A Fork in the Road

In this episode, David heads to Waverly, Georgia, to visit Grassroots Farms, where farmer Brandon Chonko is building a regenerative farm from the ground up. Using heritage livestock, rotational grazing, and low-input methods, he transforms raw land into fertile soil. This story explores sustainable farming, rare breeds, and the grit it takes to grow food in South Georgia.

Join David at Comfort Farms in Milledgeville, Georgia, where agriculture, innovation, and live fire cooking come together. You meet Jon Jackson, a veteran helping others heal through farming, and Ray Palermo, creator of the Quad Grill. Discover how open flame cooking, heirloom ingredients, and a Georgia-made invention are redefining backyard barbecue and farm-to-table cuisine.

Join David on a visit to Creature Comforts Brewing Company in Athens, Georgia, and explore how craft beer can bring people together and drive meaningful community impact. You will hear how the brewery sources local ingredients, partners with the University of Georgia, and leads initiatives like Get Comfortable and Brew for One. Discover how Creature Comforts blends brewing, storytelling, and philanthropy into a model for community-focused business.

Muscadine grapes are a true Southern staple, and Paulk Vineyards in South Georgia is helping bring them to a wider audience. In this episode, we explore how this family-run farm grows, harvests, and transforms muscadines into award-winning wines, juices, and health products. Discover why muscadines thrive in Georgia’s climate and how Paulk Vineyards is shaping the future of this uniquely Southern crop.

Georgia citrus is on the rise, and one South Georgia farm is helping lead the way. In this episode, we visit a family-run citrus nursery growing satsumas, lemons, and more while teaching customers across the country how to plant and care for their own trees. Learn how Georgia-grown citrus is expanding into a thriving agricultural industry rooted in community, education, and innovation.

How do you get kids excited about fruits and vegetables? In this episode, we visit Drew Charter School in Atlanta to see how Small Bites Adventure Club is helping students try new foods through hands-on cooking and classroom experiences. You will hear how educators are using simple, practical tools to teach healthy eating habits, build kitchen confidence, and turn picky eaters into curious young chefs.

Join David on a visit to The Chai Box in Marietta, Georgia, where authentic chai is brewed with purpose and care. What began as a family ritual has grown into a nationally recognized business rooted in sustainability, cultural education, and bringing people together one cup at a time. 

In this episode of the Fork in the Road podcast, you meet the founders of HIBO, a Georgia-made energy drink crafted from hibiscus. Traveling to Bishop, Georgia, we explore how Clayton and Phoebe Oetting set out to create a clean, great-tasting alternative to traditional energy drinks. From food science roots to national ambitions, this is a story about patience, family, and super simple energy.

In this episode, we visit EM Farms in Salem, Georgia, where owner Kaneisha Miller is cultivating fresh produce, preserves, and a sense of community on land that generations of her family have worked. You will hear how EM Farms blends tradition, creativity, and local support to build a sustainable small farm rooted in legacy and resilience.

Join host David Zelski as he travels the state to bring you the personal stories from Georgia’s farmers, fishermen, merchants, artisans, chefs, and others who help provide Georgia-grown products to folks in the Peach State and beyond. You can also watch the Fork in the Road TV show on GPB and on demand at GPB.org as David Zelski takes you across the state in a lively half-hour program.

David takes you to Savannah’s Bull River to meet Perry and Laura Solomon of Tybee Oyster Company, the pioneers behind Georgia’s first floating cage oyster harvest. They show how flip-farm baskets, smart stocking, and coastal science produce clean, meaty half shells while building habitat and easing pressure on wild reefs.

We visit Providence Farmstead in Demorest, Georgia, where the Russell family raises American Wagyu by crossing full-blood Wagyu sires with Jersey cows. You hear how careful nutrition, low-stress handling, and family teamwork shape beef prized by chefs across the Peach State. 

From a farmers market kettle to supermarket shelves, Corks Popcorn founder David Cork shares how a weekend side hustle in Statesboro became a full-time Georgia Grown brand. In this episode of the Fork in the Road podcast, you’ll hear how oil-popped mushroom kernels, local grit, and a lot of patience turned simple ingredients into a small-batch success story featured at the Masters Tournament in Augusta. 

Let's visit Nashville, Georgia, in Berrien County to see how cold-hardy satsuma mandarins are reshaping local agriculture and school nutrition. You'll hear from growers and packers who walk us through varieties, frost protection, and the journey from orchard to classroom lunch trays. Discover why cultivars like Xie Shan, Brown Select, Owari, Kishu, Cara Cara, Sugar Belle, and Shiranui are taking root across South Georgia.

David takes you to White Sulphur Farms just outside Gainesville to meet the Reynolds/Hemmer family and see how they raise Belted Galloway cattle and heritage Tamworth pigs on land first settled in 1802. You hear how the farm’s spring gave the community its name and why the family is committed to keeping the core acreage in agriculture for generations to come. Expect history, livestock know-how, and a true farm-to-table ethos rooted on the banks of the Oconee River.

Let's meet Biram Chapman of St. Catherines Island Seafood, the small Georgia business turning shoppers into “shrimp snobs.” We follow his week from coastal boats to Middle Georgia coolers to the Grant Park Farmers Market and hear why wild-caught Georgia shrimp tastes different. You learn the family history that ties Biram to St. Catherines Island and how buying local supports shrimpers in a tough import-driven market.

Let's visit Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard for a mountaintop meal with Executive Chef Madeline Medon, whose upscale rustic menu pairs Georgia-grown wines with Southern comfort. You’ll hear how barbecue, fried chicken, and red-wine-cured salmon meet Dahlonega Plateau AVA bottles, plus why a quiet porch and wooded trails make this Blue Ridge retreat an easy getaway from Atlanta.

In this episode, we visit Savannah Bee Company in Savannah, Georgia, for a tour of its honeys, mead bars, and conservation work. Founder Ted Dennard shares how a Peace Corps detour became a lifelong calling, why flower sources define honey, and how The Bee Cause Project puts observation hives and bee curricula in schools. You also meet the team teaching mead’s ancient roots and modern flavors.

Step into the Lake Rabun Hotel in Lakemont and feel the mountain craftsmanship at once, from cedar fretwork to a stone fireplace built by local hands. We visit owner and preservationist Gwen North, the restaurant team, and the bar to explore a true farm-to-table tradition that champions Providence Farms beef, Benton’s bacon, local trout, and Moonrise Bourbon. You hear how thoughtful restoration, pet-friendly fish camp cottages, and Forest Lodge events invite you to slow down, put away screens, and reconnect in Georgia’s farm-to-table capital.

At the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Hometown Harvest turns the historic Vickery House into a garden and outdoor classroom that serves the UNG food pantry and Lumpkin County Schools. You hear how students, faculty, and community partners grow tomatoes, onions, berries, and more, preserve heirloom seeds, and deliver fresh produce to salad bars and neighbors in need. 

In this episode, you visit Big Creek Distilling Company in Dahlonega, Georgia, where a family-owned business is transforming the region’s moonshining past into a modern whiskey tradition. Host David Zelski takes you inside the still house to taste bourbon, gin, and even gold-infused moonshine while exploring the history that shaped North Georgia spirits.

This episode of the Fork in the Road podcast takes you to Chase Farms in Oglethorpe, Georgia, where three generations of the Chase family have been growing peanuts with care and tradition. Host David Zelski explores how they balance science, sustainability, and family life to keep Georgia’s state crop thriving.

In part two of our visit to Georgia Sea Grill, host David Zelski travels from the garden to the water, visiting the off-the-grid Satilla Pond where Chef Tim Lynch and pond manager Eric Miller hand-catch fresh catfish each week. Hear how this hidden fish farm supplies the Sea Grill with pristine, chemical-free catfish and how their dedication to quality translates to unforgettable dishes on the menu. This is a behind-the-scenes journey from pond to plate, from bait recipes to kitchen secrets.

On this episode, David visits Georgia Sea Grill on St. Simons Island to explore how Chef Tim Lynch and owner Zack Gowen are redefining local dining through fresh, coastal cuisine. The journey continues to Potlicker Farm, where farm manager Sam McPherson grows seasonal produce that connects deeply with Southern food traditions.

Cordele, GA is the Watermelon Capital of the World. This episode explores how this iconic summer fruit shapes the local economy and culture. From farm fields to festivals, join David Zelski as he meets the growers, experts, and community members behind Georgia’s sweetest harvest.

Let's visit Soldier of the Sea Distillery in Comer, Ga., where Marine veteran Mark Davis crafts unique whiskeys, some infused with local honey from his beekeeper wife, Jennifer, while honoring the armed forces and revitalizing the town. Discover how their passion for distilling, housed in a historic building, blends art and science to create exceptional spirits and promote the local community and Georgia's agricultural bounty.

Journey to Rabun County, Ga., to explore the Lake Burton Trout Hatchery and uncover the fascinating science behind cultivating trout for the state's rivers and lakes. Learn from trout stocking coordinator John Lee Thompson about the intricate life cycle within the hatchery and its vital role in supporting both ecological balance and angling opportunities in Georgia.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Dahlonega, Red Oak Lavender Farm is home to more than 20 varieties of lavender, thriving against the odds in Georgia’s clay soil. Host David Zelski explores how founder Tina Duffy turned a love of fragrance into a flourishing family farm—and a destination that smells as good as it looks.  

In Mansfield, GA, Love is Love Farm cultivates more than just vegetables; their cooperative model and dedication to sustainable agriculture nourish both the local community and the palates of discerning chefs. This episode explores the farm's unique produce and its vital role in the farm-to-table ecosystem.

Journey into the heart of South Georgia's timber industry with Langdale Forest Products. See how they manage vast forests, harvest trees, and transform them into dimensional lumber and OSB, all while emphasizing sustainability and efficiency.

Olives in Onion Country? Join David Zelski on a journey to Terra Dolce Farms in Lyons, Georgia, where he uncovers the unexpected story of olive oil production in the heart of the Peach State. On this episode of the Fork in the Road Podcast, you will discover the passion, innovation, and dedication that go into crafting these high-quality products.

Nestled just outside the world's busiest airport, Decimal Place Farm offers a tranquil escape, where Saanen goats graze on lush pastures and produce award-winning cheeses. David Zelski tags along as Chef Duane Nutter rediscovers the taste of place, exploring the meticulous craft and passion behind this unique Georgia dairy.

David Zelski takes you to Rabun County to meet Doug Nasser of Moonrise Distillery, where pristine mountain water and local partnerships drive a passion for crafting exceptional spirits. Discover how this small Georgia distillery is making a big name for itself.

Join David Zelski and discover how Georgia's blueberry industry has surpassed peaches, becoming the state's leading fruit crop. In this episode, we explore Mixon Farms to learn about the dedication and technology behind producing these delicious berries.

In this episode of Fork in the Road, host David Zelski takes you to Pitts, Georgia, where Clay and Valerie Oliver have turned a small idea into a big success. Starting with a plan to make biofuel, the Olivers pivoted to crafting high-quality, cold-pressed oils from sunflowers and other crops. Discover how their green peanut oil gained fame among top chefs, the sustainable uses of their byproducts, and the pride they’ve brought to their small town with their thriving business and community hub, The Station.

Let's visit the historic town of Madison, Georgia, and meet Weyman Hunt, the sixth-generation owner and CEO of Godfrey's Feed. Established in the 1870s, Godfrey's Feed has been a cornerstone of agricultural innovation in Georgia, adapting through generations to support local farmers with high-quality livestock feed. Learn the fascinating evolution of this family-run business that blends historical practices with advanced technology to serve the needs of farmers across the Southeast. 

Join David Zelski as he takes you on a flavor exploration with The Salt Table. This unique store in Pooler, Georgia, offers an array of salts, seasonings, and gourmet foods. This episode delves into the science of salt, the art of seasoning, and the entrepreneurial journey of Carol and Dave Legasse. From Himalayan pink salt to exotic spice blends, The Salt Table has something for every palate.   

In this episode, you will discover one couple's journey from suburban roots to the rugged rhythms of farm life. Motivated by a passion for healthy, homegrown food, Steve and Joy have built a diversified farming operation with a unique twist — a thriving pickle business.     

Join David Zelski as he heads to Dahlonega for a flavorful journey through Georgia's craft beverage scene. Discover the ancient art of mead-making at Etowah Meadery and savor a variety of honey-based brews. Then, explore the brewery's selection of expertly crafted beers made with locally sourced ingredients. From traditional to innovative, this episode offers a unique tasting experience that celebrates the rich history and vibrant flavors of Georgia's brewing culture.

In this episode of the Fork in the Road podcast, we delve into Georgia's pecan industry by visiting EKC Farms in Metter. Here we meet Mattie and Curtis Collins, a dedicated couple who have transformed their family farm into a thriving pecan orchard. Discover the challenges and rewards of running a pecan farm, from planting and harvesting to cracking and selling their delicious nuts. Learn about the history behind EKC Farms, their innovative techniques, and their unwavering passion for growing high-quality pecans.  

On this episode of the Fork in the Road podcast, we take a flavorful journey to Alma, the "Blueberry Capital of Georgia," to meet the Blueberry Queen, Anne Wildes. Anne lives and breathes blueberries. She owns the Blueberry Barn, teaches children the health benefits of blueberries, and advocates for the importance of blueberries to Georgia's economy. Anne's journey has taken her from a high school teacher and 4-H leader to a blueberry entrepreneur, alongside her husband, lifelong farmer Albert Wildes.

In this episode of the Fork in the Road podcast, host David Zelski visits Longleaf Ridge Farms in Camilla, Georgia, to talk with sixth-generation farmer Casey Cox. They explore the challenges and rewards of managing a diverse farming operation, including peanuts, sweet corn, and timber. Casey shares insights into sustainable farming practices, water conservation, and crop rotation, while highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship. 

Let's go to Richland, Ga., home of the Richland Distilling Company, where single-estate rum is crafted from field to bottle. Learn how this small-town distillery, one of the few in the world to grow its own sugar cane and distill on-site, is setting new standards in American spirits. The distillery has gained international recognition, including admiration from former President Jimmy Carter for its commitment to local agriculture and sustainability. Discover how Richland Rum is revitalizing the community, preserving agricultural heritage, and putting Georgia on the global spirits map.

Picture a beehive in your mind. Did you picture the rooftop of one of Atlanta's iconic downtown hotels? On this Fork in the Road podcast episode, you'll learn about the bees that live on top of the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and how the culinary team incorporates local Georgia-grown ingredients into the dishes featured in the hotel's four unique dining experiences. 

In this episode, we explore the history and legacy of Mercier Orchards, a family-run farm nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Discover how four generations of the Mercier family have cultivated this beloved orchard, growing it into a thriving business that blends tradition with innovation. From their famous apples to a full farm-to-table experience, learn what makes Mercier Orchards a staple in the region and a destination for locals and tourists alike.

Grady Ranch Farms, a fourth-generation family business in Georgia, transitioned from a dairy to specializing in 100% grass-fed Angus beef. This Fork in the Road Podcast episode explores their journey, from adapting to market changes to perfecting their craft. Grady Ranch Farms prioritizes quality, flavor, and sustainability and by focusing on consumer education and building relationships, they have created a successful and thriving business, inspiring future generations of farmers.

Join host David Zelski as he travels the state to bring you the personal stories from Georgia’s farmers, fishermen, merchants, artisans, chefs, and others who help provide Georgia grown products to folks in the Peach State and beyond.        

On a special live episode of the Fork in the Road Podcast, host David Zelski is joined by a panel of experts from Coastal Georgia. Recorded live at the Tybee Post Theater on Tybee Island, this episode dives deep into the rich and vibrant maritime culture of the Georgia coast with four remarkable guests who have each played pivotal roles in preserving and promoting this unique environment.

Step into the enchanting world of Southern winemaking with host David Zelski as he uncorks the rich history and vibrant flavors of muscadine wine, Georgia's hidden gem. From the lush vineyards of Nashville to the bustling tasting room along I-75, discover the passion and dedication behind each bottle of muscadine wine. Meet the farmers, vintners, and storytellers who are preserving Georgia's agricultural heritage while crafting award-winning wines. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or an adventurous spirit, this podcast invites you to savor the taste of the South and raise a glass to the magic of Muscadine wine.

Hannah Thompson and her husband left the Atlanta city life behind for a charming Victorian house and a farm in Jackson, Georgia. Their journey led them to create Gold Lion Farm, producing organic bath and body care products with locally sourced ingredients. Listen as Hannah shares the story of how a gold man's ring sparked their connection to the land, and how her curiosity about ingredients led her to develop a business based on natural soaps and scrubs. You'll also hear about the other Georgia farms Gold Lion partners with to create their unique products and the importance they place on using organic ingredients and avoiding harmful chemicals. This episode is full of inspiration for those seeking a simpler, more connected life, and a reminder of the quality and care you can find in small-batch, local products. Plus, you'll meet the star of the farm: Poppy the Pig.