GEORGIA, — There's no culture without agriculture.
Farming practices survive through evolving technology; learning the latest and best practices helps farmers maximize the potential of their crops.
Local farmers, landowners, and agriculture students gathered in Perry to celebrate this year's fifth farm field day with fellow National Black Growers Council (NBGC) members, sponsors and nonprofit organizations.
Their goal is to improve the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of black row crop farmers.
The field day started at the fairgrounds in Perry, where busses took members to visit James Farms in Montezuma.
"New technology is the primary objective in having these field days," Interim Executive Director Loston Rowe said.
Rowe is a farmer from Memphis, Tennessee.
The USDA's Chief Scientist, Chavonda Jacobs-Young, traveled from Washington, D.C., to attend the field day in Central Georgia.
"I was just excited to see the intersection between technology and traditional agriculture," Jacobs-Young said.
"[NBGC] was small in 2010; basically, 12 people came together to form the organization," Elzedia Washington said.
Reflecting on how large the group is today, Washington remembers the organization's roots.
After retiring from her overseas job working in embassies, Washington said she moved back to her family's farm in Arkansas.
Eventually, she bought her own adjacent to her family's. She said she's had it for six years now and grows all kinds of vegetables.
Her uncle, Lawrence Conyer, hosted one of the field days at his farms, Conyer's Farms, earlier this year.
"We had a hell of a time at my place," he said.
In addition to the good times, nonprofit organizations, like Humanitarian Gang, Inc., seek collaboration opportunities.
"We kinda grew up in this area, and we were once those kids that kinda needed resources hard to come by, so we are just blessed to be able to give back to our community where we see the needs," Shaquina Hudson from the organization said.
The board decided in December where they're heading next year, Washington said.
They're always open to new members; an annual membership fee is $25.