Photo by Jay Stone March 22 , 2023
www.gfb.org
Vol. 5 No. 6
GEORGIA AGRICULTURE AWARENESS WEEK CELEBRATES FARMERS Georgia farmers grow crops, livestock and timber that feed, clothe and shelter us. That’s why Georgia Farm Bureau and other ag organizations across the state are observing Georgia Agriculture Awareness Week March 20-26 and celebrated National Ag Day on March 21. This year marks the 50th anniversary of National Ag Day, which is traditionally celebrated on or around the first day of spring. “Observing Georgia Agriculture Awareness Week gives us all a chance to think about and celebrate the contributions farmers and agriculture make to our lives,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “Farmers feed us, grow cotton and wool for our clothes, and timber for our homes. They also provide wildlife a place to live on their farms while protecting soil and water resources using environmentally sustainable methods to grow their crops and livestock. I’m grateful God gave me the privilege of being a farmer, and I’m thankful for all my farming friends.” United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics show Georgia farmers play a big role in feeding us. They are the top peanut producers in the United States growing almost half the peanuts grown in our country, with most used to make peanut butter and snacks. Georgia farmers lead the nation in growing broilers, the chickens used to make our favorite chicken sandwiches, tenders and wings. In 2021, Georgia pecan growers led the U.S. in production of utilized pecans. Georgia ranked second in production of watermelons and third in production of blueberries, cantaloupe and peaches, according to USDA data. The 2021 cash value of Georgia’s onion crop was second in the U.S. while Georgia’s sweet corn crop ranked third. Georgia cotton farmers placed second in the U.S. in 2021 for both the quantity and cash value of lint and seed produced. Georgia consistently ranks as the top forestry state in the nation. Agriculture contributed $73.2 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2021, according to the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED). Georgia’s Top 10 commodities for 2021 were: broilers ($4.2 billion); cotton ($1 billion); peanuts ($776.7 million); timber ($660.6 million); beef ($658.6 million); greenhouse nurseries ($635.9 million); eggs ($635.1 million); corn ($509.1 million); pecans ($383.8 million); and blueberries ($348.7 million), -continued on next page