My name is Lucas Parmer and my family owns Abbottsford Farms. Our farm is a small scale direct to consumer produce farm in Troup County, Georgia. I got into farming about five years ago because I believed our community needed a fresh alternative to grocery stores. Farming is hard work, but when I see the fruits of our labor come to fruition, it drives me to keep going. Our community, believe it or not, is considered a food desert. Meaning we don’t have enough farms to support the amount of people who live here. That’s a dangerous predicament for our future. We saw how the pandemic effected our supply chains and how it just takes a brief period to be cutoff from most of our food supply. Farming is our passion and we want to make meaningful change in our community to move us out of this food desert and toward a more sustainable future.
About Lucas Parmer
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family has a long history here in LaGrange. My grandfather (JW Parmer) owned and managed Parmer Brother’s Grocery for nearly 70 years. My father Philip Parmer started Parmer Water company nearly 40 years ago. The food and beverage industry has always been something that I’ve wanted to be a part of and this is my contribution.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I currently work for Culligan Water Company (formerly Parmer Water Company) as a route sales representative. Farming is our “side hustle” even though its full time work. We do it because we love it! Previously I was an airline pilot for two different airlines; Expressjet (Delta Connection) and Allegiant Air. My future plans are to open a seasonal fresh market grocery store with a farm to table restaurant.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
When you feel like you can’t do it any more and you want to quit, just remember that your real close to succeeding. That’s what I live by everyday.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself hopefully managing the farm, store, and restaurant full time.
Lucas Parmer & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Cart Barn, Mare Sol, Fatdaddy’s, Yama, Oink Joint, and Venucci’s
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Basically my whole life besides college and a small part of my airline career.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I would say that our community is very supportive of new and fresh ideas.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Andrew Zimmern. Grew up watching his shows and I’ve always wanted to meet him. We would probably cook for him at the farm.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Forrest Gump and Dexter
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I would say that a lot of people didn’t know that I was a pilot previously.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10
I would definitely say my family and how farming allows me to teach my kids how to live off of the land.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family. Especially my kids because I want to provide a better future for them and I want them to know what hard work looks like.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Faith, Family, and Food
