David and Allison Key of Key Farms have been named the North Region finalists for the 2027 Georgia Young Farmers Association Farm Family of the Year, an honor recognizing outstanding farm families and their contributions to agriculture and communities across the state.
Representing Carroll County and North Georgia, the Keys are one of just three families statewide advancing to the final stage of the Farm Family of the Year program.
For David and Allison, farming is more than an operation, it is a way of life rooted in family, hard work, stewardship and a commitment to the community they call home. Through Key Farms, their family continues to carry forward the values and traditions of Georgia agriculture while creating
opportunities for others to experience and better understand where their food comes from.
The honor is especially meaningful for a family whose commitment to serving others extends well beyond the farm. David, a civil engineer and co-owner of Carrollton-based Contour Retaining Walls, brings a professional perspective rooted in responsible development and stewardship of the land, water and natural resources. Allison, a physician and owner of 3:16 Healthcare, has built her career around caring for families throughout West Georgia. Together, their work in engineering, healthcare and agriculture reflects a shared commitment to serving their community, caring for the resources entrusted to them and creating a lasting impact for future generations.
As North Region finalists, David and Allison welcomed judges to Key Farms last week, where they had the opportunity to showcase their farming operation, share their family’s story and highlight the role agriculture continues to play in their lives and in the surrounding community.
The Keys join Central Region finalists Jake and Shannon Patrick of Effingham County and South Region finalists Ryne and Mikala Powers of Appling County.
One of the three finalist families will be named the 2027 Georgia Young Farmers Association Farm Family of the Year during the association’s Annual Convention in January.
Being named a North Region finalist is an honor for the entire Key Farms family and an opportunity to represent Carroll County and North Georgia while celebrating the farmers, families and communities who make Georgia agriculture so strong.
David and Allison are grateful for the opportunity to share the story of Key Farms and to represent their home community on the statewide stage. They look forward to continuing to grow, serve and steward the land for generations to come.
Author: Vanessa Musick
