Tag Archives: Cress Creeks Sheep Farm

Georgia Farm Passport Expands in 2026 with New Scavenger Hunt Feature

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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

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