Newton County Extension reports $51 million farm-gate value, growing organic fruit and vegetable sector

Ashley Best, an agent with the University of Georgia Extension serving Newton County, presented an annual agriculture update at the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 15.

Best said the county’s farm-gate value is more than $51 million and that agriculture supports about 1,800 county jobs. She reported the county’s top commodities as horses, beef cattle and straw, and said organic fruits and vegetables are likely to move onto the top commodities list next year because multiple small producers’ outputs are grouped under the fruits-and-vegetables category.

Best summarized 2024 outreach figures: 43 site visits, 290 diagnostic samples, 18 adult programs, five youth programs, more than 1,900 face-to-face contacts, 500 phone calls and more than 900 emailed contacts. She described several extension activities: a Master Cattlemen’s certification course with more than 40 people certified, two extension agent training events hosted in Newton County for organic farming, and on-farm research at Love is Love in Mansfield.

She also described volunteer and Master Gardener activity: seven volunteers (five trained, two trainees) working on four active projects including two pollinator garden sites and a demonstration garden on Page Street near the fire department. Best said the extension helps local producers access technical assistance and that those services are research-based and face-to-face.

Best closed by listing awards and outreach successes, including being a 2024 national award finalist for web communications (elevated equine) and launching the “Elevated Equine” podcast.