April 9, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 14
EPA PROPOSED WATER RULE KEY ISSUE ON PRESIDENTS’ TRIP TO D.C. Georgia Farm Bureau county presidents voiced their concerns to their congressmen over a recent EPA proposed rule on the definition of “waters of the U.S.” in the Clean Water Act (CWA) during a trip to Washington, D.C., April 1-4. The concerns were two-fold. First, the proposed rule would expand EPA’s authority to virtually any drop of water that flows into a navigable stream, circumventing the intent of Congress in the wording of the CWA. Second, the 370-page proposed rule, which has yet to be published in the Federal Register, provided a 90-day comment period during the height of spring planting, one of the busiest times of the year for farmers. “We keep getting told that there are safety valves in there for agriculture,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “We don’t agree with that. They are very much restricting the way we can use our land. We’ve got to make sure they write rules and regulations that deal with the words in the law.” Parrish A group of 110 county members made the trip. During a breakfast meeting on April 2, GFB members heard issue updates from American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) staff members, including Senior Director of Regulatory Relations Don Parrish, who urged GFB members to push for extending the comment period to 180 days. “The EPA, and I think the USDA is complicit in this, is trying to do an end-around on the Clean Water Act,” Parrish said. GFB members visited the offices of all 14 members of the Georgia House Delegation on April 2, carrying messages on the water issue, immigration, livestock research and funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. During a breakfast meeting on April 3 they heard remarks from Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson and Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden, who is coordinating implementation of the 2014 farm bill. Harden said enrollment in livestock disaster programs should start by April 15, and details on cotton transition payments will come out this fall. She encouraged farmers and ranchers to consider enrolling in farm bill conservation programs. “I know that farmers are the first stewards and best stewards of the land,” Harden said. “There is more spending in the conservation title than there is in Title I [the commodity title].” AFBF Director of Public Policy Dale Moore talked about a variety of issues, including advocacy for livestock research. “Research is critically important,” Moore said. “If we have a sniffly chicken in California, [Athens] is where we call to get answers about it.”
Leadership Alert page 2 of 8 PRIVATE SCREENING HELD IN MACON FOR FARMLAND A private screening of the documentary “Farmland” drew a crowd of about 200 people to Macon’s Douglass Theatre on April 7, giving them an advance look at the film featuring six young farmers, including Crawford County Farm Bureau President Leighton Cooley. “Farmland,” produced by Oscarwinning director James Moll, follows six young farmers through much of 2013, offering their perspective on what farming is and their responses to criticisms of modern agriculture. “In ‘Farmland,’ audiences will hear thoughts and opinions about agriculture, but not from me and not from a narrator,” Moll said in a USFRA press release. “They’re from the mouths of the farmers and ranchers themselves.” The screening drew local, state and national media outlets, as well as elected officials and representatives of Middle Georgia’s education, financial and law enforcement communities. Georgia Farm Bureau hosted the event with sponsorship from the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, the Georgia Milk Producers, Inc., the Georgia Poultry Federation and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. In addition to Cooley, the film features Nebraska corn and soybean farmer David Loberg, Texas cattle rancher Brad Bellah, California vegetable farmer Sutton Morgan, Pennsylvania vegetable farmer Margaret Schlass and Minnesota hog farmer Ryan Veldhuizen. “I love the film. I love the way James put it together,” said Cooley, who had 25 family members attend the Macon screening. “I believe it’s going to create a lot of opportunities for dialogue. I hope that when people buy steak at the grocery store, they think of Brad, and when they buy chicken they think of me.” “Farmland” was generously supported by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), of which GFB is an affiliate. “Farmland” will have its New York premiere on April 17 during the Tribeca Film Festival, and was selected to compete at the Cleveland International Film Festival in late March, the Atlanta Film Festival on April 6, the Nashville Film Festival on April 19 and the Newport Beach Film Festival April 24-May 1. “Our hope is that for the American public, ‘Farmland’ will truly put a face with their food and help them understand these families really care about their animals and really care about the land,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall, who introduced the film at the Macon screening and moderated a brief Q&A session with Cooley and American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Chairman Jake Carter of Henry County. The film will be released nationally on May 1 and will be shown at The Douglass Theatre on May 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are $7 and may be purchased in advance by phone at 478-742-2000 or online at http://www.douglasstheatre.org. Visit http://www.farmlandfilm.com for additional information about the film and to watch the trailer. GSWCC REMAINS STAND-ALONE AGENCY In the final version of the state budget, the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission was kept as a stand-alone agency. It was originally proposed that GSWCC be administratively attached to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. GFB supports GSWCC as an independent agency. Funding was also restored in the conference committee report. GSWCC’s work to protect, conserve, and improve Georgia’s soil and water is important to farmers, and its funding to continue that mission is vital.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 8 SIGNIFIGANT BUMP IN PEANUT PLANTINGS EXPECTED Georgia peanut growers intend to plant 660,000 acres in 2014 according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Prospective Plantings Report released March 31. The acreage listed in the report reflects planting intentions reported by farmers in NASS surveys. The projected peanut acreage is an increase of 230,000 acres, up 53 percent from the 2013 acreage of 430,000. Georgia farmers are also expected to plant 240,000 acres in soybeans, up 10,000 acres from 2013, and 13,300 acres in tobacco, up 500 acres from 2013. Offsetting the projected peanut acreage are declines in corn, cotton, hay, oats, sorghum and winter wheat. Georgia corn growers are projected to plant 370,000 acres in 2014, down from 510,000 acres in 2013, a reduction of 27 percent. The UGA Corn Production Guide for 2014 is available at http://tinyurl.com/nusn9ya. The state’s cotton farmers intend to plant 1.35 million acres in 2014, a reduction of 20,000 acres from the 1.37 million they planted in 2013. Hay producers are expected to harvest 540,000 acres in 2014, down from 580,000 acres in 2013. Georgia oat plantings are projected at 40,000 acres, down from 50,000 acres in 2013, while sorghum acreage is projected at 45,000 acres, down from 55,000 acres in 2013. Georgia farmers planted 280,000 acres in winter wheat for the 2014 crop, down from 420,000 in 2013. CHEROKEE COUNTY RECEIVES GEORGIA GROWN DECLARATION Cherokee County is Georgia Grown, Georgia Center of Innovation Agribusiness Director Bo Warren declared during a March 28 ceremony. Warren’s declaration, which included the presentation of a Georgia Grown banner to Cherokee County Farm Bureau President William Grizzle, was part of the Cherokee County Ag Expo, hosted by Cherokee County Farm Bureau and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee County Extension and the City of Woodstock at the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Center in Woodstock. The event was intended to raise community awareness about the county’s agricultural diversity and drew 175 visitors and 37 exhibitors who displayed locally grown food, plants, animals and handcrafted products. “The event was a huge success and many of the exhibitors expressed support again next year. Our county is the seventh largest population in Georgia and we have lots of opportunities to introduce Warren agriculture to our citizens,” said Cherokee County Farm Bureau Office Manager Shirley Pahl, who coordinated the event. The expo included a brief program recognizing agriculture’s contribution to the Cherokee County economy with a welcome from Pam Carnes, President & CEO Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Representatives from the Etowah High School FFA gave the invocation and Cherokee County 4-H led the pledge. Proclamations were also made by Cherokee County Commissioner Brian Poole, City of Canton Mayor Pro Tem Bill Grant and Woodstock Director of Tourism Kyle Bennett. Georgia Farm Bureau Commodities Marketing Specialist Brandon Ashley spoke about the GFB Certified Farm Market Program.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 8 2014 FARM BILL EDUCATION MEETINGS April 10 Burke County Office Park Noon - 2:30 p.m. Waynesboro April 11 Captain’s Corner Restaurant Noon - 2:30 p.m. Vidalia April 14 Sumter County Extension Office 9:30 a.m. - noon Americus These meetings, sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, Farm Credit and the UGA Extension, are designed specifically for Georgia row-crop producers and landowners. Presentations and discussions will be led by UGA agricultural economists Don Shurley and Nathan Smith. Topics include Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC), base acreage decision options, payment yield update decisions, generic base decisions, cotton transition assistance, marketing loans, the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) for cotton and Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO). Coffee and biscuits will be served at the morning meetings. Lunch will be served at the noon meetings. To attend, contact your local county Extension office. BEEKEEPER’S SCHOOL April 12 Dawson County Extension 1 p.m. Dawsonville This three-hour workshop covers the history of beekeeping, tools and equipment, feeding and caring for bees and much more. The event is sponsored by the Amicalola Beekeepers Association. Registration costs $7 for members and $35 for non-members. Fees cover the cost of a beekeeping book. Visit http://www.amicalolabeekeepers.com/bee_school.htm or call 706364-3660 for more information. SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM April 18 Deadline to apply The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is pleased to announce the competitive solicitation process to award the 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.” Specialty crops are defined as: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, nursery and greenhouse crops, including floriculture. For a listing of all eligible crops visit www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will make grant funding available, with Georgia’s share being approximately $1.2 million. Please refer to the links available on the GDA grants webpage located at www.agr.georgia.gov/grants.aspx for the grant application, guidelines, and additional information. For additional questions please contact Jeanne Maxwell at Jeanne.Maxwell@agr.georgia.gov or 404-657-1584. IFYE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM Young adults age 19 and over are encouraged to apply for the 2014 International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) Program. Individuals who have developed leadership skills in programs such as Young Farmers & Ranchers, 4-H, FFA or similar organizations, as well as those with a background in various agriculture-related fields and consumer sciences are particularly well suited for a primarily rural living experience. Successful applicants will participate in various young adult programs abroad such as Young Farmers, Rural Youth, etc. Additional countries may be added. For further information, please contact Alan Lambert, National IFYE Program Director, at 605-366-6107 or by email at alanelambert@gmail.com. Completed applications are due by April 15. Visit the IFYE website at www.ifyeusa.org/ to learn more about the program and obtain an application.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 8 MULTICULTURAL SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE April 17 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Perry The Upper Ocmulgee River RC&D Council, Inc., in partnership with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, will host a conference for multicultural farmers and producers. Registration fee is $20 per person, which covers the cost of lunch and conference materials. Topics include muscadine wine production, building a diverse urban farm enterprise, growing farm profits and many more. For updates and to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/mecjba8. For more information contact the Upper Ocmulgee River RC&D Council, Inc. at 678-376-9518 or USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Lawrenceville Service Office at 770-963-9288. GEORGIA GROWN SYMPOSIUM April 22 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The focus of this year’s symposium will be on helping Georgia’s farmers and specialty food producers sell their products. The one day event will include four discussion panels with industry leaders covering topics such as food licensing, finding funding, getting product to market, and retailing your product. Discounts and free registration is available to current Georgia Grown members. Discount codes will be emailed to members individually. Deadline to register is April 11. To register visit http://tinyurl.com/lyk5x2b. For more information call 404-656-3680. GA. HEIFER EVALUATION AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE April 22 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For information contact Dr. Jacob Segers at 229-386-3214 or jacobs@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu. GEORGIA CATTLEWOMEN’S ASSOCIATION REGION II MEETING April 25-27 Forrest Hills Mountain Resort & Conference Center Dahlonega The Georgia Cattlewomen's Association invites you to three days of fun, fellowship and educational opportunities! There will be social media training, leadership development, ANCW business and updates, as well as lots of fun like a Winery/Farm Tour and trail walking. The registration form can be found at http://www.gabeef.org/gcwa/index.html. For more information contact Melissa Miller at millerm@uga.edu or 813-928-2437. NEWTON COUNTY AG DAY ON THE SQUARE April 26 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. Peddle tractors for the kids, arts and crafts, live music, food, face painting and a cow train. A drawing will be held for a Yeti cooler, and those who register tractors for the tractor show receive a free raffle ticket. For more information contact Crystal Powell at 770-786-7201. BEYOND THE FARM GATE SOCIAL MEDIA SEMINARS April 28 NW Ga. Trade & Convention Center 8:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dalton May 5 UGA CAES Four Towers Building 8:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. Athens These free workshops, funded through a USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Grant, will help farmers gain the skills they need to establish and maintain an effective online presence to meet their online marketing needs. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited so register soon! Visit www.beyondthefarmgate.org to register. Contact Chris Morgan at 706-542-7102 or acm@uga.edu for more information.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 8 GEORGIA FORESTRY FOUNDATION ARTWORK AND SLOGAN CONTESTS April 30 Deadline for entries Georgia students in grades 5 through 12 are invited to participate in a contest to express the value of Georgia’s sustainable working forests through submission of a creative artwork and slogan. There are two levels of competition: fifth through eighth and ninth through 12th grades, with one winner from each level. Each winning entry will be awarded a prize valued up to $35,000, which includes a $15,000 cash award to the school, $2,500 cash award and forestry camp scholarship to the student, Project Learning Tree environmental professional development for up to 20 teachers and an invitation to attend the Georgia Teacher Conservation Workshop for two teachers from the winning schools, a field trip for students in the grade level of each winning student, and materials featuring the winning artwork and slogan. For more information on the contest including submission guidelines, entry form, terms and conditions and other resources for schools visit http://www.forestry4Rfuture.org or call 478-992-8110. GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM NOMINATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1 The Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes historic farms and encourages their preservation, is accepting nominations. To qualify, farms must: be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres actively involved in ag production, generate at least $1,000 in annual farm income and include 10 acres of the original farm purchase. Farms must have been continuously farmed for at least 100 years. Visit http://www.georgiacentennialfarms.org to download an application or contact Charlie Miller, Centennial Farm Awards Committee chairman at 404-6515287 or by email at Charlie.miller@dnr.state.ga.usApplications must be postmarked by May 1. Selected farms will be honored during the Georgia National Fair in October. MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 3 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m. Forsyth This sale will feature 85 bred heifers. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPD’s, 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 may also be found online at http://www.ugaextension.com/monroe GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR PHOTO CONTEST Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting entries for its 5th Annual Picture Agriculture in Georgia Contest open to any GFB member who 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 2015 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 two entries per person. All photos must have been shot in Georgia in 2013 or 2014. Photos altered in any way will not be judged. All photos become the property of GFB. Digital 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 included 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 http://www.gfb.org.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 8 2013 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 15-17 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 15 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 16 and 17 provide training and certification, including individual and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, occupational safety and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $120 for May 16, $100 for May 17 and $199 for both days. For ages 11-17, fees are $59 for May 16, $49 for May 17 and $99 for both days. Two-day registration and additional fees apply for advanced courses and exams on May 15. Participation is capped at 175 people, and classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/youngharris/. NRCS WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE Eligible producers in four Southwest Georgia watersheds (Lower Deep Creek, in Turner County; Upper Piscola Creek, Middle Piscola Creek and Lower Piscola Creek, in both Brooks and Thomas Counties) must apply by May 16 for FY 2014 funding under the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s National Water Quality Initiative. The producers will invest in voluntary conservation actions to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS will provide funding and advice to producers to install conservation practices such as cover crops, filter strips and terraces in watersheds with impairments where the federal investment can make a difference to improve water quality. For more information about NRCS’ programs, initiatives and services in Georgia, visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP DEADLINE Rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students have until May 24 to apply to attend a one-week residential camp the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission is offering June 8-12 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Natural resource experts will give lectures, guide field trips and lead hands-on activities to enhance students’ understanding of Georgia’s natural resources during the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW). The camp focuses on the value and protection of Georgia’s wildlife, forestry, soil, water and mining resources. More than $18,000 in college scholarships will be awarded during the event. Tuition is $150 per student but scholarships are available for students who have not previously attended the event. Visit http://abac.edu/nrcw to download the camp application and more information. Contact Luke Crosson at lcrosson@gaswcc.org or 229-995-6001 for more information. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 27 NW Georgia Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Workshop begins at 6 p.m. For information contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-1852 or lawtons@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu. GA. HEIFER EVALUATION AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 28 NW Georgia Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For information contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-1852 or lawtons@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu.
Leadership Alert page 8 of 8 GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR YOUNG FARMER CONTESTS Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting applications for its Young Farmer Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. . GFB members between the ages of 1835 may apply for these awards. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices Finalists for each of the competitive events will be named at the GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference to be held July 10-13 on Jekyll Island. Applications for each contest and the leadership conference will be accepted through May 30 at 4:30 p.m. The preliminary rounds of the discussion meet will be held at the leadership conference. For more information on these awards or the conference, please visit http://www.gfb.org/yf or stop by your county Farm Bureau. The GFB Achievement Award will recognize an outstanding young farmer or couple whose primary income is derived from farming. The GFB Excellence in Agriculture Award will recognize an outstanding individual or couple whose primary income is not derived from farming. Extension agents, FFA advisors and ag lenders are examples of individuals who may apply for this award. The GFB Discussion Meet is a competitive event designed to simulate a committee meeting where young farmers discuss topics relevant to agriculture today and explore solutions to issues facing them as agriculturalists. The state winner of each award will be announced during the GFB convention in December. The winner of each contest will compete on the national level at the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Diego, Calif., Jan. 11-13, 2015. Details on state and national prizes will be available at a later date. UGA CAES ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS June 1 Deadline for submitting applications The CAES Alumni Association awards two non-renewable scholarships to the most outstanding transfer students from two- and four-year colleges who will be enrolling full-time at The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Selection is based on the student's ability to make significant contributions to the academic and co-curricular campus environment. Application forms may be accessed at http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/caa/scholarships.html#awards. EISENHOWER FELLOWS ACCEPTING AGRICULTURE APPLICATIONS Recruitment is currently open and will end on June 13 for Eisenhower Fellowships, the premier international leadership organization chaired by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret). Eisenhower Fellowships is seeking active farmers or ranchers to take part in a unique international opportunity. Since 1993, Eisenhower Fellowships has welcomed 23 farmers and ranchers into its international network of more than 2,000 leaders from all sectors across the globe. The successful applicants receive a custom-designed program overseas for five weeks in one or two countries where he or she will explore agricultural issues in order to enhance their own leadership capabilities in the field of agriculture. In addition to the overseas program, they will attend an orientation as well as a closing seminar in Philadelphia, with a group of 35 Eisenhower Fellows from the US. and throughout the world. If you are a leader in agriculture, and could benefit from international exposure and a world class network to enhance your leadership role, you are invited to apply for an Eisenhower Agriculture Fellowship. For more information, and application materials, visit: http://www.efworld.org/our-programs/usa.