Southern Nominee: Dr. James A. Granade, Jr. of Georgia

What makes them outstanding?

Granade Farms in Wilkes County, Georgia, is owned and operated by Dr. James A. Granade, Jr., his wife, Janet and their sons, Dr. James A. Granade III, a dentist, and Jonathan R. Granade, a  lawyer and judge. Conservation comes naturally to a place that has had to be sustainable from the beginning.  Tom and Alice Granade built their home in 1886 on land from their families.  The home still exists, beautifully and lovingly restored.  The Farm has grown timber through seven generations of devotion to the land and forests.  Granade Farms has been operated continuously as a family farm and has seen the transition from frontier, to row crop, to beef cattle, to timberland.  The Farm has weathered the storms of Civil War, boll weevil, Great Depression, droughts and pine beetle.

Helping the Granades navigate these challenges has been a team of forestry professionals, including Keith Murphy of the Georgia Forestry Commission, Geoffrey Hill, Chairman and Frank Green, Administrator, of the Georgia Tree Farm Program, and Lewis Brown and Jenny Brown Reville of Brown and Brown Forestry Consulting. Granade Farms has been dedicated to outreach, sustainable forest management, streamside and water quality enhancement, and wildlife protection. 

In 1994, Granade Farms was recognized as a Georgia Centennial Farm signifying continuous operation by the same family for over one hundred years.  In 2018, the Farm was named the Georgia Tree Farm of the Year.  Earlier in the year, the Farm was successfully audited by the National Tree Farm Program.

Tree Farmer Story

As told by Dr. Jim Granade, III. When I think about a tree farm, the first things that come to mind are time and continuity.  As one generation of a tree farming family plants seedlings, they realize that it may be the next generation, perhaps not yet born, that will harvest. I believe that it is that realization that defines the sense of stewardship and long-term planning characteristic of a successful tree farm.

Standing in the front hall of my cabin on our tree farm, I am looking at logs hewn from trees that began their life long before the United States was founded. Standing in this very hall in February of 1779, it would have been possible to hear musket fire from the Battle of Kettle Creek, the decisive Patriot victory in north Georgia during the Revolutionary War. The various branches of our family have lived here in Wilkes County since the late 1700s, and tree farming has always been an integral part of our farming heritage. As our current forestry consultant, Jenny Reville describes it: The legacy began before the Civil War and has changed from frontier to farming to timber management. The stewardship and preservation that began many years ago is evident today throughout their fields and forests.

The challenges of the economic collapse of our country, drought, and pests were weathered here over the years. Two things, however, haven’t changed: devotion and vision. As my dad, Jim, Jr., put it: This is a spiritual place. The family love for their woodlands is evidenced by a poem written in 1908 by my great-great-grandfather, Columbus Granade, entitled My Grove.  In it, he describes his love of the forest and the spiritual way that he connects with the trees:

The friendship of the trees is true / Whatever I may say or do / No fault with

me they ever find / Or speak a word the least unkind / The dearest boon to

mortals given / Sweet trees! That point the soul to heaven / That lift us up

from earthly mold / And thus a better life unfold.

I researched the history of the Granade farm for a 1993 article in the Georgia Historical Quarterly entitled Twilight of Cotton Culture, Life on a Wilkes County Plantation 1924-1929. Even in the days when cotton was king, the Granades emphasized timber farming as an important secondary income source providing almost twenty percent of farm income. Almost one third of their acreage was in woodlands. As a young man, my grandfather, Jim, Sr., operated a sawmill/shingle mill during the winter months when no other farming activities could be accomplished.  This family sawmill remained active until the 1930’s.

Jenny Reville describes the Farm’s development, The Granade Family has been a beacon of our forestry community in Wilkes County. They have opened their farm and their arms and embraced everyone to see what loving your land and leaving a legacy for future generations is all about. This is evidenced by the scientific management that began with Jim, Sr.’s enrollment in the American Tree Farm program in 1966. He was approached by a young, local forester, Lewis Brown and asked if he would participate. Lewis knew there was something special about the way Jim, Sr. cared for his land, cattle, and timber. This was the beginning of a relationship that continues fifty-three years later.

After Jim, Sr. passed away in 1991, Lewis continued working with the family assisting them with forest management and purchasing more timberland in Wilkes and Lincoln counties. More recently, Jenny Reville joined the forest management team saying,Timber rotations have been diversified to meet their objectives. The forests have been managed for sawtimber rotation with some natural stands and some plantations. The forests have been managed not only for timber production, but also wildlife enhancement and aesthetics. Species diversity is also emphasized along streamsides, in lowlands, and in historic preserve areas.

The Farm has been in the family for seven generations beginning in the late 1700’s    when John Middleton Fanning (1761-1803) came to Georgia from North Carolina and built a cabin for his family.  A son, Welcome Fanning, was born in 1799, and lived in the cabin which he inherited along with acreage.  Welcome became a major planter in Wilkes County.  He married his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Heard, in 1861.  Mary Elizabeth died shortly after the birth of their second child, Alice Fanning. After Welcome’s death in 1873, Alice inherited 325 acres. That land, along with 450 acres bought by Thomas Adam Granade from his uncle T.J. Beck, became the core holdings of Granade Farms.

Columbus Granade (1831-1914), Tom’s father, bought the adjacent 100 acres. Columbus served in the Georgia Legislature, but could not wait to get back to the farm.  He was a farmer, the county surveyor, a teacher, poet and veteran of the Civil War.  Columbus was wounded at Petersburg. While recovering in a hospital in Washington, D.C., he had a life-changing experience.  President Abraham Lincoln came into the hospital shaking hands and wishing the soldiers well.  Columbus recalled this gesture of reconciliation for the rest of his life. 

T.A. Granade and Alice Fanning were married in 1886, and built their Victorian farmhouse. They had nine children including James Ansley Granade, born in 1903. As the youngest son, he operated the farm after his father’s death in 1934. Jim, Sr. assimilated the parts of the farm on his mother’s death in 1941, by purchasing the land and buildings from his siblings.  Jim, Sr. and Ione Elizabeth Lunsford were married in 1938, and had two children, Jim, Jr. and Nancy.  When their parents passed away Jim, Jr. bought Nancy’s share.  With land being bought and sold, the Farm was now 850 acres.  Later 900 acres were purchased from Uncle Charlie Granade.  Another 130 acres were acquired from the estate of Cousin Sam Granade.  Other land was obtained from International Paper plantations by Jim, Jr. and sons giving a total of 2,200 acres.

Describe any outreach on behalf of sustainable forestry that the Tree Farmer has done 

Jim Sr. was involved with the Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District, and was named Man of the Year in the 1950’s.   The Granades hosted FFA events including educational timber cruising, measuring and marking, exemplifying the FFA motto, Learn by Doing.  Boy and Girl Scouts have used the farm for camping events and outdoor skills competitions.  Wildlife in Action has hosted fishing derbies.

The Granades built a barn in 2016, with climate controlled event space for education and pleasure. In May, 2017, the Georgia Tree Farm Landowners Field Day was held with about one hundred attendees including Chuck Williams, Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, addressing the group on the importance of forestry. Andres Villegas of the GFA and Congressman Jody Hice, also participated.  Hice has shown great interest in promoting forestry. He is attempting to get the Kettle Creek Battlefield protected as a National Park. KCB is located less than three miles from Granade Farms. Currently, the park is an outdoor classroom where students learn about forestry. Dr. Granade, Jr. is on the Board of Directors, Kettle Creek Battlefield Association. 

Later in 2018, a multi-county Forestry Field Day for landowners, foresters and loggers, was sponsored by the UGA Extension Service and directed by Michael Foster, Wilkes County Agent.  In a note, an attendee said, I commend you for taking the time and using your resources so others can learn and experience such a fine place¦.The Ole Family Farm with diverse landscapes around every corner made everyone on the wagons looking ahead to see what was next¦. From ponds to fields, to pine plantations traversed by hardwood bottoms, there was a lot to see and talk about.  

Jim, Jr. has promoted forestry through the years by having GFA and GFF speakers at his Atlanta Rotary Club.

For the following areas describe how the landowner's management addresses it

Wood: In 2016, Forester Keith Murphy with GFC assisted in updating and creating forestry management plans for each tract (Certificate Nos. 4400, 4400A,  9626, 9619, and 9620), some of which had been purchased since the last plan in the 1980’s.  Tracts include the homestead, as well as six tracts in joint ownership between the Granades and their FLP, Halekulani Enterprises.   The focus and vision in management of these 2,200 acres is ensuring that forest, water, land and wildlife are properly managed so that future generations may enjoy the financial and recreational benefits that come from properly managed timber stands. 

From these stewardship plans, as well as tree farm re-inspections, updates and audits,  it was determined that certain stands had the greatest need for early management. In 2016, 120 acres of mature mixed pine and hardwood were clear-cut harvested.  Included in this sale were white oak trees destined for the Kentucky-Tennessee whisky industry.  In 2017-2018, the 120 acre tract was site prepared and reforested with 72,000 pine seedlings.    

Other silvicultural activities in recent years include thinning 341 acres of a 20 year-old tract of pine plantations in August, 2005. In October, 2004, a clear-cut was carried out on 350 acres of mature Loblolly Pine. In 2006, this tract was sprayed, burned and planted.  In October, 2005, a 70 acre tract was clear cut.  In 2007, the 70 acre tract was treated with aerial herbicide, burned and planted with 600 Loblolly seedlings per acre. In 2006, a first thinning of a tract planted in 1989, was accomplished on 45 acres of Loblolly. Prescribe burns on a rotating schedule have been carried out by the owners, GFC and Brown & Brown Forestry.  Some burns were in accordance to the NRCS EQIP program.

Water: Forester Jenny Brown Reville says that Granade Farms is a visible example of good land and water stewardship.  Utilizing sustainable harvest rotations in conjunction with riparian buffer management makes for a healthy forest environment. Almost 15 miles of interior roads, ATV trails and firebreaks are maintained for proper drainage with water bars and turn outs used to control erosion and sediment.  Carefully marked and generously sized streamside management zones (SMZ’s) prevent trees from being harvested near the streambed. The use of native field rock around streamside crossing pipes aid not only in aesthetics, but also in erosion around the pipes themselves. 

After clear cutting the 120 acres in 2016, as with all of the Granades’ prior clear cuts, all of the affected forest roads were refurbished through the reconstruction of water diversions, as well as the installation of new stream crossings.  Then the surfaces were armored with stone.  Finally, all road surfaces were seeded and fertilized to achieve vegetative groundcover capable of reducing soil erosion.  Since 1949, there have been five ponds of 2-4 acres constructed to control erosion, provide water for wildlife, boating, kayaking and fishing. These ponds were built with cost sharing funds from the USDA.  Silt retention ponds are used to contain sediment and improve water quality.  With NRCS watershed fund help, Jim, Sr. was able to terrace timber land for erosion control. 

A biologist from the University of Georgia complimented the water quality of the streams on Granade Farms when evaluating the fresh water mussels found there.  He stated, If you have mussels this healthy, you’ve got clean water.  In these same streams, Red Horse Minnows and their pebble beds provide excitement for children and adults alike. 

Wildlife including threatened and endangered species: After the 120 acre clear cut in 2016, three of the log yards were planted as food plots for deer and turkey.  There are five stocked fishing ponds on the farm with duck boxes.  In the wetlands, we have beavers and river otters.  A large fox squirrel population still thrives on the farm, as do owls, osprey, hawks, hummingbirds, and pileated woodpeckers. Deer and turkey are in abundance providing sport for five different hunt clubs. There are permanent hunting stands and abundant food plots throughout the property.  Control burns are performed across the stands on a rotation to enhance available food sources for the wildlife.  Large oak, hickory, and beech trees remain in the interiors of some pine stands to provide mast and aesthetics.  Native wild flowers abound in the hardwood buffers and vary from verbenas to trillium.  Small understory trees and shrubs like the Flowering Dogwood, Carolina Silverbell, Yellow Jasmine, and blackberry provide a source of food and cover for the wildlife.  The Granades allow cavity trees to stand, providing habitat for woodpeckers, flying squirrels, birds and other wildlife.

As a pilot project in 1980, the DNR brought in two pair of Canada geese and placed them on an island in one of the new ponds. They were able to survive and thrive. The family enjoys the water birds, both native and migrating on the wetlands.

The home place is reserved and not leased so that the family may have a personal space for children, grandchildren and friends.  On the land, the family has provided a 4½ acre wildlife refuge of natural cover. In addition, an historic 20 plus acre hickory bottom, that was used as forage for domestic hogs from the 1910s through 1950s, remains in its natural state for a wildlife food source today. 

Recreation and Aesthetics including special sites: Fishing, hunting, ATV riding, hiking, biking, bird and wildlife watching, shooting, and photography are all activities that people enjoy at Granade Farms.  Fifteen miles of ATV roads and trails are used for cruising timber, as well as for providing access to isolated areas for wildlife and scenery observation and photography.  The trails are managed at regular intervals to avoid erosion and overgrowth. All road and trail maintenance is done by Jim, Jr. and the family.

Every October, firearms and firearms safety training events are held on the farm under the supervision of Federal firearms instructors.  Sporting clays and shooting instructions are a big hit, as are food and fellowship.

The Granades have been involved with the archaeological surface collection of Native American artifacts.  For example, after a clear cut and replanting in 1985, Jim, III and Jonathan each surface-collected arrowheads, pottery, and spear points from three different sites for school projects.  The headwaters of Kettle Creek, the site of the 1779 Revolutionary War battle, begin on Granade Farms. 

Historic preservation activities involve restoring and renovating the 1886 Victorian-era farmhouse and 1775 log cabin.  In many cases, timber cut on Granade Farms was milled to create building materials used in the restoration of these homes.  Both of these homes have been featured on tours of homes benefitting local charities.  Additionally, on one tract, the Granades have preserved and protected the Irvin and Johnson families’ rock-walled cemetery which dates from the early 1800’s, making it available to the families.

According to Keith Murphy, Hunting, fishing and spending time walking throughout the property are all recreational activities enjoyed by the family and friends. Considering this, they spend a lot of resources ensuring that the aesthetics of the property are maintained at the highest level.