One-hundred-and-twenty-five miles southeast of Atlanta, Jimmy Brewer shows off silos in Laurens County holding 15,000 bushels each of sesame seed that he and other farmers hope become Georgia's next big cash crop.

Meanwhile, in Tifton, University of Georgia researchers are working to develop new varieties of lettuce and kale that could help the state's farmers meet growing national demand for crops devastated by drought in California.

While movies, cars and technology have benefited from much of the economic hoopla in recent years, farming remains Georgia's oldest and biggest industry, with a $70 billion impact. State agricultural leaders say this year might be be the biggest yet. And they believe Georgia could be on the cusp of even greater growth, fueled by sweat and dirt and a willingness to experiment and change.

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Gov. Brian Kemp speaks to press members during a press conference at the Georgia Capitol.
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

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Ingrid Jackson, who bought a car from U.S. Auto Sales, said she was among the customers who had their car disabled by a kill switch system that impacted thousands of buyers across the Southeast who had paid their car loans on time. She is pictured in Barnesville, Ga., where she lives.  (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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