At Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable Farm, Kent Hamilton and his daughter Courtney Hamilton Griffin are doing more than growing produce—they’re creating a legacy of sustainability and innovation. In a new episode of America’s Heartland, produced in partnership with SARE, the Hamilton family shares how their Georgia farm is evolving to meet the growing challenges of heatwaves and intensifying storms.
Located in Norman Park, Ga., Southern Valley operates year-round, cultivating a variety of fruits and vegetables across three strategic locations to ensure stability in an increasingly unpredictable growing season. The family’s approach includes meticulous crop planning, rapid postharvest cooling, and flexibility in the face of extreme weather events.
“We’re doing the basics of human life,” says Courtney Hamilton Griffin, whose family has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture in the Southeast. “We’re doing something that’s been done for generations.” She acknowledges that it has become increasingly challenging for agriculture producers in recent years, due to the variability of weather events across the nation.
As extreme heat becomes more frequent, the farm has adjusted harvesting schedules to prioritize worker safety. “Mother Nature drives everything we do,” says Kent Hamilton. “During extreme heat, we start harvesting early in the morning or shift to later in the evening. The biggest concern is keeping our people safe.”
The Hamiltons also brace for hurricanes, whose growing intensity and frequency pose a major threat to crops in the region. By operating across multiple sites and staying nimble in their crop timelines, Southern Valley is building resilience while maintaining high-quality standards.
“Treat people with kindness and love and respect,” Courtney Hamilton Griffin says. “They’re going to give that in return.” For the Hamiltons, agriculture isn’t just about food—it’s about community, responsibility, and legacy.
This video is part of an episode of RFD-TV's America's Heartland produced by PBS KVIE highlighting farmers and ranchers who are using sustainable strategies to adapt to challenging weather conditions. View the entire episode at Farming Strategies for Adapting to Extreme Weather.