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.