Meet the Team

Jeff Adams

Owner/Grower

When you’ve got a dream, a little determination and a lot of hard work can go a long way.

After growing up on a farm in Alabama (Roll Tide!) and earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville State University, Jeff Adams had a prosperous career in construction for the majority of his adult life in Georgia. Although construction is a great place to be for someone who’s quite the handy man, and can fix or build just about anything, Jeff’s real dream was to one day have his very own farm. After being interested in the agricultural world for quite some time and constantly keeping up with publications and farming media in his spare time, he would soon learn that hydroponics was in his future. In the late fall of 2011, with the help of his Dad Kyle, Jeff broke ground and constructed the greenhouse which would later become Circle A Farms. His dream materialized, and the “Best Lettuce Ever” began selling in March of 2012. While starting a new business is never “easy street” he is very grateful for the opportunity to grow local lettuce.

Since then, Jeff has led a wonderful local operation that has provided many repeat customers and countless new folks with the most nutritious and delicious lettuce possible. Think of it this way, you and Circle A Farms share the same backyard – you won’t find a more fresh and homegrown taste than our greens.

Cheryl Howlin

Co-owner/Grower/Business Development

Cheryl was born and raised in Michigan and spent memorable family vacations each summer at Callaway Gardens. She discovered a love for the south and realized she hoped one day she could make the south her home, now living here 22+ years. After touring the greenhouse in the 2nd month of operation, she was immediately drawn to the hydroponics process and the prospect of creating a way to deliver the wonderful greens to local families, restaurants and retail locations. With a B.S. in Dietetics & Food Science and extensive sales experience, she knew this would quickly become a local favorite. In early 2017, Cheryl developed the new “Farm to Porch” Direct Delivery program, bringing fresh greens directly from the farm to the home. Be sure to look for our delivery vans in your neighborhood. Her favorite part of Circle A Farms is providing a healthy product to promote wellness, the “shop local” concept or simply interacting with the fabulous customers the product attracts.

When not finding something new and innovative to apply to the Circle A Farms greenhouse, she loves to hike, read, spend time with her family, cook (occasionally!) or enjoy time with close friends, especially playing a game of Euchre.

Lori Gearino – Greenhouse Manager

Originally from New Jersey, Lori now live local in Cumming, GA. She has a farm with her husband and three children. Lori loves the idea of eating from the best sources possible and can be found often times creating a recipe from scratch, YES! Lasagna with homemade noodles and sauce. Delicious! When she’s not keeping the greenhouse running smoothly, she enjoys spending time with family and her many activities than running a farm demands.

Market Associate – UGA Agricultural Communications Intern

Kylee Howlin

Kylee has been an integral part of our team since 2013. With a passion for entreprenuership, Kylee enjoys not only the natural growing process of hydroponics but also sharing our produce with our customers at Farmer’s Markets. She is a senior at UGA majoring in agricultural communications. Kylee is an avid dog lover (most would say “dog whisperer”), loves to hike, decorate, organize and learn new things. With such an overall positive disposition, she brings such bright sunshine to our greenhouse during the summer months while on break from classes in Athens.

Bob Lyons

Delivery Driver

Prior to coming to the farm, Bob served in the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command for twenty three years. After retiring from the Army, for the next 17 years, Bob applied similar skills in the corporate world employed with a major insurance conglomerate. Bob left the corporate world in 2013 and began a new adventure performing home based chores as a household father and husband. An avid hydroponic lettuce fan and a long time Circle “A” Farm customer, Bob joined the team in 2017 when we expanded our home delivery business.

Bob is active with business and charity organizations, most notably “meals on wheel” and the Shrine.