August 10, 2016
www.gfb.org
Vol. 34 No. 28
GFB COMMITTEES BEGIN PD PROCESS AT COMMODITY CONFERENCE Georgia Farm Bureau’s 20 commodity committees began their work on the organization’s policy book and heard updates on national issues and other topics during the 2016 GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 4 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. GFB presented retired state senator Ross Tolleson with the GFB Commodity Award, given to recognize individuals who have supported Georgia agriculture, and conference attendees had a chance to view presentations on a dozen ag research projects being conducted by UGA. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Executive Director of Public Policy Dale Moore reviewed AFBF’s work on key national issues, including agricultural labor, GMO labeling, trade, Dale Moore regulatory reform and the next farm bill. “We brought a number of congressional staffers down to Georgia and Look for the showed them what the impact is when folks don’t get the workers they need to next issue of harvest crops,” Moore said. “Fruits and vegetables don’t like to wait too much. GFB News When they’re ready to be picked they’ve got to be picked. We had a number of Alert on Georgia farmers that have shared what is happening to them when they don’t August 24. get enough workers.” Moore pointed out the recent GMO labeling bill signed into law by President Obama on July 29 made labeling of GMO products mandatory and pre-empted state labeling laws. He also emphasized the importance of ratifying the Trans Pacific Partnership. “Trade is one of the critical factors that adds to the farm economy,” said Moore. “Where we have ag trade agreements with countries, our agricultural trade runs about a 65 percent increase over those countries where we do not have agricultural trade agreements.” Moore said the next farm bill is likely to be radically different from the 2014 farm bill currently in effect. He noted that groups on the political right and the political left are gunning for the commodity title of the farm bill and want to remove the nutrition title, or food stamps, from the farm bill. Moore urged farmers to vote, even if they can’t stand either presidential candidate, because they can have an impact on other elections on the November ballot. AFBF, which does not endorse candidates, has put together a website containing information about the campaign. It can -continued
GFB News Alert page 2 of 14 Continued from previous page be viewed at http://election16.fb.org/ UGA Assistant Dean Dr. Joe West welcomed the GFB group to the Tifton campus, where researchers displayed information from their studies on various agricultural practices. The projects mostly focused on efficiency and controlling insects. Calvin Perry of the Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla shared information about the development of smart irrigation sensors. The sensors, coupled with variable rate irrigation pivots, allow farmers to apply water only to areas of their fields that need it. UGA Professor of Crop & Soil Sciences Dr. Craig Kvien discussed the Future Farmstead House near the UGA Tifton Campus. The Future Farmstead House is a zero-net energy house constructed for the purpose of studies into the energy efficiency of numerous tactics, from insulation fashioned from shredded blue jeans to solar panels and sensors throughout the house that measure rates of energy consumption. UGA Extension Entomology Specialist Dr. Mark Abney displayed information from his research on the peanut burrower bug, which spends the majority of its life underground and feeds on the nuts by piercing the shells to access the fluids contained in the peanuts. UGA Associate Professor of Entomology Dr. Michael Toews presented information about Bugwood Apps, a collection of smartphone apps that help users identify pests in their fields and figure out the correct treatment methods to control them. UGA graduate entomology student Trey Portier presented information about studies into strategies to control thrips in cotton fields. There was also an exhibit highlighting UGA aquaculture research, and UGA Warnell School of Forestry Associate Dean of Service and Outreach Dr. Mike Mengak shared information about the Warnell School’s various programs. AMERICAN PECAN COUNCIL BEGINS NOMINATION PROCESS The final rule for the Federal Marketing Order (FMO) for Pecans was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 4, activating the process for nominating, selecting and seating the administrative body of the FMO, the American Pecan Council (APC). According to the APC website, the USDA is expected to mail nomination forms to growers and shellers the week of Aug. 8. The APC indicated the deadline to submit nominations will be the week of Aug. 22. The USDA is expected to mail ballots the week of Aug. 29, with a voting deadline the week of Sept. 19. According to the FMO, the APC will consist of six sheller members, nine growers, an accumulator (person who collects inshell pecans from others to resale or transfer) and a public member. Growers and shellers representing both large and small pecan production will be selected from each of the council’s three growing regions. Georgia is one of five states in the Eastern Region. Any grower who has produced an average of 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans over the last four years or who has 30 pecan acres in one of the 15 state production areas may nominate another grower in his/her growing region. A large grower is defined as having 176 or more pecan acres and a small grower has less than 176 acres. Any sheller who has shelled at least one million pounds of domestically produced inshell pecans in the prior fiscal year may nominate another sheller within his/her same APC region. A large sheller is defined as having handled 12.5 million pounds or more of domestically produced inshell pecans in the prior fiscal year. A small sheller handled less than 12.5 million pounds of domestically produced inshell pecans in the prior fiscal year. Visit http://pecanboard.com for the latest updates on the APC nomination and voting schedule.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 14 GFB RECOGNIZES TOLLESON WITH COMMODITY AWARD Former state senator Ross Tolleson received the 2016 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Commodity Award during the GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 4 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. One of the organization’s highest honors, the GFB Commodity Award is given each year to honor individuals who have supported and promoted Georgia agriculture. Tolleson, who served in the Georgia Senate from 2002 to 2015, has been a staunch advocate for maintaining agricultural access to water while protecting it as one of the state’s most precious natural resources. “Senator Tolleson’s work has helped ensure that stakeholders from across our state representing all areas of our economy - particularly agriculture will have a seat at the table to discuss water policy issues,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “We’re deeply appreciative of his efforts to sustain both the state’s water supply and its farmers. His efforts have ensured that Ross Tolleson Georgia farmers and the state’s economy will continue to be viable.” Tolleson was first elected in 2002 to represent Bleckley, Houston, Laurens and Pulaski Counties in Georgia’s 20th Senate District, succeeding Sonny Perdue, who stepped down to campaign for governor. Tolleson continued to serve until retiring in November 2015. Tolleson served as chairman of the Georgia Senate Natural Resources Committee for 11 years. He was also vice-chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, and served on the Senate Appropriations Committee. He was a member of the legislative committee that provided oversight to the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority, which manages the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. He also served on the Jekyll Island State Park Authority Oversight Committee. “I love Farm Bureau, I love ag and I love the state of Georgia,” Tolleson said. “It is so important that we have strong agriculture in our country. It is a part of our national defense, really, in a lot of ways. If you can’t feed your population, you’ve got real problems.” During his tenure in the Georgia Senate, Georgia’s water policy underwent significant change. Drought conditions and the “Tri-State Water Wars” lawsuit with Alabama and Florida were at the forefront of all water policy issues. Tolleson was instrumental in passing legislation that created Regional Water Councils across the state. These 10 councils are comprised of stakeholders who make regional recommendations on water quality and quantity policy issues. Tolleson sponsored the Flint River Drought Protection Act (FRDPA) in 2014. The FRDPA allows water management during periods of drought in the lower Flint River and also provides the tools needed for Federal Endangered Species Act compliance. The FRDPA assisted farmers with stream flow augmentation and irrigation efficiency, and provided a revision of the drought declaration and bidding process. Tolleson was born in 1956 in Perry, the youngest of four children. Growing up, he learned about agriculture firsthand working on his grandfather’s farm and at his father’s lumber yard. Tolleson attended Westfield School in Perry, graduating in 1975, and then the University of Georgia, where he studied general business. Tolleson has been married to the former Sally Funk for 36 years. They have three children son Trip and twin daughters Ansley and Kelly. Ross is a member of Perry United Methodist Church where he is active in the John Wesley Sunday School class.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 14 GFB HOSTS WATER TOUR FOR EPD DIRECTOR DUNN Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) hosted a water tour on Aug. 8 for Richard Dunn, director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, to give him the opportunity to see how much farmers in Southwest Georgia rely on irrigation to grow their crops and to let him see the technology and conservation measures farmers have adopted to conserve water. Gov. Deal appointed Dunn, who previously served as deputy director for the Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget, to the position effective June 15. Dunn visited with farmers from Decatur, Brooks, Cook and Grady counties during a biscuit breakfast at the farm of GFB President Gerald Long before visiting farms in Miller County and the UGA Stripling Irrigation Park in Mitchell County. “We applaud you for coming down and being GFB President Gerald Long, left, and EPD with us today. Water is the economic driving Director Richard Dunn. force for us. If we didn’t have access to water we wouldn’t be here,” Long said. “We wanted you to come down and meet with our farmers and see what we’re doing to provide food and fiber for the world.” Long explained how banks take into consideration a farmer’s ability to irrigate his crops when loaning the farmer money to plant his crop for the coming year. “When we go to the bank to get financing, one of the first things they want to know is how much irrigation we have and about our access to water,” Long said. “Commodity prices are at all-time lows so irrigation is critical to us.” Mark Masters, director of the Water Planning & Policy Center at Albany State, gave an overview of the history of Georgia’s ag water use and how Georgia’s ag community has worked with the Georgia EPD to conserve water and develop the state water plan. “Irrigation is the best risk management tool farmers have. With irrigation you’re guaranteed you’re going to make a crop. In extreme drought years dry land crops make nothing.” Masters said. “Water use has a $2.5 billion impact on the economy of Southwest Georgia. Agriculture is about 80 percent of the economic engine in these rural counties.” Dunn said former EPD Director Jud Turner will continue to work on the lawsuit Florida has brought against Georgia that will be heard by a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court beginning Oct. 31 and discussed other tri-state water issues. “I’m a problem solver. I don’t like to posture. I like to jump in and find solutions,” Dunn said. “I’m glad to work with you guys and I want to learn about your issues and your conservation efforts. I’m a native Georgian and grew up in Atlanta. I look forward to learning about agriculture.” Long showed Dunn a water meter installed by the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC), that records how much water his irrigation pivot uses. Long’s meter is one of 12,000 on irrigation pivots in Georgia that records how much water farmers are using. -continued
GFB News Alert page 5 of 14 Continued from previous page The GSWCC began installing the meters on farmers’ pivots in 2003 to get accurate data on agriculture’s water use. Data collected by the meters has shown farmers use less water than was once thought. At a research site in Miller County, Dunn learned about a project the Flint River Soil & Water Conservation District is conducting with UGA to determine how an automated irrigation system affects crop yield compared to a traditional irrigation system. The automated Dynamic Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) system, which is still in the research phase and not commercially available to farmers, applies water based on real-time soil moisture data from the UGA sensor network. The dynamic VRI system relies on soil moisture sensors embedded across the field to send real-time data on soil moisture, crop water use, variations in soil types across the field and weather conditions to a computer system. This gives the producer the capacity to automatically vary the amount of water applied across the field in response to current soil moisture conditions. “Our goal is to bring the most innovative technologies together to create a smart center pivot,” said Casey Cox, executive director of the Flint River Soil & Water Conservation District. The research is being funded in part by the Georgia EPD and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Cox explained that VRI and soil moisture sensors are standard conservation tools that farmers can apply for financial assistance to implement on their farms and stressed the importance of having cost-share money available to farmers to help them adopt the new technologies because of its high cost and benefit to the public. During the third stop of the tour, Miller County Farm Bureau President LaDon Calhoun showed Dunn a computer program he uses to remotely turn his irrigation systems on and off and discussed the cost of irrigating and why farmers have to irrigate. Calhoun told Dunn that it costs him about 11 cents per kilowatt to water his crop and the rate goes up to 18 cents per kilowatt during peak hours of 2 – 7 p.m., if the electric company doesn’t cut him off from watering during this time. Calhoun said his average monthly power bill to irrigate 4,500 acres of cropland is about $30,000 each month from April to mid-September. Calhoun said he uses electricity to run his irrigation pumps because it’s cheaper than diesel fuel. He estimates it costs him $5 an acre to apply an inch of water using electricity versus $1012 an acre using diesel fuel to power his pumps. During the last stop at the UGA Stripling Irrigation Research Park near Camilla, Dunn received an overview of the facility dedicated to irrigation research. Opened in 2001, the 130-acre facility studies the impact of irrigation scheduling, remote soil moisture monitoring, subsurface drip irrigation, variable rate irrigation and conservation tillage on water efficiency and crop yield. Calvin Perry, superintendent of the Stripling facility, gave Dunn a walking tour of the facility and discussed various research projects being conducted there. Perry covered the use of soil moisture sensors, variable rate irrigation and the efficiency of drop nozzle sprayers. The tour ended with a quick visit to the Flint River located three miles west of the Stripling facility.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 14 CULPEPPER: PALMER AMARANTH A $1 BILLION HIT TO COTTON INDUSTRY During the GFB Commodity Conference on Aug. 4, University of Georgia Extension Agronomist Dr. Stanley Culpepper gave an update on the regulatory approval for new varieties row crops that will be resistant to auxin system herbicides. Auxin herbicides include Enlist (2,4D, glyphosate, glufosinate) for corn, cotton and soybeans and Xtend (dicamba, glyphosate, glufosinate) for cotton and (dicamba, glyphosate) for soybeans. The USDA has approved the use of the herbicide resistant traits in the plants but approval to use the herbicides on the crops is still pending with the EPA for most states, including Georgia. “Palmer Amaranth (pigweed) has cost our cotton industry over one billion dollars,” Culpepper said. “We need new tools and strategies to help manage it.” While auxin herbicides may help fight glyphosate resistant pigweed, there is concern about the use of auxin herbicides near crops that don’t have the auxin resistant gene. “Auxins must be managed carefully due to the sensitivity of nearby crops and plants,” Culpepper said. “More broadleaf plants are sensitive to dicamba and 2,4-D than other herbicides.” Culpepper discussed factors farmers should consider before applying an auxin herbicide such as proximity to neighboring crops that may be sensitive to auxins, wind, humidity, land terrain and natural plant buffers that may increase or lessen spray drift of the auxins when applied to the intended crop. “We know that there are areas where we can’t spray 2,4-D or dicamba, so we have to develop alternatives,” Culpepper said. Culpepper said growers will be required to attend a training session provided by UGA and the Georgia Department of Agriculture before they can secure approval to use dicamba or 2,4-D. He said 1,882 people have already attended group training sessions and next winter UGA Extension agents will offer one-on-one training with growers who want to use the herbicides on their crops. “I think science is clear. If we’re going to feed the world we have to have the ability to use herbicides,” Culpepper said. “We just have to use them responsibly and prevent off-target drift.” ROBERTS DISCUSSES STATE POLLINATOR PLAN University of Georgia Professor of Entomology Dr. Phillip Roberts gave an overview of the State Pollinator Protection Plan during the GFB Commodity Conference on Aug. 4. Georgia Farm Bureau collaborated with UGA Extension, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and numerous commodity groups to develop the plan. Roberts emphasized that the plan is not a regulatory document. Rather, it is an educational document intended to help beekeepers and farmers who rent beehives for crop pollination to prevent further decline of pollinators. “Honeybee decline is an issue we all need to be concerned about,” Roberts said. “If you grow a crop that flowers, this pollinator issue could affect you, and this plan is the first step in showing a unified effort to protect our pollinators.” A 2014 UGA study determined the annual value of pollination to Georgia is over $360 million. The plan promotes the use of the Georgia Bee Aware flag, which farmers are being asked to fly in fields that house hives to pollinate crops so pesticide applicators don’t spray pesticides while hives are in the field. The state pollinator plan can be seen online at http://ent.uga.edu/bees/documents/PollinatorBookletforWeb2-2016.pdf. GFB helped finance the printing of the state pollinator plan & the flags.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 14 GATE PROGRAM A KEY TOPIC AT AG ISSUES SUMMIT Nearly 200 agricultural stakeholders and state lawmakers received updates on the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE), the state’s water resources and federal issues update during the Joint Agriculture Committee Chairmen’s Agricultural Issues Summit, held Aug. 9 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. Georgia House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McCall and Georgia Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Wilkinson hosted the summit, which was sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Agribusiness Council, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Poultry Federation and the Urban Ag Council. The program included an electronic on-site survey led by Seth Millican and Jason O’Rourke of the Georgia Chamber gauging the crowd’s views on a variety of agricultural, economic and societal issues. They will combine the results with surveys they’re conducting with other groups to get scientifically representative data they can then use for future projections. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and Georgia Department of Revenue Commissioner Lynne Riley presented information about compliance activities the two departments are conducting to ensure GATE cardholders are using the sales tax exemptions properly. Black said the Department of Agriculture has five new part-time auditors in its Inspector General office who will begin visiting retailers around the state Aug. 16 to gauge whether they’re granting the exemption appropriately and offer tips and assistance to help the retailers achieve compliance. “Their sole job is going to be investigating and educating,” Black said. Black said the goal was to conduct these reviews with 1,500 businesses statewide by the end of the year. The retailers will be provided with thumb drives containing a copy of the GATE regulations, a copy of the law and examples of point-of-purchase materials to convey to customers the importance of the GATE program and how to lawfully participate in it. The Department of Revenue has two auditors who are conducting audits with the weight of enforcement power behind them. The auditors have completed about 50 audits. “They’re primarily looking at companies that might benefit from some education about appropriate use,” Riley said. “We’re not finding a lot of money not being collected.” New Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Director Rick Dunn introduced himself and noted that he’s used his first two months on the job to review what the EPD is doing. Rep. Austin Scott gave a briefing on national issues affecting agriculture, discussing GMOs, estate tax, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Waters of the U.S. and regulatory pressures. Scott said some in Washington want to revisit the federal estate tax and return it to previous levels. He urged the audience to get involved in the political process, particularly on the issue of regulatory compliance. “If you don’t participate, your business is not going to exist,” Scott said. “The rules and regulations I believe are a bigger threat than the tax code is.” McCall and Wilkinson introduced new Georgia National Fairgrounds Executive Director Stephen Schimp. Sen. John Wilkinson
GFB News Alert page 8 of 14 NICHOLS PROVIDES INFORMATION ON STATE AND LOCAL SALES TAX RULES Randy Nichols, a certified public accountant and partner with the accounting firm McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co. LLC, gave an overview of state and local sales tax rules for owners of farm markets and agritourism venues during the GFB Commodity Conference on Aug. 4. “The question people most often ask is what is subject to tax, what is not and how do I comply,” Nichols said. “The sale of food and food ingredients to an individual for off-premise consumption is exempt (from state sales tax). Sales tax exemptions do not include prepared foods. If it has more than one ingredient it’s a prepared food, such as jellies. None of the state sales tax exemptions provided apply to local sales tax.” Nichols encouraged owners of farm markets and agritourism venues to consult with a tax professional to be sure they are in compliance on collecting sales taxes. He also urged market and agritourism owners to register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to get a tax identification number and a state sales tax exemption certificate. Nichols said it was his understanding that if a business discovers it hasn’t been collecting the required sales taxes properly and voluntarily files a return to correct the mistake that the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) will not go back further than three years when they audit that business, whereas, if the DOR calls to audit a business and discovers the business owners haven’t been correctly collecting and paying sales tax it can go all the way back to the beginning of the business with the audit. Visit www.gfb.org/TaxGuide to access the “Resource Guide for Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Agritourism Operations” which Georgia Farm Bureau prepared in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Agriculture & Georgia Dept. of Revenue. For questions or concerns, please contact the GFB Legislative Department at 800-898-1911. GEORGIA GREEN INDUSTRY OFFERS WATER-SAVING TIPS With much of Georgia mired in drought conditions, the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) is promoting efficient outdoor water use and encouraging Georgians to save water in the landscape. Water saving tips are not just for professionals and can go a long way towards reducing water usage outdoors. Georgia’s Water Stewardship Act limits spray irrigation to the hours between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. This measure eliminates watering during the heat of the day and reduces water lost to evaporation. More efficient methods of watering like drip irrigation and hand watering are allowed at any time. New plantings or landscapes can be watered any time of day for 30 days following installation allowing plants to become established in the landscape. Currently no utilities in Georgia have mandatory water restrictions in place as the state is operating in a pre-drought status as planned through the Drought Management Rules of the Water Stewardship Act of 2012. Georgians have shown a commitment to this culture of conservation and have reduced per capita water usage. Utilities must petition Georgia EPD in advance of enacting any change to the state’s outdoor water use rules. The GGIA is distributing a flier titled “Make Every Drop Count” to homeowners and customers. The flier includes more tips to help save water including having irrigation systems checked by certified irrigation professionals. An irrigation system checkup can help identify broken heads, leaky pipes or other inefficiencies. A copy of the flier can be downloaded here: http://tinyurl.com/GGIAflyer.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 14 NEW UGA AG SCHOOL DEAN SPENDS A DAY WITH GFB University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) Dean Sam Pardue had lunch with GFB leaders and visited a South Georgia Farm on Aug. 3, followed by a reception for him in Tifton. Dr. Pardue, who started with UGA in midMarch, had lunch at the Tift County Extension office in Tifton and gave the GFB group his thoughts about CAES’ direction and the similarities between his new state and his native North Carolina. “One of the things that remains constant is that the anchor of most rural communities is agriculture. That is the foundation,” Pardue said. Pardue emphasized the need to create ways for students from rural areas of the state to attend UGA. He also noted the importance of maintaining vibrant rural communities for students to return to after they graduate. CAES Dean Sam Pardue, left, with “I wanted to come somewhere where agriculture Berrien County farmer Tim McMillan. was important, that it makes a difference in the lives of the people of the state, and Georgia fit that bill,” Pardue said. Pardue visited Southern Grace Farm, the Berrien County Farm of Tim McMillan, making stops in a cotton field, a peanut field and a blackberry patch. McMillan, who farms with his brother Steve and their sons, talked with Pardue about the physiology of the plants and how they are managed. “It really benefits me to get out of Athens to understand a lot more about the challenges that Georgia farmers have, to just talk about the issues they’re facing,” Pardue said. GFB ended the day by holding a reception in Tifton from 4 to 6 p.m. that gave Pardue and members of the organization’s advisory commodity committees a chance to meet. Pardue visited with GFB members attending the event before making remarks. “The thing I’ve always enjoyed about working with people in agriculture is we tend to be optimistic and don’t mind working. We just want an opportunity to produce our crops or grow our livestock,” Pardue said. “I want us to find ways that if young men and women in rural Georgia want to come to UGA, whether it’s in Tifton or Athens, we can find a way to get them there. It’s important to the vitality of Georgia agriculture since agriculture is the number one economic driver in the state.” Pardue acknowledged the challenges Georgia agriculture faces from the Tri-State Water war, immigration and regulatory pressures. “I hope we can find a way to work with government officials to ensure we can make a profit because the first word of sustainability is profitability,” Pardue said. Long presented Pardue with a granite plaque etched with chickens in recognition of the research Dr. Pardue did with poultry while at North Carolina State. “We’re privileged and honored to have our dean of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences meet with us,” Long said. “He may be from North Carolina, but he’s open to learning about Georgia agriculture and he understands Southern agriculture.”
GFB News Alert page 10 of 14 UGA HELPING GEORGIA BEEF PRODUCERS IMPROVE HERDS University of Georgia Animal and Dairy Sciences Program Coordinator Grace Nyhuis discussed the university’s programs intended to help beef producers improve the quality of their herds. Nyhuis explained that the Georgia Bull Evaluation Program, conducted at UGA evaluation centers in Tifton and Calhoun, conducts a 112-day test of bulls consigned by beef producers. The testing done at the centers demonstrates individual bull performance differences in a uniform environment; provides breeders with a sound scientific basis for selecting bulls with the ability to gain weight rapidly and makes the bulls available to other cattle producers through a public sale at the end of the evaluation period. Testing is already underway for the 2016-2017 evaluation program at the Calhoun bull evaluation center. Sept. 1 is the deadline for entering bulls in the bull evaluation program at the Tifton Bull Evaluation Center. Nyhuis explained that the Heifer Evaluation & Reproduction Development (HERD) program, also conducted in Calhoun and Tifton, allows producers to consign heifers to the UGA program that evaluates heifers on weight gain performance, reproductive traits and disposition. The bred heifers are sold to the public at the end of the five-month evaluation period. Producers who plan to enter their heifers in the HERD program at the Tifton center must have the heifers weaned, dehorned, dewormed and vaccinated before Sept. 5 so the heifers can enter the program on Oct. 3 with a valid health certificate. Producers planning to enter heifers in the HERD program at the Calhoun facility must have the aforementioned health treatments done to their heifers before Nov. 3 so that the heifers can enter the Calhoun program on Dec. 1 with a valid health certificate. The Georgia Beef Challenge, which evaluates how Georgia cattle perform in Midwestern feedlots, gives Georgia cattle producers data on the health and performance of their cattle while they are in the feedlot and the carcass merit of their cattle once they are harvested. This information helps producers improve the genetics and health management of their herds so their cattle will perform better in the feedlots and bring more money. More than 29,000 calves from Georgia farms have been evaluated since the Beef Challenge began in 1991. To learn more about the Georgia HERD, Bull Evaluation or Beef Challenge, visit http://blog.extension.uga.edu/beef/programs.
GFB News Alert page 11 of 14 OLESON PROVIDES SUMMARY OF FOOD SAFETY RULES Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Director of Education Beth Oleson presented an outline of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety rules during the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Conference on Aug. 4. Oleson focused on the produce safety rule and the preventive controls for human food rule, two of more than a dozen rules mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) passed by Congress in late 2010. The produce safety rule covers farms that produce raw agricultural commodities for human consumption or certain produce items that are rarely consumed raw. It applies to fruits and vegetables produced domestically or imported. “If it is processed in any way – cut, diced, if it’s cooked or pasteurized, it’s considered processed,” Oleson said. “[The produce safety] rule does not apply to processed produce.” Beth Oleson Small farms, those with produce sales of less than $25,000 annually, are exempt from the produce safety rule, but Oleson pointed out that if a food-borne illness or food safety incident is traced back to a small farm, the exemption is revoked and the FDA will want to see regulatory paperwork and documentation of food safety programs. “Even though you’re small, you still need to know what’s going on, because if there’s a problem, the FDA is coming,” Oleson said. According to Oleson, the produce safety rule defines a primary production farm as one operation under one management, which may or may not be all in one location, devoted to growing crops, harvesting crops, raising animals or a combination of those three activities. Primary production farms, which fall under the produce safety rule, are allowed to pack and hold raw agricultural commodities. The rule also designates a classification it calls a secondary activity farm, which Oleson said is a packing facility not physically located on the primary farm. The secondary activity farm must be owned or jointly owned by the farmer in order to fall under the produce safety rule. If the farmer is using space owned by someone else, that facility likely will be subject to the preventive controls rule. The preventive controls rule covers packing and processing facilities off the farm and includes numerous additional requirements, including a detailed food safety plan containing hazard analysis, preventive controls, supply chain, a recall plan, procedures for monitoring, corrective action procedures and verification procedures. Both rules contain new increased testing requirements for agricultural water. Agricultural water is any water to be used for irrigation, frost protection, hand washing in the field, washing produce in the field or water on surfaces in contact with food. The GFVGA will conduct webinars on these two rule. The Produce Safety Rule webinar is Sept. 9. To register visit http://tinyurl.com/PSRwebinar. The Preventive Controls Rule webinar is Sept. 16. To register visit http://tinyurl.com/PCHFwebinar. For fact sheets on all the rules under FSMA, visit http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm247546.htm.
GFB News Alert page 12 of 14 VIDALIA ONION COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS Aug. 17 deadline for nominations The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) is accepting nominations for four members and four alternates to serve on its board of directors. The board administers the Vidalia onion federal marketing order. Terms are two years and members are limited to three consecutive terms on the board. In order to serve on the board nominees must be in good standing with the VOC, be registered with the state as a Vidalia onion grower or an employee of a registered grower. Voting will take place Sept. 15 at the VOC office. Only walk-in ballots will be accepted; no absentee ballots will be accepted. To receive a nomination form or for more information contact Susan Waters at swaters@vidaliaonion.org or 912-537-1918. GFB ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR COMMODITY COMMITTEES Georgia Farm Bureau is taking nominations for members to serve on its commodity advisory committees. These committees serve in an advisory capacity to the GFB president, board and staff to implement Farm Bureau Policy. They also make recommendations to the GFB Policy Development Committee pertaining to their commodity. All county Farm Bureaus may nominate members to serve on a commodity advisory committee for a one-year term. Every county is encouraged to review their candidates and make nominations to each committee for commodities grown in the county. A person can only be nominated to serve on one committee. The chairperson will be appointed for a one-year term, and will serve on the G F B Policy Development Committee. Nomination forms are available at county Farm Bureau offices. The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 19. BAYER BEE CARE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD Aug. 19 deadline to apply Bayer Crop Science Division is seeking nominations for its fourth annual Bee Care Community Leadership Award. The 2016 program recognizes a partnership between a beekeeper and a grower whose collaboration protects pollinators and benefits their community. The award provides a $6,000 grant to the winners to be used in support of a community partnership that demonstrates how beekeepers and growers are working together to promote and protect pollinators. Any beekeeper and grower pair that has created a partnership that promotes bee health in their community may apply. To apply, obtain an application at http://tinyurl.com/bayerbeeaward. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 1 8th District South Georga Technical College 7 p.m. Americus Sept. 6 3rd District The Center at Arbor Connection 7 p.m. Douglasville Sept. 8 2nd Distirct First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Toccoa Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and are not open to the general public.
GFB News Alert page 13 of 14 AGAWARE FREE AGRICULTURE FINANCE TRAINING Sept. 23 Gordon County Ag Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Calhoun This workshop is for young, beginning and small farmers. Young farmers are defined as those 35 years of age or younger; beginning farmers are defined as those having 10 years or less of experience; and small farmers are defined as those having annual gross agricultural sales of $250,000 or less. Topics covered include: balance sheets, income statements, family finance & family budgeting and business plan. The workshop also offers videos on recordkeeping, marketing, and technology. The AGAware educational program is also certified for FSA Direct Borrower Training Credit. To register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarecalhoun. AGRICULTURE LABOR RELATIONS FORUM & TRAINING Nov. 1-2 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Georgia Farm Bureau is collaborating with the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) for this forum, which will provide an in-depth overview and training on labor rules and regulations for growers, office managers, and other office personnel who handle the administrative and human resource reporting duties for farm and business operations. The conference will provide attendees with resources to comply with existing labor rules and regulations. This conference is not a discussion about immigration policy reform. Anticipated topics include: Preparing for a wage and hour audit; what’s new with worker protection standards; how to decide whether to use the H-2A program; clarification of the I-9 process; transportation guidelines and employer health care compliance. Forum registration costs are $150. For more information visit http://gfvga.org/georgia-ag-labor-relations-forum/ or call the GFVGA at 706-845-8200. ONGOING FARM BUREAU-SPONSORED FARMERS MARKETS HENRY COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays through August Henry County Farm Bureau 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. McDonough Drop by the Henry County Farm Bureau office at 117 Racetrack Road in McDonough to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, honey and crafts from local farmers. Call Jean Dykes at 770-957-2608 for more information. MONROE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays until Oct. 8 Court Street 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monroe This market, sponsored in part by Walton County Farm Bureau, will feature fresh produce and goods from local farmers, work from local artisans and family friendly activities. For more information visit www.monroedowntownfarmersmarket.com
GFB News Alert page 14 of 14 COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays Lost Mountain Park 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Powder Springs Cobb County Farm Bureau (CCFB) in cooperation with Cobb County Parks and Recreation will host this farmers market. CCFB is offering vendor space to farmers, growers, and producers in Cobb and surrounding counties, with the goal of offering locally grown produce and food to the community and to engage the community about where their food comes from as well as support Cobb County farmers. Each vendor must be a member of Farm Bureau. Vendor fees will be waived in lieu of this membership. For more information contact Debbie Payne at dmpayne@gfb.org or 770-943-3531. ROCKDALE/DEKALB FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. The Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau Farmers Market will be open at 1400 Parker Rd. SE in Conyers. The public is invited to stop by and shop for fresh locally grown vegetables, dairy products, crafts and more! For more information contact the Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau office at 770-922-3566. SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19 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. Market will be held rain or shine. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. 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. PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays through Oct. 28 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Paulding County Farm Bureau Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market. 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 Farmer’s 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. Paulding County Farm Bureau is located at 549 Hardee St., Dallas, GA 30132. DODGE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays Dodge County Courthouse 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eastman This open-air market, sponsored in part by Dodge County Farm Bureau, features locally produced meats, vegetables, eggs and artisanal crafts. For more information contact market manager T.I. Papel at 478-374-5895 or tipapel@bellsouth.net, or visit www.facebook.com/dodgecountyfarmersmarket.