Fall harvest time is traditionally a celebration of bountiful
crops and overflowing granaries. But not this year.
“The double-edged sword of drought and low prices for most
major Georgia commodities will cause extreme financial hardship
for many Georgia farmers,” says Bill Lambert, associate dean for
the Cooperative Extension Service in the University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
“Unfortunately, the immediate future looks like more of the
same,” Lambert says.
Tough Problems
The two most profitable row crops in Georgia — peanuts and
tobacco — have been hurt by reduced quotas and price supports.
Farm water use may soon be restricted, and confined animal
feeding farms may face costly requirements.
“The long-term future is in doubt for those who are not able
to adjust their market, financial and production plans to the new
agricultural economic environment,” Lambert said.
John McKissick, a UGA extension agricultural economist, says
any farmers face cash flow problems.
“Some farmers will make it with relatively minor changes in
farm and family finances, while others cannot survive the
long-term trends,” McKissick says. “Farmers who have to make
major adjustments just to survive will need help coping with both
the emotional and financial stress caused by the crisis.”
Conference Planned
To help farm families through the continuing crisis, the
Extension Service is working with the Georgia Christian Council,
Georgia National Fair, certain government agencies and lending
institutions to sponsor a training session in Macon, Nov. 30.
Extension agents throughout Georgia are putting together county
teams made up of ministers, lenders and agency representatives
for the “Helping Georgia Farmers at Risk” training.
The teams will learn more about the crisis, how to help
families cope with the stress, debt management strategies, farm
restructuring alternatives and counseling skills.
“This crisis could last for quite some time,” Lambert said.
“We have to equip our rural communities to support farm families
through this difficult situation.”
