Free seminar, exhibits explore Georgia’s agricultural history

The Georgia Archives will host a free, all-day seminar on Wednesday, April 6. It will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Georgia State Department of Agriculture.

After opening and remarks scheduled at 9 a.m., the first lecture at 9:40 a.m. will be a panel discussion on “Fort Valley State University: Cultivating Excellence in Georgia Agriculture” with several presenters and a moderator.

At 11 a.m. the topic will be “Farming Practices and Education,” with two lectures: “A 150-year journey: Georgia’s Agricultural Evolution from Slavery to Modernity, Embracing Hydroponics” and then Kiawana Kennedy, Ed.D, will speak on “Escape the Virtual Field Trip with GPB Educator’s VR Learning Journeys: Georgia Forest and Georgia Peanuts.”

After a lunch break where one can view the latest exhibits on the subject, the afternoon sessions resume at 1 p.m. The first session, under the subject “African American Experiences and Farming,” features three lectures: George Ellenberg, Ph.D, on “James Huling of Wilkes County, Georgia: His 18741875 Daybook”; Michael

Witherspoon on “Seeds of Change: Unearthing the Hidden Narratives of Slavery in Georgia’s Agrarian History”; with the last lecture being Mark Schultz, Ph.D, on “African American Farm Ownership in Jim Crow Georgia.”

The final session, at 2:30 p.m., covers “Food Culture and Food Safety,” with three speakers: Benjamin Prostine on Georgia’s Dairy Industry from 1920 to 1960; Mark Janzen, Ph.D., “The Cranberry Scare in Georgia”; and Georgeta Connor, Ph.D., “Slow Food Movement USA: Conviviality and Localism in Georgia.”

For more, see GeorgiaArchives.org.

Southern Railway records at Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center’s Kenan Research Center recently opened for research the records of the Southern Railway, and other railroads acquired by that railway. To use these by appointment only, call 404-8144040 or email reference@ atlantahistorycenter.com. The research area is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Genealogy education in Georgia

In this column, I try to mention the genealogy lectures, seminars, and webinars sponsored by our numerous genealogical societies, libraries, and the Georgia Archives. It is not easy to cover them all. Readers need to be checking the websites for programs of interest.