About StarNews. (Carrollton, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 2024)
www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews January 14, 2024 Page 13 SAVING GA FARMLAND from page 4 commercial poultry houses in Carroll County. The on-farm production of those houses is approximately $79 million of the Farm Gate. Livestock is a significant part of Carroll’s agricultural economy. Carroll ranks 4th in cattle, with 2nd in beef cattle. In addition, its other livestock are a rising commodity including goats, pigs, sheep and lioney- bees. Livestock production accounts for just under $24 million on the Farm Gate. Row and Forage Crops -over 12,000 acres of row and forage crops such as com, soybeans, sorghum, hay and silage account for $4.3 million in annual production value. Carroll is in the top 16 counties for hay and silage production. Commissioner Harper stated, “When you go to the grocery store or pick up a new pair of jeans at the mall, you probably don’t put much thought into where that product came from- much less who produced it. But if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that our supply chains and food production are far too dependent on foreign countries-and producing more of our own food, fiber, and shelter here at dome will be critically important over the doming years. “While it may not be top of mind for most Americans, agriculture and food security are vital parts of our national security. Americans lave access to the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food supply in the world thanks to the tireless work of American farmers who provide the food, fiber, and shelter we all rely an.” Burke also reported that Agritourism is also a rising commodity in Carroll. Activities such as school tours, camping, hayrides, equestrian trail rides and fishing accounted for $2.4 mil lion dollars. Horticulture is a growing compo nent inCarroll’s agricultural production. Carroll boasts several Christmas tree farms. The County has an abundance of turf grass ranking in at two bringing a value of $10,010,000 to Carroll County. Harper said, “Here in Georgia, agriculture is our number one industry, generating more than $70 billion in economic impact annually and employing more than 400,000 Georgians. Our state is also one of the most agriculturally diverse. Our farmers grow a wide variety of crops on more than 9.9 million acres that account for more than two percent of all U.S. agricultural sales.” “However, if we cannot produce that food, fiber, and shelter right here at home, within our own borders, we’re less safe as a community, less safe as a state, and less safe as a nation. Chinese ownership of U.S. agricultural land is increasing at an alarming rate, and this increase poses a significant threat not only to the livelihoods of American farmers and producers but to America’s national security. In the past decade, Chinese investors and business entities have increased their holdings of American farmland by over 1,000%, from $81 million in 2010 to more than $1.9 billion in 2021. Chinese landowners currently control 383,000 acres of US farmland, and their investments are only growing.” District 72 Georgia State representative and farmer David Huddleston spoke on the just opened Georgia Legislature Session, “I think Villa Rica Golden City Lions Recycle for Sight Dlub is seeking used prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses from press release As we enter a new year, the Villa Rica Golden City Lions are asking you to look through your drawers and closets for used eyeglasses and donate them to the Lions Recycle for Sight program. During January through March 2024, the Villa Rica Golden City Lions Club will be collecting used prescription eyeglasses and prescription and non-prescription sunglasses as part of a unique recycling program. The collected glasses will be cleaned and prepared for distribution in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible. “We need everyone to donate their used eyeglasses,” said Gina Brandenburg, project chairperson. “In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month’s wages and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people.” The donated glasses will be brought to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation where they will be cleaned, categorized by prescription, and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups. To donate used glasses (including sunglasses and reading glasses), place them in the specially marked Lions Recycle collection boxes located in Villa Rica locations including Vision Source, United Community Bank, Olive Tree, Southern Dance Precision, RWB Tax Service, Evans BBQ, WalMart Vision Center, Fairfield Plantation POA office and Villa Rica City Hall. You can donate them year-round by contact ing Gina Brandenburg at: Gina Brandenburg is “Recycle for Sight” project chair, Villa Rica Golden City Lions Club ginabrandenburg2022@gmail.com The Villa Rica Golden City Lions Club meets on the 4th Monday of each month at noon at the Olive Tree Restaurant. Lions Clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with the Villa Rica Golden City Lions Club, email membership chair Stacy Orr at: ity (3lgmail.com. Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ VillaRicaGoldenCityLionsClub Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in 205 countries around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. you will see this legislative session address farmland preservation, but also look at programs to preserve the next generation by looking at programs for our youth. Here in my district, which runs from Carrollton down through Heard and Troup counties, all 72 of my middle schools and high schools have ag programs. These type of programs are building the foundation for the future in agriculture and our farmland which is the next generation. We need to bring awareness to agriculture.” Representative Huddleston also said that the state would be implementing a program similar to the easement program in Carroll County through SB 220. This Georgia bill aims to create a Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement program, or PACE program. Many other states use these programs to protect farmland susceptible to development. Huddleston also suggested the legislature may look at programs and funding for ag programs for Technical colleges, but they must be the programs for the right fit because technical colleges like to have 100% job placement. Locally, Huddleston is working with West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) on studiy choices. He emphasized that both the county and state must not only work to protect current farmland, but also build a foundation for the future by helping make future generations aware of the opportunities’ in agriculture. As one Carroll County resident relayed to Representative Huddleston, “There is no culture without agriculture.” For more information visit Georgia Department of Agriculture at: www.agr.georgia.gov | www.georgiagrown.com carrollcounfyga.com David.huddleston@house.ga.gov or 404 535-1110 Paula J. Burke 770-836-8546, pjburke@uga.edu extension.uga.edu/ county-offices/carroll c United Community CARROLLTON 119 Maple Street | 770-838-9608 DOUGLASVILLE 6670 Church Street I 770-942-5681 VILLA RICA 485 West Bankhead Hwy | 770-459-3100 Member FDIC. © 2023 United Community Bank A Message from your Tax Commissioner As of December 1, 2023, the state has allowed tags to be placed on multipurpose off-highway vehicles. These are utility vehicles that are primarily used in agriculture, construction, or industrial setting. This does not include golf carts, off road recreational vehicles, such as dune buggies and sand rails or any vehicle designed or manufactured for on-road use or mini-trucks. These vehicles must be manufactured after January 1, 2000. Must have the ability to transport people, cargo or both, minimum cargo capacity of 350 lbs., and a gross vehicle weight less than 4,000 lbs., contain a non-straddle seat, speed requirement 25 - 65 mph, overall width of 80 inches, 4-wheels or more, and a steering wheel is required for steering controls. Must be equipped with: Headlights, brake lights, taillights, rearview mir ror, and safety belts. To register a MPOHV you must have proof of ownership. This includes a bill of sale, an MSO if you have it, a T-22B (form for law enforcement to verify the vehicle identification number), a MV-OHV form which can be printed online. This form must be filled out completely by the owner and it must be notarized before coming into the office. It must have insurance just like a vehicle and not on a homeowner policy. The insurance compa ny must enter the insurance just like a vehicle and if sold the registration must be cancelled. If you do not cancel the registration, you will be subject to fines. The first time registering the MPOHV you must show proof of insurance with a binder or declaration page because we must scan the insurance into the system. There will be a $20 tag fee, no title will be issued, and no taxes will be charged at this time. Use is restricted to COUNTY ROADS but are allowed to CROSS OVER city & state roads and a tag will be issued for an Off-Road Vehicle plate that states: FOR COUNTY ROAD USE ONLY Other information can be found on the Ga Dept of Revenue website or for other questions you can contact our office at 770-830-5826. Vickie Bearden Carroll County Tax Commissioner 432 College Street Carrollton, Georgia 30117 770-830-5843
