b'2020 - 2021 Heath Wetherington |COLQUITT COUNTYTEAMSouth Georgia A fourth-generation farmer, Heath Wetherington, spends his days, and many nights, between two farms in Colquitt County. A technical leader, operations innovator, and accounting manager, Wetherington is the director of operations for Baker Farms and co-owner of H&W Farms.Jessie Stanley |LOWNDES COUNTYWhen hes not busy on the farms, Wetherington, a father of five daughters (ages 5 to 16), finds time to serve on the Moultrie-Colquitt While working through a partnership with Lighthouse Projects inParks and Recreation Authority.the Dominican Republic, Stanley and her mission team helped buildEnacted as an authority in 2017, Wetherington, along with other a water purification plant that provides clean water for thousandsParks and Recreation Authority members, have spent hundreds of and creates sustainable long-term employment opportunities.hours overseeing improvements and construction of facilities andMy goal for our team members goes beyond the workprograms. accomplished during our work trip and into heart and life changesHaving a high-quality recreational facility in Colquitt County is upon return, says Stanley, a veterinarian at the Thomasville Animalimportant to Wetheringtonall of his daughters are active in sports, Hospital. I am hopeful that seeing God move in miraculous ways inand he coaches softball. the Dominican Republic challenges our team members to live and love the same way right here at home.I was on the original board when we started the process of going through legislation to create an authority, says Wetherington, With the water purification plant now completed, Stanley sayswho graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in Lighthouse Projects has further plans for a trade school, medicalaccounting. When I first started, I had three daughters playing clinic, and primary school.softball with parks and recreation. I knew it would take time to get Closer to home, Stanley also volunteers with Called to Care, athings going, and we are making changes that will come for their nonprofit that provides immediate physical needs to families in thechildren.foster care system. The organization recruits and supports fosterQuality of life issue, Wetherington says Colquitts parks and parents, connects children to mentorship programs, and engagesrecreation program brings the entire community together. the community in service to children in the foster care system.For the past three years, Jessie Stanley leads a team of volunteersPart of the next generation of farmers, Wetherington is focused on to the Dominican Republic to work on a community involvementAt Called to Care, we recognize the Biblical charge to care forincorporating technology into the production process. Each day, we project.orphans and widows in their distress, [James 1:27] as a literalgather a lot of information, and the challenge is getting it in front of calling, Stanley says.We believe that every member of the bodypeople who need it. I was not able to travel in 2020 because of COVId-19 restrictions,of Chris is called to care for orphans in some capacity. but I cannot wait to get back, Stanley says. My favorite part ofFrom Google and other online platforms, Wetherington says todays my mission work is the time spent in communion with people.Called to Care provides opportunity at every level of involvement infarmer is using technology to determine planting schedules, fertilizer They make me a better person. The slow pace of life devoid of theorphan care and prevention, and empowers Christians to find theirand other chemical applications, and production reports. distractions of first world living gives me clarity to the fullnessrole. of joy that Christ has to offer me in this life. I leave grounded withAn admitted Excel spreadsheet freak, Wetherington says having a renewed sense of purpose and the peach that reliance on Godthe right information, at the right time, in front of the decision-produces. makers, is a game-changer for todays farmer. 26 SG MAGAZINE | FALL 2020 BUSINESS + CULTURE 27'