Donna Sanders is the Assistant Producer, Food Editor, and official photographer for the network television, YouTube, and National Ag in the Classroom series Where The Food Comes From. This article shares her behind-the-scenes look, in words and photos, at our day filming with Farm Journal Foundation Ambassador Ricky O. Dollison at Dollison Farms in Poulan, Georgia.
On a cold and windy day in October Where The Food Comes From traveled to Poulan, GA to visit Dollison Farms and the Dollison Family, who’ve been farming in deep rural Georgia for 75 years and five generations, raising pigs and cows and goats and whatever crops are likely to bring the next payday. But what happens off the farm through their position as Farm Journal Foundation ambassadors might be even more important. What unfolded was a shoot full of multigenerational charm, camaraderie… and one truly unforgettable costar.
Bernice Dollison
Our day began bright and early in the home of the family’s matriarch Bernice Dollison: AKA “Big Mama”. Ms. Bernice graciously prepared breakfast for her family, guests, and our crew featuring Dollison Farms pork products. When I say Producer and Host Chip Carter was in hog-heaven, that’s a total understatement. You see, Chip is Georgia-grown and when we have an opportunity to shoot an episode in his home state he’s all in — the addition of homemade bacon, sausage, and grits was a delicious bonus.
Even at 92, Ms. Bernice doesn’t miss a trick. As generations of Dollisons gathered around the feast, she talked to Chip about her family. The expression on her face made it evident they are what keeps her going — and are the living example of the life she’s built and her well-earned pride.
Ms. Bernice told us her day starts at 4:30 a.m. (groan — I can relate after a career as a nurse, and our days on the road often start early too). She talked about her love of cooking, including making pear preserves from a tree in the yard just like her mother taught her. How special is that? Also, quite delicious.
After that hearty Southern breakfast, we were ready to tackle our day at Dollison Farms. Very soon, we met our unexpected costar: A quite-curious black goat, who seemed to be the ringleader. The goats were a hoot to watch as they jumped in and out of the bed of the pickup truck — even while it was moving. Surprisingly the goats well…have you ever told someone they smelled like a goat? These goats didn’t smell like that — or like anything. I wasn’t grabbing for my hand sanitizer after petting them. Now that is saying a lot — I’m from the suburbs of New Jersey.
Which is why I have also never been this close to a huge pregnant pig that did not also have a fence between me and it. But there she was, roaming free while the other pigs were in their pens. Turns out there was a very good reason for that. She is going to give birth any day and, like any lady, she needs her privacy.
The heart of Dollison Farms is a 15-acre enclosed area where mama pig can roam and make a bed to give birth to her litter, safe and cozy the way nature intended. Fun Fact: After mama gives birth, she will emerge from her safe space, ready to find Dollison Farms Owner Ricky O. Dollison and present her new piglets. Fascinating.
Another surprise: there was no smell around the pigs or pig pens. And even this Jersey Girl knows that’s not normal. Turns out stinky pigs aren’t normal. Ricky explained that the pigs aren’t fed slop — leftovers, table scraps, pigs will notoriously eat almost anything — which causes the odor. Instead, they’re fed grain with nutritionally balanced salt and minerals. His philosophy is simple: Same as is true for you, proper nutrition from the start makes all the difference.
Chip Carter and Owner, Dollison Farms Ricky O. Dollison
Dollison Farms was founded in 1949 by Ricky’s grandparents, Robert and Ethel Dollison. Ricky’s dad ran the farm until he passed in 1993 and Ricky’s brother took over. In 2009 Dollison Farms changed hands once again. Ricky had left the farm for a good job in town years ago. But when his brother couldn’t continue, Ricky knew it was time for he and wife Leila to come home. What they have done and what they plan on doing is truly amazing.
Ricky’s father dreamed of starting his own packaged meat label. That didn’t happen during his lifetime. But the dream became a reality in 2018 when the Dollisons proudly introduced Warrior Creek Premium Meats. [EDITOR’S NOTE: WTFCF does not receive compensation of any kind for any product we mention or endorse]
Let’s meet Ricky.
Chip and Ricky first stopped to chat beside a field of yellow flowers, with our goat costar close by. Ricky told us that Dollison Farms offers hands-on learning to help families connect to the land — anyone’s free to come watch or get some hands-on experience. The next goal is to construct a building to house those who want to take full advantage of this experience, creating a permanent training facility. I’m a former nursing teacher — I’ll confirm that hands-on is totally the way to go. Gotta get your hands dirty to fully appreciate what it is you are learning.
Across the road is the pasture where the cows hangout. I was wondering why there was no barn. Ricky and Chip were too far away so I asked Ricky’s daughter Leiandra McLemore. She is a force onto her own – more about her in a minute.
The answer to the question kind of blew me away. This enclosed area totals 15-acres with a stream that runs through the middle of the wooded area. The cows roam freely, drink from the stream, and graze on the grass but are still supplemented with nutritional feed. Leiandra assured me the cows are perfectly safe in the wooded area during bad weather. Fun Fact – well I don’t know exactly how fun: The stream has run dry a few times and Ricky and his family have carried water to the cows by hand. That’s dedication!
As Ricky said, “You take care of the livestock and they will take care of you.”
Leiandra Dollison
Growing up, Leiandra McLemore probably didn’t often think about becoming a farmer. A graduate of Kennesaw State University, she had a thriving corporate career in Atlanta. But when Mom and Dad called, she returned home to the family farm to help launch Warrior Creek Premium Meats and help with sales and marketing of crops and products, thus fulfilling her grandfather’s dream! Leiandra is a fascinating young woman and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation.
Willie Cooper, Chip Carter, Ricky O. Dollison, Leila E. Dollison, Charlie P. Walker
Sitting on Big Mama’s porch Chip spoke with some pretty amazing people, all part of the support network that feels more like extended family: Willie Cooper CEO & Farmer, Elnora Farms Inc.; Ricky’s wife Leila E. Dollison; and Charlie Walker, Manager of Dollison Farms. Willie is a sixth-generation farmer raising chickens, catfish, Black Angus cattle, and cotton. Charlie is a fourth-generation farmer and cowboy. Their families have long helped each other out in this part of Georgia.
They talked about how the key to success is helping one another and it works through dedication, commitment and trust. Sounds to me like there may be a life lesson here — you can unpack that wisdom in the episode.
Like I said it was cold and windy — Leila noticed me turning blue and brought me into her home to warm up. The Dollisons are making sacrifices to build a dream; part of that involves living in a crowded little farmhouse, focusing more on what the farm needs than what they want. Except for the shoes. Ladies, Leila’s collection could rival Shoe Carnival!
I asked her about her life, how they did it, why they do it.
She told me, “We have our challenges [but] the land makes us feel grounded.” She loves to sit and look out over their acreage. That’s her peace.
Chip Carter and Charlie P. Walker
The day was moving quickly and we still had an opening to shoot (you might be surprised to know we don’t shoot the show in order, start-to-finish!). Chip and Charlie were talking and our cameraman Jake was filming. Our costar decided Jake’s jeans were unbearably appetizing and kept closing in to nibble on the legs. It was pretty comical watching Jake hold a camera on his shoulder, aiming with one hand and while trying to push the goat away with the other.
Funny as it was, I felt bad for Jake and cautiously approached the goat from behind, grabbed him by his collar, and looked into his eyes – boy were they weird looking – and whispered that he needed to leave Jake alone. I felt like he actually understood me and he stayed by my side until filming was over.
Chip decided to see if our costar would get in on the act while the opening was being filmed. And folks the goat absolutely did! This is one of my favorite pictures and makes me smile every time I look at it. You’ll see the big moment in the show. Now back to Big Mama’s Porch.
Communications and Events Manager – Farm Journal Foundation Karleigh Creighton
Let’s meet Communications and Events Manager for Farm Journal Foundation (FJF) Karleigh Creighton. FJF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to advance agricultural innovation, conservation, global food and nutrition security, and rural economic development. Boy, is that a mouthful. And quite a mission. And it was Karleigh who arranged our day at Dollison Farms (thank you Karleigh!).
That’s because Dollison Farms as a whole and Ricky in particular serve in the FJF Ambassador Program, which puts about 30 U.S. farmers to work each year as champions for investment in agricultural research and development. Agricultural innovation can help increase farm efficiency and crop yields both in the U.S. and abroad, and promote more stable societies, U.S. national security, and economic growth. FJF provides high-visibility opportunities to talk about their work and the issues the industry faces. That happens through some 100 events a year, ranging from town hall meetings to the Halls of Congress. Ricky represents the State of Georgia.
Karleigh spoke passionately about the Ambassador Program, “We want to hear from our farmers on the ground wherever they are. But more importantly we want to make sure they get a chance to share their stories with the world, with Congress. Ricky is amazing. He’s a tireless advocate for farming.”
“It’s not something I ever thought I’d be doing,” Ricky allows. “I’m just a humble country farmer. To have the opportunity to represent others and even talk to Congress, I could have never imagined that.”
Chip Carter and Ricky O. Dollison
Ricky is a go-getter. He not only sells his meats and the other crops they grow in season, he’s also become a manufacturer, creating a line of healthy products starring elderberries. Elderberries are known to boost the immune system and reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Plus they are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber.
Ricky’s products range from juice and spreads (the elderberry peanut butter is yum) to toothpaste. He works closely with the University of Missouri for research and quality control, and packages his products at the University of Georgia Food and Product Innovation Center. Working with Elderberries was something Ricky started during the Covid pandemic.
Necessity and hardship led to innovation. For farmers, they always have. Like Ricky says, “All advances come through hardship.”
And then the sun comes up and you do it all again.
Chip Carter and Ricky O. Dollison
