Georgia Organics

http://www.georgiaorganics.org/about_us/contact_us.php

1068 North Highland Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30306

Georgia Organics' Mission

Georgia Organics is a member supported non-profit organization working to integrate healthy, sustainable and locally grown food into the lives of all Georgians.

Georgia Organics envisions sustainable, organic and local food transforming our communities to be more healthy, secure and economically-viable. Through innovative networks of sustainable family farms, gardens and businesses, all Georgians have access to nutritious, locally-grown foods via schools, institutions, work places, grocery stores, markets and neighborhoods. Together, growers, consumers, rural counties, and urban communities will unite to embrace the health and heritage of our land and people through the cultivation and celebration of food.

Programs & Projects

Annual Conference - GO's conference is the most significant annual learning opportunity for members, new and advanced growers, agricultural and culinary professionals, students and consumers. The conference features keynote speakers, an organic dinner, farm tours, a trade show and book sale, and more than 30 workshops, including such topics as specialty crops, marketing your farm products, CSA’s and cooking with organic ingredients.

Publications & Online Resources - GO produces an informative quarterly newsletter, The Dirt, and this website featuring events, news and a resource directory of organic markets, CSA’s, seed sources, restaurants, stores and more. Each month, GO keeps its members up-to-date with an online newsletter offering the latest information and news on sustainable growing and community activities. (Click here for the most recent newsletter and our newsletter archives.)

Atlanta Local Food Initiative - GO is an active participant in this new coalition working to build a locally-based food system that enhances human health, promotes enviornmental renewal, fosters local economies and links rural and urban communities. (Click here to read the recently-released report and list of endorsements)

Converting Southern Commodities - GO is working to reduce pesticide use by increasing organic production of three commodities - Vidalia onions, blueberries and peanuts. To do this, GO has helped form three working groups of researchers, educators, commodity groups and others to address challenges and opportunities in each commodity. GO will also be leading workshops and field demonstrations to educate growers and educators in the next year. (Click here to see the list of working group participants and a list of recent minutes.)

Farmer Mentoring & Marketing - GO is teaming established farmers with new farmers to transfer knowledge and expertise in sustainable growing. GO is also providing in-depth workshops and training in the areas of production, marketing and financial decisions and producing a Local Food Guide to assist growers in connecting with consumers.

Curriculum Development - GO has developed a curriculum on organic and sustainable growing for use by university extension agents, master gardeners and high school educators. Presently, students and agriculture professionals in Georgia receive no or very little formal education on organic and sustainable agriculture. This curriculum is the first of its kind in the state and has been included in the 2006 agricultural curriculum materials distributed to all high school agricultural educators. CD copies are availabe for $10 or download here for free.
Note: The Curriculum is a large file, so it may take a few minutes. It is not recommended for dial-up connections.

Direct Marketing - GO is helping family farmers earn more of the consumer’s food dollar through its Direct to Consumer Marketing Program. A market tool has been developed to help farmers determine the direct marketing strategies that best fit their individual situations.

Farm Tours - GO offers public farm tours for individuals to see working farms first-hand and connect with local farmers growing organically and sustainably.

Organic Living Series - GO offers monthly educational programs designed to stimulate education and a commitment towards healthier lifestyles as they relate to our food system, personal health and environmental protection. Topics range from organic lawn care, to wellness and nutrition to cooking organically.