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and nutritional content and can make
healthier choices. The GFB Farm
Passport bridges the gap between consumers and local farmers, fostering an
informed, community-driven approach
to food sourcing.
You can pick strawberries in the
spring, peaches in the summer, sample
fresh honey or cheese throughout
the year, pick apples in the fall, pick
citrus in south Georgia or cut down
your own Christmas tree at one of the
state’s many Christmas tree farms. The
program creates one-of-a-kind experiences for the whole family. From vineyards in north Georgia to coastal farms
harvesting seafood, there’s something
for every traveler. The Farm Passport
serves as your map to what Georgia
offers year-round.
Participation in the program continues to increase each year. In 2019,
when the program launched, approximately 200 people mailed in a GFB
Passport to collect prizes. In 2024, that
number was just over 1,000. Of course,
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these numbers only capture those
who have turned their passports in,
many choose to enjoy the GFB Passport without the prizes. Approximately
40,000 GFB Passports were distributed
in 2024. Many farms credit the Farm
Passport for helping them gain traction.
By offering visitors a taste of local
products and experiences, the program enhances Georgia’s reputation
as a top agritourism destination. It
also creates stronger community ties
while benefitting other local businesses, restaurants, and hotels from the
increase in agritourism visitors.
Keeping Communities S trong
All Georgians have a vested interest in protecting our agriculture industry since it is critical to our sustainability and overall economy. In 2022,
food and fiber production and related
industries contributed more than $83.6
billion to our economy. These industries created more than 323,300 jobs.
Agritourism combines two of
Georgia’s most important revenue
drivers: agriculture and tourism. The
growth of agritourism and the Farm
Passport helps channel tourism dollars
into local communities, often benefitting small family-owned farms that
otherwise might not have the resources to market themselves.
Visit a Farm Near Yo u
Farm Passports can be picked up
at any of the participating farms or
local Farm Bureau offices all over the
state of Georgia. There are 158 offices across the state, an office in every
county but one. You can also download the passport at GFB.ag/CFM and
print it at home. Be sure to call or
check the farm website/social media
before visiting to make sure the farm is
open. Grab your passport, hit the road
and start stamping your way through
Georgia’s beautiful backroads today!
Grain and livestock farmer Tom McCall, a former
state representative, is the president of the Georgia
Farm Bureau.
