Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - April 22, 2015

April 22, 2015

www.gfb.org

Vol. 33 No. 16

GOV. DEAL APPOINTS NEW GSWCC BOARD, WHICH REHIRES DYKES On April 15 Gov. Nathan Deal named five Georgians to serve on the reorganized Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) as authorized by H.B. 397, which the Georgia General Assembly passed this session and Deal signed into law April 8. The bill authorized Georgia’s governor to appoint one at-large member from each of the GSWCC’s five regions to serve on the commission beginning in 2015.

The appointees are: Jason Winters of Chattooga County representing GSWCC Region I; Drew Echols of Hall County representing GSWCC Region II; Garland Thompson of Coffee County, representing GSWCC Region III; Harold Fallin of Upson County, representing GSWCC Region IV; and Bob Martin of Irwin County representing GSWCC Region V. The new commission members, sworn in on April 16, held their first meeting April 21, during which they elected Garland Thompson as commission chairman and Harold Fallin as vice chair.

The commission voted to re-hire Brent Dykes as GSWCC executive director according to a statement released by the GSWCC. In March, a three-member majority of the previous GSWCC board fired Dykes, an 18-year veteran with the GSWCC who had served as GSWCC executive director for the last seven years. In rehiring Dykes, the newly appointed GSWCC directors recognized the efforts of GSWCC Deputy Executive Director Dave Eigenberg, who provided leadership and commitment to the agency during the last 30 days.

According to the GSWCC April 21 statement, “As of today, Dave will continue in his role and responsibilities as Deputy Executive Director, and he and Brent look forward to many productive days ahead. Through the combined efforts of the agency’s staff and the newly appointed state board, the agency looks forward to continuing to provide exceptional service to Georgia’s 40 conservation districts and the citizens of Georgia.” According to a staff member of Gov. Deal’s press office, H.B. 397 bill specified that the initial appointments made to the GSWCC this year would be for staggered terms ranging from one to five years respectively. As the terms of the new members expire, their successors will be appointed for five-year terms. Fallin, appointed for a one-year term, is owner of Hickory Hill Farm and president of Georgia Farm Products Sales Corp. He is a district supervisor for the Towaliga Soil & Water Conservation District and serves on the Two Rivers Resource Conservation & Development Board, the Upper Flint Regional - Continued

GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 - GSWCC, continued from previous page Water Planning Council, the Upson County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and the Georgia Farm Bureau Aquaculture Committee. Winters, appointed for a two-year term, is the sole commissioner of Chattooga County and recently served two years as vice chairman of the Georgia Rural Development Council. He serves on the board of directors of the Chattooga County Boys and Girls Club and is a member of the Summerville Trion Optimist Club.

Thompson, appointed for a three-year term, is a retired senior vice president for the SunTrust Bank of Coffee County and presently serves as chairman of the bank board. He serves as vice chair of the Altamaha Soil & Water Conservation District. A Farm Bureau member and emeritus director of the Sunbelt Exposition Board, Thompson has served on the Georgia Agribusiness Council and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.

Martin, appointed for a four-year term, is an agribusinessman and farmer who is a shareholder of Dixie Peanut Co. and Osceola Cotton Co., in Ocilla. He is a district supervisor for the Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District and serves on the Ben-Hill/Irwin County Farm Service Agency Committee and the Irwin County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

Echols, appointed for a five-year term, is a managing partner of Jaemor Farms where he oversees production and agritourism. He currently serves as a director of the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) Advisory Board and the Hall County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Echols and his wife, Shelly, served on the GFB Young Farmer Committee from 2005-2006 and received the 2014 GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award.

H.B. 397 assigned the GSWCC to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes to comply with zero-based budgeting requirements. The GSWCC will continue to assist farmers and landowners conserve soil and water resources in a voluntary, non-regulatory manner.

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REPEAL DEATH TAX The U.S. House passed the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015 (H.R. 1105) on April 16 by a 240179 vote. Georgia Farm Bureau supported the bill, which was introduced by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.). The bill would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the death tax. Federal estate taxes currently have a top rate of 40 percent.

“Repealing the federal estate tax has been one of our priorities for years,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “We’ve long held that the transfer of farm assets from one generation to the next is crucial to maintain domestic food production. Repealing the death tax would help ensure the continued strength of the U.S. agricultural economy.”

Georgia Reps. Lynn Westmoreland (R-3rd District, Doug Collins (R-9th District), Buddy Carter (R-1st District), Rick Allen (R-12th District), Jody Hice (R-10th District) and Austin Scott (R-8th District) were cosponsors of the bill. Eleven of Georgia’s 14 representatives voted in favor of the bill.

“I have heard from farmers, funeral home owners, newspaper publishers, radio station owners, and garment manufacturers about the need for estate tax relief. I believe that the estate tax is politically misguided, morally unjustified and downright un-American,” said Bishop, one of seven House Democrats who voted in favor of the bill. “It undermines the life work and the life savings of farmers and small- and medium-sized businesses in Georgia and across the nation.”

According to published reports, the Obama administration has indicated the president will veto the bill should it pass the Senate.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 GFB ANNOUNCES ART & ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS Georgia Farm Bureau recently announced the winners of its annual art and essay contests.

Jamie Armstrong of Floyd County won the GFB High School Art Contest while Harley Beggs of Taliaferro County won the GFB Middle School Essay Contest.

Armstrong won the art contest with her detailed sketch of Georgia commodities flowing from baskets and bags in a table display along with a Holstein calf and nesting hen. A junior at Armuchee High School, Armstrong won $350 as the state winner and $100 as the GFB 1st District winner.

Open to any high school student, the contest attracted 57 entries. The drawings were judged on artistic merit and how well the artwork represented Georgia agriculture.

MacKenzie Anderson of Early County, GFB 9th District, and Bryce Bennett of Ware County, GFB 10th District, were the state runners-up in the contest. Anderson and Bennett each won $250 as the runners-up and $100 for being district winners.

Other district winners in the art contest were: Denisse Rodriguez, Elbert County, GFB 2nd District; Bianca Steele, Polk County, GFB 3rd District; Kimberly Thurman, Glascock County, GFB 4th District; Clara Reinagel, Upson County, GFB 5th District; Autumn Fields, Laurens County, GFB 6th District; Gracie Sommer, Screven County; GFB 7th District and Cody Clements, Sumter County, GFB 8th District.

Each district winner received $100. The winning artwork from each district will be featured in GFB’s 2016 Ag in the Classroom calendar along with two other contest entries selected by the judges.

The 53 sixth to eight grade students who entered the GFB Middle School Essay Contest explored the many careers available in agriculture with the topic: “Make My Career Agriculture.” Essays were judged on clarity of thought and writing skill.

A homeschooled sixth-grader, Beggs received $250 as the state winner of the essay contest and an additional $100 as the GFB 4th District winner.

Other district winners in the essay contest were: Taylor Sellers, Gilmer County, GFB 1st District; Chase West, Madison County, GFB 2nd District; Piper Ramirez, Polk County, GFB 3rd District; Morgan Mathews, Pike County, GFB 5th District; Kensley Little, Dodge County, GFB 6th District; James Poppell, Toombs County, GFB 7th District; Jalynn Keene, Wilcox County, GFB 8th District; Kaitlyn Mitchell, Colquitt County, GFB 9th District and Parker Guy, Irwin County; GFB 10th District.

The GFB Women’s Leadership Committee coordinated both contests on the state level and county Women’s Committees promoted the contests locally.

“These contests are a great way for county Farm Bureaus to make contact with middle school English teachers and high school art teachers who might otherwise never explore agriculture in their classrooms,” said GFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Janet Greuel. “We appreciate all of the counties who reached out to their local teachers or directly to students to ask them to participate in the contests. Thanks to your efforts, 57 high school students across the state investigated the different commodities Georgia farmers produce as they worked to create artwork depicting Georgia agriculture, and 53 middle school students explored the many career options Georgia agriculture provides.”

GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 APHIS CONFIRMS HPAI IN WIS. COMMERCIAL CHICKENS, IOWA TURKEYS The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in Jefferson County, Wis. The flock of 200,000 chickens is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. APHIS has also confirmed the presence of H5N2 in a commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County, Iowa. The flock of 27,000 turkeys is also located within the Mississippi flyway.

According to APHIS press releases about the two confirmations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.

APHIS is working with state officials in Wisconsin and Iowa on joint incident responses. In each case the premises were quarantined and the flocks will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. No birds from either flock will enter the food system.

In addition to these steps, federal and state officials are monitoring the region, including testing wild and domestic birds in a broad area around the quarantine area, disinfecting the flock locations followed by tests to confirm that the poultry farms are AI virus-free.

HPAI strains have been confirmed in 13 states, all of them west of the Mississippi River.

Minnesota’s turkey flocks have been particularly hard hit, and at the request of the USDA, representatives from the Georgia Poultry Lab Network and the Georgia Department of Agriculture traveled to Minnesota on April 19 for a three-week deployment to help address the outbreak.

USDA will include the confirmation information in routine updates to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and will notify international trading partners of this finding as appropriate. OIE trade guidelines call on countries to base trade restrictions on sound science and, whenever possible, limit restrictions to those animals and animal products within a defined region that pose a risk of spreading disease of concern.

These virus strains can travel in wild birds without them appearing sick. People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds.

APHIS is recommending that all bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov. For more information about the ongoing avian influenza disease incidents visit http://tinyurl.com/AIAPHIS. More information about avian influenza can be found on the USDA avian influenza page at http://tinyurl.com/AIUSDA. More information about avian influenza and public health is available on the CDC website at http://tinyurl.com/CDCAIpubhealth.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 UGA PEANUT ENTOMOLOGIST CONDUCTING STATEWIDE SURVEY To better sustain Georgia’s future peanut production, a University of Georgia peanut entomologist is surveying Georgia farmers, according to a UGA press release.

Notifications about the online survey were mailed directly to the more than 3,500 peanut producers in Georgia. The survey can be accessed online through a link on the Georgia Peanut Commission’s website at www.gapeanuts.com.

“Insects, while not a huge problem every year like they were in 2014, can cause significant economic losses each year,” said UGA peanut entomologist Mark Abney. “The more information that researchers and Extension specialists at the University of Georgia have regarding the major pest problems growers face, the better off we are.”

By knowing which pests cause growers the most concern, the standard practices growers use to control pests, and how well those control methods work, scientists like Abney can more effectively develop research and Extension programs to address the key questions and problems farmers face.

Abney said the survey should take 5-to-15 minutes to complete. It features questions about insect pressure, production practices that can influence pest populations and pest management practices used on individual farms.

“It’s very important for us to have that kind of information. For example, if only 10 percent of the peanuts in Georgia are being scouted, we need to know that when we write grants and ask for funding for Extension work to educate growers about the importance of scouting their peanuts.

Being able to document IPM practices such as scouting is very important,” Abney said.

Along with questions related directly to insects, the survey includes questions about production practices such as tillage and irrigation that can impact pest populations indirectly. The effects of tillage and irrigation on burrower bug populations are also included on the survey.

Farmers who complete the survey will help Abney and his UGA colleagues understand what research and Extension work needs to be done and help them map patterns in pest activity across the state.

“The data we gather from this survey will help us better understand what practices contribute to the risk of insect damage. There are only so many trials that can be conducted at the university each year, and not all pests will occur in our research plots,” he said. “Everyone is very busy this time of year, and we appreciate growers taking the time to complete the survey.”

As an added incentive, every person who responds to the survey can enter to win a Stihl MS291 chainsaw. The drawing for the chainsaw will take place on June 30.

GEORGIA HEREFORD ASSOCIATION ELECTS OFFICERS The Georgia Hereford Association (GHA) held its annual meeting April 3 in conjunction with the Georgia Beef Expo in Perry. Association members elected the following officers: Dr. Hardy M. Edwards III of Winterville, president; John Watson Jr. of Lafayette, vice president; and Ray Hicks, Sylvania, secretary/treasurer.

Edwards is a Clarke County Farm Bureau director. Watson is a Walker County Farm Bureau member, and Hicks is a Screven County Farm Bureau member and Bulloch County Extension agent.

The GHA held the Georgia’s Finest Hereford Sale on April 4 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. The sale included 39 lots that grossed a total of $158,600 with an average sale price of $4,067. The top sale was a cow/calf pair that brought $7,700. The average bull sale price was $4,500 and the average female sale price was $4,043.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 EPA DENIES COUNTER 20G FOR USE ON COTTON IN GEORGIA The EPA has denied a request by the Georgia Department of Agriculture to allow use of the pesticide Counter 20G on cotton in Georgia.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black wrote to the EPA on April 1 requesting a Section 18 exemption to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to give cotton growers a key tool to control nematodes. In his letter, Black pointed out that since the phase-out of aldicarb began in 2010, farmers have struggled to find an effective alternative pesticide to control nematodes in cotton. A replacement pesticide, Velum Total from Bayer CropScience, is only available in sufficient quantities to treat 25 percent of the acreage referenced in Black’s exemption request.

“Cotton farmers across the region face a high pressure dilemma this growing season,” Black wrote. “Costs for seed and other inputs will establish a very high mark on the production model over the next two months. Yet, commodity prices, without extraordinary yields, will not likely produce an acceptable if any level of profit. The Section 18 opportunity for Counter 20G in my view clearly provides us the pathway afforded by law to meet our regulatory obligations while helping American farm families when they need it the most.”

In response, the EPA denied requests for Counter 20G on cotton, saying that allowing the use of the chemical on the state’s cotton crop would exceed allowable amounts of terbufos, the pesticide’s active ingredient. Counter 20G is allowed for use on field corn.

NRCS EXTENDS SIGN-UP FOR CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAMS The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced on April 15 that there will be an additional signup for financial and technical assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The initial fiscal year 2015 sign up concluded in December 2014.

The additional sign-up period for the 2015 application pool ends May 15.

NRCS is making financial and technical assistance available nationwide to help productive farm and ranch lands remain in agriculture and to protect the nation’s critical wetlands and grasslands. American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs are eligible to partner with NRCS to purchase conservation easements. A key change under the new agricultural land easement component is the new “grasslands of special environmental significance,” which will protect high-quality grasslands under threat of conversion to non-grazing uses.

Wetland reserve easements allow landowners to successfully enhance and protect habitat for wildlife on their lands, reduce impacts from flooding, recharge groundwater and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of these easements. Eligible landowners can choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement; tribal landowners have the option of enrolling in 340-year contracts.

ACEP applications are currently being accepted for both agricultural land and wetlands reserve easements. Applications are available at local USDA Service Centers. To learn more about ACEP and other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit http://tinyurl.com/ganrcs.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4-7 p.m.

Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332.

PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market.

If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmers Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132.

UGA EXTENSION, USDA GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOPS 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 this workshop to help farmers apply for grants through the USDA programs. The workshop is free to attend but there is a limit of 50 participants. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=5404 for more information.

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 11 3RD ANNUAL GEORGIA GROWN SYMPOSIUM April 30 Ga. National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Perry This one-day event will focus on "Growing Innovation and Profits." The syposium will include four discussion panels with industry leaders covering topics such as food certifications, expanding your farm/business, product diversification and the future demand for Georgia agriculture. Registration is $50. To register online visit http://tinyurl.com/ggsymposium.

Discounts and free registration is available to current Georgia Grown members. If you have further questions please contact Georgia Grown at 404-656-3680.

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.

MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 2 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m.

Forsyth This sale will feature about 85 bred heifers. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPDs, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily gain. All heifers will sell confirmed safe in calf to calving ease Angus bulls. For more information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email at uge2207@uga.edu.

Information about the sale is also available at www.ugaextension.com/monroe.

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.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 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.

MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays May 16-Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com.

SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET 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.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS SEMINAR May 20 W.C. Bradley Company, 107 Front Ave. Columbus This one-day seminar, sponsored by the Chattahoochee Valley Land Trust, the Georgia Land trust and the Alabama Land Trust, includes sessions on the basics of conservation easements, the donation process, legal issues, tax credits, appraisals and more. Lunch is included with registration, which is $30 ($20 for Rotary members). Continuing forestry education credits are available with an additional fee of $100.

To register, visit www.conservationeasements.eventzilla.net or contact Paige Swift at 706-718-3324 or pswift@galandtrust.org.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 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.

6TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST KIKO GOAT ASSOCIATION ROUNDUP & SALE June 5 & 6 GA National Fairgrounds Perry This event kicks off on June 5 with registration at 8 a.m. and free seminars delivered by goat experts starting at 9 a.m. and running through 4:30 p.m. Topics to be covered are: Integrated Parasite Management by Dr. Fred Brown that will include a hands-on training in the FAMACHA system of identifying and treating parasite infection in goats; a forage seminar by Richard Petcher; Biosecurity in Meat Goat Operations by Dr. Maria Browning; Differences in Genetic Management for Seedstock & Commercial Herds by Dr. Richard Browning. The Southeast Kiko Goat Association (SEKGA) will have a business meeting at 5:30 p.m. on June 5 followed by a goat dinner at 6:30 p.m. An auction to benefit the association will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, from 8 to 11 a.m., attendees may view Kiko goats that will be sold in the breeding stock sale at noon along with visiting farm displays and other industry vendors. Attendees may register for sale buyer numbers from 8 a.m. to noon. 4-H and FFA members will compete in a Meat Goat Skill-A-Thon Competition from 9-10:30 a.m. to win a donated doe. Two seminars will be offered Saturday morning: Brent Ballinger will discuss “Building A Meat Goat Business Plan” from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Dr. Nar Gurung will address “Year-Round Grazing & Browsing Management of Goats” from 9:45-10:45 a.m. For more information visit www.sekga.us or contact SEKGA President Marilyn Seleska at 229-263-7977 or springacres@windstream.net.

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.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 11 UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Every Saturday June 6 – Oct. 31 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Tuesday June 9 – Oct. 27 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com or 706-439-6043.

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 7-11 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton The camp, for rising 10th, 11th and 12th-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 for 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.

17TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 23-25 Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the numerous conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. For more information visit http://www.southernpeanutfarmers.org/spgc.asp.

GEORGIA STATE TRAIL RIDE AND CHUCKWAGON COOK-OFF Aug. 8 Hard Labor Creek State Park Rutledge This inaugural event is sponsored by the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine, the Georgia State Parks, Georgia Grown and Georgia Farm Bureau. For more information contact John Clements at 478-298-0347 or tiejc@bellsouth.net.