August 6, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 31
WATER, EPA RULE KEY TOPICS AT AG ISSUES SUMMIT Nearly 200 farmers and representatives from agricultural stakeholder organizations attended the 2014 Joint Agriculture Chairmen Ag Issues Summit, held July 31 at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton. The annual event, hosted by Georgia House Ag Committee Chairman Tom McCall and Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Wilkinson featured speakers on statewide water planning, pollinators, solar energy, truck weights and the proposed EPA water rule. Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Director Jon Huffmaster discussed the EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule. Huffmaster urged those in attendance to submit comments asking that the rule be withdrawn. He reviewed the EPA’s efforts to get around the will of Congress and the Supreme Court with the rule. To submit a comment, visit www.gfb.org/ditchtherule. Russ Pennington of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, gave an update on statewide water planning efforts. Pennington said the EPD is working on rules under the Flint River Drought Protection Act and said that agricultural uses would be virtually exempt under the rules being considered. Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission Director Brent Dykes talked about work in the state’s conservation districts, including work to improve more than 300 flood control dams in the northern portions of the state. Dykes said agricultural water metering programs in the southern regions are providing valuable data to state policy makers and the EPD. UGA Entomology Professor Dr. Keith Delaplane explained the role of pollinators, specifically honeybees, in agriculture. Dr. Alan Ayers of Bayer CropScience also talked about issues related to honeybee health and suggested that a system-wide approach to bee health is needed. Such an approach, he said, would include science-based risk management of pesticides, stewardship and communication of best management practices and investment in bee health. USDA Renewable Energy Coordinator Craig Scroggs discussed opportunities for farmers under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which helps farmers and other rural business owners purchase renewable energy systems or install improvements on existing systems. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black gave a review of Georgia Department of Agriculture activities. Black said that for 2014 more than 33,000 people have signed up for Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) cards, and 86 percent of the enrollment has been done online. Black cautioned that he continues to hear stories of abuses involving the tax exemptions for purchases of agricultural inputs, and the state is in the process of establishing an audit process.