Tomorrow, Brooks County will celebrate Georgia’s official state fruit — the almighty peach. The 22nd Annual Morven Peach Festival promises to offer all ages something to enjoy. Organizers have said that there will be over 100 arts and crafts vendors, lots of food, a parade, a peach bake-off, entertainment and so much more.
Georgia’s peach industry took off during the Reconstruction years following the Civil War, when the emancipation of the slaves and other factors caused planters to diversify crops. The pecan, Vidalia onion, and apple joined cotton as cash crops in Georgia. In the 1870s, the peach joined them after the boll weevil decimated the cotton crops.
Elberta and Georgia Belle were the first two peach varieties to be developed in Georgia. Today, more than 40 varieties of peaches are grown and eaten.
Already fresh peaches are available for purchase.
In Morven, they can be found at Lawson Peaches on Georgia Highway 133. Traditionally, this family-owned and operated farm stand has also boasted a selection of other fruits, vegetables and specialty items, including watermelons, cantaloupes, baked breads, jams, jellies, tomatoes and nectarines.
A few miles down the road, on Georgia Highway 122, peaches can also be found at Luck & Moody Peaches or Burton Brooks Orchard.
Nothing says summer like a roadside farm stand overflowing with fresh produce. Fortunately, the South Georgia area has several great places for finding sweet peaches — and, maybe, a few other seasonal fruits and vegetables.
