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
