Farm Bureau + University System of Georgia Gala
Over the weekend, Dayle and I were excited to join Chancellor Sonny Perdue for his final Board of Regents Scholarship and Awards Gala before his retirement. It was an honor to celebrate Chancellor Perdue’s remarkable career of service and the lasting impact he has made on education and our great state.
Hosted by the University System of Georgia Foundation, this annual gala raises critical funding for need-based scholarships. Over the last 20 years, the event has raised more than $20 million in scholarships for students attending public colleges and universities across the University System of Georgia. While the HOPE Scholarship provides remarkable opportunities for students who meet the academic requirements, these scholarships help students facing specific financial needs, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring every Georgian has the opportunity to pursue higher education and build a brighter future.
Chancellor Sonny Perdue has led the University System of Georgia to even greater heights of success, championing measures that resulted in record enrollment, historic graduation rates, greater access to financial aid, and stronger alignment with Georgia’s workforce needs, all while keeping tuition affordable for students across the state.
Dayle and I want to thank Chancellor Perdue for his years of tireless and dedicated public service. The impact he has made on our state and our higher education institutions will be felt for generations to come. There is no doubt that Georgia is stronger because of his commitment to expanding opportunities and ensuring every student has the chance to succeed.
Dayle and I pictured with Senate President Pro Tem Larry Walker and Adrienne Walker at the 2026 USG Foundation Gala.
Congratulations to Dr. Lee Berger, a Screven County native and Georgia Southern University graduate, on being selected as a recipient of the Regents’ Hall of Fame Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award.
Farm Bureau Advocacy in Bulloch County
On Tuesday, I was glad to join Georgia Farm Bureau for their County Voices Capitol Choices tour at Kairos Farm in Bulloch County, a generational family farm owned and operated by Jamie and David Cromley. I always enjoy the opportunity to engage with Georgia’s hardworking farmers, families, and advocates who keep Georgia’s number one industry moving forward.
Strengthening agriculture has been, and continues to be, a top priority for the Georgia House. From protecting generational family farms and farmland, providing direct disaster relief to Georgia farmers, strengthening protections for forestlands, and investing in the infrastructure, education, and healthcare that support our rural communities, we remain committed to ensuring Georgia’s agriculture industry has the resources and support it needs to remain strong for generations to come.
I want to thank my friend and Farm Bureau President Tom McCall and the Farm Bureau members across the state for the incredible work they do to advocate on behalf of Georgia’s farmers, producers, and rural communities to ensure their voices are represented at the State Capitol.
Pictured with David Cromley and Kairos Farm intern Parker Kicklighter, who is a senior at Southeast Bulloch High School completing his Work-Based Learning placement program. Keep up the great work, Parker!
Speaking to attendees of Georgia Farm Bureau’s County Voices Capitol Choices event alongside my good friend and Farm Bureau President Tom McCall.
It was great seeing so many friends, supporters, and constituents across the district and around the state this week. As always, I hope to hear from each of you soon about the issues, policies, and priorities that matter most to you and your families.
My best,
Speaker Jon Burns