05/13/2026
As the Agriculture Agent for Monroe County I spend a fair amount of time visiting various farms. Last week I saw this and had to pull to the side of the road and take this picture.
LibertyJoy is a peach variety, that was bred in Byron, Ga. When the breeder was trying to select a name for this variety I suggested it be named after my daughter. He decided to go a different direction and created the "JOY" line of peach varieties. I can't remember exactly when it was released, but I was the technician that managed the research orchards where this variety and many others originated.
Over the years I have handled thousands of peach trees. I have eaten so many peaches that I can just about tell if a peach cobbler was made with canned peach vs. tree ripened fruit. I am looking forward to seeing these trees mature, and hopefully being able to taste a peach or two.
