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!

Farmer Field Day Recap: Accelerator Networking Event – Welcoming the 2022-2024 Cohort!

By Lydia Hsu 

Lydia Hsu is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics 

Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, started as a cloudy, drizzly morning as over 25 attendees pulled up to Hearts of Harvest Farm, located in Arnoldsville, GA. Farmers traveled from across the state to convene at this diversified vegetable, flower, and mushroom farm run by Paul and Lindsey Sorah, 2020-2021 Accelerator alumni.  

The Field Day served as a networking event to welcome the 2022-2024 Accelerator cohort and provided the farmers with an opportunity to meet each other, connect with several alumni, get to know their program coaches, and put faces to the names of the Farmer Services team.  

Daniel Sweeney, a Seven Springs Farm Supply Crop Adviser, shares soil health and fertility knowledge at Hearts of Harvest Farm. Photo by M.F. Espinoza (@healianthusfarms)

The day started off at Hearts of Harvest’s home location, and the alumni farmers shared their Accelerator program experiences and insight, while the new farmers had the chance to talk about their hopes and goals for the program. As the drizzle turned into rain, the group left the cover of the tents, and we toured Hearts of Harvest Farm. Attendees were able to learn how Hearts of Harvest utilized their Accelerator capital investment funding to revamp a wooden structure on their property into a mushroom house. Growing mushrooms now provides them with a revenue stream through the winter months and allows them to retain employees with minimal turnover before the growing season – a game changer.  

After learning more about how the farm applied their Accelerator program funding, including shade cloth, market bins, and microgreen trays, the tour wrapped up and the group drove to the new, secondary farm location Hearts of Harvest just recently acquired. This expanded acreage will allow them to divide the two properties between flower-focused production and produce-focused growing space. 

Accelerator Farmers learn about the mushroom house at Hearts of Harvest Farm. Photo by M.F. Espinoza (@healianthusfarms)

In addition to receiving strategic capital investment funds to put towards their farm’s infrastructure, the new cohort receives funding specifically designated for working with coaches to further advance their short and long-term goals for their farm business. Accelerator program coaches spoke about their areas of expertise and the coaching services they could provide to the new cohort, ranging from food safety plans to legal guidance and everything in between. As an aspect of a newly formed partnership between Georgia Organics and Seven Springs Farm Supply, one of Seven Spring’s Crop Advisers, Daniel Sweeney, will be an Accelerator coach for the 2022-2024 cohort, focusing on soil health, fertility, and integrated-pest management.  

Inside the Farm Home at Hearts of Harvest Farm. Photo by Lydia Hsu

To finish out the Farmer Field Day, the new cohort of Accelerator farmers separated into breakout groups and met with the coaches and Farmer Services case managers to talk more in-depth about the year ahead.  

Despite the rain and dreary weather, the Field Day was filled with rich conversations, joyful connections, and invaluable community building between farmers. To cap the day, attendees shared a hearty meal together from Farmer Champion Farm Burger in Athens, GA, provided for by a gracious donation from Seven Springs Farm Supply. 

The Farmer Services team is excited to jump into the new year and start working with these seven, awesome 2022-2024 Accelerator farmers. So, without further ado, here is our newest Accelerator class!

• Crossroad Farm and Garden (Facebook, Instagram) | Andrew Douglas | Alma, GA 

• Gannon Organics (Facebook, Instagram) | Brendan Gannon | Savannah, GA 

• High Hog Farm (Facebook, Instagram) | Keisha and Warren Cameron | Grayson, GA 

• Phoenix Gardens (Facebook) | Gwendolyn and Brennan Washington | Lawrenceville, GA 

• PolyCulture Production at Gaia Garden (Instagram) | Stephanie Simmons | Decatur, GA 

• Rodgers Greens and Roots Organic Farm (Facebook, Instagram) | Ashley Rodgers | Douglasville, GA 

• Snapfinger Farm (Facebook, Instagram) | Rahul Anand | Covington, GA  

Accelerator Coaches, Case Managers, and Farmers mingle at Hearts of Harvest Farm. Photo by M.F. Espinoza (@healianthusfarms)

Learn more about the Georgia Organics Accelerator Program by visiting our website at farmerservices.georgiaorganics.org/accelerator.  

To learn more about Hearts of Harvest Farm, visit www.heartsofharvestfarm.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @heartsofharvestfarm. 

Find out more about Seven Springs Farm Supply by visiting www.sevenspringsfarmsupply.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @sevenspringsfarmsupply. 

Farmer Field Day Recap of Tractor Implements, Soil Health, and Wash Stations at Bugg Farm

By Ain Chiké 

Ain Chiké is a Georgia Organics Farmer Services Coordinator 

ACCELERATOR PROGRAM: 2022-2023 Accelerator applications are LIVE from August 1- September 12. Learn more about the year and a half long program and how you can qualify and apply here.   

Addis Bugg, Jr. and Addis Bugg, Sr. Photo Credit: The Common Market   

Last month on a warm Monday morning, the Georgia Organics Farmer Services team and about 10 farmers visited Bugg Farm in Pine Mountain, GA, to witness tractor implements in action and view the newly constructed wash station. During our stay, we learned about resting fields, considerations for building a wash station, weening cattle, and how the Georgia Organics Accelerator Program benefited Addis Bugg’s farm operations.  

Our day began with our gracious host and 2021-2022 Accelerator farmer Addis Bugg taking the attendees on a tractor-pulled hayride tour around the farm.  We gazed upon peach trees and muscadine vines sitting heavy with ripening fruit. Participants learned about the rich legacy of Bugg farm, of which Addis is the fifth generation to inherit and work the land. At one stop, Addis showcased the sabbatical field covered in bright green clover. 

Soil is a farm’s most valuable asset, and when we allow the soil to rest, it gives the Earth time to replenish nutrients that are leeched throughout a crop‘s development. Cover cropping fallow fields restores nitrogen, aids carbon sequestering, reduces erosion, and keeps pests at bay.  

Wash station BEFORE.

Wash station AFTER. photo Cred: Addis Bugg  

Our tour concluded at the newly built wash station partially funded through the Georgia Organics Accelerator Program. As we looked around the large, covered area, Addis mentioned his considerations before erecting the structure. Not wanting to build in a space where bacteria from uphill could wash downward, he noted how water flowed on the farm. A concrete base and roofing keeps water from pooling and floors from becoming slippery.

Every farm is unique, so here are some key points to consider for constructing a wash station:  

• Do the components and design adhere to grant or certification requirements?  

• What are the pros and cons of wooden, plastic, or steel materials? 

• Where is the wash station in relation to the field and storage areas? 

• What kind of flooring is best for my operation? Grass, gravel, or concrete? 

• What is financially feasible for my farm and how much will I expand over the next 5-10 years Will the wash station become too small very quickly? 

• How will I keep the area clean and free of standing water? 

• Where does rainwater runoff go after a storm?  

• Where is the sun and therefore heat, in relation to where I’ll be washing and packing produce?  

• How can I streamline my set-up to work as quickly and efficiently as possible so that produce moves quickly from the field to the wash station and into the cooler? 

• How can I keep things like bins and harvest crates off the ground at all times? 

• Will I need a designated washing space for ‘dirtier’ root crops like turnips, radishes, or potatoes? 

In the final hour of our stay, Addis happily demonstrated the capabilities and usefulness of his new tiller attachment purchased with the funding granted to Accelerator farmers. Part of knowing which new farm tools to invest in came through the guidance of Georgia Organics’ Farm Services Director, Lauren Cox. Using educational material and a guided exercise, Addis and Lauren assessed three crops for profitability and prioritized tool purchases based on their findings. “I was breaking ground with an ancient harrow that I had to grease up every three rounds. This new tiller has helped out SO much.” As we stood by and watched Addis partially till a row, it was easy to see why he was grateful for the equipment.  

TRACTOR IMPLEMENTS: Learn more about choosing and using tractor implements with this great resource from Vern Grubinger, Sustainable Vegetable Production: From Startup to Market (PDF pages 103-111) 

IMPLEMENT MAINTAINANCE: Consistent maintenance is important when it comes to extending the life and quality of your tractor implements. Check out this maintenance log template for recording scheduled cleaning, etc.  

ACCELERATOR PROGRAM: 2022-2023 Accelerator applications are LIVE from August 1- September 12. Learn more about the year and a half long program and how you can qualify and apply here.   

Last but not least, click to learn more about Bugg Farm visit their webpage or follow Bugg Family Farm on Facebook. 

To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Instagram @GeorgiaOrganics, Twitter @GeorgiaOrganics, and at www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics. 

Accelerator Farmer Addis Bugg, July 18 Farmer Field Day

By Meg Darnell

Meg Darnell is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics 

Join us for a Farmer Field Day at Bugg Farm (Pine Mountain) on Monday, July 18. Register by Friday, July 15 at 6:00 p.m.!

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“Welcome to Bugg Farm where the sun shines brighter than anywhere else in the world.”

So it reads on the homepage of buggfarm.com. And after visiting their farm, where Addis grows produce and raises cattle on land that’s been in the family since 1874, it's hard to argue with that claim, it is indeed a special place. So special in fact, they were one of the ten farms chosen for our most recent Accelerator Program cohort.

We spoke with Addis Bugg Sr., owner and operator of Bugg Farm, about the rich history of his property and he shares his experience with the Farmer Services team’s Accelerator Program.

Learn more about the Accelerator program here. To meet the 2021-2022 Farmer Accelerator Cohort, read our blog post on The Dirt. You can also read about launching the Accelerator program in 2020 here.

Addis Bugg, Sr., all photos courtesy of Bugg Farm.

Below is our Q&A with Addis:

Greetings Addis! Thanks for taking the time to connect with us! First and foremost, can you give us an overview of the different iterations of this property over the years?

Well, that’s a long time, so I’ll just say I’m a fifth-generation farmer. It started with T.J. Bugg who started farming as a slave and when he was freed, he started buying up land any time he could. He built a church, was a pastor, built a school, and continued to buy land. I think he ended up with about 1000 acres.

And each generation one of the many children born into each family would continue to farm. My father, Cornelius Bugg, grew soybeans, sweet corn, field corn, peas, and all sorts of things.

Out of my dad’s five children, I seemed to be the only one who wanted to farm the land, so I grew up farming with my dad, but was recruited by the Marine Corp and did that until I retired in 2008. I worked in the civilian sector from 2008 to 2015 and then returned home to start a farm at the family property.

 What was starting a farm like for you?

I really hit the ground running. We got in contact with the NRCS and they helped us with a lot of infrastructure. We got a well, drip irrigation, a high tunnel, and a water pad for the cows.

From there, we heard about Georgia Organics and attended the conference in Columbus and then another in Augusta.

All the press we’ve gotten over the years has just been word of mouth; we never seek anything out. It seemed like, whatever I was doing on the farm, the word was getting around.

Filmmakers Christine Anthony and Owen Masterson did a short documentary about the farm and it just seemed like things were falling into place.

In 2021 we found out about the Accelerator Program so we applied for that.

How was your experience with the Accelerator Program?

Better than I thought! It was good, it turned out to be very informative. Lauren (Director of Farmer Services and one of four case managers) sat down with me and showed me the crop planning worksheet. For the first time in the 6 years since I’ve been farming, I was able to see which crops were profitable and how profitable they were.

 What infrastructure were you able to get through the program?

The Accelerator paid for our washing station and some tractor implements. Talk about day and night. I was breaking ground with an ancient harrow that I had to grease up every three rounds. This new tiller has helped out SO much.

Wash station at Bugg Farm

What are your biggest challenges in farming?

The unknown. For example, last March, my fruit trees were looking great and everything in the high tunnel looked award-winning; then there was a hard freeze. It damaged everything.

I basically run this whole farm by myself, I’ve designed it that way, so I don’t have the time to go cover every crop with cloth. My son has some cattle here and he helps out whenever he’s home from school, but most of the time it’s just me. Not being able to plan for certain things is difficult.

Bugg Farm customers Courtesy of Bugg Farm

What are your favorite things about farming?

I would say my faith. It runs through everything I do here.

To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org, and follow us on social media @GeorgiaOrganics and at facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics.

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Join us for a Farmer Field Day at Bugg Farm (Pine Mountain) on Monday, July 18.

Register by Friday, July 15 at 6:00 p.m.!

Farmer Accelerator Program Spotlight: Whitney Jaye and Brandon Stephens of Sunbird Flowers

By Mary Elizabeth 

Mary Elizabeth Kidd is the Director of Communications at Georgia Organics. 

In this series, we spotlight members of Farmer Services’ annual Accelerator Program, which is the first of its kind to identify and address the various challenges faced by new farmers. After an application and selection process, ten farmers enter an 18-month-long cohort. Each participating farm receives nearly $10,000 in on-farm infrastructure investment and labor stipends from Georgia Organics, plus an additional $3,000 in professional consulting from experts. 

To learn more about the Accelerator program, visit farmerservices.georgiaorganics.org/accelerator.

To meet the 2021-2022 Farmer Accelerator Cohort, read our blog post on The Dirt. Read about the launch of the Accelerator Program here. 

With no further ado, we’re excited to spotlight Accelerator Program farm Sunbird Flowers!

Sunbird Flowers, all photography courtesy of Kiyah C. Photography via Sunbirdflowers.com

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“It is kind of a miracle to put tiny seeds into the soil, and watch them grow into these beautiful plants that can sustain lives, support the ecosystem, and bring joy and pleasure to other people.” 

This month, we’re talking with farmer-owners Whitney Jaye (quoted above) and Brandon Stephens of Sunbird Flowers in Lithonia. Whitney and Brandon began farming on their current property around 5 years ago and share with us—via a Q&A with Whitney, below—the key elements that led them to their chosen profession and continue to guide their choices. 

Interconnectedness and creativity are two words that come to mind when learning what makes Sunbird Flowers tick. From the community they’ve found in fellow “returning generation farmers” to the vibrancy of the flowers they grow, it’s clear that Whitney and Brandon are committed and passionate farmers and farmer advocates. 

Whitney recently participated in our Good Food for Thought online event in partnership with American Farmland Trust titled Challenges and Opportunities for Transformation: Womxn in Agriculture. Watch a recording here: bit.ly/womxnvid. 

In the conversation, Whitney shared that her path to farming has been “a bit of a winding road, but one that, for me, is definitely tied to my lineage and heritage that’s allowed me to reclaim that.”  

Her nonlinear path continues in her farming career, as she runs the farm with her husband Brandon while raising a two-year-old...during a pandemic. She balances the physical and emotional demands of mothering her child and their land, leaning on familial and community support. 

Sunbird Flowers, all photography courtesy of Kiyah C. Photography via Sunbirdflowers.com

She cites sisterhood and finding relationships with other womxn farmers, such as Keisha Cameron from High Hog Farm, as an invaluable asset in her expansion as a farmer and as “soft places to land” when navigating the challenges of farming. 

Sunbird Flowers joined the 2021-2022 cohort of Accelerator Farms, and Whitney and Brandon work with Farmer Services Director Lauren Cox as their Accelerator case manager. Lauren shares:

“Brandon and Whitney are some of the most thoughtful farmers I've ever had the pleasure to work with. Every business decision they make is done with care and consideration for their family, their community, and where they see themselves in the future.” 

Let’s dive into the Q&A... 

“Sunbird Flowers is small flower farm located on land owned by the Peterson/Stephens Family – once cultivated by Claude Tedford Petersen, a master grower from the U.S. Virgin Islands.” 

Mary Elizabeth, Georgia Organics: Can you tell us a bit more about the history of the land you farm on? How did it come to be the home of Sunbird Flowers? 

Whitney Jaye, Sunbird Flowers: The land that we farm on is family land - 25 years ago, several members of Brandon's family came together and intentionally decided that they wanted to purchase a piece of land, and live on it together. For many years, it was a beautiful garden, cultivated by Brandon's grandfather Claude Petersen, and it was reverted to a grassy lawn after he passed away. Brandon's family graciously allowed us to use the space for our farm, and we became the stewards in 2017. We try to hold the spirit of what Claude Petersen envisioned for the land in our practices, and in the flowers, herbs, and vegetables that we grow. 

Flower CSA example from Sunbird Flowers, all photography courtesy of Kiyah C. Photography via Sunbirdflowers.com

 “We grow flowers using ecologically sustainable practices, ones that conserve resources, build rich soil, and promote a vibrant ecosystem.” 

Can you give us an example or two of sustainable practices y’all use? Why is it important to you to farm this way? 

We take pride in being good stewards of the ecosystem of which we are a part. Not only is being in right relationship with the land aligned with our ancestral practices, but we also see it as our role and responsibility in our community. A few practices that we've adopted are: 1) composting - we use several methods of composting on-site that utilize household scraps, and on our farm organic materials, 2) we use minimal tilling, and regularly add compost to build our soil structure and replenish the organic matter, and 3) we use crop rotations that include cover crops and allow us to effectively manage the fertility of our soil. 

How does being a parent affect why and/or how you farm? 

Being parents means we have to be intentional about every aspect of the farm, particularly around time management. We've had to shift the farm and business to accommodate the kind of life experience we want for our child, and the kind of business model (for example - choosing to do a CSA instead of a farmers' market) that can support that. 

What’s the story behind your farm’s name? 

There is a bird species called a "sunbird,” and there are various iridescent color combinations in their feathers. It was inspiring to us that nature could be that vibrant, and gorgeous, so we chose that as our farm name. We want our offerings to invoke the same inspiration in our customers - that they see our color and texture combinations and are moved by the splendor of nature. 

What is your origin story with farming and particularly flower farming? What drew you to this work? 

Our paths into farming are both very different, but they are connected by the same thread - we are returning generation farmers, who are walking in our ancestral call to the land. We follow in the legacy of the many, many Black farmers who continue to embody the inherent dignity in land-based work and environmental stewardship. 

We decided to go into flower farming because of Whitney Jaye's interest in the creative aspects – the ability to grow for color, and texture, and to really curate an experience for our customers. After years of research (and getting a scholarship into the Floret Workshop), years of support from our community as we eased into offering more floral design, we shifted our business to flowers exclusively. 

What has been one of your favorite moments as a farmer?

One of our favorite moments as a farmer is seeing the process of a plant that you've nurtured grow up, and be ready to harvest and share. It is kind of a miracle to put tiny seeds into the soil, and watch them grow into these beautiful plants that can sustain lives, support the ecosystem, and bring joy and pleasure to other people. 

What’s inspiring you and your work these days? 

One thing that is inspiring me and my work these days is the Faith Ringgold retrospective taking place at the New Museum in New York City right now. I am a huge fan of her work. I also have infinite respect for artists who have plugged away at their craft, balanced motherhood and activism, and maintained the essence of their purpose. Faith Ringgold is simply the best. 

What has been one of the best parts about being in the Accelerator program? Is there anything you’re looking forward to as part of the Accelerator program? 

One of the best parts of the accelerator has been connecting with the other farmers in the program! We believe in the power of creating farming communities - this work is already so hard; we need connection and webs of mutual support to lighten the load. It was also great to have an advisor that could help us in this stage of transition, and they were amazing. Once the program is over, I am looking forward to looking back on how far we've come and basking in the growth that has been supported by our time in the accelerator. Much appreciation and gratitude to the Farmer Services team for the impactful work.. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give new farmers? 

One piece of advice I would give new farmers is to seek community and support - there is so much knowledge that can be gleaned by talking to other farmers, and sharing what you may already know. 

Disrupt the notion that everyone is a competitor, and resist the urge to hoard information and resources - foster a deep belief in abundance. Farming was never meant to be a solo endeavor - so find people who understand your vision, and who can encourage and support you along your journey. 

What are the best ways for folks to support y’all? 

Grab one of our flower subscriptions - we have both monthly and full season shares! We always take donations, there is so much more we could do if we had capital. Follow us on social media! Instagram.com/sunbirdflowers, facebook.com/sunbirdflowerfarm

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To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org, and follow us on social media @GeorgiaOrganics and at facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics. 

Welcome, 2021-2022 Accelerator Farmer Cohort!

Written by Kayla Williams

Kayla Williams is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics.

When a small-scale independent farmer sets out to run their own operation, there are typically several barriers to them running a successful business, having a good work-life balance, and ensuring that the plants/animals are being taken care of. Farmers suddenly become soil scientists, bookkeepers, a marketing agency, the human resources department, food safety specialists and so much more. More often than not, farmers do not get access to a support system that addresses the specific challenges they face. They are often isolated in rural places with little time to rest, nurture their mental health, pay all the various bills that pile up, and fix equipment that keeps breaking.

The Georgia Organics Farmer Services team supports farmer members in a variety of ways: providing emergency relief funds, assisting farmers to get access to free healthcare, facilitating networking opportunities for farmers to build community, hosting technical workshops, subsidizing fees for the USDA Organic Certification process and the Accelerator program.

Michael Wall, the director of Farmer Services, designed the Accelerator program with “going an inch wide and a mile deep” in mind. Although the program only accepts ten farmers per year, the case managers form deep relationships with the cohort through monthly check-ins and periodic check-ins after the year-long program is up. In addition to accessing this Georgia Organics support system, the farmers have the opportunity to get to know other cohort members and professional consultants, hopefully forming connections beyond Georgia Organics and their time in the program.

In spring 2021, the Georgia Organics Farmer Services team accepted the second Accelerator cohort. The ten cohort members were chosen from a pool of approximately sixty Georgia farmers who applied for the Accelerator program. The year-long program begins with the cohort members getting matched up with a Farmer Services staff member, which will serve as their case manager. Afterward, an intake process is conducted to determine the cohort farms’ key needs, opportunities and challenges. Through coaching with farm experts, conversations with their case managers, and research, the farms can spend up to $9650 on their operation. With approval from the consultants and case managers, farmers have chosen to spend this investment capital on everything from compost to tractor implements, automatic greenhouse watering systems, and tarps. In reality, many investments change a farm’s ability to be successful.

Speaking of success, the Farmer Services team hopes to move towards understanding what it looks like for a farm to be successful through the Accelerator program’s data collection before, during, and after the farm is a part of the program. From a stress assessment to the farms’ revenue and surveys on how the infrastructure investments have benefitted the farmers’ (physically? mentally? time-saving?), the Farmer Services team is interested in ensuring that this program is as effective and impactful as possible. A member from the 2020-2021 Accelerator cohort said during their exit interview, “For us, it did exactly what it set out to do. It gave us an acceleration… You learn so much about specific things you need help but don't spend your money on…We felt so fortunate to be benefactors of the Accelerator program.”

Without further delay, please give a warm welcome to our 2021-2022 Accelerator Cohort!

Bread and Butter Farm in Monroe, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Bread and Butter Farm courtesy of Kayla Williams

Bugg Farm in Pine Mountain, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Chattahoochee Queen in Atlanta, GA follow them on Instagram

Chattahoochee Queen courtesy of Kayla Williams

Heritage Farm on Sapelo Island, GA Learn more in this article

Ladybird Farm in Hull, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Ladybird Farm courtesy of Kayla Williams

Levity Farms in Madison, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Rag and Frass Farm in Jeffersonville, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Starlit Roots Farm in Keyesville, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Sunbird Flowers in Lithonia, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Sunbird Flowers courtesy of Sunbird Flowers

Vesterfield Farms in Cochran, GA follow them on Instagram and Facebook

Stay tuned for a deeper dive with each farm over the next several months. Stay in touch with Georgia Organics on social media @GeorgiaOrganics and at facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics

Meet Dan Glenn of Deep Grass Graziers, Ben Hill’s Soil Steward

Courtesy of Deep Grass Graziers

By Porter Mitchell

Dan Glenn's family farm is located in one of the country’s poorest counties, located right in the middle of South Georgia. Over one-third of people in Ben Hill County have lived below the poverty line for at least the past three decades. The sun is blazing hot, the humidity is intense, and the weeds grow so fast you can practically sit and watch them take over your fields in a single day. But the heavy rain and warm winters mean you can grow there year-round, and cattle can graze on pasture 365 days a year.   

The family farm, founded by Dan’s grandparents in the 1960s, is a powerful example of how a farm can nurture both people and the land. The farm provides jobs in one of the poorest counties in the country. It honors the skill of farming, providing seasoned hands a way to showcase their craft and new farmers a way to learn. The farm provides food. The farm nurtures ecosystems and even draws down carbon from the atmosphere.   

And it all starts with the soil.   

Ben Hill and Back   

Dan Glenn grew up on family land in Ben Hill County, about ninety minutes north of Valdosta. The farm belonged to his grandparents, conventional farmers who grew corn, soy, cotton, peanuts, tobacco, and raised some cattle on their 800 acres.    

Courtesy of Deep Grass Graziers

 Like many people who grew up in rural areas, Dan didn’t intend on staying there. In his early twenties, he developed a keen interest in permaculture and organic farming, and relocated to St. Croix to work on a sustainable farm. Eventually, he and some like-minded farmers founded the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute, a research and training farm. The institute not only taught new farmers but also fueled Dan’s passion for regenerative agriculture.   

Then Dan’s grandparents passed away. In 2009, Dan was called back home to help his mother manage the farm. “I had to square my interest and passions in soil health, permaculture, and organic farming with a very conventional operation,” explains Dan. The family farm was doing well. Transitioning away from conventional farming takes years and carries a hefty financial risk for the farmer. Dan knew he couldn’t take a gamble on his family’s farm, but he also knew that for the farm to survive long-term, they had to change. They couldn’t just keep doing what Dan’s grandparents had done. They had to start taking their soil seriously.    

Living Soil   

“I thought it was about the cow, but it was about the forages. I thought it was about the forages, but it was about the soil.” Dan Glenn   

Courtesy of Deep Grass Graziers

Like a coral reef or a rainforest, soil has its own diverse ecosystem. Healthy soil is full of microscopic organisms, different types of fungi, and invertebrates like earthworms. Like any other ecosystem, all the different components work together in harmony to benefit both the soil ecosystem and the plants growing in it. Healthy soil is better able to hold water, making it resistant to both drought and flooding. Healthy soil makes it easier for plant roots to absorb the nutrients they need. Healthy soil provides a habitat for organisms that keep plant diseases and pests in check. And healthy soil takes carbon from the atmosphere and changes it into a solid form stored in the ground. In fact, healthy soil can store between 25 and 50 tons of carbon per acre.* If you have seen healthy soil, you’ll see it’s very dark in color—this color comes from the carbon.  

Many common agricultural practices harm the soil ecosystem and therefore the plants that the ecosystem supports. Tilling releases carbon stored into the soil into the atmosphere and exposes the soil organisms to heat and sunlight, killing them. Synthetic fertilizers create weak plant root systems that can’t take up nutrients well, meaning more and more fertilizer is needed. These weak root systems also create weak plants that are worse at fending off pests and disease, which means they require more pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Unhealthy soil is very different in physical structure to healthy soil and is poorly able to store water and nutrients, leading to the farmer using more water and more nutrients. It’s a vicious cycle that creates a heavy burden for both the farmer and the land.  

But rebuilding the soil takes years--too long to for a farmer to wait when bills come every month. Farming is notorious for its razor-thin profit margins and fluctuating markets. Add in the unpredictability of the weather, and you’ve got a business that can collapse after a few bad seasons. For farming families like Dan’s that depend on the farm, they literally can’t afford to wait until their soil is restored.   

To offset this risk, Dan made changes very slowly, weaning the depleted soil microbiome off of its dependence on conventional fertilizer, building the health of the land. Dan employed natural fertility practices like planting soil-building crops such as clover, peas, and buckwheat, known as cover cropping. Dan had to slowly change the attitudes of some people on the farm too. “I had to twist some arms for sure,” laughs Dan.  

Reviving an Old Practice for the New Millennium  

Dan became fascinated in how livestock can be used to nurture depleted soil back to health. Rotating livestock into crop fields is a very old practice found in agricultural traditions around the world. For example, in Ireland sheep, cows, and horses spend the winter in crop fields, readying the soil for spring planting. But this ancient practice had been forgotten by the average farmer in the United States. “We separated the animals from the farm here,” remarks Dan.  

Livestock, especially ruminating animals like cows and sheep, provide urine and manure that fertilizes the soil and nourishes its ecosystem. Grazing grass encourages roots to grow stronger and deeper into the soil, locking it in place. Livestock can clear what’s left over after harvest and they eat many invasive weeds, making room for native plants. And livestock can make money too, helping offset financial risk.   

Dan went to see Will Harris of White Oak Pastures, a cattle farmer using the animals to restore soil that had been reduced from a living ecosystem to dead dust by decades of abuse. White Oak is about as close to a household name as a farm can get, but Dan went to Will Harris long before he was on magazine covers and his expertise was sought after worldwide.   

He met Will in his small church-turned-office in the not-even-a-one-stoplight hamlet of Bluffton, Georgia. Dan was excited and full of energy. He had big plans for his family’s farm, incorporating not only cattle but chickens, sheep, goats, and a whole Noah’s Ark of animals.   

Will hit the brakes. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, boy! Just concentrate on one thing and do it well.” Dan took his advice to heart, focusing on cattle. He worked to develop a clear plan. He focused on finances to figure out how the cattle were going to restore the land and keep the family farm in business. And then Dan got to work.   

A Man and His Pivot  

Getting the right mix of grass and plant species at the right time is key to providing the cow with the nutrients they need. While pasture cattle ranchers in other areas of the country have a broad body of research and best practices to turn to, Dan found almost nothing for the specific climate, conditions, and plants of South Georgia.  

So he started conducting his own research.   

Dan set up a 90-acre center pivot irrigation system. Center pivots work like the hand on a clock. A center anchor holds a long arm that rotates in a circle, while a line of sprinklers along the arm provide water. If you’ve been on an airplane and seen perfect circles in cropland, that’s the work of a center pivot.   

Dan divided the area covered by the pivot into eight parts, fencing each of them in to create eight pastures. His cattle rotate around the pastures, moving to a new pasture almost every day. The cattle follow the irrigation arm so every time they go into a new pasture there’s well-watered and healthy forage for them.   

Dan uses the different pastures to conduct trials on different mixes of forage crops. He’s experimenting to try and find the perfect blend that provides nutrition to his cattle, requires little if any maintenance, and builds soil quickly.    

The Perfect Cow   

Not only did Dan have to find the right mix of forage for South Georgia, he had to find the right type of cow too. The most common breeds were adapted for a diet of corn, not a diet of grass and plants. Dan got to work, selectively breeding his herd to create the perfect cow for his farm.   

“I want a cow that doesn’t need a diet of corn to fill out. I want healthy cows, ones that are resilient and don’t need a lot of inputs. I want a mama cow that has a healthy calf every year for a long time. These are the traits that produce a profit,” explains Dan.   

Georgia’s Newest Cash Crop   

Dan, along with his business partner, has begun growing hemp and building out the infrastructure to dry and process it. They recently purchased an old sewing factory in Ben Hill Country that they’re converting to a CBD processing facility, bringing both jobs and outside investment to the county. Dan’s hemp business will be vertically integrated from growing the hemp transplants to processing the plants into CBD oil. Dan is a huge proponent of vertical integration and advises other farmers to follow his lead. “It’s been the difference between breaking even and making money for me,” he explains.   

Dan’s venture into hemp and CBD also serves to create a more sustainable business. “My grandpa had cattle, row crops, and a tractor dealership. Because he diversified his income sources, he was less vulnerable.”    

But Dan cautions against taking on too many ventures at once. “Don’t bite off a big bite and try to do too many things. Add more enterprises as your other enterprises become successful.” 

Courtesy of Deep Grass Graziers

Dan’s Vision 

Dan’s vision for his farm is one in which the forages, the crops, and the cattle all work together to create a system that benefits the environment and is financially sustainable. “I want to have good genetics and create perennial and polyculture (meaning many different species) systems that work to produce cattle that are efficient and hands-off.”   

Dan’s reconciled with his home too. He’s no longer the twenty-something trying to get as far away from rural Georgia as he could. “Growing up and coming home here, I know it in my bones. I know the people. I’m in my community here”   

Dan Glenn is the incoming president of the Georgia Forage and Grassland Association and is a member of the following organization’s Board of Directors: American Forage and Grassland Committee, National Grazing Land Coalition, and Southern SARE. (SSARE). Dan is also part of our inaugural Farmer Accelerator Program cohort. You can learn more about the program here.   

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Porter Mitchell is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics. To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit www.georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Instagram@GeorgiaOrganics, Twitter @GeorgiaOrganics, and at www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics. 

Georgia Organics Kicks Off First of Its Kind Farmer Accelerator Program

Tianna Neal of Starlit Roots Farm (Photo courtesy of National Young Farmers Coalition).

By Porter Mitchell

Beginning farmers come in our doors eager to learn and to make a career from agriculture. They want to feed their neighbors, continue a family tradition of farming, steward the land, and care for their rural communities. We’ve seen many of these farmers succeed, but we’ve seen hundreds begin farming only to quit after a few years. Why?  

Farmers reach a point in which they need real investment to move their business from day-to-day survival mode to true sustainability. They need personalized services, investment in infrastructure, personalized education to develop a business or marketing plan, and training to access new markets—not the one-size-fits-all approach that is the current norm. 

Sed Rowe of Rowe Organic Farm (Photo Credit Southern Styles and Steeds)

Jenny of Jenny Jack Farm harvests onions (photo courtesy of Jenny Jack Farm)

These critical services are out of reach for many smaller growers. They may not qualify for FSA loans, they may not have the credit to access a small business loan, they may not have family or personal wealth or property to use as collateral. Black growers specifically face an uphill battle due to decades of discrimination from banks and the USDA. Or many beginning farmers, often already saddled with student loan debt, may simply not want to take on debt in a profession not known to be particularly lucrative.

The Georgia Organics Farmer Accelerator Program is the first of its kind to fill these resource gaps. Ten farmers enter a yearlong cohort and each receives nearly $10,000 in on-farm infrastructure investment and labor stipends, plus an additional $3,000 in professional consulting from experts. Farmers also receive coaching on food safety and organic certification from the Farmer Services team.

“We’ve got the best coaches in the country for this program,” says Farmer Services Director Michael Wall who has spent the past year securing these consultants. “By going deep with these coaches, these farmers can really strengthen their operations.”

About sixty farmers applied for the ten spots available. Choosing which farmers would receive support and which ones wouldn’t was incredibly difficult. Kayla Williams, Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics, led efforts to build a complex application scoring system. 

“When deciding how to choose Accelerator cohort members, we wanted to recognize the fact that race and place are two very real factors that can and do affect a farmers’ ability to succeed. By giving extra points to and prioritizing our farmers of color and rural farmers, it holds us accountable to our mission of ‘Good Food for All’” she explains. At least five of the Accelerator spots are reserved for BIPOC farmers and at least five spots are reserved for rural farmers

 After lengthy inner dialogue and presenting the list of finalists to a panel of farmers and outside experts, the Farmer Services team chose ten farmers from across the state. They range from fourteen years of farming experience to three, from large scale row crop and commodity production to small market vegetable farms, from chicken and cattle to flowers and fruit, from several hundred acres to three acres. In other words, the 2020 class of Accelerator farmers represent the diversity of Georgia’s agriculture. The inaugural Accelerator class is:

• Deep Grass Graziers, Fitzgerald (www.deepgrassgraziers.com/) – Beef cattle

• Hearts of Harvest Farm, Arnoldsville (www.heartsofharvestfarm.com) - Mixed fruit and vegetables, flowers

• Four Bellies Farm, Bowdon (http://fourbelliesfarm.com/) - Beef, rabbit, chicken, lamb

• Jenny Jack Farm, Pine Mountain (https://www.jennyjackfarm.com/) - Mixed fruit, vegetables

• Narrow Way Farm, McDonough (https://narrowwayfarm.com/) – Vegetables, berries, fruit

  New Eden Ecosystems, West Point (www.facebook.com/westgeorgiafarmerscooperative/) - Fruit, vegetables, livestock

• Rag and Frass Farm (Jeffersonville) - Mixed fruit and vegetables, flowers https://www.ragandfrassfarm.com/ 

• Rolling Branch Farm, Naylor (www.rollingbranchfarms.com/) - Pecans flowers

• Rowe Organic Farm, Albany (ga.foodmarketmaker.com/business/4914917-rowe-organic-farm) - Peanuts, sunflowers, melons

• Starlit Roots Farm, Keysville ( www.Instagram.com/starlitroots) - Vegetables

After an intense intake process that gathered extensive data on the farm and farmer, the Farmer Services team collectively drafted plans for each farmer for coaching and infrastructure spending. These plans were based on priorities listed by the farmer, a SWOT analysis (strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats), a formal business analysis, and lengthy conversations with the farmers. Each plan is wholly unlike the other ones, just as each farmer is different. For the next nine months, the farmers will work closely with a Farmer Services staff member as their case manager. “The success of our Accelerator farmers is our number one priority,” explains Michael Wall. 

Dan Glenn of Deep Grass Graziers (Courtesy of Deep Grass Graziers)

Eric Simpson of New Eden Ecosystems (Courtesy of Black Farmers Network)

Georgia Organics hopes that this program will not only help these farmers grow and strengthen their businesses and their skillsets but can also be used as a model to replicate across the country. 

Interested in learning more about these farmers and keeping up with their progress? Keep checking in for extended profiles and interviews on The Dirt!

Check out where our Accelerator farmers are on the map!

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Click to view Accelerator Program farms around the state.

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Porter Mitchell, Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics. To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit www.georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Instagram @GeorgiaOrganics, Twitter @GeorgiaOrganics, and at www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics.