Legislative Session Report Week 7

LEGISLATIVE REPORT  WEEK 7

February 25, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Halfway There
• GFB Priorities Pass House Ag Committee
• Governor Awards $49.8 Million to Ag Water Infrastructure
• GFB to Host Rural Caucus
• Comment Period for Visa Fee Increase Closes Monday
• 3 Days Left to Double Your Impact!
• Action This Week
• Bills of Interest
• Upcoming USDA Program Deadlines
• Not a Member of Georgia Farm Bureau? Join Today!
• Dates to Remember

 HALFWAY THERE

The Georgia General Assembly convened for two legislative days and one committee work day this week, rounding out the first half of the 2022 legislative session with legislative day 20 of 40 on Thursday. The Gold Dome continues to see more groups returning to advocate on behalf of their respective organizations, this week hosting both members of the Georgia FFA on Tuesday and the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts on Wednesday. Looking forward to next week, the House and Senate will both have a full slate, gaveling in for legislative days 21-24 with a committee work day on Wednesday. 

The House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee met on both Wednesday and Thursday, addressing two GFB priorities. A summary of the committee is provided below.

As we inch closer to Crossover Day, Georgia Farm Bureau staff will continue to be at the Capitol every day to represent the interests of our membership and monitor the legislation that impacts agriculture and rural Georgia. For an update on bills that may affect you, please reference our Action This Week and Bills of Interest sections below.

GFB PRIORITIES PASS HOUSE AG COMMITTEE

This week, the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee voted on two important bills for agriculture. HB 1150, sponsored by Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella), Chairman of the House Ag Committee, was on the agenda Thursday with an overwhelming number of members voting in support of the legislation. Known as the Freedom to Farm Act, this bill is Georgia Farm Bureau’s spotlight issue for the year and would provide certainty for farmers in Georgia that they will not be sued out of business for nuisance by neighbors who do not like the inherent aspects of agriculture. The committee substitute addressed concerns of someone significantly changing the type of their operation after the initial one-year time clock was up, and protection granted. If a farm starts a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), the one-year window of vulnerability would be reset, and the complaining neighbor would still have four years to file the suit as provided by general nuisance law and existing law. Counter to vast mischaracterizations of this bill and Georgia agriculture by certain groups and media entities, this bill in no way favors large agricultural operations over small operations. It would also provide urban farms with protection that they would arguably never be able to obtain under current law. The clarity that this bill brings to current law would enable farmers in this state to know they are protected as long as they are following all laws, rules and regulations.

We are pleased HB 1150 has support from ag groups such as the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Milk Producers, Georgia Poultry Federation, Georgia Urban Ag Council, and the House Rural Development Council, as well as other groups such as the Georgia Chamber, who elevated the bill to a Scorecard Issue, and the Georgia Small Business Association.  

Also receiving a favorable vote by the committee was HB 1175, the Raw Dairy Act. Carried by Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn), this bill would legalize the sale of raw milk for human consumption following a regulatory framework for food safety. Raw milk would only be sold directly to the consumer with no retail sales being allowed under this proposal. The most recent version of the bill would also limit sales to liquid raw milk and prohibit the sale of raw milk products. By putting in place standards for safety and testing, this legislation would give smaller dairy producers a way to safely offer a product that is in high demand and brings a premium price. The option to sell raw milk for human consumption has the potential to be a lifeline to our state’s smaller dairy producers facing difficult market pressures.

Both bills will now go to the House Rules Committee and then have the chance of being put on the House floor for a vote. GFB staff will continue to advocate for these two pieces of legislation and the positive impact they will have on our members and agriculture in the state.

Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn), alongside GFB member Kenneth Murphy, presents House Bill 1175 to the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on Thursday.

GOVERNOR AWARDS $49.8 MILLION TO AG WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 

On Tuesday, Governor Kemp announced $422 million in awards to over 100 water and sewer infrastructure projects utilizing part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. This announcement comes just a week after Gov. Kemp awarded $408 million to expand high-speed internet access, largely in rural Georgia. A committee of state officials was used to evaluate project submissions and make recommendations.

Among the awards is a $49.8 million investment in an agricultural water infrastructure project to install about 242 deep groundwater wells to replace direct surface water withdrawals during drought periods in targeted areas of Lower Flint River Basin in Southwest Georgia. The project will also support conservation planning, assessment, and flow augmentation systems to manage resource utilization more effectively during dry periods.

The Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center at Albany State University has partnered with Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to implement this project in addition to a strong stakeholder component, including a Project Advisory Board to support project implementation and water management and planning.

GFB has a long, trusted history working with the Water Planning & Policy Center and was proud to offer support for their project application. Their detailed research, support, and planning surrounding Georgia’s agricultural water use over the years has helped farmers in their pursuit to wisely utilize this precious resource and implement meaningful conservation practices. We appreciate the Governor funding this multi-faceted project, which will benefit rural Georgians, agriculture, and our conservation efforts for generations to come.

GFB TO HOST RURAL CAUCUS

On Monday, February 28th, Georgia Farm Bureau will be co-hosting lunch for the Rural Caucus alongside the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts. The Rural Caucus, the General Assembly’s largest caucus, is made up of legislators representing our rural communities and agricultural interests and offers an effective way for them to discuss policy ideas important to our members’ communities. We will be discussing our priority issues for the year and advocating for legislation that matters to our members and to Georgia agriculture.

COMMENT PERIOD FOR VISA FEE INCREASE CLOSES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28

In December, the U.S. Department of State published a notice in the Federal Register of its intent to increase the nonimmigrant visa fee for several classifications of visas, including H-2A and H-2B visas. This change would raise the cost of an H-2A visa from $190 per individual to $310. The Department is seeking comments on its proposal through midnight this Monday, February 28. 

Farmers are already stretched thin by rising input costs, decreased profits, the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, and other contributing factors. In the last year, each application for H-2A workers had on average 19 positions - under this proposal, increasing the visa cost per individual would cost a farmer an additional $2,000 per year on this issue alone. 

Georgia Farm Bureau recommends that the State Department refrain from implementing these proposed changes in the Final Rule and asks that the current fee and form structure remain in place. We urge the State Department to focus its efforts on streamlining the H-2A program to lower agency costs without imposing unjustified fee increases on farmers. We have drafted comments for your usage and encourage you to contact the Department of State to oppose the proposal by using the button below.

Contact the Department of State

DAYS LEFT TO DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!

On December 7, 2021, after nearly two years of diligent evaluation and consideration, voting delegates at the 2021 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Annual Meeting unanimously endorsed the creation of the GFB Impact Fund, a political action committee (PAC), to advocate on behalf of agriculture, farmers, and our rural communities. The following week, the GFB Board of Directors unanimously voted to put it into action and simultaneously authorized the GFB Mutual Insurance Company to match every dollar contributed to the GFB State Impact Fund by February 28, 2022 - up to $500,000!

With election season on the horizon, it is vital that we work to get our PAC up and running as quickly as possible. Support for the GFB State Impact Fund can come from county Farm Bureaus, GFB members, local farm businesses, and others who share our mission. This additional tool will allow us to support the candidacies and elections of qualified individuals to public office who have demonstrated a commitment to furthering and strengthening the agricultural industry, regardless of political affiliation. With your support, we can ensure your voice has a seat at the table to protect agriculture for the next generation.

Each contribution to the GFB State Impact Fund is voluntary and will support candidates who support agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau values. To learn more about the GFB Impact Fund, please contact Katie Duvall.

To contribute to the GFB State Impact Fund, please return your check and this form to:

GFB State Impact Fund
Attn: Katie Duvall
1620 Bass Road
Macon, GA 31210

*All contributions are solely voluntary and not tax deductible. Each contribution must be accompanied by the contribution form to be accepted.

ACTION THIS WEEK

To find more on a specific bill, visit the Georgia General Assembly website and use the "Search Legislation" tool at the top right.

HB 500:
Reps. Burchett, Blackmon, Dickey, Rhodes, and Watson
The Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act, established in 2017, provides a system of non-traditional loans for rural businesses to encourage economic growth and jobs. This legislation would provide the second round of funding, in the amount of $100 million, to replenish the program.
Passed the House by Substitute on 2/22/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 2/24/2022.

HB 997:
Reps. Watson, England, Burns, Buckner, Hatchett, and others
This proposal would provide for a statewide constitutional referendum and question on the 2022 ballot to allow for an ad-valorem tax exemption on timber equipment and products. Equipment that would be exempt under this bill includes logging equipment such as wood cutters, loaders, bulldozers, skid steers, etc. Also included in the exemption would be timber products such as trees and other wood fiber products.
House Ways and Means Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

HB 1150:
Reps. Dickey, Watson, England, Jasperse, and Pirkle
Also known as the Freedom to Farm Act, HB 1150, addresses ambiguity in Georgia’s current Right to Farm statute and seeks to protect farmers from frivolous nuisance claims brought by those who do not like the inherent aspects of agriculture. With Georgia’s number one economic driver being agriculture, there is a vested interest in protecting the families and businesses that provide all of our food and fiber. There has been an increase in the number of nuisance claims brought against Georgia farms due to recent federal court precedent that turns current Right to Farm law on its head. This bill would allow for a farm to have certainty after a period of time, as long as they are operating within the law and according to all rules and regulations, that they will be protected from unnecessary nuisance lawsuits.
House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

HB 1175:
Reps. Pirkle, Camp, Campbell, and Jenkins
This proposal comes out of a summer study committee consisting of members from the House Agriculture Committee. Chaired by Rep. Clay Pirkle, the committee looked into the issue of legalizing the sale of raw milk for human consumption. With the technological advancements in the dairy industry that provide for a very consistently safe product, many believed there was a way to produce raw (unpasteurized) milk that would be safe for human consumption. Many in the dairy industry, especially smaller producers, have been seeking a way to increase their already slim margins with a product like raw milk that brings a premium price due and has an increasing consumer demand. This bill would allow for the legal sale of raw milk for human consumption under a set of specific rules and regulations that seek to ensure a safe product.
House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

HB 1292:
Reps. Jasperse, Mathis, Erwin, England, and Pirkle
This bill would prohibit any student who is participating in a 4-H sponsored activity or program from being counted as absent at school.
House Education Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

HB 1303:
Reps. Dickey, England, Pirkle, Erwin, Bentley and others
This bill would transition a pilot program that has been in place for elementary agricultural education to an ongoing and permanent program. It would also require schools to hire an elementary agricultural education teacher to administer the program.
House Education Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

HB 1384:
Reps. Jenkins, Camp, Greene, Jasperse, and Knight
This proposal would allow for the use of ungraded lumber in the construction or repair of any uninhabited structure on property zoned for residential or agricultural use.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/22/2022.

HR 686:
Reps. Watson, Burns, Buckner, Corbett, and Hatchett
This resolution proposes an amendment to the state constitution that would reduce the rate of ad-valorem tax assessment on timber at the time of sale or harvest. The proposal would require that the state appropriate funds annually to each county or municipality to compensate for any loss in revenue.
House Ways & Means Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute on 2/24/2022.

SB 396:
Sens. Goodman, Jones II, Walker III, Harper, Sims and others
This bill seeks to create the Georgia Farm to Foodbank (F2FB) Program by changing the Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This initiative is a Governor’s priority and included in his budget proposal is $800,000 to fund the program. The funds will be used for grants to provide Georgia Grown products straight from producers to regional foodbanks that will be able to use that food to feed those who need food assistance. The program will be administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and they will submit an annual report that contains information on where the food came from and where it went.
Passed the Senate on 2/11/2022. House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 2/23/2022.

SB 481:
Sens. Jackson, Harper, Mullis, Jones II, Summers
This bipartisan piece of legislation would amend the “Georgia Hemp Farming Act” to allow for someone convicted of a misdemeanor that involved the sale or trafficking of a controlled substance to still be permitted to grow hemp in Georgia. Under this proposal anyone convicted of a felony involving the sale or trafficking of a controlled substance would still be prohibited from obtaining a permit to grow hemp.
Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 2/22/2022.

SB 537:
Sens. Jones II, Goodman, Jackson, Sims, Rhett and others
This bipartisan bill would establish the “Georgia Food Security Advisory Council” made up of 23 members ranging from the Commissioner of Agriculture to representatives from the public health community. One member would be a Georgia farmer appointed by the Majority Leader of the senate in consultation with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. This council would make recommendations that seek to end food insecurity in Georgia.
Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/22/2022.

BILLS OF INTEREST

To find more on a specific bill, visit the Georgia General Assembly website and use the "Search Legislation" tool at the top right.

HB 44:
Reps. Cantrell, Greene, Barr, Werkheiser, Gambill, and Williams
This bill would require Georgia to observe Daylight Savings Time year-round. This will only become effective if Congress authorizes states to observe daylight savings time year-round.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/5/2021. Assigned to Senate Rules Committee on 1/10/2022.

HB 139:
Reps. Mainor, Dukes, McClain, Mallow, and Thomas
This bill would prohibit trains from blocking any traffic crossing for longer than 15 minutes (with exceptions for safety reasons), and also require signage at crossings providing a telephone number to report such instances.
Assigned to House Transportation Committee on 1/28/2021.

HB 482:
Reps. Lim and Holcomb
This bill would provide a preferential tax rate program that seeks to promote urban agriculture as well as provide for urban agricultural incentive zones that would be located in areas with a 15% or greater poverty rate. The program includes restrictions for properties that enter a contract such as being at least .10 acres but not more than 5 acres and for an initial term of at least 5 years. This bill is the enabling legislation for HR 164 that would put this change on the ballot in 2022 as a constitutional amendment.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/17/2021.

HB 496:
Reps. Burchett, Burns, Rhodes, Ridley, and Williams
This bill seeks to create a $1,000 Annual Forest Product Permit, issuable by the Department of Transportation, allowing vehicles hauling timber up to a gross weight of 95,000, up to 10 feet wide, and no more than 100 feet long.
Assigned to House Transportation Committee on 2/18/2021.

HB 504:
Reps. Williamson, Reeves, Burns, Knight, Blackmon, and Lott
Similar to HB 500, this legislation provides a second round of funding for the Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act in the amount of $100 million. However, the bill goes on to create a new NAICS code and tax program for medical equipment and supplies manufacturers. Additionally, this bill goes on to address other tax credit programs dealing with high-impact aerospace defense projects, Georgia ports, and railroads.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/18/2021.

HB 608:
Reps. Wiedower, Burns, Smyre, Parsons, and Kelley
In an effort to enhance the expansion of broadband to unserved areas, this legislation authorizes the use of OneGeorgia funds to award contracts to qualified providers under the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative.
Assigned to House Governmental Affairs Committee on 2/24/2021.

HB 976:
Reps. Schofield, Jackson, Scott, Buckner, Bentley, and others
This bill seeks to establish a “Black Farmer Restoration Office” to support current Black farmers and to encourage the growth of Black farmers into the field of agriculture. It also would establish a “Farm Conservation Corps” to provide on-farm apprenticeships to those between the ages of 18 and 29 from socially disadvantaged groups. According to the proposal, farms offering the apprenticeship must have a gross annual income of less than $250,000 and be owned by a social disadvantaged farmer, a beginning farmer, or a certified organic farmer.
Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 1/25/2022.

HB 978:
Reps. Smith, Stephens, England, Greene, and Dempsey
This bill would require the board of tax assessors for a county that is declared a disaster area to conduct a full appraisal of all the properties located within the disaster area to determine if the current appraised value still reflects the value of the properties following the declared disaster. If it does not, the tax assessor must adjust the appraised value and notify the property owner.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 1/25/2022.

HB 1002:
Reps. Smith, Gambill, Williams, Scoggins, McDonald, and others
This bill would designate the opossum as the official state marsupial.
Assigned to House State Planning and Community Affairs Committee on 1/26/2022.

HB 1038:
Reps. Cooper, Jasperse, Corbett, Watson, and England
In recent years, the General Assembly has focused on bolstering availability of rural healthcare. This bill would expand the eligibility of an existing state income tax credit currently limited to physicians practicing in rural areas (<50,000) to also include dentists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 1/27/2022.

HB 1041:
Reps. Pirkle, Jasperse, Watson, England, Corbett, and others
This legislation increases the available tax credits for contributions to rural hospitals from $65 to $75 million per year.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 1/27/2022.

HB 1055:
Reps. Ridley, Corbett, Barton, and Anderson
This bill would amend the definition of “all-terrain vehicle” by increasing the maximum weight to from 2500 lbs to 3500 lbs.
Passed the House on 2/07/2022. Referred to Senate Transportation Committee on 2/08/2022.

HB 1147:
Reps. Rhodes, Corbett, LaHood, Ridley, and Smith
This bill would authorize the hunting and trapping of raccoons and opossum year round.
Passed the House on 2/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Natural Resources & Environment Committee on 2/17/2022.

HB 1176:
Reps. Pirkle and Clark
This bill pertains to the right of those to maintain and repair their own personal property, whether it be a cell phone or agricultural equipment. Although this would apply to many consumer items, it is increasingly important for the agricultural sector. Farm equipment is now reliant on computer systems, and technological barriers placed in the software and codes of equipment are only accessible to the manufacturer and dealers. Currently, farmers must rely on dealers for repairs to their tractors and equipment due to these stop-guards which render equipment useless unless parts and repairs are done by an authorized dealer technician.

Without third-party access to the necessary tools and software, farmers are beholden to the prices and schedules of manufacturers. Farmers already face historically high costs to purchase equipment, and with the consolidation of many dealers they must also face high prices for dealer technicians to travel long distances to the farm to make repairs—an issue that could be addressed with third-party solutions. This legislation would require that manufacturers make available to independent service providers or owners of the equipment, at a fair and reasonable cost, the tools, parts, and manuals necessary to work on their own equipment.

Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/03/2022.

HB 1309:
Reps. Thomas, Schofield, Lim, and Lewis-Ward
Also known as the Georgia Urban Farming Youth Initiative Act, HB 1309 would create a pilot program through UGA's Cooperative Extension Service to promote farming and the efficient use of land in urban counties (with a population of 150,000+); educate program participants on all aspects of farming in an urban environment and encourage other members of the community to begin and to continue farming; and provide a sufficient understanding of farming operations so as to facilitate the ability of graduating participants to obtain Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) identification numbers and subsequently operate successful, small-scale farms within their communities.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/11/2022.

HB 1371:
Reps. Jasperse, Watson, Corbett, England, and Campbell
This bill would establish the Rural Health Advancement Commission to address healthcare workforce shortages in rural areas of Georgia. The commission would be made up of 13 members from all across the medical field that will explore the issue and deliver an annual report.
Assigned to House Special Committee on Access to Quality Healthcare on 2/17/2022.

HR 164:
Reps. Lim and Holcomb
HR 164 would allow for a constitutional amendment to be on the ballot in 2022 should HB 482 pass. See above for additional information on HB 482.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/17/2021.

SB 30:
Sens. Beach and Harbison
Senate Bill 30 would provide for pari-mutuel horse racing in the state at a limited number of licensed equestrian centers, create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission, and provide for the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel horse racing and related activities.
Referred to Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee on 1/28/2021.

SB 65:
Sens. Gooch, Miller, Cowsert, Tillery, Harper, and Hatchett
In a continued effort to expand broadband access to rural and un-served communities, this legislation allows the Public Service Commission and Department of Community Affairs to utilize a portion of the Universal Access Fund for such services.
Assigned to Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee on 2/2/2021.

SB 118:
Sens. Harper, Burke, Tillery, Goodman, Anderson, and Kennedy
SB 118 would increase truck weights for 6-axle timber haulers up to 100,000 lbs.
Assigned to Senate Transportation Committee on 2/10/2021.

SB 474:
Sens. Summers, Walker III, Harper, Goodman, Anderson
This legislation seeks to amend the state constitution and allow for an ad-valorem tax exemption on aircraft used for the aerial application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeds, or any other agricultural product that would normally be used in an agricultural operation and can be applied by aerial application.
Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 2/10/2022.

SB 486:
Sens. Harper, Walker III, Anderson, Sims, Goodman
Last year GFB worked with Sen. Lee Anderson (R-Grovetown) to pass SB 247, which modernized the procedures for Commodity Commissions to serve notices, hold public hearings, and vote to better utilize commission funds and more effectively reach producers. This bill would provide for the same modernization and updates to the propane commodity commission.
Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/11/2022.

SR 460:
Sens. Halpern, Harrell, Jones II, Davenport, Butler
This resolution recognizes February as Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Month to highlight the necessity of programs that support critical sectors of Georgia's economy, including the agriculture industry.
Senate Read and Adopted on 2/10/2022.

Federal Updates

UPCOMING USDA PROGRAM DEADLINES

Several U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) national program deadlines are approaching. Note that this list does not include every deadline, and only includes federal deadlines. Check with the local USDA Service Center to learn about all available programs, and programs that have local or state level deadlines.

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for 2021 Losses
Mar 1, 2022
LIP provides benefits to livestock owners and contract growers who experience livestock deaths exceeding the normal mortality, due to specific adverse weather, disease, or animal attacks.
Learn more about LIP for 2021 Losses

Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs
Mar 15, 2022

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages producers to contact their local USDA Service Centers to make or change elections and to enroll for 2022 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, providing future protections against market fluctuations. The election and enrollment period opened on Oct. 18, 2021 and runs through March 15, 2022.
Learn more about ARC and PLC 

Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP)
April 15, 2022
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) from December 15, 2021, through February 25, 2022. SMHPP provides pandemic assistance to hog producers who sold hogs through a negotiated sale from April 16, 2020 through September 1, 2020, the period in which these producers faced the greatest reduction in market prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.
Learn more about SMHPP

NOT A MEMBER OF GEORGIA FARM BUREAU? JOIN TODAY!

The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation has a membership of almost 250,000 and serves as state's the largest general farm organization.  Our goal is to provide leadership and assistance to the agricultural sector, to promote farm products, to aid in ag-related procurement, to be a spokesman for the farmer in the legislative arena, to be a leader in the development and expansion of farm markets, and to strive for more agricultural research and educational funds and facilities.

With members in all 159 Georgia counties, Georgia Farm Bureau is dedicated to promoting and improving agriculture in our counties, state and nation and in continually improving and expanding our service-to-member programs which serve to enhance the quality of life for all Georgians.

Membership in Georgia Farm Bureau is open to everyone. You don't need to be a farmer or have insurance with us to join Farm Bureau!

If you would like to become a member of Georgia Farm Bureau, you can start your membership online right now! We have a simple application process, and you can be our newest member in just a couple of minutes. Click the button below or use our County Office Locator to find the office nearest you.

JOIN TODAY!

DATES TO REMEMBER

• March 15: Georgia Cattlemen's Association Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol
   

Public Policy Department Staff

Alex Bradford, Director
Raynor Churchwell, Agricultural Programs Manager
Katie Duvall, Advocacy and Policy Development Coordinator
Renee Jones, Operations Coordinator
Jake Matthews, Governmental Affairs Specialist
Jeremy Taylor, Agricultural Programs Specialist