By Michael Wall
Michael Wall is the Director of Advocacy at Georgia Organics.
(Left to right) Director of Advocacy Michael Wall, Farm Manager Logan Petrey of Grimmway Farms, and Rep. Austin Scott, vice chair of the House Ag Committee.
Over the past 12 months, Georgia Organics has traveled to the U.S. Capitol three times to argue for a more organic-friendly Farm Bill. On each of the trips, Georgia Organics brought along farmers who are active advocates for more support for small- to mid-scale sustainable growers.
In all, Georgia Organics, along with farmers Russell Brydson of Narrow Way Farm in McDonough, Ga., Logan Petrey of Grimmway Farms in Lake Park, Ga., and Georgia Organics Board Chair CheFarmer Matthew Raiford of Gilliard Farms in Brunswick, Ga., have met with the following members of Congress, or their legislative staff:
Rep. Austin Scott, R-GA 8th District, Vice Chair of the House Ag Committee
Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, Member of the Senate Ag Committee
Sen. John Boozman, R-AR, Ranking Member Senate Ag Committee
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, Chair of the Senate Ag Committee
Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R- PA 15th District, Chair of the House Ag Committee Chair
Rep. David Scott, D-GA 13th District, Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-GA
Rep. Nikema Williams, D-GA 5th District
Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-GA 2nd District, Member of the House Ag and Appropriations Committees
Almost all of the conversations were civil and respectful, with Congressional members and staff who are working hard for their constituents and the agriculture community.
“One of our top goals during these meetings is to encourage members of Congress and their staff to visit certified organic operations in Georgia, to hear more directly from our farmers and observe their operations firsthand. ”
Georgia Organics, and the farmers with us, pushed for more support for organic and sustainable farmers, especially when it comes to safety nets and risk management, conservation programs operated by the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the needs of farmers who are attempting to transition to organic certification. The trips to Washington, D.C., are made possible because of partnerships and support provided by the Organic Trade Association, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and funding provided by Organic Valley and Farm Aid.
(From left to right) Farmer Julia Asherman of Rag & Frass Farm surveys crops with Sen. Jon Ossoff’s Legislative Correspondent Caroline Li and Legislative Director Anna Cullen.
One of our top goals during these meetings is to encourage members of Congress and their staff to visit certified organic operations in Georgia, to hear more directly from our farmers and observe their operations firsthand.
Two such meetings occurred this Summer. The first was with hosted by farmer Julia Asherman of Rag N Frass Farm in Jeffersonville, Ga., where we met Sen. Ossoff’s Legislative Correspondent Caroline Li and Legislative Director Anna Cullen.
The second on-farm meeting was held at Grimmway Farms with Rep. Austin Scott and farm manager Logan Petrey. Grimmway Farms, with facilities and acreage in Georgia, Florida, California, Washington, and Colorado, operates the largest certified organic farm east of Mississippi, and the largest certified organic carrot farm in the world.
“The trips to Washington, D.C., are made possible because of partnerships and support provided by the Organic Trade Association, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and funding provided by Organic Valley and Farm Aid. ”
The farm tours and discussions led to a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and promising economic opportunities that accompany certified organic production in Georgia.
Most of the obstacles our farmers and ranchers face could be resolved with a Farm Bill that prioritizes soil health and recognizes the multitude of solutions organic farmers provide for battling climate change and preventable, health-related illnesses.
Curious about our current policy priorities? Learn about the importance of the Farm Bill, as dictated by our farmers, here.
To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn by searching the handle @GeorgiaOrganics or Georgia Organics.