WHY IT MATTERS

At $73.3 billion, agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry. Jobs of one in seven workers are tied to agri-business. October’s Hurricane Michael devastated the industry, affecting 70 counties. Financial repercussions — from Georgia incomes to state and federal taxes either collected or paid out in more than $100 million in disaster and loan aid — will last for years. The state House last week approved more tax-funded aid for farmers.