Working Together for Ag-Specific Disaster Relief

I am committed to getting our Georgia farmers critical disaster relief after Hurricane Helene.

The preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia’s number one industry is $6.46 billion, including preliminary direct losses to farm families & forest landowners of almost $3.2 billion.

I joined Governor Kemp, Georgia's Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper, Rep. Sanford Bishop, Rep. Buddy Carter, and other state and local officials last week to assure our farmers that we are all working together to help our communities recover from this disaster.

Read more here.

Examining Poultry Loss

I also met with leadership from Pilgrim's Pride to hear about their poultry house damage after Hurricane Helene. The poultry industry took a huge hit in Georgia, with hundreds of poultry houses completely destroyed.

Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper also attended and heard the needs from our poultry farmers firsthand.

AgNet | Hurricane Helene Devastates Southeast Agriculture

"The Southeast agricultural sector is reeling from severe damage after Hurricane Helene, with losses reported in crops, poultry, and dairy operations. Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to Georgia’s agricultural sector, according to U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Representative Austin Scott, both of Georgia. 'The damage that Georgia growers have sustained is in some cases catastrophic,' Ossoff stated. He highlighted that crops like pecans, cotton, and poultry operations were severely impacted.

Representative Scott emphasized the importance of federal aid for farmers, noting, 'We’re working together to ensure that there is ag-specific disaster relief.' He mentioned that many growers face power outages, with crops at risk of spoilage without refrigeration."

Read more here.

Morning Ag Clips | Helene: Preliminary Damage Assessment on Ga. Ag & Forestry

"Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper in coordination with Governor Brian P. Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), and the Georgia Forestry Commission announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia Agriculture is $6.46 billion. This figure represents the sum of direct crop losses, losses to businesses that support agriculture and forestry, losses to workers in those related industries, and estimated recovery and restoration costs that agricultural businesses will face. This estimate is based on projections by University of Georgia commodity analysts, Georgia Forestry Commission foresters, and a model of the Georgia State Economy. This estimate should be interpreted as preliminary, as it will take months to understand the full scope of Helene’s damage.

Commissioner Harper was joined at the announcement by Governor Brian P. Kemp, Georgia House Speaker John Burns, UGA CAES Dean Nick Place, Georgia Forestry Director Johnny Sabo, Congressman Austin Scott, Congressman Sanford Bishop, Congressman Buddy Carter, Georgia House and Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairmen Robert Dickey and Russ Goodman, House Rules Committee Chairman Butch Parrish, State Senator Larry Walker, State Rep. Clay Pirkle, and dozens of farmers and agriculture industry representatives.

Hurricane Helene is the third named storm to hit the State of Georgia in the past thirteen months, and it could not have come at a worse time for Georgia farmers and producers who were already facing economic hardship caused by inflation, high input costs, and depressed commodity prices. Prior to Helene, US Net Farm Income was projected to drop by $6.5 billion in 2024, following a decline of $35.6 billion in 2023."

Read more here.