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The damage caused by Hurricane Michael to Georgia's agriculture industry could reach nearly $ 3 billion, according to new state assessments.
"These are unprecedented generational losses and will require unprecedented ideas and actions to help our farm families and rural communities get back on their feet," said Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. in a statement.
Wood losses alone are estimated at $ 1 billion, with about 1 million acres destroyed, according to state figures. Cotton, peanuts, pecans, vegetables and poultry have also been hit hard.
MORE: Pets rescued from hurricane zone in South Georgia need new homes in Atlanta
"Unfortunately, our worst thoughts have been realized," Black said. "We have seen months and sometimes years of work on the ground in seconds. Georgia has long led the production of several well-known products and we now have the dubious distinction of also leading to the devastation and incredible loss of these important crops. "
The question is about to become political in the middle of the governor's tight and heated race. Republican candidate Brian Kemp, who was greeted by Farmers For Kemp signs during his tour of south and central Georgia earlier this month, was warmly endorsed by Vice President Mike Pence at from a visit to the damaged areas this week. His campaign has criticized Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams' comment that "people should not have to go into agriculture or hotels in Georgia to earn a living in Georgia" during a stopover in Statesboro this week.
Abrams says the beatings from Kemp camp are proof of his appeal in Georgia. "I think the proper hip-hop term is" they're shaken, "she told the Statesboro enthusiastic crowd. "Because that's why they say crazy things all the time."
None of the farmers mentioned in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper on Wednesday spoke about politics. They are too busy looking at the damage and figuring out how to proceed.
"It's probably going to bankrupt us," said Eric Cohen, a farmer in Bainbridge. "Agriculture is the heartbeat of South Georgia. It's not just us. These are the guys who sell guns, they are the clothing stores, the jewelers. The wood industry, look what it will do. "
Greg Calhoun has not been able to access all the lands he runs in Miller, Decatur, Seminole, Baker and Early counties, but he knows it's bad.
"It's not going to be a short-term solution. It will take years, "he said. His family has been working for as long as he can remember. He can not remember such a devastating storm.
"The only thing I saw that could be compared to this is perhaps Puerto Rico, on television," he said, referring to Hurricane Maria. "Everything is mutilated."
Eric Cohen of Bainbridge has been farming for 18 years. He remembers the disorder caused by Hurricane Kate, who hit the Florida Panhandle with a Category 2 force in 1985. He was then 7 years old and was involved in cleaning up his father's pecan orchards.
"It was the storm that we had always feared. I remember it very well, "he said. "This one was 10 times worse."
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