By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Southwest Region > Tift County > Tifton

At the Agrirama in Tifton, you can experience a typical day of life in a rural farm community of 19th-century Georgia. 

If you are planning a trip to Florida and will be traveling down I-75 or if you just would like to spend a weekend giving your child a unique experience, consider a trip to Tifton and the Agrirama, Georgia’s Museum of Agriculture and Living History Museum.

The 95-acre complex consists of a traditional farm community of the 1870s, a more progressive farmstead of the 1890s, a rural town, an industrial sites complex, a national peanut complex, and the Museum of Agriculture Center.

Costumed interpreters perform the daily activities of life at the more than 35 restored and preserved structures that have been relocated to the site. You’ll see people working in the fields, the sawmill, the turpentine still, the blacksmith’s shop and the gristmill. On Main Street, you can visit the drug store, the print shop and the train depot. A 1.3-mile railroad system circles the site; but due to state budget cuts, the steam locomotive only runs during special events. You can walk through farmsteads of different eras as well as a mid-1890s one-room schoolhouse

These are just a few of the many, many experiences you can have at the Agrirama.

There’s easy access to the Agrirama—it lies right along the west side of I-75 just north of the Tifton downtown exit. You’ll find more information about the Agrirama here at Brown’s Guides. You can also find information on other things to do and see in the Southwest Georgia Travel Region as well as information on accommodations and lodging in Tifton.

 Georgia > Southwest Region > Calhoun County > Arlington

In season and out, Quail Country Plantation has a menu of hunting, fishing and golfing activities that will satisfy any outdoorsman.

Quail Country Plantation lies in the heart of the “Quail Hunting Capital of the World.” With a history dating back to 1960, we are all about quail hunting.

With the finest hunting dogs and the most beautiful woodlands, our grounds are managed and cared for every day for one reason only - to take you quail hunting.

To hunt at Quail Country Plantation is to take a step back in time. We offer genuine southern hospitality combined with incredible wildlife habitat, diverse landscape, great food, and professional courteous guides. This is Quail Country!!

Our lodge is over 13,700 square feet and sits on the bank of meandering Mill Creek, which is spring fed and it’s temperature is a constant 67 degrees year round. The lodge sleeps 28 and also has an extremely nice pro-shop, stocked with a full line of Orvis items, as well as a “first class” gun room.

We offer meeting facilities in our conference annex along with year-round events and party facilities with meals and catering.

Also, we offer sporting clays and trap year round, as well as shooting instruction and custom gun fits. Also, be sure and take a look at our off-season activities.

Contact us today to begin the planning of a quail hunting experience of a lifetime.

OFF SEASON ACTIVITIES

Golf & Clays Packages

• 18 holes of golf at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, greens fees, cart, and unch
• 100 target round on Quail Country Plantation’s sporting clays course

Weekend Golf & Clays “Get-A-Way”

• 2 Rounds (18 Holes) of golf at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, greens fees, cart, and lunch (at Stonebridge), evening meal at Stonebridge
• Overnight lodging at Quail Country Plantation, and continental breakfast at QCP
• 2 Rounds (100 targets each) sporting clays course
• Half-day fishing at Quail Country Plantation

Off Season Clay Rates

• Sporting clays 50 targets 20.00
• 100 targets 40.00
• Trap rates: wobble trap 25 targets 12.50
• 5 stand 25 targets 12.50
• 2 person flush & flurry 25 targets 12.50

Links:

• Read more about Quail Country Plantation.

 Georgia > Southwest Region > Thomas County > Thomasville

This stately architectural beauty stands amid magnolias and long leaf pines in Southwest Georgia. It has magnetic appeal and breathtaking beauty.

A visit to Pebble Hill in Thomasville is sure to result in an awe-inspiring and memorable experience for all who enter the plantation’s gates. Pebble Hill Plantation has been called a “Georgia Belle.” This stately architectural beauty stands proudly amid the magnolias and long leaf pines of southwest Georgia, and like an alluring belle, it has magnetic appeal and breathtaking beauty.

With its relaxed order and sense of timelessness, Pebble Hill puts everyone immediately at ease and invites closer inspection of the plantation and its former occupants. Gracious and vital with the South’s rich traditions, Pebble Hill is a home rich in both art and history. The overall impression one receives from this remarkable plantation is more felt than defined. (more…)

 Georgia > Southwest > Seminole County > Live Oak, Florida

Paddling the Suwannee upstream from the Suwanee Canoe Outpost. The Outpost offers canoe rental and shuttle service on three of the most exciting and remote rivers in Florida—the Suwannee, North Withlacoochee, and Alapaha.

The Suwannee Canoe Outpost is the original premier canoe outfitter on the Suwannee River. We have been at our current location in the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park since 1993. We are fortunate to be located at a boat ramp, so we can maximize customer satisfaction while minimizing shuttle times.

Our office is open all year except January. (We still take reservations in January, though.) We offer canoe rental and shuttle service on three of the most exciting and remote rivers in Florida—the Suwannee, North Withlacoochee, and Alapaha Rivers!

The Suwannee will give you mile after mile of white sand beaches, ancient limestone bluffs, and the peace and joy of nature. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sun block, and a cooler with food or drink for your trip.

All Suwannee River trips begin up river and end at the Canoe Outpost, where your vehicle will be waiting for you. There is no pick-up at the end, which means a lower price for you! Also, with any of our trips that end at the Outpost, you can take your time and simply enjoy being on the river. Just finish your trip by 6 p.m. Paddling on the river in the dark can be dangerous!

The Suwannee Canoe Outpost provides guided group river camping trips each week from October to April. Guided fishing and Florida Trail hiking trips are also available!

Guided River Camping and Paddling Trips
Guided river camping trips are three-to-five days long, depending on your preference. Groups usually leave from the Canoe Outpost on Sunday or Monday morning and return on Thursday or Friday. The Canoe Outpost provides canoes, paddles, life jackets, guide, two meals per day, and shuttle service, all of which are included in your trip price.

Your guide, Graham, will enrich your river experience with his knowledge of the river and its wildlife. He will also prepare breakfast and dinner each day during the trip. Please bring your own camping gear, lunches, beverages, and snacks. We will give you a complete gear list and a sample menu upon your reservation.

Firearms are not allowed on any Canoe Outpost trips.

We accommodate your group of 4 to 10 people (up to 5 canoes). Reservations are required, and payment is due 30 days before your trip is scheduled to begin.

Guided trips include camping on beautiful, white sand beaches and paddling through some of the most beautiful and peaceful scenery in North Florida.

Links:

• Read more about the Suwannee River’s Suwannee Outpost.

 Georgia > Southwest > Thomas County > Thomasville

Sweet Grass Dairy’s present owners Jeremy and Jessica Little (with sons Aidan, with Jeremy, and Asher, with Jessica) purchased Sweet Grass Dairy from Jessica’s parents and continue the legacy of producing award-winning cheeses.

Sweet Grass Dairy is quickly establishing itself as one of the country’s premier artisan cheese producers.  Founded in 2000 by Al and Desiree Wehner on 140 acres of rolling south-Georgia pastureland, the dairy started with a small herd of 11 dairy goats, grass-based jersey cow’s milk from their herd in the neighboring county, and a mission to show people a better way.

A better way for what, you may ask?  After years in the conventional dairy business, they decided to change their style of dairying to that of a rotational grazing system in which the animals graze lush pasture in comparison to confinement barns on concrete.  This style of dairying lets cows be cows and is healthier for not only the animals themselves, but those fortunate enough to drink the milk they produce. Although it was against the grain, the Wehners were confident in their decision.

It wasn’t long until it was time for a new adventure, so they decided to start a cheese making business.  Sweet Grass Dairy first opened its doors in 2000. Demand grew quickly, and they saw the need for help and invited us, their daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Jeremy Little to join the business in 2002. Jeremy took on the responsibility of making cheese while Jessica managed sales and marketing. Sales quickly grew from only local markets in Georgia and Florida to chefs and retailers all over the southeast while also starting small-scale distribution in major metropolitan areas. Production increased as well using milk from 150 goats and 30 cows.

In 2005, Jessica’s parents gave us the opportunity to purchase Sweet Grass Dairy from them, and very gratefully, we did.  Today, the mission remains the same: handcrafting unique old-world style cheeses while maintaining respect for the history, philosophy, and values that started Sweet Grass Dairy.  Our commitment to sustainable, earth-friendly farming and the artisanal philosophy of cheese making is as strong as it has ever been.  We are fortunate to have the ability to control production from the ground up which allows us to provide flavorful and healthful foods from our family to yours.  Thank you for supporting a small family owned and operated dairy.

We are now giving tours of the dairy.  Give us a call at (229) 227-0752 to schedule yours!  Tours are by appointment only and must be made in at least one week’s notice.

Tours are Friday mornings at 8:30 am and are $5.00 per person with a minimum of 15 people and a maximum of 30 people.  If you have less than 15 people in a group, we may need to add you to a larger tour group.  When you call to schedule your tour, we will fax or mail you an information packet that needs to get back to the dairy office before your tour date.

While on the farm, guests get the chance to see the milking take place while learning about the milking and cheesemaking process.  We also touch on the history of Sweet Grass Dairy and our values and philosophy.  Guests also get the opportunity to spend time with the goats, which seems to be the highlight for most groups!  Be prepared to make new friends, because our goats get attached very easily!

After the tour, guests usually like to take a trip to Sweet Grass Dairy Marketplace to purchase cheese with the 10% off coupon that is given for use on the day of the tour only.  So be sure to not let the coupon go to waste!

For more information and to schedule your tour, call Sweet Grass Dairy at (229) 227-0752.  Looking forward to having you!

Links

• Learn more about Sweet Grass Dairy and its tours.
• Read a story in the University of Georgia Magazine about the founding of Sweet Grass Dairy and their production of award-winning cheeses.

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.

Thomas County Courthouse, built in 1858 and remodeled in 1888, is the beginning point for this 4.3 mile walking tour of Thomasville. A Confederate monument, erected in 1879, is on the courthouse square.

Thomasville is a unique town full of historic homes and buildings, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The self-guided walking tour available in the Thomasvile Visitors Guide will guide you through Thomasville’s historic districts where you will see a variety of architectural styles dating from the 1800s. You will notice historic markers on buildings and homes that tell you the year of construction and the original business or family that occupied the structure. Many of the homes you will see are private residences and are not open to the public. While visitors are asked to respect the owner’s privacy, feel free to admire the outside structure. The tour length is approximately 4.3 miles and depending on your stamina, you may wish to break down the tour into smaller, shorter segments. Enjoy your walk through the past in this walking tour through Historic Thomasville.

Links

• Download a copy of the Thomasville Visitors Guide that contains the self-guided walking tour of Thomasville’s downtown.