Page 13 - Thomson-McDuffie NCG 2023
P. 13
Dudley Nurseries
Dudley Nurseries
Agriculture Employs
in McDuffie
By Lydia Cobb White Hills Farm
cDuffie County embraces its Four generations of the McCorkle family,
agricultural heritage. Several in addition to a dedicated workforce, carry
Mlocal farms and nurseries have on the operation started by C.S. and Avice National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
been in operation since the 1940s, such McCorkle in 1942. The McCorkle culture Pine Top’s gently rolling hills and sand-
as Dudley Nurseries, Hillcrest Farms, continues to serve customers with quality based footing provide the perfect setting
and McCorkle Nurseries. Farming and flowering shrubs, perennials, evergreens, for spectacular equine events. Expertly
growing continues to be a family affair vines, and edibles. Visit mccorklenurseries. designed courses, trails, three sand
in McDuffie County – and a driver of com or call 706-595-9702. dressage arenas, and permanent stabling
meaningful employment. for 150 horses ropes Pine Top Farm in with
Another family, the Dudley’s of R.A. Dudley the finest of equestrian venues.
Hillcrest Farms is a 4th-generation family Nurseries, has been growing landscaping
farm and Georgia’s first robotic dairy farm. and flowering plants for five generations In addition to arenas, Pine Top features
Arrange for farm tours of approximately 90 since the nursery began in 1940. Stop several cross-country courses, with more
minutes and you will be amazed at how by and let them show you around. It’s
much the dairy cows enjoy being milked huge – you’ll be driving. And driving. than 200 acres of open pasture. The jumps
with robotic operations around the clock, And still passing Dudley Nurseries! Visit are challenging yet inviting.
whenever they are ready. The robotic radudley.com or call 800-542-4484.
dairy bustles with employees and farmers, Pine Top Farm is family owned, and has
technicians, and all between this busy place The Thomson Farmers Market opens for hosted hundreds of prestigious events,
(meaning, a robot didn’t take the jobs away). high summer on Saturdays in June and including “The Pine Top Trials.” The farm
Visit hillcrestdairy.com or call July. The Market features fresh, local proudly played a major supporting role
706-831-7738. produce from area farmers – it’s a in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games,
true producer’s market. Saturdays: hosting competing horses from around the
McCorkle Nurseries 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. world. Visit pinetopfarm.com.
turned 80 years Thomson Depot, 111 Railroad
in 2022! The St., Thomson. Visit Come out and enjoy a tour of White Hills
nursery began @thomsonfarmersmarket
as a one- on Facebook or call Farm in Dearing, whether the lavender
stop retail, 706-466-9011; also is in bloom or not. Three types of lavender
landscape, contact McDuffie and many herb varieties, and wildflowers
and growing County Farm Bureau in spring, are grown on this 28-acre farm.
operation, @mcduffiecofarmbureau You can also browse the gift shop that
and in 1977 on Facebook or call carries handmade and high-quality small
the McCorkle 706-595-1756. batch products. Customized workshops
family expanded are great ideas for showers, church
into a 5-acre plant Hillcrest Farms Pine Top Farm is among groups, and book and garden clubs. Visit
farm and landscape the country’s premier event
company in Dearing. venues and was added to the whitehillsfarm.us or call 706-631-0708.
11
www.thomsonmcduffiechamber.com • 706-597-1000