The next time you go grocery shopping or dine out at a restaurant, please take a moment to give thanks and honor to our farmers.
In today’s culture, much attention is placed on the strength and wealth of cities and corporations but what if we refocused our attention on the driving mechanism of our country’s economy, including Georgia’s? That engine is rural America.
For generations, farmers have invested their blood, sweat, and tears to provide sustenance for thousands, if not millions across our nation and state. As the cost of living rises and food prices continue to challenge families, the agricultural community must take precedence. Now more than ever, we need tangible solutions that reintroduce self-sustainability, home and land ownership, and entrepreneurship.
Georgia’s Agricultural Economy: By the Numbers
- Economic Impact: Georgia’s agricultural industry generated a farm gate value of $18.03 billion in 2024, with a total economic output of $100.4 billion.
- Major Crops & Livestock: Beyond poultry, key commodities include cotton, eggs, timber, beef cattle, dairy, blueberries, and nursery products.
- Land Use: Nearly 10 million acres of farmland, with an average farm size of 235 acres.
- Regional Differences: Poultry and agriculture dominate North Georgia, while row crops and vegetables are more prevalent in South Georgia.
Honoring Black Farmers and Building Legacy
During Black History Month, leaders such as Agriculture Commissioner of GA Tyler Harper, along with leadership from the United States Department of Agriculture Dr. Alveda King and Bruce Levell, officially proclaimed February 2026 as “Georgia Black Farmers Month” under the Gold Dome. This historic recognition honored more than 2,700 Black farmers for their vital contributions to Georgia’s top industry.
The initiative shines a light on the essential role Black farmers play in strengthening the state’s agricultural economy. It was an honor to witness history alongside incredible leaders—but the highlight of the day was meeting the youngest farmer and entrepreneur in the room.
At just 10 years old, this remarkable young lady, supported by her mother, spoke about the importance of farm entrepreneurship and how agriculture opens doors to generational wealth and long-term legacy. She sells vegetables at farmers’ markets, produces and sells honey, creates organic makeup sourced from her farm, and has even authored a children’s business book on how to generate wealth from your farm.
Did I mention she’s only ten?
Watching a mother actively support her child’s entrepreneurial dreams—while already planning how to do more with their acres of land—is exactly the kind of story we need to see replicated across the Peach State.
Looking Ahead: National Agriculture Month
As we move into March, we continue honoring our fellow countrymen during National Agriculture Month—a time dedicated to recognizing the crucial role farmers, ranchers, and the agricultural industry play in providing food, fiber, and other essential resources. It is also an opportunity to educate the public on production, sustainability, and agriculture’s lasting impact on our economy.
One of the most important takeaways shared by USDA leaders that day was simple but profound:
“If you have land, don’t sell it. Invest in it instead.”
As Thomas Jefferson once said:
“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”
May we honor our farmers not just with words, but with policies, investments, and opportunities that ensure the land and the legacy tied to it endures for generations to come.
Our America Foundation is committed to educating the American public on issues that unite us to achieve the American Dream.
