CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 05/02/24

Food and fiber production adds $18 billion to Georgia’s economy

By Jordan Powers
A map of the state of Georgia showing the county level Farm Gate Values
According to figures from the newly released 2022 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, food and fiber production from Georgia’s 159 counties contributes more than $18 billion to the economy statewide. The Farm Gate Value Report analyzes county-level production values for Georgia commodities.

According to figures from the newly released Georgia Farm Gate Value Report for 2022, food and fiber production from Georgia’s 159 counties contributes more than $18 billion to the economy statewide.

The Georgia Farm Gate Value Report offers a comprehensive analysis of the county-level production value for Georgia commodities. The report is compiled and published by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED) within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

“These figures showcase the diversity and vitality of Georgia’s agricultural economy,” said Sharon Kane, agribusiness and community development economist with CAED. “No industry operates in a vacuum. When agriculture is in a community, it’s not just about the farms, but economic activity along the supply chain — processing, manufacturing and beyond.”

The proprietary study is a monumental annual project during which experts from CAED partner with UGA Cooperative Extension agents to complete surveys based on each of Georgia’s counties.

“They know their counties well, we lend our expertise to pull it all together,” Kane said. “The report is both deep and wide — it contains in-depth detail on many Georgia commodities and covers all 159 counties.”

Empowering Georgians to make informed decisions

The Farm Gate Value Report is one part of a suite of publications aimed at providing support to Georgia’s agricultural community — and those curious about how agriculture impacts their county — through data-driven decision-making tools.

Released earlier this year at the 2024 Georgia Ag Forecast event, the 2024 Ag Snapshots provides a brief overview of Georgia’s agricultural industry. Authored by Kane, the report shares data on the top Georgia commodities, top indirect industries supported, Georgia farm statistics and more.

“The 2024 Ag Snapshots provide valuable insights into how production values stimulate additional economic activity throughout the agricultural supply chain and the broader economy,” Kane said. “Collectively, these efforts underscore the significant economic contribution to the state, totaling $83.6 billion in output and supporting 323,300 jobs.”

Valuing agricultural commodities by county

For a more localized perspective, Kane has developed the 2024 Ag Snapshots for Georgia Counties, an online, interactive graphic that explores the economic contribution of agriculture to all 159 Georgia counties.

“These figures encompass the combined impact of industries along the agricultural supply chain, incorporating not only production but also related processing and manufacturing sectors,” Kane said. “This tool serves as a vital resource for understanding the importance of the agricultural economy for each Georgia county.”

While Kane emphasized that these publications focus on data, a team of UGA Extension economists from the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is working on a series of reports — including looking at 20 years of farm gate value trends — that should be released later this summer.

“This data and the analysis to come impacts all Georgians as we choose, from scarce resources, what economic decisions to make every day,” Kane said. “People deserve to know what the economic engine is within their community. In many counties in Georgia, it’s agriculture.”

To learn more about UGA Extension and research efforts from the CAES Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, visit agecon.uga.edu/extension.html.

Jordan Powers is the public relations manager for UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Authors:
Jordan Powers
Experts/Sources:
Sharon P Kane
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
In Georgia alone, there are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, HFIM students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. CAES News
UGA redefines Southern hospitality through a thriving degree program 11/27/24 Claire S. Kinnard
There are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality in Georgia. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, University of Georgia hospitality and food industry management students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. This versatile experience — with its focus on quality curriculum, meaningful interaction with local and national business, and experiential learning — has already begun graduating the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Conner Hall CAES News
CAES welcomes 2024 cohort of Rural Scholars 11/20/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences welcomed its fourth cohort of students chosen for the CAES Rural Scholars Program this fall just weeks after celebrating the program's first graduation. Georgia Orman, one of four inaugural Rural Scholars in CAES, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. The new scholars for 2024, all from Georgia, are Ela Ash of Ocilla, Lauren E. Coley of Cochran, Amelia Housley of Canon, and London O’Steen of Ambrose.
TiftonCampusSunset2 CAES News
CAES Transfer Pathways Program expands enrollment access for rural students 11/12/24 Emily Cabrera
The Transfer Pathways Program is opening new doors for rural students who dream of attending the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College, students who complete required coursework at these institutions can transfer to CAES to complete bachelor’s degrees in one of three majors — agribusiness, agricultural education, and agriscience and environmental systems. 
Georgia is consistently one of the top five states to use the H-2A visa program and depends on H-2A workers for 60% of agricultural jobs. CAES News
Journey to work 10/14/24 Emily Cabrera
On a farm in southwest Georgia, the rising sun is just beginning to shine upon acres of lush fall crops growing in neat rows. Migrant workers are hunched over, quickly picking the dew-covered leafy greens destined for grocery stores throughout the country. At the end of a hard day, they head home to a shared house that has been provided to them for the duration of their employment. The next morning, they will wake and return to the fields for another day of work in the elements and finish with a shared evening in the communal housing.
Helenedamage web CAES News
Hurricane Helene: Preliminary damage assessment on Georgia agriculture and forestry industry 10/10/24 Claire S. Kinnard, Matthew Agvent
Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in coordination with Governor Brian P. Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 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.