December 11, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 50
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU HOLDS 76th ANNUAL CONVENTION More than 1,500 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Island Dec. 8-10 for the organization’s 76th annual convention. The three-day convention included a tradeshow and commodity conferences where farmers heard updates on policy and production issues impacting Georgia’s major commodities. During the general session on Dec. 9, convention attendees had the pleasure of hearing U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Dist. 1), Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and American Farm Bureau Federation policy experts. Gov. Nathan Deal addressed GFB members on Dec. 10. While delivering his annual address to Georgia Farm Bureau members, GFB President Zippy Duvall recounted legislative efforts and successes the organization has made on behalf of Georgia farmers during the past year, including federal estate tax reform, blocking legislation to restrict farmers’ use of antibiotics in livestock production and protecting Georgia’s access to water resources. “When we look back at the issues we were facing a year ago, it is very clear we’re winning on many fronts,” Duvall said. “In spite of a tough economy, uncertainty in government, smaller numbers of farmers, and a host of other challenges, we were successful on some important issues.” Kingston, whose district includes Jekyll Island, welcomed the GFB members to Georgia’s coast. He expressed cautious optimism that Congress will pass a farm bill and addressed immigration reform, predicting that if Congress passes immigration legislation it will happen before the end of the first quarter in 2014. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black encouraged convention attendees to share the story of agriculture with consumers in language they will understand. “Farmers speak the language of farm and consumers speak the language of food,” Black said. “We have a language barrier, but I’m convinced we can drop the language barrier, and that’s why the Georgia Department of Agriculture is putting so much effort into the Georgia Grown Program. We can speak to people through food and share science-based information.” Bob Young, American Farm Bureau Federation chief economist and deputy executive director of public policy discussed the farm bill and challenges the farm economy can expect in coming years. AFBF labor specialist Kristi Boswell discussed the status of immigration reform legislation in Congress. Gov. Deal addressed GFB members on the last day of convention, thanking them for the contributions they make to Georgia’s economy.