MOULTRIE, Ga. — A man and wife dropped by the SCORE booth at the Sunbelt Expo a few weeks ago and noted that they are retired and are considering some type of agricultural venture on some land they own … perhaps a niche crop or maybe light vegetable production. They wanted advice.

This visit painted a small picture of what the latest element of SCORE is designed to address.

SCORE (Service Corporation of Retired Executives) has been under way for a couple of years now with the purpose of advising people who might be considering going into a business or expanding a business. More recently, USDA joined with SCORE nationwide and added an agricultural tangent.

The local SCORE project is headed up by retired banker Bob Montgomery. Several mentors volunteer their services to SCORE in this endeavor.

The agricultural aspect of SCORE, however, requires a specific set of mentors and a group of four community members have formed a team to advise in this regard.

“What we’re talking about here is helping those seeking a farming niche or maybe someone who is retired and wants to venture into farming on a small scale,” said Montgomery. He said a young person considering farming as a career might benefit from others’ experience.

“Our role is not geared toward the big farmer. They know what they are doing,” he added.

To help launch this program, Montgomery has called together a meeting on Thursday of people who might give the mentors directions on reaching those who need these services. Who are these people and how do we get to them is the question being asked. Expected to be on hand are representatives from USDA, UGA Extension from Athens, Colquitt County Extension, Economic Development Authority, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, local ag instructors, Fort Valley State College.

“It’s going to be a brainstorming event,” said Montgomery.

The  agricultural tangent of SCORE 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 arm 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 Montgomery.

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

On board as mentors 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. Recently joining the team is P.L. Towers who has many years experience in agricultural finance.

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 specialty crops potential, such as organic farming, might also have application in the SCORE venue. SCORE is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration.