
Heather N. Kolich, ANR Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
Over the years, numerous factors influenced where and how our food is grown. In this century, economic downturns, mirroring war-driven scarcity of the previous century, renewed interest in backyard food gardens. Concerns over pesticide safety fostered a trend of smaller, intensely-managed farms with fewer chemical inputs. On another front, schools increasingly recognize the value of school gardens as tools to teach science and other STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) disciplines.
In Georgia, agriculture is the number one industry and the family farm is still the norm; however, over 80% of our population lives in cities. At the same time that agricultural land becomes scarce near metropolitan areas, communities are expressing desires for locally grown food with lower transportation requirements.
From these trends, a new breed of farmers is emerging. Some of these are retired professionals wanting to reconnect with nature, some are young folks looking for alternatives to the corporate world, and some are concerned about food security. By coaxing fresh food from small-acreage lots, backyard gardens, and abandoned property, urban farmers seek to create new, local food systems that will foster not just sustainable agriculture, but resilient, sustainable communities, as well.
To help beginning and small-scale farmers overcome some of the challenges they face, the University of Georgia developed the Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program. The comprehensive, three-part training program is delivered locally through UGA Cooperative Extension county agents. Forsyth County Extension is working with Extension agents in Cherokee, Dawson, and Lumpkin counties to host the multi-session training at Lanier Technical College beginning in January, 2018.
Part 1 convers Small Farm Business Planning in two Saturday sessions, January 20 and January 27. Drawing from the expertise and resources of the UGA Small Business Development Center and successful local farmers, this training:
- Covers considerations to take in building a business plan
- Details important financial record-keeping practices
- Provides information on licensing, regulations, and certifications
- Advises on risk management
- Provides resources to help guide marketing decisions
Part 2, Vegetable and Small Fruit Production, is a seven-session training scheduled for Thursday evenings from February 15 through March 27, with one Saturday session on February 24. Through these classes, UGA Extension specialists and agents use a systems approach to teach food production essentials including
- Soil health and fertility
- Improving soil through amendments and cover crops
- An integrated approach to pest management
- Crop selection, propagation, management, and seasonality
- Irrigation, equipment, and tillage
- Post-harvest handling and food safety issues
- Marketing and crop planning

Both trainings include interactive learning, and participants will visit local farms during the Vegetable and Small Fruit Production training. Part 1 and part 2 may be taken independently of each other. Participants who successfully complete and earn certification for both parts 1 and 2 are eligible to apply for part 3, a hands-on learning component in the form of an internship on a local farm, a mentor (if you have land to farm), or an incubator farm opportunity. Part 3 opportunities are limited, and placement is not guaranteed.