Georgia farmland among most threatened in the nation says new report (Source ajc.com)

Between 2001 and 2016, about 544,000 acres of agricultural land in Georgia were developed or used for purposes other than farming or ranching, 195,000 acres of which are considered the best land for growing food and crops.

“We’ve all witnessed the impacts of empty grocery store shelves in recent months – we must be vigilant in protecting our farms and ensuring that our food system is more secure and resilient,” said Billy Van Pelt II, AFT senior director of external relations. Georgia agriculture is a $9.6 billion dollar industry with just over 42,000 farms. The top products are poultry and eggs, hay, other field crops and cotton.

The report comes just weeks before the general assembly could revisit a hotly debated farm bill (House Bill 545) when the 2020 session, suspended due to COVID-19, resumes in June.