Lee County, Georgia — U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture committee, visited Albany last Friday and joined local growers on a pecan farm damaged by severe storms.
The trip highlighted his commitment to South Georgia farmers — including his focus on securing federal disaster assistance to Georgia farmers impacted by these storms and protecting permanent disaster assistance to provide relief following future natural disasters and stronger storms. The senator toured the farm with Justin Jones, owner of Jones Planting Company and Maryanne Brown, president of the National Pecan Federation.
Senator Warnock
“Our farmers represent an answered prayer, for they give us our daily bread. So it’s these hard-working farmers, as well as the families they serve across our state, who I have in mind as I serve on the farm bill as a member of the Senate Agriculture committee — working to do all we can to help bring costs down, help increase support in times of crisis, and help farmers thrive,” said Senator Warnock following his visit. “We must protect farmers in the face of severe weather and increasingly disastrous storms. I know communities in South Georgia know too well the damage that Hurricane Idalia caused, for instance. Our climate is changing. Our farmers have been trying to adapt. But they need Congress to adapt to our new reality, too.
“That is why earlier this year I introduced bipartisan legislation with Republican Senator Tillis of North Carolina to protect America’s orchardists and growers by reforming the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) – a critical farm safety net program,” continued Senator Warnock. “My legislation would help more farmers replant alternative, more resilient trees and bushes after disasters by expanding eligibility for federal relief. This legislation is good for Georgia’s economy and will help make the agriculture sector more resilient to climate change. I’m going to push to make sure this critical legislation is included in the farm bill.”