WASHINGTON, D.C. (Farm Monitor) — Georgia’s young farmers are stepping away from the field and heading to Capitol Hill, bringing their concerns directly to lawmakers.
More than two dozen members of the Georgia Farm Bureau recently traveled to Washington to talk about the challenges they’re facing, including rising input costs and ongoing pressure in the farm economy.
Garrett Hurley, chairman of the organization’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, says it’s important for lawmakers to hear those concerns firsthand.
“Whenever you start thinking about the farm economy, I don’t think there’s ever been, potentially ever a time, that it’s been more important to come up here, to be in DC to talk to these legislators and let them know how bad it really is back home, and hopefully get some support from them.”
Hurley says the goal is to make sure farmers have a seat at the table as policy decisions are being made.
While the Georgia Farm Bureau works on these issues year-round, leaders say nothing replaces face-to-face conversations.
National Affairs Coordinator Ben Parker says hearing directly from farmers can have a bigger impact.
“Hearing it directly from their mouths to lawmakers’ ears is the biggest impact. It means a lot more coming directly from a constituent, that their entire aim and breadwinning abilities are based on how effective and profitable agriculture can be.”
He adds that conversations around issues like high input costs carry more weight when they come from the people directly affected.
With major policy decisions still ahead, farmers say staying engaged in Washington will remain a priority.
