PCFB invites elected officials for special legislative breakfast

Polk County Farm Bureau officials and representatives from the state and national level gathered for their Legislative breakfast last week.

The breakfast gathered State Sen. Bill Heath, State Rep. Trey Kelley among others into a discussion with Polk County Farm Bureau’s James Casey, Jackie Casey, Robert Furr and Sue Cuzzort over several items affecting agriculture in the area.

Among those were regulations over the GATE Card program, or the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exempt Cards. That program allows for state sales taxes to be knocked off for certain items purchased throughout the year by farmers, such as certain equipment, seed, fertilizer and irrigation equipment and supplies, livestock and poultry purchases and additional items required for new construction or farm building maintenance.

They also discussed passage of House Bill 50 by both legislative bodies for liability protection for certain activities involving live- stock in the state. That bill is designed to allow for farmers who care for horses, livestock for meat and dairy, and llamas to limit the amount of civil liability of anyone involved in those specific activities.

Big among the items also on the list is development of the Young Farmers Agriculture Center Building, which is still an item in the works and more information will be forthcoming. Additionally, officials also talked about water issues, animal cruelty, rural development and communication, and deer permits for farmers.