Heather N. Kolich, ANR Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
Did you know that Georgia agriculture and natural resources can supply just about everything you need for holiday entertaining and gifting? I’m putting out a challenge to see just how many locally produced goodies we can incorporate into holiday festivities this season.
Comforts of Home
Here’s a sample of the fresh foods and plants provided by Georgia farmers, fishers, and ranchers.
Apples – According to the Georgia Grown website, the commercial apple industry started in Georgia. The season for several varieties of apples extends into November and December.
Beef – Georgia has 159 counties, and beef cattle are raised in all of them. In fact, beef ranked higher than cotton and peanuts among Georgia’s top 10 commodities for 2023.
Honey – Honeybees are the official state insect of Georgia. Cotton, wildflowers, sourwood, and tupelo are among the flowers that influence the flavors of Georgia honey.
Ornamental plants – Ornamental horticulture is one of Georgia’s top ten commodities, and Forsyth County consistently ranks in the top ten counties in Georgia for field nursery, container nursery, and greenhouse production.
Peanuts – Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop, and Georgia farmers grow almost half of the peanuts produced in the U.S. each year. Check out the Georgia Peanut Commission online store for peanut snacks, peanut gift packs, and peanut-themed gift items and clothing.
Seafood –Georgia’s coastline yields fish, shrimp, crabs, clams, oysters, and more healthy seafood that is raised or harvested in sustainable ways. Find retailers for Georgia seafood.
Gifts and Durable Goods
Many Georgia-grown products are crafted into items like cheese, pasta, jams, salsa, soaps, candles, charcoal, fiber, pottery, folk art, wood crafts, pet treats, and natural cleaning products. Other durable goods include clothing, sheets, and towels made from Georgia cotton.
Agritourism Experiences
Through agritourism, Georgia farms offer experiential opportunities such as picking apples, berries, and flowers; farm-to-table dinners; tastings of local wines, beers, and meads; crafting classes; and farm tours and farm stays. I was intrigued by the fiber art classes offered by Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm & Fiber Studio in Blairsville and the treehouse accommodation at 6 Ponds Farm in Morganton.
Forsyth County Locally Grown and Made
Shop close to home and support Forsyth County agriculture at these local businesses:
AboutFace Farm –Year-round lettuce, salad greens, herbs, and transplants for hydroponic tower gardens. Tri-county Plaza, Cumming.
Alsup Gardens – More daylilies than you can believe. Elmo Road, Cumming.
Andi’s Way – Organic wheatgrass, microgreens, seeds, and gifts for online ordering.
B.L. Mullinax Landscaping & Shrubbery, Inc. – Trees and shrubs. Peachtree Parkway, Cumming.
Bottoms Tree Farm – Choose-and-cut Christmas trees and fresh-cut trees; Christmas Barn Shop featuring jams, jellies, salsa, fresh wreaths, and locally crafted gifts and home décor; hayrides, photo settings, and walking trail to see farm animals. John Burruss Road, Cumming.
Campbell Gardens – Annual bedding plants. Polly’s Bluff, Cumming.
Chestatee Farms – Everything for your landscape – and your edible landscape. Jot-em Down Road, Gainesville.
Circle A Farms – Fresh lettuce harvested daily and other locally-produced goods. Dishroom Road, Cumming.
Fairways Nursery, Inc. – Landscape trees. Bennett Road, Cumming.
Gazaway Farms – Online ordering for locally raised pork and beef.
Kattula Family Farms – Specialty vegetable, herb, and flower seeds and plants available for online ordering.
Kinsey Family Farm – Choose-and-cut, pre-cut, and living Christmas trees; fresh wreaths and garlands; Harvest Shop featuring local honey, jams, jellies, and salsa. Jot-em Down Road, Gainesville.
Marie’s Italian Deli – Features dishes made with locally-grown produce. Tri-county Plazza, Cumming.
NoFo Brewery – Features craft beer, hand-crafted cocktails, and live music. 6150 GA-400, Cumming.
Simply Southard Bakery and Catering – Jams, relishes and more made from locally grown produce, plus baked goods and meal catering. Tri-county Plaza, Cumming.
Stoney J’s Winery – Forsyth County’s first winery features award-winning wines crafted from muscadines grown onsite, vinifera wines, handcrafted pizza, and Italian desserts. Stoney Point Road, Cumming.
Vickery Creek Farm, Inc. – Flowering perennials and shrubs. Bently Road, Cumming.
Warbington Farms and Warbington Farm Beef & Store – Shop for locally grown beef (in store and online ordering); jams, jellies, and salsa; apple cider; local honey, and gift items. Visit the farm for seasonal activities, including strawberry picking, flower fields for cutting flowers, pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, and fun park. Crow Road, Cumming.
Find more Georgia Grown products, adventures, recipes, and information and check out the Georgia Grown Holiday Shoppers Guide.
Please let us know if you accepted the challenge and how many Georgia products you used this holiday season.