Tyler Harper, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

The Greater Vidalia Chamber of Commerce recently held its State of Agriculture with keynote speaker Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper. Commissioner Harper gave noted that Georgia leads the way in the production of several commodities, as well as provides provide one in three jobs relating to agricultural.

However, he said there was a dark cloud, and that came when Hurricane Helene left a devastating impact on Georgia farmers, timber producers and pecan growers.

Local farmer Chris Hopkins concurs with the state official,

“In June, we didn’t see rain for 35 days, then we got 11 inches in August from Tropical Storm Debby,” Hopkins said. “After that, we were able to plant and do some harvesting. And then, September 27 hit – the night Hurricane Helene came through. Most farmers didn’t even go to bed that night, and we when we outside the next morning, the sight was unbelievable.”

Hopkins said most farmers couldn’t drive full-sized trucks on their property because of the damage, but driving through on utility vehicles they witnessed irrigation pipes overturned, packing sheds ripped off the concrete and orchards of pecan trees and timber totally destroyed.

“You don’t just go in and replant acres of timber or 80–100-year-old pecan trees,” he said. “And the financial effect from those trees doesn’t just get fixed in a day.”

And, he said, there is only one way that he sees farmers can recuperate from the devastation.

“Agriculture isn’t broken; it’s bent, and sometimes a bend is worse than a break,” he said. “From drought, to excessive rains, to a hurricane, and now unprecedented flooding, we've been through more than we ever thought we'd see in a few months time. The only thing I know that we can do is pray. We farmers need prayer right now like we’ve never needed it before. I believe it’s the only way we will survive.”