Expanding the Map: Bringing Every Farm Into Georgia’s Story
A Campaign to Include and Elevate Underrepresented Farms in the Farm Passport Program
EXpanding the farm passport program
Situation
Problem Statement
Many rural and small-scale farms are not part of the Farm Passport Program due to lack of public awareness, marketing support, or visibility. As a result, they miss opportunities to benefit from tourism, community partnerships, and consumer engagement that the Farm Passport Program provides.
KEY FACTS
KEY FACTS
Objectives
why IT matterS?
- Expand the Farm Passport Program by including underrepresented farms in the program throughout rural Georgia. - This initiative will boost local engagement, increase tourism, and promote economic growth through broader farm visibility.
CONTEXT
+So what next?
+So what next?
suggestion of RURAL Locations to include
farms to include
mallory's farm
the blueberry barn
Rutland farms
Located in Alma this retail store focuses on all-things blueberry including fresh berries in season, jams, syrups, sauces, blueberry ice cream, candles and gifts (Georgia Department of Agriculture). U-pick options may be offered during peak season (Georgia Department of Agriculture).
A family-owned farm in Tifton since 1916, Rutland Farms has grown to over 2,100 acres (Rutland Farms). It features U-pick blueberries and many crops, a large market with their famous homemade ice cream, and seasonal activities like corn mazes and Christmas tree cutting (Rutland Farms).
With over a century of history, Mallory’s Farm in Valdosta invites families to pick pesticide-free blueberries in summer and enjoy scenic farmland (“U-Pick Farms - Visit Valdosta”). The farm emphasizes a natural approach and provides a relaxed agritourism experience for seasonal fun (“U-Pick Farms - Visit Valdosta”).
rutland farms
BackgROUND
Fun facts about rutland farms
Family-owned since 1952, Rutland Farms spans 2,100 acres in Tifton, GA (Zedonek). Known for pick-your-own strawberries in spring and pumpkins in fall, the farm also has a seasonal corn maze and farm market year-round (Georgia Department of Agriculture).
2,100
12
1952
Different Activities
Established
Acres
Impact
Agritourism
the blueberry barn
BackgROUND
Fun facts about The blueberry barn
Owned and operated by Ann Wildes, former business education teacher for 30+ years who worked with UGA Cooperative Extension and 4-H programs . Located in Alma, Georgia, which is officially recognized as the Georgia's Blueberry Capital in Bacon County, the retail store opened in October 2013 (“Alma - Bacon County - Georgia’s Magnolia Midlands”). The store specializes in "all things blueberry" including jams, jellies, syrups, ice cream, bread, candies, and local artisan products (Georgia Department of Agriculture).
party time
sweet!
100+
year old wood is what the store shelves are from. They come from the owner's grandfather's home (“Welcome to The Blueberry Barn”).
Bacon County in Alma grows the sweetest blueberries of any county in Georgia (“Welcome to The Blueberry Barn”)!
Alma hosts the annual Georgia Blueberry Festival every June, celebrating the region's blueberry heritage (“Fairs with All the Fixins”).
Impact
Agritourism
mallory's blueberry farm
BackgROUND
Fun facts about The blueberry barn
This family-owned farm has over 100 years of history in Valdosta, Georgia. It is currently owned and operated by Tony and Shirley Mallory and the farm has been passed down through generations ("Mallory's Farm"). Originally a large commercial blueberry farm, it is now a small recreational farm focused on seasonal family fun. The farm specializes in U-Pick, pesticide-free blueberries available by the gallon during summer months ("Mallory's Farm").
location
history
customs
Locals have a tradition of picking extra blueberries to freeze for making summer-fresh recipes throughout the winter ("Mallory's Farm")!
The farm, passed down through generations for over a century, illustrates the family 's farming tradition ("Mallory's Farm").
Valdosta is at the start of the Georgia Grown Trail on Highway 41, making Mallory's Farm a key stop in South Georgia.
Impact
Agritourism
WHY IT MATTERS
Long-standing impoverished areas in Southern Black Belt Region that have been in this state for 30+ years (Benson, Craig, et al.). Some of these areas don't have the financial means to promote their rural agritourism attractions on social media. By campaigning to include these farms to the Farm Passport Program, we hope to connect overlooked farms to this impactful program and break up this persistent poverty present in rural South Georgia!
Impact of Inclusion
- Including The Blueberry Barn in the Farm Passport Program directly supports the local economy and other local artisans by featuring their work in the store
- Anne Wilde's 30+ years in education and 4-H means there is a strong focus on teaching visitors about agriculture in rural Georgia (“Welcome to The Blueberry Barn”).
- Rutland Farms provides hands-on learning about where food comes from and how farms operate, aligning with Farm Bureau's mission to connect consumers with agriculture (Georgia Farm Bureau).
- Rutland Farms is a family-owned operation that supports the local economy and encourages visitors to purchase Georgia-grown products (“The Market at Rutland Farms”). Their farm's impact can be expanded if added to the Farm Passport Program as more people can view what Rutland Farms has to offer .
- Rutland Farms is a well-established market facility with amenities for visitors, making it accessible and appealing for passport participants to get their stamps.
Impact of Inclusion
Impact statement
By expanding the map, we expand opportunity, helping every farm become part of Georgia’s story. This Genially presentation highlights farms that should be included in the Farm Passport Program, adding more value and awareness within the agricultural community!
KEY FACTS
- Launched in 2019, the Farm Passport Program connects consumers with Certified Farm Markets (Georgia Farm Bureau).
- In 2023, there were over 8,000 visits recorded statewide (Georgia Farm Bureau).
- Many of Georgia’s southern and smaller-scale farms remain unlisted or underpromoted.
- Increased representation can directly support agritourism and local economies.
Graph illustrates growth of participants in the Farm Passport Program from 2019 (2,100 members) to 2025 (8,000+ members) (Georgia Farm Bureau).
Agritourism at The Blueberry Barn
- This agritourism destination includes a retail store that sells "all things blueberry", U-Pick experiences, and farm stays (Explore Georgia).
- Located in Georgia's Blueberry Capital, showcasing state's #1 blueberry production (“Alma - Bacon County - Georgia’s Magnolia Midlands”).
- Retail store is not only open during the seasonal timings, but year-round!
- The Blueberry Barn is a member of the Georgia Grown program, which attests to their credibility as well as their appealing products (Georgia Department of Agriculture).
Impact of Inclusion
- Including Mallory's Blueberry Farm in the Farm Passport Program supports lthe ocal food movement by promoting the availability of fresh produce directly from farm to consumer
- Seasonal U-Pick experiences, such as the ones present at Mallory's Blueberry Farm, engage visitors in hands-on agriculture and create lasting family memories.
Agritourism at Rutland Farms
- Rutland farms offers diverse visitor experiences including pick-your-own produce, seasonal festivals, corn mazes, and petting zoos that engage families year-round (Explore Georgia).
- This farm is a multi-generational family farm that exemplifies Georgia's farming traditions and sustainable practices (Zedonek).
- Rutland Farms is open throughout the year with seasonal offerings, allowing passport participants to visit during multiple seasons (“The Market at Rutland Farms”).
Agritourism at Mallory's Blueberry Farm
- The Mallorys have been growing and selling blueberries for almost 30 years (Finney).
- Century-old farming heritage illustrates multi-generational Georgia agriculture ("Mallory's Farm").
- This agritourism destination focuses on family experiences and education about farm-to-table practices ("Mallory's Farm").
- The pesticide-free growing at Mallory's Blueberry Farm practices appeal to health-conscious consumers ("Mallory's Farm").
Expanding the Map: Bringing Every Farm Into Georgia’s Story
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Transcript
Expanding the Map: Bringing Every Farm Into Georgia’s Story
A Campaign to Include and Elevate Underrepresented Farms in the Farm Passport Program
EXpanding the farm passport program
Situation
Problem Statement
Many rural and small-scale farms are not part of the Farm Passport Program due to lack of public awareness, marketing support, or visibility. As a result, they miss opportunities to benefit from tourism, community partnerships, and consumer engagement that the Farm Passport Program provides.
KEY FACTS
KEY FACTS
Objectives
why IT matterS?
- Expand the Farm Passport Program by including underrepresented farms in the program throughout rural Georgia. - This initiative will boost local engagement, increase tourism, and promote economic growth through broader farm visibility.
CONTEXT
+So what next?
+So what next?
suggestion of RURAL Locations to include
farms to include
mallory's farm
the blueberry barn
Rutland farms
Located in Alma this retail store focuses on all-things blueberry including fresh berries in season, jams, syrups, sauces, blueberry ice cream, candles and gifts (Georgia Department of Agriculture). U-pick options may be offered during peak season (Georgia Department of Agriculture).
A family-owned farm in Tifton since 1916, Rutland Farms has grown to over 2,100 acres (Rutland Farms). It features U-pick blueberries and many crops, a large market with their famous homemade ice cream, and seasonal activities like corn mazes and Christmas tree cutting (Rutland Farms).
With over a century of history, Mallory’s Farm in Valdosta invites families to pick pesticide-free blueberries in summer and enjoy scenic farmland (“U-Pick Farms - Visit Valdosta”). The farm emphasizes a natural approach and provides a relaxed agritourism experience for seasonal fun (“U-Pick Farms - Visit Valdosta”).
rutland farms
BackgROUND
Fun facts about rutland farms
Family-owned since 1952, Rutland Farms spans 2,100 acres in Tifton, GA (Zedonek). Known for pick-your-own strawberries in spring and pumpkins in fall, the farm also has a seasonal corn maze and farm market year-round (Georgia Department of Agriculture).
2,100
12
1952
Different Activities
Established
Acres
Impact
Agritourism
the blueberry barn
BackgROUND
Fun facts about The blueberry barn
Owned and operated by Ann Wildes, former business education teacher for 30+ years who worked with UGA Cooperative Extension and 4-H programs . Located in Alma, Georgia, which is officially recognized as the Georgia's Blueberry Capital in Bacon County, the retail store opened in October 2013 (“Alma - Bacon County - Georgia’s Magnolia Midlands”). The store specializes in "all things blueberry" including jams, jellies, syrups, ice cream, bread, candies, and local artisan products (Georgia Department of Agriculture).
party time
sweet!
100+
year old wood is what the store shelves are from. They come from the owner's grandfather's home (“Welcome to The Blueberry Barn”).
Bacon County in Alma grows the sweetest blueberries of any county in Georgia (“Welcome to The Blueberry Barn”)!
Alma hosts the annual Georgia Blueberry Festival every June, celebrating the region's blueberry heritage (“Fairs with All the Fixins”).
Impact
Agritourism
mallory's blueberry farm
BackgROUND
Fun facts about The blueberry barn
This family-owned farm has over 100 years of history in Valdosta, Georgia. It is currently owned and operated by Tony and Shirley Mallory and the farm has been passed down through generations ("Mallory's Farm"). Originally a large commercial blueberry farm, it is now a small recreational farm focused on seasonal family fun. The farm specializes in U-Pick, pesticide-free blueberries available by the gallon during summer months ("Mallory's Farm").
location
history
customs
Locals have a tradition of picking extra blueberries to freeze for making summer-fresh recipes throughout the winter ("Mallory's Farm")!
The farm, passed down through generations for over a century, illustrates the family 's farming tradition ("Mallory's Farm").
Valdosta is at the start of the Georgia Grown Trail on Highway 41, making Mallory's Farm a key stop in South Georgia.
Impact
Agritourism
WHY IT MATTERS
Long-standing impoverished areas in Southern Black Belt Region that have been in this state for 30+ years (Benson, Craig, et al.). Some of these areas don't have the financial means to promote their rural agritourism attractions on social media. By campaigning to include these farms to the Farm Passport Program, we hope to connect overlooked farms to this impactful program and break up this persistent poverty present in rural South Georgia!
Impact of Inclusion
Impact of Inclusion
Impact statement
By expanding the map, we expand opportunity, helping every farm become part of Georgia’s story. This Genially presentation highlights farms that should be included in the Farm Passport Program, adding more value and awareness within the agricultural community!
KEY FACTS
Graph illustrates growth of participants in the Farm Passport Program from 2019 (2,100 members) to 2025 (8,000+ members) (Georgia Farm Bureau).
Agritourism at The Blueberry Barn
Impact of Inclusion
Agritourism at Rutland Farms
Agritourism at Mallory's Blueberry Farm