Last week was Georgia Agriculture Awareness Week, and here in Habersham County, we know agriculture is our largest economic driver.
“As we celebrate Agriculture Awareness Week, let us remember that agriculture is way more than just a job – it’s a way of life,” said Commissioner Tyler Harper. “From the gas pump to the grocery store and everywhere in between, Agriculture and the Georgia Department of Agriculture impact all 11 million Georgians every single day. Today we appreciate and celebrate Georgia’s farmers and farm families who work every day to produce the food, fiber, and shelter the rest of us rely on. We can all play a part in ensuring the success of Georgia’s No. 1 industry – Agriculture.”
From the farm to our plates and beyond, Georgia’s agricultural industry never stops working for all of us. Last week’s celebration highlighted the people, communities and products that make Georgia Nature’s Favorite State.
Without our farmers, we are nowhere.
In November, Farm Bureau board member Gilbert Barrett said the statewide agriculture is responsible for 1.4 billion jobs, noting that 1 in 7 Georgians work in agriculture.
Barrett, who is head of the Programs and Education committee for Farm Bureau, added that Habersham County has a $75 million farmgate value.
“Agriculture is the life blood for us to sustain life, but it also gives us, because of strong partnerships, it provides a strong economy,” Barrett said.
Barrett quoted William Jennings Bryant during his remarks “Great cities rest upon our broad and fertile prairies,” Bryant’s quote reads. “Burn down the cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic. But destroy our farms, and grass will grow in every coyote in the country.”
Autumn Samsel of the Habersham County 4-H Club framed her remarks about agricultural impact with a super hero analogy.
“Typical super heroes come from stories about folks with bright-colored capes, athleticism for days and a heart to help,” Samsel said. “But we needed a farmer to grow the cotton for Superman’s red cape, and we needed a farmer to raise the leather for Batman’s suit. Without those things, they would be rather forgettable. We need farmers to grow food to keep super heroes healthy every day, as a super hero in poor health would be a quite useless thing. But those farmers don’t even need super powers to affect every single person, every single day. With their God-given gifts, knowledge many of us cannot fathom and hard work, they keep our world running.”
Thanks to all who make our rural agricultural community possible.