Our Impact

Making A Difference in Our County in 2023

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is working hard for its constituents in Fulton County. The following are examples of Extension’s impact in the county over the past year.

Increasing Resilience in Urban Agriculture

With 195 farms recorded in 2017, Fulton County is home to more urban agriculture than any other metro county in Georgia. Urban growers face unique challenges, such as varied land use histories, limited lateral space, and high property values. With an average listing price per acre of $148,925, farmland properties in Fulton County are more than seven times more expensive than the Georgia average. To address the educational needs of beginning farmers, Fulton and Forsyth County Extension agents collaborated with the UGA Small Business Development Center to offer the 12-session Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program. This two-part, comprehensive program covered Small Farm Business Planning and Vegetable and Small Fruit Production. Fulton and Forsyth County agents as well as eight agents and specialists from outside the host counties taught sessions throughout the course. After the course, one trainee developed a business plan and closed on a farm property in Fulton County. Another trainee invited Fulton County agents to his farm to assess postharvest handling risks and take soil samples. Agents have organized a collaboration with another Journeyman Farmer trainee, who represents North Fulton Young Farmers and North Fulton Farm Bureau, and Food Well Alliance staff to map farm locations across the county and host social events for growers.

Source(s):
Angela Gabrielle LaTora, Heather Kolich, Shannon Henderson, Norlethia Harris, James Herrin, UGA Center for Urban Agriculture, UGA Small Business Development Center, North Fulton Farm Bureau, South Fulton Farm Bureau, North Fulton Young Farmers, AgLanta, Food Well Alliance

Based on Impact Statement(s):
Increasing Resilience in Urban Agriculture