Georgia Grown, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hosted its first “Georgia Grown in ATL” event at the Atlanta University Center Consortium on May 1. The event brought together outreach staff from both agencies and private sector partners to connect with students from historically Black colleges and universities interested in careers in agriculture.
The initiative comes as Georgia’s agriculture industry faces a looming workforce gap due to an aging population of farmers. According to organizers, 64% of Georgia farmers are over age 55 while only 7% are under age 35, signaling potential shortages in coming years if more young people do not enter the field.
The event featured a panel discussion about expanding access to capital, strengthening resources for new and established farmers, and highlighting opportunities across agriculture. Students engaged directly with leaders including Tyler J Harper (Georgia Agriculture Commissioner), Bruce LeVell (USDA Director of Public & Private Partnerships), Alex Cordova (Deputy Director, USDA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships), Nikki Thomas (Deputy State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency), Terrance Rudolph (State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service), and Dr. Alveda King (Senior Advisor for Faith and Community Outreach, USDA). These officials said they are committed to supporting the next generation of agricultural professionals.
“With 64% of Georgia farmers over 55 and just 7% under the age of 35, our state’s #1 industry will experience a workforce crisis in the near future if we do not act now to get more folks involved in this industry,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “Events like Georgia Grown in ATL are fantastic way to get students exposure to opportunities in Georgia’s #1 industry that they otherwise would not get. I’m grateful to the dozens of students who came out to visit with us and our partners at USDA for their support. We’re committed to building a strong pipeline of talent that will sustain and grow Georgia’s number one industry for generations to come.”
“This event reflects a commitment under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins to expanding awareness, access, and opportunity in agriculture while strengthening connections between students, industry, and government,” said Bruce LeVell. “By engaging directly with students at the Atlanta University Center, we are investing in the next generation of innovators and leaders who will shape the future of American agriculture.”
The Georgia Department of Agriculture enhances community well-being by protecting the food supply and supporting local producers; it also focuses on promoting agricultural products locally and globally through regulation across daily life according to the official website.
Looking ahead, officials say initiatives like this reflect broader efforts toward workforce development within Georgia’s agricultural economy as it prepares for significant demographic shifts over coming decades.
