Pushing Georgia Grown Beyond State Lines

2019 is set to be a year of expansion for the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Grown brand. Gary Black, Georgia commissioner of agriculture, is pleased to see his department grow this year.

To stretch Georgia Grown beyond the state’s border, two department employees have been moved into different positions. Sarah Cook will serve as the domestic brand manager. Her role will focus on reengaging Georgia Grown in nationwide activities. According to Black, Georgia has not been as active at big events like the Fancy Food Show. However, he says Cook has been putting together a strategic plan to increase Georgia Grown’s presence at national events.

The department also has a new international brand manager. Like Cook, Paul Thompson has been a department employee and is moving into a new role. Black says Thompson has already been on a couple of successful trade missions. He has another mission scheduled in March, during which he will promote Georgia pecans in Taiwan.

Black is hoping that these increased branding efforts will boost awareness of the Georgia Grown brand both in the United States and around the globe. “We’re really excited about those two initiatives,” he says.

Black adds that the department will be continuing initiatives from previous years as well, such as improving the nutritional value of school lunches.