Collins hears from farm leaders during White County stop

CLEVELAND - With a breathtaking backdrop of Cenita Vineyards, located east of Cleveland, Ninth District Congressman Doug Collins spoke to and heard from area farm leaders Thursday about what is important to them.

The White County stop was part of his district-wide tour of the agricultural interest.

Collins was the featured speaker at a special Georgia Farm Bureau legislative tailgate lunch which attracted farmers from Habersham, Hall and White counties, as well as state leaders.

Prior to speaking to the group, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall called on Collins to address two big issues farmers face: immigration and the farm bill.

Collins shared his views and the status of each during his talk to the farm leaders. He said the House has passed a true farm bill, one that deals with the real needs of the agricultural sector.

Stanley London, White County Farm Bureau president, said it was good to have Collins meet with them and hear how important agriculture is to the area economy.

"Agriculture is still very, very important to White County - not only White County but northeast Georgia," London said. "I'm proud to be a part of agriculture and Farm Bureau."

Following the farm stop in Cleveland, Collins paid a visit to the White County Senior Center and toured the newly-expanded facility.

Collins shared with a large group of seniors who use the center about his mother Dorothy's love for seniors and her work with senior centers in northeast Georgia for many years. The congressman let the seniors know they are important, saying, "What stories you bring, please don't lose your story, don't lose your song until you don't have your song anymore."

"You are the shoulders the rest of us stand on," Collins told the seniors.