The Georgia Department of Agriculture is not a part of the USDA. According to their web site, they are the oldest state department of agriculture in the Unites States. It was established in the year of 1874. They help regulate and promote agricultural ideas. They also try to ensure food safety throughout the state. This is achieved by supporting local places of agricultural commission, which consists of grocery and convenient stores, food processing plants, seeders, and several more. For example they provide information of local farmers markets. The information contains the locations and times of sale. Without this department’s help, Georgia’s agriculture would be lost. Our farm would be left in chaos as well as many others. I appreciate the work that they do for our state and every Georgian should too.
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Pecans”
Georgia’s pecans are known to be the best in the nation. According to Georgia Pecans, “There are over 500 varieties of pecans, of which only three are common: Georgia produces all three varieties and leads the nation in pecan production, averaging 88 million pounds each year.” They add a rich flavor and hint of crunchiness to every dish they come into contact with. I personally, do not like pecans.
However, the rest of my family adores them. My grandmother has a pecan tree in her back yard, and when fall rolls around she makes all of us grandchildren pick up the fallen pecans. She can begin to make her world famous pies.
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Gone With the Wind”
If a person lives on a farm in the state of Georgia, there is a high chance that they have either seen the movie or read the book Gone With the Wind. It is part of our tradition. The book supposedly portrays what life was like for many southerners during the civil war. For those who do not know what it is about, the plot follows a young woman, Scarlet O’Hara, having an affair. She lived on a plantation in Georgia, with the name of Tara, where most of the movie takes place. She is extremely well off in the beginning. The war along with some poor decisions lead to her going bankrupt and starving towards the end. I preformed Scarlet’s final monologue in my drama class. My piece went very well and I later received the highest drama average award because of it in addition to some of my other roles. I personally love the movie and find its main characters comical. Exploring Georgia announces that there is, however, a Tara museum that people can visit in Jonesboro. I have never been to it, but many tourists say that the attraction is well worth the visit.
http://www.exploregeorgia.org/listing/3880-road-to-tara-museum
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/gone-with-the-wind/images/3046341/title/gone-with-wind-wallpaper
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Dogs”
Dogs are essential to life on a farm. They guard over livestock, are protective over their territory, in addition to being able to heard or corral. This makes the farmer’s job a bit easier. They do not have to worry as much over intruders, whether it be beast or human. They also do not have to work as hard when they want to gather their cattle, sheep, pigs, etc. Dogs make great pets. Most of ours are seen as extended family members. However, the best farm dog we ever had was a Rottweiler-hound mix. Her name was Black Bird, but we called her Birdy for short. She saved us from multiple coyote and snake attacks. When my sister and I used to go outside to play she would sit close by and watch over us to make sure nothing went wrong. I loved her to death and we haven’t had a dog since be as great as she was. According to Paw Nation, there are many other well suited farm dog breeds. However, the Rottweiler-hound will forever be my family’s favorite.
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Trees”
Pine trees grow very well in the state of Georgia. There are a number of different kinds, Loblolly being the most prominent. This tree ranges in size from medium to large. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, their average height is between ninety to one hundred ten feet tall. It is used generally for wood pulp in paper production. In the south, lumber is a big part of our economy. Tree farms can be found throughout the state. The Company nearest me is called T&S Hardwood. Their business started out around the 1970’s with just one mill. It later grew to three mills. Tree farming is a long, laboring process. Without companies like T&S, Georgia would miss out on a huge economical opportunity.
http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/reforestation/species-descriptions/pines/
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Sunflower Farm Festival”
Wes Holt never expected his uncle’s sunflowers to bring travelers from all over the world to his property. They were originally planted just to attract doves for the hunting season. His property shortly became a tourist attraction. Now, Rutledge, Georgia hosts an annual Sunflower Farm Festival. Here the neighboring people build art to be put in the flower fields. Its attendees are allowed to roam the fifteen acre farm at their leisure. According to Judy Garrison, the Holt family opens up their farm “for only 30 days (June 15-July 15) each year, when blooms are at their most statuesque height (Deep South Magazine, 2013).” I always enjoyed sunflowers as a child. Their tall and limp behavior astonishes me. I encourage everyone to try and attend this festival. It is an inexpensive, easy way to have a little fun.
http://deepsouthmag.com/2013/06/georgia-sunflower-farm-festival/
http://gocovington.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Sunflower-Farm.jpg
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Bees”
When people think of agriculture, bees may be the very last thing that comes to mind. However, bees are very important in the state of Georgia. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, about one third of our food is directly related to the pollination of insects, one hundred of these crops being pollinated by bees (Georgia Department of Agriculture, 2014). Most southern bee keepers do not make a living off of their bee hives. They tend to only obtain a few for various reasons. If a bee farmer wants to sell his or her honey, they do not have to have a license to sell in their farmers markets, fairs, own homes, and own businesses. Yet, they must be producing in a sanitary environment. Honey bees can be found in the flowers around my house.
http://agr.georgia.gov/honey-bees.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Honeybee_landing_on_milkthistle02.jpg
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Peanuts”
Hardy Farms is one of the most well-known peanut producers in the state of Georgia. They happen to originate out of a small town called Cochran, Georgia. My grandmother’s house is located right next to one of their planting fields. They are known for their quality of being fresh and great tasting. According to their web site, “We pick our peanuts daily, then clean, process and package them just for you, allowing you to take them from the bag directly to the pot (Hardy Farms Peanuts, 2013)!” They like to believe that this concept makes them the best peanut producer in the Southeast. Their products are located in local grocery stores as well as road stands. I personally love Hardy Farms and refuse to eat peanuts from any other company.
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Onions”
When one thinks of onions they don’t get a sweet taste in their mouth, or do they? According to Bobby Flay, the Vidalia onion is not only the most famous but also the only onion there is (Vidalia Onions, 2014). However, this is knowingly not true, but these onions are one of the few that are actually sweet in flavor. They are grown in Vidalia, Georgia, which is about
an hour and a half from my house. I have played many of softball tournaments here in the onion town. It is extremely hot as well as humid, like most of the state. What set it apart from most towns are its well-known onions and its abundance of annoying gnats. For some reason, its yellow granex hybrid seed, planted anywhere else in the world, does not produce onions as sweet as the Vidalia. Georgia’s vast amount of rainfall causes our soil to contain a lot of sulfur, which makes our onions so sweet. This is what makes our onions so popular in addition to unique.
“Life of a Southern Farmer: Vegetable Gardens”
Gardens in the south are very important. Many people have their own personal gardens to supply themselves with fresh vegetables. Though these gardens were once necessary, it is used today more as a hobby or to save some money. This method for getting produce is one that I personally am fond of. To me, there’s nothing better than a fresh carrot handpicked from our garden. Even those who have a plentiful amount of money may still choose to have a garden for various reasons including it being relaxing, a fun hobby, and just having something to pass the time. According to the University of Georgia, cultivation is key to having a successful vegetable garden. This means one must hoe in order to control weeds and grasses (University of Georgia, 2012). If this process is not preformed, crops will not be able to grow to their full potential.
http://extension.uga.edu/publications/files/pdf/C%20963_3.PDF
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