Tag Archives: Georgia Agriculture

A Life Rooted in the Land: Walt Pridgen Honored with 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Achievement Award

Posted on by

Pitts, GA |

Walt Pridgen has spent his entire life in agriculture, following a path shaped by family, tradition, and a deep sense of purpose.

“I’ve been in agriculture my whole life, I guess you could say,” said Walt Pridgen, 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Achievement Award winner. “Went to college, got an ag degree. Went into equipment sales out of college. Had the opportunity to come back and kind of help dad. So, I came back in 2018 and was farming alongside dad and got the opportunity to kind of build my own operation.”

That return to the family farm marked the beginning of Seven Creek Farms.

“So, I bought a herd of cows,” Pridgen said. “Then the opportunity presented itself to build some chicken houses. So, I was like, well, we’re already in the chicken business, so that kind of makes sense. So, I bought my first herd of cows in 2018 — that’s when Seven Creek Farms started. And then built the chicken houses. I signed the contract to build the chicken house the first part of 2020. So, I’ve been farming poultry since 2020, 2021.”

Even with different ventures along the way, Pridgen says agriculture has always been central to his life.

“I’ve been around agriculture basically my whole life in some capacity,” he said.

For Pridgen, farming carries a responsibility that extends far beyond the fence line.

“Knowing that what I’m doing is feeding somebody,” he said. “I feel like at some point you’re probably going to need a doctor. You’re probably going to need a pharmacist. Depending on how your life shakes out, you may need a lawyer. But you’re going to need a farmer at least once a day. You know — food, fiber, shelter, that kind of thing.”

That understanding fuels his passion not only to farm, but to educate others about agriculture.

“Just being able to make a difference and feed the world and educate people at the same time about why we do what we do,” Pridgen said. “It’s something that I never really intended to do. Being in a position where I can go and talk and do the things that I’ve been able to do wasn’t really in the bingo cards, but it’s just how the deck of cards shook out, and here we are.”

Despite the challenges, Pridgen says there’s nowhere else he’d rather be.

“Farming is hard,” he said. “It would be a lot easier most days to just use the degree that I got, sell fertilizer or chemicals or seeds, or I could be a loan officer at AgSouth or something. But there’s just something about being out here on this place.”

That connection runs deep.

“My family’s been here for 200 years farming the same dirt,” Pridgen said. “Even if I had to go back to town, I’d still try to find a way to be out here doing something. It’s an itch that you just can’t scratch unless you’re scratching it to the level that we’re trying to scratch it here.”

Being recognized with the Georgia Farm Bureau Achievement Award, he says, reflects more than individual effort.

“Being recognized for that award in itself is a pretty big undertaking,” Pridgen said. “But I don’t think I can take all the credit for that myself. Farming is a team effort these days.”

That team includes family, helpers, and Farm Bureau support.

“My dad’s on his operation, and he helps me on mine,” he said. “We’ve got a helper that helps both of us. The people in the local Farm Bureau support me with all the stuff that I do. So as much as it’s an individual award, I kind of feel like it was a win for everybody that’s helped me get to this point.”

After nearly a decade of involvement at a competitive Farm Bureau level, the recognition brought a moment of reflection.

“I’ve been doing Farm Bureau stuff for going on ten-ish years,” Pridgen said. “So it was cool to finally kind of see all that come full circle and give those guys opportunities to see their hard work pay off, because they have just as much to do with it as I do, I feel like.”

By: John Holcomb

From Hospital Halls to Farm Fields: Haley Scruggs Honored for Excellence in Agriculture

Posted on by

Macon, GA |

For Haley Scruggs, life is anything but ordinary. By day, she’s a nurse practitioner specializing in vascular surgery—working long shifts, saving lives, and navigating the nonstop pace of hospital life. But when the scrubs come off, she steps into a very different role: fourth-generation farmer.

“Our farm is over a hundred years old,” said Scruggs. “We grow Christmas trees—choose and cut Christmas trees—pecans, and coastal Bermuda hay. But when I’m not here, I’m a nurse practitioner. So that is my full-time job. And this is my second full-time job. So, it keeps us very, very busy.”

That contrast—between the sterile hospital halls and the quiet beauty of the farm—is exactly what Scruggs says keeps her grounded.

“This is such a great way to just become grounded because that hospital can get very crazy and become very stressful,” she explained. “When you’re trying to save lives all day and handle patients’ situations, it is so nice to be able to come out and literally enjoy what God has given us and spend time on the farm with my family.”

Her unique story recently earned her top honors as the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award winner—recognition she says left her nearly speechless.

“Honestly, I was completely speechless,” said Scruggs. “Tears filled my eyes. I could not have been more excited. This is such a tough competition. And any competition with Farm Bureau—when you make it to the top level—you’re not competing with someone they just drug off the street. These are very top competitors, who are all extremely active in agriculture and are passionate about what they do.”

That passion—both for healing and for growing—is what sets Scruggs apart and helps connect two very different communities that she says often don’t understand each other.

“People at the hospital see a nurse practitioner. They don’t see someone in agriculture,” she said. “They don’t understand everything else I’m doing behind the scenes and how we’re involved in the community with our farm. Same thing with people on the farm—they don’t understand that we actually all work full-time jobs. So I think with that award, it is very important to show people both in and out of agriculture how you can become involved in the community.”

That sense of community is what first drew her to Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program—and what keeps her coming back.

“What an incredible experience the Young Farmer and Rancher program has been,” Scruggs said. “A lot of times you think farmers are old and there’s no one out there you can really reach out to. But that’s completely wrong. There are so many young farmers and ranchers from across the state. It’s absolutely incredible to know that you have that support out there with people who are your age—some a little older, some a little younger.”

Whether in a hospital gown or work boots, Scruggs proves that passion and purpose can thrive in more than one field—and that the line between healing people and feeding them is not as far apart as it seems.

By: Damon Jones

Georgia Cotton, Georgia Threads: Magnolia Loom Helps Farmers Stitch a Future

Posted on by

Pitts, GA |

Farming has never been easy—but for young producers trying to start from scratch, the odds can feel stacked against them. Equipment costs, input prices, and limited access to markets make it difficult to even get started. Just ask John Henry Roberts, a first-generation farmer in Pitts, Georgia.

“I’d say the hardest challenge is just getting into it to begin with,” said Roberts. “If it wasn’t for my boss right now, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I mean, I’m like I said, I’m a first generation. The latest generation for me to farming was my great granddaddy. And that’s when everybody farmed.”

Roberts is doing what he can to change that narrative—and he’s not doing it alone. Thanks to a partnership with Magnolia Loom, a Georgia-based clothing company, Roberts has found new purpose and a better price for his cotton.

“A lot of things we have now are American grown, but they’re not American made,” Roberts explained. “So knowing that what Scott and Zeke and them are doing up there at Magnolia Loom—that they can take this cotton, keep it separated from mine…to a garment like this that I can touch with my own hands—it’s special.”

Magnolia Loom’s model offers producers like Roberts something rare in today’s cotton market: a price above market value.

“The Magnolia Loom mission is to give a dollar a bale, or twenty percent above market price, whichever is higher,” said Roberts. “Even if cotton market price goes to a dollar, they’re still going to pay you $1.20. What they’re doing is buying a little bit from lots of people, to make it truly Georgia grown.”

It’s a small portion of his total crop, but Roberts says the value goes beyond just economics—it’s about dignity, transparency, and pride.

That mission is resonating with other growers, like Clayton Anderson of Bulloch County, who says it’s refreshing to see a market-driven model that actually supports the people who grow the crop.

“Well, the bottom line is important because that’s what keeps us in business,” Anderson said. “A lot of farmers brag about top yields, but they may not be making money making that top yield. They have to put more inputs in.”

Anderson says it’s not just about the dollars and cents—it’s about the bigger picture.

“It’s a great opportunity, and every little bit helps,” he said. “They’re not buying my whole crop. But I appreciate whatever they can and whatever they’re doing to promote Georgia cotton. Magnolia Loom is doing their part to promote cotton, and I appreciate it. And all farmers do.”

By bringing attention—and better prices—to Georgia-grown cotton, Magnolia Loom is helping restore a direct connection between the field and the fabric. For young farmers like Roberts and Anderson, it’s a step toward making farming viable again—not just for them, but for the next generation.

By: John Holcomb

New FSA Leader Brings Business-Minded Vision to Support Georgia’s Small Farms

Posted on by

Tifton, GA |

With more than 39,000 farms generating over $13 billion in annual revenue, agriculture is big business in Georgia—and behind many of those operations is a vital federal partner: the Farm Service Agency. Helping lead the way now is newly appointed State Executive Director Duncan Johnson Jr., who brings a fresh perspective rooted in business experience and a desire to support the people behind Georgia’s number one industry.

“I was drawn to this. I was actually asked to consider doing this job because of my business experience,” said Johnson. “Looking into all about agriculture, there’s just great people and an industry that needs help. It’s fun. It’s great people. And farmers are a good community to be a part of. I love being out in it.”

While he may not have grown up on a farm, Johnson says his background running a family business gives him a deep understanding of the pressures Georgia producers face—particularly when it comes to managing rising costs and navigating market uncertainty.

“I think not having grown up as a farmer and growing up in a generational family business, understanding the pressures that come with that… it’s a lot like farming,” Johnson explained. “Hopefully I can take that and translate that into doing a better job to serve our farmers. My long-term goal is to make sure that Georgia’s FSA is accessible to the farmers, is efficient, and does everything it can to help make farming fun and profitable.”

That focus is especially important now, as producers face record-high input costs, lagging commodity prices, and continued financial pressure.

“I think it’s always been important, but especially when times are tough,” Johnson said. “Being familiar with what’s there to help you stay sustainable and profitable is very important. FSA is very important for the farmers because it’s such a tough industry and it is so up and down. And the security of our farmers to make sure we can still go to the grocery store and have something to eat is so important.”

With nearly 90% of Georgia farms generating less than $50,000 in annual sales, Johnson says a renewed focus on small farms is a priority for both state and national leaders.

“The secretary and the president are working really, really hard to make sure that we take care of the farmers and the focus is on the small farmer, which we have a lot of here in Georgia,” said Johnson. “I’m excited to see what’s coming and what the administration is doing and putting out. I think it’s going to be great and a benefit to our small farmers.”

By: Damon Jones

Georgia Producers Tackle Labor Uncertainty at Annual Ag Forum

Posted on by

Tifton, GA |

For Georgia farmers, securing a reliable workforce is vital to a successful harvest—especially when it comes to fresh produce and specialty crops. That’s why many of them gathered in Tifton for the annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, an event aimed at keeping producers up-to-date on the latest changes to the country’s guest worker programs.

Beth Oleson, Director of Education for the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, says the forum continues to build momentum and foster productive dialogue between growers and regulatory agencies.

“I feel like we actually have gained some momentum. We’ve gained some, some real positive strides with our regulatory agencies. They’re here, they come every year, and they’re actually excited to be here. They’re listening to us. Changes are happening because our growers, our packers, our shippers, our processors are present and they’re having conversations. That’s what this forum is all about,” said Oleson.

According to Will Bentley, President of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, the H-2A guest worker program is essential to Georgia agriculture—especially since the domestic labor force is no longer a viable option for many growers.

“Georgia farmers are, you know, a top user of H-2A labor, typically between number one and number two, state of using the program in the country. So, I mean, it’s obviously important to our industry, especially on the fresh produce side and specialty crops and dairy and green industry and other things like that. So, it’s extremely important to us.”

“Unfortunately, the domestic labor force has shrunk to the point where it’s not really a reliable source of labor for picking crops or working in the fields. It’s become harder, and finding that labor has been more of a challenge. So really, having a dependable labor force through the H-2A program is really what makes Georgia agriculture successful in our ability to be diverse in the crops that we grow here in the state that we just simply couldn’t do if we weren’t able to have a dependable labor force.”

However, that reliance on guest labor has brought added uncertainty—especially as changes to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) continue to strain farm budgets.

“Ten, twenty, thirty percent increases on your labor rate—especially when those decisions aren’t rolled out until kind of late winter when farmers are already making planting decisions, already making hiring decisions—and then they get an increase in their adverse wage rate that they’re required to pay. That’s been the biggest challenge is just offsetting that when farmers can’t just simply raise their prices,” Bentley explained. “We’re price takers. So, the commodity is kind of set on the market for what that’s going to go for a farmer. But then they get a huge increase on the labor side—not to mention the increases on inputs, whether it’s equipment or fertilizer or chemical. So, it’s just really been a challenge on the cost side for our farmers. And that’s really been the biggest obstacle for them being successful.”

Despite the challenges, organizers and attendees of the forum remain hopeful that continued education, conversation, and collaboration can help move the industry forward—ensuring that growers have the tools and labor they need to keep Georgia agriculture thriving.

By: John Holcomb

Lawmakers Trade Bills for Barn Boots in Annual Legislative Livestock Showdown

Posted on by

Perry, GA |

It was a different kind of showdown at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, where lawmakers traded their suits for show sticks in the annual Legislative Livestock Showdown—an event that brings Georgia’s legislative and agricultural communities together for a day of education and fun in the show ring.

“The Legislative Livestock Showdown is an awesome opportunity for us as a department, and also as an ag industry, to bring in individuals that might not have participated in agriculture or FFA or 4-H growing up,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “We bring them to the fair and show them what agriculture truly means—the passion that our young men and women have, our 4-H and FFA kids, about agriculture and their livestock projects, and the role the livestock industry plays in the state of Georgia.”

Among the lawmakers in the ring this year was Representative Bethany Ballard, who despite growing up around cattle, had never shown them herself—until now.

“This was the most fun that I have had since I have been in the legislature. It was the best day,” Ballard said. “I’m so thankful for Stella from Perry High School, who was my coach today. Everything that happened was not her fault—she was the winner. She did a great job coaching me. I’m sure I just didn’t do a good enough job. But it was so much fun. I’m so excited to have done this because I’ve been so jealous of all the other people who got chosen the past few years. So I would love to do this every single year.”

Ballard says being in the ring gave her an even greater appreciation for the kids who spend months preparing their animals for competition.

“It just makes me appreciate what all of these kids do. They work so hard. They get way more than the hour of training that I got,” she said. “They work on their animal all year long, they put in so much effort. It teaches them a marvelous work ethic. And even if they don’t want to be a farmer in their grown-up life, whatever job they go into, they will have the best work ethic, and any boss would be lucky to have them.”

That’s exactly the goal of the event, according to Representative Robert Dickey, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

“The objective is just to make our colleagues aware of the great facility we have here in Perry and what they do here for our young people showing animals,” Dickey said. “Whether it’s steers like today or sows, pigs, and sheep, it’s just a great program for our young people in this state. And that’s what we were trying to highlight—the importance of this facility to ag education in our state.”

For Harper, it’s not only about the fun, but the opportunity to foster understanding with lawmakers who vote on issues affecting Georgia farmers every day.

“Not only is it fun, not only is it exciting, not only do we have fun with it and it’s a competition between the House and the Senate, but more importantly, it’s another way that we tell our story about agriculture,” Harper said. “Put it in front of those individuals that are making those decisions under the Gold Dome, so when we have those conversations with them, they can relate in a way that they haven’t been able to before.”

By: John Holcomb

Georgia Peanut Harvest Underway Despite Late-Season Drought Concerns

Posted on by

Vienna, GA |

Peanut harvest is officially underway across Georgia, as combines roar to life and farmers work tirelessly to bring in this year’s crop. Despite a dry finish to the season, early summer rains helped stave off disaster and salvage yields in many areas.

“We started rain, I guess, right at the end of July,” said Teel Warbington of Warbington Family Farm. “I didn’t water from July 30th to about a week to ten days ago… But by and large, the timeliness of the rain was pretty good on the peanut crop here. Time will tell. I don’t think we’re going to set a record.”

Over the coming weeks, peanut fields across the state will be filled with activity from sunup to sundown as harvest ramps up. But according to Warbington, getting started is the most crucial step.

“That’s the most critical part of finishing any project—is starting,” he said. “Getting in a rhythm is key. Everybody knows what they’re doing, and we’ve got a common vision forward. Once you’ve got things settled a bit, it’s a good time of year.”

That timing is especially important given the rising cost of production. Warbington noted that everything from fuel to defoliants has become more expensive.

“Fuel is still up. Electricity’s up. Even some of our defoliants are up,” he explained. “It’s difficult. The Lord has seen us through it before, and I trust He will again—I just hope it’s in farming.”

Despite the financial pressure and unpredictable weather, Warbington says true farmers wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“By and large, to a fault, we’re producers,” he said. “We’re not always good marketers, but we love producing. A person that doesn’t get excited about gathering a crop—even if it’s not a bust—probably doesn’t need to be doing this.”

As farmers across Georgia dig in for the season, it’s clear that resilience, faith, and passion remain deeply rooted in the state’s peanut fields.

By: Damon Jones

Keeping It Covered: Soil Health Front and Center at Tifton Summit

Posted on by

TIFTON, GA |

In farming, a successful harvest starts from the ground up. That’s why soil health took center stage during a recent Soil Health Summit held at Ponder Farms in Tifton, where producers, researchers, and conservationists gathered to share new practices, technologies, and strategies aimed at building a stronger agricultural foundation—literally.

For Brian Ponder, President of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), soil health isn’t just a best practice—it’s a necessity.

“We got less land to work with,” said Ponder. “So we got to take better care of the land that we have left if we are going to continue to be an independent food supplier for this nation.”

Ponder emphasized that practices like no-till, strip-till, and cover cropping are making a noticeable difference. These methods not only improve a field’s ability to hold nutrients and water but also reduce erosion and improve overall productivity.

And thanks to advances in technology and research, preparing a field for planting looks much different today than it did a generation ago.

“It used to be disc harrows and turning plows,” said Ponder. “Now, with this cotton crop you see, a sprayer ran across the field in January, killed the rye, and then GPS-guided fertilizer went exactly where it needed to go. After that, it was ready for the planter.”

Even so, managing soil health isn’t as easy as pushing a button. Ponder says modern producers must strike a fine balance of crop rotation, nutrient management, and long-term planning—all while keeping a sharp eye on yield potential.

“The name of the game is yield,” he explained. “If you don’t have a good yield, you can’t stay in business. So, taking care of the land in every aspect is critical.”

That’s especially true for cotton growers, who’ve seen prices stagnate for decades despite rising input costs.

“The cotton we’ll sell this year will be the same price that I sold my first crop for forty-one years ago,” said Ponder. “So something had to change to make us more efficient—and this is one of the ways.”

That drive for efficiency is a big reason events like this summit exist. Hosted in partnership with organizations like the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation Districts and GACD, the event gave farmers access to resources that help balance economic viability with long-term sustainability.

“In the next twenty-five years, we’re expected to have ten billion people on the planet,” said Ponder. “We’ve got to feed them. They all want safe food, clean water, and clean air. That’s our goal with the conservation districts—to meet that need. It’s a balancing act, but we’re doing our best to make it work.”

By: Damon Jones

Georgia Ag Issues Summit: Lawmakers Tackle Rural Challenges Ahead of 2026 Session

Posted on by

Perry, GA |

As Georgia lawmakers gear up for the 2026 legislative session, agriculture leaders and industry professionals recently gathered in Perry for the annual Joint Agriculture Committee Chairmen Ag Issues Summit. Hosted by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Russ Goodman and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Robert Dickey, the event served as a platform to discuss both ongoing concerns and opportunities within Georgia’s largest industry.

“It’s a joint summit between the House and the Senate,” said Senator Goodman. “Chairman Dickey and I are the co-hosts of it and really just bring in people from across the state that are involved in the agricultural industry or extension, or people that have an interest in the industry, and come together and talk about issues, have guest speakers, and find out what our challenges are, what our opportunities are, things that we’re doing well.”

Goodman emphasized the importance of learning from university and extension professionals, noting the summit is essentially “about all things ag.”

For Representative Dickey, the event also plays a critical role in educating colleagues who may not have direct ties to farming or rural life. He says the summit helps bridge that knowledge gap between ag leaders and state lawmakers.

“Chairman Goodman and I are certainly up to speed on a lot of these issues, but so many colleagues are not,” Dickey explained. “That is the kind of information we need to get out to the rest of our colleagues in the House and Senate and the Governor’s office—what the problems are with agriculture in Georgia, what the challenges are that we need to be working on. And there’s lots of them. Rural Georgia and agriculture are facing a lot of headwinds right now.”

Among those headwinds is economic uncertainty—something Senator Goodman says threatens the future of many family farms. He believes public policy needs to be shaped with generational survival in mind.

“Right now, ag is struggling in a lot of ways with commodity prices,” Goodman said. “We’ve seen cost of input come down, but as you heard Dr. Dorfman say, they quadrupled, and now they’re just double what they were pre-COVID. Moving forward, it’s just going to continue to be about making sure we’re implementing public policy that hopefully enables the next generation to continue to farm.”

That message was echoed by Dickey, who says when agriculture suffers, the entire rural community feels the impact.

“Our rural communities are really suffering,” he said. “High cost inputs for farmers, low crop prices—a lot we can’t do on a state level. But we’ve got to support those communities, those rural ag communities, to have the infrastructure, to have the diversity that those communities really need. Agriculture is the largest industry in those counties. When ag constricts, it really puts a burden on our school systems, our roads, and those types of things.”

By: John Holcomb

Georgia Pecan Growers Navigate Tough Season as Harvest Nears

Posted on by

Tifton, GA |

Pecan growers across Georgia are gearing up for harvest season, which is just weeks away. But unlike past years, 2025’s growing season has been anything but ideal, thanks to excessive rainfall that has brought disease pressure and damaged crops—especially the state’s more delicate varieties.

“Anytime we get as much rain as we’ve had this year, it’s not necessarily a good thing for pecans,” says Lenny Wells, Pecan Extension Specialist with UGA. “The more rainfall we get, the more disease pressure we have. And for a lot of the varieties that we grow, the more disease pressure we have, the more we have to spray to keep the disease off of them.”

The challenge hasn’t just been the total rainfall, but also how frequently it’s fallen.

“When it’s raining every day or four or five days during the week, you just don’t get enough time in between those rains for the leaves to dry out—and then to get out there and be able to spray them before it rains again,” Wells explains. “That causes some issues.”

Aside from increased input costs, the moisture has led to crop damage before some nuts even began to mature. Wells says this is especially true for thin-shelled varieties.

“Some of the thinner shelled varieties are susceptible to splitting,” he says. “Most of the time, that split will occur inside the shuck. But when it happens very quickly, and you get a really heavy influx of rain that the tree sucks up fast, it can actually cause splitting or rupture of that shuck on the outside.”

Ironically, the same rain that caused so many issues earlier in the season is now something growers are hoping for. That’s because the final stages of nut development require plenty of water—whether from the skies or from supplemental irrigation.

“We’re right here at the tail end of it,” says Wells. “Once the shell’s hardened, they start to fill the kernel in the nut, and that’s a high energy demand process for the tree. It takes a lot of water.”

Despite everything, there’s cautious optimism. While it’s not expected to be a bumper crop, growers are seeing better-than-expected yields thanks in part to younger trees coming into maturity.

“This year’s crop looks decent. It’s actually a little better than expected after that storm,” Wells says. “A lot of our old Stuart trees, which still make up a good bit of our acreage in the state, they’re pretty off this year. But we’ve got a lot of younger trees coming in, and that’s kind of offsetting some of that.”

With harvest just around the corner, growers are hoping a strong finish can help salvage a challenging season.

By: Damon Jones