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Mr. Westbrook started Emily’s Garden in 2012 and has seen demand and his production increase each year.

Business Background:

Emily’s Garden at Haradon Farm is a family operated vegetable business in beautiful Ball Ground.  Robby Westbrook started the business in 2012 and has steadily grown with interest and demand for locally grown food.  This year they have close to 40 acres of corn, okra, tomatoes, beans, peppers, and eggplants in production.  Their farm stand is open every day from June through September.  Emily’s Garden employs five local youth during the growing season to help Robbie manage production, harvest and sell produce.

https://www.facebook.com/emilysveggies


 

About Robby

How long have you been in Cherokee county?

I was born and raised in Ball Ground

Favorite Music:

I mostly listen to the news on the radio but I also enjoy Pink Floyd.

Book your currently reading:

The new Harper Lee book Go Set a Watchman

Things you enjoy after work:

Outdoors, I also like doing things in the emergency management field when I’m able.

Favorite Tool:

Hoe

How did you get started?

As I said I grew up in Ball Ground and we always kept a garden.  I worked for Cherokee County as the County Emergency Manager before I retired in 2013.  We started Emily’s Garden the year before I retired and it has grown every year since then.  I have a greenhouse at my house and we start all of our own tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.  I also hope to build a couple high-tunnels so we can extend our growing season a few additional months per year.

Most challenging part of your job?

The weather

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Meeting and talking with people.  I also love observing the life cycle of the plants from seed to harvest.

Kirstie Richards (left) and Melissa Driskell (right) work at Emily's during the summer and greet all visitors with a smile and wonderful service.
Kirstie Richards (left) and Melissa Driskell (right) work at Emily’s during the summer and greet all visitors with a smile and wonderful service.

 

During the peak season, Emily's Garden is barely able to keep the hundreds of pounds of produce they harvest daily on their shelves.
During the peak season, Emily’s Garden is barely able to keep the hundreds of pounds of produce they harvest daily on their shelves.

 

*The interview series posts are strictly a way to connect with and promote local growers, producers and individuals involved in agriculture and natural resource endeavors.  It does not imply endorsement of their products or services, nor criticism of similar firms not listed.