April 1, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 13
CONGRESS EXAMINES POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED WATER RULE The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule was the focus of hearings in both houses of Congress in March. During a March 17 hearing in the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, American Farm Bureau Federation General Counsel Ellen Steen testified that farmers would be exposed to increased EPA action if the rule is allowed to go forward. “It is impossible to know how many farmers, ranchers and forest landowners will be visited by agency enforcement staff or will be sued by citizen plaintiffs’ lawyers—and it is impossible to know when those inspections and lawsuits will happen,” Steen said, “but what is certain is that a vast number of common, responsible farming, ranching and forestry practices that occur today without the need for a federal permit would be highly vulnerable to Clean Water Act enforcement under this rule.” Both Georgia Farm Bureau and AFBF have pushed to get the proposed rule withdrawn. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy has said publicly that the final rule will be published this spring. The EPA and Corps’ promulgation of the rule drew criticism from the chairs of both the House and Senate Ag Committee chairman. “Under EPA’s proposed rule, every water in the United States can be reached by federal regulators,” House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-Texas) said in his opening statement. “The only thing that makes the rule ambiguous is the claim by the EPA and the Army Corps that the rule is not all-encompassing, with the agencies declaring they will use their best professional judgment on when to regulate a water and when they will not. These assurances hold little comfort for farmers and ranchers who will face steep civil fines for any violation.” On March 24, the Senate Ag Committee held its own hearing to review the impacts of the proposed rule. “I find it particularly troubling that despite the unanimous outcry from a broad coalition of stakeholders and industries that have voiced concern about the manner and process by which EPA advanced this proposed rule, EPA continues to plunge ahead,” Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) said in his opening statement. The proposed rule generated more than 1 million comments. In a related development, the Senate approved an amendment to its budget resolution addressing the proposed rule. The amendment, submitted by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) would limit the EPA’s funding to adopt a broad regulatory definition of “waters of the U.S.” The amendment passed by a 59-40 vote during the Senate’s deliberations on the budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2016. Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue each voted for the amendment.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 9 COMPETE FOR CASH PRIZES IN THE GFB PHOTO CONTEST The GFB Young Farmer Committee is accepting entries for its 6th Annual Picture Agriculture in Georgia Contest. This contest is open to any Georgia Farm Bureau member who is an amateur photographer (receives no income from photography). Cash awards will be presented in two categories – Farm Bureau Members and Farm Bureau Employees. Prizes for the member category are: 1st Place - $150; 11 Honorable Mentions - $75 each. The winner of the member category will be featured on the front of the 2016 GFB Young Farmer Calendar. Prizes for the employee category are: 1st Place- $100; 2nd Place- $75; 3rd Place- $50. Only digital photos that are a minimum of 1 megabyte (MB) in file size may be submitted with a limit of four entries per person. All photos must have been shot in Georgia in 2014 or 2015. Photos altered in any way will not be judged. All photos become the property of GFB. Photos must be sent as a JPEG file attachment via email to yf@gfb.org by 4:30 p.m. on May 6. If children or people are shown in photos, you must complete a Model Release Entry Form that must be received by GFB at the time of the deadline. Visit your county Farm Bureau office for contest rules, entry instructions and the Model Release Form or visit the GFB website at www.gfb.org. APRIL 27 SHIP DATE SET FOR 2015 VIDALIA ONION SEASON Following the recommendation of the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black has announced April 27 as the official shipping date for the 2015 Vidalia onion marketing season, according to a press release from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The 16-grower panel made the recommendation to the commissioner during a meeting held at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons. Vidalia onions shipped prior to April 27 must undergo a Federal-State Inspection certifying that the onions have met the established grade requirements and are under “Positive Lot Identification” as approved by the Federal-State Inspection Service. Baby Vidalia onions with greens attached may also be shipped earlier in the season. Vidalia onions are unique to Georgia and may only be grown in parts of a 20-county area in the southeastern part of the state. The onions are prized for their sweetness and mild flavor and can be used raw or cooked. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Georgia farmers harvested 258 million pounds of Vidalia onions from 11,000 acres in 2014. The value of production for last year’s crop exceeded $108 million.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 9 USDA PROPOSES RULE TO LIMIT PAYMENTS TO NON-FARMERS On March 24 the USDA announced a proposed rule to limit farm payments to non-farmers, consistent with requirements in the 2014 farm bill, according to a USDA press release. The proposed rule limits farm payments to individuals who may be designated as farm managers but are not actively engaged in farm management. In the farm bill, Congress gave USDA the authority to address this loophole for joint ventures and general partnerships, while exempting family farm operations from being impacted by the new rule USDA ultimately implements. Under the proposed rule, non-family joint ventures and general partnerships must document that their managers are making significant contributions to the farming operation, defined as 500 hours of substantial management work per year, or 25 percent of the critical management time necessary for the success of the farming operation. Many operations will be limited to only one manager who can receive a safety-net payment. Operators that can demonstrate they are large and complex could be allowed payments for up to three managers only if they can show all three are actively and substantially engaged in farm operations. The changes specified in the rule would apply to payment eligibility for 2016 and subsequent crop years for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs, loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains realized via the Marketing Assistance Loan program. As mandated by Congress, family farms will not be impacted. There will also be no change to existing rules for contributions to land, capital, equipment, or labor. Only non-family farm general partnerships or joint ventures comprised of more than one member will be impacted by this proposed rule. Stakeholders interested in commenting on the proposed definition and changes are encouraged to provide written comments at www.regulations.gov by May 26. The proposed rule is available at http://go.usa.gov/3C6Kk. TWO GEORGIANS APPOINTED TO PEANUT STANDARDS BOARD On March 26 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed three producers and four industry representatives to serve on the Peanut Standards Board. Six members will serve on the board through June 30, 2017. A seventh member will fill a current vacancy through June, 2015. The Peanut Standards Board is made up of 18 members representing the Southeast Region, which covers Alabama, Georgia and Florida; the Southwest Region, covering Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico; and the Virginia-North Carolina Region. One-third of the board is appointed each year. Included were Calhoun County producer Martin L. McLendon and industry representative Elizabeth Kaye Smith of Forsyth County to represent the Southeast. The Peanut Standards Board is authorized under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. USDA consults with the board to establish or change quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. USDA is scheduling and will soon announce the date of the full board’s next meeting.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 9 USDA SCIENTISTS DEVELOP VACCINE TO FIGHT TWO POULTRY DISEASES A vaccine that protects chickens against two infectious poultry diseases has been developed by USDA scientists. Microbiologist Qingzhong Yu and his colleagues at the Agricultural Research Service's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory (SEPRL) in Athens created a vaccine that is effective against infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) and Newcastle disease (ND). ILT and ND are two of the most economically important infectious diseases affecting poultry. They cause sickness and death in domestic and commercial poultry as well as in some wild birds throughout the world. By using reverse genetics technology, Yu was able to generate new dual vaccines by inserting a gene from the infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) into the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) LaSota vaccine strain, which has been used for more than 50 years to protect poultry from ND. Vaccines were tested in more than 100 1-day-old chickens and 120 3-day-old commercial broilers. All vaccinated birds were protected against both ILTV and NDV challenges. They showed little or no clinical signs and no decrease in body weight gains. Vaccines were found to be stable and safe in chickens of all ages. According to Yu, the new vaccines are safer than the current live-attenuated ILT vaccines. They can be safely and effectively given by aerosol or drinking water to large chicken populations at a low cost. ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency, and this research, which was published in the Journal of Virology, supports the USDA priority of promoting international food security. RUARK HONORED BY GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) honored Marvin Ruark on March 29 in a ceremony at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center in Madison. Ruark is retiring after 35 years on the GCC board of directors as its longest-serving member. The GCC worked with the Madison-Morgan Conservancy and the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center to organize the event, which commemorated Ruark’s lifelong contribution to agriculture in Georgia and included more than 100 of Ruark’s family and friends in the cotton industry. Ruark is a Georgia Farm Bureau 4th District Director and a past president of Morgan County Farm Bureau. His family has been in the cotton business for more than 100 years. Marvin and his brother Gene have been farming together for more than 50 years, and they have been joined in the family tradition by Marvin’s son, John, Gene’s son, Mark, and Marvin’s grandson, Ruark Andrew Ruark. Ruark has served as a member of the Georgia Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation since its inception, been a member of the Cotton Board, Cotton Incorporated and the National Cotton Council. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Southern Cotton Growers. Marvin and his wife Bebe played key roles at the inception of the Bostwick Gin Festival, providing knowledge of the cotton industry as well as the centerpiece of the festival, the gin itself. Now in its 25th year the Gin Festival provides a unique experience to the Morgan County Community.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 9 FARMERS CAN CALL ON HUNTERS FOR HELP IN FIGHT AGAINST FERAL HOGS With spring planting season under way, farmers across the state could face unwelcome attention from feral hogs, but a state program provides a resource to assist the farmers in limiting the damage caused by the hogs. A joint effort between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Hunters Helping Farmers was unveiled last fall. The program pairs farmers with hunters who want to hunt the wild hogs, which root, trample and consume crops in the field. Their activities cause other property damage and they carry diseases that can affect domestic swine herds. Under the program, information from interested farmers and hunters will be matched based on geographical area and given to the farmer to choose if and when to contact a hunter. For more information or to register for the program, visit http://agr.georgia.gov/HHF_splash.htm or call 1844-464-5455.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 9 GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION 54TH ANNUAL CONVENTION April 1-4 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This jam-packed four-day event covers all things beef, including a forage conference led by UGA’s Dr. Dennis Hancock, Zoetis Cattlemen’s College seminars on a variety of topics, a livestock marketing seminar led by National Institute for Animal Agriculture Board Member Dr. Nevil Speer; the annual awards banquet; the GCA general membership meeting; Angus and Hereford sales; the annual Cattlemen’s Ball; and a junior awards luncheon. Visit www.georgiacattlemen.org for more information or to register. MONSANTO OFFERS GRANTS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 34 GA COUNTIES April 1 deadline to apply Farmers in 34 Georgia counties may nominate a public school district for grants of up to $25,000 from Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Fund. Eligible counties are Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. Visit www.growruraleducation.com and click the “Farmers Nominate Now” button or call 1-877-267-3332 to submit a nomination. Complete rules and eligibility requirements are posted on the aforementioned website. BAYER SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR BEEKEEPING AWARD Bayer CropScience is seeking nominations for its third annual Bee Care Community Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual who uses their interest in and commitment to honey bees to benefit their community. The award, an initiative of Bayer’s North American Bee Care Program, provides a $5,000 grant to the winner to be used in support of a community beekeeping project. The winner will also receive an all-expense paid trip to a reception in Washington, D.C., during National Pollinator Week June 15-21. Individuals interested in applying for the award can obtain an application at www.pollinatorweek.bayer.com. The deadline to apply is April 3. UGA EXTENSION, USDA GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOPS April 15 Gwinnett Technical College 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lawrenceville April 23 Fort Valley State University 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fort Valley The process of applying for federal grants can be daunting, but extra funding can help farmers diversify their farms or make them more sustainable or profitable. UGA Extension is working with the USDA to host two workshops to help farmers apply for grants through the USDA’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion programs. The workshops are free to attend but there is a limit of 50 participants per workshop. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=5404 for more information.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 9 SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this monthly open-air market that will allow local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Each month’s market will have a different theme. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. The farm is unique for its collection of intact historic buildings that exist in their original location and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online. NEWTON COUNTY AG DAY ON THE SQUARE April 18 On the Square 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Covington This event, sponsored by the Newton County Farm Bureau Young Farmers, features a modern and antique tractor show and lots of family fun. For more information, contact NCFB Office Manager Crystal Powell at 770-786-7201. UGA HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE April 21 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center 2:20 p.m. Irwinville For more information contact Dr. Jacob Segers at 229-386-3214 or by email at jacobs@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or by email at ptcannon@uga.edu. 38th ANNUAL VIDALIA ONION FESTIVAL April 23-26 Various locations Vidalia This festival celebrating Georgia’s official state vegetable includes an air show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant, country band Lonestar in concert, the Golden Onion professional chef competition, the Vidalia Onion Recipe Contest and much more. For more information visit www.vidaliaonionfestival.com. 16th ANNUAL PANHANDLE FARM MULE DAY April 25 Panhandle Farm 9 a.m. Reynolds The heritage of breaking farmland with mules comes to life for the whole family to enjoy at this free event. Various mule clubs and individuals will give live mule plowing demonstrations. Antique engines, tractors and implements will also be on display. A local church will sell lunch and refreshments. Event includes live entertainment. Take GA Hwy. 128 west out of Roberta to Hwy. 137, turn right onto Hwy. 137, then left onto Milton Lowe Road and follow signs to farm. For more information call Steve Montgomery at 478-837-1044.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 9 GA COTTON WOMEN TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR COTTON SCHOLARSHIPS May 1 Deadline to apply The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable onethird each quarter or one-half each semester. The Georgia Cotton Women Scholarship is presented annually to the child or grandchild of a Georgia cotton producer or a cotton industry employee. This $1,500 scholarship is also payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. The Georgia Cotton Women Scholarship is funded through the sales of the organization’s two cookbooks, Georgia Cotton Heritage Cookbook and the newly-released Cooking in High Cotton. Applicants for both scholarships must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average to receive the scholarship the following term. Applications are available at www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information email Nancy Coleman at georgiacottonwomen@gmail.com or call 229-941-2930. GEORGIA OLIVE PRODUCERS ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE May 14 The Threatte Center 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lakeland This meeting will provide a wide range of information to growers and potential new growers from researchers, support industries and government agencies working in the expansion of the olive oil industry in Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. Registration is $75 for members and $150 for non-members. Event includes a farm tour and a silent auction to support UGA olive research. A pre-conference supper will be held Wednesday night that is $50. To register, visit http://georgiaolivegrowers.com. For more information contact Vicki Hughes at 229-300-9931 or georgiaolivegrowers@gmail.com. 2015 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 14-16 Young Harris College 8 a.m. each day Young Harris This event, one of the most comprehensive beekeeping educational events in the Southeast, offers classes for beekeepers at all levels of experience and the annual honey show. May 14 is dedicated training and certification exams for journeymen and master beekeeper qualifications, as well as the Welsh honey judge training, the first licensing program for honey judges in North America. May 15 and 16 provide training and certification, including individual and colony biology, pathogens and parasites, and much more. Registration fee for ages 18 and older is $130 for May 15, $110 for May 16 and $220 for both days. For ages 17 and under, fees are $65 for May 15, $55 for May 16 and $110 for both days. Two-day registration and additional fees apply for advanced courses and exams on May 16. Space is limited and classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit www.ent.uga.edu/Bees/young-harris/index.html. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 26 NW GA Research & Education Center 6 p.m. Calhoun For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or via email at pworley@uga.edu . UGA HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 27 NW GA Research & Education Center 12:30 p.m. Calhoun For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or via email at jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or via email at pworley@uga.edu .
GFB News Alert page 9 of 9 ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Beginning June 6 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public. Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact RDCFB Office Manager Susanne Bell at shbell@gfb.org or call 770-922-3566. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 7-11 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton th th th The camp, for rising 10 , 11 and 12 -grade students with a desire to learn more about Georgia’s natural resources and the opportunities and responsibilities these resources provide, focuses on the value, protection and conservation of Georgia’s wildlife, forestry, soil and water resources. Tuition is $150 per students who register by May 1 and $175 for those who register after May 1. The deadline to register is May 28. Georgia natural resources experts in a variety of fields will lead classroom and field trip activities to help interested young people learn the basic principles and the responsible use of natural resources. For more information, visit www.abac.edu/nrcw or contact your local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division or UGA Cooperative Extension Service.