Press Releases

Georgia Farm Bureau Convention to celebrate resiliency of state’s farmers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 15, 2018
CONTACT: Andy Lucas, ralucas@gfb.org,  478-474-8411

 

MACON, Ga. – Less than two months after Hurricane Michael dealt more than $2.5 billion in crop and livestock damage to Georgia agriculture, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members will gather on Jekyll Island to celebrate the resiliency of Georgia farmers during the organization’s 81st annual meeting Dec. 2-4.

“Georgia Farm Bureau has advocated for Georgia’s farmers and rural communities for 81 years. Our purpose – to serve as the voice of Georgia’s farmers – is needed now more than ever as Georgia’s agricultural community recovers from Hurricane Michael. Farmers from Seminole to Burke counties suffered varying degrees of damage that will take a while to rebound from, even generations in the case of timber and pecan losses,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “Our convention will serve as a venue for our organization to support our members affected by the storm, get updates on ag issues and determine the positions our organization will take next year on the issues impacting their farms and rural communities.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black will address convention attendees during the general session on Dec. 3 between 8:15 a.m. and noon. Duvall served as GFB president from December 2006 until January 2016 when he became the first Georgian elected to lead AFBF. Black has revitalized the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program and initiated the Farm to School program since first taking office in 2011.

Convention activities begin at 10 a.m. on Dec. 2 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Sunday events include a trade show, featuring booths from many of Georgia’s agricultural organizations and agencies, and a “Sip & Spoonful” reception showcasing GFB’s Certified Farm Markets. During the Celebrating Agricultural Literacy event, GFB will recognize efforts by county Farm Bureaus and individuals to educate students about agriculture through the Ag in the Classroom program.  The first day of the convention will close with a worship service at 4:30 p.m.

On Dec. 3, GFB President Long will deliver his annual address, followed by remarks from AFBF President Duvall and Commissioner of Agriculture Black. The convention trade show will be open from 9 a.m. until noon,

Commodity conferences, featuring speakers who will address management and policy issues for the major commodities grown in Georgia, will be held Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.                                                                

On Dec. 4, GFB voting delegates will meet at 8:15 a.m. to discuss and approve policy resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureau chapters statewide. The resolutions approved by the delegates will become the organization’s official policy and will guide its legislative efforts in 2019. Delegates will also elect the 2019 GFB Board of Directors. GFB President Long is running unopposed for another term as is GFB Middle Georgia Vice President Robert Fountain Jr.

For more information about the GFB convention visit www.gfb.ag/convention.

 

About Georgia Farm Bureau

Founded in 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in Georgia. It works to connect consumers with agriculture and offers its members a wide variety of benefits, including insurance, but enrollment in any of the member benefits is optional and not a requirement for membership. For more information about GFB membership or to join, visit www.gfb.org.

 

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