February 2023 - 7

Greens were added to keep labor occupied following
the end of Georgia fall vegetable production, which
typically ends in November. Greens harvest throughout
the year, but see the highest volume after Christmas
to May.
In 2010, the farm began experimenting with broccoli,
and became the first Southeastern grower to plant the
crop, Brim said. Lewis Taylor started with 400 varieties,
but reduced that to three varieties through trials.
Labor challenge
In addition to soaring input costs, Lewis Taylor is feeling
the pinch from expanding Mexican spring competition.
" All of the southeastern U.S. is competing with Mexico
in April, May and June, " Brim said. " That's hurt us in the
last five years since they started infringing into that time
slot. We had a good run until then. It's hard to compete
with 81 cents an hour labor. "
With the 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate, which
determines minimum wages for H-2A workers,
increasing 14.1%, growers like Brim are finding it more
difficult to survive.
" We were having a hard time making it work at $12 an
hour, " he said. " Now, it's raised another $1.68 when we
could hardly keep them paid up at $11.99. "
To control pests including diamondback moths, which
harm greens and cabbage, and pepper weevils, which
damage jalapenos, cubanelles and red fresnos, the
company tests crop protectants, experimenting with
different chemicals. Constant pest monitoring is required.
Fighting weeds, pests
Hosting seed company and university variety trials,
new crops remain key to Lewis Taylor's success.
" You want the best crop for the best variety to have the
best yield, " Brim said. " With so many different varieties
out there, you need to make sure you're picking the right
ones. You don't want to do something only for the sake of
doing something. You want to do it right and want to do it
to be the best, not that you're the best. "
Extension personnel are provided spots in fields for
crop destruction tests and experimental spraying. As
growers don't want to spray more than needed, the trials
are good at showing which products work well, such as
copper, and how many pounds per acre must be sprayed,
Brim said.
In the early 2000s, Brim worked closely with UGA
researchers on methyl bromide replacements. He helped
researchers test and develop a methyl bromide alternative
known as the UGA 3-WAY: Telone II, chloropicrin and
metam, a three-way replacement to manage insects,
nematodes, soilborne pathogens and weeds. Brim worked
to ensure growers received the benefits of controlling
those pests, including purple and yellow nutsedge weeds.
" If we didn't have the three-way, we would have been
out of business by now, " Brim said.
Soil tests help maintain soil health. Most of the
Workers harvest squash. Keeping labor costs under
control is a big priority at Lewis Taylor Farms.
Photo: Lewis Taylor Farms
Scan cards more efficiently monitor workers'
performance and aid accounting. Lewis Taylor staff daily
discusses how it can reduce labor costs.
The first Georgia farm to use H-2A labor, 80% of Lewis
Taylor's labor signed on in 1997, requiring younger
workers to succeed the aging workforce.
" You really have to stay on top of it, " Brim said. " You
must make sure your supervisors are getting the most
you can out of them. "
That involves ensuring workers aren't idle but
receive plenty of water and rest times and are treated
well, he said.
Technology, including computerized drip irrigation,
helps consistently apply water and nutrients.
Plasticulture reduces weed competition and advances
crop yields. For years, Lewis Taylor's drones have
scouted fields to quickly display disease pressure. GPS
ensures crop rows are consistent and fields are level.
company's produce is grown on plasticulture, except
for some cabbage, greens and broccoli, gaining three to
four crops off a single layer of plastic. Through doublecropping
cantaloupes with cotton, the farm more
efficiently uses cover crops in row middles. During the
fall, millet is planted.
Brim grew up on a farm near Pelham, Georgia, west of
Moultrie. After attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural
College in Tifton, Brim worked for a feed and fertilizer
company. During the 1980s, his father-in-law, the father
of current business partner Ed Walker, requested Brim
help them on the farm. Brim and Walker then began
buying out the farms' owners.
The two have worked together for nearly 40 years.
Their children also work the farm, which include entities
handling produce growing, packing and hydrocooling,
as well as greenhouses that grow vegetable, cantaloupe
and watermelon transplants.
" We have been blessed with good people working for us
and people who don't mind working, " Brim said. " This has
given us great opportunities to expand our operation. "
Being one's own boss is a great benefit of farming
for Brim.
" Farmers love seeing things grow, " he said. " You kind of
get farming in your blood. You love seeing things grow. "
VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 7
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February 2023

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