The Beat Goes On!

Press Release from Republican Darwin Carter, who was unsuccessful in his bid for the GOP nod against Gary Black:


Our efforts to derail Big Chemical Companies from taking over the Georgia Department of Agriculture using their hired puppet, Gary Black, did not succeed. This was due, primarily, to the press refusing to expose this politically insidious relationship between these Chemical Giants and their Lobbyist of 21 years.

These multi-national companies spend vast sums of money advertising in the newspapers and electronic media each year: Therefore, using this advertising clout, they stymied, any and all, news exposure of Black's activities and their involvement. They were so effective in this effort, the Atlanta Press Club which sponsors a debate between every candidate for state wide office in Georgia refused to include the Commissioner of Agriculture race. (I would have asked the embarrassing questions and they knew it.)

Fortunately, our efforts did not fall on deaf ears. In the attached press release you will find candidate J.B. Powell is making every effort to expose this takeover of the agency which safeguards your food supply.

Make no mistakes, my friends, this is all about CONTROL of what you and your family eat and the profits of these multi-national corporations.

Black's primary backer holds in excess of 300 seed patents (G.M.O.s ). (The long term effect of these genetically modified seeds is not yet known.)

They are the petroleum based fertilizer companies....

They provide the Insecticides, Herbicides and Pesticides sprayed on your food supply.

As Commissioner of Agriculture, Black would be in a position to increase the amount of chemicals used and allow G.M.O.s without limitation.

This is not about politics. This is about a compromised regulator sitting behind the desk of the Commissioner of Agriculture dictating what you and your family consume and increasing the profits of his employers of 21 years.

Pay attention to these Press Releases....They are important !!

Darwin Carter


JB Powell Decisively Wins Commissioner of Agriculture Debate

September 2, 2010

Atlanta, GA – JB Powell, the Democratic Candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture, scored a decisive victory tonight in the debate hosted by Georgia Organics.

Will Harris, President of the Board for Georgia Organics said “We are astounded and encouraged by the attendance and support for organic farming.”

JB Powell drew repeated applause from the several hundred people in the audience as he championed the cause of sustainably and locally produced food as a way of promoting food safety, healthy eating and local farming. Powell demonstrated he was the candidate who stood up for the issues that the large crowd in attendance cared about

Specifically, Powell talked about:
Reducing childhood obesity by increasing the amount of locally grown fruits and vegetables served in public schools

Eliminating government regulations that prevent small, local farmers from selling farm products such as raw milk directly to consumers

Creating local markets making it possible for local farmers to sell their food locally

Increasing the percent of food served by the University System of Georgia that is produced sustainably and locally following Emory University’s 75% sustainable and locally grown food initiative

Creating tax credits and loan guarantees for grocery stores that open in low income communities

Growing the amount of acreage in organic production in Georgia from 1700 acres to 5000 acres by 2015

Making it easier for young farmers to get into farming and make a living
Protecting food safety oversight capacity as the Department of Agriculture is required to cut $3.5M in 2011

Conducting a cost benefit analysis for the Department of Agriculture operations in order to determine what can be done more efficiently

During the debate, Gary Black, the Republican candidate, found himself defending his constant ducking on questions as he offered to solve many of the issues by forming a committee. Mr. Black was also questioned by, Kevin Cherry, the Libertarian candidate, about Mr. Black’s ethical challenges that have plagued him during the campaign and then by JB Powell regarding how Mr. Black could be a lobbyist for big agribusiness companies for two decades and expect us to believe he would side with the public instead of the interests of big agribusiness companies.

“I want to commend Georgia Organics for organizing this debate” said JB Powell. “I think the high level of interest in this debate is a strong indicator of the support for organic farming in Georgia and I am proud to support getting locally grown food to local markets. We can grow Georgia’s economy and make our food healthier by increasing the amount of food eaten by Georgians that is sustainably and locally produced.”

JB Powell is a lifelong resident of Richmond County residing in the small agricultural community of Blythe, Georgia. He was elected to the State Senate, District 23 in 2004 and has been the primary sponsor of over 45 bills and co-sponsor of many others. These have included bills promoting Georgia’s agri-tourism business, soil erosion projects and river basin protection. He is an active member of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He serves as an ex-officio member of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and is a member of the Interstate Cooperation and State Institutions and Property Committees. He is also secretary of the State’s Science and


September 7, 2010

Atlanta, GA – In the ongoing scandal about Gary Black’s campaign largely being supported by the lobbying firm that employed Black as a lobbyist for over 20 years, today it was discovered that the lobbying firm treasurer, Wayne Christian, is also the treasurer for Gary Black’s campaign.

“A lobbying firm has not just paid Black’s salary during his political campaign, but is also supplying staff for Gary Black’s campaign. This just goes to prove that Black’s election would be putting the fox in charge of the hen house and special interests would be staffing the Department of Agriculture if Black is elected. Georgia farmers and families do not need a lobbyist, they need an advocate for food safety and farmers” said JB Powell, Democratic candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Records from the Georgia Ethics Commission and Georgia Agribusiness Council’s tax filings reveal that Wayne Christian is the treasurer for both Gary Black’s campaign and a lobbying firm sheltered from paying taxes by non-profit status despite a majority of expenses incurred for “promoting agribusiness.”


JB Powell is a lifelong resident of Richmond County residing in the small agricultural community of Blythe, Georgia. He was elected to the State Senate, District 23 in 2004 and has been the primary sponsor of over 45 bills and co-sponsor of many others. These have included bills promoting Georgia’s agri-tourism business, soil erosion projects and river basin protection. He is an active member of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He serves as an ex-officio member of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and is a member of the Interstate Cooperation and State Institutions and Property Committees. He is also secretary of the State’s Science and Technology Committee.