August 24, 2016
www.gfb.org
Vol. 34 No. 29
GFB PROVIDES GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR GATE COMPLIANCE Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has published a guidance document aimed at promoting proper use of the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE). The GATE program was established under Georgia House Bill 386 in 2012 and went into effect in 2013, extending and expanding previous farm input tax exemptions. GATE provides sales tax exemptions to farmers for purchases of items needed for production agriculture, like seed, livestock feed, fertilizer and other inputs. GFB strongly supported Look for the passage of HB 386 and now is urging GATE cardholders to use it properly. next issue of “It’s extremely important that our farmers who use the GATE program GFB News do so in a lawful way,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “It’s a valuable Alert on exemption when used properly, but if we abuse it we very well could lose September 7. it. We ask all our farmers around the state to please respect the program by following the rules.” The Georgia Department of Agriculture and Department of Revenue have placed emphasis on compliance with GATE rules. Both agencies have begun conducting audits of retailers and purchasers to ensure cardholders are using the program for its intended purpose. Misuse of the GATE card may result in taxes, penalties and interest. To qualify for the GATE card, a farmer must produce a minimum of $2,500 worth of agricultural products per year, provide a minimum of $2,500 worth of agricultural services, or produce a long-term agricultural product with the potential to produce $2,500. The cards must be renewed annually. The fee to register for a GATE card is $20 for an online application. Some of the items that can be purchased using the GATE card include machinery and equipment used for ag production, plants grown from cuttings, irrigation equipment, livestock sold for breeding purposes and energy, fuel and freight in certain situations. The GFB guidance provides an extensive list of items that can be purchased for farm use under the GATE program. Equally important, shoppers need to be aware of items that are not eligible for the exemption. These include, but are not limited to: clothes, boots and other apparel; food and drinks for human consumption; concrete pads, barns, greenhouses, strand metal buildings and other buildings that are considered real property. To view the GFB guidance document visit http://tinyurl.com/GFBGATEguide. To ask questions about the GATE card contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 1855-327-6829. For questions about item exemptions, contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at 1-877-423-6711.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 USDA REVISES SCHEDULE FOR PECAN COUNCIL NOMINATIONS The expected schedule for nominating and seating the American Pecan Council (APC) publicized by the American Pecan Board earlier this month and reported in the Aug. 10 issue of this newsletter has changed. 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 APC. U.S. pecan growers in the 15 states where pecans are commercially grown voted to create the APC during a federal referendum held in March. USDA was originally expected to mail nomination forms to growers and shellers the week of Aug. 8 but this was delayed until Aug. 22. “Because this is a new marketing order, we wanted to ensure the nomination forms received due diligence in obtaining the approvals required before issuing them to the public,” said Christian Nissen, regional director for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Southeast Marketing Field Office. “This took longer than initially anticipated.” According to the USDA, the revised schedule for the nomination process is as follows: Aug. 22: The USDA began mailing nomination forms to growers and shellers on USDA lists. The forms are also available to download from the USDA AMS website https://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/moforms/pecans. Sept. 6: Deadline for returning the nomination forms to USDA. Sept. 16: USDA expects to mail ballots to growers and shellers to vote on the nominees. Oct. 7: Deadline for returning ballots to USDA. The deadline for background statement on nominees. Persons nominating a nominee should gather this document from the nominee as soon as someone agrees to be nominated. Only names of those with completed background statements can be sent forward to the USDA Secretary to be selected for the APC. “Our goal is to have the American Pecan Council selected and ready to meet via conference call the week of Oct. 24, with a face-to-face meeting the week of Oct. 31,” Nissen said. 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. Three growers and two shellers representing both large and small pecan production will be selected from each of the council’s three growing regions. The APC growing regions are as follows: Eastern Region - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina; Central Region - Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas; Western Region - Arizona, California, New Mexico. 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 to represent his growing region on the APC. 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 process.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 11TH CIRCUIT COURT DENIES APPEAL IN WOTUS CASE A panel of judges from the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta declined to hear a lawsuit against the EPA over the validity of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, pending the outcome of litigation being heard in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The suit was filed by the state of Georgia and 10 other states in the District Court for the Southern District of Georgia on June 30, 2015, and the plaintiffs asked for a preliminary injunction to stop enforcement of the rule. The Southern District court denied that injunction, ruling that courts of appeals have jurisdiction over challenges to the WOTUS rule. The suit has been consolidated with several other suits from around the country in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. The plaintiffs appealed to the 11th Circuit Court on the request for a preliminary injunction. The 11th Circuit Court denied the appeal, noting that the Southern District case duplicates the case(s) being heard in the Sixth Circuit and that the Sixth Circuit is further along in case proceedings. In the 11th Circuit opinion, it was noted that the Sixth Circuit has imposed a nationwide stay on enforcement of the WOTUS rule. MORE GA COUNTIES RECEIVE DISASTER DESIGNATION DUE TO DROUGHT In disaster declarations issued on Aug. 11 and Aug. 17, an additional 15 Georgia counties received designation from the USDA as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought. On Aug. 11, Barrow, Dawson, Harris, Lincoln, Pickens, Talbot, Troup, Union, Upson, Walton and White counties received the primary disaster designation. Clarke, Oconee, Polk and Towns counties received the primary designation on Aug. 17. An additional 34 counties became eligible for USDA disaster assistance programs because they are contiguous to a county declared a primary disaster area. The contiguous counties from the Aug. 11 designation are: Chattahoochee, Cherokee, Coweta, Crawford, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Heard, Lamar, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Muscogee, Newton, Pike, Rockdale and Taylor. The contiguous counties from the Aug. 17 designation are: Bartow, Carroll, Floyd, Greene, Haralson, Jackson, Lumpkin, Morgan, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Troup, Walton and White. Farmers in counties named either primary disaster areas or contiguous counties are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity. Other FSA programs that can provide assistance, but do not require a disaster declaration, include the Emergency Conservation Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 U.S., BRAZIL TO RESUME BEEF TRADE The USDA has reached an agreement with its counterpart in Brazil to resume beef trade between the two countries, according to an Aug. 1 USDA press release. Imports of Brazilian beef were blocked by the USDA out of concerns over foot and mouth disease, while U.S. beef exports to Brazil were blocked out of concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) determined that the food safety protocols in place in Brazil meet U.S. standards and that fresh (chilled or frozen) beef can be safely imported from Brazil. According to published reports, U.S. beef cattle stakeholder groups have voiced displeasure with the agreement, citing ongoing concerns about the U.S. herd being exposed to communicable diseases. The agreement between the USDA and Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply will allow access for U.S. beef and beef products to the Brazilian market for the first time since 2003. Brazil's action reflects the United States' negligible risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and aligns Brazil's regulations to the OIE's scientific international animal health guidelines. Both countries will immediately begin updating their administrative procedures in order to allow trade to resume, the USDA said. U.S. companies will need to complete Brazil's regular facilities registration process. CORN, COTTON EXPECTED TO MAKE BIG GAINS IN 2016 Georgia corn production is expected to increase by more than 30 percent and cotton production is projected to increase by 15 percent according to the August Crop Production report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The state’s corn growers are projected to produce slightly more than 63 million bushels in 2016, a 30.6 percent increase over 2015, when they produced 48.7 million bushels. Georgia cotton growers increased acreage in 2016 over 2016 levels and are expected to produce 2.6 million bales, an increase of 15.2 percent over their 2015 production. Growers planted about 170,000 more acres this year. The state’s peach production is expected to finish at 43,000 tons, a 6 percent increase over 2015, when Georgia peach growers produced 40,600 tons. Georgia production of hay, peanuts, soybeans and tobacco are all expected to decline from 2015 levels. The state’s peanut growers trimmed acreage and are forecast to produce 3.375 billion pounds, down from 3.473 billion pounds in 2015, a decline of 2.8 percent. Soybean production in 2016 is projected at 10.2 million bushels, a decline of 24.6 percent from 2015, when the state’s farmers produced 13.5 million bushels. Planted acres are down 18 percent. The state’s hay production is forecast at 1.25 million tons in 2016, 12 percent less than 2015, when Georgia farmers produced 1.425 million tons. Tobacco production in Georgia is projected at 29.7 million pounds in 2016, down from 32.4 million pounds in 2015, a decline of 8 percent. Acres harvested remained at 13,500, the same as in 2015.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 UGA RESEARCHERS CONDUCTING WILD PIG SURVEY Researchers from the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources are collecting information about wild pigs killed in Georgia since January 2015. Farmers and landowners are being asked to complete a 12-question survey for each county in which they harvested wild pigs in that time. Questions pertain to characteristics of the pigs, method of harvest and how many were killed. The survey, which is voluntary, is being led by UGA Associate Dean of Service and Outreach Dr. Mike Mengak, who surveyed Southwest Georgia landowners about feral hog damage in 2012, a study sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau. The new survey can be found at www.georgiawildpigs.com. Survey participants must be 18 years or older. Responses are completely anonymous and will provide valuable information to help understand the wild pig problems in Georgia. The website also contains information about wild pigs (commonly referred to as feral hogs), the damage they cause to crops and property, health concerns for other animals and the human public, control methods and other resources. A field guide to wild pig management can also be accessed on the website. FARMERS’ ALMANAC LAUNCHES FARMER OF THE YEAR CONTEST Farmers' Almanac, in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, is searching for three farmers or ranchers to be recognized as “Farmers' Almanac Farmer of the Year.” The contest, announced in the special 200th Collector's Edition of the 2017 Farmers' Almanac, seeks to recognize and share the dedication, hard work and contributions farmers make to our world and society. “We’re looking for farmers and ranchers who have figured out how to keep their centuriesold, family-run farms alive and thriving, as well as newcomers who may have just started out in farming or ranching,” said Farmers’ Almanac Managing Editor Sandi Duncan. “The people who work in agriculture are vital to our everyday life and we'd like to honor them in the pages of the Farmers' Almanac.” AFBF President Zippy Duvall added, “Farmers and ranchers have long used their ingenuity and tireless work ethic to preserve natural resources and build up local communities while producing food, fiber and fuel for consumers here at home and around the world. We’re pleased to join the Farmers' Almanac in launching the Farmer of the Year program." Nominations must highlight, in 300 words or less, the following criteria: • Supporting the Tradition: How long has the nominee been in their field? How did he or she get involved in agriculture and why? • Innovation in Agriculture: How the nominee has embraced technology or new ways of farming and ranching; • Community Involvement: How has the nominee engaged his/her community to support agriculture and/or teach more about farming overall; and • Inspiration: How the nominee is a true leader in agriculture and deserves to be recognized. All nominations must be received by Jan. 31, 2017, and must be submitted online at www.FarmersAlmanac.com/FarmeroftheYear. Three winners will be announced in the 2018 Farmers' Almanac and will be offered reimbursement for a one-year membership to the Farm Bureau in their county of residence and a lifetime subscription to the Farmers' Almanac. Each of their stories will also be featured in the 2018 Farmers' Almanac and on www.FarmersAlmanac.com.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 GPIA CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF SERVICE TO GEORGIA’S POULTRY The Georgia Poultry Improvement Association (GPIA) has been committed to Georgia’s poultry industry for 80 years. GPIA was created in the mid-1930s with the task to irradiate pullorum and prepare Georgia’s poultry industry for growth. Dr. Louise Dufour-Zavala and the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association continue to dedicate research and community outreach to protect Georgia’s flocks from Avian Influenza and various other diseases. “We are proud to be a vital part of this important industry,” said GPIA Executive Director Dr. Louise Dufour-Zavala. “It is our job to work with our partners to help protect our poultry through research and testing. We are happy to say that we have done that successfully for over 80 years and look forward to continuing that effort for the next 80 years and beyond.” Poultry and egg production and processing contributed $25.5 billion and nearly 103,700 jobs to the state in 2014, according to the 2014 Farm Gate Value Report. The association provides stability and security for a major part of the world’s poultry production and receives nominal state investment. “I am extremely proud of the overwhelming success of the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said. “The work that has been accomplished over the years has aided Georgia in becoming the number one state for the poultry industry and another prime example of why Georgia is the number one place to do business.” As the needs of Georgia’s poultry industry change, GPIA will continue to be a steadfast source for efficient and reliable information. The primary objective of the GPIA is consumer protection by ensuring bird health on a scientific level.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 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 District 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. UGA COTTON/PEANUT RESEARCH FIELD DAY Sept. 7 UGA Gibbs Farm, Ga. Museum of Agriculture Tifton The Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams co-sponsor this event, which will showcase current research during plot-side presentations. The field day starts at 8:00 a.m. at UGA’s Gibbs Farm (226 William Gibbs Road) before relocating to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture (1392 Whiddon Mill Road) for lunch. Those planning to attend need to RSVP by Friday, Sept. 2, to Michela Rineair at msrineair@uga.edu or 229-386-3006. To view an agenda visit http://tinyurl.com/cottpnutagenda. 2016 GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR Sept. 13-15 Various locations Ben Hill, Coffee, Irwin and Tift counties The 30th annual Georgia Peanut Tour will provide the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Hotel accommodations can be made at the Country Inn & Suites in Tifton by calling 229-382-8100 or the Comfort Inn & Suites in Tifton by calling 229-382-8250. Rooms are available at the rate of $85 plus tax for a standard room. Be sure to ask for the Georgia Peanut Tour room block. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at hannah@gapeanuts.com or call at 229-386-3475. GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL CAKE RECIPE CONTEST Sept. 16 (noon) Entry deadline If you’ve got a delicious apple cake recipe make plans to enter it in the 2016 Georgia Apple Festival Recipe Contest. The 1st place winner receives $300 and 2nd place receives $100. All recipes must use fresh Georgia apples. If applesauce is used in the recipe it must be made from Georgia apples. Five entries will be selected from the recipes entered and asked to bring their prepared apple cake to the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Ellijay on Oct. 8 by 9:45 a.m. for judging at 10 a.m. Only one entry per family and only one entry per person. Contestants must be age 10 years or older. The contest is not open to food professionals, first place winners of the 2014 or 2015 contests, members of the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Apples nor UGA Cooperative Extension employees. Visit http://ugaextension.org/countyoffices/gilmer.html to download complete contests rules and an entry form or pick one up at the Gilmer County Extension office. Call 706-635-4426 for more information.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 10 UGA GRAZING SCHOOL Sept. 20-21 NESPAL Building UGA Tifton Campus UGA Extension is hosting this two-day workshop that will focus on soil health and fertility, forage crop establishment, plant growth, animal nutrient requirements, management-intensive grazing and more. Training will include farm visits to the UGA Bull Evaluation Center and Deep Grass Graziers, a grassfed beef farm in Irwinville where intensive grazing management is being practiced. Cost is $150 for the first person from each farm and $75/person for each additional person from each farm or family. Registration fee includes lunches and breaks each day, dinner on Sept. 20 and a grazing handbook. Registration is limited so register soon! Visit www.georgiaforages.com or call 706-310-3464 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to register or for more information. 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 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.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 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 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 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.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 10 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.