The Walton County Planning Commission on Aug. 7 recommended approval of a rezoning request to allow Let Them Eat, a nonprofit run by Chef Hank (Hank Reed) and his son Chase Reed, to use 7.27 acres at 611 New Jersey Road for crop production, agritourism and educational farm tours.

Hank Reed, who identified himself as representing the nonprofit Let Them Eat, said the group has provided more than 500,000 meals since 2019 and intends to use the Walton County property to grow produce to support the meal ministry and to teach young people about farming. Reed said existing pasture would be preserved and that the organization planned greenhouses near the house for year‑round seedling production.

The nut graf: Commissioners conditioned the recommendation on a stipulation that livestock kept on the property be used only for tours, that county guidelines on livestock be followed and that produce grown there be used for the nonprofit’s operations rather than sold commercially.

Reed explained the nonprofit’s existing partnerships with Gwinnett Tech and the University of Georgia extension and emphasized that the site would not be a commercial livestock or meat operation. Reed said initial livestock would include about five goats for educational purposes and that the property is already fully fenced.

A commission member clarified that under current A‑1 zoning some livestock is permitted and that the applicant’s use would fit agricultural and agritourism activities typical of rural properties. The commission approved the rezoning recommendation with the stated stipulations; the recommendation will go to the Walton County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 2.