Georgia Attorney General Pleads for Clarity Regarding AEWR

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is imploring the Department of Labor (DOL) to explain the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and pause the scheduled increases producers are saddled with this year. In a letter addressed to Julie Su, Deputy Secretary of Labor, and Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, Carr stressed that the DOL’s updated rule would have …

Corn Earworm a ‘Ridiculous’ Pest in South Georgia Sweet Corn

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles  Georgia is the third-largest fresh market producer of sweet corn in the United States with about 27,000 acres per season. Sweet corn is also the second-most valuable vegetable crop produced in the state. Consumers love sweet corn, but so do corn earworms (CEW), which have become increasingly problematic. With virtually zero tolerance for CEW in fresh sweet …

University of Georgia Research: Biochar Helps Improve Soil Profile

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) research has shown that biochar applications help vegetable farmers improve their soil’s profile. Ted McAvoy, an assistant professor and vegetable production Extension specialist, has studied biochar’s use on the UGA Tifton Campus. He talked about its impact in vegetable production “Biochar is charcoal essentially. Unlike other organic matter from cover crops and chicken …

Fight the Fight: Georgia Agribusiness Council a Strong Supporter for State’s Farmers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers rely on industry supporters like Will Bentley, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, to be a voice at the state and federal levels. It is a responsibility that Bentley does not take lightly. “For us at the Agribusiness Council, we feel like our role is to take that fight to the capitol; whether that’s …

Ag Commissioner: Important to Protect Georgia Ag from Adversarial Countries

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The idea that an adversarial country owning land in Georgia is unacceptable to Tyler Harper, Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner. He hopes to take steps next year in ensuring countries like China and Russia are unable to purchase land in the state. “It’s important that we protect agricultural land in Georgia for producers in Georgia and those that are …

Update: Pecan Harvests Nearing Finish in Georgia

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests are nearing an end in Georgia. This year’s harvest season is concluding quicker than normal, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. He estimated that 90% of the crop has been harvested. “Probably those that are not finished are about to wrap up their second harvest, or either they waited until they …

Senator Warnock Highlights Support for Georgia Pecan Producers During Farm Visit in Albany

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

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 …

Georgia Ag Commissioner: New Farm Bill Needs to Get Across Finish Line

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

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 …

Looking to the Future: Georgia Ag Commissioner Speaks at Georgia Farm Bureau

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

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 …

Georgia Farm Bureau Members to ‘Dig In’ to Agriculture at Annual Convention

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

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 …