While one must still look hard to be optimistic about the overall economy, 2011 is an exciting time for Georgia farmers, said agricultural economist Dr. George Shumaker. Shumaker, who spent most of his nearly 30-year career as an extension agricultural economist in Statesboro, is now a professor emeritus with the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development at the University of Georgia. He delivered the economic portion of the 2011 Georgia Ag Forecast given Thursday at the Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education Center on the Georgia Southern University campus.