-Chapter V- GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Murray County Agriculture And Mining
Fine Farming Section
This section is comparatively new, not having had the advantage of a railroad until recently, and there has been little or no effort made to Interest new settlers; and fanning has been carried on in a very crude fashion.
There aŤ some excellent farms here, though they could be very much improved; by modern methods; still they yield good crops, as the soil is very productive in most sections.
A small acreage here can be made to give handsome returns with less work than required in most sections.
The soil is yellow, gray or red clay with a clay subsoil mixed with a rich top soil of decayed vegetation; there still stand large tracts of virgin forests, that have shed their foliage for centuries enriching the ground. These lands can still be bought for a small sum and the timber sold off will about pay the cost of the land. Some good tracts at $1.25 an acre and up, while improved farms are offered at $15.00 up to $50.00 an acre. Dalton Citizen, June 21, 1934
Farming has been an important part of life in Murray County and virtually all natives of the county have agricultural roots. For over a century cotton was the principal commercial crop although most farmers engaged in subsistence agriculture to feed their families. Newspapers frequently carried announcements like the one above and those below:
1881 - "Banner Cotton Crop"
1927 - "4,976 Bales Ginned in Murray"
1928-"4,806 Bales Ginned"
In the 1930's, Murray still had many small farmers and a handful of large ones. The Great Depression hit the county's agriculturists as hard as any in the nation. Therefore, Murray farmers welcomed President Roosevent's AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act) in 1933. This act created the first of several agencies designed to help get agriculture back on its feet. The present agency, called the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service ,and directed for several years now by Jerry Kinser, continues to help Murray farmers.
Prior to the AAA, Murray had had a county agent provided by the State. A.E. Irving (1917), R.L. Vansant (1918), and H.N. Kemp (1919) were among the earliest agents. R.F. Whelchel, Whitfietd County Agent, organized the first "Boy's Agriculture Clubs" (4-H) around 1929. Murray then got another full-time agent in Mr. J.H. Henderson of Gordon County who served until 1940. Henderson was succeeded by J.C. Sheppard.
In 1951 H,0. Cole, Sr. was named county agent and served until his sudden death in 1979. Cole was noted for his work with 4-H youth as well as his civic work in the Kiwanis Club, church. Community Action Agency, North Georgia Area Planning and Development Commission, Cattleman's Association, and the Fair Association. In a show of respect, Murray County schools were dismissed early the day of Mr. Cole's funeral. Home economist Iris McGill worked closely with Cole as well as with his successors Louie Canova and Louis Dykes.
Another agricultural group, the Limestone Valley Soil Conservation District, was active for many years. Founded in 1939, Mr. R.H. "Huse" Gregory, served as the chairman of this advisory board for 30 years. The District consisted of Whitfield, Gilmer, Pickens. and Cherokee Counties along with Murray whose other representatives through the years included J.C. and James Loughridge.
In discussing the formation of the district the late Mr. Gregory once said: "We had just cottoned ourselves to death and we were going busted. The top soil was being washed away. Then the soil conservation people assisted us in the best use and treatment of land for long-time protection and improvement." The members of the District Board served voluntarily and with the help of the state Soil Conservation Service improved acres in Murray.
In 1947 Mr. Gregory was president of the Georgia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. That year Murray had 1,034 farms consisting of 128,741 acres. Four hundred fifty-six of the farms had received assistance with conservation planning. Also in 1947 the group hosted a large "Soil Conservation Rally" at the Carter Estate. U.S. Senator Richard Russell was the guest speaker. Murray agriculture was alive and well, but by the early 1960's, however, the situation was changing drastically.
During the 1950's the number of acres devoted to farming declined as did the number of farms. Commercial farms decreased from 539 in 1954 to 335 in 1959 although the gross sales increased from $2.374,362 to $3,901,023 during the same era. In 1940 agricultural jobs constituted over 52.5% of Murray's employment but by 1960 agriculture accounted for only 13.8%. During that 20-year period, 1,250 agricultural jobs were lost, partly due to improved technology and partly due to changes in society, the labor force, and the arrival of other job opportunities.
In the last 25 years the number of farms has continued to decline, but the average size has increased. The Pettys, Hills, Loughridges, Gregorys, C.W. Bradleys, Carters, and Homes are still noted names in Murray agriculture. Hay, cattle, com, soybeans, poultry, and pork are now the major agricultural products. However, many Murray Countians are still engaged in agriculture as is attested by the continued successful operation of the Murray County Cannery and the construction of a new Farmers Market in 1979. Financed through donations and a state grant, the Market is located at the corner of Green and Old Ellijay Roads on property donated by the Board of Education. The Farmers Market Advisory Committee in 1979 consisted of Torn Black, H.O. Cole, Willie Kemp, W.H. "Bill" Moreland, Lee Ridley, George Ross, and Tom Winkler. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin was the speaker at the dedication ceremony at which Bill Moreland was recognized for his "leadership, talents, and personal attention to planning and building this facility."
Forest and lumbering activities have remained popular since the days of the small, mobile family sawmills. Nearly 73% of Murray County's area is covered with forests with oak and pine the predominant species except in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Bowaters Southern Paper Company has been a principal pulpwood business since the 1950's.
Murray County Heritage