Press Releases

Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.) voted in support of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, also known as the Farm Bill, today to support farmers and the agriculture industry. 

The legislation includes several measures critical for agriculture in the First District of Georgia including reauthorizing the crop insurance program, reauthorizing and improving the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) options, and supporting specialty crops including blueberries, peaches, olives, grapes, tree nuts, and more. The Farm Bill provides full funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and increases the specialty crop block grant program to help specialty crops compete in the market. 

Additionally, the Farm Bill supports forestry in Georgia by encouraging research to help open new markets for wood products. 

"As Georgia’s top industry, the hard work of our farmers, ranchers, and producers significantly contributes to the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world," said Carter. "I voted for this legislation today because it provides critical support and long-term certainty that our agricultural community needs and deserves. It is an honor to represent a large part of Georgia's agricultural community, and I am committed to fighting for Georgia's farmers and this industry that is responsible for one in seven jobs in our state."

Among other improvements and reforms, the Farm Bill:

• Reauthorizes and strengthens the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) options through 2023;
• Improves and streamlines the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
• Ensures assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by unfair foreign trading practices;
• Protects crop insurance;
• Streamlines and reduces regulatory burdens;
• Supports rural broadband;
• Establishes a new National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, designed to protect the health of the nation’s livestock sector, and;
• Helps beginning farmers and ranchers establish themselves in agriculture.