ATLANTA — Two South Georgia farmers, Sen. Russ Goodman and Sen. Sam Watson, were appointed to the Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands.

Goodman, R-Homerville, a seventh generation farmer, was also named to the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee.

Watson, R-Moultrie, is part-owner of Chill C Farms in Colquitt County.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced the members of seven study committees May 24, including the ones on farmland preservation and forest innovation.

“Each of these study committees will review current policies and practices within their specific topics,” Jones said. “The appointees are experts on these issues and bring their unique experience and knowledge to each of the committees. I look forward to learning more from their findings and addressing their recommendations during the 2025 Legislative Session.”

The Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands will be chaired by Sen. Billy Hickman of Statesboro, and members, in addition to Goodman and Watson, are Sens. Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas, Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, and Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson.

The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee will be chaired by Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon. In addition to Goodman, members are Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville, Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, Sen. Sonya Halpern, D-Atlanta, and Sen. Larry Walker, R-Perry.

The other study committees announced Friday and their members are:

— Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Child Care: Chairman Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough; and members Sen. Matt Brass, R-Newnan, Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Gwinnett, Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, Sen. Derek Mallow, D-Savannah, Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, and Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett, D-Marietta.

— Senate Study Committee on Veterans’ Mental Health and Housing: Chairman Sen. Chuck Payne, R-Dalton; and members Sen. Ed Harbison, D-Columbus, Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs, Sen. Shawn Still, R-Norcross, and Sen. Rick Williams, R-Milledgeville.

— Senate Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee: Chairman Sen. Randy Robertson, R-Cataula; and members Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, Sen. Tonya Anderson, D-Lithonia, Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, Sen. Timothy Bearden, R-Carrollton, Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, and Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain.

— Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Chairman Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell; and members Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania, Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, Sen. Sheikh Rahman, D-Lawrenceville, Sen. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, and Sen. Shawn Still, R-Norcross.

— Senate Safe Firearms Storage Study Committee: Chairman Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur; and members Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville, Sen. Marty Harbin, R-Tyrone, Sen. David Lucas, D-Macon, and Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah.

Dates and locations for meetings of each of the study committees will be announced later. Information related to the committees will be available at https://www.senate.ga.gov/committees/en-US/2024StudyCommittees.aspx.