Zoning determines much more than where houses, businesses and industries can be built. It can also determine whether a family can sell what it grows, whether a neighborhood can establish a community garden, whether a small agricultural enterprise can operate, where farm stands are permitted, and what kinds of agricultural activity remain possible as Augusta continues to develop.
Read MoreLand suitable for agriculture competes with housing and commercial development. Small and specialty producers need markets. Agritourism businesses need visibility. Beginning farmers need affordable access to land. Residents want opportunities to grow food closer to home. And economic-development decisions can permanently change what land will be available to the next generation.
Read MoreThrough Grow with Joy Inc., Joy is helping develop an agricultural education experience that introduces teens not simply to gardening, but to the much larger world surrounding agriculture.
Read MoreOur local farming community has tried for several years to build stronger relationships with FFA programs and agriculture students in Richmond County. We've had mixed results. Enter Chante Luckie and Hagler U.
Read MoreWe often talk about the food system as though farmers grow the food, stores sell it and families buy it. In reality, there is an entire civic infrastructure underneath that exchange: federal policy, state administration, land access, conservation programs, financing, research, transportation, nutrition assistance and local markets.
Read MoreI've had several conversations with area farmers during Agriculture Month. Some have left me energized. Others have left me deeply concerned. And I've found myself holding two seemingly contradictory thoughts at the same time:
Read MorePlease join us as the Augusta-Richmond County Commission officially kicks off Augusta Agriculture Month 2026 with a special proclamation and recognition ceremony celebrating the people who cultivate our land, strengthen our communities, and preserve our agricultural heritage.
Read MoreThe fund comes as Georgia faces significant development pressure. The Georgia Department of Agriculture estimates the state could lose about 800,000 acres of farmland by 2040—roughly 10% of its farmland. Farmers are increasingly receiving lucrative offers for land as housing, industrial development, warehouses, and data centers expand.
Read MoreThe inventory spans educational digital downloads, physical wellness products, professional consultancy services, and specialized kits for students and farmers.
Read MoreThat is where service learning becomes more than volunteering. Students are learning, solving problems, working in teams, communicating with adults, practicing leadership, and seeing how their skills connect to the life of their community.
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