Joint Agriculture Chairmen Announce 2026 Ag Issues Summit, Launch Family Farms Study Committee

ATLANTA (July 28, 2026) - Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella), Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, will host the annual Joint 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.

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.

"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."

"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."

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. Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) and Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella) will serve as co-chairs. Senate members appointed to the committee include Sen. Drew Echols (R-Alto), Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson) and Sen. Sam Watson (R-Moultrie). House members include Rep. Jaclyn Ford (R-Tifton), Rep. David Huddleston (R-Roopville) and Rep. Angie O'Steen (R-Ambrose), 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.

This event is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by emailing [email protected]. Members of the media planning to attend should RSVP to [email protected].

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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents the 8^th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Pierce counties, as well as a portion of Ware County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 463-1318 or by email at [email protected].

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 Subcommittee on Education, Banks and Banking, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, Higher Education, Natural Resources and Environment and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

For all media inquiries, reach out to [email protected].