VALDOSTA — On Thursday, the historic Lowndes County Courthouse was officially unveiled as a stop on the Georgia Grown Trail 41 in a ceremony held in the courthouse lobby. This addition to the Georgia Grown Trails highlights the significance of agriculture-related tourism in Georgia.

The Lowndes County Courthouse now houses a mini museum dedicated to the county’s rich agricultural history. Visitors can explore exhibits that illustrate the development and impact of agriculture in the region, offering a glimpse into the county’s past and its contributions to the state’s agricultural heritage.

In addition to the museum, the courthouse houses a gift shop featuring a variety of Georgia Grown products. Local delicacies such as honey and cheese straws are among the items available.

The designation of the Lowndes County Courthouse as a stop on the Georgia Grown Trail 41 is expected to attract visitors from out of town, encouraging them to spend more time in the community, officials said Thursday.

The Georgia Grown Trails were designed to highlight the various agriculture-related tourism hot spots throughout Georgia. By promoting stops like the Lowndes County Courthouse, the initiative aims to draw attention to the importance of agriculture in the state and support local farmers and producers.

Jerry Connell, co-founder of the Georgia Grown Trail, spoke on the importance of the ceremony. “Historic preservation is absolutely one of the biggest community-building aspects of a city’s life, a county’s life,” Connell said. “You cannot tear down your history. You cannot let it fall down. You cannot give up on it.”

The unveiling ceremony drew a crowd of local officials, community members, and agriculture enthusiasts to celebrate the courthouse’s new role in promoting Georgia’s agricultural heritage.

Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Slaughter expressed enthusiasm for the courthouse’s new designation: “It is huge for the city of Valdosta and certainly for Lowndes County as well that we are now designated as a stop on the Georgia Trail,” Slaughter remarked.

The Georgia Grown Trail 41 stop at the Lowndes County Courthouse is now open to the public, inviting visitors to explore the museum, shop for local products, and learn more about the vital role of agriculture in Georgia’s economy and heritage.