This ongoing series on local farms aims to highlight one of Emanuel County’s biggest industries—agriculture. The Chronicle’s Savannah Ann Harkins will follow Taylor Brett and others throughout this calendar year with stories to connect consumer and farmer in a more personal way with a look inside what it takes to produce goods, the successes and struggles of farming, and how consumers can help.
Taylor Brett is known in Emanuel County for growing an abundance of delicious vegetables for all of Georgia to consume and enjoy for the past 10 years. The farmer has grown up in Emanuel County and has lived here his whole life.
Brett first got into farming when he was in college. “I felt like I wasn’t getting as much out of college as others were, so I found a farm close to home,” said Brett. “My daddy advised me on how to buy the land and improve it by installing an irrigation system.”
Throughout the year, Brett grows corn, soybeans, broccoli, sweet corn, cabbage, brussel sprouts, onions, and various types of leafy greens. The production of these crops is motivating for Brett on the fact that his products are consumed by Americans throughout the states. “The vegetables I produced are consumed all over Georgia and up and down the east coast,” Brett adds. Brett plants and grows almost 2,000 acres of corn a year and 1200 acres of other produce.
Planting is a constant action in Brett’s year while he plants throughout each month. “It seems like we are always planting,” said Brett. He could not do it all without the help of his employees. He has four full-time employees plus his wife that keeps the books for his everyday expenses and production. His father is also a huge part to the equation because he helps Brett with the daily operations on the farm. “During harvest, we have anywhere from 45 to 60 H2A workers,” said Brett.
Brett encourages the community to support farmers. “One way you can support us is to buy American only fruits. An easy way to do this is to buy American only blueberries and only Vidalia or locally grown onions instead of Mexican or Peruvian onions and blueberries. Just look at the label and choose the American producer!”