Farming in Cobb County?

"The U.S. Agricultural Census of 1850 reports that in Cobb County the county's largest crops were cotton, wheat, corn, oats, rice, and sweet potatoes." (from Mable Property Rural Preservation Plan)

The Mable House planning document linked above also tells that, after the Civil War, chickens became a larger part of agricultural activity in the county, and, after WWI, cotton ranked higher in productivity. By 1935, Cobb County's farms were producing "cotton, corn, hay, truck garden crops, and sweet potatoes." After WWII, agriculture in Cobb County was still an important economic activity, but the amount of land in agricultural production has been in decline, generally, since then.

Today, as area residents consider beginning new agricultural businesses, UGA's consumer horticulturalist Bob Westerfield has some words of advice, offered through an interview published on Georgia FACES: 

“Think small to begin with, unless you have a lot of help and equipment,” he said. “I recommend a quarter- or half-an-acre plot.”

Sustainable Ag Workshop Set for March 6 in Griffin, GA

UGA Extension in Spalding County is hosting a workshop on maximizing both production and market potential for sustainable small farms and market gardens.

When: Thursday, March 6, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Kiwanis Center in Griffin, GA - Kiwanis Club of Griffin, 1025 South Hill St., Griffin, Ga 30224
Cost: $5 fee includes instruction, materials, and lunch.
Registration: Preregistration by March 3 is required. Please call 770-467-4225, or email uge2255@uga.edu to preregister.

The workshop is second in a series organized by Spalding County Agent Wade Hutchinson. For more information, read the description, which includes the list of topics to be covered, in the Georgia FACES article "Sustainable Ag Workshop Set for Griffin," or call 770-467-4225, or email uge2255@uga.edu.

Egg Candling Classes Scheduled in Paulding County

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has scheduled four back-to-back classes in Paulding County for certification in egg candling:

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

UGA Extension/Paulding County

530 West Memorial Drive

Dallas, GA 30132

The classes will be offered at two hour intervals, starting at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12 noon, and 2:00 p.m.

Anyone planning to sell eggs to individuals or at a farmers market must hold an egg candling certificate. According to GDA information, the license can be obtained by successfully taking and passing both written and candling exams.

Classes are open to any Georgia resident, without age restrictions. There is no charge, but preregistration is required. Time slots will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Study materials will be mailed by the GDA after registration.

To register:
Call the GDA at 770-535-5955, and provide your name, mailing address, email address, and preferred class time.

Small and Beginning Farmers Workshop

A Small and Beginning Farmers Workshop is scheduled for Monday, June 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Cobb Water Systems Lab, at 662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA, 30060.

Topics to be covered:

• Improving Soil Quality for Vegetable Production
• Integrated Pest Management for Vegetable Crops
• Produce Safety
• FSA Programs
• NRCS Programs
• Community Supported Agriculture

Attendees can also get onsite assistance with obtaining farm and tract numbers and completing EQIP applications.

Registration deadline is June 13; the workshop is free of charge, but space is limited. Lunch will be provided.

To register, call 706-295-6131 

or email region1@gaswcc.org

The event is sponsored by Cobb County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cobb County Government, Cobb County Cooperative Extension, Paulding County Cooperative Extension, Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.