Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp attends organization’s celebration
By Clint Thompson
It is not often an organization celebrates 25 years of impact to Georgia’s No. 1 industry – agriculture. But that is exactly what is happening this year with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA).
Twenty-five years after its first organizational meeting at the Rural Development Center in Tifton, Georgia, the organization returned on Saturday, Aug. 21 to the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The event highlighted past presidents, the board of directors, sponsors and all who have helped GFVGA become a leader in the specialty crop industry in the Southeast. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp was also in attendance and provided his thoughts on GFVGA’s role as a voice for the state’s fruit and vegetable producers.
“The thing is a lot of people don’t realize Ag’s the No. 1 industry by far in the state. I think a lot of people sometimes forget the fruit and vegetable growers, but they bring a lot to the table as well, in our nurseries, greenhouses and traditional agriculture for growing fruits and vegetables,” Kemp said. “I’ve worked with this organization for a long time. Charles (Hall) and his team are great. They bring a lot to our economy. I’m honored to be here to support the 25th anniversary. That’s a pretty big deal.”
The organization’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is scheduled for Jan. 6-9, 2022, in Savannah, Georgia.