Find organically grown food,  farmers markets and restaurants that use organically grown food using the Local Food Guide.

The Local Food Guide 2009-2010, produced by the Georgia Organics and edited by Suzanne Welander is the state’s most complete guide to organic farms, farmers markets and restaurants that have involvement with organically grown food.

The organic farms and farmers markets and restaurants are organized geographically by county into five regions – Mountain, Atlanta Metro, Piedmont, East Coastal Plain and West Coastal Plain. So, using the guide you can organize a tour close to home or around a location to which you are traveling.

Here for example is a typical Farm listing:
Holt Heritage Farm and Supply, LLC
1235 Euharlee Road, Euharlee, GA 30145
Chaz & Georgia Holt, 770.386.8305
chaz@holtfarmsupply.com
www.holtfarmsupply.com
We offer: over 40 herb/vegetable/fruit crops throughout the year; children’s summer farm camps and school field trips on our farm; and a farm store selling exclusively organic farming supplies, plants, and sustainable living supplies.

The farmers’ markets in the Guide are all producer markets where you can buy fresh produce, meats, and dairy directly from the farmer who grew the food. The Guide does not include markets that predominately feature brokers or resellers, or markets that do not feature local producers selling locally grown food products.

Here is a typical Farmers Market Listing
Riverside Farmers Market
Riverside Park, Roswell, GA 30050
Louise Estabrook, 404.613.7670
laesta@uga.edu
The Riverside Farmers Market brings together vendors and shoppers in a celebration of farming and wholesome Georgia-grown produce. Enjoy events such as music, cook’s tours, chili cook-offs, watermelon eating contests, and a harvest festival! Open Saturdays 8am until noon, late May through October.

RESTAURANTS
All restaurants in the Guide are business level members of Georgia Organics. Some of the listed restaurants are committed to featuring fresh, locally produced food on their menus every day, year-round. Others purchase locally produced food occasionally. Georgia Organics urges you to contact the restaurants directly to find out more about their commitment
to feature sustainable and local food.

Here is a typical Restaurant Listing
Beechwood Inn
220 Beechwood Drive P.O. Box 429
Clayton, GA 30525
David G. Darugh, 706.782.5485
david-gayle@beechwoodinn.ws
www.beechwoodinn.ws
Most of our seasonal foods are from local and sustainable farms, orchards, and gardens, and much of it is organic and natural. Most of our dinner entrée meats are natural (organic, no hormones, no antibiotics, no feed lots). We are proud of our local suppliers.

Links

• Download a 88-page copy of Georgia Organics Local Food Guide.
• Read more about Georgia Organics.

Adventures along Lookout Mountain await explorers along this 93-mile driving tour through three states. The spectacular Little River Canyon, DeSoto State Park in Alabama, Sequoyah Caverns, and the rugged hiking trails of Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia are among the many natural pleasures included on the tour.

This 93-mile driving tour follows Lookout Mountain from south to north through three states, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Depending on how frequently you stop and how many of the appealing activities along the way you engage in, it can be done in one day, or pleasurably extended over a weekend, or even a long weekend. It is filled with experiences in the region’s remarkable natural environment, hiking, cave exploring, and thrilling photographable views of rivers and waterfalls. There are plenty of dining and lodging accommodations choices along the way to appeal to every taste and budget. Look especially at Mentone, Alabama, and the state parks, including Desoto State Park in Alabama and Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia. Chattanooga, the Tennessee city that you have a spectacular view of from Point Park, the northern most point on the tour, has a wide range of hotels and motels. (more…)

Viewing the eastern cougar as a young boy eventually led to Craig Cylke establishing the Wildlife Sanctuary on 40 acres in Ellijay to promote the protection of wildlife and habitat and the importance of conservation issues as they relate to the quality of human life.

The Wildlife Sanctuary located in Ellijay, is a rescue, rehabilitation and release facility for the wild indigenous animals of Georgia, from the smallest mammals and reptiles to the largest carnivores and birds of prey. The Wildlife Sanctuary is a 40-acre facility that medically cares for all species of orphaned and injured wildlife indigenous to Georgia and the southeast. It began 30 years ago when (more…)

The 26-mile round trip in vintage climate controlled or open air railcars is a scenic smorgasbord, including one hour winding along the course of the beautiful Toccoa River.

Tucked into the charming mountain village of Blue Ridge, Georgia, in the lush Chattahoochee National Forest, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway takes you on the trip of a lifetime. The area is known as the “antique capital” of Georgia with friendly folks and an old-time atmosphere.

The regular 4-hour, 26-mile round trip in vintage climate controlled or open air railcars is a scenic smorgasbord, including one hour winding along the course of the beautiful Toccoa River.

The relaxing ride starts at the historic depot, built in 1905 in downtown Blue Ridge, then stops for a layover in the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.

Copperhill/McCaysville is one town with two names because it is split by the GA/TN State Line. Here, visitors have a two-hour layover (1.5 hours on Sunday): plenty of time to eat lunch, shop for unique crafts and antiques, snack on ice cream, or walk across the old bridge in town to view the river. Then, re-board the train for the one-hour return trip.

Keown Falls is one of the points on this Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway tour.

The Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway provides a chance to experience the varied terrain of northwest Georgia. Mountain overlooks and fertile farmlands can be found along the 51-mile byway as it travels U.S. 27, State Highways 156 and 136, and rural county roads. Outdoor activities, ranging from hiking, camping, and picnicking to fishing and hunting can be enjoyed at the Keown Falls Scenic Area, the Pocket, and John’s Mountain Overlook and Wildlife Management Area. The surrounding countryside also holds the histories of the native Cherokee Indian Nation; Civil War battles; and early settlers whose farmhouses, built in the 1800s, still stand.