Author Archives: John Holcomb

Tobacco Growers Face Weather Setbacks, Lean on Tradition and Innovation Ahead of Harvest

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Surrency, GA |

With harvest season fast approaching, tobacco growers from across Georgia recently came together for the annual Georgia Tobacco Tour—a unique opportunity to see firsthand the latest seed varieties, disease management strategies, and large-scale production techniques. More than just a field day, the event also connected growers with key players from every corner of the industry.

“They’ve worked hard to put in variety plots or chemical plots,” says J. Michael Moore, Tobacco Extension Agronomist with the University of Georgia. “It’s nice for them—and the county agents who helped—to have time to spend with folks from a variety of tobacco purchasing companies, seed dealers, chemical dealers, and industry representatives.”

The tour comes at a crucial time for growers, many of whom are still recovering from last season’s devastating weather. A tropical system that struck during harvest left a lasting impact on the region’s crop.

“I guess it was August 5th last year when we had Debbie come through,” recalls Moore. “It reduced our tobacco yield by as much as 40 percent—not just in Georgia, but in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Everyone agreed we lost about 40 percent as that storm moved through a very nontraditional area.”

Unfortunately, this year’s growing season hasn’t been without challenges either. Weeks of excessive rainfall have left fields saturated and crops struggling.

“Tobacco doesn’t like wet feet,” explains Moore. “It doesn’t tolerate excess moisture very well. In sandy areas, you hope it drains—but when it does, you lose nitrogen and potassium. That means reapplying fertilizer. And if it doesn’t drain, the roots suffocate due to lack of air. They don’t regrow rapidly. For all intents and purposes, we lost about 750 acres of tobacco in the Claxton, Candler County, Tattnall County, and Evans County area.”

Despite these setbacks, tobacco remains a vital part of the agricultural economy in this part of the state. And for many families, the crop is more than just a business—it’s a deeply rooted tradition.

“This area of the state is just primed for producing tobacco—specifically flue-cured tobacco,” says Moore. “We’re down to a very small number of growers in Georgia and Florida. These are growers who, in most cases, come from families that have been growing tobacco for generations. They know the culture, and they’re immersed in every part of the industry—including the agribusinesses that support it.”

By: Damon Jones

Rooted in Family: Cress Creeks Sheep Farm Brings Farming, Flavor, and Fun to Ellijay

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Ellijay, GA |

What began as a family trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains turned into something much more for Lee and Mindy Forbes. After visiting from Florida, they fell in love with the peaceful North Georgia setting—but weren’t sure what kind of future it held for them. That changed with one question to their son.

“We had kids that were just coming out of high school and asked them what they wanted to do with their futures,” says Lee Forbes. “Our son Hayden said he wanted to be a farmer. So, this was really set up as a namesake for him.”

That moment sparked the beginning of Cress Creeks Sheep Farm, a family-run operation now thriving in the mountains of Ellijay. More than a business, the farm has become a new way of life—one the family wouldn’t trade for anything.

“I enjoy the peace,” says Mindy Forbes. “No traffic, no honking, no noise. I absolutely love the animals and feeding them every morning. They become your friends.”

Lee agrees, saying the work may be constant, but it never feels like a burden.

“It is a daily experience for sure,” he says. “But when you wake up wanting to go to work, doing something you love, it’s not a challenge to get out of bed in the morning.”

Their commitment to raising sheep year-round—paired with intentional breed selection—has set their lamb apart from imported meat commonly found on grocery shelves.

“You’ll find that a lot of imported lamb comes from wool-producing sheep,” explains Lee. “Those breeds produce lanolin, which gives the meat a much gamier flavor. We’ve chosen an American hair sheep from Vermont that sheds like a dog and doesn’t produce that oil, resulting in a milder, more steak-like taste.”

That unique flavor has helped grow interest in their farm store, which now sees more than twice the foot traffic it did just a year ago. But lamb isn’t the only thing drawing customers in.

“We carry our lamb, of course,” says Mindy. “But we also have pork, chicken, beef, in-house baked goods, local wines, honey, and handmade gifts and goodies from other farmers and artisans in the area.”

For the Forbes family, supporting local agriculture goes hand in hand with community education. That’s why Cress Creeks also offers farm tours, hayrides, and seasonal farm-to-table dinners—experiences that have quickly become a favorite part of the job.

“I think that’s probably one of my favorite things,” Mindy says. “We did this for families. Whether it’s the corn maze, Easter egg hunt, or Christmas events—it’s for people to make memories. When they come out and say they want their kids to see sheep, and those kids get to hold baby lambs, that’s something amazing.”

“Kids and their families today don’t get to spend as much time together,” adds Lee. “So having a place where they can come and make memories—that’s important.”

By: Damon Jones

New World Screwworm Threat Reemerges: Georgia Officials Urge Vigilance as Risk Grows

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Atlanta, GA |

It’s a pest many of today’s livestock producers have only heard about in stories—but one that once left a devastating mark on the American livestock industry: the New World screwworm. Eradicated from the U.S. more than sixty years ago, this fast-spreading parasitic fly could once again pose a threat, prompting concern among veterinarians and ag officials.

“It really affected our production practices,” says Dr. Jane Marie Hennebelle, Georgia’s State Veterinarian. “We had to shift calving, dehorning, and castration to the cooler months when the fly wasn’t active. The New World screwworm is a maggot that feeds on live tissue. These flies lay eggs on the edge of wounds, and those eggs develop into maggots that burrow into the wound to feed. If we had an incursion today, it could cost livestock producers around a billion dollars a year to respond to and eradicate.”

Although there are currently no confirmed cases in the United States, recent reports from Mexico have put officials on high alert.

“At the end of 2024, USDA notified us of a case of New World screwworm in a cow in southern Mexico,” says Hennebelle. “Since then, Mexico has reported over 1,400 detections. As it moves further north, the risk of detection in the U.S. increases.”

If the pest were to reach Georgia, Hennebelle says the consequences would be immediate and far-reaching—from animal health and productivity losses to regional quarantines and trade impacts.

“It will affect not only animal health, but also your productivity. Animals with screwworm infestations don’t gain weight, don’t want to eat—you’ll see immediate impacts to the health of your herd,” she says. “And if a detection occurs, the area becomes a quarantine zone while we work to eradicate the fly from that region.”

As the summer months approach, early detection becomes critical. Hennebelle is urging producers to be vigilant and report anything unusual.

“Look for any type of wound—it could be as small as a tick bite,” she says. “If you see maggots and are comfortable doing so, use forceps to remove them and place them in rubbing alcohol. Call us immediately. We’ll have them identified at no cost to you.”

She adds that rapid reporting can make all the difference.

“Our experience with high-consequence diseases like avian influenza has shown us that early reporting is absolutely critical,” says Hennebelle. “We need producers to keep eyes on their cattle, livestock, and even farm dogs. If something looks off or you see a wound with a large number of maggots, call us—we will gladly send someone to collect samples and identify them.”

By: John Holcomb

What Started Out as a Hobby Becomes Growing Local Apiary Business in Northwest Georgia

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Cohutta, GA |

In Cohutta, what started off as a hobby and an excuse to get up and moving, quickly turned into a passion for this beekeeper, Scott Bates, Owner of Northwest Georgia Busy Bees – a small, family apiary business that has grown from the ground up over the last few years.  

Bates explained, “We started out as a hobby farm, two years ago. This is our third year. I had weight loss surgery, so I needed something to take up my time. My wife had gardens that weren’t doing very well. So, we just started with two beehives, and what becomes a hobby quickly becomes a passion,” says Bates. “And so, we started with the two, we grew to six, and now we’re up to twelve hives, and our hopes and desires will be to eventually have fifty to a hundred hives.” 

For Bates, the entire process has been a learning experience to get his bee population to where it is today, as he says starting out as a hobbyist required him to do some self-education and get help from other beekeepers. 

“We started to do a lot of research and watch YouTube videos. There’s a huge bee community. So you start asking questions and growing with that bee community. Every year you split your bees. So that they don’t swarm. So, it’s just a multiplication game,” says Bates. “As they start multiplying in early spring, you start splitting and you either sell those off if you don’t want to grow or you continue to grow. Our two has grown into 6, that’s grown into twelve. So next year we hope to have at least twenty-five hives.” 

Over the last couple of years, Bates says his business has really taken off, as he now sells a variety of products that are made from the fresh honey produced by his bees. Things such as lip balm, butter, lotions, and of course, raw, unfiltered honey.  

“We have a great online presence. What we did find out, though, is just like with your garden where you have foods that you can make into multiple items, you can do that with the bees. Not only do you have the honey, but you have the beeswax that you can turn into natural products for people,” says Bates. “There’s a huge market for all natural products. So, we’re trying to give those to the people that need them.” 

Bates says that demand for his products has continued to grow, as more and more people continue to discover the benefits of raw, local honey for their health.  

“Local wildflower honey, if it’s strained and unfiltered, has vitamins and minerals and the local pollen. So just as you would get shots for asthma and allergies, if you take local honey with that local pollen in it, then you’re going to get that same dose in that local honey that is not chemically induced,” explained Bates. “So therefore, you get those health benefits, from that local honey.” 

By: John Holcomb

The 2025-2026 Georgia State FFA President Shares how She got Involved in Agriculture

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Macon, GA |

The newly elected 2025-2026 state FFA president, Remiya Stephens shares her story with her involvement in agriculture and how she began. Stephens comes from the Rutland High FFA chapter. 

“It means so much. It’s surreal every day, but ultimately, I know I’m just living out that dream that my eighth-grade self had,” says State FFA President, Remiya Stephens.  

“When I remember going to that second state convention my eighth-grade year and I looked at the 2022 state officer team, just seeing how much joy they had on that stage, that was really the moment that I was like ‘I want to be able to have that same impact that they had on me. The one-on-one conversations and just being able to instill great confidence in others.’ I knew I wanted to be able to do that,” explained Stephens.  

And now, Remiya will get that opportunity, despite joining the organization six years ago with very limited agricultural experience. It’s just the latest example of how FFA is now appealing to a much broader base. 

“You don’t have to start in agriculture from the moment you’re in diapers to be someone and be an advocate for agriculture. Get involved. Learn about FFA. Find your place. There’s so many different aspects in FFA that you can be involved in to learn more about agriculture,” says Stephens. “So, don’t think that your roots have to start in agriculture to be someone and something involved in FFA and agriculture.” 

While Remiya’s passion for agriculture has grown over the years, it was one particular segment of it that really drew her attention from an early age. 

“Ultimately, just my love for plants. I started in sixth grade. My first plant was a rosemary plant and this year I kind of was able to have a full circle moment being able to plant rosemary again. But ultimately, I’ve been able to have different experiences,” says Stephens. “Through my supervised agricultural experience, I was able to go down the road to a local florist. And she helped me learn so many things about the horticulture industry– the marketing side, the money side and then honestly, just how she’s able to grow her business.” 

Creating a sense of community is an aspect of FFA that has left a lasting impression on the new state president, as her ever growing network of friends and followers showcase what the organization is all about. 

“Honestly, I think FFA means support and family. Being able to know that family is outside of blood,” says Stephens. “I feel like I spend twenty-four hours here at my school whether it’s eating snacks, hanging with my teammates, or we’re just in the hotel, just being able to be friends and family, just being able to have that support. I know that ultimately, that if I didn’t have my FFA family, I would not be here today where I am,” Stephens explained.  

Along with that support, it did take plenty of hard work and determination to realize her dream. However, it’s a sacrifice Remiya has zero regrets about. 

“From the process, from area office to state office, it was a lot of work, a lot of dedicated time, a lot of time to train my focus only on state office and having to sometimes say no to other things to completely focus on this,” says Stephens. “But ultimately, I knew it was going to be worth it in the end. And it one hundred percent was.” 

By: Damon Jones

Georgia Peach Season in Full Swing Thanks to Favorable Weather and Strong Yields

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Musella, GA |

When it comes to fruit production in Georgia, few crops are as iconic—or as delicious—as the peach. Known for consistently high quality, Georgia peaches are once again on track for a strong season, thanks in large part to favorable growing conditions.

“We didn’t really have any cold weather events in March, so we got through that unscathed,” says Jeff Cook, UGA Extension Agent for Peach County. “We had a good amount of chill this winter, everything bloomed well, and then we had a lot of cool weather afterwards—which usually bodes really well for the crop.”

That’s welcome news for growers like Lee Dickey of Dickey Farms, who says the orchards are bouncing back nicely after a brief weather setback.

“Overall, really excited about this season,” says Dickey. “We got enough chill hours and the peaches are looking good. We had a slow start with a hailstorm that hurt a few early varieties, but we’ve picked most of those already. The peaches now are beautiful—great size, color, and flavor.”

Harvest officially kicked off in early May, but the work that goes into producing a quality peach spans the entire year.

“All year long we’re doing something,” says Dickey. “We start in January pruning the trees, then in March and April we’re thinning the peaches so the ones that remain grow nice and large—that’s what consumers want.”

Cook echoes the year-round nature of peach farming, noting that consistency and care are essential.

“It’s a nonstop thing,” says Cook. “That’s why a lot of homeowners have problems growing peaches—you can’t take a break from it. I compare it to being a dairyman or a poultry farmer. You can’t just leave the cows or chickens alone. Same with peaches. You’re taking care of them year-round.”

Fortunately, one common concern—labor—hasn’t been an issue this season, which means plenty of fresh fruit will be making its way to markets across the region.

“Everything has gone very smoothly in terms of visa applications and getting the workers here,” says Dickey. “Luckily, that hasn’t turned into an issue.”

Dickey says customers can expect to find Georgia-grown peaches at both local and national grocery stores, although most are staying on the East Coast. But for the freshest selection, he says there’s no substitute for buying local.

“Anything from our local market or stands—that’s picked the day of or the day before,” he says. “That’s the great thing about picking peaches every day. We can be selective with what goes into our market and offer the nicest, freshest peaches possible.”

By: Damon Jones

Pecan Growers Rebuild After Hurricane Helene as Signs of Recovery Begin to Emerge

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Keysville, GA |

Eight months after Hurricane Helene tore through southeast Georgia, pecan growers are still grappling with the storm’s devastating impact—an event now considered more destructive to the state’s pecan industry than even Hurricane Michael. Heavy rains and powerful winds flattened orchards, toppled mature trees, and left producers reeling just weeks before harvest.

“You had virtually seventy-five percent crop loss in the counties the hurricane hit,” says Andrew Sawyer, Area Pecan Agent with UGA. “But the biggest, hardest thing was the tree loss. Almost 400,000 trees were down. And then you have the future income loss. The total impact will easily surpass Hurricane Michael, and when Michael happened, we didn’t think we’d see anything worse than that.”

For growers, losing a tree means far more than losing a single harvest. It means starting over—and waiting more than a decade to regain profitability.

“It’s one thing to lose the crop and say, ‘Well, we’ll try again next year,’” Sawyer explains. “But when you lose the tree, you lose the crop with it—and future production. Pecan trees take seven to eight years before they begin producing again. But to make your money back, due to planting costs, it’s really more like fifteen years.”

Months later, cleanup efforts continue across the region. While some growers are making progress, others—particularly those in the hardest hit zones—are still in the early stages.

“For some, it’s been very slow,” says Sawyer. “There are still trees on the ground that haven’t even been cleaned up. But in places where the tree loss was maybe thirty to forty percent, they’ve at least been able to clear out the debris, and the remaining trees have a shot at producing this year. Replanting, for most, will begin next year.”

Amid all the challenges, there’s a glimmer of hope. Sawyer says that in some areas, even those hit hardest by the storm, surviving trees are showing signs of resilience—and production.

“Generally, after a big storm like that, you don’t expect a crop. So this has been a surprise,” he says. “Across East and Southeast Georgia, there’s actually a very decent crop on the remaining trees. Some of it is even in the hardest hit areas. In other regions it’s more spotty, but across several varieties I’ve looked at, there’s reason to be optimistic. And that wasn’t expected.”

By: John Holcomb

Georgia’s Shrimping Season Launches Amid Rising Demand and Aquaculture Expansion

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Athens, GA |

Shrimping season in Georgia is just weeks away, and with consumer demand for seafood at an all-time high, local shrimpers may be entering one of their most promising seasons yet. But alongside the opportunity comes a fair share of challenges—particularly for those trying to compete with cheaper imports.

“We think there are coastal and marine opportunities, especially with shellfish production,” says Mark Risse, Director of UGA Marine Extension. “And even things like shrimp, which is the number one consumed seafood product in the United States.”

Despite the popularity of shrimp, the number of commercially licensed shrimping boats in Georgia has steadily declined, dipping below 200 in 2023. Much of that, Risse says, stems from the difficulty of competing with low-cost, imported shrimp flooding the market.

“Their biggest issue is that they can’t compete with the prices for imported shrimp,” he explains. “When people go to the store and purchase shrimp, they’re not often looking to source a higher-quality product, which is our wild Georgia shrimp. So, what we need to do is differentiate that product and have consumers willing to pay more for better quality.”

Risse emphasizes that buying local seafood not only supports quality and freshness—it also strengthens the state’s food security and supply chain resilience.

“We don’t control a lot of that process,” says Risse. “If anything, COVID showed that we can’t count on distribution networks to get food to us. The more we can produce here in Georgia, the more assurance we have that we won’t have to go without.”

While shrimp and oysters have traditionally been staples of the state’s coastal economy—including the launch of Georgia’s first floating oyster farm—another area of aquaculture is quickly gaining attention: aquaponics.

“We do think aquaponics is going to be a growth area,” says Risse. “Around the world, recirculating aquaculture systems that are land-based are growing tremendously because they avoid some of the environmental concerns associated with wastewater discharges. And you can control those systems better.”

Currently, Georgia accounts for less than one percent of U.S. seafood production—a number many hope to grow. That’s where the state’s Aquaculture Conference plays a key role, bringing together producers, researchers, and stakeholders to explore how Georgia can expand its footprint by leveraging its natural resources and infrastructure.

“It’s going to take a great group effort,” says Risse. “We’re going to have to work together. This isn’t something UGA can do alone, or any one agency. But I hope we can create some of that momentum to drive the state forward and take advantage of this opportunity.”

By: Damon Jones

Rooted in Passion: How Fiddleheads Garden Center Grew from Backyard Beginnings to a Community Staple

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Dalton, GA |

Nestled in the hills of Northwest Georgia, Fiddleheads Garden Center is more than just a business—it’s the result of a lifelong love for plants, first nurtured by a grandmother’s hands and now blossomed into a full-grown dream for owner Sam Brown.

“I started at the age of three with my grandmother planting in the yard,” recalls Brown. “I clearly remember planting marigolds. She cultivated that seed in me to have a joy of plants from an early age. I continually planted and experienced the soil and just various aspects of the landscape with her. That led to my joy of gardening.”

That early passion eventually led Brown into a career in landscape architecture. But in 2011, after losing his job due to the downturn in the economy, he took a leap of faith—and Fiddleheads Garden Center was born.

“We started small. The space we’re in now wasn’t part of the garden center at the time—it was a bicycle store,” Brown says. “We began growing a lot of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, pottery—then over time, we kept adding and expanding.”

In the beginning, most of the inventory was grown in-house. At the height of that phase, Brown and his team were growing over 100,000 plants for spring and another 30,000 for fall. But as retail demand increased, that growing space had to give way to sales floor expansion.

“As the business grew, we needed more space for retail,” Brown explains. “So the grow space kept getting reduced. Now, we do our best to bring in as many plants as we can from growers in Georgia. If not, we try to bring them in from the local Southeast. But our priority is Georgia growers, and that’s been important to us from the very beginning.”

Though the business has evolved, Brown says what has remained constant is his love for what he does—and the people he gets to share it with.

“No day is the same. Every day is different and always interesting,” he says. “When I was in the design field, a lot of days felt the same. But now, I get to be outside, I get variety. And beyond that, it’s definitely the people—whether it’s customers we connect and bond with or the growers we get to know. To be a part of that makes every day enjoyable.”

By: John Holcomb

UGA Launches Grand Farm in Perry: The Future of Georgia Agriculture Starts Here

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Perry, GA |

The future of farming in Georgia is taking root in Perry with the launch of the UGA Grand Farm—a 250-acre innovation hub designed to showcase the next wave of agricultural technology and sustainability. Created by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the farm is poised to become a leading destination for ag innovation in the Southeast.

“In essence, we want this to be the go-to place in all of the Southeast U.S. for the latest and greatest within ag innovation and technology,” says Nick Place, Dean of UGA CAES. “We’ve partnered with companies large and small—corporations and startups—to demonstrate their latest technology. We want to do that particularly for producers, extension agents, ag teachers, and young people—4-H and FFA members.”

The stakes are high. Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, and with producers facing mounting challenges, the timing for this initiative couldn’t be more critical.

“There are a lot of challenges facing agriculture—labor, water, pests, diseases, and more,” Place explains. “One way we address those issues is through technology. For example, autonomous tractors and equipment can help solve labor shortages. Technologies like see-and-spray systems use cameras to identify weeds or pests and apply targeted treatments—improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact.”

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper echoed the importance of innovation in keeping the industry strong and competitive, particularly as net farm income has seen significant declines nationwide.

“It’s an opportunity to continue to propel our state’s number one industry,” says Harper. “We’ve seen over $40 billion in net farm income losses in just the last two years across the country. Innovation and technology are what’s going to ensure our farm families can succeed—helping them be more efficient, more effective, and able to keep more money on the farm at the end of the day.”

Beyond advancing farm operations, the Grand Farm is also being positioned as a platform to educate consumers and bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.

“This is going to be a showcase—not just for Georgia, but for the entire country and the world,” says Harper. “Visitors to the fairgrounds or the state livestock shows will get to see new technology and innovation in action. But even more importantly, this farm will help show that agriculture is more than what people traditionally think. Food doesn’t just show up on the grocery store shelf. There’s a hardworking farmer—especially Georgia farm families—growing those Georgia Grown products our consumers enjoy every day.”