August 22, 1996 – The official organizational meeting of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association held at the Rural Development Center in Tifton, Georgia.
Initiated the organization’s first Policy Statements on legislative issues concerning labor and country of origin labeling and helped defeat state legislation requiring ‘expiration dates’ on fresh produce.
Established a task force to study an economical solution to removing mulch plastic.
GFVGA was successful in receiving a specialty crop grant to support the Georgia GAP program
Relocated the Winter Conference from the Hyatt Regency ballrooms to the Savannah Civic Center with the conference also hosting the Georgia Watermelon Annual Meeting
Initiated efforts and successfully worked with other regional associations to pass the 2002 Farm bill that included several produce related provisions.
Expanded the Third Party pesticide registration to a Section 24c Label Program in cooperation with Syngenta, Inc.
Initiated an industry coalition with the Georgia Peach Council, the Vidalia Onion Business Council, the Georgia Blueberry Association, and the Georgia Pecan Growers Association to provide governmental affairs representation in Washington through the services of Robert Redding and Associates.
The Winter Conference was officially named the SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in cooperation with the Georgia and South Carolina Peach Councils and more than 15 other commodity organizations
Expanded GFVGA’s national presence working with the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association on several initiatives including the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization and the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004.
The SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable conference was moved across the river to the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center to allow for continued growth and expansion.
Began work and discussions with United and a number of other organizations to create the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Coalition, with GFVGA serving as a member of the Steering Committee.
Hosted the largest Georgia Pavilion ever, 4400 square feet, when PMA was held in Atlanta.
Provided southeastern leadership in the Farm Bill debate which lead to the passage of the 2007 legislation with the largest allocation of funds to the specialty crops sector in the history of Farm Bills.
Provided support and endorsement for the creation of the Georgia commodity commission for Vegetables.
Endorsed a Transportation Program for GFVGA members in cooperation with C.H. Robinson and Western Growers Association.
More than ever before GFVGA provided testimony, comment letters and other input on a number of regulations and policies coming out of Washington including 2008 Farm Implementation, soil fumigant buffer restrictions, food safety regulations and research funding.
Established a crisis management team and plan to address the tomato fiasco in the summer of 2008 and as a result, GFVGA has developed a plan to address these needs in the future.
Served on several national task forces including a Food Safety Harmonization Task Force, tomato Matrix Task Force, and the National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement Task Force.