MARIETTA — Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black spoke to the Marietta Business Association on Monday, boasting of the state agricultural industry’s economic and social impact, including the department’s partnership with local schools. Black also spoke on the importance of purchasing food locally, touting the abundance of the state’s agriculture opportunities.
The state’s agriculture industry contributed more than $72.5 billion to the state economy and created more than 371,600 jobs, according to a 2013 Farm Gate Value Report by the Georgia Agribusiness Council, an organization that focuses on the business and economic development of agriculture.
“There has never been a brighter time to be involved in agriculture than the time we’re experiencing today,” Black said. “We occasionally have our governmental challenges and problems, but there is a lot of opportunity for growth. We still lead the nation in peanuts, pecans and poultry.”
During his talk, Black spoke of an agriculture marketing and economic development program called Georgia Grown. The program was launched in 2011 and connects businesses, restaurants and schools with local farmers and producers.
“We started with the premise that we have the best land in America,” he said. “The Lord has blessed us with the most abundant water resource, really, of anywhere in America. Despite our transportation challenges, we still have the best transportation system on the globe, and we’ve got the best port on the east coast and soon in America. Hence Georgia Grown.”
Georgia Grown operates a partnership with schools across the state called “Feed My School for a Week.” The partnership aims to bridge the gap in nutritional value and quality of food served in schools, according to the Georgia Grown website. Also launched in 2011, the “Feed My Schools for a Week” program provides schools with locally sourced meals for one week during the spring semester. Each school is enrolled in the program for a three-year period. Thirteen schools have participated in the program and the organization plans to add five more this year.
“We want to be able to tell folks and parents, ‘You want to own the lunchroom? There’s a way to do that,” Black said. “It’s called Feed My School for a Week. I am absolutely convinced that when it comes to our young people, one of the bigger challenges is what kind of fuel are we putting in them. If we can improve the fuel, we can improve performance.”
Georgia Grown also operates a Test Kitchen initiative, launched in 2014, which partnered with 10 schools, including McClure Middle School in Kennesaw, to promote local eating through the supply of recipes. The Georgia Grown recipes instruct schools on how to source food products.
Marietta City Schools also partnered with Georgia Grown during the 2013-14 school year, featuring Georgia Grown products in its meals as part of its Farm To School program.
The Marietta Business Association presented a signed book of recipes with local products to Sommer Vega, spokeswoman for Marietta City Schools.
Black said the state’s agriculture industry was destined to prosper, saying the tradition of agriculture dates back to the state’s founding.
“I believe that this is the way God made Georgia,” he said. “I do not believe it is by accident. I believe that we ought to look at our heritage to learn about that because if I were to ask you where our name came from, you would say from King George. That is correct, but what many people do not know is Georgia is the feminine form of George. In the Greek language, it means a farmer. Our very name is rooted in agriculture. It’s the first thing we ever did when we got here and it’s still an $80 billion dollar importance today.”
Marietta Business Association President Julie Michaels said Black’s presentation aligned with the organization’s theme.
Elected in 2010, Black is the 16th Georgian to hold the position of agriculture commissioner since the department’s inception in 1874.
Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairman Tim Lee, who attended the meeting, commended Black’s efforts as commissioner.
“I don’t think there is an individual who loves more what he does and his job than Gary (Black).” Lee said. “His focus as far as we’re concerned, here in Cobb we don’t have a lot of agriculture opportunities here in Cobb but he believes in safe food, responsible government, and creating opportunities. I’m proud of his leadership.”
Applications for the 2015 Feed My School program are open until April 3.
