MOULTRIE, Ga. — Another hurdle has been crossed in setting up a pilot program in Moultrie and Colquitt County with a design to mentor anyone who might be considering getting into farming or expanding farming operations.

The  program is in seven states and is a partnership between the Farm Services Agency (USDA) and the state’s SCORE initiative. And for Georgia,  the pilot is being launched in Moultrie as a farming tangent to the traditional SCORE project begun here two years ago.

“It’s fitting that Georgia’s pilot be launched here since Colquitt County is the largest farming community in the state,” said Bob Montgomery, who directs the Moultrie SCORE initiative . Montgomery is a retired banker.

The partnership between USDA and SCORE was announced recently by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

At this point, Montgomery has been seeking mentors who have strong backgrounds in agriculture. On board are Stan Savage, a retired poultry scientist who is now a cattle farmer here in Colquitt County. Also, Thomas Coleman is a veteran Colquitt County farmer and Harry Thompson is a former vocational agriculture instructor, timber consultant and farmer.

“We’re looking for another mentor to join this group. I have some names we’re considering at the moment,” said Montgomery.

SCORE (Service Corporation of Retired Executives) provides mentors to those who might be considering going into business or expand a business. This added tangent just announced will deal strictly with the agriculture industry.

Farming is a bit more complex than launching what might be called a more conventional business. It requires mentors steeped in agronomics with lots of practical experience.

The mentoring effort might benefit young farmers who seek to carry on the family enterprise. As well, it might be of help to retired people who might want to dabble in farming on a small scale.

Mentors are volunteers who consult with clients and advise them on business plans, including capital required and potential markets for their products.

As with the more conventional phase of SCORE, the farm tangent may  hold workshops relative to specific areas of farm production and development.

“This project is moving fast,” said Montgomery. “We’re learning as we go, and we’ll be getting a lot of information to make this thing happen.”

This project can have broad application, FSA officials said. For instance, if a borrower is financially distressed and in need of mentoring support, a SCORE mentor may be able to provide financial guidance in reorganizing the business operation and goals. As well, FSA farm loan applicants may be referred to SCORE mentoring for additional guidance in formulating a viable farm or ranch operation.

Also FSA officials said disaster assistance and advice on speciality crops potential, such as organic farming, might also have application in the SCORE venue.

SCORE is a nonprofit resource partner of the Small Business Administration. Adding a farming tangent to the SCORE effort already under way in Moultrie comes as a partnership of FSA and SBA.