Wilkinson, McCall co-host Ag Issues Summit
Late last month, State Senator John Wilkinson and State Representative Tom McCall co-hosted the Joint Agriculture Committee Chairmen Ag Issues Summit, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia.
Wilkinson told WNEG News that “Agriculture is an integral part of Georgia’s past, present and future.”
He added that it’s imperative that Georgia’s citizens understand that agriculture is so much more than just the number one industry in Georgia, “it’s the food we eat, clothes we wear and jobs for thousands of Georgians.”
Wilkinson explained that the summit is a tool for the communities across the state “to better understand how to help make farming and agribusiness practices easier for those who work in the industry.”
Members of the Senate and House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committees were in attendance, as well as other stakeholders including educators, agribusiness and agritourism representatives, and farmers.
The year, the annual Ag Issues Summit featured Jud Turner, an Attorney with Gilbert and Harrell Law Firm, who gave an update on the Water Wars; Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia Amy Carter and ABAC President Dr. David Bridges who spoke on the Georgia Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation; Georgia FFA Executive Director Ben Lastly and Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Legislative Director Bo Warren who spoke on changes to the GATE program.
Lastly, the attendees were given a brief wrap up of progress in Georgia agriculture over the past year by Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black.
Wilkinson added he was “thankful these industry professionals had a chance to present on these topics and together, [and he is committed to] continue working to make Georgia the most ag-friendly state in the nation.”
Wilkinson serves as Chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and Vice Chairman of the Education and Youth Committee.
He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns counties and portions of Hall and Jackson counties.