CHATEAU ELAN’S
SIMONE BERGESE IS A MUSCADINE DEVOTEE
BRANTLEY GILBERT FORESTRY + FAMILY NATIVE GRAPES GEORGIA WINE
SENSATIONAL SPUDS BAKED POTATOES FRESH FIXINS TOMATO TIME
*Farm Bureau Exclusive Cash Reward is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Exclusive Cash Reward on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2023/ 2024/2025 Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150, Super Duty or F-150 Lightning. This incentive is not available on Ranger Raptor®, F-150 Raptor, F-650® and F-750® Super Duty. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase or lease and take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s
by January 2, 2025. See your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #32286.
Ford F-150
Insurance You Can Feel Good About
When you partner with Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance, your dollars are reinvested right back into your community.
Georgia Farm Bureau has offices in virtually every community in the state, in 158 Georgia counties. No one knows the state of Georgia like we do and no one invests in Georgia like we do. Not only do we have agents and staff working and living in your community, we also support grassroots efforts in your community that protect Georgia agriculture and strengthen the local economy. This is insurance you can actually feel good about. Learn more and get a quote at GFBInsurance.com.
VIEW FROM THE FIELD
Creating the Wine and Grapes Commodity Commission
06 08
PRODUCTS WE LOVE
Spice up your life with Georgia-made items
FORESTRY + FAMILY
Country music star Brantley
Gilbert shares his love of the land
MUSC-DIVINE
Georgia’s native grape helps grow wine-making businesses
SENSATIONAL SPUDS
Baked potatoes score a touchdown on the table
20 23 24
04 12 18 27 28
MULTI-TALENTED MANNY
Manuel Gutierrez designs and creates boots by hand
INSURANCE WITH A PURPOSE
Invest your dollars in Georgia
GARDEN OF HOPE
Brookdale Resource Center nourishes those in need
A GEORGIA PRAYER
Giving thanks for football, family and farmers
FRESH FIXINS
Fried tomatoes with Cajun flair
Muscadine Grapes at Paulk Vineyard | Irwin County, Georgia
ENTS ENTS
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU
Georgia Farm Bureau is the premier voice for agriculture in Georgia. We work earnestly to support a safe and abundant food supply that not only feeds Georgians, but the growing world as well. Georgia Neighbors Magazine is a nod to that genuine sentiment – it’s an opportunity to discover the people, the places and the impact of ag in our great state.
Want to subscribe? Become a Georgia Farm Bureau member to receive Georgia Neighbors twice a year. Membership means supporting farmers and agriculture while having access to more than 300,000 discount offers. Visit gfb.ag/join.
For content inquiries or comments, please contact Information/Public Relations Director Kenny Burgamy at 478-474-0679, extension 5285, or email kdburgamy@gfb.org.
ANNUAL MEETING OF POLICYHOLDERS
The annual meeting of the policyholders of the Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Georgia Farm Bureau Building, 1620 Bass Road, Macon, Georgia, 31210.
ON THE COVER
Simone Bergese is the Executive Winemaker at Chateau Elan Winery in Braselton, GA
VIEW FROM THE FIELD
Tom McCall, GFB President
ne matter that was important for me to advance before I completed my tenure in the Georgia State House in 2020 was helping the producers in the quickly expanding wine and grape business form a commission so they could speak with one voice.
With the help of Georgia State Representative Clay Pirkle from Sycamore, we worked with growers to create the farmerfunded Georgia Wine and Grapes Commodity Commission.
Even though Georgia is a relatively new grape growing region, this sector of agriculture has seen rapid growth in the past 10 years, and the industry, believe it or not, has representation in several areas of the state. To you, some of these areas might be unexpected territory for wine production.
The climate of the North Georgia mountains makes for a wonderful home to a good number of grape vineyards. And because of warmer temperatures and insects in Middle and South Georgia, you won’t find northern grapes, but you will find several production locations of muscadines and scuppernongs.
We are fortunate to have professors in the departments of horticulture, plant pathology, and food science & technology at the University of Georgia who teach courses in viticulture and oenology. Students there will one day help support the Georgia grape and wine industry with their expertise in the characteristics of different grape varieties, cultivation techniques, grapevine diseases and pest management.
Given the University’s strengths and the strides that the Commission is making, it will help advance this sector of agriculture, contributing to the $83.6 billion farmers generate for the state’s economy.
It is our intent in this edition of the Georgia Farm Bureau Neighbors magazine to highlight the leaders in grape production and help readers learn more about the viticulture industry and the people connected to its success.
When you can, this autumn, visit these locations around Georgia that are part of our Certified Farm Markets and enjoy the fruits of their efforts.
OFFICERS
President & CEO
TOM MCCALL, Elbert Co.
1st Vice President
and South Georgia Vice President
DANIEL JOHNSON, Pierce Co.
North Georgia Vice President
BERNARD SIMS, Catoosa Co.
Middle Georgia Vice President
RALPH CALDWELL, Heard Co.
General Counsel
DUKE GROOVER
Chief Financial Officer, Corp. Treasurer & GFBMIC Exec. VP
DAVID JOLLEY
Chief Administrative Officer
JEFFREY HARVEY
Corp. Secretary & Senior Counsel
JEANNA FENNELL
Asst. Corp. Treasurer & Sr. Director of Accounting
RACHEL MOSELY
DIRECTORS
FIRST DISTRICT: Bill Bryan, Chattooga Co.; Wesley Hall, Forsyth, Co.; SECOND DISTRICT: Gilbert Barrett, Habersham Co.; Russ Moon, Madison Co.; THIRD DISTRICT: Brad Marks, Newton Co.
FOURTH DISTRICT: Skeetter McCorkle, McDuffie Co.; Russ Wilburn, Barrow Co.; FIFTH DISTRICT: Leighton Cooley, Crawford Co.; Matt Bottoms, Pike Co.; SIXTH DISTRICT: James Malone, Laurens Co.; James Emory Tate, Jeff Davis Co.; SEVENTH DISTRICT: Gary Bell, Evans Co.; Ben Boyd, Screven Co.; EIGHTH DISTRICT: Scotty Raines, Turner Co.; Don Wood, Wilcox Co.; NINTH DISTRICT: Lucius Adkins, Baker Co.; Paul Shirah, Mitchell Co.; TENTH DISTRICT: David Lee, Bacon Co.; Lamar Vickers, Berrien Co. YOUNG FARMER CHAIRMAN: Cleve Jackson, Floyd Co.
GFB President Tom McCall, his wife, Jane, and grandchildren, McCall Archer, Wilkes & Winn McCall.
WOMEN’S COMMITTEE CHAIR: Stephanie Branch, Rabun Co.
GEORGIA NEIGHBORS
Director: Kenny Burgamy
Art Director: Nicollette Boydstun
Photographer: Logan Thomas
Consulting Copy Editor: Renee Corwine
Contributors: Renee Corwine and Charlie English
ADVERTISING POLICY
All advertising accepted subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaint about advertiser service or products. Publisher does not accept per-order, political or alcoholic beverage ads, nor does publisher prescreen or guarantee advertiser service or products. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in the Georgia Farm Bureau Neighbors. For advertising rates and information, contact Wendy McFarland at 334-652-9080 or mcfarlandadvantage@ gmail.com. Georgia Farm Bureau Neighbors was established in 1996. Copyright 2024 by the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation. Printed by Panaprint, Macon, Georgia.
We know you. You’re not interested in everyday, run-of-themill, common cutlery. You want something with a story, a unique feature that you can brag about. We’ve got just the thing for you. Our Mighty Conifer Knife is a unique tool with a Damascus steel blade and a handle crafted from an enhanced and stabilized natural pinecone. While our competitors are charging hundreds for similar knives, we’re offering the Mighty Conifer for JUST $99! That’s what we call our Stauer Impossible Price.
person who wants to stand out. CALL NOW! If you’re one of the first 700 587 callers for this ad, we’ll throw in a pair of Stauer 8x21 Compact Binoculars — a $99 value — ABSOLUTELY FREE! Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back!
Knife Specifications: • 9 1/2" overall length. Full-tang construction
Each pinecone — and therefore, each knife — has its own unique characteristics. And the back of the handle features hand tooling, a further demonstration of each piece’s individual nature.
The blade is nothing to scoff at either. Constructed of Damascus steel, a modern reworking of the legendary steel forged by ancient swordsmiths, this nearly 5-inch blade features 256 layers of steel that have been folded on top of each other to increase its durability. Our competitors are charging hundreds for boring, run-of-the-mill knives with no features worth bragging about. We’re asking JUST $99 for a knife unlike any you’ve seen before!
With its full-tang construction and high-quality genuine leather sheath, the Mighty Conifer Knife is the perfect blade for the
Stauer, 14101 Southcross
• Damascus steel blade and natural pinecone handle
• Genuine leather sheath
Mighty Conifer Knife
$299 $99* + S&P Save $200
Stauer 8x21 Compact Binoculars a $99 value with your purchase
*You must use Insider Offer Code: MCK192-01 to get this price. California residents please call regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
Your Insider Offer Code: MCK192-01
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Fresh Press Farms Iron City, GA 904-204-9112 freshpressfarms.com
PEACH BITES
Grits Bits Atlanta, GA 404-312-9399 gritsbits.com
SWEET ‘N SMOKEY BBQ RUB
Jensen Reserve Loganville, GA 770-363-4487 jensenreserve.com
HUNGER FIX SNACK PACK MIX All the Fixin’s Twin City, GA 478-763-3500 allthefixinspecans.com
PRODUCTS WE LOVE
Everyone knows Georgia is the Peach State. But we’re also home to numerous products that will scent your house and spice up your life. Check out these Georgia-made items!
GEORGIA PEACH BABY ONESIE
Things Uncommon Decatur, GA 404-931-6647 things-uncommon.com
BLUSH CERAMIC SOY CANDLE
ThreeTwoOne Norcross, GA 770-687-2110 shopthreetwoone.com
INFUSED SUNFLOWER OIL Oliver Farm Pitts, GA 229-406-0906 oliverfarm.com
The
Country star Brantley Gilbert shares the story of his north Georgia property, Braybear
t’s pretty impossible to listen to a Brantley Gilbert song and not know what he stands for. This award-winning singer/songwriter captures the essence of life in the South with every lyric he pens. At the foundation of his music — and his life — are two Fs: faith and family.
But there’s another F that sure does mean a lot to the Jefferson, Georgia, native. Gilbert has found a passion in forestry. And his favorite place to be is the 375-acre property called Braybear, which he owns in northeast Georgia.
FORESTRY + FAMILY
“I looked for 15 years to find the right farm. And when I found this one, I knew it was the one. I knew we were going to hold onto it for a long time,” Gilbert said.
Even though Gilbert grew up working on farms, 375 acres of forests, fish ponds, foot plots and fields can be a lot to take on.
“I wanted to get away from the earlier chapters of my life where I thought I knew everything, and just admit I didn’t,” Gilbert said with a laugh.
And so when he reached out to his longtime friend James “JT” Johnson, director of the continuing education program at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, you could say a fourth F came into the picture: friendship.
“We grew up together from a really young age, and our parents grew up together as well. We lost touch for a while after school, but we reconnected a few years ago when he bought his new farm nearby,” Johnson said.
Gilbert was looking for experts at UGA to speak with about Braybear, and he came across his friend’s name.
“I called him up and said, ‘Hey, I just bought this farm over here and I’d love for you to come take a look.’ He came out the next day and he’s been out here about every day since,” Gilbert said.
Johnson, with the aid of other contacts and colleagues at UGA, has helped Gilbert transform the Jackson County farm into a sustainable area of wildlife management.
“One of the things we talk about when we think about networking is, most educated people are not afraid to reach out to other educated people,” said the 39-year-old Gilbert. “So, if JT doesn’t know the answer, he can access the network that’s there at UGA or through the contacts he’s made through the years doing what he does for a living.
“You know, I have to remember that I know a little bit. I’ve learned some things through the years. I love learning from JT, but I write songs for a living. So, when it comes to what we want to do with this farm, I have to default to somebody who’s got a doctorate in that and has the skillset to make it better.”
In fact, Johnson does have a doctoral degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management from UGA. The vision that he and Gilbert share for the farm started by taking soil samples and making plans to keep the land and its animal inhabitants healthy for years to come.
“Fortunately, we weren’t starting with a blank slate. The previous owner did some work. We started with establishing food plots and identifying where to do wildlife plantings. Our immediate goal is to bring down the canopy cover by thinning the trees so that sunlight reaches the forest floor, allowing healthy ground cover to grow. New ground cover means better food for the deer. Right now, all the green stuff is up high, and we want to get that back down to the ground,” Johnson said.
The ultimate goal for Braybear is to raise the nutritional plane and create a space for the “happiest, healthiest wildlife we can manage,” Johnson said.
I LOOKED FOR 15 YEARS TO FIND THE RIGHT FARM. AND WHEN I FOUND THIS ONE, I KNEW IT WAS THE ONE. - BRANTLEY GILBERT
Not only is Gilbert being a good steward of the land through his management efforts, he’s creating a source of fun and learning for his two children.
“You don’t meet many kids who grow up on a farm that don’t understand work ethic,” Gilbert said. “My kids get out here and they turn into different kids. My son said the other day, ‘Daddy, I don’t need toys on the farm.’ Spending time with them out here, and JT bringing his girl out here too, it’s just an irreplaceable feeling.”
The fish pond especially has been a source of joy for their families.
“It’s been great for our kids, especially these rainbow trout. They’ve been a lot of fun. They come out the minute the line hits the water and you know something’s tugging on it,” Gilbert said.
After spending decades in the music industry, Gilbert’s used to being in the spotlight, and while he prefers to keep his family life private, he views the farm as something worth sharing with his local community.
“A lot of the UGA football players will come fish here. A lot of the local high school kids come fish here. It’s an awesome way to give back. I remember when I was college age and high school age, I wasn’t really dipping off to go fishing, you know? There’s a lot of worse things they could be doing,” he said.
In addition to a community space, Johnson brings
his UGA classes to the farm for hands-on learning opportunities. Working with Jay Shelton, a fisheries expert and professor at UGA, they held a two-day course called “Farm Ponds and Food Plots.” Half the time was spent talking about sport fishing pond management and the other half discussing forestry and food plot management.
Because of the long-term goals for Braybear, there will be years of learning ahead.
“This is an ongoing process. It’s not something we will finish in a year, because there’s no end in sight to what can be done to maintain the quality we are going for. At minimal, we’re on year two of a 10-year plan primarily geared toward wildlife management,” Johnson said. “Based on my input and what his goals are, the future of this land is mostly about hunting, recreation, fishing, being outdoors and in nature.”
Johnson said the work he puts into the farm is not a business transaction. It’s a friendship.
“While Brantley and I are working on this farm, we’re working on our own farm nearby as well. We’re tagteaming both farms. It just makes sense. We grew up together, hunt together and now we’re managing these properties together,” Johnson said. “It’s been an adventure working out there with him and reconnecting. I’ve been teaching him about the land — but I’m still waiting on him to teach me how to sing and write songs.”
MUSCDIVINE
GEORGIA’S NATIVE GRAPE HELPS GROW WINE-MAKING BUSINESSES
CHATEAU ELAN WINERY
inemaker Simone Bergese, a recent Georgia Farm Bureau member, isn’t native to Georgia — but his grapes are.
Muscadines, known for being thick-skinned and sweet, have been cultivated commercially in the Southeast since the late 1700s. Early varieties were simply plucked from the wild until the University of Georgia (UGA) began what is now the oldest and largest breeding program dedicated to the improvement of the muscadine grape. It started in 1909, and since then has released over 30 cultivars.
From their humble beginnings until now, muscadines have always been used in jams, jellies, pies — and wine.
Bergese, the Executive Winemaker & Winery CEO at Chateau Elan Winery in Braselton, grew up in Italy. He got a degree in viticulture and has been working in the wine industry for more than 25 years. He was recruited by Chateau Elan in 2012 to elevate their wine production.
“The first thing I did was evaluate the vineyard, where they grew classic grape varieties. It looked alive but it was in bad shape and not able to produce,” said Bergese. “I started learning about muscadines and once I realized how amazing the link between the variety and the territory was, it was an instant decision about what to grow.”
Because muscadines are native to Georgia, they are resistant to our diseases and pests.
“The native variety means that the grape is completely adapted to the land — and that’s a special link. You have a variety that can survive any parasite in any condition in its native land,” Bergese said. “It’s bulletproof. If you take that subject and convert it into good quality wine, there’s nothing more you have to do.”
The growth of the vineyard since Bergese joined is a testament to that. A production of 7,000 cases has grown to 45,000 cases and the primary grape used is muscadine. Other non-muscadine grapes are imported from California to be used in blended wines.
“This success is because of the good choices we made regarding farming and nature. What is meant to be, we did without forcing anything. That paid off into a wine program that is now very well-known and respected in the industry and we hope is an inspiration to new farmers,” he said.
With only 10 percent of Chateau Elan’s muscadines grown on site, the majority are sourced from Georgia farmers — the largest of which is Paulk Vineyards in Irwin County.
TRILLIUM VINEYARD
Bruce Cross and his family have sought to diversify farming by growing grapes at Trillium Vineyard in Bremen.
“We used to breed alpacas on 15 acres of land. We didn’t have enough alpacas to eat all the grass, and so I had to bush hog it. We knew we needed to do something more productive and to be better stewards of the land, so I looked at orchard fruits, pecans and grapes,” said Cross, owner of Trillium.
The family planted 2 acres of grapes in 2013. By 2015, the crop yielded 10 tons of grapes and they decided to go all-in with a vineyard.
However, unlike Paulk Vineyards and Chateau Elan, Trillium doesn’t grow muscadines. They prefer French-American hybrid grapes.
“We’re too far south for classic European grapes. It’s not the heat — it’s the insects. Standard French grapes can’t withstand our Georgia pests,” he said.
The hybrid grape Blanc du Bois was developed in 1987 at the University of Florida. It was created to withstand Pierce’s Disease, a bacterial infection. Trillium grows Blanc du Bois along with another popular white grape grown in the U.S., Villard Blanc. For
red grapes, they grow Norton, which was developed in Virginia, and Lenoir, brought to Savannah from France in the 1800s.
“Because of where we live, humidity is our biggest threat. We have to watch out for fungal infections on the plants. Fortunately, these varieties are disease resistant, but downy mildew is a threat,” he said.
When it comes to their choice of grapes, in addition to working with Mother Nature and our variable Georgia climate, Cross said taste rules.
“We’ve found with wine making, we have the most fun blending grapes to get flavors that have greater appeal,” said Cross. “Your palette is the key. Everyone has a different sense of what they like.”
IT’S NOT THE HEAT — IT’S THE INSECTS.
The Paulk family has farmed their land in Wray for six generations. Up until 1970, they grew mostly row crops. When it came time to try something different, “Papa” Jacob Paulk reached out to his local UGA Extension office for ideas.
“He wanted to know what fruit would grow well here — something that wouldn’t go against Mother Nature. They told him muscadines,” said Chris Paulk, vineyard CEO and grandson of Papa Jacob.
Papa Jacob realized the health benefits of muscadines and started selling the seeds and skins in health powders and tonics.
“Muscadines are very healthy for you. They’re higher in antioxidants than any other grape, have anti-inflammatory benefits and are good for brain and joint health,” Paulk said. “In order to get the seeds and skins, he pressed the juice, bottled it and made jellies. Over time, other wineries wanted muscadine juice, so we sold it to them.”
The business grew, and with 800 acres of muscadines, Paulk Vineyard is now the largest grower of muscadines in the world.
In 2017, the family decided to explore another avenue for muscadine production — wine. Paulk took an online class and did some industry research. What he found was that they were on the right track with muscadines.
“Muscadines do so well here because they are a native, Southern grape — and no other grape is. You won’t find them tolerating cold, and other grapes can’t survive the heat. We have diseases that would wipe out other types of grapes, but not muscadines. They grow wild all around us,” Paulk said.
Like his grandfather, Paulk turned to UGA for advice on growing practices, when to fertilize and what pesticides to use — if any.
“We’ve worked with UGA for years. They have the oldest muscadine breed in the country. They even released a new variety four years ago and named it Paulk in memory of my grandfather,” he said.
VINEYARD KNOWLEDGE
To learn more about wine production, check out UGA’s Cortona Viticulture & Enology program co-taught by professors from the Departments of Horticulture, Plant Pathology and Food Science & Technology. The program takes place in Cortona, Italy. Visit cortona.uga.edu/programs for information.
PAULK VINEYARD
Philly Cheese Tater
Steak: Cole Family Farms
Peppers: Double Branches Farm & Produce Market
Onions: Copeland Strawberry Farm
Crispy on the outside, soft and delicious on the inside – no matter how you stuff them, hot baked potatoes are fall comfort food rooted in flavor. Use these ideas to create your own spud-tacular combinations. To locate these items and discover more, visit gfb.ag/CFM.
All potatoes are from Long Farms and all cheeses are from Rosemary & Thyme Creamery.
Sensational Spuds
Sunny-Side Spud
Sausage: Thompson Farms
Hashbrowns: Long Farms
Eggs: Beak & Berry Farm
Big
Mac Potato Attack
Ground Beef: Chisolm Hill Farm
Shredded Lettuce: Alō Farms
Tomatoes: Penland’s Orchards & Farm Market
MULTITALENTED MANNY
Manuel Gutierrez designs and creates boots by hand
anuel “Manny” Gutierrez has always been intrigued by craftsmen. Growing up on a horse farm in Peach County, Manny was fascinated with leather, specifically boots and saddles and how they were made.
Despite working on the ranch training horses and a career as a police officer, Manny always came back to the idea of wanting to be a craftsman.
“In 2017, I got into making leather goods like belts and wallets. People started asking for my products, and so I thought I’d take it from a hobby to a full-time business,” the 31-year-old said.
And so Manny traveled to Alabama and Texas to study under well respected boot makers, soaking up all the knowledge he could, and then bringing that back home to Georgia.
In 2019, Manny had a Manny’s Boots storefront in Warner Robins with five employees where he made and repaired boots and other leather goods — and then COVID struck. Like many others, Manny’s small business suffered. The Warner Robins location closed and Manny worked as a commercial truck driver to help make ends meet.
Post-pandemic, Manny’s Boots moved to Reynolds, so that Manny could work closer to his wife, Josie, and their two children, Gabriel and Sammy. The business started online marketing, and Manny began promoting his skills on social media.
Now, customers place orders from all over the world. Manny and his team continue to make custom boots, which take about 30 hours of labor, but also re-sole boots and shoes.
“What I enjoy the most about what I do is the process of taking random pieces of leather and turning them into something that can be worn; the process of measuring someone’s feet and ensuring that the boots fit. It’s nerveracking when the customer comes in to pick up their boots and to check the fit, but it’s also exciting,” he said. “At the end of the process, it feels like a piece of me is leaving in those boots.”
AT THE END OF THE PROCESS, IT FEELS LIKE A PIECE OF ME IS LEAVING IN THOSE BOOTS.
INSURANCE WITH A PURPOSE
n order to drive on our state’s public roads and highways, Georgia drivers are legally required to have liability insurance, which helps cover damages as a result of any accidents you may cause. Like it or not, you simply have to have auto insurance. So why not partner with a company that focuses on making an impact over making a dollar?
Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance provides so much more than just a policy ― it serves a greater purpose. Every time you pay your premium, you’re reinvesting your dollars right back into your community and the state economy. Your GFB Insurance policy helps protect Georgia’s family farms and our access to locally grown food.
HERE’S HOW:
1
GFB Insurance is focused on Georgia. With offices in 158 counties, no one understands this state quite like we do. Our agents live and work in these communities and help drive the local economy. In fact, all of our employees live in Georgia ― from our underwriting and claims teams to the president of the company.
2
GFB Insurance supports the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, the Voice of Georgia Agriculture. This includes continual support for programs like Ag in the Classroom, the Farm Monitor, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, scholarships and so much more. Our agents share offices with Federation staff and often support the myriad of things they do on the local level within each county.
3
GFB Insurance provides grassroots support through local sponsorships. Our agents are encouraged to give back locally. In the last year, this has included sponsorships for the local branches of organizations like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Special Olympics and Rotary, as well as through sponsoring hundreds of farm shows, local sports teams and community fundraisers.
4
GFB is a faith-based, family-focused business. We believe in the importance of faith, family and keeping our promises. These values have created a strong sense of pride in our employees and have empowered them to go the extra mile for each member in order to live out those values.
We also believe that you deserve more for your dollar. Instead of paying premiums to a company across the country, invest your dollars in your state and your local community through a policy with Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance. You’ll also be ensuring you have a trusted partner you can call when you need them most. Learn more at GFBInsurance.com.
garden of hope
Brookdale Resource Center nourishes those experiencing homelessness
ince 2021, Brookdale Resource Center in Macon has helped more than 1,741 individuals experiencing homelessness — including 152 families with 374 children — get back on their feet with regular work and stable housing.
Located in an old elementary school, the Center uses the space in a unique way to serve people in a building that would otherwise be vacant. And those big elementary school fields? For the last year, they’ve been growing crops used to feed Center residents.
“The biggest thing we do is support people while they are having a hard time and get them back on track. The garden is a huge part of that. We give them nutritious food that’s often served the same day as it’s harvested,” said Charity Lucas, Brookdale’s manager.
The garden idea was planted by Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller and it’s taken a team of community partners to bring it to fruition. Fifty raised beds were constructed by Rutland High School students, and UGA Extension Agents helped strategize what’s best to plant.
GFB President Tom McCall shares financial contribution with Macon Mayor Lester Miller
The garden is maintained by over 200 volunteers and has recently expanded to include a small orchard of fruit trees.
In the last year, the garden produced over 2,930 pounds of produce. In peak season, meals in the Center’s cafeteria cost only $1 to make because of the garden.
Mayor Miller said he’s thankful for the amazing partnership between Macon-Bibb County, UGA Extension, the United Way of Central Georgia and Georgia Farm Bureau, all working together to help those in need.
“The Gardens at Brookdale have been an amazing growth for the program to help the people and families who need us the most,” Mayor Miller said. “We recognized early on that we needed to take care of the whole person, not just provide them a bed, and that includes the type of food they have access to. Working together, we are planting the seeds for families to eat and live healthier.”
Georgia Farm Bureau asks you to consider farm families and the Georgia-grown products you love while at the polls this November. Agriculture is the #1 industry
and support agriculture, we can help Georgia farmers
commodities for your family. The purpose of the “I Farm. I Vote.” initiative is to provide Georgians with information on where candidates stand on issues that
ear Heavenly Father, as we prepare to enter University of Georgia football and fall harvest seasons, I would like to reflect on my past and give thanks for the two most important seasons for us Georgians. First and foremost, I am so very grateful for my upbringing on a family farm in Middle Georgia where I was raised by loving, God-fearing and Bulldawgalumni parents. I am so thankful for all of our Georgia farmers who grow the plethora of food that we most graciously partake of while tailgating on gameday Saturdays in Athens.
Please pardon me while I reminisce upon my youth and a simpler time. Even though the fall was the busiest time on our farm, three or four times a football season, my UGA-educated Daddy would unselfishly walk away from the farm so he could share with me his love for the BullDawgs! I was always thrilled to go to Athens to watch the game up close and in person. A game day on the farm consisted of listening to the late, great Larry Munson on the radio from either our front porch, where we got the best reception, or in the dove field. I can still remember that little handheld Radio Shack radio with the ear piece that never quite stayed put in my ear. Daddy and I would load up before daylight in Momma’s Ford woodgrainsided station wagon. She would pack us a cooler loaded with two cans of CoColas, a quart jar of sweet-tea, and two pimento-n-cheese sammiches, made lovingly with Dukes Mayonnaise, cut diagonally and wrapped in wax paper. These were always accompanied by a Tupperware of spicy Cajun boiled peanuts grown on our farm. Our
A GEORGIA PRAYER
BY CHARLIE ENGLISH
pilgrimage north carried us up Highway 441 through Georgia’s dairy belt. Once we crossed the river into Oconee County, Daddy would tell me to keep my eyes open for the little country church where the church’s youth group would be selling crispy fried chicken. We would usually get four-pieces of delicious church-fried chicken served through the window of our station wagon on a paper plate, covered with Saran wrap. Those next 15 to 20 minutes into Athens were painful as a Georgia loss, as Daddy would make me wait until we got parked at our reserved parking spot on Ag Hill near Conner Hall before we could eat.
In today’s world, our tailgates look remarkably different! At my tailgate, we have nearly 600 square feet of shaded tent coverage, Honda generators producing enough electricity to power our 60-inch flat screen TV and satellite dish, professional sound system, crockpots, and oscillating fans to keep our beautiful Bulldawg Babes from glistening and getting the vapors in the early fall heat. We feast on food that has been prepared on pull-behind smokers and charcoal grills loaded with golden smoked chickens from Northeast Georgia and tangy barbecue ribs and sausage-balls from South Georgia swine. There are always Southwest Georgia candied pecans from the orchards of Middle Georgia. And if you are lucky, you may find fried apple pies from the North Georgia mountains, cobbler loaded with Bacon County blueberries and those delicious fruitcakes from Claxton. I also want to thank you for providing our Georgia breweries and distilleries the grains that are used in making tasty elixirs like IPA beers and rich brown bourbons!
Although many things have changed since my youth on the farm, I’m proud to say that some things never will. These constants remain the love of family, Georgia football, and our hardworking Georgia farmers!
Charlie English is a Georgia-based author
Fresh
Fixins
CREATED BY CHEF TYLER THOMAS
With help from our Certified Farm Markets, it’s easy to shop for Georgia-grown ingredients like sweet corn, tomatoes and peppers used in these recipes from Chef Tyler Thomas at The American restaurant in Bainbridge.
Gulf Lump Crab Cakes
Makes eight 4-ounce crab cakes
INGREDIENTS
pounds fresh lump crab
cup mayonnaise
egg
teaspoons Seafood Magic
seasoning
lemon, zested
teaspoons fresh parsley
cup panko breadcrumbs
cup olive oil
ounces unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, egg, seasoning, lemon zest and parsley. Fold in lump crab and breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly but do not over mix or the lumps of crab will break down into smaller pieces. You want to keep some large chunks.
Portion out 4 ounces of crab mix by hand, pressing the edges and shaping a round cake while applying pressure inwardly so the crab cake holds shape. Set crab cakes aside.
In a sauté pan, on medium-high heat, heat olive oil and butter until butter is melted and fully combined. Once oil mixture is hot, set crab cakes in pan and fry 2-3 minutes on each side or until crab cakes are golden brown.
Transfer crab cakes to an oven-safe pan and allow to cook 8 more minutes at 350 degrees.
For the Remoulade and Sweet Potato Succotash recipes and more, visit gfb.ag/Neighbors.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Makes eight fried slices
INGREDIENTS
High Hope Farms green tomatoes
cup all-purpose flour
Old Bay Seasoning
cup buttermilk
cup olive oil
ounces unsalted butter
Thompson Farms bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
DIRECTIONS
Slice green tomatoes approximately 3/8-inch thick.
Lightly season the flour with Old Bay Seasoning. Lightly season tomato slices with Old Bay and dip in the flour.
Transfer floured tomato slices to buttermilk and fully submerge, then place back in seasoned flour to fully coat tomato slices with batter and set aside.
In a sauté pan, on medium-high heat, heat olive oil and butter until butter is melted and fully combined. Drop tomato slices in hot oil. Allow tomatoes to fry for 2-3 minutes on each side (turn once) or until golden brown.
Place tomatoes on plate or platter and drizzle with Remoulade and Buttermilk Ranch. Sprinkle with chopped bacon and goat cheese. Lightly dust with Old Bay Seasoning.
