Mr. Hezekiah Backey, Jr. is a native Georgia Vegetable Farmer for over twenty (20) years. He is the owner of Backey’s Produce Added Value Processing Facility that meets USDA Food Safety Inspection Standard. He is certified in Food Safety for Fruits and Vegetables-Food Safety Training and Certification. He received a certification of completion for USDA Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP). He served as the Marketing Coordinator and Trainer for Southern Farmers Collaborative Group and an Advocate for Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Program- Dougherty County Extension Advisory Group Committee Program. He grows vegetables for vendors/stores across Georgia, Alabama and Florida, particularly collard greens, peas, okra, and squash, etc. He received vigorous training by attending University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Agriculture Workshops. Finally, he received the 2016 Agriculture and Natural Resources Farmer of the Year Award through Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension
