This Georgia Farm is a Real Peach

Good Sam Elite Members stay free for one night at destinations participating in the Overnight Stays program. Here’s a glimpse of one potential road-trip stop: a historic orchard where Georgia’s rich heritage of peach and pecan growing is just one part of the story. Wendy Barton of Lane Southern Orchards answers a few questions:

Wildsam: What’s the brief history of Lane Southern Orchards?

Wendy Barton: Established in 1908, our farm has been a longstanding part of Georgia agriculture. Our farm currently has 6,000 acres of pecans and 5,000 acres of peaches, making us the largest grower of both commodities in the United States. Our Roadside Market, which opened in 1990, sees over 350,000 visitors annually who enjoy breakfast, lunch, our famous peach cobbler and ice cream and all of the peach and pecan offerings you can think of.  

Hit the Road: Find more Georgia gems in the Wildsam Atlanta field guide.

What experiences do you offer Overnight Stays guests?

WB: We're proud to welcome RV travelers who choose to spend the night in our parking lot as part of their journey.  These guests enjoy our expansive farm, with acres of picturesque groves for walking their furry family members, as well as enjoying the beauty of the farmland in general.  They love that our Café offers the perfect spot to grab breakfast or a late lunch, along with fresh-baked treats from our Peachtree Café & Bakery. Our roadside market features seasonal produce and a wide selection of Georgia Grown products, and we constantly hear raves about our peach cobbler and ice cream. And of course, the rocking chairs on our front porch are a favorite place to relax and stay awhile. They also like that we have a Home Delivery department that ships our farm-fresh items. 

Elite Member Benefit: Book a night at Lane Southern Orchards via Good Sam.

Tell us more about the region around you—what’s to see and do?

WB: Middle Georgia has so much to offer. Agriculture and tourism are our state’s top two industries. A short drive gets to many attractions. You can visit the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, home to Robins Air Force Base, and the American Camellia Society's beautiful gardens and home to the largest collection of Edward Boehm porcelain sculptures. Macon is just up the interstate and has a rich history of music—home of the Allman Brothers, Little Richard and Otis Redding. There you’ll find the Sports Hall of Fame, Tubman Museum and some of the best restaurants around.   

What’s your favorite question a visitor has asked?

WB: I think it would have to be "How do you pronounce pecan?"