FOX 31: State Officials Discuss Georgia Agriculture Budget Cuts

By Sarah Bleau
Thursday, February 24, 2011

Rep. Bishop and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner talk about Continuing Resolution that would cut $5.2 billion in agriculture funds

ALBANY, GA -- Representative Sanford Bishop and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black discussed a resolution that could cut agriculture programs by 22 percent.

“I was very pleased to sit down with Commissioner Black this morning and talk about the range of issues facing Georgia’s agriculture sector, and how we can work together,” says Bishop in a press release. “We both recognize that the budgetary constraints facing our country will require the country to make strategic choices about our priorities, but we are committed to working across party lines to defend those programs that are absolutely essential to Georgia agriculture.”

The officials talked about the effects the Continuing Resolution (CR) could have on Georgia agriculture. If signed into law, the $5.2 billion in cuts would affect programs that fund conservation, rural development and research programs.

“We both believe that the government must act in a fiscally responsible way and find efficiencies where it can. However, we are committed to working across party lines to defend Georgia’s agriculture community. We must do everything necessary to ensure that our country establishes the right priorities and maintains the programs that Georgia’s farmers need to continue leading America’s agriculture sector,” says Bishop.