ATLANTA – State Representative Terry England (R-Auburn) has been elected chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, making him the first Georgia legislator to serve in this capacity since 1987.
“The fact that state legislators from across the country have chosen me to lead both the SLC and NCSL agriculture committees is truly an honor,” said Rep. England. “I look forward to working with other state leaders as we share ideas and strive to find solutions for the problems that rural America and agriculture face.”
This Agriculture and Rural Development Committee is one of six SLC standing committees. According to SLC, the committee focuses on issues critical to the future of farming and rural communities. Recent committee initiatives include food safety and security, updates to international agriculture trade, consolidation in the farm sector, and farm land conservation. The committee also works with public and private agencies, local and federal officials, and the land grant university system to assure the continued vitality of the region’s farm and rural communities.
Rep. England was also recently appointed co-chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Agriculture and Energy Committee. He is the only legislator to ever serve simultaneously as a chairman of both the SLC and NCSL agriculture committees.
Additionally, Rep. England is the vice chairman of the Georgia House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. Just this year, Rep. England worked closely with Governor Perdue and other legislators in writing the 2010 Water Stewardship Act. Rep. England was especially helpful in writing portions of the Act relating to outdoor watering, such as agricultural and landscaping irrigation.
“The 2010 Water Stewardship Act is a prime example of how agriculture and rural development issues can affect the entire state of Georgia,” added Rep. England. “I look forward to using the knowledge and expertise gained from both the SLC and NCSL agriculture committees to help all areas of our state.”
SLC is a regional legislative group made up of 15-member states operated under the Council of State Governments. By working together within the SLC and participating on its committees, Southern state legislative leaders are able to speak in a distinctive, unified voice to address the issues that affect their states and the greater region.
For more information about SLC and its Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, please click here.
Representative Terry England represents the citizens of District 108, which includes portions of Barrow County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2005, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He also serves as a member of the Industrial Relations; Education; and Natural Resources & Environment committees.
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