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Editor’s Note: This feature originally ran in the annual 20 Under 40 magazine which was a part of the LaGrange Daily News July 31 edition. If you would like to pick up a copy of the 20 Under 40 magazine, please visit our office at 115 Broad Suite 101.

While some are lucky enough to have a green thumb. A select few are blessed with the emerald city of thumbs. JoHanna Biang, the Horticulture Manager at Dilles and Dales Estate is one of those people. 

Biang is a relatively new transplant to Troup County, having moved here in 2022. However, she is already woven into the LaGrange community.

“Last year I was involved in LaGrange 101, a citizen’s class. It was a great way to meet other people in the community and to understand how the city operates,” Biang said. 

This year she is enrolled in the program, Leadership Troup. 

“I’ve met some great people in this class and enjoy connecting with others in the community. I’m also learning valuable lessons about leadership that I can use in my manager role at Hills and Dales,” she said.

The 37-year-old was born in Springfield, Missouri but moved to Meansville, Georgia when she was eight. 

Biang has become an expert in her field. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Horticulture from the University of Georgia. And, in 2023 she finished her PhD program, also at UGA, in Crop and Soil Science.

“My research was on campus farms and what students gain from internships on campus farms,” Biang explained. “This was a huge accomplishment for me and took 5 years to complete since I was also working full-time as the Farm Manager of UGArden, UGA’s student community farm.”

Needless to say, Biang is a lover of all things gardening, outdoors, and horticulture. 

“I love working outside with plants and being able to select the colors and plants that we will plant in the annual beds each year…Gardens offer a lot of joy and peace for our guests, and I enjoy being a part of that,” Biang said.

Biang said one of the things that appeals to guests, and herself is the ever-changing nature of…nature.

“The seasonality of a garden is fun to watch from daffodils and deciduous magnolias in late winter to azaleas and camellias in the spring to yarrow and daylilies in the summer and the beautiful fall foliage,” Biang said. “There’s always something to enjoy in a garden in every season.”

Aside from her job, she is a member of the Talisman Garden Club. Fly-fishing has become a recent hobby of Biang to get outdoors in a new and different way. Indoors still draw joy, she is involved in her church. Biang also enjoys knitting, baking, reading and getting to hang out with her dog, Rowdy.

“My faith is very important to me, and I enjoy connecting and worshiping with other believers in the local church,” Biang said. 

Hills and Dales has a small demonstration garden on the estate. Biang uses the garden to grow vegetables for the staff and donate excess produce to Feeding the Valley food bank.

“A passion of mine is providing access to fresh produce for citizens of all socio-economic backgrounds…I would love to connect with groups who are developing community gardens and increasing access to fresh locally grown produce.

As Biang becomes more ingrained in the community, through Leadership Troup, she is working to make these connections. 

“I would love to combine my work at Hills and Dales Estate with more community-based organizations and am looking for those opportunities. Education and service and two passions of mine,” she said.