August 15, 2012
www.gfb.org
Vol. 30 No. 33
COMMITEES GET UPDATES, BLACK HONORED AT COMMODITY CONFERENCE Former state veterinarian Dr. Carter Black received the 2012 GFB Commodity Award and GFB commodity committee members received updates on the United States Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, the state’s road safety rules, GFB legislative efforts and the state’s weather station network during the 34th annual GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 9 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry. During the one-day conference, members of GFB’s 20 commodity committees held meetings to kick off the 2012 GFB policy development process. Black, who was assistant state veterinarian from 1984 to 2007 and state veterinarian from 2007 until his retirement in 2011, was instrumental in developing Georgia’s brucellosis eradication programs for cattle and swine. “I appreciate this award,” Black said. “I often feel like I’m not as deserving as a lot of folks think I am. I’ve had a lot of success working with the livestock industry on eradicating these diseases but it’s because the department employees supported the efforts and the industry felt we Black were trying to help them.” Congressmen John Barrow (D-12th Dist.) and Austin Scott (R-8th Dist.) each made remarks during the opening session. Scott called for estate tax reform and stressed the need for passage of a long-term farm bill, while Barrow encouraged GFB members to support members of Congress who are willing to work across party lines to reach compromises for the good of the country. GFB Legislative Director Jon Huffmaster reviewed the organization’s successes in the 2012 Legislative Session, including HB 386, the tax reform bill that maintained existing sales tax exemptions for agriculture and expanded them. Capt. Gregg Willis of the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division gave a presentation covering the rules for vehicles transporting agricultural commodities. For an extensive collection of motor carrier fact sheets, which include information pertinent to transporting agricultural products, visit http://dps.georgia.gov/fact-sheets. UGA Climatologist Pam Knox reviewed the Automated Environmental Monitoring Network (AEMN), a collection of more than 80 weather stations around the state that provides archived and current weather data for users from agriculture and a variety of other industries. To view the network’s data visit http://www.georgiaweather.net/. Ladonna Lee of the USFRA’s Farmer, Rancher & Industry Engagement Task Force talked about the organization’s efforts to guide public discourse about farm-related issues.