- Local Dairy
In 1845, the Agriculture Society was formed in Putnam County. Up until the early 1900's, Putnam was just another rural Georgia county. In 1901 Putnam was rated the third leading dairy county in the state. Suddenly farms were popping up all over the county, and orders poured in. Members of the dairy community chartered the Eatonton Creamery, a cooperative, in 1909. There were 58 members in the original charter, which also included dairymen from neighboring counties. The creamery's focus was to sell and make milk, cream, ice cream, and butter. The Creamery quickly made dairy products Putnam's #1 agricultural product, relegating timber to the #2 slot. This achievement is celebrated every year at the annual Dairy Festival.
- Eatonton Co-Op Feed Company
An article in the Macon Telegraph in 1909 included an item about Putnam's butter along with the visit of President Howard Taft. Taft had requested that some Putnam County butter be served to him at breakfast. It became known as "Sweet Clover" butter.
Putnam County was also the home of Dr. Benjamin Hunt, who founded the dairy industry of Georgia. He is also known for developing the delicious Hunt Grape.
Links to informative sites on local agriculture:
