AMPLIFYING AGRICULTURAL PROFITABILITY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA: BEGINNERS SCHOOL FOR SMALL FARMERS “TOO MUCH TO MOW, WHAT DO I GROW?”
Agricultural Economics & Community Development
Keith Mickler
County Extension Coordinator
University of Georgia
Rome
Abstract
AMPLIFYING AGRICULTURAL PROFITABILITY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA: BEGINNERS SCHOOL FOR SMALL FARMERS “TOO MUCH TO MOW, WHAT DO I GROW?”\r\n\r\nBowman, G. 1, Ensley, R. 2, Haygood, C.3, Mickler,* K.D. 4, Pugliese, P.J.5, Sheffield M.C. 6, Thompson, P.E. 7\r\n\r\n1 Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Bartow County, Cartersville, Georgia 30120\r\n2 Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Polk County, Cedartown, Georgia 30125\r\n3 Natural Resource Conservation Service, Rolling Hills Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator, Cedartown, Georgia 30125\r\n4 Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County, Canton, Georgia 30114\r\n5 Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County, Canton, Georgia 30114\r\n6 Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Paulding County, Dallas, Georgia 30132\r\n7 Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Haralson County, Buchanan, Georgia 30113\r\n\r\n Northwest Georgia encompasses a region marked by a rapidly growing population and changing land use patterns due to close proximity to metro Atlanta. During the past few decades there has been a shift in land uses away from traditional farms. Increasing residential growth in Bartow, Cherokee, Floyd, Haralson, Paulding, and Polk Counties has resulted in rural farm and forest land being converted to suburban land. While this shift has changed the landscape, it has resulted in new opportunities for small-scale production agriculture, as a result of increasing demand for locally grown products and a greater opportunity for the direct marketing of these products to consumers in the region. Agriculture is still a large part of the economy and landscape, but the typical small or beginning farmer may be new to production agriculture and needs an understanding of resources available. Many small acreage landowners are looking for profitable ways to keep their land in agricultural production. Agents in this region have witnessed a lack of knowledge and understanding of key issues such as the importance of marketing, local agricultural networking, business practices, insurance, tax issues, in addition to basic sound agricultural production practices. Agricultural stakeholders find the various resources available to them difficult to track down. In order to address these needs, agents initiated a program aimed at small and beginning farmers, “Too Much to Mow, What Do I Grow?”
Authors: Mickler, K. D.
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Mickler, K. D. Agriculture And Natural Resources Agent, University Of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 30161