Albany, GA Press Conference with Local Officials, Farmers, and Ag Experts

October 22nd, 2024

Event Recap: The Route Zero press conference included Dougherty County Commissioner Clinto Johnson, White Oak Pastures founder Will Harris, Jodi Harris Benoit from the Center for Agriculture Resilience (CFAR), Fredando “Farmer Fredo” Jackson from Flint River Fresh, and Dr. Robert Owor, Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences at Albany State University. The event took place at Albany State University. The event video was live streamed on the CAC Facebook Page.

Thanks to Senator Warnock, Senator Ossoff, and President Biden’s championing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Georgia’s agricultural and rural communities are becoming leaders in addressing the climate crisis while boosting their local economies. The IRA designates nearly $40 billion to climate-smart agricultural initiatives. Specifically, $19.5 billion enhances conservation methods like low-till farming and carbon sequestration, and an additional $14 billion encourages rural communities to adopt renewable energy sources, fostering both job growth and a cleaner environment.

As the 2018 federal farm bill faces expiration, there’s rising concern over potential rollbacks of the IRA’s provisions. In light of this impending deadline, speakers touted both the tangible benefits of the IRA and urged federal leaders to preserve and expand these pivotal climate investments to support our agriculture economy.

White Oak Pastures founder Will Harris opened the event talking about how his family farm has dealt with the problem of climate change. Jodi Harris Benoit followed by speaking about the importance of climate smart programs and how it is a continuation of the work done by the Center for Agriculture Resilience. Fredando “Farmer Fredo” Jackson centered on some of the Urban Farming programs that are benefiting Albany. Dr. Robert Owor focused his remarks on some of the important Agriculture research being done at Albany State University and some of the USDA research around sustainability. Dougherty County Commissioner Clinton Johnson closed the event with emphasis on the economic importance of Agriculture to Southwest Georgia.

One media outlet attended the event: