By Clint Thompson The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) pledge of assistance to specialty crop producers was needed for growers suffering from increased imports from Mexico. Even if ambassador Katherine Tai opted not to follow through on a Section 301 petition to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry, she pledged to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish an …
New GFVGA Executive Vice President: Butts Assumes Role on Dec. 1
By Clint Thompson The new executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) hopes to continue the success the previous leader sustained for 25 years. Chris Butts has big shoes to fill when he takes over for Charles Hall as the new leader of the GFVGA on Dec. 1. But he believes the infrastructure is already …
Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum Set for Aug. 25-26
By Clint Thompson Georgia producers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for this year’s labor relations forum, scheduled for Aug. 25-26 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), talked about this year’s event which will feature talks pertinent to the ag …
USMCA Update: GFVGA Executive Director Hopeful to Limit Imports During Marketing Season
By Clint Thompson The future of the USMCA is unclear. What is clear is that modifications need to be made to the important piece of legislation, says Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “Yes, we did feel like changes were needed, and frankly, I think we need to let the dust settle a …
GFVGA Executive Director: We Have to Remain Unified Amid Potential Labor Reform
By Clint Thompson Additional work is required for the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and other specialty crop groups who want the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act to become permanent. The recently released legislation, introduced by U.S. Representative GT Thompson, would bring much-needed reform to the H-2A system. But more week is needed to make the first reform to …
GFVGA Executive Director: We’ve Got to Have Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is one of the many ag-based organizations praising the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, recently introduced by U.S. Representative GT Thompson. Chris Butts, GFVGA executive director, highlighted the bill’s far-reaching impact. “We have to have this. It’s a solid bill. It was a bipartisan bill,” Butts said. “It was written …
USDA Announces Enrollment Period, Payment Rates for Specialty Crops Program
By Clint Thompson The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program will account for $1.625 billion in payments to eligible producers in response to high input prices and market disruptions resulting from unfair trade practices with foreign countries. The program was announced last week and drew praise from industry leaders, including Chris Butts, executive vice …
Sen. Ossoff Introducing Legislation to Cut Taxes for Farmers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing legislation to cut taxes for Georgia farmers. Sen. Ossoff introduced the Farm Disaster Tax Cut Act this week to provide eligible farmers with a tax cut after natural disasters, revenue losses or pest outbreaks. The bill would exclude crop insurance indemnity payments, which are made to farmers after they face qualified …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: A New Year With New Opportunities
By Chris Butts The new year provides us with the opportunity to reflect, reset and develop new goals and objectives for the coming months. Looking back to January of 2025, the fruit and vegetable industry has made progress on important issues like labor rates and H-2A program rules. Successful Conference Here in Georgia, we are finding reason for optimism. We …
Ag Wage Reform Coalition to Hold Issue Briefing/Roundtable in Washington D.C.
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is helping host an issue briefing and roundtable in Washington D.C. on Feb. 24. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, discussed the meeting’s importance and its message. “We’ll have growers and representatives from 39 organizations and nine states that now make up the …