Nestled near the Georgia-Alabama state border in West Point, Georgia, Oakhurst Farms stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of family farming and the innovative spirit of its owners. This historic farm, established in 1901, has been a cornerstone of the community for over a century. Today, it thrives under the stewardship of University of Georgia alumnus Steve Morgan (MAX ’94) and his family.
Unexpected Journey
Oakhurst Farms began as a cattle and hay farm but has evolved to become a vibrant community hub. Steve Morgan, a UGA graduate in masters in agricultural extension and current UGA County Extension Coordinator, has brought a fresh perspective and insight to Oakhurst Farms as his own career journey has unfolded. Upon graduating high school Morgan initially pursued a career off the farm with computer programming, but he soon found that the lifestyle was not a fit after all. Once he knew extension work was the intersection of his interests and love for relationship-building, he began pursuing his master’s degree where he states the classes and faculty provided a great deal of insight and knowledge in the field.
As for Oakhurst, the “Fall Daze” events and field trips really all can be traced back to when Steve’s wife, Melanee, began selling pumpkins out of the back of their pickup truck that they had grown on a smaller portion of their land. After the demand continued to increase, and with Steve’s experience and advice, they’ve expanded to include a variety of agritourism activities. Visitors can now enjoy hayrides, play in a renovated silo filled with corn kernels, explore the annual 4.5-acre corn maze, pet farm animals in the petting zoo, and purchase local commodities from their farm market. “The basis of our operation is education,” shares Morgan, and he takes every opportunity to incorporate agricultural education with the kids and adults that visit the farm. He shares the biggest challenge is the unexpected, but he cites the connections he has made over time with Extension as helpful resources to reach out to when the farm runs into issues.
Looking to the Future
As Oakhurst Farms continues to grow and evolve, the Morgan family remains dedicated to preserving its rich heritage while embracing new opportunities. Their vision for the future includes expanding their agritourism offerings and continuing to serve the community with fresh, locally sourced products. Steve Morgan’s journey from child of a farmer to an Extension Agent and co-owner of Oakhurst Farms is a powerful parallel of the evolution over time of the farm itself, where the way the land is utilized and provide for the community may be modified, but the heart and passion is the same. Go Ag Dawgs!