Loeffler: Georgia agribusiness is the backbone of our economy

Gathering around the dinner table, running to the grocery store to get bread, milk and eggs, or stopping by a farmer’s market for fresh produce are part of many of our routines from week to week. That’s all made possible because of the farmers, ranchers and producers who feed and fuel Americans and people around the globe.

In Georgia, agribusiness is our state’s leading industry, contributing over $75 billion in economic impact each year. Growing up on a farm, I understand firsthand the importance of rural communities and the necessity of our metropolitan areas investing in programs that advance the agriculture sector that benefits us all.

As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I will always stand with our farmers, support pro-growth policies, and proudly promote our Georgia-grown products. Just like those working in agriculture, I am working around the clock to keep the Peach State growing.

I recently stopped by the Georgia Farm Bureau headquarters in Macon to meet with bureau president Gerald Long and many members of our state’s farming community. We discussed the challenges farmers face and how I am dedicated to eliminating barriers to growth in Washington. I look forward to working with the Trump administration to build off successful trade deals, fight against unfair competition abroad, and ensure that our farmers get the resources they need to continue feeding families in Georgia and throughout the world.

While the challenges the industry faces don’t always have a simple solution, Georgia farmers can rest assured I’m working hard for them and using my business background and my work ethic to cut through D.C. bureaucracy.

Without question, the input of farmers and growers in Georgia is essential as I continue to work to promote policies in Washington that will help our agricultural community prosper and ensure quality products for our nation and beyond.

Last week I also spoke with representatives from the Georgia Agribusiness Council as well as U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The secretary and I met on multiple occasions to discuss our shared priorities, labor issues, grant funding for disaster relief, and the strength of farming in Georgia.

As two Georgians with farming backgrounds, Secretary Perdue and I are working hard for Georgia’s farmers. I also will be partnering with my colleagues Congressmen Austin Scott and Sanford Bishop, who both serve on the House Agriculture Committee, to protect our state’s interests.

Simply put, I will never stop fighting to help Georgia farmers, producers, growers and ranchers succeed. Georgia depends on them and so does America.

Republican Kelly Loeffler represents Georgia in the United States Senate and serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.