Page 34 - White County NCG 2019

Entrepreneurial

Spirit “I only develop

what I really
enjoy eating.
hite County and 130 million dolls worldwide over the I incorporate what
the surrounding last 40 years.
areas celebrate a Agriculture has been an economic I’m growing on the
W long history of driver in White County for generations. farm directly into
entrepreneurial endeavors. From the Presently there are approximately 300
nation’s first gold rush in the 1820s and farms adding more than $104 million a what I’m making.”
the surging timber industry in the early year to the area’s economy. About $85
1900s, the North Georgia Mountains million of that total comes from the
have inspired proprietary progress and poultry business, due in large part to the
economic development for centuries. innovations of Cobb Vantress’ hatchery
In more recent times, White County in Cleveland.
native and celebrated artist Xavier The area’s agricultural spirit also drives “People could go out, try to start a
Roberts developed the Cabbage White County residents to blend their food brand and copy my recipes, but they
Patch Dolls, which turned into an passion and aptitude to create products could never open up another Blackhawk
international phenomenon in the 1980s. that share the soul of this community, Fly Fishing,” Jackson said. “My fly
Today, BabyLand General in Cleveland both locally and globally. fishermen are who I cook for and it’s how
continues to tell the story of the Cabbage Take Abby Jackson, for example. the products were developed.”
Patch brand, which has sold more than
The sales executive-turned-fly fishing Another White County business
outfitter-turned celebrated chef, is hailed built on agritourism has harnessed the
across the Southeast for her line of hand- powerful craft beer trend to develop a
crafted gourmet goods. When she’s not one-of-a-kind brewery and taproom.
running Blackhawk Fly Fishing on the Established in 2017 by White County
Soque River with her husband John, she native Ross Crumpton and his family,
can be found in her garden or kitchen Tantrum Brewing is a homegrown
using the skills passed down from her business powered by homegrown hops.
grandmother to create exceptional ‘field “Building a brewery of this magnitude
to fork’ concoctions like black bean and was not an easy task,” said Crumpton,
jalapeño salsa, smokin’ hot pickled okra a White County native who became
and Georgia peach habanero preserves.
passionate about beer during his college
“I only develop what I really enjoy years at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. “It
eating,” said Jackson, who produces her took two years to plan, raise the money,
certified Georgia Grown goods under the develop, and execute the business.”
moniker Abby J. “I incorporate what I’m
growing on the farm directly into what With support from his parents, Elizabeth
I’m making.” and John – a local dentist – Crumpton
was able to develop the business and site.
Abby J’s nine products are sold by Early in the process, the brewers earned
retailers across the Southeast, ranging the coveted Georgia Grown designation to
from small, family owned general become the state’s first agritourism brewery.
stores and boutique markets to large The hops grown on the site’s 5-acre farm
Abby Jackson, grocery store chains like Ingles and are used to make their specialty and limited
Founder of Kroger. Jackson, who can add cooking release brews which are crafted by head
Abby J’s Gourmet TV show host and cookbook author to brewer Jamie Parker.
& Proprietor of her credentials, said she couldn’t do Located on Helen Highway, just
what she does anywhere else because
Blackhawk Fly Fishing her product line is so closely tied to north of Cleveland, Tantrum Brewing
her farm and fly-fishing business. Company officially opened its doors in

32 White County Community Guide | 706-865-5356 | WhiteCountyChamber.org