Franklin Farms

Franklin Farms is located in the heart of Statesboro, GA. What started as a hobby for Joe Franklin in 2009 has grown to 50 acres producing numerous varieties of mandarin oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. The majority of the trees are two easy peel seedless mandarins; Satsumas, which are well known in Louisiana for their juicy and sweet flavor, and Kishu mandarins, which are delicate candy sweet mandarins that are sold as "Georgia Kisses". While Franklin Farms is not a certified organic farm, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are used minimally, if at all. Kaolinite, a clay mineral native to Georgia is used to protect the citrus from sun exposure and acts as a natural insect repellent. The citrus trees are planted in wide rows that allow roots to naturally hold the soil together combating erosion, and the orchard uses drip irrigation that allows them to use 1/10 the water as some other farms. Franklin's location is ideal for citrus production, far enough north to combat some of the issues of Florida growers, and just southern enough to ensure the trees don't experience regular freezes.