House and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairmen Announce 2026 Ag Issues Summit and Launch Joint Family Farms Study Committee

ATLANTA - State Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella), chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and State Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell), chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, will host the annual Ag Issues Summit on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Perry, Georgia. The summit will also serve as the inaugural meeting of the Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms.

"Georgia agriculture has always been built on the strength of family farms, and preserving that legacy requires us to plan for the future," said Rep. Dickey. "The Ag Issues Summit provides an opportunity for farmers, lawmakers and industry leaders to come together, exchange ideas and help shape policies that strengthen our agricultural economy. I'm proud to join Chairman Goodman in launching this important study committee as we work to ensure family farms continue to thrive across Georgia."

"This summit has always been about bringing the people who feed and clothe our state back to the table so we can hear directly from them about the challenges they're facing," said Sen. Goodman. "Chairman Dickey and I are both farmers. We understand that family farms are navigating rising costs, workforce shortages, market uncertainty and other challenges. The creation of this study committee reflects our commitment to listening to producers, learning from industry experts and developing practical, long-term solutions to keep Georgia's family farms strong for generations to come."

Each year, the Ag Issues Summit brings together lawmakers, industry leaders and members throughout Georgia's farming community to discuss the issues shaping the future of the state's number one industry. This year's event will launch the work of the joint study committee, established by House Resolution 1416 during the 2026 legislative session, to examine the economic challenges facing family farms and identify policies to help preserve Georgia's agricultural heritage for future generations.

The Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms will examine the conditions and challenges facing Georgia's family farms and recommend legislative solutions to strengthen existing markets, prepare the next generation of farmers and address the long-term sustainability of the state's agricultural economy. Sen. Goodman and Rep. Dickey will serve as co-chairs. House members appointed to the committee include: State Representatives Jaclyn Ford (R-Tifton), David Huddleston (R-Roopville) and Angie O'Steen (R-Ambrose). Senate members appointed to the committee include: State Senators Drew Echols (R-Alto), Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson) and Sam Watson (R-Moultrie), along with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.

The summit will convene in the Miller Murphy Howard Building, located at 401 Larry Walker Parkway in Perry. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the official program will begin at 9:00 a.m. Coffee and lunch will be provided. A detailed agenda will be released in the coming weeks.

Representative Robert Dickey represents the citizens of District 134, which includes Crawford and Upson counties, as well as portions of Lamar and Peach counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as Chairman of the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Banks & Banking, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Higher Education, Natural Resources & Environment and Ways & Means committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents Senate District 8 which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Pierce Counties and a large portion of Ware County. He may be reached at 404.656.7454 or at [email protected]

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