Bulloch County’s own Lee Cromley has been appointed to the Georgia Farmland Advisory Council, bringing his deep rooted agricultural experience to this important statewide initiative. Cromley’s appointment follows a recommendation by Senator Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and comes as a recognition of his lifetime dedication to farming and sustainability.
Senator Hickman didn’t hold back in his praise for Cromley, describing him as the perfect fit for the council. “I could not think of anyone more worthy of serving on the Georgia Farmland Advisory Council than Lee Cromley,” Hickman said in a press release. “As a lifelong family farmer in Bulloch County, Lee brings invaluable expertise of the challenges and opportunities facing Georgia’s local agricultural community. With Lee Cromley’s insight and leadership, we will be able to guarantee that family farmers’ perspectives are front and center in statewide discussions about farmland conservation and sustainable practices.”
The Georgia Farmland Advisory Council, which was created in 2023 with the passage of Senate Bill 220, serves as a resource for the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Its mission is to guide the administration and implementation of farmland preservation programs across the state.
The council includes 14 members, a mix of family farmers, agricultural experts, and representatives from key organizations. Now, with Cromley joining their ranks, Bulloch County is well represented in the statewide conversation on sustainable farming.
If Cromley’s name rings a bell, it’s because his contributions to agriculture are well known here in Bulloch County. Earlier this year, he was recognized as one of the Distinguished Farmer of the Year during the Blessing of the Crops ceremony. John Roach of Morris Bank presented the award, calling Cromley a “true titan of the Bulloch County farming community” who embodies innovation and sustainable practices.
When Cromley accepted the award, his words stuck with many: “I will go to my grave supporting agriculture and believing that agriculture is important to our county, our state, and our nation.”
Those words seem especially fitting now as he steps into this new role, representing Georgia’s farmers on a larger scale.
