ATLANTA – State Representative Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingram gathered today with local farmers at the Metro Atlanta Urban Farms to showcase climate-focused funding and hold in-depth discussions on the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on Georgia’s agriculture industry. The group focused their efforts on highlighting the ways the IRA will expand climate-smart agricultural practices while maintaining Georgia’s robust economy.
“It was a pleasure to be joined by Mayor Ingram and Metro Atlanta’s farmers today to discuss the importance of Georgia’s number one industry,” said Rep. Schofield. “Agriculture has always been a cornerstone of our great state and, indeed, my district. The IRA ensures that our deep-rooted connection to farming doesn’t just endure – it evolves. As we emphasize innovative and climate-smart practices, we’re not only preserving our agricultural heritage, but we’re also forging a path to a more sustainable and prosperous future. Thanks to President Biden and Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff’s championing of the IRA, Georgia’s agricultural and rural communities are becoming leaders in addressing the climate crisis while simultaneously bolstering their local economies.”
During this meeting, Rep. Schofield, Mayor Ingram and others discussed their concerns about the upcoming expiration of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and potential rollbacks of the IRA’s provisions. Event speakers touted the benefits of the IRA and urge federal leaders to preserve and expand these climate investments to support agriculture economies.
The IRA was signed into law in August 2022 and is aimed at taking significant action towards establishing clean energy and combating climate change across the nation. The legislation created a number of investment programs directed at prioritizing clean energy, climate mitigation, resilience, agriculture and conservation. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture has also made available more than $1.3 billion in added funding from the IRA to provide agricultural producers and small rural businesses with the financing and funding required to invest in clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
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