With more than a $72 billion impact on the state’s economy, agriculture is the largest industry in Georgia, and UGA is comprehensively engaged with the industry to ensure its success and continued contributions to Georgia’s economy. From the technical assistance offered through UGA Cooperative Extension to research advances that promise safer, sustainable and more productive agricultural practices, farmers and food industry leaders rely on UGA’s expertise.
UGA President Jere W. Morehead will see firsthand the close partnership between the agriculture industry and UGA’s expertise Sept. 2 as he tours several north Georgia farms, food processing and biosecurity facilities with Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Dean and Director of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences J. Scott Angle.
Rep. Terry England, chairman of the Georgia state House’s Appropriations Committee; Rep. Tom McCall, chairman of the Georgia state House’s Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee; and Sen. John Wilkinson, chairman of the Georgia state Senate’s Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, will accompany Morehead, Black and Angle on the tour.
Morehead instituted the annual farm tour in 2013 to see firsthand the contributions UGA makes to the state’s economy through its support of the agricultural industry.
“Each year our farm tour proves to be an excellent opportunity to showcase the impact UGA has on the lives of everyday Georgians,” Angle said. “It is also a great chance to learn about the issues and the opportunities facing Georgia’s farmers and how we can help.”
This year’s tour will include Hillside Orchard Farms and Tiger Mountain Vineyard in Tiger, Jaemor Farms in Alto, the headquarters of the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network in Gainesville, King’s Hawaiian Bakery in Flowery Branch and Sonstegard Foods in Gainesville.
Last year, the farm tour visited south Georgia and included the UGA Blueberry Research and Demonstration Farm in Alma, the Mana Brooksco Dairy and Langboard OSB Plant in Quitman, Mana Nutrition Plant in Fitzgerald and the Coffee County Cotton Gin in Douglas.