State officials will be joining the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association in an update of state agricultural funding.
Gov. Brian Kemp and state Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black have confirmed they plan to attend the March 5 meeting in Tifton to update state and federal responses to Hurricane Michael.
“Members of the Georgia Congressional delegation have also been hard at work on securing disaster funding for growers hit by Hurricane Michael,” according to a news release from the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.
With Congress in session, Georgia’s delegation has been invited to participate in the meeting via video conference, according to the release.
“Hurricane Michael was devastating, and we are glad to have the support of our congressional members to work to get disaster funding to Georgia,” Charles Hall, executive director of the growers’ association, said in a news release. “We are looking forward to the update tonight.”
According to University of Georgia Extension agents and agricultural economists, Hurricane Michael caused more than $2.5 billion in losses to Georgia’s agricultural industry. Georgia’s vegetable industry suffered over $480 million in direct losses, according to the release.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the University of Georgia’s Conference Center in Tifton. The association can answer questions about the meeting at 706-845-8200, according to the release.
Hurricane Michael hit growing areas in Georgia and Florida in October.
