14 S G M A G A Z I N E | W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 Since opening in 2013, Raisin’ Cane has hosted more than 40,000 schoolchildren from Lowndes, Echols, Brooks, and surrounding counties. “It’s amazing to watch the children walk through a row of bell peppers or plant a seed in the ground,” Bolesta said. “They are making a connection about where their food actually comes from.” During the field trip, the children take a hayride through the farm, meet the farm animals, enjoy playtime in the garden or corn maze, and learn basic farming concepts. Bolesta said the farming concepts are taught by engaging the students in hands- on activities focused on forestry, veterinary science, food supply chain, and simple machine tools. Fun and Learning on the Farm On Georgia Grown Trail 41, The Rock Ranch and Raisin’ Cane are not just providing tourists with a taste of farm life; they are also creating fun and educational activities for schoolchildren. The Rock Ranch, which was founded by the late S. Truett Cathy of Chick- fil-A, is a working cattle ranch with more than 35 rides and attractions, food, and a farmers’ market. Located south of Atlanta in Upson County, The Rock Ranch offers field trips for pre-kindergarten through middle school students. A 1,500- acre classroom, The Rock Ranch provides several curriculum options with actives that include honey bee observation, goat feeding, the basics of gardening, introduction to pond life, and forestry. Further south in Lowndes County, Raisin’ Cane is a combination produce market and outdoor classroom. The market is open year-round and sells local produce, homemade casseroles and desserts, and features one of the largest retail selections of Georgia Grown products in the region. Part of Ken Corbett Farms, which has farm operations in three counties, Raisin’ Cane sits on 150 acres that include seasonal crops, satsuma trees, two hydroponic greenhouses, and an assortment of farm animals. Raisin’ Cane offers farm tours to schoolchildren with the goal of expanding their knowledge and understanding of agriculture. “The field trips introduce children to a farm,” said Jessica Corbett Bolesta, manager of Raisin’ Cane. “A lot of the children have driven by a farm, but even living in a rural area, some of them have never actually been on a farm.” Jessica Corbett Bolesta helped create Raisin’ Cane, a combination produce market and outdoor classroom located in Lowndes County.