Jaemor Farm recognized by state; other agribusinesses also singled out

PERRY - Jaemor Farm in Lula was recognized Friday by the state as one of this year's Georgia Centennial Family Farms. There were 24 in all including several others from the Gainesville area.

The awards were handed out Friday afternoon on the first day of this year's Georgia National Fair in Perry. Judah Echols said his father, Jimmy, picked up the honor.

"Every year they recognize the Centennial Farm Families that are keeping the tradition alive and they presented them with a plaque," Echols said.

Judah said the honor comes following an application process they worked on last spring.

Judah's great-grandfather Tim Echols is credited with buying the portion of the Echols' farm that is 100 years old.

The plaque will go up at the farm. Judah said they're planning a centennial celebration next month. The theme of this year's corn maze at the farm goes along with the honor.

"We are very proud of our heritage and the tradition my great-grandfather started, and we hope to continue that for the next two or three generations at least," Echols said.

The Georgia Centennial Farm Program was developed in 1992 to distinguish family farms that have "contributed to preserving Georgia's agricultural history" by maintaining working family farms for more than 100 years. The program has recognized more than 400 farms around the state.

It is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia Forestry Commission; and the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter.

In addition to Jaemor, other honorees from northeast Georgia this year are Boring and Brooks Estate, Banks County, and Shirley Farm, Jackson County.

The Phillips Family Farm in Murray County received top honors as it was named the Georgia Centennial Heritage Farm.

The complete list of the winners follows:

2012 Centennial Family Farm Awards
Georgia Centennial Heritage Farm

Phillips Family Farm, Murray County
Martha Phillips Gordon
Emily Phillips Cogburn

Georgia Centennial Family Farms

Herrington Farm, Appling County
Robert M. and Jacquelyn Herrington

Boring and Brooks Estate, Banks County
Todd Brian Boring

E. S. Dorminy Home Place and Farm, Berrien County
Albert C. Dorminy and Phyllis D. Nappier

Skipper Farms, Bibb County
Douglas H. Skipper

Fordham Brothers Farm, Bleckley County
Jonathan Fordham and Robert Fordham

Lodge Farm, Brooks County
Larry Lodge, Linda Booth, Lila Jones

Hendricks Farm at Turner Crossing, Candler County
Lorine O. Hendricks

Triple "C" Farms, Candler County
Douglas and Sylvia Cartee

White Oak Pastures, Clay County
Will Harris

Futch Farm, Cook County
Leta Futch Philpot

Greene Farm, Crisp County
Bobby Ben Greene

Pineland Farms, Dodge County
Lisa J. Glisson and Michael C. Johnson, Sr.

Gilliard Farms, Glynn County
Mathew Raiford and Althea Raiford

Curryville Centennial Farm and Arena, Gordon County
Bobby E. House

Clark-Harrell Family Farm, Grady County
A. B. and Lois Harrell Clark

Reagan Farm, Grady County
Mary Ruth and Lamar Boman

Echols Jaemor Farm, Hall County
Echols Farm Family LLP

Shirley Farm, Jackson County
Diane Ariail

Fountain Family Farm, Johnson County
Robert Fountain, Jr.

McAllister Farm, Marion County
Donald David (Pete) McAllister

Zellobee Farm, Marion County
Jack Thomas (Tommy) McAllister

Baker/Dorminey Farm, Tift County
John E. (Edd) Dorminey

Oliver Farm, Wilcox County
Jurice N. Oliver

Henry Clayton Gibbs Farm, Worth County
William Thomas Gibbs

Link: Jaemor Farm