Ellijay, GA |
With warmer temperatures and longer days signaling the arrival of spring, outdoor activities are once again top of mind across Georgia. And for those looking to explore agriculture firsthand, the Georgia Farm Bureau Farm Passport is back for 2026 — now with an exciting new twist.
“This year we’ve got over a hundred farms again,” said Kelly Henry, Certified Farm Market Coordinator with Georgia Farm Bureau. “We’re really excited because not only are we doing the farm passport where you can go and get your stamps across the state and earn prizes, but we’re adding a new element this year — a scavenger hunt through the GooseChase app.”
A New Interactive Experience
The addition of the scavenger hunt brings a new level of interaction and competition to the program. Once participants download the app, they can complete missions, earn points, and unlock rewards along the way.
“It sets you right up,” Henry said. “You can play it by yourself or on a team, and then you’re set to do missions and earn points. Our missions include photo or video submissions or questions. You may need to go to a farm and find a secret password, and depending on which farm you’re at, it can unlock new missions for you to complete.”
The feature is designed to keep participants engaged while encouraging them to visit more farms throughout the year.
A Win for Farms and Visitors
The Farm Passport doesn’t just benefit visitors — it also provides a boost to local farms by increasing foot traffic and introducing new customers to their operations.
“This will be our second year here,” said Lee Forbes of Cress Creeks Sheep Farm. “We’ve had a lot of wonderful guests come in and see us for the first time, and they discovered our farm through this program. It’s the only way we would have reached them. The Farm Bureau has been a big benefit for us.”
By encouraging travel across the state, the program helps connect consumers directly with the people and products behind Georgia agriculture.
Showcasing Georgia’s Agricultural Diversity
One of the program’s biggest strengths is the wide range of farms included, offering something for everyone.
“The really cool thing about this program is that it includes every type of farm we have in Georgia — and no two are alike,” Henry said. “You’ve got everything from sheep farms to cattle producers, u-pick farms with peaches, apples, and strawberries, to vegetable growers and everything in between.”
That diversity allows participants to experience agriculture in a hands-on way, from picking fresh produce to learning how livestock is raised.
Growing Participation Each Year
Just like the number of farms involved, participation in the Farm Passport continues to grow year after year.
“Our very first year, we had about two hundred people submit their passport,” Henry said. “Now, we’re well over a thousand every year. It’s really exciting because people are getting to experience, taste, and touch all parts of agriculture.”
As the program expands in 2026, organizers hope even more Georgians will take advantage of the opportunity to explore the state’s farms — and gain a deeper appreciation for the industry that feeds and fuels their communities.
By: Damon Jones