On March 31, 2021, Senator Warnock and Congressman Bishop visited agricultural producers throughout Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. During this tour, they met with local farmers and various industry leaders to discuss the importance of Georgia’s agricultural footprint, as well as the importance of the federal government in supporting Georgia’s agriculture industry.
Congressman Bishop serves as the chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee and he serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Senator Warnock joined the U.S. Senate Ag Committee and is chairman of the Senate Ag subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade.
During Senator Warnock’s first congressional tour since being elected, he heard the individual needs of the different commodity groups at each stop. The stops included:
- Fort Valley State University
- Minor Brothers Farm (fruits & vegetables)
- OLAM (peanut shelling facility)
- Lee Cotton Gin
- Century Pecan Groves
- Davis Farms (cotton, peanut, and vegetables)
- Dollison Farms (farm-to-table pork, vegetables, and peanuts).
During the stop at OLAM Peanut Shelling Facility, Senator Warnock had a crash course about the economic impact of the peanut industry in Georgia, Georgia’s peanut exports, and the nutritional benefits that peanuts have. These remarks came from:
- Jamie Brown, Senior Director of US Peanut Shelling Operations for OLAM
- Don Koehler, Executive Director, The Georgia Peanut Commission
- Tyron Spearman, Executive Director, The National Buying Points Association
- Karl Zimmer, President & CEO of Premium Peanut
“As a member of U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, I am committed to supporting Georgia’s agricultural economy—and ensuring those Georgia farmers and producers that put food on the table have a seat at the table. Our state and nation are dependent on you and your important work.” – Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock.