| Name | Description | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | ||
| Snapfinger Farm | Learn about scaling up your farm production, wholesale production, and conducting a crop cost analysis on the Snapfinger Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST Rahul Anand started Snapfinger Farm in 2016, when he took horse pastures and turned them into vegetable fields, built a walk-in cooler, wash station, hoop houses, and more. The farm expanded onto a new property in 2022, with the help of the Working Farms Fund, and scaled up from 2.5 acres to 30 acres in production. The farm sells primarily through wholesale contracts, farmers markets, and restaurants.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER The Conservation Fund has prioritized conservation of working farmland, ranchland and forests since its founding in 1985. The non-profit organization has protected nearly 9 million acres across the U.S., including over 3 million acres of working lands that generate economic value and jobs in local communities. The innovative Farms Fund initiative is building a sustainable national program that permanently protects critically threatened farmland, provides affordable land access and business support to a diverse group of entrepreneurial, next-generation farmers, and grows a more resilient and healthier local food system.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Snapfinger Farm 225 River Ln, Covington, GA 30016
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
| Rahul Anand, Snapfinger Farm |
| Global Growers Network | Learn about cooperative infrastructure, models for equipment sharing and co-farming, and accessing land and capital on the Global Growers Network Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST Global Growers is a network of 230 growers who are primarily New and First Generation Americans. At the 23-acre Rockdale Organic Co-Farm, growers who are launching and expanding their farm businesses have a cooperative system of co-farming that shares infrastructure and reduces the expenses of land and startup capital. Growers at the co-farm can participate in an Organic Certification transition program, while sharing, leading and learning about innovative small-farm production and land stewardship practices. The farm is also home to the Global Growers Harvest View Event Center, consisting of the Gathering House and Pond View Pavilion and Events Green, which are the base of the network’s regenerative agriculture training center, and community conservation and agritourism engagement activities.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER Concrete Jungle has been connecting the dots between imperfect or excess Georgia-grown produce and families facing food and nutrition insecurity for 15 years. In that time, they have mapped 3,200 urban fruit trees, worked with over 50 Georgia farms of all sizes, and engaged 70 food pantries and hunger relief partners across the state. Since their founding, they have harvested or procured 8.5 million servings of fresh produce to serve families in their community.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Global Growers Network, Rockdale Organic Co-Farm 2730 Bethel Road NE, Conyers, GA 30012
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
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| Grow Where You Are | Learn about land use agreements, transitioning from urban grower to rural farmer, labor management, and content creation for marketing on the Grow Where You Are Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST As an Indigenous grower practicing sustainable horticulture for over 20 years, Eugene Cooke has developed multiple mini-farms, school gardens and private growing spaces. Since 2007 his focus has been on regenerative practices that gather in local community members to relearn timeless land stewardship practices. The Grow Where You Are (GWYA) Collective, established in 2014, has had a profound impact, supporting, educating and inspiring food system entrepreneurs, while continuing to produce seasonal vegetables for market in the Metro Atlanta Area. The collective creates enterprise through food production and their farms and gardens radiate with biodiversity and economic productivity. Their methods produce delicious local food and demonstrate systems that eliminate harm to animals and compost waste. GWYA envisions food abundance, when farms are focal points, producing and sharing nutrition between urban and agricultural communities
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER Robby Astrove is an environmental educator and ecologist serving as the Preserve Manager for the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve in DeKalb County, Georgia. For over 20 years Robby has acted as an environmental educator, land steward, and community organizer on behalf of biodiversity, native plants, and people who seek connection to nature and the local food system. Robby worked with the Atlanta Local Food Initiative from its nascent years and supported the Incredible Edible Fruit Tree Sale and Orchard Project which promotes the planting of edible landscapes and orchards at schools, parks, community gardens, and natural areas in urban Atlanta.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Grow Where You Are 4600 Elgin Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
| Eugene Cooke, Grow Where You Are |
| Love is Love Cooperative Farm | Learn about cooperative farm ownership, scaling your farm for wholesaling, and best practices for food-safety and post-harvest processes on the Love is Love Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST Love is Love Cooperative Farm produces Certified Organic vegetables, cut flowers, and plant seedlings in Mansfield, GA on 70 acres. Established in 2021, the farm is owned and managed as a worker cooperative model by Russell Honderd, Demetrius Milling, Monica Ponce, Joe Reynolds, and Judith Winfrey. Collectively, all five worker-owners have over 50 years of experience farming in Georgia. Mechanization where possible, infrastructure investments, diversity of experience, and collective decision-making have been key strategies to scaling up the farm. Products are marketed direct-to-consumer and also through several wholesale channels in Atlanta and locally.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER The Georgia Organics Farmer Champion program exists to support local producer prosperity through fostering their relationships with wholesale buyers (from restaurants and pop-up businesses to institutions like schools and hospitals). Selling to wholesale can require producers to scale up in a variety of ways in order to accommodate the larger orders, deliveries, and nuances that come along with institutional procurement. Since 2019, Farmer Champion program has hosted three field days focused on connections between buyers and growers, post-harvest processes, and business technical assistance to approximately 25 farmers, and has distributed more than $20,000 in post-harvest packaging supplies including coolers, certified scales, and waxed boxes to farmers.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Love is Love Cooperative Farm 101 Loyd Rd, Mansfield, GA 30055
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
| Joe Reynolds, Love is Love Co-Operative Farm |
| Rodgers Greens and Roots | Learn about pasture-raised hogs, incorporating a full-farm fertility cycle, and transitioning from vegetable to hog production on the Rodgers Greens and Roots Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST Rodgers Greens and Roots is a Certified Organic farm owned and operated by Ashley Rodgers on 64 acres of historic farmland along the Chattahoochee River. Previously, 15 acres were under cultivation; 10 acres in vegetables, and 5 acres in perennial fruit orchards. The farm now raises Meishan hogs, a heritage breed most known for their ability to thrive on pasture. The farm’s growing style is medium-scale and sustainable practices are the backbone of the farm.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER Community Farmers Markets, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded in 2011 by leaders in the local food movement in Atlanta, GA to meet the demand for more efficiently-managed, community-based farmers markets. The mission of Community Farmers Markets is to develop a local food infrastructure for long term sustainability and meaningful community impact. Their purpose is to root, grow, and preserve a diverse local food culture by maintaining an authentic space for all people to share community, fair food, and healthy lifestyles while providing a sustainable living for producers who steward the earth. CFM operates four large outdoors markets and 7 MARTA Market farm stands, have a robust community outreach program, and provide vendor support to the 160+ small businesses within their markets.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Rodgers Greens and Roots 5301 Old Campbellton Ferry Rd, Douglasville, GA 30135
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
| Ashley Rodgers, Rodgers Greens and Roots Organic Farm LLC |
| Decimal Place Farm | Learn about goat cheese production, dairy goat management, pasture management, and rotational grazing practices on the Decimal Place Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST Mary Hart Rigdon has been on the historic 40 acres of farmland on Almach Avenue since October 1995. She lives with her family in the original farmhouse that dates from the 1930’s. The name she gave it, Decimal Place, originated when she started her farm on 0.1 acres in her former beloved neighborhood of Grant Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The land contains rotationally grazed pastures, piney wood, and scrubby brush, which all sustain a herd of American Saanen goats year-round. She chose to work with Saanens when she fell in love with their sweet temperaments, as well as their superior milking qualities. She takes great pride in having acreage to rotationally graze, as well as milking her herd twice a day every day.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER Concrete Jungle has been connecting the dots between imperfect or excess Georgia-grown produce and families facing food and nutrition insecurity for 15 years. In that time, they have mapped 3,200 urban fruit trees, worked with over 50 Georgia farms of all sizes, and engaged 70 food pantries and hunger relief partners across the state. Since their founding, they have harvested or procured 8.5 million servings of fresh produce to serve families in their community.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Decimal Place Farm 4314 Almach Avenue, Conley, GA 30288
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
| Mary Hart Rigdon, Decimal Place Farm |
| Patchwork City Farms | Learn about maximizing production in a small farm space, growing creatively to increase output, and Certified Naturally Grown production practices on the Patchwork City Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST Jamila Norman is a first generation daughter to Caribbean parents whose history is rooted in agriculture. She is an internationally recognized urban farmer, food activist and mother based in Atlanta, GA. After 10 years in her professional career, Jamila has now committed fully to operating her independent 1.2 acre urban farm, Patchwork City Farms (PCF), which she founded in 2010. PCF is Certified Naturally Grown and committed to growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers that are safe and nutritious. The farm promotes a healthy and safe environment by demonstrating and teaching others how to grow safe foods, live a healthy life and cultivate vibrant productive spaces.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER Food Well Alliance is a collaborative network of local leaders working together to build thriving community gardens and urban farms across metro Atlanta. Their mission is to provide resources and support to local growers to connect and build healthier communities. Together, the Atlanta community can realize the vision of an equitable, local food ecosystem in which everyone can participate and benefit.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Patchwork City Farms 902 Pinehurst Terrace SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly. | Jamila Norman, Patchwork City Farms, LLC. Jamila Norman, Patchwork City Farms |
| Chattahoochee Queen & Floribunda Flower Farm | Learn about flower production practices, soil fertility, selecting flower cultivars suited for the Southeast, and working with beneficial insects on the Chattahoochee Queen & Floribunda Flower Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Chattahoochee Queen
Floribunda Flower Farm
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOSTS Evan Neal started Chattahoochee Queen in 2013 and grows specialty cut flowers using sustainable methods on a small scale in an urban environment. The farm’s production focuses on building soil quality, utilizing space efficiently, and choosing what Evan considers the most captivating, durable flower varieties. You can find Evan at the Grant Park Farmers Market every week, and hosting the occasional Thursday on-farm pickup.
Erin Givens started Floribunda Flower Farm in 2020 after decades of experience creating, maintaining, and designing gardens for clients all over Atlanta. When she was given the opportunity to start her own flower farm on 0.5 acre of property in Historic Norcross, she couldn’t pass it up. You can find Erin at Oakhurst Farmers Market, Avondale Estates Farmers Market, or sign-up for a CSA flower share subscription.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER Community Farmers Markets, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded in 2011 by leaders in the local food movement in Atlanta, GA to meet the demand for more efficiently-managed, community-based farmers markets. The mission of Community Farmers Markets is to develop a local food infrastructure for long term sustainability and meaningful community impact. Their purpose is to root, grow, and preserve a diverse local food culture by maintaining an authentic space for all people to share community, fair food, and healthy lifestyles while providing a sustainable living for producers who steward the earth. CFM operates four large outdoors markets and 7 MARTA Market farm stands, have a robust community outreach program, and provide vendor support to the 160+ small businesses within their markets.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Chattahoochee Queen 3441 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038
Floribunda Flower Farm 4420 Flat Bridge Rd SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
| Evan Neal, Chattahoochee Queen Erin Givens, Floribunda Flower Farm |
| High Hog Farm | Learn about cultivating fibers and natural dyes, heritage breeds of livestock, and making value-added products on the High Hog Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST High Hog Farm is run by returning generation farmers Keisha and Warren Cameron. They officially started cultivating the land in 2014, regenerating the soil, and quickly becoming students of permaculture, agroecology, and indigenous practices. They produce locally grown fibers and plant-based dyes from heritage breed sheep, rabbits, and heirloom seeds. The farm offers cultural, educational, and restorative experiences, in the form of tours, stays, workshops, classes, and other events. Their programs are designed to help individuals and families experience for the first time or reconnect with the land, and practice land-based skills while providing a space for healing and transformation and strengthening relationships with others.
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER The Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON) was founded in 2006 with the mission to elevate the collective power, prosperity, and visibility of Black farmers committed to practicing and advancing ecologically sustainable practices. Since then, their work has been grounded in farmer organizing, cultivating connections between farmers, and investing directly into sustainable farms. They do this by cultivating liberatory approaches to land stewardship and agriculture in the Southeastern United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Caribbean region, and promoting the links between Black farming, Black history, and Black culture.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
High Hog Farm 1247 Pinehurst Rd, Grayson, GA 30017
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.
| Keisha Cameron, High Hog Farm |
| Fort Valley State University | Learn about perennial fruit production, livestock production, and GAP certification on the Fort Valley State University Farm Tour.
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST Fort Valley State University (FVSU) is a public land-grant historically black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. FVSU’s 18-acre demonstration farm is organically managed and GAP certified. Nine acres are reserved for livestock production, including cows, sheep, and goats, and nine acres are perennial fruit, including muscadines, blueberries, persimmons, Chinese chestnuts, pecans, and more, with a small focus on diversified vegetable production.
TRANSPORTATION Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:
Fort Valley State University, Agricultural Technology Conference Center 46 Camp John Hope Rd, Fort Valley, GA 31030
Attendees can plan to arrive back at the Pittsburgh Yards transportation hub around 4:30 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly. *Note: Attendees traveling from outside the metro-Atlanta area are not required to take the bus transportation provided (ex. you are traveling into Atlanta for SOWTH and the FVSU Farm Tour is a stop along your way). However, we encourage everyone in the metro-Atlanta area who can take the provided bus transportation from the Georgia World Congress Center to do so. | James Brown, Fort Valley State University |
