August 12, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 32
REPS. ALLEN, HICE VISIT FARMS AND MEET WITH FARM BUREAU MEMBERS U.S. Reps. Rick Allen (R-12th District) and Jody Hice (R-10th District) recently made onfarm visits with county Farm Bureau members to discuss agricultural issues being considered in Washington. In Bulloch County, Allen made a stop at the Brannen family’s farm on Aug. 3, visiting with local farmers Ryne, Jamie and Speer Brannen as well as Bulloch County Farm Bureau President Lannie Lee, GFB Young Farmer Committee Chairman David Cromley, BCFB Director David Rushing and BCFB Legislative Committee Chairman Elliott Marsh. Allen told the group of his efforts to streamline farmers’ access to labor with the Better Agricultural Resources Now (BARN) Act, which he introduced on June 15. He said it would rein in the Legal Services Corporation and place the H-2A program under the administration of the USDA. Allen noted that the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement is stalled over details mandated by Trade Promotion Authority. “We ship 80 percent of our cotton overseas, and we think that with the high quality of the cotton we grow here, we want to establish a deal,” Allen said. The farmers told Allen of the challenges they face in dealing with federal regulations and how water issues in other parts of the state impact their operation. The Brannens showed Allen some of the cotton grown on their 4,000 acres of farmland, 95 percent of which is non-irrigated. In Hancock County, Hice visited the farm of Hancock County Farm Bureau (HCFB) President Jimmy Kennedy and HCFB Women’s Committee/Promotion Education Committee Chairman Nancy Kennedy on Aug. 6. A group of about 20 farmers and agribusiness representatives attending the meeting discussed the Waters of the U.S. Rule, need for reform of the estate and capital gains taxes and GMO labeling legislation. HCFB members attending the event included: HCFB Directors Jack Hill, Steve Hill, and Jewell Thompson, and members Katherine Bray, Robert and Neile Weis, Bucky Kennedy, Bill Kennedy, Fred Webster, Kellie Webster, and Skye Gess, GFB 4th District Young Farmer Chairman. Hice told the group the House passed the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015 (H.R. 1105) on April 16 that 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. The House passed the Safe & Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (H.R. 1599) on July 23, which if passed by the Senate and signed by President Obama would allow the USDA to develop a certification program through which a farm or food company may label their products as GMO Free. The legislation would -continued
GFB News Alert page 2 of 12 Continued from previous page prevent individual states from passing mandatory biotech labeling laws. On May 12 the U.S. House passed the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 (H.R. 1732) which would require the EPA & U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to withdraw the Waters of the U.S. Rule and develop a new rule in its place in accordance with U.S. Supreme Court precedent. A similar bill, S. 1140 is being considered by the Senate. “Whatever I can do to help agriculture I will, but I’m fully aware that I’m just a representative. It’s not about me. We have to keep pushing for less government. We have a monster that’s been created in Washington with our federal government and federal agencies,” Hice said. “Right now we’re dealing with an administration that’s vetoing everything. There’s a greater likelihood that something will happen on the issues in the Senate if the members of the U.S. Senate hear from their constituents across the country that they want action taken. Our Georgia Senators are on board with what we’ve done in the House. The challenge they have in the Senate is they have to have at least six Democrats to vote with the Republicans on any legislation to get it passed.” UGA NAMES CAES DEAN SEARCH COMMITTEE; BRODER INTERIM DEAN University of Georgia Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Pamela Whitten has appointed a committee to begin a national search to fill the position of dean and director of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Josef M. Broder, who has served as associate dean for academic affairs for the past decade, has agreed to serve as interim dean beginning Sept. 19. Sheila Allen, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, will chair the 23-member search committee, which includes faculty from UGA's campuses in Athens, Griffin and Tifton, staff, students, and alumni, as well as government and agribusiness representatives, including Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. The committee includes members of the UGA Alumni Association, Josef Broder emeritus trustee of the UGA Foundation, president emeritus of the Georgia Poultry Federation and member of the UGA Research Foundation and UGA Real Estate Foundation. The committee will be assisted by the UGA Search Group in Human Resources. J. Scott Angle, who has served as dean of the college since 2005, recently announced that he will step down from his position to lead the International Fertilizer Development Center, a global organization that works to alleviate hunger. ROCK EAGLE SUFFERS EXTENSIVE STORM DAMAGE An Aug. 6 storm knocked down approximately 100 trees, caused damage to multiple cabins downed power lines and damaged several vehicles at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Putnam County, according to published reports. About 300 people were at the 1,500-acre center when the storm struck, but there were no reports of injuries. Photos on the Rock Eagle Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RockEagle4HCenter) showed twisted tree trunks, parts of trees laying on top of cabins and power lines pulled to the ground. Rock Eagle Facilities Manager Johnny Parker told Macon TV station WMAZ that the damage would cost between $200,000 and $300,000 to repair.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 12 CHAMBLISS, BREEDLOVE NAMED TO GEORGIA AG HALL OF FAME On Sept. 25, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will induct former Sen. Saxby Chambliss and pioneering northeast Georgia dairy farmer Thomas Breedlove Sr. into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. The inductions will be part of the college’s alumni awards ceremony and banquet at the Classic Center in downtown Athens. The public is invited to attend but tickets are required. During 20 years in the U.S. Congress, Chambliss earned a reputation as an advocate for agriculture. He was working on behalf of farmers long before he went to Washington, D.C., in 1995. Saxby Chambliss Thomas Breedlove Chambliss helped shaped the nation’s agriculture policy, assisting with authoring four farm bills during his tenure in the U.S. House, from 1995 to 2002, and in the Senate, 2003-2015, where he chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee from 2005-2007. He advocated for American farmers as they faced the uncertainty that came along with the new century—the increased competition and opportunity introduced by more relaxed international trade policies and increased concerns about fuel supplies and environmental issues. Breedlove helped bring Georgia farmers through a different time of uncertainty. Many of the agencies and cooperatives that have become vital to agriculture today — the EMCs, the Farm Bureau and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Services Administration — have their roots at the end of the Great Depression. Georgia farmers have Breedlove to thank, in part, for getting these visionary programs off the ground. The Walton and Morgan County dairy and beef farmer helped introduce Georgia farmers to what is today the USDA Farm Service Agency. He was the first and longest-serving executive director of its precursor, Georgia’s Agriculture Adjustment Administration, working for the organization from 1939-1955. In the early 1950s, Breedlove also represented nine Southeastern states as regional director of the field service branch of the Federal Production Marketing Association. He was a founding vice-president of United Georgia Farmers, which today is known as Georgia Farm Bureau and a founding board member and first president of Walton EMC, the electric membership cooperative that helped bring electricity to thousands of farm families in northeast Georgia during the 1930s. In addition to recognizing Chambliss and Breedlove, the ceremony and banquet will honor alumni award winners. This year, Georgia’s agricultural community nominated Bo Warren, director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Agribusiness, and Jimmy Forrest, a nationally recognized peach grower and owner of Dixie Belle Peaches in South Carolina, for the CAES Alumni Awards of Excellence. Travis Moore, senior brewmaster at the Anheiser-Busch Brewery in Cartersville; Carmen Byce, a combat veteran who worked to improve livestock husbandry in Afghanistan; and Megan Green, a large animal veterinarian who works for animal health company Merial, will receive young alumni awards.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 12 IMMIGRATION HOT TOPIC IN GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE Immigration dominated much of the early part of the two-hour debate between Republican presidential candidates held in Cleveland on Aug. 6, according to a story by Agri-Pulse Communications. Donald Trump took credit for injecting the immigration issue into the campaign, but he struggled when pressed to provide evidence for his claim that the Mexican government was sending criminals across the U.S. government. He finally attributed his information to unnamed Border Patrol agents who “say this is what's happening because our leaders are stupid.” Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush stuck by his position that illegal immigrants should be given a path to legal status and defended his comment that they enter the country as an “act of love" for their families. "It's our responsibility to pick and choose who comes in," he said. Challenging Trump's attack on Mexico, Sen. Rubio of Florida noted that most of the recent immigrants come from Central America, not Mexico. But Rubio said Americans “feel like we're being taken advantage of.” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who sought to portray himself as a straight-talker, blamed the immigration situation on the decisions of a “Washington cartel.” “It's not a question of stupidity. It's that they don't want to enforce the laws.” The majority of the candidates from both parties – 18 of the 21 have been confirmed – are scheduled to appear at the Iowa State Fair, which begins Aug. 13 in Des Moines, Agri-Pulse reported. The American Farm Bureau Federation is the exclusive sponsor of 2015 and 2016 U.S. presidential election coverage produced and distributed by Agri-Pulse. Branded by Agri-Pulse as the “Rural Route to the White House,” this effort will convey to readers Farm Bureau’s support of farmers and ranchers being informed, active and engaged in the U.S. presidential election process. The coverage will be focused on the agricultural perspective of the presidential election, including the candidates’ positions on key farming and ranching issues. Visit http://agri-pulse.com/Rural-Route-to-the-White-House.asp to view Agri-Pulse’s complete coverage of the campaign. AFBF: GRAIN INCOME TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY IN 2015 Grain farmers should brace for a drop in net incomes this year as the prices for corn, soybeans and wheat have fallen significantly from recent years, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The latest Agricultural Prices report, released July 30 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, indicated the index of prices received for crop production was down 11 percentage points from the same time last year, while the prices-paid index was unchanged. The situation for corn and soybeans is even more telling, with corn prices down by more than 20 percent from last year and soybeans off nearly a third. “Farmers will be tightening up and planning carefully to help control their costs,” said Bob Young, chief economist for AFBF. “There’s a lot less room for error at these prices.” A report by the University of Illinois suggested farmers will need to look at four areas in the months and possibly years ahead. These include reducing machinery purchases, closely managing seed, fertilizer and chemical costs, trying to negotiate lower cash rents and reducing family living withdrawals from the farm.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 12 EPA PROPOSES NEW STANDARDS FOR RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDES On Aug. 5 the EPA announced it will propose stronger standards for pesticide applicators who apply “restricted-use” pesticides. These pesticides are not available for purchase by the general public, require special handling and may only be applied by a certified applicator or someone working under his or her direct supervision, according to an EPA press release. The proposed rule includes stricter standards for people certified to use restricted use pesticides and to require all people who apply restricted use pesticides to be at least 18 years old. Certifications would have to be renewed every 3 years. According to the release, EPA is proposing additional specialized licensing for certain methods of application it says can pose greater risks if not conducted properly, such as fumigation and aerial application. For further protection, those working under the supervision of certified applicators would now need training on using pesticides safely and protecting their families from take-home pesticide exposure. State agencies issue licenses to pesticide applicators who need to demonstrate under an EPAapproved program their ability to use these products safely. The proposed revisions would reduce the burden on applicators and pest control companies that work across state lines. According to the release, the proposal promotes consistency across state programs by encouraging inter-state recognition of licenses. The proposal also updates the requirements for states, tribes, and federal agencies that administer their own certification programs to incorporate the strengthened standards. Many states already have in place some or many of EPA’s proposed changes. A copy of the proposal and more information about certification for pesticide applicators may be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/newepastandard. A 90-day public comment period will begin when the proposal is published in the Federal Register. JUDGE NIXES IDAHO BAN ON ALLEGED ANIMAL ABUSE DOCUMENTATION On Aug. 3, U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Winmill struck down a 2014 Idaho state law making the gathering of undercover animal abuse video a criminal offense, ruling the law unconstitutional. The Idaho legislature passed the bill after a video was released by an animal rights group alleging cattle being abused at an Idaho dairy. According to the case brief, the law “criminalized employment-based undercover investigations, investigative journalism, whistleblowing by employees, or other expository efforts that entail images or sounds.” Animal rights groups filed suit, arguing that the law violates constitutional guarantees of free speech and the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause, and Winmill agreed. In his ruling, Winmill wrote, “the effect of the statute will be to suppress speech by undercover investigators and whistleblowers concerning topics of great public importance: the safety of the public food supply, the safety of agricultural workers, the treatment and health of farm animals and the impact of business activities on the environment.” To request information on how to protect your farm, contact the Animal Agriculture Alliance at 703-562-5160 or info@animalagalliance.org.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 12 OGLETHORPE COUNTY’S THRONE A FINALIST FOR ANGUS AMBASSADOR Oglethorpe County Farm Bureau member Haley Throne has embraced the Angus breed her entire life. She received her lifetime membership to the American Angus Association when she was three weeks old, her first cow at six weeks old and attended her first National Junior Angus Show in 2007. “Representatives of the Angus breed should be willing to go out and talk to producers and consumers about the breed,” Throne says. “Be as knowledgeable as you can about our industry and answer questions that consumers may have.” Throne, a sophomore majoring in agricultural education at the University of Georgia, recently competed in the 2015 Angus Ambassador competition July 23 in Saint Joseph, Mo. Hosted by the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), Throne visited the American Angus Association headquarters along with three other finalists and their families. Haley Throne To be considered for the position each NJAA member submitted a cover letter, résumé and two essay responses. The top candidates were invited to the American Angus Association, where they gave a 3-5 minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions. Topics of presentations ranged from Angus advocacy to the newest dietary guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture. Throne’s presentation addressed sustainability. She focused on what producers are already doing and what more they can do to improve the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the beef industry. The judges selected Will Pohlman, Prairie Grove, Ark., as the 2015-2016 Angus Ambassador. Pohlman is a student at the University of Arkansas double majoring in biochemistry and animal science. Joining Throne as finalists were Dakota Lovett, Bladen, Neb., and Sierra Day, Cerro Gordo, Ill. For more information about the NJAA or the Angus Ambassador program, visit www.ANGUS.org.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 12 See page 11 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! NEW LOCAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEORGIA FARMERS Common Market Georgia, based in Atlanta, is now working to link farms and value-added producers with wholesale market opportunities, through aggregation, distribution and support for farmers. The organization is conducting a survey to identify Georgia farmers to include in its directory, which will be publicly available and provided to companies looking to source local. To take the survey visit http://goo.gl/forms/aQ2woBT0Fv or call The Common Market Georgia at 678-343-9525, ext. 21 and leave a message with your name and phone number. FAA-APPROVED DRONE DEMONSTRATION Aug. 14 Nellwood Farm pond house 9 a.m. Brooklet Southern States Cooperative is hosting this fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) demonstration, teaming up with Waypoint Global Solutions to showcase a fixed-winged Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), or drone, at a peanut and cotton farm owned by sixth generation farmers, the Cromleys. The field where the demonstration is being held is located at Carl Lanier Road, Brooklet, GA 30415. The ultra-sleek black-and-yellow drone flying at the demo is a self-piloted aircraft that uses GPS coordinates to map its route. It captures highresolution aerial photos that can be transformed into 2D and 3D images. For more information, contact Elliott Marsh at 912-425-5105. PIE CHALLENGE FINALS Aug. 15 Woodstock Farmers Market Woodstock Winning pie bakers from six area farmers markets meet for a showdown at the Woodstock Farmers Market, located on Market Street. Chef Judges are Tony Pisconeri of Pisconeri Studios in Jasper, Daniel Porubianski of Century House Tavern in Woodstock and Brian Jones of Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta. Judging will begin at 9:30 a.m. and a Pie Eating Contest for kids will take place at 10:30 a.m. Once judges have completed their reviews the pies will be available for the market visitors to taste and vote for the “People's Choice� winner. Competitors from Roswell Farmers and Artisans Market, Acworth Farmers Market, Sweet Apple Farmers and Artisans Market, Canton Farmers Market, Waleska Farmers Market and Woodstock Farmers Market submitted pies earlier this summer in three categories, Youth, Adult and Professional. Criteria for judging was appearance, taste, texture and originality. Pies must have one locally grown ingredient not necessarily in season. There were more than 63 pies entered in the contests. The contests were sponsored by Cherokee County Farm Bureau, the Farmers Markets and their local communities. For more information contact Shirley Pahl at 770-479-1481 or sfpahl@gfb.org. 26TH ANNUAL BROOKLET PEANUT FESTIVAL Aug. 15 Brooklet Located just 45 minutes from Savannah in Bulloch County, the 25th Annual Peanut Festival includes a peanut run, a parade at 10 a.m., arts and crafts, exhibits and entertainment. Visit www.brookletpeanutfestival.com for more information.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 12 10TH ANNUAL GEORGIA HORSE OWNER’S SEMINAR Aug. 15 UGA Livestock Arena 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Athens Horse owners will get the latest research-based information on how to care for their animals at this one-day event, which includes a trade show from 9:50 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. A lunch break is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. A demonstration of the Wells Fargo Stagecoach will be presented during the lunch break, which will include rides on the coach. Adult registration is $50, students 5-17 years of age pay $30, and children five and under are free. Tenth anniversary water bottles will are available for purchase before the event for $10 or the day of the event for $15. Registration includes lunch, a t-shirt, registration materials and a digital copy of all seminar proceedings. Registration is $60 for adults and $35 for students. A 10 percent discount will be given to groups of 10 or more by emailing Andrea Massa atajmassa@uga.edu. HYDRILLA TOWN HALL MEETING WITH BISHOP, CORPS OF ENGINEERS Aug. 18 Seminole County Courthouse 6 p.m. Donalsonville Rep.,Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D- 2nd District) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District Commander Colonel Jon Chytka will listen to feedback from the public on the hydrilla infestations in Lake Seminole and Lake Eufaula. On Lake Seminole, the weed poses a serious danger to the lake’s aquatic inhabitants. The weed’s ability to multiply at alarmingly high speeds has enabled it to dominate the vegetation within the lake. The Seminole County Courthouse is located at 200 South Knox Avenue, Donalsville, GA 39845. GFB ACCEPTING NOMGFBINATIONS FOR COMMODITY COMMITTEES Aug. 21 deadline for nominations County Farm Bureaus have until Aug. 21 to nominate members to serve on the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Advisory Committees. Committee members offer input to GFB leaders and staff regarding their commodities. Nominees must be GFB members and active producers of the commodity for which they’re nominated. GFB has committees for the following commodities: aquaculture, beef cattle, cotton, dairy, direct marketing/agritourism, environmental horticulture, equine, feedgrain/soybeans, fruits, forestry, hay, honeybees, peanuts, pecans, poultry, sheep/goats, swine, tobacco, vegetables and water. Contact Don McGough at 1-800-342-1196 for more information. YOUNG, BEGINNING, SMALL AND MINORITY FARMERS WORKSHOP Aug. 28 University of West Georgia Coliseum 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Carrollton Sponsored by AGAware, this workshop is designed to assist young, beginning, small and minority farmers with developing a strong farm plan. Topics include income statements, applying for financing, preparing a business plan, risk management and federal government programs through the USDA, the Small Business Administration and other agencies. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarewkshp.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 12 STARTING A NEW FOOD BUSINESS WORKSHOP Oct. 6-7 UGA Griffin Melton Building Griffin This workshop will provide information on producing safe and wholesome food products. Presentations include food safety and sanitation, getting your product label reviewed, meeting Georgia Department of Agriculture and FDA regulations, recordkeeping and product traceback and choosing a co-packer or a shared kitchen. Registration is $150. The deadline to register is Sept. 10, and registration is limited to 40 participants.. To register online visit http://EFSonline.uga.edu. For more information, call 706-542-2574. AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 17 Westbrook farm, UGA Griffin Campus 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Griffin This event, hosted by UGA Griffin every three years, will provide attendees with information on ways to increase the value of their land. Federal and state government agency officials and representatives of private business will provide management recommendations and demonstrate real-life techniques at this unique educational event, which features more than 30 topics, including wildlife openings, pond management, feral hog issues and many more. Continuing Education Credits (CEU) are available for several fields, including pesticide (several categories), forestry, loggers, arborist and wildlife. Registration is $25 prior to Sept. 3 ($30 after) and includes lunch. Pre-registrants will receive an Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day ball cap. Field trip opportunity and special pricing is available for high school students. For more information or for registration information, visit www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html. 20TH ANNUAL LUMBER CITY FARM DAY FESTIVAL Sept. 11 & 12 Downtown Lumber City Festival events begin Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. with a fish fry at the Lumber City American Legion on Hwy 341. The opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Main Street with entertainment by Old Souls of the South from Atlanta. Events on Sept 12 begin with breakfast at the Lumber City Methodist Church from 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., followed by a 5K run/walk at 7:45 a.m. ($20 5K registration includes a free breakfast for all runners), a dog show at 9 a.m. and parade at 10 a.m. Other events will include live stage entertainment, an amusement park, cakewalk, arts & crafts, and food vendors all day. A street dance will be held from 7-ll p.m. featuring the Soul Purpose Band from Atlanta, admission is free for all festival events except 5k. A community church service will be held Sunday at 9 a.m. on Main Street. For more info visit www.lumbercityfarmday.org or call 912-363-4341.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 12 2015 GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR Sept. 15-17 Thomasville and surrounding area The 29th annual Georgia Peanut Tour brings the latest information on peanuts. Tour stops will be made in several peanut producing counties including Thomas, Grady, Decatur, Seminole and Early County. This year's tour includes on-farm harvest demonstrations and clinics, peanut processing facilities, and several special highlights which include research at the University of Georgia Research & Education Center in Attapulgus, Lewis M. Carter Manufacturing, FudgeBirdsong Peanuts Buying Point and Birdsong Peanuts shelling plant. Hotel accommodations can be made at the Best Western in Thomasville by calling 229-226-9998. Rooms are available at the rate of $101 for a single/double room and $115 for a suite. Once the Best Western is full, additional hotel accommodations can be made at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites by calling 229-226-4666. Be sure to ask for the Georgia Peanut Tour room block. To register online visit http://2015gpt.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2139089481. To download a registration form, visit http://tinyurl.com/pnuttoursignup. Registration is $75 per person until Aug. 14 and $90 per person after Aug. 14. 2015 GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL APPLE PIE RECIPE CONTEST Oct. 10 Lions Club Fairgrounds 10 a.m. Ellijay This annual contest is part of the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. The 1st-place winner will receive $300 and a ribbon. The 2nd place winner will receive $100 and a ribbon. To enter, submit an entry form and the recipe (Attn: Recipe Contest) to the Gilmer Extension office in Ellijay. Only put your name (contestant name) on the back of the recipe, not on the front. All recipes must be received by noon on Sept. 18 and all recipes must use fresh Georgia apples. Five finalists will be selected from the entries. There are no kitchen facilities available at the festival, so upon notification, final contestants will bring their prepared apple pie to the Lions Club Fairgrounds Oct. 10 by 9:45 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m. Eligibility rules apply. Only one entry per family and only one entry per person. Contestants must be 10 years old or older. For more details or to get an entry form, call the Gilmer County Extension office at 706-6354426 or visit the office at 1123 Progress Road in Ellijay. Office hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Georgia Apple Festival “recipe contest” is coordinated by the University of Georgia Gilmer County Extension office and sponsored by the Georgia Apple Festival in cooperation with the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Apples. TRAVELER'S REST PIONEER DAY Sept. 19 Traveler’s Rest State Historic site 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Toccoa The public is invited to join in this celebration of 200 years of history. Traveler's Rest Stagecoach Inn opened for business around 1815. All ages will enjoy the Pioneer era demonstrators, musicians, crafts, and samples of open-hearth cooking. Tour this historic inn, which still has some of the original family furnishings from the 1800's. Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site is located at 4339 Riverdale Road in Toccoa. For more information visit www.gastateparks.org/TravelersRest or call Tugaloo State Park at 706-356-4362. On Saturdays and Sundays call Travelers Rest Inn 706-886-2256
GFB News Alert page 11 of 12 ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY FOR FARM BILL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS Farmers have until Sept. 30 to formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety-net programs for 2014 and 2015 according to a USDA press release. Farmers and producers had until April 7 to make a one-time choice of the program in which they would participate. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill. AFBF FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE BULLETIN BOARD CONTEST The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s ag-themed bulletin board contest for teachers is open for submissions through Oct. 31. The winner receives a copy of “Farm a Month,” the Foundation’s activities kit about agriculture across America, plus the 12 books that accompany it. To enter, visit http://www.agfoundation.org/projects/bulletin-board-contest. ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET 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. 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 that 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. 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.
GFB News Alert page 12 of 12 HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the 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. MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays through 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. ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Through Nov. 21 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. WHITE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays through Sept. 27 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Freedom Park near downtown square Cleveland White County Farm Bureau helps sponsor this market, where customers can shop for some of the freshest produce around while listening to local musicians. The market also features themed market days throughout the season with recipes, taste testing, and other fun events. For more information contact the White County Extension Office at 706-865-2832. Vendors can rent space at the market for $10 per Saturday. Vendors must be residents of White County and or adjacent counties and goods must be grown or locally made. UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 31 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 27 2 p.m. - 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