The Prentiss Headlight will begin a new weekly addition to the paper called “Garden Spot of the Earth.” We are asking readers to submit photos of their “garden spot” to be featured as part of promoting agriculture in Jefferson Davis County. JDC Economic Development Director Gary Bass came up with the idea from memories of his dad.

“My daddy was in the United States Air Force and had generals to go out of their way to fly over Jefferson Davis County because he wanted them to see how lush and green it was,” said Bass. “He told everyone it was the garden spot of the earth, so that is where I got the idea.”

Throughout the early years, the county was known for growing cotton with gins on every corner. Later, corn and soybeans were grown here, among others.

In an effort to brand the county, Bass feels this is the perfect avenue. “Why not brand it the Garden Spot of the Earth?”

“In my job they have asked me to fill our factories with manufacturers. We are not manufacturers, we are farmers. This is an agricultural county and an agricultural state and that is why I chose to focus on agriculture and not manufacturing. We need to start capitalizing on our assets.”

Photos are welcome of anything from a couple of plants on a patio to 50 acres of soybeans.

The JDC Economic Development is launching a new website soon and Bass feels the garden photos will be an asset for that as well. “We want to start promoting ourselves as the Garden Spot of the Earth. Send some photos so I can prove that to the rest of the world.”

Send your garden photos to editor@prentissheadlight.com for your photo to be featured in the Headlight.