Food and stories connect us aLL
The Dirt highlights the incredible farmers and people at the center of Georgia Organics’ work. Here, you’ll find the latest about our programs and partners in advancing organic and sustainable farming practices, school and early care nutrition, food service, farmer advocacy, and community food access across Georgia. Dig in and explore the stories that connect us all through food.
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Last September 2025, 262 farmers, business leaders, and policymakers from across the US came together in Washington, DC for the Organic Trade annual Organic Trade Week to talk policy, organic branding around certification, equitable farm labor, and the urgency of strengthening organic infrastructure and the domestic organic supply chain.
Georgia Organics’ Director of Programs, Lauren Cox, and Farmer Services Specialist, Kimberly Koogler, attended the event.
Here’s what stood out most—and what matters for your farm heading into 2026.
The 2024 Barbara Petit Pollinator Award Winner is Cashawn Myers, cofounder and Executive Director of Helping Africans By Establishing Schools and Homes Abroad (HABESHA) INC. for his impactful work in promoting sustainable agriculture through education and advocacy.
The winner of the 2024 Land Steward Award is Julia Asherman, owner and operator of Rag & Frass Farm, who we are thrilled to recognize for her steadfast commitment to organic farming and soil conservation. Her Certified Organic farm is celebrated for its diverse offerings including heirloom seed production, specialty watermelon, cut flowers, and sugarcane syrup. Through innovation and dedication, Asherman has become a model for sustainable farming in Georgia.
From February 4-6, the SOWTH 2025 Conference welcomed over 1000 food system producers and advocates and leaders from across the Southern United States and territories were brought together for the first of its kind meeting!
"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.”
On July 1, 2024, Georgia Organics hosted an Organic Growers Farmer Field Day at Oxford College Farm of Emory in Oxford, GA. This Farmer Field Day explored soil health and organic pesticide preparation and application.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Killer Tomato events! Between our pop-up farmers market and the 13th annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival (AKTF), this year’s tomato season was one for the books.
The Winter Farmer Series consisted of in-person networking and educational events hosted at farms across Georgia in February and March. These farmer field days took place in lieu of the annual Georgia Organics Conference & Expo, which has evolved to engage regenerative farm and food advocates across the U.S. Southeastern region under the moniker “SOWTH.”
These garden projects will cultivate healthier, lifelong eating habits by enhancing student’s learning experience and raising awareness about the benefits of locally grown foods.
FARMER SERVICES
On July 1, 2024, Georgia Organics hosted an Organic Growers Farmer Field Day at Oxford College Farm of Emory in Oxford, GA. This Farmer Field Day explored soil health and organic pesticide preparation and application.
The Winter Farmer Series consisted of in-person networking and educational events hosted at farms across Georgia in February and March. These farmer field days took place in lieu of the annual Georgia Organics Conference & Expo, which has evolved to engage regenerative farm and food advocates across the U.S. Southeastern region under the moniker “SOWTH.”
On February 19, 2024, Georgia Organics kicked off the Winter Farmer Series with a Collective Organic Purchasing and Accessing Organic Markets Organic Growers Farmer Field Day in Keysville, Georgia. This Farmer Field Day, in particular, highlighted the strength that collective farming and selling models have in accessing more markets.
Georgia Organics hosts a series of educational workshops, Organic Growers Farmer Field Days (OGFFDs), as part of the Farmer Services GO Organic! program to provide a portfolio of services geared specifically towards transitioning and Certified Organic farmers.
This Farmer Field Day, attendees gathered at Bread and Butter Farms in Sparta, GA, to learn about diagnosing engine problems and indulge in some southern style farm-fresh eats at Harvest Kitchen and Market.
In May 2023, Georgia Organics launched the Apprenticeship Program, which paired Farm Apprentices with experienced Farm Hosts for a 10-week on-farm intensive, delivering fundamental knowledge of farm management and covering operations both in and out of the field.
![[Edited]📷A soggy, informative Farmer Field Day at 3 Porch Farm (@3porchfarm) of Comer, GA. Photo by M.F. Espinoza (@healianthusfarms). - Edited.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d8cf3beabba6673963f6741/ef031f9b-3c60-443e-a616-ffd2fc6a7841/%5BEdited%5D%F0%9F%93%B7A+soggy%2C+informative+Farmer+Field+Day+at+3+Porch+Farm+%28%403porchfarm%29+of+Comer%2C+GA.+Photo+by+M.F.+Espinoza+%28%40healianthusfarms%29.+-+Edited.png)
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
These garden projects will cultivate healthier, lifelong eating habits by enhancing student’s learning experience and raising awareness about the benefits of locally grown foods.
Registration is open through April 18, 2024, for this summer course that teaches educators to grow successful school garden programs!
The 2024 Farm to School Innovation Mini Grant program is underway, and we are excited to start sharing some of the wonderful work that awarded school districts have been up to!
This year’s October Farm to School Month theme is Par-SLAY the Day, and we know cafeterias and classrooms will be killing it with the bright, bold flavor of parsley.
Pepper Palooza was a state-wide campaign to get kids eating, growing, and participating in pepper-themed activities, and because of your participation and support, it did!
By Michelle Gambon
Michelle Gambon is an educator, the Founder of Community Sprouts, and the Owner of Go Grow Enviro.
Check out our list of wonderful Georgia farms that you can support by pickin’ up some tasty, high-quality peppers.
We have some spicy spoilers up ahead! We’re sharing some planting tips to help you get a head start on October Farm to School Month 2023.
FARMER CHAMPION
We're thrilled to share that in 2024, our Farmer Champion program is expanding to colleges and universities.
For the third year in a row, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on our six Farmer Champion Award Winners!
FARMER ADVOCACY
Ever since the Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2023, federal programming for U.S. farmers has been reauthorized in temporary and short-term ways. This has left many farmers and ranchers feeling fraught about federal support, especially programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and funded through the Farm Bill.
THE ATLANTA FOODCAST
Want more stories?
Browse archived episodes of The Atlanta Foodcast, Georgia Organics’ Atlanta-based, Georgia-wide podcast featuring farmers, chefs, and food leaders making Georgia more regenerative, equitable, and delicious.
