farmers care about. What does soil health mean to you, and how can the GDA better support farmers who are working towards improved soil health?
There is a direct relationship between the global erosion of topsoil and global warming. Also, when we talk about locally grown agriculture, we don't speak about it from the components, the aspect of climate change. In the cut flower industry in the United States in the 1990s, they created the Andes Free Trade Agreement or Fair Trade Agreement, which incentivize Columbian and cocaine farmers. Columbian and Ecuadorian cocaine farmers to turn their farms into cut flower farms. Because of that all of the cut flower farms disappeared overnight, which is why we import over 80% of our flowers.
They come mostly from South America, Africa. We get some from Europe, like Holland, different places like that. In this, they did a study and they found that, and by the way, Memorial Day is the day in which people consume the most flowers, not Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. They found in 2019 that we imported 141 million blooms. Now we're importing flowers every single day but 2019 on Valentine's Day, 141 million roses. That was the equivalent of 78,000 cars being on the road for an entire year. We're importing flowers every single day. When we lean into locally grown, that reduces the carbon footprint because we're not importing and exporting as much.
What's the most important function or program at the department that you want to improve?
Efficiency. I don't believe the office is running efficiently. There is a lot of waste in terms of dollars and efforts. There is a high churn rate with staffing. It's very difficult for this department to match private dollars in terms of salary and compensation for workers. Veterinarians and our shelters are overrun and they lack resources. The list is long. Pet breeding is a huge issue here in Georgia, and anyone can breed a pet.
If the Department of Agriculture actually started charging a fee, that's revenue, a licensing fee to breeders, that's revenue for the Department of Agriculture, which means more resources for farmers, more efficiency. It's just those things is finding where we are not running in an efficient way, peeling back those layers. I'm just going to be honest with you, cleaning house because there are a lot of people who are there who have no desire to do what is required of the job and attracting and retaining the best talent. Honestly, it's a very long list of things that need to be done, but it can be done.
Georgia farmers are more efficient and more productive than they've ever been, yet hunger and farmer stress are both at all-time highs. What's the solution for this paradox?
The solution is you build out farmer support systems because suicide rates amongst farmers are the highest per profession. You find out where they're losing. For me, it is why is this so high? When I talk to you guys about interest rates or mortgage, that financial, when you're spending so much to run an operation that's making so little, this is a tie to your identity. It's not just a business where you can just say, "Okay, I'm done. I walk away from this."
Farming is everything for most people who are in it. Having resources for mental health going to be very important. Building community within those communities so that when you're going to the Department of Agriculture, you're not speaking to some stranger. You're speaking to your neighbor or a friend down the street because they work in that department and they live in that community.
It's also listening. I have my ideas about what I want to change, but it's like the comment you made about, "Well if we bring in cannabis to him, this is going to impact rental rates." Now you're bringing to me the problems you are seeing. Now, this is something new I add to my ever-never-ending list of, "Okay, so this is what we got to work on," and as when you told me we need a branch that focuses on organic farming. "Okay, so now we've added this to the list."
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Additional Resources
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Harper, Hemingway Vie to Bring New Leadership to State’s Ag Dept.
Tyler Harper’s campaign website
Nakita Hemingway’s campaign website
David Raudabaugh’s campaign website
The Atlanta Press Club’s Ag Commissioner debate video.
https://youtu.be/B4e4YWEwLU0
The role of the Georgia Department of Agriculture
Methodology
Georgia Organics went to extensive efforts to be as fair and transparent with all candidates as possible.
Both the Republican and Democratic candidates toured the Love is Love Cooperative Farm in Mansfield, Ga., and met with Georgia Organics President and CEO Alice Rolls to learn more about the state of organic agriculture in Georgia. The candidates also met with the five farm owners and workers at the Love is Love Cooperative Farm.
Love is Love Cooperative Farm was selected as the host farm because of its relative proximity to Atlanta, which was important to both candidates, and because its ownership structure allowed candidates to meet with five farmers at one location.
The questions we asked the candidates were compiled by Georgia Organics and expanded upon by the farmers present during the conversations, and former Georgia Organics board chair Joe Reynolds asked the candidates the questions. Hemingway agreed to be recorded during this part of the conversation. Harper did answer all of our questions in the meeting, and allowed us to take notes of his answers, but did not allow us to record the conversation. Georgia Organics sent the notes on Harper’s answers to his campaign staff, and returned them to us for publication with only minor edits.
Georgia Organics also sent a transcript of Hemingway’s answers to her campaign and allowed them to edit her questions, if desired. Hemingway did not edit her answers.
The answers shown in this package accurately reflect the conversations between the candidates, the farmers, and Georgia Organics.