Tag Archives: Georgia Agriculture

Georgia Cotton, Georgia Threads: Magnolia Loom Helps Farmers Stitch a Future

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Pitts, GA |

Farming has never been easy—but for young producers trying to start from scratch, the odds can feel stacked against them. Equipment costs, input prices, and limited access to markets make it difficult to even get started. Just ask John Henry Roberts, a first-generation farmer in Pitts, Georgia.

“I’d say the hardest challenge is just getting into it to begin with,” said Roberts. “If it wasn’t for my boss right now, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I mean, I’m like I said, I’m a first generation. The latest generation for me to farming was my great granddaddy. And that’s when everybody farmed.”

Roberts is doing what he can to change that narrative—and he’s not doing it alone. Thanks to a partnership with Magnolia Loom, a Georgia-based clothing company, Roberts has found new purpose and a better price for his cotton.

“A lot of things we have now are American grown, but they’re not American made,” Roberts explained. “So knowing that what Scott and Zeke and them are doing up there at Magnolia Loom—that they can take this cotton, keep it separated from mine…to a garment like this that I can touch with my own hands—it’s special.”

Magnolia Loom’s model offers producers like Roberts something rare in today’s cotton market: a price above market value.

“The Magnolia Loom mission is to give a dollar a bale, or twenty percent above market price, whichever is higher,” said Roberts. “Even if cotton market price goes to a dollar, they’re still going to pay you $1.20. What they’re doing is buying a little bit from lots of people, to make it truly Georgia grown.”

It’s a small portion of his total crop, but Roberts says the value goes beyond just economics—it’s about dignity, transparency, and pride.

That mission is resonating with other growers, like Clayton Anderson of Bulloch County, who says it’s refreshing to see a market-driven model that actually supports the people who grow the crop.

“Well, the bottom line is important because that’s what keeps us in business,” Anderson said. “A lot of farmers brag about top yields, but they may not be making money making that top yield. They have to put more inputs in.”

Anderson says it’s not just about the dollars and cents—it’s about the bigger picture.

“It’s a great opportunity, and every little bit helps,” he said. “They’re not buying my whole crop. But I appreciate whatever they can and whatever they’re doing to promote Georgia cotton. Magnolia Loom is doing their part to promote cotton, and I appreciate it. And all farmers do.”

By bringing attention—and better prices—to Georgia-grown cotton, Magnolia Loom is helping restore a direct connection between the field and the fabric. For young farmers like Roberts and Anderson, it’s a step toward making farming viable again—not just for them, but for the next generation.

By: John Holcomb

New FSA Leader Brings Business-Minded Vision to Support Georgia’s Small Farms

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Tifton, GA |

With more than 39,000 farms generating over $13 billion in annual revenue, agriculture is big business in Georgia—and behind many of those operations is a vital federal partner: the Farm Service Agency. Helping lead the way now is newly appointed State Executive Director Duncan Johnson Jr., who brings a fresh perspective rooted in business experience and a desire to support the people behind Georgia’s number one industry.

“I was drawn to this. I was actually asked to consider doing this job because of my business experience,” said Johnson. “Looking into all about agriculture, there’s just great people and an industry that needs help. It’s fun. It’s great people. And farmers are a good community to be a part of. I love being out in it.”

While he may not have grown up on a farm, Johnson says his background running a family business gives him a deep understanding of the pressures Georgia producers face—particularly when it comes to managing rising costs and navigating market uncertainty.

“I think not having grown up as a farmer and growing up in a generational family business, understanding the pressures that come with that… it’s a lot like farming,” Johnson explained. “Hopefully I can take that and translate that into doing a better job to serve our farmers. My long-term goal is to make sure that Georgia’s FSA is accessible to the farmers, is efficient, and does everything it can to help make farming fun and profitable.”

That focus is especially important now, as producers face record-high input costs, lagging commodity prices, and continued financial pressure.

“I think it’s always been important, but especially when times are tough,” Johnson said. “Being familiar with what’s there to help you stay sustainable and profitable is very important. FSA is very important for the farmers because it’s such a tough industry and it is so up and down. And the security of our farmers to make sure we can still go to the grocery store and have something to eat is so important.”

With nearly 90% of Georgia farms generating less than $50,000 in annual sales, Johnson says a renewed focus on small farms is a priority for both state and national leaders.

“The secretary and the president are working really, really hard to make sure that we take care of the farmers and the focus is on the small farmer, which we have a lot of here in Georgia,” said Johnson. “I’m excited to see what’s coming and what the administration is doing and putting out. I think it’s going to be great and a benefit to our small farmers.”

By: Damon Jones

Georgia Producers Tackle Labor Uncertainty at Annual Ag Forum

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Tifton, GA |

For Georgia farmers, securing a reliable workforce is vital to a successful harvest—especially when it comes to fresh produce and specialty crops. That’s why many of them gathered in Tifton for the annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, an event aimed at keeping producers up-to-date on the latest changes to the country’s guest worker programs.

Beth Oleson, Director of Education for the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, says the forum continues to build momentum and foster productive dialogue between growers and regulatory agencies.

“I feel like we actually have gained some momentum. We’ve gained some, some real positive strides with our regulatory agencies. They’re here, they come every year, and they’re actually excited to be here. They’re listening to us. Changes are happening because our growers, our packers, our shippers, our processors are present and they’re having conversations. That’s what this forum is all about,” said Oleson.

According to Will Bentley, President of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, the H-2A guest worker program is essential to Georgia agriculture—especially since the domestic labor force is no longer a viable option for many growers.

“Georgia farmers are, you know, a top user of H-2A labor, typically between number one and number two, state of using the program in the country. So, I mean, it’s obviously important to our industry, especially on the fresh produce side and specialty crops and dairy and green industry and other things like that. So, it’s extremely important to us.”

“Unfortunately, the domestic labor force has shrunk to the point where it’s not really a reliable source of labor for picking crops or working in the fields. It’s become harder, and finding that labor has been more of a challenge. So really, having a dependable labor force through the H-2A program is really what makes Georgia agriculture successful in our ability to be diverse in the crops that we grow here in the state that we just simply couldn’t do if we weren’t able to have a dependable labor force.”

However, that reliance on guest labor has brought added uncertainty—especially as changes to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) continue to strain farm budgets.

“Ten, twenty, thirty percent increases on your labor rate—especially when those decisions aren’t rolled out until kind of late winter when farmers are already making planting decisions, already making hiring decisions—and then they get an increase in their adverse wage rate that they’re required to pay. That’s been the biggest challenge is just offsetting that when farmers can’t just simply raise their prices,” Bentley explained. “We’re price takers. So, the commodity is kind of set on the market for what that’s going to go for a farmer. But then they get a huge increase on the labor side—not to mention the increases on inputs, whether it’s equipment or fertilizer or chemical. So, it’s just really been a challenge on the cost side for our farmers. And that’s really been the biggest obstacle for them being successful.”

Despite the challenges, organizers and attendees of the forum remain hopeful that continued education, conversation, and collaboration can help move the industry forward—ensuring that growers have the tools and labor they need to keep Georgia agriculture thriving.

By: John Holcomb

Lawmakers Trade Bills for Barn Boots in Annual Legislative Livestock Showdown

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Perry, GA |

It was a different kind of showdown at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, where lawmakers traded their suits for show sticks in the annual Legislative Livestock Showdown—an event that brings Georgia’s legislative and agricultural communities together for a day of education and fun in the show ring.

“The Legislative Livestock Showdown is an awesome opportunity for us as a department, and also as an ag industry, to bring in individuals that might not have participated in agriculture or FFA or 4-H growing up,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “We bring them to the fair and show them what agriculture truly means—the passion that our young men and women have, our 4-H and FFA kids, about agriculture and their livestock projects, and the role the livestock industry plays in the state of Georgia.”

Among the lawmakers in the ring this year was Representative Bethany Ballard, who despite growing up around cattle, had never shown them herself—until now.

“This was the most fun that I have had since I have been in the legislature. It was the best day,” Ballard said. “I’m so thankful for Stella from Perry High School, who was my coach today. Everything that happened was not her fault—she was the winner. She did a great job coaching me. I’m sure I just didn’t do a good enough job. But it was so much fun. I’m so excited to have done this because I’ve been so jealous of all the other people who got chosen the past few years. So I would love to do this every single year.”

Ballard says being in the ring gave her an even greater appreciation for the kids who spend months preparing their animals for competition.

“It just makes me appreciate what all of these kids do. They work so hard. They get way more than the hour of training that I got,” she said. “They work on their animal all year long, they put in so much effort. It teaches them a marvelous work ethic. And even if they don’t want to be a farmer in their grown-up life, whatever job they go into, they will have the best work ethic, and any boss would be lucky to have them.”

That’s exactly the goal of the event, according to Representative Robert Dickey, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

“The objective is just to make our colleagues aware of the great facility we have here in Perry and what they do here for our young people showing animals,” Dickey said. “Whether it’s steers like today or sows, pigs, and sheep, it’s just a great program for our young people in this state. And that’s what we were trying to highlight—the importance of this facility to ag education in our state.”

For Harper, it’s not only about the fun, but the opportunity to foster understanding with lawmakers who vote on issues affecting Georgia farmers every day.

“Not only is it fun, not only is it exciting, not only do we have fun with it and it’s a competition between the House and the Senate, but more importantly, it’s another way that we tell our story about agriculture,” Harper said. “Put it in front of those individuals that are making those decisions under the Gold Dome, so when we have those conversations with them, they can relate in a way that they haven’t been able to before.”

By: John Holcomb

Georgia Peanut Harvest Underway Despite Late-Season Drought Concerns

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Vienna, GA |

Peanut harvest is officially underway across Georgia, as combines roar to life and farmers work tirelessly to bring in this year’s crop. Despite a dry finish to the season, early summer rains helped stave off disaster and salvage yields in many areas.

“We started rain, I guess, right at the end of July,” said Teel Warbington of Warbington Family Farm. “I didn’t water from July 30th to about a week to ten days ago… But by and large, the timeliness of the rain was pretty good on the peanut crop here. Time will tell. I don’t think we’re going to set a record.”

Over the coming weeks, peanut fields across the state will be filled with activity from sunup to sundown as harvest ramps up. But according to Warbington, getting started is the most crucial step.

“That’s the most critical part of finishing any project—is starting,” he said. “Getting in a rhythm is key. Everybody knows what they’re doing, and we’ve got a common vision forward. Once you’ve got things settled a bit, it’s a good time of year.”

That timing is especially important given the rising cost of production. Warbington noted that everything from fuel to defoliants has become more expensive.

“Fuel is still up. Electricity’s up. Even some of our defoliants are up,” he explained. “It’s difficult. The Lord has seen us through it before, and I trust He will again—I just hope it’s in farming.”

Despite the financial pressure and unpredictable weather, Warbington says true farmers wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“By and large, to a fault, we’re producers,” he said. “We’re not always good marketers, but we love producing. A person that doesn’t get excited about gathering a crop—even if it’s not a bust—probably doesn’t need to be doing this.”

As farmers across Georgia dig in for the season, it’s clear that resilience, faith, and passion remain deeply rooted in the state’s peanut fields.

By: Damon Jones

Keeping It Covered: Soil Health Front and Center at Tifton Summit

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TIFTON, GA |

In farming, a successful harvest starts from the ground up. That’s why soil health took center stage during a recent Soil Health Summit held at Ponder Farms in Tifton, where producers, researchers, and conservationists gathered to share new practices, technologies, and strategies aimed at building a stronger agricultural foundation—literally.

For Brian Ponder, President of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), soil health isn’t just a best practice—it’s a necessity.

“We got less land to work with,” said Ponder. “So we got to take better care of the land that we have left if we are going to continue to be an independent food supplier for this nation.”

Ponder emphasized that practices like no-till, strip-till, and cover cropping are making a noticeable difference. These methods not only improve a field’s ability to hold nutrients and water but also reduce erosion and improve overall productivity.

And thanks to advances in technology and research, preparing a field for planting looks much different today than it did a generation ago.

“It used to be disc harrows and turning plows,” said Ponder. “Now, with this cotton crop you see, a sprayer ran across the field in January, killed the rye, and then GPS-guided fertilizer went exactly where it needed to go. After that, it was ready for the planter.”

Even so, managing soil health isn’t as easy as pushing a button. Ponder says modern producers must strike a fine balance of crop rotation, nutrient management, and long-term planning—all while keeping a sharp eye on yield potential.

“The name of the game is yield,” he explained. “If you don’t have a good yield, you can’t stay in business. So, taking care of the land in every aspect is critical.”

That’s especially true for cotton growers, who’ve seen prices stagnate for decades despite rising input costs.

“The cotton we’ll sell this year will be the same price that I sold my first crop for forty-one years ago,” said Ponder. “So something had to change to make us more efficient—and this is one of the ways.”

That drive for efficiency is a big reason events like this summit exist. Hosted in partnership with organizations like the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation Districts and GACD, the event gave farmers access to resources that help balance economic viability with long-term sustainability.

“In the next twenty-five years, we’re expected to have ten billion people on the planet,” said Ponder. “We’ve got to feed them. They all want safe food, clean water, and clean air. That’s our goal with the conservation districts—to meet that need. It’s a balancing act, but we’re doing our best to make it work.”

By: Damon Jones

Georgia Ag Issues Summit: Lawmakers Tackle Rural Challenges Ahead of 2026 Session

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Perry, GA |

As Georgia lawmakers gear up for the 2026 legislative session, agriculture leaders and industry professionals recently gathered in Perry for the annual Joint Agriculture Committee Chairmen Ag Issues Summit. Hosted by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Russ Goodman and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Robert Dickey, the event served as a platform to discuss both ongoing concerns and opportunities within Georgia’s largest industry.

“It’s a joint summit between the House and the Senate,” said Senator Goodman. “Chairman Dickey and I are the co-hosts of it and really just bring in people from across the state that are involved in the agricultural industry or extension, or people that have an interest in the industry, and come together and talk about issues, have guest speakers, and find out what our challenges are, what our opportunities are, things that we’re doing well.”

Goodman emphasized the importance of learning from university and extension professionals, noting the summit is essentially “about all things ag.”

For Representative Dickey, the event also plays a critical role in educating colleagues who may not have direct ties to farming or rural life. He says the summit helps bridge that knowledge gap between ag leaders and state lawmakers.

“Chairman Goodman and I are certainly up to speed on a lot of these issues, but so many colleagues are not,” Dickey explained. “That is the kind of information we need to get out to the rest of our colleagues in the House and Senate and the Governor’s office—what the problems are with agriculture in Georgia, what the challenges are that we need to be working on. And there’s lots of them. Rural Georgia and agriculture are facing a lot of headwinds right now.”

Among those headwinds is economic uncertainty—something Senator Goodman says threatens the future of many family farms. He believes public policy needs to be shaped with generational survival in mind.

“Right now, ag is struggling in a lot of ways with commodity prices,” Goodman said. “We’ve seen cost of input come down, but as you heard Dr. Dorfman say, they quadrupled, and now they’re just double what they were pre-COVID. Moving forward, it’s just going to continue to be about making sure we’re implementing public policy that hopefully enables the next generation to continue to farm.”

That message was echoed by Dickey, who says when agriculture suffers, the entire rural community feels the impact.

“Our rural communities are really suffering,” he said. “High cost inputs for farmers, low crop prices—a lot we can’t do on a state level. But we’ve got to support those communities, those rural ag communities, to have the infrastructure, to have the diversity that those communities really need. Agriculture is the largest industry in those counties. When ag constricts, it really puts a burden on our school systems, our roads, and those types of things.”

By: John Holcomb

Georgia Pecan Growers Navigate Tough Season as Harvest Nears

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Tifton, GA |

Pecan growers across Georgia are gearing up for harvest season, which is just weeks away. But unlike past years, 2025’s growing season has been anything but ideal, thanks to excessive rainfall that has brought disease pressure and damaged crops—especially the state’s more delicate varieties.

“Anytime we get as much rain as we’ve had this year, it’s not necessarily a good thing for pecans,” says Lenny Wells, Pecan Extension Specialist with UGA. “The more rainfall we get, the more disease pressure we have. And for a lot of the varieties that we grow, the more disease pressure we have, the more we have to spray to keep the disease off of them.”

The challenge hasn’t just been the total rainfall, but also how frequently it’s fallen.

“When it’s raining every day or four or five days during the week, you just don’t get enough time in between those rains for the leaves to dry out—and then to get out there and be able to spray them before it rains again,” Wells explains. “That causes some issues.”

Aside from increased input costs, the moisture has led to crop damage before some nuts even began to mature. Wells says this is especially true for thin-shelled varieties.

“Some of the thinner shelled varieties are susceptible to splitting,” he says. “Most of the time, that split will occur inside the shuck. But when it happens very quickly, and you get a really heavy influx of rain that the tree sucks up fast, it can actually cause splitting or rupture of that shuck on the outside.”

Ironically, the same rain that caused so many issues earlier in the season is now something growers are hoping for. That’s because the final stages of nut development require plenty of water—whether from the skies or from supplemental irrigation.

“We’re right here at the tail end of it,” says Wells. “Once the shell’s hardened, they start to fill the kernel in the nut, and that’s a high energy demand process for the tree. It takes a lot of water.”

Despite everything, there’s cautious optimism. While it’s not expected to be a bumper crop, growers are seeing better-than-expected yields thanks in part to younger trees coming into maturity.

“This year’s crop looks decent. It’s actually a little better than expected after that storm,” Wells says. “A lot of our old Stuart trees, which still make up a good bit of our acreage in the state, they’re pretty off this year. But we’ve got a lot of younger trees coming in, and that’s kind of offsetting some of that.”

With harvest just around the corner, growers are hoping a strong finish can help salvage a challenging season.

By: Damon Jones

Georgia’s Shrimping Season Launches Amid Rising Demand and Aquaculture Expansion

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Athens, GA |

Shrimping season in Georgia is just weeks away, and with consumer demand for seafood at an all-time high, local shrimpers may be entering one of their most promising seasons yet. But alongside the opportunity comes a fair share of challenges—particularly for those trying to compete with cheaper imports.

“We think there are coastal and marine opportunities, especially with shellfish production,” says Mark Risse, Director of UGA Marine Extension. “And even things like shrimp, which is the number one consumed seafood product in the United States.”

Despite the popularity of shrimp, the number of commercially licensed shrimping boats in Georgia has steadily declined, dipping below 200 in 2023. Much of that, Risse says, stems from the difficulty of competing with low-cost, imported shrimp flooding the market.

“Their biggest issue is that they can’t compete with the prices for imported shrimp,” he explains. “When people go to the store and purchase shrimp, they’re not often looking to source a higher-quality product, which is our wild Georgia shrimp. So, what we need to do is differentiate that product and have consumers willing to pay more for better quality.”

Risse emphasizes that buying local seafood not only supports quality and freshness—it also strengthens the state’s food security and supply chain resilience.

“We don’t control a lot of that process,” says Risse. “If anything, COVID showed that we can’t count on distribution networks to get food to us. The more we can produce here in Georgia, the more assurance we have that we won’t have to go without.”

While shrimp and oysters have traditionally been staples of the state’s coastal economy—including the launch of Georgia’s first floating oyster farm—another area of aquaculture is quickly gaining attention: aquaponics.

“We do think aquaponics is going to be a growth area,” says Risse. “Around the world, recirculating aquaculture systems that are land-based are growing tremendously because they avoid some of the environmental concerns associated with wastewater discharges. And you can control those systems better.”

Currently, Georgia accounts for less than one percent of U.S. seafood production—a number many hope to grow. That’s where the state’s Aquaculture Conference plays a key role, bringing together producers, researchers, and stakeholders to explore how Georgia can expand its footprint by leveraging its natural resources and infrastructure.

“It’s going to take a great group effort,” says Risse. “We’re going to have to work together. This isn’t something UGA can do alone, or any one agency. But I hope we can create some of that momentum to drive the state forward and take advantage of this opportunity.”

By: Damon Jones

Inside Georgia’s Largest Career Expo: Empowering the Next Generation of Ag Leaders

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Macon, GA |

For thousands of students attending the Georgia FFA State Convention, one event stands out as a window into their future: the career expo. As one of the largest in the state, the expo offers students an up-close look at the wide range of opportunities waiting for them in agriculture—and beyond.

“They love to interact with the vendors,” says Ben Lastly, Executive Secretary of Georgia FFA. “We’ve got folks that come in who are truly talking about jobs and careers. And those students learn about opportunities. We have colleges, universities, technical schools here. They help students realize what it takes to get from where you are in middle or high school to our program. They get to interact with folks in the agriculture industry, colleges, universities, the military—life after high school. It’s about preparing these students to be productive when they leave our program.”

And staying in Georgia is a key goal. By showcasing the state’s top industry, the expo aims to keep talented young people close to home, building a stronger future for Georgia’s economy.

“For me, it was amazing to see the sheer mass of agricultural and allied organizations that support students here in our state,” says Andy Paul, Public Relations Representative for Georgia EMC. “We have such talent here in Georgia. When I was a student here, it was amazing to see the opportunities available to me by staying in my hometown.”

While many students are drawn to production agriculture, Lastly says the expo introduces them to the broader scope of the industry—from technology to environmental sciences.

“We have a lot of students interested in production agriculture, but we have plenty interested in technology, research, water quality, the environment, forestry, natural resources,” he explains. “Coming here, they can see what it’s like to work in rural electrification with Georgia EMC, or learn about animal agriculture from the dairy groups. It’s great for students to realize the different parts of agriculture.”

Whether planning to attend college, a technical school, or head straight into the workforce, FFA students are already highly sought after by employers—thanks to both the technical skills and the work ethic they’ve developed.

“They learn a lot of skills in high school that we may not have to train quite as much once they’re on the job,” says Paul. “We’re learning technical skills in agricultural mechanics classrooms. But I think FFA also instills a lot of hard work into those students—tenacity, grit, and the ability to hear a no and come back with a yes.”

Through FFA’s many programs and competitions, students build habits that make them stand out to recruiters, even if they don’t realize it at the time.

“If they’re competing in events like the agriscience fair or proficiency awards, they’re going to practice,” says Lastly. “They show up, work, keep records. And when they talk to employers about that, these students might think they’re just doing FFA things. But they’re getting up early to feed animals, practicing for competitions, double-checking research, tracking hours and finances. Those characteristics are already instilled in them.”