CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 12/12/13

Georgia Farm Gate reaches $13.99 billion in 2012, increases seen in most commodities

By Merritt Melancon

The overall value of Georgia’s agricultural commodities increased by $931.2 million, 7.2 percent, in 2012 to $13.99 billion.

Georgia’s most valuable commodities continue to be broilers, cotton and peanuts, but other commodities — like beef, vegetables and ornamental horticulture products — saw strong increases this year.

“Overall, 2012 was a really good year for agriculture in Georgia,” said Kent Wolfe, director of the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, which publishes the annual study.

While row crops like cotton, peanuts and corn still make up the bulk of Georgia plant commodity value; farmers grew more vegetables this year. The total value of the veggie crop, which is based in south Georgia, grew 19.8 percent to $935.6 million.

The biggest increases were seen in snap beans, watermelons and sweet corn. Colquitt, Echols and Tift counties led production of vegetables in the state. The most valuable vegetable crop in Georgia in 2012 was the Vidalia onion crop with $163 million of onions produced.

Beef farmers also saw marked increases in the value of their livestock holdings, across all categories, from $409.6 million in 2011 to $537.6 million in 2012.

Other highlights of the newly released 2012 Farm Gate Value Report include:

  • Broiler chickens, perennially Georgia’s most valuable commodity, top the list again with $4.7 billion in value.
  • Franklin, Jackson and Madison counties produced the largest amount of poultry and eggs.
  • Cotton was the highest valued field crop in Georgia with $1.3 billion. Colquitt, Dooly and Mitchell counties were the top three cotton producers for 2012.
  • The value of the state’s peanut crop, Georgia’s third largest commodity, grew from $586.4 million in 2011 to $891.9 million in 2012. Early, Mitchell and Decatur counties were Georgia’s top producing peanut counties in 2012.

For a preview of Georgia’s 2013 production numbers and a preview of the 2014 growing season, register today for the center’s AgForecast series at www.caes.uga.edu/events/agforecast.

For more information about the 2012 Farm Gate Value Report visit the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development’s website at www.caes.uga.edu/center/caed.

Merritt Melancon, a public relations manager for the UGA Terry College of Business, previously served as a public relations coordinator for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Extension.

Authors:
Merritt Melancon
Experts/Sources:
Kent Wolfe
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.