Georgia Magazine - January 2011 - (Page 38)

In the garden with Billy An unlikely pair cultivates a friendship By ReneA WinchesteR B illy Albertson and Renea Winchester (that’s me) are as different as beans and okra. Albertson is a 77-year-old goat farmer who doesn’t own a computer or cell phone. He rarely makes plans. Instead, he greets each day eager to see what “comes about.” However, in the garden, Albertson is methodical. Vegetable planting begins traditionally on Good Friday and continues until frost. In contrast, I lead a “plugged-in” life; my time is portioned into hourly segments. My garden, like my life, is chaotic. Billy Albertson’s story Hidden just off a busy road in north Fulton County, Albertson’s garden looks exactly as it did 45 years ago. Back then, everyone grew vegetables, and most families raised their own beef cattle. While progress has altered the landscape around him, Albertson’s way of life has changed very little. He still owns a Farmall tractor and the first truck he ever bought. The small pasture that once housed a milk cow is now home to a number of goats. Chickens provide eggs, and every now and then, a bunny invades the lettuce patch. It is in the garden where Albertson makes friends with everyone who visits. “It was one of the hottest days of the year,” Albertson recalls. “I was covered up with work. Everywhere I looked, something needed tending.” Two hundred Park’s Whopper tomato plants were ready for harvest, as were the beans, squash and okra. Albertson’s daughters, who live away from Billy Albertson and Renea Winchester have become the farm, had hoped unexpected gardening buddies. a Boy Scout troop would volunteer their assis- My side of the story tance during harvest time. InI have my 12-year-old daughter stead, my daughter Jamie and Jamie to thank for putting Billy AlI arrived. bertson in my life. She’s the one who “I looked up and there encouraged me to stop after seeshe was.” Albertson says of ing a sign that read, “Baby Goats.” I his friend. “She’s helped me pulled into his driveway expecting a sight.” to see just that. What we found were Our friendship began tomatoes, lots of tomatoes. Customthree years ago. ers were patiently waiting for Albertson, who was overloaded with work. While Jamie played with the goats, I Baby goats are part of the watched him operate his vegetable scenery at Albertson’s farm in stand with remarkable efficiency. We north Fulton County. More online at www.georgiamagazine.org GEORGIA MAGAZINE RENEA WINCHESTER 38 DENISE HUNTLEY http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - January 2011

Georgia Magazine - January 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Special Energy Report
A Country Boy Rolls
A Weekend in the Country
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia@home
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
2011 Readers’ Choice Awards Entry Form
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - January 2011