Bulloch County family farmer Lee Cromley has been appointed to the Georgia Farmland Advisory Council, a move that has garnered praise from Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro). Cromley, who was recommended by Hickman, will bring a wealth of agricultural knowledge to the table due to his long-standing experience in the field.
"I could not think of anyone more worthy of serving on the Georgia Farmland Advisory Council than Lee Cromley," Hickman stated in a Senate press release. He expressed gratitude to Lt. Governor Burt Jones for the appointment and emphasized Cromley's suitability for the council, given his deep insight into the challenges and prospects of the local agricultural community.
Formed in 2023 through Senate Bill 220, the Georgia Farmland Advisory Council is tasked with advising the Georgia Department of Agriculture on farmland preservation programs. The council, which includes family farmers like Lee Cromley, is made up of 14 members, all of whom are experts in agriculture or represent key organizations within the industry.
With the inclusion of Cromley, Sen. Hickman believes that the council will benefit from having the perspective of a seasoned farmer influencing policy and practice concerning Georgia's farmland. As the state looks towards sustainability and conservation, local farmers' insights like those of Chromley are expected to be ever more critical in shaping a future for Georgia's agricultural legacy.
