If you have traveled down Highway 301 South recently you have seen the Satsumas farm stand near East Georgia State College Statesboro campus at 10610 Highway 301 South.
The small produce stand is filled with delicious, Bulloch County grown Satsumas' and other locally sourced products and produce. In fact, the Satsumas are grown in walking distance of the stand.
If the stand reminds you of days past when roadside stops along Highway 301 was the norm, not an unusual spectacle, that is not by accident. It will not surprise you that the man behind the farm and the stand has lots of experience with 301 travelers.
Joe Franklin started growing Satsumas in Statesboro Georgia after the retired from the restaurant business.
Joe and his family owned the popular Franklins Restaurant located where the Enmarket is now at the "crossroads of the world" Highway 301 South and Highway 80. The restaurant marketed the "World's Worst Apple Pie", which was actually pretty delicious. Not to mention the best fried chicken you ever put in your mouth.
The local Satsuma story
While fishing in Louisiana Joe saw the tasty little citrus fruits for sale from the backs of trucks. With a similar climate back home in Bulloch County, this inspired him to begin experimenting with one mission in mind; simply grow a premium piece of fruit that sells itself.
Through years of trial and error, he has truly achieved that mission. What started in 2010 with 200 trees has grown to about 75 acres or over 11,000 trees as of 2021.
Joe is thoroughly involved in the day to day operations of the farm and is constantly looking for ways to improve methods, quality and varieties along with expanding.
One of his favorite hobbies is watching folks expressions when they eat his citrus, especially for the first time. They are harvesting the Satsumas now and hope to sell them through mid February.
Farm Bureau of Georgia Farm Passport
Joe has been most impressed with the number of tourist stopping by his farm stand that are participating in the Farm Bureau of Georgia Farm Passport program. "We have met lots of wonderful folks that are traveling the state visiting farms and farm stands that are listed in the GFB passport", said Franklin. "This makes for a wonderful adventure and a great way to see parts of Georgia you probably would never discover otherwise."
The Farm Passport is your guide to discover Georgia, support local farms and experience fresh food. The GFB passport will guide you across the state to see the diversity of agriculture Georgia offers.
The Farm Passport features over 80 farms included in Georgia Farm Bureau’s Certified Farm Markets program, which was created to help people discover where their food comes from, meet the farm families who grew the food, and create lasting memories with loved ones as they travel the state.
Passports can be found at participating farms and county Farm Bureau offices. You can also download and print a copy here.
Each location listed in the GFB passport has a stamp to validate your visit. You can begin receiving prizes after just five farm visits.
Online ordering available
If you don't want to head out to enjoy the farm stand you can purchase the Franklin Satsumas in local grocery stores and online. Click below to order.
