Tag Archives: Georgia peach farming

From Peaches to Policy: Senator Drew Echols Balances Farming and Lawmaking in Northeast Georgia

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Alto, GA |

On the rolling hills of Hall County, nestled in the heart of Northeast Georgia, Jaemor Farms is more than just a name—it’s a legacy. For State Senator Drew Echols, it’s where his family’s story, now five generations strong, continues to unfold.

“It’s a family-owned, fifth-generation business,” said Echols. “And both my kids are working here now. Cohen, when he’s out of school, and Chloe’s at the College of Ag—and she’s working here as well. My wife Shelly works on the weekends. So, it has been handed down, and it’s just a pleasure. It’s a blessing and a curse to work on a family farm.”

What began with broilers and 40 acres of peaches has grown into a 150-acre peach operation, with a robust agritourism component and on-site retail. But beyond running the farm, Echols wears another hat—representing Georgia’s 49th District in the State Senate. It’s a path that began on a Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers trip to Washington, D.C., when he was just 21.

“I went up there with a group of young farmers from all over the state,” Echols recalled. “Lobbied Congress on several issues. I remember vividly that immigration was one of those. So, you know, that I guess lit a fire and made me want to become more involved.”

That early exposure to advocacy set him on a path of public service. Years later, Echols found himself more engaged at the county level—attending zoning meetings, collaborating with commissioners, and understanding the importance of bringing agriculture to the legislative table.

“Just really wanting to be involved,” he explained. “Not only from an agriculture’s perspective—obviously that’s near and dear to my heart. Sometimes agriculture doesn’t get brought to the table when it comes to business-type legislation. So, I wanted to be involved in that process.”

Now, as a lawmaker, Echols is using his platform to bridge the gap between the farm gate and the gold dome—making sure his colleagues understand the complexities farmers face beyond planting and harvesting.

“People don’t understand where their food comes from. They also don’t understand the regulatory burdens, the tax burdens, the insurance—that we face, just like a normal business,” he said. “Then you’ve got labor issues, which are mostly federal, but then you’ve got the X factor. They always call weather the X factor, and that’s something that’s always on our mind as farmers.”

As both a grower and a legislator, Echols is uniquely positioned to tell that story—one rooted in the soil of Northeast Georgia, but relevant across the entire state.

By: John Holcomb

From Orchard to Office: How One Georgia Peach Farmer Became a Champion for Agriculture Policy

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Musella, GA |

For Robert Dickey, a fourth-generation peach farmer, agriculture isn’t just a career—it’s a way of life. It’s also what led him, unexpectedly, into public service. What started as a return home to the family farm after college eventually led Dickey down a path to the Georgia State Capitol, where he now serves as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

“I really didn’t have any idea I’d venture into running for office,” says Dickey. “I wanted to come back here after UGA, came back with my wife, Cindy, and started a family right here, in our family business growing peaches. But when the opportunity came up, I jumped at it.”

Since his election, Dickey has risen through the ranks and become one of the strongest voices for the state’s agricultural industry—a role he doesn’t take lightly.

“Having good farm policy and farm support in Georgia is so important,” he says. “It’s our largest industry. It employs so many Georgians. It’s the basis of our economy here, especially in rural Georgia. Georgia’s got a very diversified economy, but agriculture is the backbone of it.”

As one of just a handful of state legislators who are also active farmers, Dickey says his background helps bridge the gap between rural and metro lawmakers—something that’s been key in keeping agriculture a bipartisan priority.

“There’s eleven of us, and we’ve got each other’s back,” Dickey says. “We try to talk to each other, form good policy planning, and gather support. Our metro legislators have been very supportive of agriculture and agribusiness in this state. That’s not by accident. We have a great group in the House and Senate that want to see Georgia’s ag thrive.”

Dickey credits much of his inspiration for entering politics to his years of involvement with Georgia Farm Bureau, where he previously served as a county president.

“I was president for several years and just saw how important Farm Bureau was to making good farm policy in Georgia,” he says. “It was probably one of the biggest reasons I ran—knowing how important it is to have good voices in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., for agriculture.”

With the next legislative session still months away, Dickey is already focused on what’s next. At the top of his list: protecting Georgia’s farmland.

“Agriculture is facing some headwinds,” he says. “We had a good session this past year trying to help those hurricane victims—it was tough. But I’m really worried about our agricultural land disappearing in this state. So many other interests are taking it over or using it for other purposes. I just think we’ve got to protect farmland in this state, just like we protect our natural resources, our water, our parks, and rivers. We’ve got to protect farmland.”

BY: John Holcomb