By Kathy Beck, Vice Chair for Farm, Facilities, & Ag Education
As we approach the midpoint of 2026, Feed Fannin extends heartfelt thanks to the Fannin County Board of Education for their continued support. The school board leases us 762 Ada Street, home to our Research and Community Garden and the Feed Fannin farm, our most valued asset and operations center.
Growth in Community Engagement
The year 2025 was marked not only by the successful cultivation of produce but also by the purchase of locally grown and sourced produce with 13,549 lbs. of fresh produce donated to the food pantry and other community partners.
In addition to growing and providing produce, we also grew by significant development in our knowledge and support of local Georgia farmers, as well as community members involved in agriculture.
Feed Fannin remains dedicated to building strong partnerships with local organizations and expanding our educational outreach. We are committed to empowering youth with valuable knowledge and skills, both within schools and throughout the wider community, while promoting agriculture — Georgia’s top industry — by serving on advisory boards, engaging in Young Farmers Association events, and supporting community gatherings. We host groups, provide lunches, instruct in mobile classrooms, and lead school field trip activities. Volunteers mentor FFA students, assist with awards banquets, read to students in classrooms to promote Ag Literacy Week and support agricultural education locally. Each outreach effort benefits both recipients and participants involved in our mission.
Spring Volunteer Initiatives, Partnerships
Early spring brought an outpouring of volunteer support from numerous individuals and groups. Students from Fannin County Middle School and Fannin County High School participated in community service workdays, assisting Feed Fannin with distributing soil and gravel in our research and demonstration garden relocation and planting tomato and pepper plants.
Additionally, North Georgia Mission Lodge welcomed 13 adults and youth from Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Duluth, Ga., to the Ada Street Farm. Volunteers dedicated their spring break to a mission trip. Their efforts included weeding and spreading mushroom compost in the garden’s planting areas. We are deeply grateful for North Georgia Mission Lodge’s ongoing outreach, with several more visits planned for this summer and fall. The contributions of these volunteers are invaluable and their impact immeasurable.
The Men’s Group from Faith Presbyterian Church provided essential repairs to our shed and is planning to construct a retaining wall at the farm property. We sincerely thank them for their hard work and generosity.
Feed Fannin volunteers replaced the faucet at the produce washing table and installed, checked, and serviced hoses to ensure optimal operation in anticipation of a potentially dry summer.
Considerable preparation is required before planting can begin. By the time this newsletter reaches you, most planting will be complete, and we hope for a successful growing season with special thanks to local DNR trapper Bill Turpin, who volunteered his time and expertise to help relocate some groundhogs that devastated our cantaloupe crop in 2025.
Working in the garden brings joy and tranquility and is a wellness oasis. It is our Gelassennheit.
Celebrating Agricultural Achievements, Events
Spring was filled with agricultural opportunities, events and awards. On Jan. 30, Feed Fannin board members attended the Fannin County Young Farmers (FCYF) Awards Night, where they honored and awarded Jake and Martha Williams as the 2025-26 Fannin County Young Farmers Farm Family of the Year, and Seth Davis as the 2025-26 Young Ag Professional of the Year. Congratulations to these deserving recipients for their significant contributions to our agricultural community.
Feed Fannin volunteers also attended the FCYC 3rd Annual Blessing of the Seeds & Farms, Gardens, Fields & Herds, held at CATE Farms on March 20.
Supporting Youth in Agriculture
Feed Fannin leaders mentored several FFA Middle School members in preparation for the FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Competition. Congratulations to Melissa Acevedo-Montoya for winning the area competition and advancing to the state level, and to Hailey Stewart for winning the Georgia State FFA Creed competition in April. Hailey recently recited the Creed at the Fannin County Middle School Banquet, where she was recognized as the 2025-2026 FFA President. Feed Fannin agricultural volunteers were honored to attend this event. We are proud of all students who participated in the competition and commend their efforts.
On May 1, Feed Fannin volunteers instructed 58 third graders from Blue Ridge Elementary, and on May 7, 45 fourth and fifth grade scientific investigation students from all three Fannin County Elementary schools attended a field day at 6 Ponds Farm, hosted by Dr. Gilda Lyons. Students enjoyed hands-on activities such as fossil digging and identification, mineral identification, fishing, painting barn quilts, and designing their own hand painted necklaces. The activities helped students realize the importance of agriculture.
The Fannin County High School FFA Banquet took place on May 12, with Feed Fannin board members in attendance to receive a certificate of appreciation and special Distinguished Service Award. We are humbled and honored to receive this recognition and the support we receive from the community.
On May 13, first block FFA Fannin County high school students visited the Feed Fannin farm, where they learned and practiced the proper techniques for planting tomato and pepper plants. We value these visits and plan every available opportunity to share the farm and spread gardening knowledge with the next generation while welcoming their assistance.
On May 12, Feed Fannin board members visited the Fannin County Extension Office and presented tuition support to Fannin County 4-H Club leaders, enabling 14 students to attend 4-H camp this summer. This initiative was partially funded by an anonymous donor’s generous contribution. Additionally, Feed Fannin will provide 4-H tuition to four Polk County students. These contributions ensure that students can access enriching camp experiences, aligning with Georgia 4-H’s mission to equip youth with knowledge, life skills and positive attitudes for future success. This hands-on approach resonates with Feed Fannin’s mission of promoting education and self-sufficiency.
Feed Fannin also provides school garden grants to each of the five Fannin County Schools. This year, Copper Basin Elementary in nearby Polk County, Tenn., will also receive a Feed Fannin grant for greenhouse restoration. Dr. Ginger Montgomery of Fannin County Schools expressed gratitude for the community’s investment in students, noting that “these resources enable hands-on learning opportunities that foster growth and engagement in agriculture.” Look for photos of the greenhouse renovation in our Fall newsletter.
Highlighting Women in Agriculture
On May 15, Fannin County Young Farmers hosted their fourth annual Women in Ag lunch at The Folk Collaborative in McCaysville, attended by several Feed Fannin ladies. Dr. Gilda Lyons was honored as the FCYF Woman in Ag for this year. The event featured guest speaker Anna Strickland of Harper & Mary Strategies, a woman-owned consulting firm specializing in the design of vibrant, pollinator-friendly green spaces that support work-life harmony.
Expanding Outreach: Snack Summer Meals
For the fifth consecutive year, Feed Fannin is partnering with Snack in a Backpack to support the eight-week Snack Summer Meals program. Over the past four years, Feed Fannin has provided 23,255 lbs. of fresh produce, including 7,005 lbs. in 2025 alone. This year, our support will expand to include payment of invoices for snack items in addition to supplying fresh produce. As part of this initiative, Feed Fannin will purchase 500 lbs. of Vidalia onions from Fannin County Young Farmers to support their fundraiser, with the onions distributed to families with children during the Snack Summer Meals program.
Feed Fannin Celebrates Milestone
Feed Fannin proudly celebrates its 17th anniversary this year. This milestone highlights our enduring dedication to partnering with local agencies, supporting educational opportunities and maintaining our growing operations.
Guided by our motto, “One Community, One Spirit,” we continuously strive to foster unity and collaboration. Together, we accomplish more, and our journey is marked by a shared commitment to hard work and strengthened by the unwavering support and generosity of our valued partners and donors. The trust placed in Feed Fannin is deeply appreciated, and we look forward to continuing this journey as a united community.
Ongoing Mission and Appreciation
- As we reflect on our work and look ahead, we remain grateful for the community that makes this mission possible.
- Feed Fannin remains steadfast in its mission to provide for those in need, promote education and empower our community.
- We focus on helping individuals and families build greater self-sufficiency.
- Your continued support is essential to advancing our goals and strengthening our community.
- You can support our mission by volunteering at the farm, helping at events, or making a financial donation.
