Spring 2022 Georgia Neighbors by Georgia Farm Bureau

spring 2022 vol. 28, no. 1

GFB.ORG

A G R I C U LT U R E + L I F E S T Y L E

Jeff Francoeur from baseball to blueberries

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C O N T Peaches at Southern Belle Farm | Henry County, Georgia

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VIEW FROM THE FIELD

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Thankful for farmers

FARM-FRESH CONNECTION Food banks link farmers and families

PRODUCTS WE LOVE Spring for something new

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FRENCHY’S BLUES From baseball fields to farm fields with Jeff Francoeur

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E N T S G E O R G I A FA R M B U R E A U Georgia Farm Bureau is the premier voice for agriculture in Georgia. We work earnestly to support a safe and abundant food supply that not only feeds Georgians, but the growing world as well. Georgia Neighbors Magazine is a nod to that genuine sentiment – it’s an opportunity to discover the people, the places and the impact of ag in our great state. Want to subscribe? Become a Georgia Farm Bureau member to receive Georgia Neighbors twice a year. Membership means supporting farmers and agriculture while having access to more than 300,000 discount offers. Visit gfb.ag/join. For content inquiries or comments, please contact Information/Public Relations Director Kenny Burgamy at 478-474-0679, extension 5285, or email kdburgamy@gfb.org.

A P P LY T O D AY Apply today to become a GFB Ambassador! Georgia Farm Bureau is looking for passionate and enthusiastic students between the ages of 18-22 to serve as ambassadors this fall. Ambassadors will receive compensation for their 30+ hours internship for their services to Georgia Farm Bureau.

ON THE COVER Former Atlanta Brave Jeff Francoeur at Major League Blueberries in Nicholls, Georgia.

To learn more, visit gfb.org or contact Slayten Carter at smcarter@gfb.org. G E O R G I A N E I G H B O R S / s p r i n g 2 02 2

VIEW FROM THE FIELD Tom McCall, GFB President hen you’re getting dressed in the morning, eating one of three meals during the day or looking around the house you live in, you may or may not give this much thought, but a farmer somewhere made that food possible, grew the trees for the wood in the roof over your head and produced the fibers for your clothing. Have you thought about how comfortable our lives are because of the hard work, dedication and optimism of farmers? Every spring, producers across Georgia have a sense of excitement about the new crop year. Although there are challenges all around us that range from supply chain struggles to labor shortages and high input costs associated with fuel and fertilizer, farmers remain optimistic. In fact, I’d say this group of about 43,000 in our state are some of the most hopeful folks I know. Think about starting each new planting season after coming through rain, sometimes drought and, in many years, late winter freezes. Even so, producers of cotton, peanuts, pecans, fruits, vegetables and a whole lot of other Georgia grown commodities give it another try by planting, watering and harvesting.

Nearly 360,000 jobs in Georgia are made up of commodity groups including poultry and egg production, forage crops, livestock and aquaculture, vegetables, horticulture, forestry, fruits, nuts and agritourism. Simply put, 1 in 7 jobs in Georgia are ag related. It’s these hardworking Georgians that drive the $74 billion contribution to the state’s amazing $1.12 trillion yearly economy. If you haven’t realized it, agriculture is important work. After all, agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry. The next time you’re in the grocery store, a drive-thru restaurant or putting on your favorite cotton shirt, I hope you will say a little prayer of thanks for the farmers the good Lord gave us. It’s that spirit of determination farmers carry with them that makes me proud to be part of Georgia Farm Bureau and serve alongside so many hardworking men and women who make our lives comfortable every day.

OFFICERS President & CEO TOM MCCALL, Elbert Co. 1st Vice President and South Georgia Vice President DANIEL JOHNSON, Pierce Co. Middle Georgia Vice President RALPH CALDWELL, Heard Co. North Georgia Vice President BERNARD SIMS, Catoosa Co. General Counsel DUKE GROOVER Chief Financial Officer, Corp. Treasurer & GFBMIC Exec. VP DAVID JOLLEY Chief Administrative Officer JEFFREY HARVEY Corp. Secretary & Senior Counsel JEANNA FENNELL Asst. Corp. Treasurer & Sr. Director of Accounting RACHEL MOSELY DIRECTORS FIRST DISTRICT: Bill Bryan, Chattooga Co.; Wesley Hall, Forsyth, Co.; SECOND DISTRICT: Gilbert Barrett, Habersham Co.; Russ Moon, Madison Co.; THIRD DISTRICT: Brad Marks, Newton Co. Nora Goodman, Paulding Co.; FOURTH DISTRICT: Skeetter McCorkle, McDuffie Co.; Russ Wilburn, Barrow Co.; FIFTH DISTRICT: Leighton Cooley, Crawford Co.; Matt Bottoms, Pike Co.; SIXTH DISTRICT: James Malone, Laurens Co.; James Emory Tate, Jeff Davis Co.; SEVENTH DISTRICT: Gary Bell, Evans Co.; Ben Boyd, Screven Co.; EIGHTH DISTRICT: Scotty Raines, Turner Co.; Don Wood, Wilcox Co.; NINTH DISTRICT: Lucius Adkins, Baker Co.; Paul Shirah, Mitchell Co.; TENTH DISTRICT: David Lee, Bacon Co.; Lamar Vickers, Berrien Co. YOUNG FARMER CHAIRMAN: Walt Pridgen, Coffee Co. WOMEN’S COMMITTEE CHAIR: Melissa Mathis, Monroe Co. GEORGIA NEIGHBORS Director: Kenny Burgamy Art Director: Nicollette Boydstun Photographer: Logan Thomas Contributors: Renee Corwine and Dee Dee Smith Consulting Copy Editor: Renee Corwine ADVERTISING POLICY All advertising accepted subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaint about advertiser service or products. Publisher does not accept per-order, political or alcoholic beverage ads, nor does publisher prescreen or guarantee advertiser service or products. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in the Georgia Farm Bureau Neighbors. For advertising rates and information, contact Wendy McFarland at 334-652-9080 or mcfarlandadvantage@ gmail.com. Georgia Farm Bureau Neighbors was established in 1996. Copyright 2022 by the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation. Printed by Panaprint, Macon, Georgia.

GFB President Tom McCall with his wife, Jane, and grandsons.

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FARM-FRESH CONNECTION Food banks link generous farmers with families in need

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n communities big and small across Georgia, there are hungry families who lack access to healthy, nourishing foods. So many, in fact, that the Georgia Food Bank Association (GFBA) distributes more than 78 million pounds of food per year. Of that, more than 14 million pounds are donated to GFBA from hardworking Georgia farmers. Danah Craft has been with GFBA for 11 years. In her role as executive director, she helps connect farmers and other food donors with distributors around the state, getting fresh food to needy families as fast as possible. GFBA is comprised of seven regional food banks, which are big warehouses that aggregate USDA food and donated food that comes from grocery stores, farmers and other organizations. That food is then distributed through community-based networks to more than 2,000 congregations and food pantries around the state. “About 75 percent of those are faith-based organizations that have food ministries serving those in need, and many Georgia Farm Bureau members have a church just like that in their own communities,” Craft said. Georgia growers are integral in supplying “ugly” fresh produce to GFBA. “We have growers that will give us a heads up that, for example, they’ll harvest carrots in two weeks. When they dig up those carrots, wash and grade them, the pretty ones get bagged for retail, and the irregular, or ‘ugly,’ carrots go to us,” she said. Once those ugly carrots have been distributed to food banks in Georgia, the excess is then offered to 33 regional food banks in the Southeast. So, farmers in Georgia are not just feeding hungry Georgians, they are helping feed families around the nation. “Georgia is blessed with rich soil and a long growing season, so we are placed in a position to be good stewards of the land and to be able to help feed the nation,” Craft

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said. “Georgia is the number one provider of chicken and peanuts to the USDA, which manages emergency relief food, the national school lunch program, afterschool meals for kids, among others. USDA programs utilize and purchase Georgia-grown products to a very great extent. So, it’s extremely critical we have a strong agriculture community and support for our ag industry from around the state.” The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted GFBA in big ways. For many reasons, more Georgians are going hungry and GFBA continues to see a 25-percent increase in demand over pre-pandemic levels. In the height of the pandemic, that demand was 60 percent higher than in previous years (as of late 2021). “Shortages and supply chain issues have made it more expensive for food banks to offer fresh produce,” she said. “Fresh food costs money to cool and has to be kept in refrigerated trucks. Community agencies that distribute the food have to have large, walk-in coolers. Many rural churches don’t have that.” Part of Craft’s job is hastening connections between generous growers and needy families. “That’s what draws me to the work; thinking about how I can help the people doing the day-to-day work in the food banks,” she said. “Like any other association work, you find leverage points to help others maximize their impact. I love finding the leverage point that helps food banks get more food or distribute it faster, or build relationships with Georgia farmers.” Craft stressed that GFBA and Georgia agriculture are connected in many ways. “Access to fresh food is a critical piece of keeping people healthy,” she said. “The importance of healthy eating is something that will be on a lot of people’s minds as we come out of this pandemic, and Georgia farmers play a critical role in building healthy communities.”

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Happy Holsteins Robotics help produce healthy cows at Hillcrest Farms

here aren’t many dairy farms in Georgia where a degree in robotics may come in handy. And where 60 percent of the staff is female. And where farming practices earned a Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention in Agriculture way back in 2001. Hillcrest Farms, Georgia’s first robotic dairy farm, boasts all three. The third generation of the Rodgers family still owns the farm, located in Dearing, and gets help managing it from the family’s fourth generation. Founded in 1941 by GL and Lucile Rodgers, the farm found success with traditional milking practices. Nearly 70 years later, an effort to create greater employee retention and a plan to set up the farm for future generations led to an investment in robots used for milking cows. In 2019, the farm installed five DeLaval robots in their milking parlor and became Georgia’s first robotic dairy. Instead of being herded in at specific times for milking, the cows get milked on their own schedule, which leads to happier and healthier cows, according to General Manager Mark Rodgers. “Robots give you more information about the cows than any other system. They examine the quality, color and conductivity of the milk. In a traditional dairy, employees do all that. But milking is repetitive and tiring for humans. With robots, they don’t get tired, and their eyesight is great at night,” said Mark, who’s in the third generation of Rodgers to work at the farm. With a voluntary milking system, cows are trained to get milked by the robots whenever they feel the need. Mark said the cows are easily trained to do this, and get a dietary “treat” after milking. The data collected by the robots goes directly to the staff’s phones, alerting them to any changes in the cow’s productivity or health. Without milking duties, the staff can focus on maintaining the health of the herd. “Cow comfort is our rule number one,” Mark said. “We have nice, soft surfaces for them, like upcycled rubber flooring

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As time has progressed and technology has improved, women can be more hands-on at the farm.

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in the barn and upcycled sand beds, temperature-activated fans for hot days and big brushes for scratching.” All of the water used in the barns is collected in an eco-friendly manner, then recycled and re-used to flush the cows’ waste as well as to irrigate fields. The cows’ manure is repurposed as a natural crop fertilizer, and all of the cows’ forages are grown right there in the Hillcrest fields. With less physical demands, the farm is an attractive place to work for many female farmers, including Caitlin Rodgers, daughter of Mark and his wife, Marci, and cousin to farm veterinarian Marlee Rodgers. After graduating with a degree in diversified agriculture in 2012 from ABAC, Caitlin returned to the family farm as dairy operations manager. At the time, she said it was a difficult transition, being a woman in upper management in a field traditionally populated by men. “Sometimes I questioned if this was the right decision, because of the struggle of being a woman,” she said. “It G E O R G I A N E I G H B O R S / s p r i n g 2 02 2

took years of working long, hard hours and trying to learn everything I could so that I would gain the respect of the male employees. But, once I got there, I was there.” When the farm moved to robots, Caitlin furthered her education at the Young Dairy Leaders Institute and with courses on robotics. All this helped solidify her thinking that in farming, women are just as capable as men. “Back in the day, men worked in the fields and women stayed home,” Caitlin said. “As time has progressed and technology has improved, women can be more hands-on at the farm. We may not pick up a plough, but we can rewire a robot. That’s why women are taking on these tasks.” That aspect is something the family is quick to promote to young people through agritourism. “Through robotics, we attract future employees who are trained in robotics, not just dairy science,” Mark said. “Through agritourism, young ladies see women working on our farm and they think, I can do this, too!” 11

RENCHY’ BLUE

Former Atlanta Brave Jeff Francoeur and his family’s successful berry farm

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When you come down here, there’s something about connecting with the earth. onsidering his interests, one might say former Atlanta Brave Jeff “Frenchy” Francoeur is well rounded. The story of how he went from the right field to the farm field starts with his father-in-law, Malcolm McCoy, and friend Winn Morgan. Malcolm and Winn met when Malcolm was working with IBM at the University of Georgia’s Corporate Relations Department. They had a hyper-local weather forecasting system and wanted to evaluate the impact it would have on blueberry farmers. “So, I had to go and find the blueberry farmers to talk to and get involved with. I met them, and I loved them,” Malcolm said. “We introduced the program, and the more I met the farmers and heard about the business, I thought, I’d really like to be in the blueberry business.” Malcolm’s family had about 600 acres, and after he retired, he decided to pursue the opportunity to farm. That’s when he reached out to Winn, who, as it turns out, is a blueberry expert. “My grandfather started growing blueberries in the late ‘70s,” Winn said. “Growing up, blueberries were really the crop I knew best.” That’s a pretty humble telling of the tale, according to Malcolm. “I tell people that Jeff and I invested in a blueberry farm, but we honestly invested in this guy because he’s grown blueberries all over the world. He used to manage a 1,500-acre, gigantic blueberry farm in Mexico and I say he’s one of the top five experts in blueberries globally,” Malcolm said. Once Malcolm realized he could make his blueberry farm idea come true, he reached out to his son-in-law to gauge his interest. That was in 2015, and at the time, Jeff was playing for the Philadelphia Phillies. “He called me and said, ‘Hey do you want to come down and check this farm out? And would you want to put in 60 acres of blueberries?’ Well, I started looking at blueberries. I knew nothing about them, but I came down here and saw this piece of property and fell in love with it,” Jeff said. And so, Major League Blueberries was born in Nicholls, Georgia. Although they readily admit that Winn “runs the show,” Malcolm enjoys lending “moral support” while he’s at the farm. Jeff balances his time between broadcasting for the Atlanta Braves, caring for his family and driving the tractor. “Anybody who comes down here, I’ve always told them you have to get on a tractor, and you have to drive around for a couple hours. No phone, nobody to bother you, just put the music on. There’s something peaceful about it,” Jeff said. “I love being outdoors, first off. Between golf, coaching my kids and running, I love being outside. When you come down here, there’s something about connecting with the earth. Seeing these plants start so small and then they’re 8 feet tall during harvest and have 7 or 8 pounds on them — to experience that, it makes your heart get going. And I love every second of it.” But to make it to harvest takes a lot of hard work and dedication. “It’s a lot of work. We have to do everything by hand, but we get it done somehow,” Winn said. “I think my favorite part of farming is the crop. Growing up with the crop and seeing how genetics have improved through the years, smelling it, there’s something about being connected to the land and earth, and there’s something about being connected to your food — getting your senses involved with food. So that gets me going in the morning.” Even though it’s a feast for the senses, Malcolm said being a farmer requires self-reliance and dedication. “I think the biggest surprise is the reality of, if you’re a farmer, you’re responsible for anything and everything that happens on the farm. And there’s nobody you can really call to help. You have to be self-reliant. If its broken, you’ve got to fix it,” Malcolm said. “So, the picture of the farmers driving on the tractors in the bright sunshine — the guy who’s really making it happen is back at the office making all the phone calls, paying all the bills. The guy on the tractor has got the best part of the job.” If you ask Winn, driving the tractor is something Malcolm enjoys a little too much. “Yeah, Malcom will get back and is just covered in dirt. He’s been out dragging the rows or whatever, and I’m jealous because I really want to be in those shoes. And so, I invite him back to the spreadsheets,” Winn said with a laugh. 14

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“And then I have to come back in,” Malcolm added. “But then I think, ‘I can’t sit here anymore. I’ve got three hours of sunlight. I’ve got to at least go get on a tractor and enjoy this before we go back to the spreadsheets!’ And the thing about farming is that it is a business, but it is a business that you are responsible for and you’ve got to live with. So, there’s pressure. You’ve got to have a good crop. You’ve got to make sure your costs are under control and that at the end of the day, you’re going to make your bank payments and make money you’re going to live on. So, is it a cake walk? No! It’s one of the hardest things you’ll do in your life.” Realizing that farming is a serious undertaking is one of the biggest lessons Malcolm has learned. “The reality is, you’re running a multimillion-dollar business every day by the decisions that you’re making,” he said. “And those decisions can be good and bad. And they’re going to impact your ability to produce fruit and to make an income.” It’s a way of life that they feel the younger generation is not connected with. “A lot of the farms in our country are going out of business, and the ones that aren’t going out of business are sending their kids to be in other professions. The part that concerns me is our future generations not farming,” Winn said. “People have disconnected with food all together. You go to the store and you see blueberries, you see strawberries, you see raspberries, and you put them in your buggy. Very rarely do you look at the label to see where they’re from. And so, there’s that disconnect between people and where their food comes from.” Now that he’s been in the business for seven years, the hard work of farmers and the disconnect with consumers is something Jeff will never take for granted. “It’s very fulfilling when you go to the grocery store and you see people buying your blueberries and buying what you’ve done, putting in the hard work. But like anything, at the end of the day, it is a business,” Jeff said. “I think the one cool thing, or the big satisfaction, is the challenge that every day you come here there might be something new on the farm. But I feel like by 7:30 that night, we’ve conquered it. We’ve picked our berries and we can sit out here on the porch, watch the sun go down in this beautiful field and realize, it’s been a heck of a day.”

It’s very fulfilling when you go to the grocery store and you see people buying your blueberries. 16

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Dee Dee Smith | Senior Manager, Auto Claims of Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance

You get a call from a loved one who has just been in an accident. You’re able to confirm everyone is unhurt, but what next? What advice should you give? These tidbits will guide you through a time of uncertainty and help protect you should any future claims arise.

CONTACT L AW ENFORCEMENT Call 911 to report the accident. The authorities will assist with vehicle removal and traffic control if needed. Confirm which law enforcement agency is completing the report and ask for the report number. Obtain insurance information from the other driver, if possible. Doing so will speed up the claims process should the accident report take several days to complete.

DOCUMENT THE SCENE Take photos of the vehicles. It’s a good idea to get a photo immediately after impact, but traffic conditions may not allow. Safety is the priority. Get pictures of the accident scene. Secure the names and numbers of any witnesses. Do you see any traffic cameras in the area? This information will greatly help your insurance company provide a defense to claims made against you. It will also help support any claims you may need to pursue against another party.

CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY Contact your insurance carrier. Provide the pertinent details and accident report. Your carrier should help you through the process. With GFB Insurance, you can report your claim online or call our center 24 hours per day. Vehicle repairs can be handled by submitting photos through an app, or one of our local field representatives will prepare your estimate at your home or preferred shop. It’s about choices, which are numerous with our local claims team.

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to love

‘WAFFLE’ LO 20

Berry Bliss

Rockin’ S Farm Raspberries, Canton, GA 770-596-0711 facebook.com/Rockin-S-Farms-392473662441 Sonrise Farms Blackberries, Dublin, GA 478-697-1235 facebook.com/SonriseFarmsGA

Peaches & Cream

Dickey Farms Peaches, Musella, GA 478-836-4362 | gapeaches.com Country Gardens Farm Milk, Newnan, GA 770-251-2673 | countrygardensfarm.com

Sweet & Nutty

R & A Orchards Apples, Ellijay, GA 706-273-3821 | randaorchards.com Pearson Farms Pecans, Fort Valley, GA 478-827-0750 | pearsonfarm.com

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How do you make a waffle smile? Easy! Just butter it up! Or, in this case, butter it, fruit it, honey it or nut it up. Check out these waffle ideas made from ingredients from our Certified Farm Markets, all guaranteed to make you smile. To locate these items and discover more, visit gfb.ag/CFM.

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Amazing Oysters Shellfish Research Lab helps Georgia make strides in oyster aquaculture

estled on Georgia’s coast just south of the busy port of Savannah is Skidaway Island. Encircled by creeks and rivers, the barrier island is home to beautiful homes and lush golf courses, as well as diverse animals like loggerhead turtles and wood storks. It’s also home to the University of Georgia Skidaway Marine Science Campus, which houses both the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. At the Shellfish Research Lab, part of the UGA Marine Extension, scientists and researchers have been working for decades to develop shellfish aquaculture. When most people think of Georgia aquaculture, which refers to the breeding and raising of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants, they think of trout and catfish. However, the Shellfish Research Lab began in the late 1970s by focusing on clam production, and since the 2000s has been working to increase oystering in Georgia. “Oystering is still small here, but the state is starting to open up and add leases geared to oyster aquaculture. The hope is that as the industry grows, it will be a way to increase business and jobs along the coast, in addition to being an excellent source of food,” said Thomas Bliss, director of the Shellfish Research Lab. The main focus of the lab is its oyster hatchery, which has been producing seed for growers since 2015, and is the only hatchery within Georgia. “As the industry starts to grow, we’d love to see us becoming a learning and training facility so other private individuals or commercial businesses can set up hatcheries in the state,” Bliss said. In addition, the lab evaluates gear and researches the technical side of growing oysters to share with people interested in oyster farming. “We work on problems or questions the industry has related to shellfish and aquaculture, and listen to them and do the research,” he said. A big part of promoting aquaculture in Georgia is getting the word out about what it is, and the importance of marine life in the state. For that, the lab looks to their next-door

neighbor, the Marine Education Center and Aquarium, also part of the UGA Marine Extension. “We teach marine science and coastal ecology year-round to school groups and to the public, all in an effort to help folks learn about the Georgia coast and to ultimately be stewards of coastal areas, even if they don’t live here,” said Anne M. Lindsay, associate director for marine education at the aquarium. Red lionfish, baby burrfish and snakes of many colors reside in the aquarium, along with about 200 other animals. Nature trails, a saltmarsh boardwalk and a learning garden help teach visitors about the ecology of the area, while boat and field excursions with educators deepen their understanding of the importance of preserving marine life. “Our job as marine educators is critical to helping folks understand that they are connected with not only the natural world, but also with the health of the planet,” Lindsay said. Georgia’s first saltwater aquarium, they now collaborate with the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, as well as marine labs and other aquariums across the nation to share knowledge and education programming. “Helping people who live in Georgia learn about the coast is a really big part of what we do. The other thing that’s important is helping nonscientists understand that science is important, and that the process of science is exciting and helps us learn new things all the time,” Lindsay said. “We want to engage people of all ages and all backgrounds and communities to bolster support for continued learning about the coast’s impact on us, and our impact on it.” Back at the lab, Bliss said he’s thankful to have neighbors spreading the word about the importance of their work. “We are very fortunate to have the aquarium next door,” he said. “As we build this industry, we try to utilize all the resources we have to get the message out about oyster aquaculture. Those are aspects that, as biologists, we aren’t great at doing. But as we grow this industry, it increases awareness, so as people start seeing farms along the coast, they’ll know where they can come to find answers and learn more.”

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G E O R G I A N E I G H B O R S / s p r i n g 2 02 2

Make your home more comfortable than ever

Your upgrade from couch to first class has been approved. Whether you want to sleep, read or watch TV the perfect sleep chair is . . . Just perfect “To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA

Three Chairs in One Sleep/Recline/Lift

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available in plush and luxurious Brisa™

ACCREDITED BUSINESS A+

You can’t always lie down in bed and sleep. Heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – and dozens of other ailments and worries. Those are the nights you’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in: one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises your feet and legs just where you want them, supports your head and shoulders properly, and operates at the touch of a button. Our Perfect Sleep Chair® does all that and more. More than a chair or recliner, it’s designed to provide total comfort. Choose your preferred heat and massage settings, for hours of soothing relaxation. Reading or watching TV? Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of settings. And best of all, it features a powerful lift mechanism that tilts the entire chair forward, making it easy to stand. You’ll love the other benefits, too. It helps with correct spinal alignment and promotes back pressure relief, to prevent back REMOTE CONTROLLED EASILY SHIFTS FROM FLAT TO A STAND-ASSIST POSITION

and muscle pain. The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage. White glove delivery included in shipping charge. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of plush and luxurious Brisa™, stain and water repellent custom-manufactured DuraLux™ with the classic leather look or plush MicroLux™ microfiber in a variety of colors to fit any decor. Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair®

1-888-537-3367

Please mention code 115868 when ordering.

Brisa™

Saddle

Coffee Bean

Mahogany (Burgundy)

Tan

Chocolate

Blue

Burgundy

Cashmere

Chocolate

Indigo

plush & luxurious

Long Lasting DuraLux™ stain & water repellent

MicroLux™ Microfiber

breathable & amazingly soft

Because each Perfect Sleep Chair is a made-to-order bedding product it cannot be returned, but if it arrives damaged or defective, at our option we will repair it or replace it. © 2021 Journey Health and Lifestyle

46585

Now available in a variety of colors, fabrics and sizes. Footrest may vary by model

FRESH

FIXINS CREATED BY CHEF DANIEL ZEAL With help from our Certified Farm Markets, try this savory Southern-style seafood and vegetable dish created by Daniel Zeal, resort executive chef at Sea Island Company.

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GEORGIA BLACK BASS PREP: 5 mins | COOK: 10 mins 6

6-ounce portions black bass, skin on

tablespoons olive oil Sea salt Fresh herbs, for garnish

Separate the fish into two batches. Dry the skin side with a paper towel. In a hot, non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil until it reaches smoking point. Then, season the fish fillet with salt and place it into the pan, skin side down. Allow the fish fillet to cook for 4-5 minutes over medium heat, gently pressing down on the flesh side until the skin side is very crispy. Use the 70-30 method, which means cook the fish 70 percent of the time on the skin side to ensure it is crispy, then turn it over gently and finish the other 30 percent. You can also finish the fish skin-side down in a 425-degree oven, then remove and serve immediately. This will allow for some plating time while the fish finishes in the oven for 3-5 minutes.

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BOILED PEANUT SUCCOTASH

PREP: 25 mins | COOK: 10 mins 2

strips of bacon

cup sweet onion, chopped

cups fresh corn kernels, separated into 2 cups juiced and 1 cup steamed

cup fava beans, shelled

cup boiled peanuts, shelled

cup vegetable or chicken stock

cup heirloom cherry tomatoes, sliced

tablespoons butter

teaspoon fresh dill, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste

In a sauce pot over medium heat, gently sweat the bacon until it has rendered the fat. Do not brown the bacon. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and pepper into the pot and sweat the onion until tender. Add 1 cup steamed corn kernels, fava beans, boiled peanuts and stock. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Add corn juice and increase heat to bring to a boil. This will activate the natural corn starch and will begin to thicken the succotash. You may need to add a touch more stock, as needed. (Each corn cobb will have a different level of starch naturally.) Remove the pot from the heat. Add tomatoes, butter and dill, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir until the butter has melted completely and the texture is creamy. Reserve warm for plating.

For more on this recipe, visit gfb.ag/Neighbors.

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ON THE

It doesn’t matter if you live in a high-rise apartment, a farm house, a mountain cabin or a coastal bungalow, farm-fresh food is within reach. Thanks to educational opportunities like the Georgia Ag Experience and fresh meat, seafood and produce food trucks, Georgia ag is making its way to a town near you.

GEORGIA AG EXPERIENCE What they offer: Hands-on STEM activities showcasing Georgia agriculture to 3rd through 5th graders

Area coverage: Elementary schools across Georgia GeorgiaAgExperience.org

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THE PEACH TRUCK What they offer: Georgia peaches, satsumas,

pecans and apples

Area coverage: Nationwide. They also offer free shipping to most of the U.S. ThePeachTruck.com

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ROCKING CHAIR RANCH What they offer: Grass-fed beef Area coverage: Peachtree City and Macon, Georgia RockingChairRanchCattle.com

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KRAZY KATCH What they offer: Seafood and a variety of meats Area coverage: Washington, Elberton, Athens, Bogart, Watkinsville and Hartwell, Georgia Facebook.com/KrazyKatchSeafood

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FRESH ON DEK What they offer: Apples, oranges, potatoes,

zucchini, squash, onions and other seasonal produce

Area coverage: Dekalb County FreshOnDek.com

G E O R G I A N E I G H B O R S / s prin g 20 22

THE ONE TIME, LIFETIME LAWN SOLUTION!

Plant Faster, Easier With NEW SUPER PLUGS!

SAVE OVER 50%

Pre-cut plugs are 10x bigger! OR...Plant Your Way With FREESTYLE PLUGS!

NEW PRE-CUT SUPER PLUGS now available!

Cut any size plugs from sheets!

Stays lush and green in summer

Mow your Zoysia lawn once a month – or less! It rewards you with weed-free beauty all summer long.

7 Ways Our Amazoy Zoysia Lawn ™

Saves You Time, Work and Money!

CUTS WATER BILLS AND MOWING BY AS MUCH AS 2/3 Would you believe a lawn could look perfect when watered just once? In Iowa, the state’s biggest Men’s Garden club picked a Zoysia lawn as “top lawn – nearly perfect.” Yet, this lawn had been watered only once all summer to August! In PA, Mrs. M.R. Mitter wrote, “I’ve never watered it, only when I put the plugs in...Last summer we had it mowed 2 times...When everybody’s lawns here are brown from drought, ours stays as green as ever.” That’s how Amazoy Zoysia lawns cut water bills and mowing! Now read on!

IT STAYS GREEN IN SPITE OF HEAT AND DROUGHT “The hotter it gets, the better it grows!” Plug-in Zoysia thrives in blistering heat, yet it won’t winter-kill to 30° below zero. It just goes off its green color after killing frosts, and begins regaining its green color as temperatures in the spring are consistently warm.

Thrives from partial shade to full sun.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY No weeding means no costly chemicals. Since Amazoy Zoysia lawns naturally resist insects, you’ll save money, while helping to protect the environment. You’ll never have to expose your family and pets to the risk of weed killers and pesticide poisons.

Plant it from plugs.

Your Assurance of Lawn SUCCESS

Amazoy Zoysia Grass is

GUARANTEED

FOR SLOPES, PLAY AREAS, BARE SPOTS AND PARTIAL SHADE You can’t beat Amazoy Zoysia as the low-cost answer for hard-to-cover spots, play-worn areas, places that have partial shade and erosion on slopes.

Guaranteed to grow new green shoots within 45-60 days or we’ll replace it FREE – for up to 1 year – just call us. Guarantee is valid on one order at a time, typically the most recent. We ONLY ship you hardy field grown genuine Amazoy Zoysia grass harvested direct from our farms. Easy planting and watering instructions are included with each order.

Meyer Zoysia Grass was perfected by the U.S. Gov’t, released in cooperation with the U.S. Golf Association as a superior grass.

Freestyle Plugs You decide how big to cut the plugs. Each grass sheet can produce up to 150-1 in. plugs. Plant minimum 1 plug per sq. ft. Free Plugs Grass Sheets

CHOKES OUT CRABGRASS AND WEEDS ALL SUMMER

Your established Amazoy Zoysia lawn grows so thick, it simply stops crabgrass and most summer weeds from germinating!

NOW 3 WAYS TO START YOUR AMAZOY ZOYSIA LAWN!

1) Freestyle plugs come in uncut sheets containing a maximum of 150 - 1” plugs that can be planted up to 1 ft. apart. Freestyle plugs allow you to make each plug bigger and plant further apart – less cutting and planting – you decide.

NO NEED TO DIG UP OLD GRASS Plant Amazoy your way in an old lawn or new ground. Set plugs into holes in the soil checkerboard style. Plugs spread to create a lush, thick lawn, driving out weeds and unwanted growth. Easy instructions included with every order.

2) New Super Plugs come precut into individual 3”x3” plugs ready-to-plant (minimum 1 per 4 sq. ft.). They arrive in easy to handle trays of 15 Super Plugs. Save more time and get your new lawn even faster! 3) Amazoy Approved Seed-As The Zoysia Specialists for 60+years, we ﬁnally have a Zoysia seed available that meets our standards and homeowners expectations. Learn why at zoysiafarms.com/mag or by phone at 410-756-2311.

ORDER TODAY – GET UP TO

1000 FREESTYLE PLUGS –

Super Plugs Precut plugs 3 inches by 3 inches READY TO PLANT Packed in trays of 15 Super Plugs. Plant minimum 1 plug per 4 sq. ft.

Your PRICE

+ Shipping

SAVINGS

Super Plugs

Free Plugs

Trays

Your PRICE

+ Shipping

SAVINGS

300

—

$32.50

$17.00

—

$25.95

$14.00

500

+100

$52.50

$20.00

— 25% 36% 44% 53%

+15

$95.00

$27.00

— 35% 48% 53% 56%

Max Plugs

750

+150

$70.00

$25.00

1100

+400

$99.00

$36.00

2000

+1000

$170.00

$60.00

+25

$120.00

$38.00

120

+30

$135.00

$45.00

180

+45

$190.00

$60.00

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START AND MAINTAIN A CAREFREE BEAUTIFUL ZOYSIA LAWN

Zoysia Farm

NURSERIES

Improving America’s Lawns Since 1953

3617 Old Taneytown Rd./Taneytown, MD 21787

PLANTING TOOLS • PLANT FOOD • WEED AND PEST CONTROLS • ORGANIC PRODUCTS SOIL TESTS • GARDEN GLOVES • EDGING AND MORE . .. ALL AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT:

www.ZoysiaFarms.com/mag OR 410-756-2311

Promo Code

Amazoy is the Trademark Registered U.S. Patent Office for our Meyer Zoysia grass.

5936

Harvested Daily from Our Farms and Shipped to You the Same Day the Plugs are Packed Savings shown over aggregate base price and shipping