With just two weeks away until the 4th Annual Back on the Farm event at the Atlanta History Center, I thought it would be a great idea to meet up with my contact beforehand to see the animals and the farm in living color! Katherine Hoogerwerf, Director of Development Events, has been very accommodating from the beginning in regards to the upcoming event. My photographer Lindsay and I got a chance to meet up with Katherine to take a tour and to gain a bit of history behind the Smith Family Farm. Along with Katherine, we also met up with Brett Bannor (Manager of Animal Collections) and Kelly Bradley who is Director of 19th Century Historic Houses.

I must say, to be an Atlanta native and walk in on the beautiful forest grounds of the Atlanta History Center for the very first time, I was really amazed at what all was out there! This farm is a special treasure strategically tucked in the back of the historic center and a definite must see! Katherine tells us that they have about 30,000 school children who visit the farm every year and that Back on the Farm helps to support the funds needed to take care of these farm animals. In fact, after meeting Brett, our first stop was to check out the 4 Sheep and 2 Goats, all mother to son pairs, who just happened to be grubbing at the time of our visit. Brett tells us that he has been a farmer there for nearly 4 years now. And it was pretty obvious from his interaction with the animals that he has a genuine love and admiration for them individually in their respective element.

Along with the sheep and goats and a very cool, low-key farm cat by the name of "Dodger" we met, we also got an opportunity to see Brett interacting hands on with the chicken hens and a turkey they call "Tallulah"! Funny thing, as soon as Brett enters into their habitat, Tallulah is the first to run up and greet him. Kelly Bradley shared with us that they don't eat the animals on the farm for Back on the Farm, but that the hens and turkey are very generous with providing eggs on a daily basis. Kelly also tells us that many of the farm houses had been there since the 1970s and several of which were transported from different places and reconstructed on the property to preserve their authenticity and historic value!

And then, on to the immense river of fresh garden vegetables lacing the Smith Family Farm... We seriously came across some stuff in the garden that even my "green thumb" north Georgian family members have never introduced me to! There was Seminole squash, African fish peppers, cayenne peppers, asparagus, cucumbers, corn, carrots, cotton plants and an array of herbs that I'm not sure that I could spell! Kelly tells us that the meals prepared for September 30th are actually inspired by many of these fresh garden vegetables. In addition to that, guests and patrons of the event can anticipate a LIVE auction that evening. In fact, this year, they will auction off tickets to Hamilton on Broadway!

The 4th Annual Back on the Farm Social will take place on Friday, September 30th beginning at 6PM with pre-dinner cocktails followed by a seated dinner at 8PM in the Grand Overlook.

For more information or to purchase tickets to Back on the Farm, please visit www.atlantahistorycenter.com or contact Katherine Hoogerwerf at 404.814.4102 or KHoogerwerf@AtlantaHistoryCenter.com for details.

See also my previous post including more details regarding the event by clicking on this link.

Images Courtesy of Lindsay Abarca Photography