August 1, 2012
www.gfb.org
Vol. 30 No. 31
FARM BILL ON HOLD; TAX BILLS INTRODUCED IN U.S. HOUSE The U.S. House has scrapped plans to vote on a one-year extension of the 2008 farm bill. According to media reports, the House was prepared to vote on an extension that included disaster relief provisions on July 31, but abandoned that plan. Congress is scheduled to adjourn on Aug. 3 for a monthlong recess. By law, Congress must enact a new farm bill or extend the 2008 farm bill before it expires on Sept. 30. Two bills addressing tax issues were introduced in the House on July 30, one to revert federal estate taxes to 2009 levels and one to extend expiring tax cuts for individuals with household incomes below $250,000. The estate tax bill, H.R. 16, would reinstate the 45 percent top tax rate for federal estate taxes, with an exemption of $3.5 million per person. H.R. 16 was introduced by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) and had 12 cosponsors, including Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). The bill was referred to the House Budget Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. Without congressional action, the estate tax would move to 55 percent and have a $1 million exemption per person on Jan. 1, 2013. The current estate tax scheme, which was passed in late 2010, includes a $5 million exemption and a top rate of 35 percent. American Farm Bureau favors abolishing the estate tax, and bills to repeal estate tax were introduced in the House and Senate earlier this year. The tax cut extension bill, H.R. 15, was also introduced by Levin and had 26 cosponsors, including Lewis. H.R. 15 is identical to the tax cut bill (S. 3412) passed in the Senate on July 25. It extends tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003, which were scheduled to expire at the end of 2012. S. 3412, which was opposed by American Farm Bureau, was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). The bill had no provisions addressing the estate tax. Meanwhile, a report published on July 25 by the Joint Economic Committee details the financial harm posed by estate taxes on family businesses. According to the executive summary in the report, the cost of the estate tax far exceeds any benefits it produces. The report indicated that “the estate tax is an overwhelming cause of the dissolution of family business,” and “is a significant hindrance to entrepreneurial activity because many family businesses lack sufficient liquid assets to pay estate tax liabilities.” The report also cited studies indicating that the abolition of estate taxes would increase overall federal tax revenue. To view the complete report visit http://tinyurl.com/c53r86k.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 EPD SUSPENDS CONSIDERATION OF SW GEORGIA WATER PERMITS The director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) announced July 30 that consideration of new applications for agricultural water withdrawal permits in a 24-county area of southwest Georgia will be suspended. The suspension takes effect immediately, but does not apply to applications EPD had already received. The suspension affects both agricultural groundwater and surface water withdrawals in the lower Flint and Chattahoochee River basins in a region known as Subarea 4, which includes all or part of Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Turner and Worth counties. In addition, agricultural surface water withdrawal applications will not be considered for parts of Calhoun, Chattahoochee, Clay, Early, Marion, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell and Webster counties in areas outside of Subarea 4. A map showing the affected Turner areas, can be found at the end of this document or by visiting http://www.gaepd.org/Documents/news.html and click the “Map of Affected Area” link. “The water resources affected by the suspension are a significant source of water for irrigation,” EPD Director Jud Turner said in a press release. “A continued increase in withdrawals from these resources may ultimately lead to unacceptable impacts to existing users or compromise the sustainable capacities of these resources.” The suspension applies to new applications for groundwater withdrawal from the Floridan aquifer, as well as applications for surface water pumping from streams and rivers in the Spring Creek, Ichawaynochaway Creek, Kinchafoonee Creek, Muckalee Creek, and Lower Flint river subbasins in the Flint River Basin. The suspension also applies to applications to modify existing permits. “This suspension will give us time to update the mathematical models used to assess water resources in the area and to evaluate the impact of increased withdrawals,” Turner said. “The suspension will be reevaluated annually beginning in November 2013.” The suspension does not apply to permit applications from other areas of the lower Flint and Chattahoochee River basins. For more information contact the EPD Agricultural Permitting Office in Tifton at 229-391-2400. SIX ADDITIONAL GA. COUNTIES DECLARED PRIMARY DISASTER AREAS The USDA has designated six counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. Cherokee, Cobb, Haralson, Paulding and Polk, designated as contiguous disaster counties by the USDA in July, were upgraded to primary disaster counties. Bartow was added as a primary disaster county, bringing the total number of primary disaster counties in Georgia to 138. With the majority of the United States under drought conditions, the USDA on July 23 announced additional measures to assist farmers affected by drought. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack took action to allow livestock owners additional opportunities for haying and grazing on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The USDA also announced that crop insurance companies have agreed to provide a short grace period for farmers on insurance premiums in 2012.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 GFB ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF PHOTO CONTEST Haley Anderson of Screven County won the grand prize in the GFB Membership Category of the 2012 Picture Agriculture in Georgia Photo Contest, for her photo, titled “Plowing Cotton At Sunset,” shown here. As the overall winner of this year’s photo contest, Haley’s photo will be featured on the cover of the 2013 GFB Young Farmer Calendar, which will include the 12 finalist photos. The contest drew 250 entries. A group of judges selected the final 12, and the winners were determined by votes from attendees at the 2012 GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference, held July 1315. There were 11 honorable mention winners: Becky Durham, Greene County; Anna Wilson, Hart County; Clay Talton, Elbert County; Dwight Wallace, Peach County; Eddie McGriff, Coffee County; Garrett Anderson, Screven County; Gerald Calhoun, Turner County; Helen Barrett, Habersham County; Janet Mazurek, Elbert County; Michael Provenzano, Oconee County and Charlie Harris, Crawford County. Lee County Farm Bureau Secretary Donna Sumners received the grand prize in the GFB Employee Category for her photo, titled “Afternoon Shower.” Lisa Dean of Houston County won second place with her photo, “Dusty Haze,” and Linda Whitehead of Oglethorpe County took third with her photo, “Making My Bones Big and Strong.” To see all the winning photos, visit http://www.gfb.org/programs/yf/photo_results.html. GPC CELEBRATES NEW HEADQUARTERS WITH OPEN HOUSE Thanks to the new Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) headquarters that opened July 31, Georgia’s peanut industry will be on the minds of motorists traveling through Tifton on Interstate 75. Members of Georgia’s peanut and agriculture community gathered with elected officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 6,400-square-foot building located off Exit 63B across the interstate from the Georgia Agriculture Museum, formerly known as the Agrirama. “This event today is more than a building dedication; it includes the conclusion of our 50th anniversary celebration,” GPC Chairman Armond Morris said. “We’re excited about our new location. Consumers can come here and see [all facets of peanut production] from planting to processing.” The GPC building, which looks like a welcoming farmhouse, was designed by Cadmus Design-Build and is the first net-zero energy building to be built for Georgia’s state government. The building features alternative and renewable energy systems, including systems that utilize solar energy and rainwater and geothermal systems. “Georgia’s peanut farmers now have a building that generates its own electricity. The best part is we’re absent a mortgage payment. We built it for under $87 a square foot, including the parking lot,” GPC Executive Director Don Koehler said. “Almost everything that went into this building came from within a 500-mile radius. We used pine trees cut off this site to build cabinets throughout the building. It's been a team effort. Things happen not because there’s a vision of I but a vision of we.” U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Dist 8, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, thanked the GPC for its efforts to promote Georgia peanuts, saying, “Agriculture is one of the pillars of our economy in this country, and the Georgia Peanut Commission has done an excellent job making sure that peanuts are a staple of our diets.”
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 GFB CELEBRATES 75th ANNIVERSARY On July 31 Georgia Farm Bureau celebrated its 75th anniversary, commemorating the date in 1937 on which a group of 50 farmers met and formed the United Georgia Farmers. In 1939 the group joined the American Farm Bureau Federation and changed its name to Georgia Farm Bureau Federation. To all of our members, volunteers and employees, thank you for being a part of Georgia's largest general farm organization! UGA CONDUCTING FOOD HUBS NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is conducting a statewide needs assessment survey to determine how many farmers are interested in the development of regional food hubs and what infrastructure is needed for the creation of food hubs. The 15-question survey is voluntary. Individual and farm identification and contact information will not be shared with other groups. To take the survey online, visit https://ugeorgia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4MFtvNeUFIHcCu8. Questions about the survey should be directed to Katherine Munden-Dixon (706-542-8084 or katemd@engr.uga.edu) or Julia Gaskin (706-542-1401 or jgaskin@engr.uga.edu). GEORGIA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE REHABILITATED HORSE AUCTION Aug. 11 Mansfield Impound Barn Mansfield The horses may be inspected at the facility beginning at 10:00 a.m. The sale will start at 11:00 a.m. Contact the Equine Health Office with any questions at 404-656-3713. Proceeds from the sale go to help fund the Department’s impound and rehabilitation program. FALL VEGETABLE GARDENING CLASS Aug. 23 Houston County Extension Office 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Perry The Houston County Extension Office is offering a Fall Vegetable Gardening class to area homeowners who want to know how to double their growing season and enjoy fresh vegetables year round. The class will be taught in the Extension Office Multipurpose Room located on the top floor of the old courthouse in Perry. Cost for the class is $10 per person. Jeff Cook, UGA Extension agent, will be discussing cool weather crops, planting times, and pests. For a registration form, email mg@uga.edu or download one from the Extension website at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston/news.html. GARLICFEST 2012 Aug. 25 LoganBerry Heritage Farm 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cleveland This annual celebration of the Garlic harvest is a free and fun family event. It includes lots of garlic, chefs, creative food, cooking demos, tastings, live music, artisans and animals. For more information, contact LoganBerry Heritage Farm at 706-348-6068 or visit http://www.loganberryheritagefarm.com. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 6 USDA-ARS Research Lab 8 a.m. Byron This free event includes an orchard tour and a complimentary lunch. An orchard tour will be held before noon and a barbecue lunch will be provided. For more information contact Janice Dees at 229-382-2187 or Janice@georgiapecan.org.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 2012 GARDEN ACADEMY Sept. 6-Oct. 23 Houston County Extension Office Perry This multi-week program is designed to help participants get the most from their plants through planning, preparation, and work. The course includes the most recent research-based information available to guide you in tending your landscape. Classes are schedueled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Extension Office Multipurpose Room in the Government Building (old renovated courthouse) in downtown Perry. The class fee of $120 includes all sessions, the Georgia Yardstick Workbook, and a collection of valuable Extension publications. This year’s theme is The Central Georgia Landscape. Learn more about landscape planning and plant selection, planting and maintenance. This will be an extended course planned and taught by UGA Specialists, Master Gardeners, Extension Agents, local professionals, and other gardeners. The class size is limited so register early! Contact the Houston County Extension Office at 478-987-2028 or email mg@uga.edu for a registration form. 2012 AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 20 University of Georgia Griffin Campus 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Griffin Registration is now being accepted for this unique educational event, sponsored by UGA, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Fort Valley State University, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the NRCS. The field day will provide information on ways land value can be enhanced. More than 25 topics will be showcased, including wildlife opening management; pond management; management for wild turkeys, doves and quail; selling and marketing timber; prescribed burning, cost-sharing assistance programs and much more. Registration is $25 before Sept. 3 and $35 after. Fee includes lunch, and those who register in advance will receive an Agroforestry & Wildlife Field Day baseball cap. For more information, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: Sept. 30 Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Dates vary Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), check with FSA service center for dates) and Crop Insurance (Contact a crop insurance agent or the regional Risk Management Agency (RMA) office.) For more information about FSA programs visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov. HAWKINSVILLE HARVEST FEST/PIGS & PRODUCE BARBECUE CONTEST Oct. 26 & 27 Courthouse Square Hawkinsville Better Hometown of Hawkinsville will host the annual Harvest Fest featuring the Pigs and Produce barbecue competition, an official contest sanctioned by the Georgia Barbecue Association. Along with some great professional barbecue teams and some very interesting ancillary categories, Hawkinsville will host two very unique events at this festival: The first ever Georgia State Boiled Peanut Championship sponsored by Hardy Farms Peanuts and the Old vs. New Faceoff. This head-to-head contest will be held on the courthouse square in downtown Hawkinsville between barbecue legend Myron Mixon of Jack’s Old South and his son, Michael Mixon of Jack’s New South. For more information, please visit http://www.hawkinsvilleharvestfest.com.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 Map showing EPD’s suspended water permit areas.
MUSCOGEE
TAYLOR
HOUSTON MACON
Buena Vista MARION SCHLEY
CHATTAHOOCHEE
PULASKI
DOOLY
STEWART
Preston
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WEBSTER
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RANDOLPH
LEE
TERRELL
Shellman
Cordele CRISP
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QUITMAN
kale Mu c
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WILCOX KinchafooneeMuckalee
Middle Flint
TURNER
Albany
Edison
CLAY
CALHOUN
DOUGHERTY Ichawaynochaway
WORTH
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TIFT
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BAKER
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Fl in
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Blakely
Lower Flint
MITCHELL COLQUITT
MILLER Colquitt
Spring
COOK Lower Chattahoochee
SEMINOLE
Bainbridge DECATUR
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dbetts 7/26/2012
GRADY
THOMAS
BROOKS
Subarea4 Lake Seminole Counties Cities SW Suspended GW and SW Suspended