Before you ask people to invest their labor in a teaching farm, invest time in building the systems that support them.
Inside you'll find governance tools, startup checklists, readiness assessments, onboarding systems, agreements, community engagement strategies, operational frameworks, and perhaps most importantly, lessons learned from observing a teaching farm launch in real time.
Read MoreThis year’s theme, From Farm to Fork: The Community Table Edition, honors the people, places, and traditions behind every plate. From community gardens and farmers markets to restaurants, food trucks, caterers, bakers, chefs, growers, and neighborhood food leaders, Augusta Restaurant Week 2026 is designed to bring the community together around food, story, and local economic support.
Read MoreBut as Augusta talks about data centers, industrial uses, infrastructure, and future growth, we should also make room for another type of land use: urban agriculture.
Read MoreWhile much of the conversation around family farms often centers on traditional rural models, we are seeing a growing need to also consider urban and peri-urban agriculture, particularly in communities like Augusta. These spaces present both challenges and opportunities when it comes to land access, infrastructure, distribution, and long-term sustainability for smaller producers.
Read More“This event is about bringing people together—business, workforce, and community—to focus on real opportunity,” said Gordon. “We have the talent and potential right here. The goal is to better connect those resources so our community can grow and not be overlooked.”
Read More“As an Augusta native and the mother of two girl golfers, I know golf can open doors because I have seen it happen in my own household. My daughters have been offered opportunities through the game,..”
Read MoreDuring my work with Cross Creek, I helped revise and update agriculture curriculum to include more business development and entrepreneurship. That mattered because agriculture education should not end with production. Students also need to understand how ideas become income, how enterprises are built, and how classroom learning connects to real opportunity.
Read MoreThis legislative session, the Georgia House introduced HR 1656, a resolution to create the House Study Committee on School Nutrition, Student Food Security, Georgia Agriculture, and Student Success. The resolution was filed in March and moved through first and second readers, putting this conversation squarely on the legislative table.
Read MoreLiving in a suburban forest has reshaped how I think about land use. There are many more options besides selling timber or clearing space to build something new. Consider recognizing the value of what already exists and learning how to steward it well. From shaded growing spaces and foraging opportunities to pollination and soil health, forests are working ecosystems.
Read More