Eddy Turner’s journey began on a family farm near Tennille, GA in Washington County, where he spent his youth tending to chores until he was old enough to operate tractors, combines, and cotton pickers. Engaged in 4 H and FFA, Turner’s early ambition was to farm alongside his father. However, his father encouraged him to pursue a business career first. Despite this, Turner maintained a passion for farming and in his spare time, worked alongside his dad.
Turner enjoyed a long and prosperous career in the Kaolin industry, but in 1976, he purchased a 280-acre farm that had been neglected for many years, embarking on a journey to clear brush and restore abandoned fields. Through the droughts of 1977 – 1982 and turbulent economic conditions with high interest rates, he adapted by transitioning from row crops to focusing on cattle and forage production, aligning with his land’s capabilities during dry periods.
Over the years, Turner expanded his holdings, acquiring additional acreage in 1992 and 2001, totaling 580 acres today, with a mix of farmland, improved pine timber, and natural hardwoods. Utilizing programs from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), he converted marginal row crop land to loblolly pine.
Today he grows 125 acres of hybrid Bermuda hay and sells to consumers for horses, cattle and grass fed beef production. The hay is sold based on quality measured by University of Georgia forage analysis. Since 2014, his hay has consistently ranked among the top three in the Southeast Hay Quality contest. Turner humbly attributes his success to divine providence, noting, “God grows the hay, and we only harvest it.” Yet, Turner admits you must also have the necessary knowledge and expertise to ensure consistent high-quality yields annually. He sells around 35,000 small bales per year to farm retail centers and about 400 round bales directly to grass fed cattle producers.
Beyond hay production, Turner is actively enhancing soil health on 55 acres of row crop land. He employs multi-species cover crops in winter including oats, crimson clover, Persian clover, daikon radish, and kale. He follows with grain sorghum, sun hemp, or sunflowers in summer, adopting no-till practices to increase organic matter and carbon content. The results have been promising, with organic matter rising from 1.6 percent to 2.6 percent over four years, enhancing water retention and reducing herbicide use. The goal is to maximize organic matter left on the soil surface, and resources through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) were essential in enabling this practice to be applied. He was able to demonstrate these applications and benefits at the farm when hosting a Soil Health Workshop this past fall (2023).
Turner’s stewardship extends to wildlife management, with dedicated plots and buffer strips around cropland, improving habitat for deer, turkey, and quail. These wildlife plots are no-till for both winter and summer plants.
Engaged in agricultural leadership, Turner serves on various boards and associations. He is on the board of Washington County Farm Bureau, serving as president; he’s chairman for Washington County Ag Center and the Annual Ag Center Rodeo; he’s on the board of supervisors for Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District; and he’s a member of Washington County Cattlemen’s Association, serving as Secretary-Treasurer.
Outside of farming, Turner and his wife Ruthi, alongside their son Trey, actively manage operations. They cherish family time with their three grown children and two grandsons and are committed members of the First Baptist Church of Sandersville, where Turner serves in leadership roles.
Recognized as Conservationist of the Year for his Conservation District in 2023, Turner remains committed to advancing soil health practices and sharing his knowledge. The Soil Health Workshop he hosted last year on his farm underscores his dedication to sustainable agriculture and community education.
To arrange a speaking engagement, interview, field tour, or other activity with Eddy Turner or the NACD Soil Health Champions Network, contact NACD’s Beth Mason at beth-mason@nacdnet.org.
