Perspective on Family Farms Study Committee

When we talk about sustaining family farms, we should also be asking:

Who else needs to be included in that future?

In Richmond County, we’re seeing agriculture show up in new ways—urban farms, small producers, and community-based food systems.

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Subject: Introduction & Perspective on Family Farms Study Committee

Dear Senator Russ Goodman, Senator Ben Watson, Senator Drew Echols, and Representative Robert Dickey;

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to introduce myself and to express my interest in the General Assembly’s work to convene a study committee on the generational sustainability of family farms.

Here in Richmond County, my work through Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency has focused on strengthening local food systems, supporting small and emerging producers, and connecting agriculture to workforce and economic opportunity. This includes efforts around urban agriculture, community-based food access, and creating pathways for small-scale growers to participate more fully in local and regional markets.

While much of the conversation around family farms often centers on traditional rural models, we are seeing a growing need to also consider urban and peri-urban agriculture, particularly in communities like Augusta. These spaces present both challenges and opportunities when it comes to land access, infrastructure, distribution, and long-term sustainability for smaller producers.

I would welcome the opportunity to connect with you or your staff as the committee begins its work this interim. I believe there is value in ensuring that perspectives from communities like ours - where agriculture intersects with workforce development, food access, and entrepreneurship - are part of the broader conversation.

For additional context, I am also a candidate for Georgia House District 130, with a focus on economic opportunity, workforce pathways, and community development. However, my interest in this issue is grounded first in the work we are doing locally and the importance of ensuring that all forms of agriculture are positioned for long-term success.

Thank you for your leadership on this effort. I look forward to the opportunity to connect.

Warm regards,
Karen Gordon
Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency
📧 kgordon@growingaugusta.org
📞 +1 (762) 233-5299