Royston, GA

For Cole and Nicole Roper, agriculture isn’t just an industry they work in, it’s a way of life, as they work to grow sweet corn, poultry, and cattle. It’s a lifestyle they wouldn’t trade for the world and it’s a lifestyle that has helped them earn the title of 2023 Georgia Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award winners – an award they competed for at this year’s Young Farmer and Rancher conference that’s awarded to a member for their involvement with Farm Bureau and their community.

“My love for agriculture began at a very young age with my grandfather; riding the tractor with him and being on his cattle operation and him growing a big garden. He originally taught me how to grow vegetables and sweet corn. When I got into high school, my agriculture teachers encouraged me to grow a small crop of sweet corn for my SAE project. When I did that, I saw that I could make a little money, so I just continued to grow my operation. Through the past 10-12 years, we have grown Cole’s Sweet Corn to over twenty acres of fresh picked sweet corn. We pick everything. We pick fresh, daily. It’s hand-picked. That’s sort of what sets us apart from others that are around us,” says Cole.

As much as they love being on the farm, they know that there’s work that needs to be done elsewhere, which is why they find it essential to advocate for the ag industry.

“Advocating for agriculture is essential to not only what we do here on our farm, but what every consumer does. They need to know that the food they buy in the grocery store where it comes from, they need to know how it’s processed, how it’s grown, so that they can understand what goes into it. Not everybody realizes that their corn that’s grown is not grown at Walmart or it’s not grown at Ingles,” says Nicole. “It actually is grown on a physical farm. So, being able to advocate for agriculture will help us continue agriculture for the next generation. Our daughter, who’s two years old, we would like her to be involved in agriculture and if we don’t advocate for what we do, some people are going to try to shut it down. So, we’re just really passionate about educating the consumers about our product, but also about agriculture in general.”

The Ropers will now head to Salt Lake City where they’ll be competing for national recognition at this year’s annual AFBF Convention – an opportunity they say is an honor to get to represent their state, county, and operation in this capacity and are ready to give it their all.

“We are very excited and beyond belief proud to be able to represent the state of Georgia in Salt Lake City. Growing up, I was taught by some pretty competitive ag teachers and when I go to a contest, whether it’s region, state, or nationals, I’m preparing to win and we go to win and we’re going to try our best and leave it all on the table in Salt Lake City,” says Cole.

By: John Holcomb

Waycross, GA

While he might have grown up in and around agriculture, David Morgan chose a different path from his parents’ tobacco and poultry operation when starting up his own farm. That decision was validated with him, and his wife Lindsey being named the 2023 YF&R Achievement Award winner in their last year of the program, which marks the culmination of a lifelong dream.

“I started as soon as I was out of school. Even before then I was growing produce. I was planting vegetables like squash, zucchinis and just knew I always wanted to farm. So, as soon as I got able to go to the bank and now here we are,” says David. “This is my sixteenth crop, so we’ve got cotton and peanuts and really enjoy what we do.”

“We” is the operative word, as this couple works hand in hand in order to keep this family farm running smoothly.

“I’m the parts runner, the lunch giver, I’ve had to hop on the tractor and help him out before, moved peanut trailers, moved peanut bails; whatever is needed. You can’t survive without teamwork. Even if it’s just emotional support or somebody to vent to or whatever. It’s huge,” says Lindsay..

Crops aren’t the only thing growing on this operation, as the Morgan’s also get a unique opportunity to raise their two daughters, Blythe and Landyn on the farm. It’s a lifestyle neither them nor their parents would have any other way.

“If we’re being a hundred percent honest, there is nowhere else I would rather live. As a teacher, I will probably catch some flak for saying this, but, you know, I love teaching, but there are no greater lessons than living on the farm. My kids will learn far more doing this and living here then they’ll ever learn in the classroom,” says Lindsay.

It’s good to see them walking up and down the rows and picking off the peanuts or the cotton bolls and it just makes a lot of memories. They’ll learn responsibility a lot faster than if they were just sitting in the house and not being able to wander and doing the things that we do,” adds David.

Speaking of learning, the Young Farmer and Rancher program has played a major role in development for the Morgan’s as it nurtures both leadership and communication skills.

As far as lessons, it’s helped us do better networking and meet other people from all around the state and just communicate with what one farm’s doing against what we may be doing and get a good idea from a neighbor and utilize it on our operation,” says David.

Despite all the long hours and hard work put in over the past fifteen years, the passion and pride both David and Lindsay have for growing crops hasn’t waned one bit.

“One thing, that no matter where you go in the world, you can say, ‘Oh, we farm,’ and nobody else does that. There’s only a small percentage of us that farm, that feed the world, that clothe the world and I like being able to go somewhere and claim ‘Yeah, we farm.’ Not everybody gets to do that. It’s just kind of special to me.” says Lindsay.

“I enjoy from the beginning to the end. It’s a fever like I have for nothing else,” says David.

By: Damon Jones

Rock Spring, GA

To rip off Buddy the elf, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by picking out a fresh tree with those you hold dear” – and in Northwest Georgia, there’s no better place to do that than Raulston Acres Christmas Tree Farm; a family run operation that was started back in 2008 after an idea was brought to life.

“We started out by planting about four hundred and fifty trees and were going to see how that went. That was back in 2008. Those started growing, so we knew we had to grow,” says Dan Raulston Owner of Raulston Acres. “Since our growth cycle was about four years from planting to harvest, we started planting, planting, planting. By the fifth year, we were able to start harvesting our trees. So, that’s sort of a challenge to keep that in play all the time because of the way the trees grow.”

Over the years, they’ve certainly grown their operation, as they now have five thousand trees growing on their farm, that, as you can tell, are full, vibrate, and picture perfect – something Raulston says takes a lot of hard work, but they take great pride in throughout the year to make sure their customers find a product they love and will enjoy throughout the holiday season.

“I would want people to take home a tree, like I would take home a tree. When they leave here with a tree tied onto the top of their car, or in the back of their truck, or on a trailer, I like to think that that’s a part of our farm, leaving our farm, to go to their home and be set up and be a part of their Christmas experience. So, that’s on the back of our minds when we’re in the hot sun trimming these trees, or planting them, or making sure they’ve got enough fertilize. It’s tough, I mean it’s farming, but at the same time that’s sort of the goal that we try for, is to make sure that when people come here, that they’ve got a good product to pick from,” says Raulston.

Of course though, growing beautiful trees is just one part of the puzzle, as Raulston says the experience is just as important, and is why they’ve created a place for families to make memories by getting to choose and cut down their own tree.

“For a lot of folks, this is the only farm that they will be a part of throughout the year. So, we tell everybody that we sell the experience. You can go to these retail lots and buy a tree, but you’re not going to get the same experience that you would get coming on a real farm and cutting your own tree. That’s what people like and that’s what keeps people coming back; is the experience,” says Raulston.

For Raulston, that’s what it’s all about, as he gets to watch families make memories on the farm that they’ll cherish for a lifetime.

“I like to see the families coming on the farm. They’re happy. They’re enjoying themselves and it’s sort of contagious. I enjoy myself when they do and I think the phone doesn’t ring out here unless you want it to, that’s another good thing, but I think that’s the biggest thing that I get enjoyment out of,” says Raulston.

By: John Holcomb

Blairsville, GA

It’s not your typical livestock operation here at Lasso the Moon, as you won’t find any cows, pigs or even horses roaming around. Instead, you’ll likely run into one of the more than twenty-five alpacas raised on this farm. While you are encouraged to pet and feed them on one of the many free tours they offer throughout the year, that’s not the only thing they hope you take out of the experience.

“We are really into the educational part of it. We don’t want you to just come out and think you’re just going to pet an alpaca and that’s the end of it,” says Owner, Holly Williams. “We want you to understand like the difference between an alpaca and a llama, the origins, where they come from, what their purpose is. So, you really learn all about all of that.”

Even though farming has always been the goal for Holly, exactly what type of animal that would be on that farm wasn’t as certain. That is until she came across the alpaca.

“Well, I grew up on a farm in Ohio. Met my city boy husband from Atlanta and I can only take so much of the city life. I needed some dirt to roll in. I have an art degree. So, I find myself through the textile industry trying to create a business through that. I thought maybe sheep, but once I met the alpaca, that was the end. Fell in love – tossing and turning in love,” says Williams.

That passion hasn’t faded one bit over the past twenty years, for an animal that not only makes a great companion, but also fairly easy to raise.

“They’re really fun and we want people to experience that part of them as well; that they are very sweet and gentle. They are beautiful animals. They’re very sweet animals. They don’t mean us any ill will whatsoever. They’re actually easy keepers as far as livestock goes. They really don’t eat a lot. It’s not like you’re trying to feed a cow or whatever. These guys, you can put four, to six, to eight, even sometimes ten on an acre and they’re fine,” says Williams.

However, that isn’t to say they don’t come without some challenges, including one in particular.

“Sheering. Nobody likes sheering. It’s not fun for the alpacas. It’s not fun for the human doing it. It can be very difficult, but it’s something you have to do, they can’t shed,” says Williams.

In the end, it is worth the effort, as it provides a unique material that everyone can wear and be comfortable in.

“Uniquely, alpaca is considered hypoallergenic. It has no lanolin. So, you should be able to wear alpaca even if you can’t wear sheep’s wool. It also has a very low prickle factor. So, like sheep’s wool, when it touches your skin, it can be very irritating and itchy. Alpaca has a much lower prickle factor. So, it’s much, much softer on your bare skin,” says Williams.

By: Damon Jones

Rossville, GA

Here at Lakeview Middle School in Catoosa County, these students are hard at work tending to their school garden known as the Giving Garden, a project that has become an oasis for them as it’s used as an outlet for kids that maybe need some extra attention. According to Jessica Tatum, School Counselor and one of the masterminds behind the garden says it takes a lot of work but says this is just one of the ways the school pours into these kids outside of just academics.

“I like to use horticultural therapy because each counselor, therapist has their own strengths and weaknesses. I enjoy gardening and I feel like I want to show the kids something I love and get them excited about it so they can learn different things that maybe they’re not used to, that they can, first of all, learn how to dive into something that maybe they’re unsure about and learn it and love it because, that’s what you’re going to have to do in life,” says Tatum. “As far as therapy in the classroom, sometimes for a school counselor, just giving the students a break in the fresh air, letting them use their hands and have tangible sensations, it helps a lot when they go back, especially our ADHD kids; when they go back into the classroom, it’s given them a brain break and a movement break and I think that’s a lot better than just sitting in another classroom or the counselor’s office, just chatting.”

According to Tatum, the garden also serves another purpose as she says it helps kids learn to become self-sustainable, something she’s recognized as important as a large part of their students may not have access to fresh, nutritious foods all the time.

“A large part of our school is at or below poverty line. So, a lot of kids and students don’t really have access to fresh vegetables all the time or gardens. Gardens are just peaceful in general. So, fresh flowers are good for the soul, learning how to dig in the dirt, stuff like that. So, it’s really good that myself and Becky are teaching the students how to plant and grow veggies because they don’t always have access to it, and if they do, they don’t know what it is or how to eat it, etc.,” says Tatum.

Becky Karson, Site Coordinator with Communities in Schools at L.M.S., who runs the school’s Garden Group says they’ve had excellent participation and says that it’s something the kids look forward to each week.

“They’re very excited to come out. I’ve gotten kids that are not even part of the Communities and Schools program here ask me; “Hey, how can I join your garden group?” And “when are we going to have our next gardening group?” So they’re definitely receptive to and are eager to come out and work. It’s gone very well so far. I’m really pleased with it,” says Karson.

Karson says that the garden also has become an opportunity for the kids to give back to their peers, as they get to decide what’s done with the produce after they’ve harvested it.

“I also wanted to build teamwork and a place where they can also give back what they get from the garden. So, we’re going to have a survey to find out what they want to do with the bounty that we get at the end of the year, the harvest and what perhaps you can give it to the cafeteria or we can give it to families in need in the community, because I know there are several families here that each week I actually offer a food bags to them to go home. So, perhaps we can supplement some of those fresh vegetables and fruits to those bags as well. They have a sense of pride with that, that they’ve helped somebody, they’ve helped grown it, they’ve learned about it, and they can also take it home as well,” says Karson.

By: John Holcomb

Moultrie, GA

This year at the Sunbelt Ag. Expo, antique and garden tractor enthusiasts got the chance to showcase the power, speed, and capabilities of their machines. It’s something that was new to the Expo this year, and is something that turned out to be a crowd favorite as these machines were put to the test by pulling a weighted sled behind them.

“Tractor pulling is a competition which we hook to a mobile sled that has a weighted box over the rolling tires on the rear axle. As the sled is pulled down to track, the weight box progressively moves forward, mashing harder on the skid plates at the front, creating the drag which the truck or tractor or in this case, garden tractor must overcome. On my sled, fully loaded, the box all the way up, roughly 7500 pounds drag. Pretty good handful for a small tractor,” says Joey Norman, Promoter of Slow Jo Car & Tractor Pulls.

“What’s the purpose of this event, you ask? According to Norman, it’s a chance for gearheads and tractor enthusiasts like himself to showcase the speed and power these machines have to offer, all in a family friendly environment that will hopefully land them some bragging rights in the end.

“Sort of like John Force. What does he need to travel 300 miles an hour? It’s the thrill of the thrill of the speed,” says Norman. “Gearheads like to make horsepower, and this is the way we transfer it. It’s just a family-oriented competition. Every now and then we get a little pay out or a little certificate at the end, but mostly trophies and bragging rights.”

Aside from the friendly competition however, Norman says all of this has a greater meaning behind it, as he says that tractor pulls and other, similar shows to this one pay tribute to the tractors that were developed in the twentieth century and honors the heritage of those that used them to grow food and fiber.

“I would like to say heritage, but a large portion of the people that participate never had family farms, their children certainly never saw these tractors. Now there’s a large portion of the antique folks that’s several years older than I am, but for the most part, it brings back the nostalgia of childhood memories for some of the older people. To be honest with you, it’s a marvel of our ancestors’ mechanical knowledge. They really built a good machine. It’s still something that we deeply appreciate,” says Norman.

As mentioned, this was the first year for the event, but Norman is already planning on bringing back the event next year and wants to make it bigger and better than before.

By: John Holcomb.