Farm Bureau members take ag concerns to Capitol

Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall (at podium) thanks the Georgia Senate for its support of Georgia agriculture. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (right) welcomed the GFB delegation of Duvall, his wife, Bonnie, and GFB 1st District Director/Legislative Committee member J. Louis Hunt (far left) to the Senate. Georgia Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Bulloch (second from left) read a resolution honoring GFB.

Georgia Farm Bureau members turned out in record numbers to attend the organization’s annual Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol, Jan. 30.

More than 500 members from 91 counties met at the Georgia Depot that morning to discuss the priority issues Farm Bureau is presenting to the Georgia General Assembly this session. Those issues are water, poultry health, renewable fuels, funding for the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, and agri-tourism.

“We, the farmers, make a difference when we come to Atlanta. The words legislators hear from you are more valuable than all of the meetings our legislative staff and committee have with the legislators during the session, so it’s important that you stay in touch with your legislators,” Duvall told the group. “We, as an organization, have to become more proactive instead of reactive. With all of us working together we can carry this organization to new heights we’ve never seen before.”

Members walked to the Capitol where they met with their legislators. Lt. Governor Casey Cagle welcomed the Duvalls and GFB Director &

Pictured from left, GFB President Zippy Duvall greets Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue at GFB Day at the Capitol.

Legislative Committee member Louis Hunt to the Senate as Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Bulloch presented a resolution proclaiming it Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol and recognizing the efforts the organization makes on behalf of Georgia’s farmers. In the afternoon, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McCall presented a resolution on the House floor recognizing Farm Bureau. Duvall spoke in both chambers.

Gov. Sonny Perdue delivered the keynote address at the luncheon attended by more than 800 Farm Bureau members, legislators, other elected officials, including Ag Commissioner Tommy Irvin, and legislators’ staff. Perdue praised the economic contributions Georgia farmers make to the state economy, saying, “Georgia depends on agriculture as it is the state’s largest industry. I want you to know that Georgia farmers are welcome at the front door of the Capitol any time.”

Perdue acknowledged GFB’s five priority issues saying, “Last year you told us land conservation and private property rights were major concerns, and we passed legislation to protect landowners from eminent domain. We’ve looked at your priorities, and we have many of the same goals in common again this year.” Referencing the state water management plan that will be developed in the coming year and presented to the General Assembly in the 2008 Session, Perdue promised, “Georgia farmers will not be left out of the water planning process in this state, and you can take that to the bank.”