A blue-berry.

Bad joke aside, the issues facing Georgia’s blueberry farmers are no laughing matter. Our top fruit is vital to the First District’s local economy, and those who grow it rely on factors outside of their control, such as the weather, to ensure a plentiful harvest.

Unfortunately, the federal government has long had a blind spot when it comes to protecting blueberry farmers. The Department of Agriculture has protections in place so that farmers who lose their crops to a flood, hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster can apply for financial assistance. This is crucial because if farmers can’t harvest, not only will there be an immediate impact to our food supply, but it means that they might not be able to afford to plant a crop for the next year, which will make a bad situation worse.

Freezes, however, have not been considered covered losses by the federal government. That’s a major problem.

People might not associate Georgia with cold weather, but last March there was a freeze that resulted in 54 million pounds of Georgia’s blueberry harvest, more than half of the state’s entire crop, being lost. If they had been lost to any other natural disaster, those farmers would be able to recoup their investment – but since it was a freeze, there is no help.

This wasn’t the first freeze to hit Georgia, and it won’t be the last.

Fortunately, there is momentum in Congress to address this issue, and quite frankly it’s an easy fix. I sat down with Georgia State Senator Russ Goodman and Chair of the Western Congressional Caucus Dan Newhouse (R-WA) to discuss why this issue is important and what steps the federal government must take to address it.

Tune in, you’ll be berry glad you did.

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're discussing energy, something First District residents have a much better grasp on than Joe Biden. 

Thursday, October 20, 2022: It’s always a pleasure to join my good friends on the World Famous Butch and Bob Show in Jesup and this morning we discuss the upcoming midterm elections as well as news of the day.

Once in our Savannah District office, I join in on an all staff conference call before recording a video regarding the Lymphedema Treatment Act that I am sponsoring.

After a visit to the Homebuilders Association of Savannah, I head to Thunderbolt where I speak to the Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA) and hear their concerns of pending rules and regulations that will negatively impact their customers.

Next, I head to Skidaway Island where I have the honor of speaking at the monthly meeting of Ladies on the Right (LOTR) and bringing them up to date on the upcoming midterm elections.

After a great meeting with these true patriots, I head to the Good Samaritan Clinic in Garden City, a joint venture of St. Joseph’s/Candler and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church that offers free primary care to the uninsured with an annual income level less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Next, I head back to our Savannah District Office, and during the drive, I have a conference call with representatives from the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) to discuss my call yesterday with the DHA regarding TRICARE.

After a meeting with the University of Georgia (UGA) Small Business Development Center for an update on their work, I have an on-camera interview with FOX 28 in Savannah to discuss early voting.

Next, I head to the Georgia Ports in Savannah where I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before heading to Southside Savannah where I have the honor of speaking at the Savannah Credit Union's annual meeting.

Friday, October 21, 2022: After our weekly Band of Brothers Bible study this morning in Garden City, I head to Shellman Bluff in McIntosh County where I participate in the first annual Coastal Community Health Charity Golf Classic. Coastal Community Health provides quality, accessible healthcare to patients across Coastal Georgia.

Later in the evening, I attend the Wayne County/Benedictine football game in Savannah where I have the honor of performing the coin toss before the game.