• Continued SE leadership on national organizations and initiatives including the United Fresh Board of Directors, various Food Safety task forces and other activities
• Received a $170,000 Block Grant for education, research and promotion to increase specialty crop competiveness in Georgia.
• ‘Strategic Growth for the New Decade’ initiative was approved by the Board in December of 2009.  This program will increase member services, improve member communication and broaden member education opportunities in the new decade.

2010

• The ‘Strategic Growth for the New Decade’ initiative was announced at the Southeast Regional Conference in Savannah in January.  The new GFVGA logo, web site and educational programs were officially premiered.
• The association’s launched a new educational brand Grower Regional Educational Applied Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Workshops coordinated two programs ‘Surviving a Product Recall’ and ‘2011 Soil Fumigation Application Regulations’.   In addition, the Expense Audit and Recovery Program were initiated as a new member service.
• GFVGA Board held its first Leadership Briefing in February to identify goals and objectives for the association in the New Year.
• GFVGA has a seat on the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Steering Committee that will determine the policy directions and recommendation in the 2012.  In addition GFVGA is Chairing the Research Working Group to recommend policy to the SCFBA Steering Committee.

2011

• This will be known as the year of immigration reform, when Georgia became the ‘Poster Child’ for what can happen when e-verify and enforcement legislative is passed without an adequate guest worker program.  GFVGA was at the forefront with the press and elected representatives as the voice of the fruit and vegetable industry in Georgia.  Hundreds of stories and interviews were released in the press concerning the problems growers were having dealing with the lack of harvest labor due to HB87.
• GFVGA, along with several other agricultural organizations, commissioned a research study to determine the economic impact of the Illegal Immigration Reform Legislation.  The study reported on seven crops (blackberry, blueberry, Vidalia onion, cucumbers, squash, bell pepper, and watermelon) and determined over 80% of the growers experienced labor shortages.  The study reported on 47% of the planted acreage in 2011 of these seven crops.  If all of the planted acreage in Georgia had experienced the same loss as the surveyed acreage, growers would have lost over $140 million in unharvested crops and the state of Georgia’s economy would have been impacted by $370 million dollars.
• An ‘Awards Breakfast’ was initiated during the SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference to recognize members of the Georgia fruit and vegetable industry that received national awards.  At this inaugural breakfast, Dr. Stanly Culpepper, Wendy Brannen and Robert Dasher were recognized.
• GFVGA was recognized as the “2011 Industry Advocate of the Year” by United Fresh Produce Association during the Washington Public Policy Conference.

2012

• Started a GFSI consulting service through the association’s food safety program.
• Initiated and provided support to start the Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association (E.C.G.A.).
• GFVGA with other industry associations (landscape, restaurant, building and healthcare) helped in the organization of the Essential Economy Council to provide research for public policy discussions concerning labor.
• GFVGA was successful during the legislative session to secure funding for two UGA positions critical to the industry, a state specialist for small fruit and a specialist for vegetables. Due to budget constraints funding for these positions had previously been frozen.

2013

• Board approved expanding the GFSI Consulting Program to include microbial testing plan development and sampling.
• Several members received recognition at the national level.  Bill Brim was elected to the United Fresh Produce Consolidated Board of Directors.  Jason Berry of Dole Berry Farms participated in a roundtable at the White House with President Obama.  Duke Lane III became the third GFVGA affiliated applicant to be appointed as a UNITED Fresh Leadership Fellow following Beth Oleson (2011) and Jamie Brannen (2012).
• 2013 may be known as the year of food safety focus.  FDA conducted food safety audits on several cantaloupe farms during the harvest season.  The association attended and participated in numerous meetings with FDA officials including Assistant Commissioner for Produce Food Safety Mike Taylor.  GFVGA submitted a lengthy document for commends to the proposed FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) regulations.

2014

• The 2014 SE Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference broke 3000 in attendance numbers for its 11^thannual event.
• The Georgia GAP Food Safety Program begun a rebranding process in early 2014. The goal of the rebrand was show that the program itself, which offers consultations services and food safety guidance, could adapt to all audit types and schemes, not just GAP certifications.   The new name for GFVGA’s food safety program is now Produce Food Safety Services.  With almost 3 full time consultants providing guidance to growers across the southeast, this event marked sufficient growth for the association and how it tends to the needs of its grower members.
• GFVGA continued representing the best interests of its members in the produce industry by visiting Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C. throughout the year.  GFVGA hosted workshops to help growers better understand their responsibilities under the looming Affordable Healthcare Act and submitted two rounds of revisions to the FDA for the Food Safety Modernization Act.
• With the Board’s direction, the GFVGA reformed its membership structure and renewal dates in 2014.  The new structure focuses on members as organizations instead of individuals. Membership fees increased slightly to accommodate for the removal of those individual members levels.  The GFVGA also changed renewal dates from anniversary to annual, with everyone renewing in January, and offered a 2 year membership option with an overall discount.

2015

• With the new membership structure and renewal dates in place, and the addition of the 2 year membership renewal option GFVGA was able to increase its 2015 membership dues revenue to nearly double the revenue from the previous year. Membership increased to 157 organizational members and 351 individual member contacts.
• GFVGA offered several educational workshops throughout Georgia, including a workshop focused on the development of a Food Safety Manual. This is the first time that the organization has been able to offer a workshop focused on creating an on farm food safety manual. The workshop was funded through USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants and was offered at no charge to GFVGA Member Farms.
• During 2015, GFVGA staff served on the planning committee for the Farm to School Conference, and developed a commodity video series that will serve as a resource for school nutrition directors and educators throughout Georgia to help them teach their students about Georgia Grown Produce.

2016

• On August 22, 2016 GFVGA celebrated 20 years as an organization.

• The 2016 SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference surpassed previous attendance and sponsorship records with 3505 attendees and over $150,000 in sponsorships.

• The organization filed an Amicus Brief on behalf of the growers in the Flint River Basin in response to the Georgia-Florida water wars.

• GFVGA held their first Ag Labor Seminar with over 120 attendees. The workshop covered labor topics that included information on wage & hour audits, The Affordable Care Act and the H-2A program. 

2017

• The association worked closely with Congressman Buddy Carter to highlight reform needed in the H2A program, including a delegation letter concerning changes needed, and meeting with Labor Secretary Acosta and high ranking DOL staff.

• GFVGA and the Georgia Department of Agriculture hosted an on-the-farm visit (4 locations) visit by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to better understand how the FSMA regulations would be implemented ‘on the ground’.

• PFSS Director Beth Oleson attended an ‘invitation only (12 people)’ review and evaluation of FDA Training procedures for FSMA implementation.

• GFVGA joined forces with other southeastern and mid-west grower organizations affected by Mexican and Canadian imports in the NAFTA discussions for product dumping relief.

2018

• Work continued throughout the year in support of the Administration’s Perishable and Seasonability Provision in the NAFTA negotiations. Unfortunately, the provision failed and the new USMCA Agreement which was signed in November, 2018 leaving southeastern produce growers with no recourse for Mexico’s unfair trade practices.

• Testimony was presented to the International Trade Commission on behalf of GFVGA by Georgia Ag Commissioner Gary Black, outlining the damage done to our industry by the excessive imports from Mexico with no recourse to fight their unfair trade practices

• Throughout the year GFVGA participated in hearings, committee meetings and provided letters of support for the specialty crop provisions included in the 2018 Farm Bill. The Bill passed and was signed by the President in December 2018.

• Tremendous effort was put forth by GFVGA and other organizations to pass new agricultural worker legislation known as H-2C and introduced by Judiciary Chair Bob Goodlette of Virginia.

• Efforts were not successful and Congress adjoined without considering the legislation.

• GFVGA members were devastated by Hurricane Michael in October causing over $500 million in damage to fruit and vegetable farms – crops and structures.

• GFVGA hit a new membership milestone crossing the 500 mark, ending the year with 535 members. 

2019

• GFVGA labor reform legislative efforts began with testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Georgia Congressman Doug Collins, in hopes of the committee drafting a satisfactory bill to provide relieve to H2A regulations. Later in 2019, the House passed the Farmworker Modernization Act which GFVGA did not support and filed comments throughout the legislative process.
• The USDOL proposed regulatory changes to the H2A program during 2019. GFVGA submitted comments to the docket opposing the proposed increase in fees, some of which were as much as 850%, costing growers over $100,000 annually.
• Throughout 2019, GFVGA advocated for concessions to SE growers in the final USMCA legislation. GFVGA commissioned two studies on USMCA regarding future effects of USMCA on Georgia growers and a review of alternatives in the negotiations.
• Tremendous efforts were expended to secure adequate disaster relief funds for growers suffering damage from Hurricane Michael in the Fall of 2018. The year ended and growers had still received no recovery funds from USDA.
• GFVGA crossed another milestone in membership reaching an all time high of 635 members in 2019.

2020

• 2020 will be remembered as the year of COVID and the pandemic. Faced with tremendous market disruption and the trauma of a worldwide virus that effected all of our lives, GFVGA continued to work hard to meet the needs of our growers.
• The year began with a commitment to our Congressional delegation from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to conduct hearing on our concerns regarding unfair trade practices from Mexico. Hearings were held virtually in August with over 60 witnesses testifying and 300 written comments. A report was issued in September 2020 recommending further investigations.
• GFVGA leadership worked diligently with other national organizations and our congressional offices to ensure Georgia growers were covered. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1 (CFAP-1) was designed for early crops and did not provide much relief to Georgia growers, however, CFAP-2 and other programs developed later in the year were of major assistance.
• With the pandemic firming in place, GFVGA promoted grower direct sales via social media and participated in several Georgia Department of Agriculture’s ‘Georgia Grown to Go’ events in metropolitan locations.
• Disaster funding for grower losses from Hurricane Michael in 2018 were finally approved and growers received funds.

2021

• For the first time in 19 years the SE Regional Conference had to be canceled due to COVID and coordination pivoted to a VIRTUAL conference instead. Efforts to make the virtual conference familiar included using a Savannah background and avatars of real people that attended other SE Regional shows. Over 113 companies participated in the trade show and 1,200 growers, suppliers and academics attended the three-day conference.  
• The Blueberry investigation included a full hearing before the International Trade Commission in January. Unfortunately, even after overwhelming evidence and thousands of hours of grower and trade analysts work the ITC ruled the SE blueberry growers had not been economically damaged by imports.
• While stung by this rejection, GFVGA and growers continued to fight for unfair trade relief from Mexico through the on-going ITC investigations of strawberries, green pepper, squash and cucumbers. This included testimony by multiple growers for ITC hearings and interviews and a tour of vegetable production and packing facilities with ITC and GFVGA staff. 
• GFVGA celebrated 25 years of operations with an anniversary banquet and dance. Governor Brian Kemp attended and presented the association a commendation recognizing GFVGA’s service to the state, its citizens, and the industry. To commemorate this 25th year milestone of operations an ‘Advocacy Fund’ was created to support the association’s legislative and regulatory efforts to have a ‘seat at the table’. Over $125,000 was donated to the fund to ensure GFVGA can continue to be an advocate for our growers.
• Charles Hall, GFVGA Executive Director for 25 years moved into semi-retirement and Chris Butts was appointed as Executive Vice President. In appreciation of Hall’s strong leadership and professional guidance the Board honored him the designation Executive Director Emeritus.  

2022 

• Work continued on trying to find relief to the unfair import trade practices by Mexico and other countries.  While not as strong a message as hoped, the International Trade Commission report did establish southeast growers of  green pepper, squash and cucumbers had suffered significant losses in revenue due to foreign imports. 
• Legislation was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA) to establish a federal program to cover revenue losses of growers when imports of fresh produce devastate their markets.
• GFVGA initiated the association’s first consumer facing marketing campaign with a budget of more than $100,000.  With messages of “Buy Cool/Be Cool” and “Every Bite Counts” the campaign impacted consumer behavior to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and generated over 16 million impressions and 24,000 social media clicks.
• The Board established a GFVGA Government Relations Council to continue insuring the organization is serving as the unified voice of Georgia producers.  The council is made up of GFVGA members serving in elected offices at the State level as well as members who have keen interest in government affairs.
• Late in 2022, Georgia growers got a nasty surprise for the next year when a 14% increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate was announced.  A last-minute push for the reform of this unreasonable increase in the wage rate fell short in the closing days of the 2022 U.S. Legislative session.  

2023

• The Spring of 2023 brought a devastating freeze which wreaked havoc for peach and blueberry growers. The state lost 90% of the peach crop and a significant reduction to the blueberry crop.  Weather events continued to challenge growers as damaging summer storms were followed by Hurricane Idalia causing widespread damage across South Georgia. 
• GFVGA continued the organization’s consumer facing marketing campaign with grant funding exceeding $150,000.  The campaigns increased GFVGA follower numbers to nearly 10,000 combined on Facebook and Instagram.  With over 550,000 people reached through GFVGA’s social media outlets and nearly 40,000 clicks on content, this effort is definitely putting Georgia Grown produce in the minds of the consumer.
• A new partnership was established with the Georgia Agribusiness Council which provides GFVGA daily representation at the Capitol in Atlanta.  This will increase GFVGA’s presence and ensure GFVGA member interests are heard by Georgia lawmakers. 
• GFVGA led a committee of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance tasked with examining issues of competitiveness for domestic growers.  Language was included in the SCFBA guiding principles which acknowledged the import issue and the impact it has on growers across the country.  As Farm Bill negotiations stalled in 2023, GFVGA continued to advocate for inclusion of a program that would provide price supports for Georgia growers when surging imports drive down the domestic produce prices.