By Clint Thompson The first round of revisions made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the commodities covered under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) benefited Georgia’s vegetable producers. Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) Executive Director Charles Hall was appreciative of the consideration given to the crops his organization petitioned for. “Some of our January …
GFVGA Keeping an Eye on D.C.
This year, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will be focusing on crucial legislation in Washington, D.C. Charles Hall, GFVGA executive director, says the two pieces of legislation the association will be focusing on the most are the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and disaster relief. Hall says he is worried about the USMCA and is going to spend a …
GFVGA Welcomes New President
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will welcome a new president in January. Aries Haygood — current vice president of the GFVGA, vice chair of the Vidalia Onion Committee and grower at M&T Farms — will succeed Mike Bruorton as GFVGA president. Haygood says he is excited to take his seat as GFVGA president at the start of …
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 …
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 …
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 …
USMCA Highlighted During Southeast Regional
By Clint Thompson The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was a featured topic during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020. It has a couple of upcoming important dates that growers and industry leaders need to keep in mind. The USMCA requires the Free Trade Commission, which comprises governmental …
America First Trade Agenda: Under Secretary Lindberg Discusses Trade Deficit
By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin Seasonal imports of fresh fruits and vegetables remain a concern for Southeast producers. The concern was even a focus of a Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association letter to the Office of the USTR amid the USMCA review. AgNet Media’s Dale Sandlin interviewed Luke Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, about …
Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Bigger, Better
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference was bigger and better this year. Approximately 3,500 attendees and exhibitors flocked to Savannah, Georgia, this past weekend to learn about the latest trends and production practices impacting the different commodities being produced across the region. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), talked …

















