Welcome to October's issue!
Let’s celebrate Georgia agriculture, the state’s No. 1 industry! The University of Georgia’s 2024 Ag Snapshots reports that Georgia’s commodities represent a direct value of $18.3 billion to our economy. Food and fiber production and related industries contribute more than 323,000 jobs and $83.6 billion to the state’s economy, too, based on the 2022 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report.
Our state brings a lot to the table—literally.
Georgia’s official state crop is the peanut and the official vegetable is the Vidalia onion. But did you know the state also has an official grape?
Read about Georgia’s muscadines on page 22. This fragrant grape is native to the Southeast, comes in a range of colors and is used in juices, jellies and wines made by vineyards all over the state.
I first saw and tasted these wild grapes when I was a kid exploring the woods near Kennesaw Mountain. Look for muscadines at your local farm stand through the end of this month.
The abundance that Georgia produces would not be possible without our farmers, growers and ranchers.
St. Elmo Harrison of Whigham recently was recognized as the state’s oldest farmer. Learn more about this peanut farmer, who turns 102 in November, on page 9.
In “Pinewood heritage” on page 30, meet Claire Shelton Lee of Valdosta, who is carrying forward her family’s legacy of tree-farming. Georgia is the No. 1 forestry state in the nation.
The Olivers in Pitts are building a business for their specialty flours and artisan oils made from sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pecans and more. Read about their products and try a few of their recipes, beginning on page 34.
October also is National Cooperative Month. Learn about the good things our electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) are doing in Currents on page 14. And see how Georgia’s EMCs contribute to and build the state’s economy on page 13.
Thank you to all in the ag industry!
Take care,
Jennifer J. Hewett
Editor
