If it matters, then act like it
Last week’s column made a simple argument: The Wiregrass Farmer is not just a source of information. It is a form of attention—a way for the community to keep its eyes on itself. This week, the question is simpler. If that’s true, then what follows? Across rural communities, including here in Turner County, local newspapers…
Read MoreCommunity event flyers
SSO FY26 June Flyer2
Read MoreWatermelon Festival parade application
77th Annual Watermelon Parade Application JUNE 20, 2026 at 8:30 am Line-up 7:30 am ENTRY FORM DEADLINE IS JUNE 13th BY 4 PM NO EXCEPTIONS! Theme: Celebrating Watermelons & America’s Birthday Lineup will be at 7:30 a.m. at South Gate Shopping Center. The parade route will begin at the corner of 6th Street & 15th…
Read MoreSpay & Neuter clinic grants
the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Dog and Cat Sterilization Program (DCSP) Grant will award a record $1.15 million in funding this year—the highest level in its history. The grant helps reduce overcrowding in companion animal shelters by expanding access to affordable spay/neuter services statewide. The application period for the DCSP Grant begins on May 15, 2026, and eligible…
Read MoreHog trapping demonstration in Sumter County
Feral swine have become increasingly detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources throughout the state. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia is estimated at $150 million. A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together…
Read MoreHistoric African American doctor gets marker
Georgia Historical Society Dedicates New Historical Marker About Physician and Pioneer of African-American Healthcare Dr. John Henry Jordan WHO: Dedicated by the Georgia Historical Society and the Coweta County African American Heritage Museum Open to the public and the media. WHAT: The Georgia Historical Society will dedicate a new historical marker recognizing Dr. John Henry Jordan (1870–1912), a pioneering…
Read MoreSummer conservation program for students
The Natural Resources Conservation Workshop is a weeklong deep dive into the world of conservation, where high school students will get to explore natural resources and get hands-on with soil, water, forestry, wildlife, and Georgia’s mining industry. This isn’t just sitting in a classroom—think field studies, outdoor adventures, and behind-the-scenes tours of conservation hotspots. Over…
Read MoreBurn ban lifted
The State Forester Burn Ban in South Georgia has been amended, reducing the burn prohibition area to 17 counties. The ban was implemented in April, covering 91 counties in southern Georgia where exceptional drought levels and increasing wildfire activity prompted emergency action. Turner County is one of the counties where the burn ban is lifted.…
Read MoreCommission chair worried about County budget
Going into budget season, County Commission Chair Dana Whiddon is concerned. As of the end of April, the County has about $400K in reserves in the Georgia Fund 1. That is down from a high of around $6 million some years ago. The County has pulled money from reserves for a variety of needs, including…
Read MoreStop waiting until you feel ready
Ask almost anyone why they haven’t started something meaningful—writing the book, changing careers, mending a relationship—and you’ll hear familiar answers. I need more experience. More resources. More confidence. More time. We tell ourselves the same story, over and over: meaningful action requires perfect conditions. Once we feel fully prepared, then we’ll begin. But the perfect…
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