Description

The latest episode of the Georgia Tech Research Podcast is the fourth in a special series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Agricultural Technology Research Program (ATRP). Host Stephanie Richter, a GTRI Research Scientist, talks with Mike Giles, president of the Georgia Poultry Federation.

Giles, whose family operated an agribusiness in middle Georgia when he was growing up, joined the Federation in 2000 and became President in 2009. 

 He traces the almost lockstep development of ATRP with the Georgia Poultry Federation, which began in 1951. Together, the two entities have had a profound impact on the Five P’s of Georgia Agriculture: peaches, peanuts, pecans, pine, and, of course, poultry.

Giles delves into some of the ways his organization, and ATRP, have positively impacted agriculture in the state, including:

• Advancing technology.
• Working with the State Legislature on measures to avail the industry, including tax benefits.
• He also notes a current legislative push that he feels with help Georgia’s agriculture industry—increasing weight limits for trucks that carry agricultural products.

Giles makes special note of the unsung contributions made by the industry in times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.