Georgia is called the Peach State, but Agriculture Agent Campbell Vaughn says it could easily be called the chicken, blueberry, peanut, rye, or pecan state.
''As an Agriculture Agent, once a year we have to compile information on different areas of agriculture for a survey called Farm Gate. The last total Farm Gate Value for Georgia was $14 billion, so agriculture adds huge revenue for our state.''
Georgia ranks No. 1 in terms of blueberry, peanut and pecan production. Vaughn says, ''Our blueberry production is estimated at $335 million, peanuts at $575 million and pecans at $313 million. We are the No. 1 producer of pecans in the world.''
''Some other interesting rankings are that Georgia is first nationally in rye production as well as spring onions. Georgia is ranked No. 2 nationally in the production of watermelon and cucumbers. Those are $130 million and $60 million commodities alone.
''So where does the peach stand up in the national ranking for our state? No. 3 at $53 million. Also in at No. 3 are bell peppers at $121 million and sweet corn at $117 million.''