Tag Archives: agriculture legislation Georgia

From Cotton Gin to Capitol: Rep. Jaclyn Ford Advocates for Georgia Agriculture

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Enigma, GA |

For State Representative Jaclyn Ford, agriculture isn’t just part of her background—it’s the foundation of everything she does. From her early days growing up on a farm to spending decades running her family’s cotton gin, her roots in agriculture have shaped both her career and her mission in public service.

“I ended up coming back home when my family bought a cotton gin, and I had the opportunity to move back home,” Ford said. “I started running the gin, which I knew nothing about. So, I tell everybody, this cotton gin was my first baby… I’ve been doing it for twenty-five years now and have learned a lot about the industry and what it means to rural Georgia.”

A Career Built on Agriculture

 

Ford’s deep involvement in agriculture didn’t stop at her family operation. Over the years, she became active in a number of industry organizations, gaining valuable insight into how policies directly affect farmers and rural communities.

“I was very involved in my industry,” she said. “I was involved with the Cotton Council, the Cotton Board, and I was also on the state FSA committee… understanding what Farm Service Agency means for rural communities and how that support flows back to farm families.”

That firsthand experience ultimately inspired her to step into public office, where she could advocate for agriculture on a broader scale.

Bringing a Farmer’s Perspective to the Capitol

 

Now serving under the Gold Dome, Ford says having lawmakers with agricultural backgrounds is essential—especially when it comes to educating others who may be far removed from farming.

“I think people see us, they come from the farm, and they understand some of the misconceptions that are out there,” Ford explained. “It gives us a platform to help clarify those. For instance, I was able to talk to colleagues who didn’t understand how important certain tools are to our industry… and help them see why they matter.”

By sharing real-world experience, Ford believes trust can be built and better-informed decisions can be made when it comes to legislation impacting agriculture.

Protecting the Future of Rural Georgia

 

Despite her role in state government, Ford says her priorities remain grounded in the same values she learned growing up—protecting farmland, supporting rural communities, and ensuring agriculture remains strong for future generations.

“I always consider what’s important to our rural communities,” she said. “Agriculture is the largest industry in our state. Maintaining those communities and protecting farmland for future generations is always first and foremost on my mind.”

She also warns that losing farmland to outside interests could have lasting consequences for rural Georgia.

“If we sell our farmland out to big corporations, it’s not going to help our rural communities and it’s not going to help our families,” Ford added.

A Voice for Agriculture

 

As she continues her work at the Capitol, Ford remains focused on being a voice for farmers and rural communities—using her experience to ensure their challenges are understood and their future is protected.

For her, it’s not just about policy—it’s about preserving a way of life that has defined Georgia for generations.

By: John Holcomb

Farmer-Turned-Senator Uses Ag Roots to Educate and Advocate at State Capitol

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Moultrie, GA |

For State Senator Sam Watson, agriculture isn’t just a policy focus—it’s a way of life. A former vegetable farmer, Watson has long been embedded in Georgia’s farming community through organizations like FFA and Georgia Farm Bureau. His experience in the industry is exactly what drove him to seek public office.

“We had been involved back in, I guess it was, 2012. There’s some immigration legislation, 2011, 2012. Obviously, being in the vegetable business, it impacted our industry tremendously,” said Watson. “We kind of realized that there wasn’t a lot of folks involved in this industry at the Capitol.”

Now serving under the Gold Dome, Watson is one of only a handful of full-time farmers in the Georgia legislature. It’s a perspective he says is invaluable—especially when it comes to educating his fellow lawmakers about agriculture.

“To be a part-time legislator, you have to know a lot about a lot of different things,” Watson explained. “Coming from the farm, that’s one of the things that we offer—we do know a lot about a lot of different things, because we have to deal with a lot of different things. When you start telling people about it, they get really interested and want to ask more questions.”

Watson says many misunderstandings about agriculture in politics aren’t malicious—they’re born from a lack of exposure. And that’s why a large part of his role is simply education.

“Sometimes people think that they don’t like us, but really it’s just they don’t know,” he said. “They haven’t been involved in it like we have, or they don’t live in areas where what you see behind us happens every day.”

Supporting Watson and other lawmakers behind the scenes are agricultural lobbyists, such as those with Georgia Farm Bureau. Watson says their help is vital to keeping lawmakers informed and legislation moving in the right direction.

“I can’t be everywhere, and I can’t understand everything fully… and that’s kind of where we depend on the lobbyists and the folks like Adam,” said Watson. “They’ve got the time to go through that and make sure we understand it fully or be where we can’t be because we’re in another committee meeting or in caucus.”

With the demands of the session and the complexity of agricultural policy, Watson believes it’s a team effort to ensure Georgia’s number one industry continues to thrive.

By: John Holcomb