By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture is focused on educating congressional leaders about the importance of passing a new farm bill sooner rather than later. Speaking at the Georgia Farm Bureau meeting last week, Tyler Harper talked about the significance a new farm bill will have on specialty crop production throughout the Southeast. “We were all hoping that they …
GFVGA Executive Vice President: Increased AEWR Could Eventually Lead to Less Acres in Production
By Clint Thompson An increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) means Georgia specialty crop producers will have had their labor expenses increase by 21% the past two years. Combine that with the 28% increase from 2011 to 2020 and Georgia farmers have experienced an almost 50% increase in the past 12 years. That is a tough reality for …
Looking to the Future: Georgia Ag Commissioner Speaks at Georgia Farm Bureau
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture understands the obstacles Georgia’s farmers were challenged with during the 2023 season. But Tyler Harper also believes the resiliency of his state’s producers will carry them through to 2024. Harper spoke about the future of agriculture, Georgia’s No. 1 industry, during Monday’s Georgia Farm Bureau meeting in Jekyll Island. “2023 has been a …
Thompson Recognized by UGA Extension
One of AgNet Media’s award-winning journalists added another award to his collection earlier this month. Clint Thompson, a senior multimedia journalist who has worked with AgNet Media since 2020, was presented the Mass Media Award by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension at its annual meeting of Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents in Augusta, Georgia, on Nov. 14. “It …
GFVGA Leader: Farm Bill Extension Disappointing
By Clint Thompson An extension to the farm bill buys legislators extra time to devise a new bill before the elections next November. Count the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) as one organization that was disappointed a new bill was not implemented this year. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA, talked about the farm bill and …
Georgia Farm Bureau Members to ‘Dig In’ to Agriculture at Annual Convention
MACON, Ga. – Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members will gather on Jekyll Island Dec. 3-5 for the organization’s 86th annual convention. Attendees will be ‘Diggin’ In’ to agriculture issues and advocacy as they participate in event activities. This year marks the 59th year GFB has held its convention on Jekyll Island. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and motivational speaker Matt …
Pecan Producers Contemplating Farming Futures Amid Discouraging Season
By Clint Thompson While input expenses remain high, pecan prices are staggeringly low. That has forced some growers to contemplate their farming future, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “There’s a lot of discouragement out there right now. The costs of production have gone up. The prices have dropped. Even in the face of a short crop, …
Under the Spotlight: GFVGA Two-Day Forum Addresses Labor Concerns
By Clint Thompson Ask a specialty crop grower what their top concern is, and the likely responses are labor and trade; maybe not in that order but definitely at the top of the list. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) helped alleviate some of the labor concerns by hosting its annual Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum in Tifton, …
Reality Setting In: Pecan Crop Much Shorter Than Expected
By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan growers must realize this year’s crop might not be all it was cracked up to be heading into the season. Even after Hurricane Idalia impacted acreage in Southeast Georgia, growers were hopeful to still produce a bountiful harvest this season. Most believed the crop was later than expected, but that is not the case this …
GFVGA Optimistic New Farm Bill to be in Place Sooner Rather than Later
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) remains optimistic that a new farm bill will be in place sooner rather than later. Even amid the delays with the election of a new Speaker of the House, Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA believes Mike Johnson’s election as the new speaker will help expedite the …