Keystone Today

Following a bipartisan tour of hurricane damage in Florida and Georgia, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson released a statement regarding the impact of recent hurricanes on the agricultural sector. "Traveling to the Southeast, I was able to see firsthand the devastating impact of the recent hurricanes. Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit our agricultural sector especially hard, highlighting the urgent need for disaster relief. I want to thank Rep. Austin Scott and Rep. Kat Cammack for the invitation. I am committed to identifying resources to help our hardworking producers and rural communities fully recover and thrive," he stated.

Over the weekend, at the invitation of Representatives Austin Scott and Kat Cammack, a bipartisan group from the Committee on Agriculture visited Northern Florida and Southern Georgia. The delegation included Reps. Doug LaMalfa and Darren Soto alongside Chairman Thompson. The visit aimed to assess damage, engage with affected producers, and gain an understanding of local responses to inform future disaster aid legislation discussions in Washington D.C.

Congressman Austin Scott expressed gratitude for Chairman Thompson's visit: “I’m thankful to Chairman Thompson for visiting Georgia’s Eighth district to survey the damage after Helene. Georgia’s farmers need help, and I appreciate the Chairman taking the time to meet with them firsthand so we can better work together for relief.”

In Georgia, they toured hurricane damage at a pecan orchard in Pearson before heading to Broxton where they met with poultry and pecan producers as well as representatives from the University of Georgia. They also inspected several damaged poultry houses. According to reports from the University of Georgia, Hurricane Helene's economic impact on Georgia's agriculture industry is estimated at $6.46 billion.

Congresswoman Kat Cammack shared her appreciation: “I’m grateful to Agriculture Committee Chairman 'GT' Thompson for visiting the Florida and Georgia areas impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Helene devastated my district at the end of August, generating billions in agriculture losses for some of our major crops."

In Florida, members toured Shenandoah Dairy in Live Oak, held discussions with producers at Suwannee County Farm Bureau, surveyed timber tracks with Florida Forestry Association representatives, and examined infrastructure damage at Adams Farm in Jasper. They concluded their visit by meeting fruit and vegetable producers in Jennings who were affected by hurricanes.

Preliminary assessments by Florida’s Department of Agriculture indicate that Hurricane Milton caused between $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion in damages to crops and agricultural infrastructure.

The tour comes amid challenging times for American farmers who have faced numerous adversities since 2018 including pandemics, trade wars, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, rising costs, lower commodity prices among others resulting in significant declines in farm income along with record trade deficits.

A new five-year farm bill is seen as essential alongside an agriculture disaster package which remains crucial according to committee discussions informed by this trip.