🚜 What could specialized support for Georgia's small-scale farms look like?

Right now, neighboring states offer dedicated programs that give small fruit and vegetable growers a real seat at the table. If Georgia followed suit, here is what our state could build to help local farm enterprises expand and thrive: 🔹 A Dedicated Small and Diversified Farm Program: Establishing specialized staff within the Department of Agriculture to deliver tailored technical assistance and business support for small-scale growers. 🔹 Targeted Grant and Loan Programs: Creating low-barrier state grants and beginning farmer land-access financing to help new growers secure farmland and equipment. 🔹 Expanded Institutional Purchasing: Leveraging state buying power to connect local fruit and vegetable producers directly to schools, universities, and hospitals. 🔹 Health and Safety Net Resources: Supporting state-level health insurance access and mental health services tailored for self-employed producers. Our nonpartisan coalition asked candidates for Georgia Agriculture Commissioner if they would support these types of tailored resources. Neither candidate responded, so as voters, it's up to us to review their agendas and cast our ballots with these priorities in mind! 🗳️ 🔹 Tyler Harper (R - Incumbent): https://ballotpedia.org/Tyler_Harper 🔹 Katherine Juhan-Arnold (D): https://ballotpedia.org/Katherine_Juhan-Arnold Early voting ends Friday, October 30. Check your registration and find your early voting location at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. #EveryGAFarm