By Clint Thompson Georgia Governor Brian Kemp pleaded for federal hurricane disaster relief assistance during this week’s Georgia Farm Bureau meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia. He spoke specifically about block grants that would aid his state’s farmers still recovering from Hurricane Helene. “I continue to urge the current administration, the incoming administration and those in Congress to fund block grants …
Georgia’s Predicted Pecan Yields: Who Knows?
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan yields for this season are almost impossible to predict. Between increased plantings over the past decade and hurricane damage sustained from Helene this year, there is no good way to estimate this year’s crop, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. “We know what the acreage is, but it’s hard to predict …
Georgia Farm Bureau to Hold Annual Convention
MACON, Ga. – Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members will gather on Jekyll Island Dec. 8-10 for the organization’s 87th annual convention. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and inspirational speaker Nick Parker are scheduled to address convention attendees during the general session on Dec. 9 between 8:15 a.m. and …
Georgia Farmers Support Sen. Ossoff’s Plea to Pass Disaster Assistance By End of the Year
Washington, D.C. — Georgia farmers support U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s bipartisan push to pass agricultural disaster assistance before the end of the year. Sen. Ossoff testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations on the urgent need to support Georgia agriculture after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. He pressed both parties to pass agricultural disaster assistance for Georgia before …
Georgia Ag Commissioner Sounds Alarm on Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Detection
ATLANTA, GA — The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has received confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the first detection of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula or SLF) was made in Fulton County, Georgia on Oct. 22, 2024, and confirmed by USDA APHIS on Nov. 14, 2024. The first confirmed detection of the Spotted Lanternfly was made in Pennsylvania …
GT Thompson Leads Bipartisan Tour of Hurricane Damage in Florida, Georgia
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson was part of a recent bipartisan tour of hurricane damage sustained in Florida and Georgia. He released the following statement: “Traveling to the Southeast, I was able to see firsthand the devastating impact of the recent hurricanes. Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit our agricultural sector especially hard, highlighting the urgent need for disaster …
Helene Impact: Whiteflies Non-Factor in Georgia’s Fall Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Whitefly pressure was a non-factor in South Georgia’s fall vegetable crop this year. Hurricane Helene was a big reason why. While the storm brought high winds and excessive rains that devastated multiple agricultural commodities, its one bright spot was its impact on the whitefly populations, says University of Georgia vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks. “The hurricane knocked them …
Georgia Citrus Crop Outlook Following Hurricane Helene
More than a month removed from Hurricane Helene, Georgia citrus growers have a better idea of the impact the devastating storm had on this year’s crop. All things considered, Georgia growers are fortunate with the fruit that is still left to be harvested, says Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Everything we’ve heard so far is that …
Disease Concerns for Georgia Growers
Not all citrus disease concerns center around huanglongbing (HLB). While HLB disease garners much of the headlines because of its devastation to Florida’s citrus crop, growers in the cold-hardy citrus region should be mindful of other diseases that can devastate a crop if left untreated. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, highlighted some of …
Hurricane Helene Impact: Mental Health a Top Priority for Georgia Farmers
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Helene’s financial impact on Georgia farmers is staggering. The storm’s effect on the producers’ psyches is just as devastating. At a time when specialty crop growers are still assessing damages and calculating losses following the storm’s trek through Georgia on Sept. 26 and 27, producers are called to keep tabs on the mental well being of …



















