News: Media Kits: Georgia Agricultural Resources
Reporting on Georgia Agriculture
Whether agriculture is your regular beat or just a story you cover when there's a new farm bill or weather crisis, it can be confusing. How do you wade through the steady stream of agencies, commissions and trade associations to get to the right person?
We hope this guide, written and produced by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' media team, will help you navigate your way.
- Commodity Commissions
- Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Food and Drug Administration
- Georgia Agribusiness Council
- Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service
- Georgia Department of Agriculture
- Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Stations
- Georgia Farm Bureau
- Georgia Forestry Commission
- Trade Associations
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Commodity Commissions
Most Georgia crops have a commodity commission, designated by the Georgia General Assembly, that carries out official functions. At the end of each section in this notebook you will find contact information for specific Georgia commodity commissions, which are good sources for information about their commodity and economic issues.
Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
This state agency protects Georgia's air, land and water resources by enforcing state and federal environmental statutes on air and water quality, hazardous waste, water supply, solid waste, surface mining, underground storage tanks and other areas.
Food and Drug Administration
The FDA is the source for federal regulation information pertaining to finished food products.
Georgia Agribusiness Council
The state's primary broad-based agribusiness trade association works to promote agribusiness development in the state. The council offers its services and facilities as resources to media professionals interested in agriculture-related subjects.
Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service
This state branch of the federal agency responsible for preparing official estimates of agriculture works cooperatively with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service to provide county-level statistical information on crops, livestock, poultry, fruits, nuts and many other Georgia commodities. For a modest fee you can subscribe to its publications or visit its Web site at http://www.nass.usda.gov/ga.
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Founded in 1874, the Georgia Department of Agriculture was the first such department established in the United States. The department is mainly a regulatory and enforcement agency with the primary goal of protecting Georgia consumers and promoting the farming sector.
The agency's activities are directed by Commis-sioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, a constitutional officer elected for a four-year term in the same general election as the governor and other executive officers. The department, which has 833 employees, is organized into divisions with each having different regulatory and enforcement responsibilities.
Divisions of the department include administration, animal industry, consumer protection, plant industry, fuel and measures, and marketing.
This is the source to call for questions about Georgia law, policy and regulation involving agriculture and agricultural products.
Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Stations
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Stations have scientists around the state who conduct research and work with growers to apply the research. They are valuable sources on specific commodities, economic issues, trends, food safety and environmental issues. Each county also has an Extension agent who can give you information for specific areas of the state. These specialists can provide media with cutting edge, up-to-date, nonbiased information. Fort Valley State University also conducts educational county programming with the Cooperative Extension Service.
Georgia Farm Bureau
This grassroots organization of farm families addresses farm-related issues.
Georgia Forestry Commission
With 12 district offices overseeing Georgia's 159 counties, this state agency's personnel are experts in forestry practices including fire detection, suppression and prevention and the management, marketing and development of Georgia's expansive forests. They also have expertise in environmental and water quality and many other forestry-related subjects.
Trade Associations
These organizations help producers develop markets for Georgia-grown products. Look for specific associations listed under the individual commodities in this book.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This agency is the source for federal regulations pertaining to farm activities. Find news releases, contacts and more on its Web site at www.usda.gov.
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The college is the overarching organization of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service and the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations. The college provides a daily news service for all Georgia media on-line, and weekly mail and e-mail news services by subscription only. CAES news editors across Georgia can connect media to scientists and specialists as sources for stories on agriculture, horticulture, environmental issues, family and consumer sciences, youth development and more. For contact numbers, news and more, visit our Web site at www.caes.uga.edu/news/news.html.