Georgia agriculture leaders are continuing efforts to strengthen the state’s farming industry through new business resources and expanded market opportunities.
Apple farmers in North Georgia are watching the weather closely as a months-long drought raises concerns about the upcoming fall harvest.
In Gilmer County, home to Ellijay — known as the Apple Capital of Georgia — orchard owners say dry conditions are already putting stress on apple trees. Curled leaves, reduced moisture, and weakened tree health could all affect the size and quality of this year’s crop.
Agriculture experts say drought-stressed trees are more vulnerable to disease, fungus, and bacteria. Without enough rainfall, apple trees may produce lower yields and smaller fruit, and in more severe cases, some apples could fall from the trees before harvest.
Farmers say North Georgia has received more rain than some other parts of the state, but several areas remain in severe drought. Growers are hoping for more rain before the fall apple season begins.
Apple picking season in North Georgia traditionally begins around Labor Day weekend and continues through October.
Chattooga County has been named a primary natural disaster area due to ongoing drought conditions, as state and federal officials continue to respond to dry weather impacting Georgia cities and rural communities.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, April 23, 2026:
Farmers in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia may soon see relief after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated 126 Georgia counties as natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought conditions.
Health insurance costs continue to put pressure on family budgets in Georgia, and even when premiums are not the highest in the country, many households here still feel the strain more sharply than families in other states. Nationally, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family coverage reached $26,993 in 2025, with workers paying an average of $6,850 of that total out of pocket. At the same time, workers’ wages rose 4% while family premiums rose 6%, meaning insurance costs are still growing faster than paychecks.
As spring planting season gets underway, farmers across Georgia—including those in Northwest Georgia—are facing rising costs that are putting pressure on already tight budgets.
The Chattooga County Young Farmers are once again offering Georgia-Grown Vidalia onions for sale as the 2026 season gets underway.
According to the group, the order deadline is April 17, with pickup tentatively planned for the last week of April. Customers can place an order through a Young Farmer member or by scanning the QR code on the sale flyer.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture says the state has officially been declared free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, though officials stress that poultry growers and flock owners still need to stay on guard. Georgia regained its HPAI-free status as of March 13, allowing the state to resume exports and international trade of poultry products.
The University of Georgia Beef Team is hosting a free educational webinar to help producers and the public learn more about the New World Screwworm and how to prepare for the potential threat.