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).  

Farm to School Innovation Mini Grant Spotlight: New American Students in Hall County Connect with Their Roots

By Yaza Sarieh 

Yaza Sarieh is the Georgia Organics Community Collaboration Coordinator.

Georgia Organics, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Newman’s Own Foundation have partnered for the second annual Farm to School Innovation Mini Grants. These funds support farm to school initiatives in eight Georgia school districts that:  

• Increase access to local, fresh, organically grown foods  

• Include culturally responsive food and education 

• Include organic and/or sustainability focused garden education 

• Increase local food procurement 

• And/or benefit Georgia certified organic farmers in other ways. 

To learn more about the Farm to School Innovation Mini Grant, click here. 

We are pleased to highlight mini grant awardee: Hall County School District. Horticulture teacher, Michelle Conable, has been using the mini grant funds to develop farm to school efforts at the Newcomer Academy.  

Image courtesy of Michelle Conable, Hall County Schools

The Ivester Early College, a college dual enrollment campus, provides a unique learning opportunity for New American students by hosting the Newcomer Academy program at their Jones Learning Center. This program invests in New American students by preparing them for life in the United States and developing their talents and skillsets. The Newcomer Academy consists of nearly a third of the school’s population, with most students from countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico.  

Michelle Conable, an educator in the Newcomer Academy, noticed the impact of food insecurity on the student’s’ health and well-being. A 2020 study by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) found that in the United States, nearly 59% of New American households' experience ‘not [having] enough food to eat’, a number that ‘jumps to 78%’ for households with a family member who is an American, migrant, and/or immigrant seeking status. For New American families, not having enough food is a result of economic hardships in the face of head of households working to provide and the challenges they are navigating with social services like SNAP. In addition, many of their new US communities lack culturally relevant foods available close by.  

To address these challenges, Michelle developed more garden education opportunities for students at the Newcomer Academy. This curriculum would foster a sense of community, while creating access to and excitement for fruits and vegetables. Michelle applied for funds from the Farm to School Innovation Mini Grant to purchase the plants and gardening supplies that would make this program possible.  

Many of the students already know a little bit about farming or gardening from their home countries and have transferred their knowledge to their new community through this project. Although the garden lost some crops this year due to weather, they were able to learn from the experiences and change their approach accordingly. Some of the fruits and vegetables students encountered here are different from their home countries, but they also grew some produce that was more familiar to them. For instance, while visiting a plant sale, one student was ecstatic to find a plant that is used for medicinal purposes in their country. The gardening project has provided a meaningful chance for the exchange of cross-cultural knowledge and appreciation. 

Image courtesy of Michelle Conable, Hall County Schools

For students at the Newcomer Academy, the garden project has given them the ability to connect more with their new community and to make their own food choices. Fresh fruits and vegetables are not usually available in the school cafeteria. However, the Newcomer Academy’s Garden has helped to change that by supplying the cafeteria with some of the produce from their garden. Students even used their harvest to make Pico de Gallo which was shared with the community.  

Images courtesy of Hall County Schools

The project at Newcomer Academy has shown the significance of gardening education for New Americans. It is a means for folks to connect with their roots while growing into their communities. Keep up the good work, Hall County! 

To learn more about Hall County School District visit www.hallco.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@_hcsdofficial). 

To learn more about Georgia Organics visit georgiaorganics.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube by searching (Georgia Organics).   

Farm to School Innovation Mini-Grant Spotlight: Dawson County Gives School Greenhouse a Facelift

By Yaza Sarieh 

Yaza Sarieh is the Georgia Organics Community Collaboration Coordinator. 

Georgia Organics, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Newman’s Own Foundation have partnered for the second annual Farm to School Innovation Mini Grants. These funds support farm to school initiatives in eight Georgia school districts that:  

• Increase access to local, fresh, organically grown foods,  

• Include culturally responsive food and education, 

• Include organic and/or sustainability focused garden education,  

• Increase local food procurement 

• And/or benefit Georgia certified organic farmers in other ways.  

To learn more about the Farm to School Innovation Mini Grant, click here. 

We are pleased to highlight mini grant awardee: Dawson County School District. School Nutrition Director, Scott Richardson, has been leading a collaborative mini grant project at Kilough Elementary School. 

All photos courtesy of Dawson County Schools.

The greenhouse at Kilough Elementary School was in bad shape when Scott Richardson arrived in Dawson County a few years ago. Even though it was run down, Scott recognized that the greenhouse would be a place where agriculture education would thrive. To get the ball rolling, Scott applied to the Farm to School Innovation Mini Grant and received funding to rehab the space for the community to grow food.  

With the greenhouse revamp underway, interest and investment in the project has taken off, with many staff members at the school beginning to take the lead on lessons and maintenance tasks. The greenhouse has even gone beyond the Kilough school walls. Local high school students have joined the project through their Future Farmers of America (FFA) Agribusiness Management class, supporting hands-on activities such as amending beds, testing soil samples, installing irrigation/sprinkler systems and building large hydroponic tables. 

All photos courtesy of Dawson County Schools.

For Kilough students, the greenhouse has become a place where they learn life-long lessons about food and nutrition. During one activity, students tasted celery grown in the greenhouse and compared it to celery supplied by the cafeteria. Because the school had waited too long to harvest the greenhouse celery, it was considerably more sour than normal. After the taste test, one student commented, “Now I know why my mom buys food from Walmart,” which led to a discussion on where food comes from and why it can taste different. The greenhouse has provided these students with hands-on learning experiences that are more memorable and impactful than a typical lesson.  

One of the biggest takeaways Scott has from this journey is the importance of community engagement in farm to school. Scott believes that you must build a community around farm to school projects to ensure buy-in and to sustain the efforts. Getting as many folks into the greenhouse as possible, including students, teachers, parents and reporters, has helped Scott to develop excitement and support for the project. 

The greenhouse in Dawson County has provided community members from all around the district with opportunities for hands-on food education and leadership. Scott hopes to use the lessons from this mini grant project to build greenhouses in all schools throughout the district. We cannot wait to see how farm to school in Dawson County will grow! 

To learn more about Dawson County School District visit https://www.dawsoncountyschools.org/. 

To learn more about Georgia Organics visit georgiaorganics.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube by searching (Georgia Organics).   

Connections in Ag: An Interview with Miriam Pérez of Café Orgánico Marcala (COMSA)

By Monica Ponce 

Monica Ponce is a Worker-Owner at Love is Love Cooperative Farm and has been on the Board of Directors of Georgia Organics since 2020. 

Miriam Beté Perez and Finca Clave de Sol. Photo courtesy of COMSA. 

Monica Ponce. Photo courtesy of Love Cooperative Farm.

For years now, I have been getting my hands dirty on the farm. It’s been a long exploration of different landscapes, soils, plants, and practices. Along the way, I have had the chance to connect with farmers near and far, and I continue to be wowed by the stories I hear and the things I learn from fellow farmers.  

I was recently invited by Café Campesino, a Georgia-based organic coffee roaster and wholesaler, to interview Miriam Pérez a member of Café Orgánico Marcala S.A. (COMSA). COMSA is a group that has been a partner of Café Campesino through their importing co-op, Cooperative Coffees, since 2014. As a member of Love is Love Cooperative Farm, a worker-owned cooperative on 70 acres in Mansfield, Georgia, I was thrilled to have the chance to connect with another cooperative grower to learn more about her work! It’s awe-inspiring to see the care put into the plants and the alignment of her growing practices with the lunar calendar and larger ecology of the farm. 

If you want to support COMSA, pick up a couple of bags of Café Campesino Coffee. When you purchase Café Campesino’s Georgia Organics Special Blend Coffee, a portion of sales will be donated to Georgia Organics, so it’s a great way to support regenerative and organic farmers in Georgia, too! 

I hope our conversation inspires you to savor your sip. 

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Monica Ponce: What certifications or third-party labeling do you have that has helped increase your markets? 

Miriam Beté Perez: Organic and Fair Trade certifications.  

Monica: What is it like to cultivate coffee? 

Miriam: Cultivating coffee is a passion for me! 

I started at the age of 6 on my grandfather's farms. For me and my cousins, going to the coffee farms meant hiking along trails, running, playing, and having a free life. We would arrive at the farm to harvest coffee beans and be in contact with Mother Earth. 

The cultivation involves several processes which we call cultivation tasks. We start by harvesting and selecting the seeds of the plants that have had the best development in the farm, after being cultivated for more than 3 years. Next, we create a coffee nursery, where the babies grow for 2 to 3 months. Then we continue with the selection and transplant the strongest and best-developed plants to the soil prepared with organic ingredients. These plants grow there in the nursery and/or shed for 3 to 4 months. Then they are transferred to the definitive field and the small trees are planted in a previously elaborated and prepared hole, where organic fertilizer was also added the previous year. 

Image: Miriam Perez. Photo courtesy of COMSA. 

Monica: How long does it take for the crop to be ready for harvesting? 

Miriam: The coffee crop is ready for harvesting in the third year. 

Monica: In what season of the year is the coffee harvest? 

Miriam: The harvest season in the Marcala region begins in November and ends in April. 

Monica: What is the harvesting process like? 

Miriam: When the collection begins, two containers are used, they can be bags or baskets. These are attached to the body of the person who is going to carry out the coffee cherry collection task. These containers are used to deposit the green, dry, and over-fermented beans on one side and the red cherries in the other container. 

At 3 pm, the coffee is received by the harvesters, weighing the coffee cherries and keeping a record of the daily deliveries for each person who harvests them. 

The red coffee cherries are placed in a sieve to continue with the selection of green, dry, and fermented beans that are mixed at the time of harvest. Then the depulping process is carried out to obtain a honey-processed coffee and/or it is taken to the sun-drying patio to obtain a natural, dry cherry coffee. 

Monica: What types of soils do you have and what are some of your practices to enrich/maintain the quality? 

Miriam: A large part of our soils is sandy loam soils. The good agricultural practices we use to nourish the plants and soil include: 

• Preparation and application of organic fertilizers based on organic matter, mountain microorganisms, minerals, and living molecules. 

• Application of bio-preparations. 

• Sowing of Healing crystals. 

• Pranic Healing meditations over the plants. 

• Sowing of trees. 

• Planting of coffee varieties resistant to pests and diseases. 

Cultivation tasks using the lunar calendar (Cleaning, pruning, de-leafing, sowing and re-sowing of coffee plants, application of solid and liquid organic fertilizers) 

Coffee cherries and green, dry, and over-fermented beans still on the branch before harvest. 

Monica: What are the ideal conditions for cultivating coffee? 

Miriam: Under a microclimate where there are trees, bushes, fruit trees, birds, animals, and diversity of living beings in balance. 

Monica: Has the weather become more unpredictable for you and how have you adapted/managed? 

Monitoring the temperature, relative humidity according to each season of the year, the movements of the moon and the stars in the cosmos are indicators that allow us to manage the diversity and times in the coffee farm.  

Monica: How many people work on the farm and do the farmers live on or near the farm? 

Miriam: Temporarily, 6 people work on the farm, and up to 20 people work temporarily, especially during coffee harvesting and processing. Two families live on the farm, and the other families are neighbors, while others live away. 

Monica: How did you find this cooperative as farmers? 

Miriam: We didn't find it, we started it, thanks to the importance of benefits received from being in a farmer organization. 

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To learn more about COMSA and Finca la Fortaleza (Marcala) visit coopcoffees.coop/comsa or follow the co-op on Facebook (COMSA - Marcala) and Instagram (@comsamarcalaoficial). 

To learn more about Café Campesino visit cafecampesino.com or follow the Georgia roastery on Facebook (Cafe Campesino Roastery) and Instagram (@cafecampesino). 

To learn more about Love is Love Cooperative Farm visit loveislovefarm.com or follow the co-op on Facebook (Love is Love Farm) and Instagram (@loveislovefarm). 

To learn more about Georgia Organics visit georgiaorganics.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube by searching (Georgia Organics). 

I LOVE OLIVE THEIR OILS! Georgia Organics’ Conference Tour of Oliver Farm Delighted Oliver Guests

By Kimberly Della Donna

Kimberly Della Donna is Georgia Organics’ Director of Community Collaborations.

The brilliant Clay Oliver, of Oliver Farm, hosted one of Georgia Organics' eight conference farm field trips this February. I found my way there via a long, windy rural route through agricultural land early on a sunny Saturday morning.

Located at The Station 31702, in the heart of quaint little Pitts, GA, Clay and Valerie Oliver welcomed us to the Oliver Farm tour. It happened to be Clay's birthday, which made us feel even luckier to be there and grateful for the hospitality.

Valerie Oliver with her daughter.

Valerie Oliver, the creative genius behind The Station 31702 where Oliver Farm products are sold, greeted us all and showed us to the tasting room and event space. While Clay shared the story of how he found his way into oil production, we tasted a variety of Oliver Farms oils, including a unique green peanut oil and an irresistibly delicious pecan oil.

As we all enjoyed the unmistakable yet subtle flavors of the nuts in the oil, Clay explained that the small batches Oliver Farms produces are minimally processed which results in maximum flavor. We were lucky to have a small group, and Clay piled us all in the van and took us out to the production facility to see where the magic happens.

The Oliver Farm production building was around the corner, down a long, red clay road, surrounded by rolling fields of Oliver Family Farm land. That little building houses a lot of action! Clay is running the "nose to tail" equivalent of seed and nut processing in there — olive the goodness of these crops is redeemed from top to bottom!

After extracting the oil, the extruded fiber is milled into flour and the filtered sediment is shared with a farmer who uses it to finish his heritage hogs. This is all done onsite, with five or six presses, one centrifuge, a pump, and a mill. Amazing.

The oils and flours, made from unexpected things like okra seeds and peanuts, are packed and shipped from the location.

Oliver the world, people are loving these products! It is a small but mighty operation, for sure. Clay runs the extruders and centrifuges for 18 hours a day most weeks to keep up with the demand.

Our fabulous tour wrapped up back in the tasting room, where Clay and Valerie shared a sumptuous pecan pound cake, made from Oliver Farm pecan flour, of course. We were all blown away by how delicious and tender that cake was. Oliver taste buds were dancing!

They sent us all off with a generous gift bag stuffed with enough oil, flour, and treats to remind us of the fantastic time we spent with the Olivers for a long time to come. All of our conference attendees were so happy they made the trip.

I highly recommend the trip to The Station 31702 to check out olive the Oliver Farm offerings! Valerie has curated a wonderful selection of tantalizing pantry items, handmade crafts, and adorable home goods--it’s a great place to buy gifts, especially for yourself.

I love OLIVE the stuff in that store, especially the oils and the pecan flour! If you time your shopping trip right, you can enjoy a band and an evening of fun in their beautiful event space.

Thank you, Clay and Valerie, for introducing our conference attendees to Oliver Farm and The Station and for sharing so many treats with olive us!

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 Oliver Farm, visit oliverfarm.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@oliverfarm).

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!

Family Farm Share from a Public Health Perspective

By Lena Enciso 

Lena Enciso is a Community Collaborations intern at Georgia Organics and a Master of Public Health Candidate at Emory University. 

The Family Farm Share (FFS) pilot program in Waycross, GA was built upon groundwork laid by Georgia Organics Program Director Suzanne Girdner, through the former Georgia Food Oasis program, and Georgia Organics Community Collaborations Director Kimberly Della Donna, through initiatives to expand Farm to Early Care and Education. The Georgia Food Oasis program aimed to build capacity in communities around the state to create hyperlocal food systems. Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) connects young children and their families with fresh, locally grown foods and supports farmers in their community.

In the years leading up to 2021, Georgia Organics was seeking ways to collaborate more across its diverse programs. Family Farm Share was the perfect opportunity to do so, connecting farmers and the fresh food they produce to low-income community members of Action Pact in Waycross, Georgia. The idea behind FFS is to increase access to local, organic food while connecting farmers to the community and opening up an untapped revenue stream.  

Connie Oliver, whose farmer support organization WayGreen has been instrumental on the farmer side of the program stated: "Family Farm Share has brought about new opportunities for our growers to facilitate access to wholesome, locally produced foods to those in our community. The low-cost, highly nutritious weekly share has also given growers access to families not otherwise being served through current outlets. Weekly sale of these shares has provided much-needed income and resources for the small farmers seeking to grow organically in our local food system.”

Farmer Justin Hall and WayGreen Founder, Connie Oliver displaying a Family Farm Share in April 2022

Family Farm Share from Spring of 2022, photo courtesy of Connie Oliver

A program like Family Farm Share is important as food insecurity is a major issue in the United States; over 34 million people in the United States, which includes 9 million children experience food insecurity (source: feedingamerica.org), and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “less than 50% of children consume enough fruits, and less than 12% consume enough vegetables in their diet” (source: PubMed Central). The FFS program includes a nutrition education component where each week, participants get tips on how to use and store their produce, nutritional information, and recipe suggestions, as well as fun facts to help get children excited about fruits and vegetables! 100% of participants have agreed that these were helpful.

The FFS program currently serves the Action Pact Community in Waycross, particularly those at the Ware County Head Start and Hazzard Hill Early Head Start -- this includes children and their families, as well as teachers and other staff members. According to a pre-program survey, 41.1% of families at the center were enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and 38.9% were enrolled in WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). Located in Southeast Georgia, Waycross has a population that is 55.03% Black and 35.43% White, according to the 2020 United States Census.  

A Family Advocate at Action Pact walking a child out to their parent’s car with a Family Farm Share

In many ways, the Family Farm Share program has been successful. For just five dollars a week, participants receive a share valued at $20-$25 of freshly harvested, locally and organically grown fruits and vegetables, as well as other locally produced items, such as bread, meat, eggs, and jam. Feedback for the program has been overwhelmingly positive; families particularly enjoy the freshness and variety of products, trying new foods, having easier access to fresh, local produce, and the convenience and affordability.

However, the program has not yet been successful in every way Georgia Organics desires. An equity issue Georgia Organics aims to address is to recruit more Black farmers, as farmer partners for the program so far are all currently White. 

Due to the pilot's success, the Family Farm Share program will be expanding to more communities in the coming years. Georgia Organics will expand first to surrounding communities to build on the existing systems and partnerships in place. As part of this, they will recruit more farm partners nearby to build supply and allow the program to expand, while focusing on diversifying their farmer cohort.  

Suzanne stated, “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 Waycross a model that other communities can adapt and make their own.”

Farmer Roger Westover of GreenWay Gardens cradles gai choy greens for the Family Farm Shares in Spring 2022, photo courtesy of Connie Oliver

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

To learn more about WayGreen, visit waygreeninc.org and follow them on social media @wayxgreen. To learn more about Action Pact, visit myactionpact.org and follow them on social media at facebook.com/ConcertedServicesInc/ 

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. 

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!

georgiaorganics.org/donate

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!

georgiaorganics.org/donate

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. 

USDA REAP program fact sheet 

Federal tax credit 

NRCS EQIP program fact sheet 

NRCS High Tunnel Initiative 

Visit georgiaorganics.org to see all of what we do and follow us on social media @georgiaorganics for updates and weekly happenings.