Farmer Curtis Polling outlines farm history and plans to expand into agritourism

Curtis Polling, owner of the Woodpecker Trail Auto Farm, described his farm’s long history and set out plans to expand into agritourism during a public comment period. "My name is Curtis Polling, and I'm owner of the Woodpecker Trail Auto Farm," he said, adding, "I love this area" and calling farming "a lifestyle."

Polling said the estate behind the farm dates to 1854 and that the operation itself goes back about 170 years. He cited recent investments he said were vital to establishing the farm, saying, "We planted 4,000 trees in, in 2 days in our 1st planting" and "We put 14 miles of drip system in."

Polling credited the industry group Georgia Grown with helping the farm reach visitors and customers, saying membership "is powerful in what we do here" and that participation "was a blessing for us." He outlined an ambition to grow the farm’s public offerings, saying, "I see in the next 5 years a big advancement and growth into agritourism and venues and inviting more people to come to the farm." He added, "I have plans to build a bigger facility to have weddings and venues and an education."

On workforce concerns, Polling emphasized the importance of recruiting younger people into agriculture, saying, "I think it's really important to bring young people into this industry" and noting the long-term nature of tree crops by observing, "when you put an olive tree in the ground, it's got a 300 lifespan."

The remarks in the transcript are part of a public comment; no formal motion or vote appears in the provided text. The record shows Polling presenting background, recent investments, and plans, but it does not document any permit application, city action, or funding decision tied to the proposals.