Newsmaker of the Year: Farming remains strong in county; Banks farm receives ...

Farming continues to be strong in Banks County with poultry and cattle farms dotting the landscape. The county continues to be at the top of state agriculture lists each year and a Banks County farm was recognized this year for more than 100 years of continuous farming.

The J.H. Brooks Home Place on Silver Shoals Road in Banks County was awarded the Georgia Centennial Farm Award at the Georgia State Fair in Perry. Since this shined a light on farming in the county, the family has been selected as the “Newsmaker of the Year.”

The family farm, Boring & Brooks Estate, is currently owned by Todd Brian Boring, who is the great-great-great-grandson of James Brooks. Boring accepted the award in Perry, along with his father Butch Boring and his uncle who lives on the farm, Jim Boring. The farm was one of only three in Banks County to receive this honor.

Boring is in the process of applying for the National Historic Register for the home place that has been remained in the same family for six generations.

The Boring & Brooks estate has been farmed by the same family for over 150 years. The first known date of the J.H. Brooks (Junius Hillyer) Home Place property for tax records in Banks County was in 1873. From 1873 to Aug. 1937, the farm was operated with a working cotton gin and sawmill. Cotton was one of the primary crops grown on the farm. Corn was also a major crop produced on the farm. A general store, constructed around 1886, was located on the property and was considered a focal point for commerce trade and a United States Mail Distribution Center.