AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the addition of Bubba James as a Consumer Ag Loan Officer in the Perry Office.  

Mr. James graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehab Science and minors in Psychology and History.  He has over ten years of lending, credit, and underwriting experience.

A long-time resident of Dooly County, Bubba has lived in rural areas all his life, surrounded by farmers.  He is well-versed in the ag community and looks forward to using his experience to provide personalized and prompt service in meeting the agricultural financing needs of the residents of Houston and the surrounding counties.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit has awarded grants for $2,000 each to five local markets as part of the 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market grant program.  This is the fourth year of the program, with the cooperative so far awarding $34,500 to help support rural Georgia markets.

“The importance of supporting American farmers can’t be overstated,” said Corey Cottle, AgGeorgia’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Particularly when it comes to young, beginning, small, and veteran farmers, their first outlet for selling their crops is often the local Farmers Market. Markets offer an excellent way to keep dollars local and assure quality that imported crops often cannot match, and we’re proud to help these markets effectively spread that message.”

The 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market Grant recipients include Amicalola Regional Farmers Market, Comer Community Market, Dallas Farmers Market, LaFayette Farmers Market, and Nashville Farmers Market.

The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market is open Saturdays starting late April through mid-October, and held in Dawsonville at a purpose-built market pavilion.  Vendors sell garden produce, meats, flowers, bakery items, honey, flowering and vegetable plants, and select homemade craft items.  The market accepts vendors from counties that border Dawson County, including Lumpkin, Forsyth, Cherokee, Hall, Pickens, and Gilmer.  Market vendors are selected by a committee to ensure quality and that products are locally grown, handmade, and fit the market theme of agriculture-related products.

Dawson County Extension Agent Clark MacAllister stated, “We are grateful to AgGeorgia for this grant.  Our market is run by volunteers and we don’t have much of an operating budget. This grant will allow us to purchase signage and advertisements to reach a bigger audience and take our farmers market to the next level!”

AgGeorgia plans to continue the program in 2025 and encourages interested markets in the association’s seventy-nine county service area, particularly those who have applied and have not yet been selected, to apply next year.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the promotion of Karina Harrison to Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer Rob Crain in the Perry Corporate Office.  

A native of Houston County, Karina has been with AgGeorgia since June of 2020.  She was instrumental in digitalizing processes and developing reporting efficiencies in the credit and lending departments.  In her new role, she will utilize her dedication to the AgGeorgia team by playing a pivotal role in the success of the CEO and Board of Directors.

Mrs. Harrison resides in Houston County with her husband and best friend, Brad, and together they enjoy cheering on the Atlanta Braves and traveling.

Karina looks forward to serving AgGeorgia’s executive team and board of directors, along with serving the members of the AgGeorgia cooperative in her new role.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Katelyn McAllister as a Credit Analyst in the Perry office.  A native of Dooly County, Mrs. McAllister received a Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from the University of Georgia.  Katelyn worked for four years with USDA's Farm Service Agency as a Farm Loan Officer and three years as an Eighth Grade Math Teacher.

Mrs. McAllister resides in Buena Vista with her husband Seth and their two sons, Amos and Eli.  She enjoys photography, deer hunting, and spending time with family in her spare time.  AgGeorgia is pleased to have Katelyn join the team and looks forward to her contributions to our cooperative.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit has awarded grants in the amount of $2,000 each to five local markets as part of the 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market grant program.  This is the fourth year of the program, with the cooperative so far awarding $34,500 to help support rural Georgia markets.

“The importance of supporting American farmers can’t be overstated,” said Corey Cottle, AgGeorgia’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Particularly when it comes to young, beginning, small, and veteran farmers, their first outlet for selling their crops is often the local Farmers Market. Markets offer an excellent way to keep dollars local and assure quality that imported crops often cannot match, and we’re proud to help these markets effectively spread that message.”

The 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market Grant recipients are Amicalola Regional Farmers Market, Comer Community Market, Dallas Farmers Market, LaFayette Farmers Market, and Nashville Farmers Market.

The Dallas Farmers Market serves as a vibrant cornerstone of the community, offering a diverse array of fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and culinary delights.  With 43 dedicated vendors and a burgeoning waitlist of eager entrepreneurs, the market is a testament to the enduring popularity and economic vitality it brings to the region.  The Dallas Farmers Market plays a pivotal role in promoting local agriculture, supporting small businesses, and enhancing food security.  By providing a platform for local farmers and artisans to showcase their products, the market stimulates economic growth and preserves the region's agricultural heritage.

John Grant, the Community Relations Coordinator for Paulding County BOC, stated, "We are deeply grateful for the $2,000 grant from AgGeorgia.  A community's strength is measured by its ability to lift each other up. This generous support will significantly enhance our ability to promote the market, allowing us to reach more people and give back to the community.  Visit us and discover what our local growers and artisans have to offer!”

AgGeorgia plans to continue the program in 2025 and encourages interested markets in the association’s seventy-nine county service area, particularly those who have applied and have not yet been selected, to apply next year.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the addition of CJ Edwards as a Credit Analyst in the Quitman Office.  A native of Mitchell County, Mr. Edwards received dual bachelor's degrees in Agribusiness and Agricultural & Applied Economics with a minor in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Georgia.  

Having grown up in a farming community, CJ worked or was exposed to several aspects of the ag industry ranging from row crop and citrus operations to poultry broiler operations and feed mills, in addition to ag equipment repair and fabrication.

Mr. Edwards is looking forward to using his experience to provide personalized and prompt service to meet the agricultural financing needs of the residents of Brooks and the surrounding counties.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Nelson Rhinehart as a Commercial Credit Analyst in the Chatsworth office.  A native of Gordon County, Mr. Rhinehart graduated from the University of West Georgia with a degree in Business Administration.  Nelson grew up working on his grandfather’s cattle farm and showed cattle for 4H and FFA while in school.  His family operates Rhinehart Cattle LLC, a commercial cow-calf operation marketing their calves in the fall.  Before joining the team at AgGeorgia, Mr. Rhinehart was the Manager of the Commercial Division at Mohawk Industries where he worked for over ten years. “Working for AgGeorgia merges my passion for farming with my experience in corporate business allowing me to work in agriculture full-time,” says Mr. Rhinehart.

Nelson resides with his wife, Emily, and their three children, Easton, Emerson Mae, and Elle McCoy, on the farm outside of Calhoun.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit awarded grants in the amount of $2,000 each to five local markets as part of the 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market grant program.  This is the fourth year of the program, with the cooperative so far awarding $34,500 to help support rural Georgia markets.

The 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market Grant recipients are Amicalola Regional Farmers Market, Comer Community Market, Dallas Farmers Market, LaFayette Farmers Market, and Nashville Farmers Market.

Comer Community Market is held on Saturdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm starting at the beginning of May through the end of October.  The market struggled after COVID-19, but the staff has been working to revive the market by bringing in more vendors and customers.  

Market Manager Corina Common emphasized that the market is a gathering place and benefits the community at large.

“Comer is a growing community!  There has been, and continues to be, an influx of young families with children to the area.  We want our market to be a hub for our growing community.  On market days, we offer hands-on activities geared toward children such as planting seeds and making playdough, and either live performance music or recorded music to enhance the ambiance and support local musicians,” said Ms. Common.  “We are so excited to be a recipient of the AgGeorgia Farmers Market Grant! Getting this boost from AgGeorgia will enable us to grow our market into a vibrant and welcoming space for all folks. It takes a community to grow a market; come see us in Comer on Saturday mornings.”

AgGeorgia plans to continue the program in 2025 and encourages interested markets in the association’s seventy-nine county service area, particularly those who have applied and have not yet been selected, to apply next year.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the promotion of Tanner Megahee to Director of Corporate Lending and Capital Markets, Senior Vice President.

A native of Colquitt County, Georgia, Mr. Megahee graduated from Troy State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and went on to earn his MBA from Georgia Southwestern State University.  He began his career with AgGeorgia in 2015 as a Loan Officer in the Sylvester Branch and has since held positions of Credit Analyst, Special Assets Officer, Commercial Credit Analyst, and Regional Credit Administrator. In his new position, he will oversee the Capital Markets Department and Corporate Agribusiness Portfolio and supervise a team that manages the organization’s largest and most complex lending relationships.

Born and raised in Colquitt County, Tanner resides on his family farm with his wife, Kacey, and their son, Beau.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit awarded grants of $2,000 each to five local markets as part of the 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market grant program.  This is the fourth year of the program, with the cooperative so far awarding $34,500 to help support rural Georgia markets.

The 2024 AgGeorgia Farmers Market Grant recipients are Amicalola Regional Farmers Market, Comer Community Market, Dallas Farmers Market, LaFayette Farmers Market, and Nashville Farmers Market.

The Lafayette Farmers Market debuted in 2023, marking the beginning of a new era for local farmers and vendors.  Serving Walker and the surrounding counties, the market runs every Saturday from May to August, starting at 9 am and concluding at 1 pm.  It is a producers-only market, exclusively featuring local vendors, with 86% offering produce and fresh food, and 14% showcasing locally handmade crafts.

Market Manager Christi Patterson emphasized that the market is however more than just a place to purchase locally produced food and crafts. "The LaFayette Farmers Market serves as a hub of community connection, where neighbors gather to support local growers and artisans. Residents eagerly anticipate the market's arrival each Saturday, coming together to browse fresh produce, handmade goods, and delicious treats.  Volunteers lend a hand in setting up booths, musicians provide lively entertainment, and families enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.  The market becomes a place where friendships are forged, stories are shared, and a sense of unity is fostered,” said Ms. Patterson.  “Our market was awarded a generous $2000 grant from AgGeorgia, and the excitement is apparent as plans are being made to use the funds to improve and uplift the experience for all who visit! It's a beautiful example of neighbors coming together to celebrate and sustain local agriculture."

AgGeorgia plans to continue the program in 2025 and encourages interested markets in the association’s seventy-nine county service area, particularly those who have applied and have not yet been selected, to apply next year.