Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) visited several sites throughout Southwest Georgia to meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers as well as a wide range of growers and agribusiness owners. He discussed the state of the peanut, pecan, cotton, fruit, and vegetable industries, which are vital to Georgia’s agriculture economy, as well as the federal programs that support and promote these industries that he champions as the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and as a member of the House Agriculture Committee.
“Congress plays an important role ensuring that Americans continue to have safe, abundant, and affordable food and fibers. This is the food on the tables of American families and the raw materials that drive other important industries like textiles and construction,” said Congressman Bishop. “I am working hard in Congress to ensure federal agriculture programs that support our farmers, ranchers, and producers are fully-funded and visits like these let me know how they are improving the lives of Georgians.”
Georgia — especially its 2nd Congressional District — is an agricultural powerhouse. Out of the entire country, Georgia is #1 in pecans, peanuts, and broilers; #2 in cotton, watermelon, and cottonseed; #3 in peaches and cantaloupe; #4 in vegetable sales; and #5 in tobacco.
Congressman Bishop began the day’s tour by visiting the USDA National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Georgia, where he heard from researchers about the latest work to combat and eliminate Aflatoxin — a naturally occurring fungal byproduct — from peanuts.
Following the laboratory site visit, Congressman Bishop toured Lee Farms and McCleskey Cotton Gin in Bronwood, Georgia. He then went on to Camilla, Georgia, where he toured sweet corn fields and blueberry orchards with J.E.T. Farms Georgia and the pecan orchards at Schermer Pecans.
During the site visits, Congressman Bishop was joined by local farmers as well as representatives from several agriculture industry groups, including:
American Peanut Shellers Association
Alabama Peanut Producers Association
Georgia Peanut Commission
Georgia Agribusiness Council
Georgia Cotton Commission
Southern Cotton Growers
National Cotton Council
Georgia Cotton Commission
Southern Cotton Growers
Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Georgia Pecan Growers Association
As the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Congressman Bishop leads the crafting of the annual federal funding bill which is vital to America’s agriculture industry and the communities that support it.
As part of the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bill, he secured $1.16 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service which supports programs to help control or eradicate invasive plant and animal pests and diseases that can cripple U.S. producers. He is also leading the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide $3.6 billion for agriculture research programs. These funds support projects at institutions like the National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Georgia, as well as 1890 land grant institutions like Fort Valley State University, and partner institutions like the University of Georgia and its extension service throughout the state.
Congressman Bishop also secured $244 million in the House-passed version of the funding bill to facilitate the movement of agricultural products and open market opportunities.
The House Agriculture Committee has held over 60 hearings and business meetings since the beginning of 2021 in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill. Congressman Bishop has participated in hearings during which the committee has heard from agricultural producers, university experts, and stakeholder witnesses. Yesterday’s farm tour provided the Congressman with additional insight that he can bring to the committee as it continues its work on the Farm Bill.
Original source can be found here.
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