Page 16 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 1 - Winter 2024

things that we can’t eat and produces it into something we can. We plant seed, and it turns it into something that we can utilize in building structures, and then we can turn around and put another seed in the dirt to do it all over again. The renew- able resource, the sustainability that is agriculture and forestry, is really amaz- ing. I still think there’s opportunities for us to grow and push more into that sector.”
Though the sustainability of agricul- ture and forestry is clear to those who live it every day, it’s often understated or outright unknown to those who don’t have regular exposure to the industry. It’s a tremendous challenge, one that Harper is actively working with his department and partners to overcome. He sees many emerging opportunities to do so, includ- ing Jamestown LP’s mass timber devel- opment at 619 Ponce — a four-story loft office building in the heart of the state’s urban epicenter in Atlanta.
“Two-thirds of the state’s population
“I don’t think most Georgians, most Americans understand the importance of producing the food, fiber and shelter that we need here at home. It’s vital that we do that. Our national security depends upon it.”
— Tyler Harper, Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture
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lives in an urban or suburban area. When we’re telling that story, what kind of ways do you think we can go about telling that story to meet some of these folks where they’re at? Some of those folks that might not have a background like you do in agriculture and forestry,” said Harper.
“I think we have to find ways to con- nect with those that have no connection to agriculture. 619 Ponce is a perfect example of a way we can connect. We can utilize projects like Georgia Grown Timber and Georgia Grown products to tell that story.”
Combining innovation and education, the Department of Agriculture has led initiatives in recent years to expand edu- cational opportunities about the industry — with their success bringing opportuni- ties to youth as young as kindergarten.
“We’ve put an agricultural educa- tion curriculum in the K through five classrooms for the first time ever. We’re the first state in the nation to offer that curriculum from kindergarten to 12th grade, which is really awesome for us,” said Harper. “We’ve got private organi- zations like the Forestry Association, Georgia Farm Bureau and others to have, you know, those classroom opportunities and activities where they visit with our young men and women across the state to help tell them the story. Investing in those opportunities is vital for us.”
Amid current events around the world in recent years, people have become more conscious of the importance of domestic production of raw agricultural and forestry products. From the COVID- 19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine, supply chain woes due to reliance on foreign resources have penetrated the livelihoods and pocketbooks of Ameri- cans across the nation. The industry is an essential part of our national economy and security, according to Harper.
“I don’t think most Georgians, most Americans, understand the importance of producing the food, fiber and shel- ter that we need here at home. It’s vital that we do that. Our national security depends upon it,” said Harper. “During