The University of Georgia is teaming up with the Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Department of Agriculture to put on a series of programs about exporting agricultural products.

Georgia’s agricultural exports of pecans, chickens, eggs,  peanuts, cotton, soybeans, forest products and others are at record levels, and the university and state officials think even more should be sent abroad.

“As we continue to move toward a global economy, there are new opportunities overseas and across our boarders that can provide a positive economic impact on Georgia’s farmers” Kent Wolfe, director of the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, said in a news release.

Dr. Wolf is helping organize the seminars titled the “2013 Farm to Port Ag Forecast” series which are to be held in Athens, Rome, Macon, Tifton and Bainbridge in January and in Lyons in February.

The two-hour programs are to feature agricultural economists and economic development experts to preview market conditions around the world.

The following local speakers are to discuss challenges and benefits of exporting from their home regions.

• Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and the International Poultry Council, will speak Jan. 25. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens.

• Maggie O’Quinn, who leads Certified Angus Beef® marketing efforts in parts of the U.S. and in Latin America, will speak Jan. 28. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Rome-Floyd County ECO River Center.

• Al Pearson, owner of Pearson Farms in Fort Valley, will speak Jan. 29. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Georgia Farm Bureau headquarters in Macon.

• Jimmy Webb, a managing partner with Harvey Jordan Farms Partnership in Leary, will speak Jan. 30. Registration will start at 7 a.m. in the UGA Conference Center in Tifton. Mr. Webb, a 28-year veteran cotton and peanut producer, has held leadership roles in a number of cotton and peanut trade groups.

• Richard Barnhill, owner of Mazur and Hockman Peanut Brokers, will speak Jan. 31. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. in Bainbridge in the Cloud Livestock Facility.

• Jon Schwalls, director of operations for Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, will speak Feb. 1. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Toombs County Agri-Center in Lyons.

For more information contact a local UGA Cooperative Extension office at (800) 275-8421 or click here.