On May 6th, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed a number of bills related to agriculture, forestry, and natural resources into law at an event in Monroe County. These included HB 1310, introduced by Representatives Jaclyn Ford (170th – Alapaha), Robert Dickey (144th – Musella), Steven Meeks (178th – Screven), Angie O’Steen (169th – Ambrose), Al Williams (168th – Midway), and Chas Cannon (172nd – Moultrie), which designates cotton as the official fabric of the State of Georgia. Governor Kemp also signed HB 1159, which exempts Farmer Bridge Assistance payments from state income tax. He was surrounded by cotton and other agricultural industry leadership for the signing of these measures.
GCC Chairman Bart Davis, a Colquitt County cotton producer, stated, “The production of food and fiber is vital to Georgia residents and communities, and we are thankful for the support of our industry and promotion of cotton by our state legislators.”
Representative Steven Meeks is a member of the Commission’s Board of Directors, and Representative Jaclyn Ford is a member of cotton industry organizational leadership.
The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer-funded organization located in Perry, Georgia. The Commission began in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay an assessment enabling the Commission to invest in programs of research, promotion, and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia. For more information about this and other topics please call 478-988-4235 or visit us on the web at www.georgiacottoncommission.org.