In this special bonus episode of Growing On, host John Holcomb visits Minter's Tree Farm, a five-generation family operation rooted in the unincorporated community of Inman, Georgia. For more than 30 years, Rick Minter has carried on a Christmas tree–growing legacy that began when his grandfather purchased the farm in 1936.

Rick shares the remarkable history behind the farm—from its origins in Depression-era cotton and vegetable farming to its evolution into one of the last remaining choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms along Highway 92. Listeners will hear how the farm has navigated the changing landscape of agriculture, why cypress varieties like Leyland and Murray became their specialty, and what it takes to grow and shape thousands of trees year-round.

Rick also discusses:

• How agritourism, photography sessions, and family experiences keep the farm thriving

• The unique challenges and joys of preparing trees from planting to trimming to the holiday rush

• Why community support means everything after three decades in the Christmas tree business

• The moments—especially the calm of late December—he enjoys most each season

From wagon rides to family photo shoots, from pruning shears to holiday memories, this episode offers a heartfelt look at a farm built on tradition, resilience, and the simple joy of helping families bring Christmas home.

In this episode, host John Holcomb sits down at Big Sandy Creek Dairy in Morgan County with Katelin Benkoski — dairy farmer, ag advocate, community educator, and full-time ag finance professional.

Katelin shares her story of growing up on her family's dairy farm, staying deeply rooted in agriculture through 4-H, FFA, and her degrees in animal science and ag business from the University of Georgia. Today, she splits her time between her job with AgSouth Farm Credit and her many roles on the farm: helping run tours, coordinating outreach, managing social media, supporting farm operations, and working alongside her parents and sisters to keep the farm thriving.

She talks about:

• How her family has built multi-generational involvement into the farm, with each member playing a unique role in education and operations

• Why opening the farm gates to school groups, families, and 4-H/FFA students is worth the long days and late nights

• The impact of programs like Adopt-a-Cow, where thousands of students follow a calf's journey from birth through the school year

• Heartfelt moments that keep her going—like a child speaking their very first word after meeting a cow on the farm

• Her passion for advocating for agriculture with adults too, from local conversations to trips to the Georgia Capitol and Washington, D.C.

You'll also hear some fun behind-the-scenes stories of how Katelin's love of cows landed her and her family on Family Feud, Inside the NBA, and even the Weather Channel.

This episode is a portrait of one woman balancing a career, a family farm, and a mission: making sure the next generation knows where their food comes from—and why family farms still matter.

In this episode of Growing On, host John Holcomb sits down in Madison, Georgia, with Rachel Kinsaul— the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year and 2024 Milken Educator Award winner — to talk about her journey to becoming a passionate advocate for agricultural education.

Rachel shares how her experiences in the classroom and through Georgia Farm Bureau's Young Farmers & Ranchers program have shaped her approach to teaching and leadership. From starting floral design programs to broaden student engagement, to stepping away from the classroom for a year to represent educators statewide, she offers honest insights into what it means to "stay rooted in service."

You'll also hear how she's working to bridge communities and classrooms with a new statewide Day of Service, and why she believes every student deserves the chance to discover their passion through agriculture.

In this episode of the Growing On podcast, host John Holcomb visits Morgan County to talk with Liam Tewksbury—a third-generation farmer, cattleman, and passionate advocate for Georgia agriculture. From his early days showing livestock in FFA to managing cattle operations across the Southeast, Liam shares his inspiring journey of following in his family's footsteps while forging a path uniquely his own.

Liam opens up about the challenges of being a young producer in today's ag industry, the mentors and experiences that shaped him, and his deep commitment to advocacy through organizations like Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Cattlemen's Association. He also discusses his consulting venture, Rafter 7L, and why he believes telling agriculture's story is more important now than ever.

Whether you're a young farmer seeking direction or a lifelong cattle producer, this heartfelt conversation is a reminder that grit, passion, and a strong community can keep Georgia's farm legacy alive for generations to come.

In this live-recorded episode of Georgia Farm Bureau's podcast, host John Holcomb leads a powerful and deeply personal conversation on one of agriculture's most avoided topics: succession planning. Joined by estate attorney Taylor Broun and young farmer Garrett Hurley, the discussion blends legal insight with real-life experience to emphasize why planning ahead is critical for preserving generational farmland.

Taylor breaks down key components of a solid succession plan—from wills and trusts to LLCs and communication strategies—while Garrett shares his own emotional story of nearly losing his family farm due to the absence of a clear plan. Together, they explore the emotional, financial, and relational challenges of farm transition, and offer listeners guidance on where to begin—even if it feels uncomfortable.

Whether you're a multigenerational farmer or just starting your operation, this episode will challenge you to think beyond today and take steps to protect your legacy.

In this inspiring episode, host John Holcomb chats with Allie Andrews, chair of Georgia Farm Bureau's Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program. Allie shares her unlikely journey into agriculture, how she and her husband built a diverse farming operation from the ground up, and her vision for mentorship and leadership development in the ag community. From farm camps for kids to advocating in Washington, D.C., Allie discusses why advocacy starts early, how YF&R changed her life, and what she hopes to pass on to the next generation of farmers and leaders.

In this episode, John Holcomb sits down with Heather King, Women's Leadership Program Coordinator, and Levi Davis, Young Farmers & Ranchers Programs Coordinator at Georgia Farm Bureau. They dive into their new roles, share the purpose and impact of their programs, and discuss how GFB is cultivating leadership and advocacy at the grassroots level. From hands-on ag literacy efforts to national policy trips and leadership summits, hear how they're working to engage, equip, and inspire the next generation of ag leaders across the state—and how you can get involved.

The fruits and vegetables on your grocery store shelves don't just appear there by magic. Behind every ripe peach, crisp pepper, and juicy blueberry, there's a story—one of labor, regulation, and a growing struggle for survival.

In this episode of the Growing On Podcast, we sit down with Chris Butts, Executive Vice President of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, to dive deep into one of the most pressing issues in American agriculture: the H-2A guest worker program.

What was once a lifeline for farmers has become a growing burden, with skyrocketing costs, complex regulations, and wage rates that have risen 34% in just three years. How are Georgia's farmers coping with these challenges? And what does it mean for the future of American-grown produce?

Join us as we break down the real cost of getting food from the farm to your table—and why the future of agriculture in the U.S. is at a tipping point.

🎧 Tune in now to hear the full conversation!