The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Recent census data shows that one in three farmers in Georgia are women. With Monroe County's long and rich agricultural history, we decided to dedicate this newsletter to our local farmers, past and present. The 1850 Census shows that, 29 years after its founding, Monroe County had 746 farms. Each farm had to be self-sufficient and produce enough food for the family and livestock to last from one crop year to the next.

We have photographic evidence from as far back as 1899, showing Tift College was growing its own food and had a dairy (where the KOA is now) to feed the students and staff.

When William M. Hubbard successfully incorporated the Forsyth Normal and Industrial School (later known as the State Teacher and Agricultural College) in 1902, part of the ten-acre campus was dedicated to farming. This allowed the students to experience hands-on learning and also provided a means of raising funds for the school through the sale of produce. 

Mary Persons High School was also well-known for its agriculture classes. In the 1930s, members of the Persons family donated land and funds to construct a building dedicated to learning about agriculture. The building still stands today on the grounds of the Monroe County Schools Central Office. 

While cotton farms and dairy farms are now bygone, clues to former farm life remain. Today, the farm landscape in Forsyth and Monroe County is made up of livestock, tree farms, and roadside farm stands. It makes for beautiful scenic drives enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

We invited Commissioner Eddie Rowland to tell us more about the recently approved Monroe County Agriculture Building project. We also reached out to our local historian extraordinaire, Ralph Bass, to share with us about a notable local woman farmer. 

Monroe County's Agriculture Future is Bright

By: Richard Dumas, Monroe County Public Information Officer & Monroe County Commissioner Eddie Rowland

Monroe County’s agricultural community will be getting an impressive addition in the next few years as the county builds its new $4.8 million Agricultural & Natural Resources Center at the Monroe County Recreation Department.

The Monroe County Commissioners initially approved in December 2025 to contract with Forsyth-based Proform Construction on a design/build contract for the future Agricultural & Natural Resources Center. This will be built on the undeveloped portion of the Rec Department property close to the complex’s new entrance/exit off of Fairview Church Road.

On August 4, 2026 Commissioners made the project official by approving to spend just over $4.8 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds to build the new Ag Center.

The vote came after Monroe County District 2 Commissioner Eddie Rowland, who has championed the project for nearly a decade, presented the Board with preliminary exterior and interior concept plans for the building.



The future Ag Center will include: areas for animal holding, a show ring/learning lab, a teaching kitchen, a conference room, and office space for various agricultural-related groups, including the Monroe County 4-H Extension Office.



Future plans also include a nature trail paid for by a recent $50,000 donation from Oglethorpe Power. The trail will connect the current Rec Department, including the newly re-opened Monroe County Arena, with the Ag Center. There are also plans for future multi-purpose fields and baseball/softball fields.

Commissioner Rowland said, “It’s a great way to show Monroe County is ‘Growing our roots in agriculture,’ and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

History is in the Details: "An Old Farm Woman," Sarah Wadley Burt

By: Ralph Bass, local historian

During Monroe County’s 200 years of history, a number of women have operated farms. Sarah Lois Wadley Burt, as one of those women, stands out.

She came from a wealthy background. Her father, George Dole Wadley, was a railroad man, at one time general manager of the Central of Georgia Railway and also superintendent of construction for the Mexican National Railway. In addition, Wadley grew cotton on the family’s plantation, Great Hill Place at Bolingbroke.

After her father’s death, Sarah Wadley Burt and her husband Major William G. Burt operated the farm. Because Major Burt had his military commitments including supervision of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Indian Springs, and was away from home, management of the farm fell to his wife.

Later in life she deprecatingly referred to herself as “an old farm woman” quite properly, for she had had a lifetime of agricultural experience on her 2,000-acre farm.

Sarah Wadley Burt tried various money-making projects. Early along she raised chickens–but her Rhode Island Red cockerel placed only fifth at the 1912 Georgia State Fair. She tried raising pigs. In 1927, she sold fat six-week old piglets–pedigree not provided–for five dollars each.

Dairy cows, however, brought the Burts their greatest success. At one time their herd consisted of 200 pure-bred Guernseys. Tending and milking these dairy cows required a corp of workers who lived there on the farm. In addition, the Burts raised most of the feed they needed for the dairy herd.

Sarah Wadley Burt kept the farm’s ledgers. The couple’s situation also required that she supervised the workers from time to time. If necessary, she would crawl into the milk truck loaded with its ten-gallon cans and deliver them to a processing plant in Atlanta, some 80 miles away.

The Burts had two sons. George Dole Wadley Burt was a journalist. William Giroud Burt Jr., a University of Georgia football player, died in Italy in 1944. He had doubled up on his course work in Athens so that he could have his degree before joining the Army Air Corps. His B-17 was shot down after returning from his 21st mission. He had been in Italy for just two months.

Decades later, Sarah Lois Wadley Burt wrote her will. She provided from the couple’s dairy earnings and other sources a trust fund in the name of her late son Giroud and her grandfather. The trust provides even today scholarships for Monroe County students to attend the University of Georgia.

From Annie's Memoirs: Hog Killin' Days

By: Nicole Newsom, great-granddaughter of Annie Bridges

My great-grandmother, Annie Sutton Bridges, was born in 1896 and lived to be 103 years old. She started writing her memoirs at age 79 in 1975. As fall approaches, I’m reminded of a passage from Grandmother Bridges’ memoirs about “hog killing time.” Back in the day, when all your meals came from the farm, fall was the time you butchered the hogs to make sausage, lard, and other items that would carry you through the winter. The weather had to be just right—cool enough to keep raw meat from spoiling but not so cold it froze! 

Hog killing time was a special occasion. The hogs were butchered, then scalded with boiling water heated by fire in a huge pot in the yard. The hot water was put in a large barrel where the hog was then placed until the test showed the hair was ready to scrape off. Then the hog was hung up and cut open along the entire stomach, the intestines removed and cleaned. Those are what we called chitterlings, a delicacy every country man really enjoyed. The fat from the hog was rendered into lard in a big pot over the fire, and when it was brown and strained, the lard was stirred in 5 gallon cans or churns and the cracklings that were left after straining the lard was used to make Cracklin Bread. These cracklings were shared with the helpers. The lean portion of meat trimmed from the hams and shoulders was ground and seasoned with salt, hot pepper and black pepper and country grown sage and made into delicious country sausage. The hams and shoulders and middlings (fat sides) were packed in salt for about 3 weeks or longer, then taken out of the salt, washed and sacked to be hung up and smoked. All parts of the hog were used, such as head, feet, liver, brains and kidneys. As the old saying was, “Everything except the squeal.” The weather had to be the right temperature for hog killing. Sure of having ice the previous night, which was very necessary to completely chill the meat. 

The black women and men helped with the work of “hog killing”. I was quite young, but I remember once when we killed hogs, a black woman, Aunt Gertie, had charge of cooking the fat and straining the lard to separate it from the cracklings. She complained all day of being sick but sat in a chair by the pot, keeping the fat stirred with a paddle to keep it from sticking and scorching. She used her hands to squeeze the cloth which contained and separated the lard and cracklings. You would squeeze hard in order to leave as little as possible of the lard in the cracklings. When Aunt Gertie finished the work with the lard, she went home and the word came from her house the next morning that Aunt Gertie had the smallpox. We learned Old Uncle Green Davis, who lived with his niece and family on the place, had smallpox, and many in that black family came down with smallpox. Papa lost no time in getting Dr. Shannon to come and vaccinate each of our family and each member of every black family on the place. Luckily no one lost their life from smallpox. I had to be vaccinated the third time as mine refused to “take”, but to my pain and misery, all the places of vaccination finally “took” and I had 3 sores each as big as a dollar. 

“Hog killin' time” was something every rural family in Middle Georgia would have experienced in those days. I often look to Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site outside Juliette to help picture stories like this one from Grandmother Bridges. Farmed by generations of the Jarrell family from 1847 until it was donated to the state for preservation in 1974, it is a wonderful example of Middle Georgia farm life! They still have the big kettles sitting on an outdoor chimney and furnace where the bristles would have been scalded off hogs at the annual winter hog butchering. They also have two smokehouses, one by the original 1847 house and another built in 1909 nearer the 1895 house. 

Stay tuned for more stories from Annie’s Memoirs in our October newsletter.

Holiday Inn Express Renovations

If you’ve driven by the Holiday Inn Express recently, you may have noticed the 40 year old hotel has gotten another facelift, but did you know that they are undergoing major renovations inside that started in December of 2025? 

We recently took a tour of the hotel, led by General Managers Tom Roenbeck and Fabiola “Fabi” Ortiz. They showed us the newly renovated fitness center, board room, lobby, and guest rooms. Ms. Fabi let us know that they doubled the size of the fitness center. It features treadmills, an elliptical machine, exercise balls, and free weights. “We have a lot of Georgia State Patrol that stay here when they come to GPSTC for training and they all enjoy the fitness center,” Mr. Tom told us.  

The updated guest rooms include: new mattresses, linens, refrigerators, and even new air conditioners in every room. The renovations took longer than expected because they wanted to make sure that travelers who stay with them have the best experience possible! 

Down in the lobby you’ll find state of the art coffee machines available all day (and yes, the coffee has been approved by CVB Volunteer Ms. Susan!) and a delicious hot breakfast every morning from 6:30AM - 9:30AM. You can even make your own pancakes! 

We also asked Ms. Fabi about the local economic impact that Holiday Inn Express has and this is what she shared with us: "We currently employ approximately 27 people, and our business has a significant economic impact on the local community. We support a variety of local businesses and service providers, including the City of Forsyth, the local gas company, waste management services, water suppliers, landscapers, pressure-washing services, staffing companies, Coca-Cola, and other local vendors. Altogether, our annual spending with local vendors is approximately $1,000,000, which helps support additional jobs and contributes directly to the local economy."

So the next time you’re traveling through Forsyth, planning a local staycation, or looking for a place for your out-of-town relatives to stay, 😉 head to Holiday Inn Express, where you can relax while the talented staff take great care of you! 

Build Your Own Charcuterie Tour!

What's a Charcuterie Tour, you ask? It's like Build-a-Bear but with food! 😁

Forsyth and Monroe County are home to farmstands, ranches, and even a Cookie Cooler! Visit one or all of the seven stops below for specialty cheeses, cured meats, sweets, and produce to create your own charcuterie board with fresh local ingredients. We've even made a Tour Map -First stop, the Welcome Center - to help you along your way.

📍Rum Ridge Farms

📍Juliette Farms

📍Waldrep Farms

📍Hummingbird Farms

📍Silo Springs Ranch General Store

📍Blanche Farms Meats

📍Cookie Mama Co.

Four Things You Should Know About:

Driven Interactive Sports Lounge

We asked owner, Casey McCrea...

1. It's more than a restaurant, it's an experience!

Driven combines a full kitchen and upscale sports lounge with high-end golf simulators, racing simulators, pool tables, and interactive entertainment all under one roof.

2. Our food is made for sharing and having fun!

From our popular flatbreads, wings, and loaded nachos to handcrafted cocktails and premium bourbon selections, we focus on great food that brings people together.

3. Everyone is welcome!

Whether you're planning a family outing, date night, birthday party, corporate event, or just grabbing dinner with friends, Driven offers something for every age and every skill level.

4. We're proud to be part of Forsyth!

Driven was built to create a place where locals and visitors can gather, connect, and make memories. We're committed to supporting Monroe County through community events, local partnerships, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Headstones & The Hidden Stories Behind Them With Ashley Quinn

If you love exploring old graveyards, this is one story you don’t wanna miss! On a recent episode of Monroe Today, Ms. Gilda chatted with Ms. Ashley Quinn, a research associate with the Middle Georgia Preservation Alliance, about MGPA’s Graveyard Ground Project.

“We’re looking at all different types of burial grounds,” shares Ms. Ashley, “whether they be churchyards or city cemeteries or family burial plots. My focus is on finding stones that are signed by the makers that carve them, typically between 1820 and 1920.” 

Ms. Ashley had a lot of advice and recommendations for research. If you come across an old family cemetery, want to know more about it, maybe fix it up, or are trying to locate a specific one and don’t know where to start. She says the local historical society is always a great place to start. Shout out to the Monroe County Historical Society! 

“There are hundreds and hundreds of cemeteries in each county. Old family plots are a lot of times located on the corner of old land plots from the 1800s. So like your 202 acres that was given to each family, right at the crossroads or at the boundaries of those old land lots is where they would sometimes have a family burial plot. And so it’s useful to look at old maps…”

...Keep reading, or listen to the radio episode, on our blog!

Visit Forsyth GA Scores BIG With World Cup Visitors

Raise of hands, who watched the 2026 FIFA World Cup? 

Did you know the World Cup is the biggest and most-watched single-sport sporting event in the world!

Ms. Gilda Stanbery, the Executive Director & CEO of Visit Forsyth GA, along with her two colleagues, Nicole Newsom, Director of Marketing, and Chelsea Bunn Kerr, Administrative Assistant, shared their experiences from the event on a recent episode of Monroe Today.

The three talked about how the state’s tourism office, Explore Georgia, reached out to destinations across the state soliciting pitches to be a part of their Georgia showcase. They called it “Georgia, the Whole Day Through." Team Visit Forsyth GA decided on “Forsyth, the Whole Day Through!”

Visit Forsyth GA was one of 16 Georgia locations selected for the showcase and over the course of the eight match days and VIP/media preview day (nine exhibit days total), they spoke with over 2600 people from all over the world!

Guests entered the horseshoe shaped space, immersing them in the center of nature with our zen kind of vibe, the same way Forsyth does. The ten foot tall backdrops moved you through a full day, from sunrise to sunset. Guests could eat a Georgia peach, relax, and cool off with a leisurely game of checkers or tic-tac-toe while the Visit Forsyth GA team shared what makes Forsyth so special and encouraged them to come for a visit.

During the show the Visit Forsyth GA team also shared stories about the people they met and those who stopped in Forsyth while traveling for the World Cup.

...Keep reading, or listen to the radio episode, on our blog!

Coming Soon to a Welcome Center Near You!

The Rose Theater, home of Forsyth's community theater group The Backlot Players, now has a rack card! Learn more about the history of this historic theater and the group that calls it home. The rack card makes its debut at our Welcome Center, The Rose Theater, and nine State Visitors Centers this week!

Want to learn more about The Resilience of the Rose? Check out our blog by clicking the button below.

High Falls Folk Fest



There’s something for everyone at the 2026 High Falls Folk Fest! It’s a celebration of music, art, and community and a great way to spend the day with the family! There will be live music all day long along with artisans and food vendors! The festival is Saturday October 3, 2026 from 9AM – 5PM at High Falls State Park.

​​​​​​​Parking pass or annual pass required for entrance to park. 

Click Here for More Information!

Calling All Artists!

The 1823 Artisan Guild’s 3rd Annual Plein Air Middle Georgia Event will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 9:30AM. This year artists will travel to High Falls State Park, home to the tallest cascading waterfall south of Atlanta! This is a can’t miss day of sightseeing and artistry!

Parking pass or annual pass required for entrance to park. 

Click Here for More Information!

Scarecrows on the Square!

Keep an eye on the Courthouse Square later this month, the 2026 Scarecrow Showcase is just around the corner!

Last year's Showcase was filled with creative entries. Dozens of scarecrows wrapped around the Courthouse Square! Legacy Dance Studio took home the trophy and are already planning to defend their title!

To view Scarecrow Guidelines or to fill out an entry form make sure to visit Forsyth Main Street!

Kudos to our friends at Driven!

Local after hours hot spot, Driven Interactive Sports Lounge was featured in the August 2026 issue of Georgia Trend Magazine!

The article, "Third Places for the Win: Main Street Cities in Georgia," included Driven as one of six "Third Places" from across the state!

Congratulations to Casey and the team at Driven! 👏🏻🎉

Kudos to Her Majesty Kitchen on their new Catering Catalog

Looking for a caterer for your next special event? Look no further than our own Chopped Champion and Georgia Grown Executive Chef, Chef Chelsia at Her Majesty Kitchen!

Chef Chelsia just released her brand new Catering Catalog with menu options for every event from weddings, to business meetings, to neighborhood gatherings, to birthday parties.

So the next time you're planning an event, head on over to Her Majesty Kitchen on E. Adams St. and let Chef Chelsia and her team make it an event to remember!

Whew! What A Weekend!

Visit Forsyth GA spent a great weekend at Buckarama at the Georgia National Farigrounds in Perry where we caught up with local forester and Georgia Wildlife Federation Board Member, Joel Vinson. Over the course of the three day event we interacted with just over 1900 people and made some great connections!

We braved the heat to support the Forsyth Fun Day here at home, making Saturday extra busy! Locals and visitors enjoyed getting their Visit Forsyth GA stickers, Namaste fans, downtown maps, Shop & Dine Like A Local coupons, and playing Giant Jenga at our booth.

Our team members and volunteers went above and beyond to help us represent Forsyth at both events! 💖

This month we also want to honor and remember Dolly Parton who grew up deeply connected to her small-town and farming roots in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. But she had her ties to Georgia, too—the most well-known one being Ringgold, GA where she and her husband Carl Dean were married. Known for her generosity, her upbringing shaped her music and values. She opened Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop and her famous theme park Dollywood to bring tourism, jobs, and economic hope to her home region.

We should all try to be a little more like Dolly and remember her words, “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”🦋