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The membership is mainly composed of farm families in rural communities and of people who want Georgia to be agriculturally successful, progressive and prosperous.
The Georgia Farm Bureau state office building (at right) is in Macon, a town with a metro population of over 310,000 located about 85 miles south of Atlanta, the state capital.
Dedicated on September 14, 1988, the five-story, 171,000 square foot building has a full-service cafeteria and 325 seat auditorium. There are approximately 600 "home office" employees, in addition to over 550 insurance agents located throughout the state to serve our members.
The Farm Bureau building houses all Georgia Farm Bureau Companies:
• Georgia Farm Bureau Federation;
• Ga. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co
• Ga. Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co;
• Georgia Farm Bureau Real Estate Co.;
• Georgia Farm Bureau Investment Co.;
• Georgia Farm Bureau Holding Co.; and
• Georgia Farm Bureau Inc.
Certified Farm Markets is a program operated by our Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity/Marketing Department which promotes farmer-operated markets and Christmas Tree farms throughout the state.
The Georgia Farm Radio Network, a statewide farm broadcast network, is a joint venture of Georgia Farm Bureau, Inc. and Georgia News Network (GNN) / Clear Channel, Inc. The network, based at GFB, is carried by 40 Georgia radio stations.
The Georgia Farm Monitor is our weekly syndicated ag news television program broadcast throughout Georgia on 14 TV stations and nationally via satellite on the RFD-TV Network carried by both Dish Network, DirecTV and a host of cable systems.
Georgia Farm Bureau Mortgage Services is a division of our Georgia Farm Bureau Real Estate Company, as is Georgia Farm Bureau Timber Services, a forestry management company.
You can find links to these companies/services in the menu at left.
70 Years of Service
Formed in 1937 by 50 farmers, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation continues to have a strong grassroots network with 159 county Farm Bureau organizations. Since its inception, the primary, ongoing goal of Farm Bureau is to be a united voice in the legislative arena, to promote farm markets and to provide leadership to Georgia's agricultural community. Farm Bureau is local, state, national and international in scope and influence.
| Purpose of Georgia Farm Bureau: "The purpose of the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, as the largest farm organization in Georgia, is to provide leadership and assistance to the agricultural sector, to promote farm products, to aid in agri-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, to strive for more agricultural research and educational funds and facilities -- in essence -- to use the Georgia Farm Bureau organization and its facilities as the vehicle with which to assist in providing farm families a fair and equitable standard of living and to ensure the existence of agriculture as a vital and thriving industry in the future." |
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A member of a county Farm Bureau automatically becomes affiliated with the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Our grassroots Policy Development process and county programs assure the members of constant contact and input into the programs and activities of Georgia Farm Bureau.
What do we mean by "grassroots?"
To understand Farm Bureau, it is important to start at the local rather than the state level. It is in the 159 county Farm Bureaus where programs are developed to meet the needs of farm families. Farm Bureau relies on its member families for strength and direction. Hundreds of volunteer leaders serve on county Farm Bureau boards and committees. From social outings and educational workshops to political action and community forums, Farm Bureau offers programs and services for the entire family.
Just as members form county Farm Bureaus, county Farm Bureaus are the basis for state Farm Bureaus. Once county Farm Bureaus set policies, they select voting delegates to voice their beliefs at the state Farm Bureau annual meeting. These delegates determine which policies submitted by the county Farm Bureaus, and in some cases by commodity committees, will provide the direction for Georgia Farm Bureau.
After Georgia Farm Bureau adopts its policies, it names delegates to represent it at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting. Policies adopted by voting delegates from all 50 states govern the national Farm Bureau. These policies deal with many issues - use of natural resources, taxation, property rights, services to the farm community, trade, food safety and quality, and a host of topics that affect rural America.Therefore the members...the "grassroots"... determine the future of their organization. And membership is not limited to farmers. Any family interested in agriculture or in participating in one of Farm Bureau's many member services may join. If you're interested in membership, contact your local county Farm Bureau office. There is one in each county in Georgia.
Officers and Board
Putting Farm Bureau policies into action are the officers and board of directors of the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation. The president, three vice presidents and 22 members of the board of directors, each of them an active farmer, are elected by the voting delegates at the annual meeting held each December at Jekyll Island, GA.
The president is a full-time executive farmer who directs the day-to-day operations of the Macon-based organization and speaks as the official voice of the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation. The board is comprised of 20 farmers, two elected from each of our 10 districts for two-year terms. Also serving on the Board are the chairs of the State Women's Committee and Young Farmer Committee.
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.
