Eric Wagoner

When you picture the typical farmer, you tend to think overalls and a straw hat. But Eric Wagoner, who splits his time between growing heirloom vegetables on his 13-acre farm and working as a software developer downtown, is using his two very different interests to break the mold.

In 2006, he designed the software for the online farmers market Athens Locally Grown, which offers a convenient way for shoppers to buy from a wide variety of local farms. For Wagoner, it was as easy as seeing a need in the Athens area and using his unique talents to fill it.

"Being a nerd and a farmer ... is kind of a rare combination," he said.

"But we had the farms and the customer base in town that wanted to try it. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time with the right skill set."

Athens Locally Grown members order homegrown products online every week, then pick up their orders downtown. In just a few years, the company has grown to more than 2,000 households in the Athens area alone, and Wagoner has since made the software available to about 100 other Locally Grown's around the country.

For Wagoner, who is an avid cook, buying from local farms not only supports the local economy, but also offers the best selection of fresh ingredients.

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