Feb. 16-17, 2018 in Augusta, GA
2018-02-16 08:00:00
This year we are offering tours and field trips on Friday morning AND afternoon. Farm Tours and field trips are drive-it-yourself and attendees will be provided with driving and parking info. As always, spots are limited so register early to have the best selection of tours. We also encourage folks to carpool with at least one other person.
FRIDAY, Feb. 16
Morning Session (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Sponsored by Banner Greenhouses Adderson’s Fresh Produce Keysville, Ga.
Adderson’s Fresh Produce is a Certified Organic vegetable and herb farm operated by Augusta legends and our 2018 Land Steward Award Winners Loretta and Sam Adderson on the plot of sun-kissed land that nurtured Loretta as child. Then, it was a providing homestead site. Now, it is a diversified vegetable and herb production powerhouse that unites and inspires new and beginning growers in the region. Visitors to this farm will learn all about mixed vegetable production, the markets for fresh produce in the Augusta area, value-added products for cosmetic lines, and why organic certification is the way to go.
Augusta Community Tour One: Harrisburg Walking Tour Augusta, Ga. ***This tour has reached capacity.***
This walking tour will explore the Harrisburg neighborhood where residents are building healthier non-toxic soil at Sibley Soilworks, improving healthy food access with the GROW Harrisburg raised-bed initiative that has installed over 200 raised bed gardens, and learning how to cook and preserve their urban harvests at Icebox Urban Farm. We will round off our tour with a visit to R & R Sustainable Farms, an urban micro-farm known for their use of non-GMO seeds and sustainable growing practices.
Bella Luna Sheep and Wool Co. Tignall, Ga.
The several different breeds of sheep and lambs raised on 10 acres of idyllic green pastures at Bella Luna enjoy an unfettered life. Visitors will get to meet the flock, learn about their care and management, and understand the process of turning their fine fiber into hand-spun, organically dyed wool.
Herb ‘n Berries Montmorenci, S.C.
Visit this farm to get a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the area’s most successful U-pick operations at this blueberry farm with approximately 1,250 blueberry bushes of nine varieties, and thornless blackberries. The farm also produces specialized, popular vegetable varieties, including Japanese eggplant, cherry and grape tomatoes, and sweet Italian peppers.
Combo Trip: A Healing Farm at J and L Farm and Stables, and Urban Grange Farm
A Healing Farm at J and L Farm and Stables Hephzibah, Ga.
J and L Healing Farm and Stables sits on 14.5 acres in the gentle hills of Hephzibah, Ga. Visitors will learn how the Ritchies have spent the last several years transitioning more of their horse and hay farm into a Certified Naturally Grown small fruit and vegetable operation that features an incubator component for growers with mental disabilities. In addition to blueberries, apples, brown turkey figs, and array of seasonal vegetables, J and L Farm & Stables also supplement their market offerings with value-added products, like pound cakes and shortbread cookies.
Sponsored by Global Growers Urban Grange Farm Hephzibah, Ga.
Urban Grange is a small family farm started by two former Army soldiers passionate about fueling their local food movement and building sustainable neighborhoods. Visitors to this location will learn about raising a diverse number of small-scale livestock, including heritage chickens, goats, and pigs, for eggs and meat production. Check out this Certified Naturally Grown farm if you want to see where permaculture principles meet small-scale production.
Afternoon Session (2-5 p.m.)
Augusta Community Tour Two: Downtown Garden Initiatives Augusta, Ga. ***This tour has reached capacity.***
This tour features short site visits at a variety of downtown Augusta garden initiatives that are increasing food access, health and entrepreneurship. Visit Master’s Table, a soup kitchen and garden operated by Golden Harvest Food Bank and learn about their Healthy Plate Initiative. Explore how Clubhou.se invests in local and urban growers through their Incubator Garden, and see how gardens at the Dept. of Public Health are nudging clients toward healthier food choices.
Combo Trip: Brown’s Place Farm and White Hills Farm
Brown’s Place Farm
Grovetown, Ga.
Brown’s Place Farm is an organized, attractive 20-acre producer of a wide variety of certified organic vegetables. Visitors will learn about high-tunnel production, goat production and their paddock rotation. Retired from his first career, W.B. Brown will also teach farm tour visitors about building soil fertility in the loamy sand of the Coastal Plain.
White Hills Farm
Dearing, Ga.
One of Georgia’s hidden gems, this small boutique lavender and herb farm is a model of agritourism, with regular farm tours, on-farm markets, and other events that attract hundreds of customers to this gorgeous farm. Of course, visitors will also get to see a productive herb farm and learn about marketing value-added lavender products.
Happy Wife Farm Modoc, S.C.
Visit Happy Wife Farm to see first hand a small, family-centric farm/homestead that sits on under 40 acres and includes an orchard of about 100 mature pecan trees, a large pond with fish, and a handful of fruit trees. Happy Wife Farm utilizes a large garden, orchards, chickens, guinea fowl, and some dairy goats to produce pecans, dairy goats, chickens, guineas and eggs.
Navigating Farm to School: Road Bumps and Victories for the Farmer and School Nutrition Burke County Public School System Burke County, Ga.
Michelle Obama graced the halls of Burke County Public Schools in 2016! While there, she celebrated the nationally-recognized efforts of Donna Martin and her farm-to-cafeteria program, also known as “Harvest Bright,” which led to the establishment of a farmer’s market run by the school system. Meet the people who help make this happen, including procurement specialists, educators, and farmers.