Page 27 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 2 - Spring 2023

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The event kicked off at the Georgia State Capitol, where GFA emerging leaders and members of Advanc- ing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry gath- ered for a quick Chick-fil-A breakfast and a photo op with Smokey the Bear. Attendees had the opportunity to mingle and meet with fellow industry professionals as well as state legislators, who dropped by to share in the biscuits and banter. [PHOTO 1]
Shortly following the breakfast, the group moved inside to hear from two forestry advocates in the state legislature. Senator Sam Watson (R-Moultrie) and Representative David Huddleston (R-Roopville) discussed their roles and daily life in the legislature and how they got there, providing words of wisdom to those in the crowd with lawmaking ambitions. Both Watson and Huddleston sang the praises of the forestry industry and its crucial role in the state in terms of both the economy and environment, relating their own experiences growing up and working in agriculture to that of the leaders in attendance. After hearing from the legislators, the group then took a tour of the Capitol, making pit stops at the House and Senate chambers as well as the Governor’s offices. [PHOTOS 2&3]
After exploring the Capitol, the group rejoined the full GFA membership in the Grand Ballroom at the Georgian Terrace Hotel just a few blocks away for lunch and to hear from local economists, industry leaders and legislators. Every seat in the room was full as the experts took the
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