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Literacy is one of those quiet investments that pays dividends for a lifetime—and in Taylor County, Georgia, that investment is being made one child, one book, and one community partnership at a time.

In this episode of Front Porch Chats, we sat down with Alton Ford, a passionate advocate for literacy in Taylor County, to talk about the hands-on work happening locally and how it connects to one of the county’s most beloved traditions: the Georgia Strawberry Festival.

Literacy That Grows From the Community

Alton shared how literacy efforts in Taylor County are deeply rooted in community involvement. From school partnerships to volunteer opportunities, these initiatives are designed to meet families where they are—and to make reading accessible, engaging, and fun.

One unique connection? The Georgia Strawberry Festival, which brings people together from across the region. Events like the festival’s 5K race don’t just celebrate local agriculture and tradition—they also provide opportunities for volunteers to support literacy-focused outreach and community engagement.

Opening Books Early With Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

We also highlighted the incredible impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that provides free, age-appropriate books every month to children from birth to five years old.

Thanks to the support of the Flint Foundation, families in Macon, Marion, Talbot, and Taylor Counties can enroll their children at no cost—helping build strong reading habits before kids ever step into a classroom.

Early childhood literacy is a powerful tool, especially in rural communities, and programs like Imagination Library ensure that every child has the chance to grow up surrounded by books.

👉 Parents and caregivers can sign up children ages newborn to five for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library here:
(insert Imagination Library signup link)

Want to Get Involved?

If you’re interested in supporting literacy efforts in Taylor County—or if you’d like to volunteer for the Georgia Strawberry Festival 5K—there are plenty of ways to lend a hand.

Contact Information:

Whether it’s volunteering your time, spreading the word, or helping a child discover the joy of reading, these efforts prove that when a community comes together, literacy truly opens doors.