Georgia Grown Profile: Stripling's General Store

Originally published in the May 28, 2014, issue

 

Committed to quality Georgia meat products for a half-century

By Maggie Dudacek, summer intern

 

For more than 50 years, Stripling’s has perfected the art of processing sausage. Their “Hot Hog” country sausage put Stripling’s name on the map as part of Sausage Kitchen, and now the business is a full-fledged grocery store that offers specialty jams, pickles and sauces.

 

Stripling’s General Store recently joined Georgia Grown and is proud to be a part of an organization that supports Georgia businesses. Ashley Goss, the marketing manager who has seen the birth, growth and everything in between, believes that Georgia Grown will help Stripling’s find new business opportunities through marketing, promotion and endorsements.

 

“We … feel an endorsement from Georgia Grown will help in promoting our products as quality driven,” Goss said. “We are very proud of the fact that we are dedicated to consistent, quality products.”

 

Out of all of the benefits that Georgia Grown has to offer, Stripling’s is most excited about the network opportunities with other Georgia Grown companies. This new community will assist with questions and feedback, but most importantly, encouragement.

 

By participating in events and donating their products whenever possible, Stripling’s supports the Department’s biggest marketing program. Through displays featuring the Georgia Grown logo, the business helps promote the project by encouraging other Georgia-based businesses and consumers to sponsor the program.

 

With more than 300,000 pounds of sausage sold each year, Stripling’s production has grown, but its process, flavor and quality has remained the same for decades, Goss said. With no additional fillers or artificial flavors, customers are provided with high-quality products, while Stripling’s General Store preserves both the history and tradition of the business at its facilities in Cordele, Moultrie and Watkinsville, Ga.



Georgia Grown Profile: Burt's Farm

Originally published in the April 2, 2014, issue

 

Seventh-generation family farm expands product line, markets

By Erica Lummus spring intern

 

Johnny and Kathy Burt started Burt’s Farm together in 1972. It’s completely family-owned and operated and has been passed down for years. The seventh generation will be coming up on the farm soon.

 

Though it originally began as a farm for fall items – at the farm store, customers can find all varieties of pumpkins, squashes, Indian corn and others – the family recently expanded to include a beauty product line as well.

 

“About eight years ago we started working on our beauty products made from pumpkin and butternut extract,” said Kasey Sanders, daughter of the Burts.

 

The products include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion and moisturizing cream.  The Burt’s Farm product line is called Early Harvest by Burt's Farm LLC. The company applied for US and international patents for the products and will hopefully be marketed both domestically and globally.

 

“We want our products to be internationally recognized and we will make sure the US and international markets know we are from Georgia,” Sanders said.

 

Burt’s Farm is excited to be a member of the Georgia Grown program and hopes that through the partnership they can establish new marketing connections. The family is very proud to live in the state of Georgia and believes that by opening up new markets, the family farm will stay alive and thriving.

 

“We would like to invite everyone to come out to our farm in the fall and start your own family traditions,” Sanders said.



Georgia Grown Profile: Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

Originally published in the March 19, 2014, issue

 

Group promotes networking, industry trends to membership

By Erica Lummus, spring intern

 

The Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association was established to help support Georgia’s produce industry and to increase the members that make up its network. By increasing the members who are involved, it will improve and increase the profitability of the industry. 

 

“We are an ally for the industry and have a seat at the table with decision makers in both state and federal governments,” said Director of Communications Samantha Kilgore.

 

The services that GFVGA offers are intended to grow productivities, provide educational opportunities to members, promote new markets in the industry and improve communications between GFVGA members and industry suppliers. The association makes it a priority to keep members as educated and fully informed of new information on new industry trends.

 

GFVGA provides services such as food safety consultations, legislative representation and educational workshops. It also coordinates and plans the annual Southeastern Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference with the Georgia and South Carolina peach councils. 

 

Many of the members of GFVGA are also members of Georgia Grown and the association sees it as yet another chance for the state and the industry to work together as a team to support local, homegrown produce. The association is a proud supporter and promoter of the Georgia Grown program and is involved in many educational events and programs throughout the year at which it offers opportunities for Georgia Grown to be advertised.

 

The association is looking forward to continuing working with Georgia Grown to represent the state and hopes to continue educating people about the agriculture industry in Georgia and to help show how vital it is to the state economy’s success. 

Georgia Grown Profile: Georgia Pest Control Association

Originally published in the April 30, 2014, issue

 

Members do far more than killing bugs

By Erica Lummus, spring intern

 

Killing bugs, inspecting for bad things under houses, working with chemicals; sometimes it’s all that folks think about when they hear about the members of the Georgia Pest Control Association, former Executive Director Valera Jessee said. 

 

Aside from the obvious, GPCA also deals with food safety, protecting the structural integrity of a structure and ensuring the health and wellbeing of Georgia’s citizens.

 

GPCA was established in 1950 and has been around for 64 years. Because GPCA works with pesticides and remedies for infestations, each of its members is licensed, regulated and educated. The company not only educates its own members, but also the general public about the industry and how important its services are to the health and wellbeing of the community. 

 

The association has 1,000 members that attend training about the biology, identification and management of every possible home-invading critter. 

 

“From lady bugs, who by the way are just a big nuisance, to bed bugs, who are a serious problem, there are products, methods and solutions that will protect your home, health and food,” Jessee said.   

 

The University of Georgia established one of the largest urban entomology departments in the nation with the help of GPCA. The association has three committed researchers and professors who are well-respected as leaders in urban pest management. 

 

“So, next time you wonder if your house will get termites – likely it will – or if you can get rid of those persistent ants yourself – very challenging – think about calling in a professional. We do good work, we give guarantees and we offer peace of mind,” Jessee said.



Georgia Grown Profile: Coggins Produce

Originally published in the April 16, 2014, issue

 

Platinum member to promote state agriculture industry through program

By Erica Lummus, spring intern

 

Coggins Produce grows, packs and ships fresh produce from south Georgia’s sandy soils. The business produces an assortment of produce including carrots, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, green beans, edamame, blueberries, blackberries and numerous row crops as well.

Coggins Produce is extremely proud to be a Georgia produce company and looks forward to marketing as such and informing the community of the variety of produce that they offer.

“It is important to the company that people know what kind of crops we grow and the region we grow them in,” said Jamie Brannen, assistant general manager of Coggins Produce.

 

Coggins Produce is a platinum member with Georgia Grown and is excited that the company will have the chance to promote and help grow the Georgia Grown program as well as gain a mutually rewarding relationship.

 

“Our business looks forward to working to support and promote the Georgia Grown program. I, personally, have been a member with previous companies and understand the importance of having an agriculture department that helps to support and promote the produce. We plan to participate in Georgia Grown food shows, promote the Georgia pavilion at [Produce Marketing Association], and use sales techniques to let everyone know how important it is to buy locally,” Brannen said.

 

The company hopes to help others understand how very important Georgia’s agriculture industry is to the state’s success. What many people do not know, Brannen said, is how imperative the agriculture industry is to the state financially: the industry provides and creates many jobs, which bring in much needed revenue to provide resources vital to keep the industry thriving.  



Georgia Grown Profile: Georgia EMC

Originally published in the March 5, 2014, issue

 

Cooperative reaches 73 percent of state’s land area

By Erica Lummus, spring intern

 

Georgia EMC is a statewide trade association that represents Georgia’s 41 not-for-profit electric membership cooperatives, including Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. The customer-owned EMCs strive to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric services, as well as many other related services, to about 4.4 million of the 9.8 million people in Georgia’s total population.

 

Georgia’s EMCs serve the majority of agricultural production in Georgia, reaching 73 percent of the state’s land area. As a result, the EMCs are able to become closely associated and connected with the agriculture community on a more personal basis.

 

“One of the seven cooperative principles is ‘Concern for Community,’ which means that EMCs are constantly looking for ways to support their members and the communities that they live in,” said Lindsay Bridges, Georgia EMC director of communications and member services. “It is helping to attract businesses to the area by providing affordable and reliable electricity, supporting local farmers, providing agricultural education opportunities for youth or creating opportunities for their membership to learn more about ways to improve economic growth and development in their hometown.”

 

As a company that represents 41 electric cooperatives that provide for both the rural and suburban parts of Georgia, Georgia EMC made the decision to join and work together with the Georgia Grown program because the Georgia residents the company is connected with and provides services for are many of the same people who are Georgia Grown’s main producers today. By working together with Georgia Grown, EMC hopes that the partnership will provide mutual benefits for both organizations and will continue to help grow the community and educate the residents of Georgia about the state’s economic development and will support agricultural production as much as possible.

 

As a Founders Circle member, Georgia EMC works to support Georgia Grown in various ways. The company includes a regular feature in Georgia’s largest circulating monthly magazine, GEORGIA Magazine. Approximately 500,000 members receive the magazine each month. The company promotes Georgia Grown events in its bi-weekly statewide e-blast, in its 2013 Georgia Grown recipe booklet and it purchases Georgia Grown products for premium giveaways. Georgia EMC includes the Georgia Grown logo in the EMC newsletter, websites, bill stuffers, cross-promotional opportunities and other types of communications at local and statewide leadership events.

 

Georgia EMC will continue to raise awareness for the Georgia Grown brand and show support as a partner in agriculture. 

 

“It is our hope that the EMCs’ ties to the agricultural community can not only help to expand the brand, but to also foster introductions in our local communities that can open doors for economic growth, development and sustainability,” Bridges said.

 

Georgia EMC wants to help people see and understand the importance of Georgia’s agriculture industry.

 

“The production of food and fiber is Georgia’s No. 1 business with a $76.9 billion impact for our state’s economy. We want to reinforce this fact to our consumers, the state’s opinion leaders, key influencers and the public at large,” Bridges said.   



Georgia Grown Profile: Sanders, Inc.

Originally published in the Feb. 5, 2014, issue

 

Distributor supplies inputs, technology for Georgia-grown crops

By Erica Lummus, spring 2014 intern

 

Sanders, Inc. is one of the leading farm supply retail and distribution businesses in the United States. 

 

The business has more than 100 locations within the United States. Some of the company’s main operations include farm and hardware, agricultural chemical distribution, seed production and sales, bulk handling fertilizer and precision agriculture services through the company’s award-winning OptiGro program. It also provides wildlife food plot products and services through the company’s Wildwood Genetics brand.     

 

Sanders, Inc. was founded in Cleveland, Miss., in 1953. 

 

“Jimmy Sanders founded his company based on the principles of humility, integrity and going to extraordinary lengths in service to his customers,” said Brand Communication Manager Melanie Ouzts.  After 60 years, the same values are still what drive the company today: grower success, integrity, innovation, community and country.  The company believes that it will succeed only if its growers succeed.

 

Sanders, Inc. joined Georgia Grown at the gold membership level because it is important to them to work with other agricultural retailers, distributors, producers and suppliers in hopes to make a positive impact on Georgia’s economy and facilitate the success of the state’s agribusinesses. In order to promote the Georgia Grown program, Sanders, Inc. supplies the inputs and technology used to produce various crops that are grown in Georgia. 

 

“We are always open to the sharing of knowledge and ideas that help us all to grow. The Georgia Grown platform creates an opportunity for its members to potentially identify and implement better or more efficient ways of doing things,” Ouzts said.

Georgia Grown Profile: Southern Nuts

Originally published in the Jan. 22, 2014, issue

 

Retail facility focuses on shelled, unshelled pecans

 

By Jenna Saxon, press office

 

Southern Nuts is a family-owned-and-operated pecan retail facility in Lyons, Ga. The Jordan family began growing pecans more than 20 years ago and founded Southern Nuts in 2008. The company sells its own homegrown products at its retail location and online with a focus on shelled and unshelled pecans. Southern Nuts takes pride in the quality of its shelled and unshelled pecans and offers Oconee, Desirable, Sumner and Stuart varieties. In addition to pecans, customers can also find Georgia-grown jams, jellies, sauces, raw honey, Vidalia Onion dressings, chocolate covered pecans, cookbooks and more.

 

Southern Nuts joined the Georgia Grown program at the gold membership level with the hope of increasing the exposure of its business and to network with other agribusinesses in Georgia.

 

“We hope to gain more exposure, improve our marketing and increase sales through our membership with Georgia Grown,” said Debbie Jordan of Southern Nuts.

 

Georgia Grown acts as an outlet for Southern Nuts to meet and network with other tree and pecan growers while increasing the awareness of its operation. The company stands behind Georgia Grown and the program initiative and serves as an ambassador for the program by encouraging other agribusinesses to join.

 

“We help promote Georgia Grown by talking to other local businesses about the benefits that we have seen since joining,” Jordan said.

 

In addition to sharing its testimony, Southern Nuts also assists in marketing the Georgia Grown program by featuring the Georgia Grown logo on its product labels, website and marketing materials. 

Georgia Grown Profile: Peach State Women

Originally published in the Jan. 8, 2014, issue

 

Membership strives to keep Georgia heritage, culture intact

By Jenna Saxon, press office

 

Peach State Women is a new member-driven organization with the primary purpose of helping small businesses in Georgia grow while creating jobs, and keeping Georgia’s heritage, culture of Christianity, hospital and morals intact. To be eligible for membership, an individual must be a Georgia resident and a business must be a Georgia-owned company.

 

Peach State Women’s goal is to assist small businesses in any way that they can. This includes helping build websites, marketing businesses along with media exposure, helping lead new start-ups to the proper resources and assisting with general marketing techniques. Peach State Women strives to create unique and fun ways to drive Georgians and visitors into small, rural businesses.

 

Peach State Women joined Georgia Grown at the platinum membership level and is a proud supporter of the program.

 

“We feel that our Georgia Grown membership will give us access to small businesses throughout the state that we can reach out to in order to assist with their growth,” said Christine Price of Peach State Women. “In order to grow this economy and create jobs, we must help small businesses gain exposure and join together as a Georgia agriculture family to support one another. Showing Georgians just what we have here and how they can make the most use of it is key.”



Georgia Grown Profile: Vidalia Valley

Originally published in the Nov. 27, 2013, issue

 

Sweet onions key to company’s sweet success

By Jenna Saxon, press office

Stanley Farms, a staple in the Vidalia sweet onion business, became vertically integrated in 2005 by establishing its own processing company, Vidalia Valley. In 2005, a new state-of-the-art facility was built in the Vidalia countryside, most often called “The Valley.” This facility became the Vidalia Valley headquarters where the company now produces its own relishes, dressings, salsas and sauces as well as other processed foods and ingredients.

The Stanleys proudly use their homegrown Vidalia onions as the key ingredients that make up their extensive product list. In fact, Vidalia Valley is the only manufacturer in the country that grows its own Vidalia onions and processes them into gourmet and country-style products on its family farm.

Vidalia Valley is a proud Georgia Grown member and works to promote not only its homegrown Vidalia onions, but all vegetables produced in Georgia.

“Georgia Grown has a huge presence in connection to Vidalia Valley products. We include the Georgia Grown label on our product labels, promote Georgia Grown through our social media campaigns and also attend Georgia Grown events,” said Lauren Dees of Vidalia Valley.

Vidalia Valley loves connecting with other Georgia Grown members throughout the state and watching trends with their category. The company has the capability to provide co-packing services for other Georgia Grown members and encourages any Georgia Grown member who may be interested to contact them.

“Using locally grown ingredients keeps the integrity on which our business was founded,” Dees said.

Georgia Grown Profile: AIMTRAC

Originally published in the Sept. 18, 2013, issue

 

Products produced by producers for producers

By Jenna Saxon, Press office

Pinehurst Equipment Company and Fox International of Americus, Ga., merged in 2010 to form a new agriculture equipment dealership, Agriculture Implement Machinery and Tractor Company – also known as AIMTRAC. AIMTRAC is an authorized dealer for CASE IH with locations in Pinehurst, Americus, Camilla and Brooklet, Ga.

AIMTRAC strives to offer expertise in the field combined with efficient and friendly service. AIMTRAC’s direct market includes all major agriculture producers and growers, particularly in the Southeast. AIMTRAC offers a variety of new and used CASE IH tractors, combines, lawn mowers, skid steers and implements as well as a full parts and services department with genuine manufacturer parts.   

“At AIMTRAC, it is our mission to be the premier provider of equipment and service to the agricultural industry in the Southeast,” said Brooke Marshall of AIMTRAC. “Our unique focus on service enables our customers to benefit from the full potential of their equipment, allowing them to focus more clearly on enhancing their operations. We joined Georgia Grown at the Founder Circle level in the hope that we will set the bar for the agriculture equipment industry. We hope to continue to educate Georgia growers on our products through the program.”

AIMTRAC is committed to collaborating with its customers to develop the most powerful, productive, reliable equipment designed to meet today’s agricultural challenges – feeding an expanding global population on less land, meeting ever-changing government regulations and managing input costs.

“With the expanding population, we believe it is our job to keep up in the growing ag industry,” Marshall said. “The world of farming is changing and AIMTRAC is here to ensure that our customers are ready for those changes.”