Georgia Department of Agriculture

The Georgia Department of Agriculture works to protect and promote agriculture and consumer interests to ensure an abundance of safe food and fiber. Established in 1874, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is the oldest state department of agriculture in the United States and works to serve the citizens of Georgia by supporting the state’s number one industry, agriculture.

The department operates primarily as a regulatory agency, with the goal of protecting the consuming public and promoting the agriculture sector. Beyond the regulatory functions, the department encourages the growth of local farming communities and works to increase the awareness of locally grown products through the Georgia Grown program. This economic development and marketing program seeks to highlight the great products that the state of Georgia has to offer.