Local Ag Hero Worley reflects on his time serving the Gordon County community
If you’ve ever heard the comment “If you have food on your table, thank a farmer,” it could be because of Ag Heroes like Phil Worley, who has served Gordon County, and the State of Georgia, through his more than 50 years work with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
The UGA Extension was formed more than 100 years ago to provide scientific research- based information and resources including programs, workshops, field days, blogs, newsletters and information concerning agriculture and farming, home ownership, lawn care, family information and teacher support. UGA Extension is also home to the Georgia 4- H youth development program.
Born in Alpharetta, Worley was active in 4- H and FFA in high school.
“My Grandfather farmed and I wanted to be a farmer since I was a small boy,” said Worley.
After high school, Worley attended the University of Georgia, where he began working for UGA as a student in the Animal Science Department in 1967. He graduated from UGA with a degree in Animal Science in 1970. He met his wife, Sarah, who also worked for Extension, at a 4- H event in 1972. Together, they have three sons: Ben, Paul and Daniel, who all participated in 4- H livestock programs. Worley now has six grandchildren, all living in Gordon County.
“After college, I decided that the risks of starting into farming without owning a farm to start with were just too great so I went to work for Extension and raised a few cattle on the side,” said Worley. “I have enjoyed my career in agriculture and hopefully have been have been able to be a service to many agricultural producers.”
Worley began his career after graduating UGA as a County Extension Livestock Agent in Gwinnett County. In 1974, he moved to Eatonton, working as the County Agent in an area that is heavy in dairy farming.
“As a County Agent, I worked with 4-H and all areas of agriculture in my county,” said Worley of his experience with dairy farming, “but beef and forage production have always been a primary focus for me.”
Worley partially retired from UGA around 15 years ago, but will fully retire later this year. He currently serves as the UGA Research and Education Farm Manager.
“I work with our staff, the UGA Research Scientists, County Extension Agents, Vo- Ag Teachers, farm producers and the public to try to provide accurate and unbiased, research- based information on the latest and most efficient farming methods,” said Worley.
With more than 50 years working for UGA, Worley has high accolades for the Extension and what has been accomplished in his time there.
“I am proud of the roll that UGA Research and Extension have made in helping farmers to produce a higher quality, safer, cheaper and more abundant food supply for the people in this country and the world,” said Worley. “When I was in high school, the average American farmer was able to feed about 23 people. Now, the average farmer feeds about 155 people. This frees up most of the population to pursue other careers. Our Center in particular has had a great impact in the area of forage production and on modernizing beef cattle breeding. This research has added millions of dollars for producers and contributed greatly to improved beef production in Georgia and around the world.”
This research has also been invaluable to the Gordon County community, which is heavily dependent upon agriculture.
“Agriculture is still very important to the economy in Gordon County,” said Worley. “The County ranks 12th out of 159 counties in Georgia in the value of commodities as they leave the farm- $ 250,333,959 in 2016. The top commodities