August 9, 2017
www.gfb.org
Vol. 35 No. 16
NATIONAL FARM POLICY KEY TOPIC AT GFB COMMODITY CONFERENCE Georgia Farm Bureau’s refinement of its organizational policy for 2018 started with the 2017 GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 3 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. Members from all of GFB’s Commodity Advisory Committees gathered and heard updates on national farm policy and research by the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, then got down to business with committee meetings to consider changes to GFB policy. “The diversity of our organization is reflected here today. We have members of all 20 of our commodity committees here today,” Long said. “This meeting is one of our most important all year because it is where we begin our policy development process.” Speakers addressed the 2018 farm bill, national cotton policy, controlling the spread of avian influenza and USDA priorities under new Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Bob Redding, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Redding Firm, a legislative consulting group that specializes in federal agricultural legislation, Bob Redding provided an update on the 2018 farm bill. “The next two to three months will be a very important period. The House & The next issue of Senate Ag Committee staff will do a lot of work in August and committee GFB News Alert members will meet in September. If the House and Senate Ag Committees get comes out legislation ready this fall, there may be a window to get it passed before they go August 23. home for Christmas,” Redding said. “Moving a bill next year will be hard because it’s an election year.” National Cotton Council (NCC) President & Chief Executive Dr. Gary Adams gave an overview of how the current farm bill impacts cotton growers and changes the cotton sector would like to see in the pending legislation. “The National Cotton Council is making the point that in terms of returns to cost of production growers have a shortfall of about $100 an acre,” Adams said. He said the NCC is working to secure short-term economic assistance to bridge the gap until the next farm bill is in effect, which would help offset the effects of the current long-term slump in commodity prices. Such assistance would include obtaining a cost share or cottonseed program through appropriations legislation that would make cottonseed eligible for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) programs under the 2014 farm bill and establish cottonseed as a covered commodity beginning with the 2018 crop. “We’re working to get cotton back into the Title 1 part of the farm bill and our possible options are tied to cotton fiber or cottonseed,” Adams said. -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 Continued from previous page As Congress develops the next farm bill, Adams said the NCC is seeking the same sort of support available to other crops, as well as a fully functioning marketing loan program that does not limit the movement of cotton in the market. USDA Chief of Staff Heidi Green shared Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s priorities for the USDA. Green said the USDA is working to address issues President Trump charged an Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to address. Green said the USDA and other agencies are reviewing federal regulations to determine which ones may be rolled back or repealed to relieve regulatory burdens that may be stifling business. She said the USDA has identified 250 regulations that could be rolled back. Among the criteria the USDA is using to evaluate the effectiveness of a regulation are: 1) Does the regulation protect the public at a reasonable cost? 2) Does the regulation help manage risk? 3) Is there a hidden agenda behind the regulation 4) How does the regulation impact the ability of the U.S. to take the product around the world? Green said the USDA is making progress on work to protect U.S. agriculture in trade deals. For photos from the commodity conference visit http://bit.ly/17CommConf1 or http://bit.ly/17CommConf2. McGOUGH RECEIVES GFB COMMODITY AWARD Longtime Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Commodities Director Don McGough received the 2017 GFB Commodity Award during the GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 3 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. One of the organization’s highest honors, the commodity award is given each year to honor individuals who have supported and promoted Georgia agriculture. “I’ve known Don throughout my time being involved with Georgia Farm Bureau. His dedication to our farmer members through the years was evident by the relationships he has made with all the groups he has worked with,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “Don was an integral part of our organization’s success for nearly 40 years.” McGough was born in Tifton and grew up in Lee County on his Don McGough, left, family’s farm, where they grew peanuts and corn and raised cattle with GFB President and hogs. In his youth he was an active 4-H’er and in high school, Gerald Long McGough participated in FFA. As an FFA member, he raised boars, showed steers, participated in public speaking projects, and sang in the FFA Quartet. Shortly after graduating from the University of Georgia in 1977, McGough began working at Georgia Farm Bureau in the Field Services Department. After a brief stint at the organization’s state offices, he moved to GFB’s 10th District and was the district field representative. McGough briefly left GFB to work in agriculture research for DeKalb Seed in Edenton, North Carolina, but soon returned to GFB as a commodity specialist in the Commodities/Marketing Department in 1980. In 1986 McGough was named assistant director of the department and was promoted to department director in 1997. McGough, who worked under six GFB presidents, retired March 30 after 37 years with GFB. He has been married to his wife, Patti, for 42 years and has three grown sons: Jon, Alan and Patrick.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 GA POULTRY LAB LEADER REVIEWS EFFORTS TO CONTROL AVIAN INFLUENZA Georgia Poultry Lab Executive Director Dr. Louise Zavala reviewed the outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza that occurred in Chattooga County this spring and gave recommendations poultry growers should follow to prevent spreading the avian influenza virus if another outbreak occurs. “We have to treat the low pathogenic avian influenza (AI) viruses like the high path viruses because of their potential to mutate,” Zavala said during the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Conference on Aug. 3. “We export about twenty percent of the poultry we produce in Georgia. Even if we have one case of high pathogenic AI all exports from our state will be blocked. The recommendations we make on AI is all about controlling the spread of the virus.” Zavala said the quick and efficient response of the Georgia team charged Louise Zavala with handling positive AI cases resulted in the 6-mile quarantine zone around the infected farm being released in just 55 days after confirmation of the disease. She pointed out there were only 3 other poultry farms in the 6-mile zone that had to be monitored whereas some Georgia counties with lots of poultry production might have as many as 90 poultry houses in a 6-mile zone. Zavala urged poultry growers to report any drop in production or health issues to their poultry company to be investigated, allowing a potential case of AI to be detected as soon as possible to prevent further spread of the virus. Growers and poultry companies receive indemnity payments to cover the live birds in the house at the time the virus is confirmed that will have to be depopulated to prevent the spread of the virus. Growers are also compensated for the depopulation cost. Only birds on infected farms are depopulated but all farms in the 6-mile quarantine zone are tested for 30 days. Zavala said the Georgia Poultry Lab (GPL) will begin conducting biosecurity audits of poultry farms next spring that will be tied to eligibility for indemnity payments. The GPL is currently helping poultry companies and growers prepare for the audits. McCORKLE RECEIVES NURSERY INDUSTRY RECOGNITION Georgia Farm Bureau 4th District Director Skeetter McCorkle was named one of six recipients of the Horticultural Industries Leadership Award, presented by Greenhouse Management and Nursery Management magazines. McCorkle, who serves as president of McDuffie County Farm Bureau, was first elected to the GFB Board of Directors in 2012. He is president of McCorkle Nurseries, a 75-year-old, third generation family business that sells landscaping plants in several states. “We’ve been evolutionary. We follow the market and opportunities, which sometimes means making hard choices to follow those opportunities and expand,” McCorkle told the magazines. “The expression ‘change or die’ comes to mind. I don’t change just for the sake of change. We make prudent changes and are sensitive to whatever the environment brings. My dad taught me that Skeetter a rut is a grave with both ends kicked out of it and not to get sedentary or set McCorkle in our ways.” McCorkle served on a task force that recommended state tax reforms that included the expansion of the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption, which has saved significant money for farmers statewide since it went to effect in 2013. To read the magazine’s article about McCorkle visit http://magazine.nurserymag.com/article/july-2017/a-servants-heart.aspx.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES TO HAY CONTEST AND HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the GFB 2017 Quality Hay Contest. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the University of Georgia Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and likely animal intake of hay. Producers may enter more than one sample in the contest. There is a $20 entry fee for each sample entered in the contest to cover lab costs. Applications and instructions for submitting samples are available at county Farm Bureau offices or may be downloaded at the GFB website http://www.gfb.org/commodities/hay_contest.html. Submitted samples must be dried in the field and come from fields with a minimum maturity/regrowth of 25 days. Samples with moisture levels above 18 percent or nitrates greater than 4,500 parts per million will be disqualified. To review the contest rules in their entirety visit the website above. Checks to cover the entry fee should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Entry forms and samples should be sent to the GFB Public Policy Department, Agricultural Programs, 1620 Bass Road Macon, Ga., 31210. The deadline to enter is Oct. 31. The first-place prize is free use of a Vermeer 504N Signature Baler for one year courtesy of Vermeer. Winners will be announced on Dec. 4 during the GFB Awards Program at the GFB Convention on Jekyll Island. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale are also invited to list their farm in the 2017 GFB Quality Hay Directory. Completed forms should be sent to the GFB office in Macon along with a check for $10 for each listing. Those who enter the hay contest receive a free entry in the directory. Checks should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. The directory will be published online at www.gfb.org/commodities/hay.html and entries can be made or updated at any time. The directory will include space for custom hay harvesting and custom sprigging. GFB TO SPONSOR LIVESTOCK EVENTS AT GA NATIONAL FAIRGROUNDS Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) will serve as the premier livestock sponsor for the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter (GNFA) for the 2017-2018 season. GFB proudly supports the Fairgrounds and Agricenter’s mission and vision to be a leading organization for youth to exhibit, learn and compete with livestock. “We are extremely excited and grateful for the partnership between ourselves and the Georgia Farm Bureau. Agriculture is such an important commodity to our state and when you combine today’s youth, with the opportunity of showing livestock we can’t think of a better event to support and promote,” said GNFA Marketing and Sponsorship Director Keaton Walker. GFB and the GFB Foundation for Agriculture have sponsored grand championship prizes in cattle, goats, sheep and swine competitions for years. Under the new agreement, GFB will also sponsor many other prizes given to participants in the livestock shows. “Showing livestock has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s something I strongly believe in,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “Participating instills a sense of pride in you, realizing your own potential so early in life. Giving back to a cause that is innately part of me is a gift in and of itself.” Working with and training livestock requires daily commitment and hours of preparation and teaches youth the value of hard work. As 4-H’ers and FFA members prepare their livestock to show, they learn the importance of responsibility and dedication. “It is exciting for the youth of our state to be able to further their agricultural projects because of the funding made available by GFB. We’re eager to see the future growth of the Junior livestock program and we appreciate companies such as Georgia Farm Bureau for their shared vision,” said GNFA Agriculture and Youth Livestock Director Philip Gentry.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 DAVID PERDUE COSPONSORS IMMIGRATION BILL IN SENATE On Aug. 2, U.S. Sens. David Perdue (R-GA) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act (S. 1720), a bill the senators say would spur economic growth and raise working Americans’ wages by giving priority to the best-skilled immigrants from around the world and reduce overall immigration by half. “Right now, our current immigration system does not meet the needs of our economy,” Perdue said. “We want to welcome talented individuals from around the world who wish to come to the United States legally to work and make a better life for themselves. The RAISE Act will create a skills-based system that is more responsive to the needs of our economy and preserves the quality of jobs available to American workers.” Georgia Farm Bureau has taken no position on the bill. GFB seeks reforms to the H-2A agricultural guest worker program and a workable national policy that allows a legal, stable supply of workers for all types of agriculture. According to a joint press release from the two senators, the bill would: • Establish a Skills-Based Points System. The RAISE Act would replace the current permanent employment-visa system with a skills-based points system, which would prioritize those immigrants who are best positioned to succeed in the United States and expand the economy. Applicants earn points based on education, English-language ability, high-paying job offers, age, record of achievement, and entrepreneurial initiative. • Prioritize Immediate Family Households. The RAISE Act would retain immigration preferences for the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents while eliminating preferences for certain categories of extended and adult family members. • Eliminate the Outdated Diversity Visa Lottery. The Diversity Lottery is plagued with fraud, advances no economic or humanitarian interest, and does not even promote diversity. The RAISE Act would eliminate the 50,000 visas arbitrarily allocated to this lottery. • Place a Responsible Limit on Permanent Residency for Refugees. The RAISE Act would limit refugees offered permanent residency to 50,000 per year, in line with a 13-year average. Visit http://bit.ly/Perdueimmigration to read the complete text of the bill. MONSANTO RESPONDS TO ISSUES SURROUNDING DICAMBA On Aug. 2, Monsanto published an open letter to its farmer customers from Chief Technology Officer Robb Fraley in response to reports of crop damage in fields near those on which dicamba herbicide is being used to control weeds. Fraley wrote that the overwhelming majority of farmers have had success using Monsanto’s dicamba weed control product, Xtendimax with Vaporgrip technology, but that the company has also heard the reports of leaf cupping in soybeans planted near fields where Xtendimax is used. Fraley asked farmers to report leaf cupping or other symptoms they believe could be the result of off-target herbicide movement. The company will follow those reports by setting up meetings between its agronomic specialists and the farmers to review the situation in the fields. Reports can be made by calling 1-844-RRXTEND (1-844-779-8363). Monsanto has directed scientists with one of its subsidiaries, The Climate Corporation, to review weather data across growing regions to help understand what environmental conditions may have affected the herbicide. Fraley said the company would continue its outreach, education and training going into the 2018 season. To read the letter in its entirety visit http://monsanto.info/2vmj3tC.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 GEORGIA FARM MONITOR WINS TWO GABBY MERIT AWARDS The Georgia Farm Monitor, Georgia Farm Bureau’s weekly television show, was honored with two “Gabby” Merit Awards during the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) Summer Conference. “We are proud to be recognized for what our state board and president allows us to do each week - telling the stories of Georgia’s Agriculture producers,” said Farm Monitor Executive Producer Andy Lucas. “The Farm Monitor staff is humbled by this award, but the real winners are the farmers whose story we have the opportunity to tell.” The Monitor won the TV Division AA Gabby Merit Award for Best Locally Produced Program (non news or sports) for its 50th Anniversary Special. Web & Video Production Manager Michael Edmondson, Co-Anchor Kenny Burgamy and Lucas put together the show, which originally aired Nov. 12, 2016. Monitor Senior Producer Ray D’Alessio won Merit Award in the Best Feature Story or Series category for his piece about Comfort Farms, which offers sanctuary and help to military veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. The story first aired April 16, 2016. GACD ANNOUNCES CASEY COX AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Casey Cox has been named executive director of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD). GACD is a grassroots non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for the conservation of Georgia’s natural resources by providing organization, leadership and a unified strategic direction to the 40 Soil and Water Conservation Districts of the State. Cox, from Camilla, joins GACD from the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, where she also serves as executive director. She will lead GACD’s projects, develop strategic partnerships, and support natural resource conservation efforts while serving as director for both organizations. “This marks a new era for GACD,” says GACD President Woody Snell. “We look forward to building a strong network among our districts and significantly advancing conservation efforts with Casey at the helm.” Casey Cox “Our relationship with conservation districts spans decades,” said USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Terrance Rudolph. “We are excited to see what this new chapter in our partnership holds and look forward to working with Casey and the GACD leadership to achieve many more decades of success.” Cox serves on the GFB Forestry Committee and chairs the Mitchell County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. GRANT AWARDED TO SOUTHEAST POULTRY LAB The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service awarded a $141.5 million federal grant to the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory Campus at the U.S. National Poultry Research Center in Athens, according to a news release from Sen. Johnny Isakson. The grant will support the design and construction services for the new campus. The new facility will include modernized laboratories, biosafety environments and holding facilities. “This new state-of-the-art center will allow our Georgia-based Southeast Poultry Research Lab to continue as the world leader in poultry health research, supporting Georgia jobs and protecting our food supply from threats like avian flu,” said Isakson, a co-founder of the Senate Chicken Caucus. “This facility is of national and international importance, and I am delighted with today’s news from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 HONEYBEE WORKSHOP Aug. 16 Carroll County Ag Center 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Carrollton Clemson University Apiculture Specialist Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda, PhD Clemson University Apiculture Specialist, will speak about working with Varroa mites and her beekeeping program at Clemson. Since joining Clemson University as South Carolina’s Apiculture Specialist in 2014, she has been working on research projects related to honey bee genetics and pesticide exposure in ornamental landscapes. Dr. Tsuruda has also been organizing and speaking at scientific meetings, guest lecturing, participating in field days, holding training programs and outreach events. Cost to attend is $10. To register, contact Richard Littleton by email at rlittle@uga.edu or call Carroll County Extension at 770-836-8546. Checks can be made payable to Carroll County Extension/4H. Mail to UGA Extension Carroll County, 900 Newnan Road, Carrollton, GA 30117. NATIONAL CHILDREN’S CENTER OFFERING AG SAFETY GRANTS Aug. 16 deadline to apply Proposals are now being accepted for mini-grants up to $20,000 to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. The National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety plans to award three grants. Since 2002, 55 projects have been funded through the National Children's Center. For information on eligibility, how to improve your chances of being funded, submitting a proposal and frequently asked questions, go to: https://www.marshfieldresearch.org/nccrahs/mini-grants or contact Marsha Salzwedel, M.S., salzwedel.marsha@marshfieldresearch.edu or by phone at 715-389-5226 or 1800-662-6900 option 8. JOINT AGRICULTURE CHAIRMEN’S AG ISSUES SUMMIT Aug. 23 Georgia Museum of Agriculture 10 a.m. Tifton This event, hosted by Georgia House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McCall and Georgia Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Wilkinson, is an opportunity for industry stakeholders and elected officials to hear issues of importance. The agenda includes several important agricultural issues such as the Destination Ag education program, Georgia water resource planning, Georgia Ag Tax Exemption (GATE), and more. There will be live discussions and an opportunity for questions. Lunch will be provided. Meeting space is limited, so an RSVP is required no later than Aug. 18. For information on how to RSVP, please call the Georgia Farm Bureau Public Policy Department at 800-342-1196. 2017 AGAWARE WORKSHOP Aug. 25 Burke County Office Park Waynesboro AgSouth Farm Credit and AgGeorgia Farm Credit are hosting this workshop to give farmers a better understanding of how to approach their finances. Topics covered in the program include: balance sheets; income statements; family finance & family budgeting; risk management; accrual income; applying for financing and preparing a business plan. Bonus videos on recordkeeping, marketing and technology will be available for continued education. To register visit http://bit.ly/agawaresignup.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 11 AFBF COUNTY ACTIVITIES OF EXCELLENCE Sept. 1 deadline to apply The American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards are designed to celebrate unique volunteer-driven programming at the local level. The program recognizes and shares successful county Farm Bureau programs and activities to help generate grassroots activity. The CAE program categorizes activities into the following areas: Education and Ag Promotion, Member Services, Public Relations and Information, Leadership Development and Policy Implementation. Up to 24 county Farm Bureau activities from across the nation will be selected to display in the IDEAg Trade Show January 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. Individual county activities and multi-county collaborative activities selected will receive $2,250 toward expenses incurred to participate in the CAE program at the AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show as well as four free convention registrations. For information about the program or to enter, visit http://bit.ly/AFBFCAE. 22nd ANNUAL LUMBER CITY FARM DAY FESTIVAL Sept. 9 & 10 Lumber City Saturday’s events include a Fun Run & 5K race, arts/crafts, food vendors, a parade and live entertainment. A community church service will be held Sept. 10. For more information or to register for the race visit www.lumbercityfarmday.org or call Jeanette Ban at 912-363-4643 or email jeaban2007@mac.com. 31ST ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR Sept. 19-20 Southwest Georgia The 31st annual Georgia Peanut Tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a firsthand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Tour stops will be made in several peanut producing counties including Dougherty, Lee and Sumter County. Attendees can expect to see first-hand nearly every aspect of peanut production in the state. This year's tour hosts many exciting stops including on-farm harvest demonstrations and clinics, peanut processing facilities, and several special highlights which include research at the University of Georgia Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center, Jimmy Carter's Boyhood Home, Georgia Seed Development Commission Foundation Seed Facility in Plains, Smithville Peanut Company Buying Point and JLA USA in Albany. Hotel accommodations can be made at the Merry Acres Inn in Albany, Georgia, by calling 229-435-7721. Rooms are available at the rate of $89 plus tax for a standard room. Ask for the Georgia Peanut Tour room block. To register online visit http://bit.ly/17GAPnutTour. For more information contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-386-3470.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 BARN BASH CHARITY CONCERT Sept. 23 Double P Farms 3 p.m. Williamson Marc Broussard will headline this inaugural event to benefit the Brand Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund. Brandon lost his battle with Glioblastoma on Feb. 15. This event will raise money for scholarships that will be given out to a Pike County High School senior in memory of Brandon. This year’s event will have bounce houses, rock climbing wall, great food vendors and of course great entertainment with Marc Broussard, Southbound and Lambert Osteen & Friends. Double P Farms is located at the intersection of Dunbar School Road and Jonathan’s Roost Road in Williamson. Gates open at 2 p.m. and music starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. To purchase advance tickets visit https://www.xorbia.com/e/barnbash/2017. FIREWISE ON THE FARM FIELD DAY Sept. 26 William Harris Homestead, 3636 Hwy 11 N, 9:30 a.m. – noon Monroe This free field day, sponsored in part by Walton County Farm Bureau, promotes fire safety on the farm and in the home. Numerous agencies will give demonstrations and provide information about fire safety. The fire departments will be demonstrating equipment and methods of prevention and easy and convenient methods of extinguishing fires and how to equip a utility task vehicle with a small tank of water that is easily transported for equipment fires. For more information contact Frank Riley by email at frank.CCRCD@gmail.com or by phone at 706-897-1676. GEORGIA FARM TO SCHOOL SUMMIT Oct. 5 & 6 Helms College Augusta The Farm to School Summit connects schools, early care centers, and local farms and distributors to serve and champion healthy, local meals in cafeterias, improve student nutrition, and increase farm and gardening educational opportunities. This year’s summit welcomes farmers, teachers, early care educators and administrators, school nutrition staff, students, parents, and others interested in learning more about Georgia’s farm to school movement. Highlights include the opening keynote address from national farm to school leader Betti Wiggins of Detroit Public Schools, closing keynote address from Burke County School Nutrition Director and Presidentelect of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Donna Martin, workshops, educational sessions and networking. For more information visit http://bit.ly/farmtoschoolsummit. ASA DUPONT YOUNG LEADER PROGRAM Applications are being accepted for the ASA DuPont Young Leader program, a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase I of the 2017–18 program will take place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 28–30, 2017. The program continues Feb. 25–28, 2018 in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. Soybean grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply for the program which focuses on leadership and communication, the latest agricultural information and the development of a strong peer network. To apply, visit https://soygrowers.com/learn/youngleader-program-application/.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 SAVANNAH COMMUNITY GARDEN SEEKS VOLUNTEERS, DONATIONS The community garden at Savannah Regional Hospital needs volunteers to help with garden maintenance – weeding, watering, transplanting, pruning and other tasks – that cannot be completed by the hospital’s therapeutic patients. The garden has six raised beds and houses various plants that provide forage for butterflies and bees. The hospital also needs donations of small gardening supplies and other items to make it visually interesting. For more information, contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Jessica Mathis at 912-356-2826. FARM BUREAU-AFFILIATED FARMERS MARKETS CANTON FARMERS MARKET Through Oct. 28 Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Cannon Park Canton This market features 100 percent GA Grown produce and handcrafted items. Cherokee County Farm Bureau will hold an event once a month at the market promoting watermelon day, apple day, peach day etc. COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Lost Mountain Park Powder Springs Cobb County Farm Bureau (CCFB) in cooperation with Cobb County Parks & Recreation is hosting 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 food to the community. Each vendor must be a Farm Bureau member. Vendor fees are only $5 per week, with a discount for paying in full for the entire market season. For more information contact cobbcountyfarmbureau@gmail.com or Debbie Payne at dmpayne@gfb.org or 770-9433531. MONROE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays until Oct. 7 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street, Downtown Monroe This market, sponsored in part by Walton County Farm Bureau, features fresh produce and goods from local farmers, work from local artisans and family friendly activities. For more information visit www.monroedowntownfarmersmarket.com PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Thursdays through Oct. 26 3 p.m.-7 p.m., 549 Hardee St. Dallas Paulding County Farm Bureau (PCFB) is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market being held at the PCFB office. Visit the market’s Facebook page (http://bit.ly/PCFBmkt) for weekly updates. Vendors sell locally grown produce and other ag commodities or homemade crafts. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members. To participate in the market, contact Tracy Grice at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. ROCKDALE/DEKALB FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays & Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, RDCFB office Conyers The Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau Farmers Market will be held 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. The market is expected to run into late summer or early fall when produce production ends. For more information contact the Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau office at 770-922-3566.
GFB News Alert page 11 of 11 SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS MARKET Sept. 2 & Oct. 21 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) sponsors this monthly open-air market that features local farmers and entrepreneurs selling products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. Market 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. UNION COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville The public is welcome to shop for fresh, locally grown vegetables from local farmers. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at 706-781-8802 or visit www.ucfarmersmarket.com. Union County Farm Bureau will sponsor a tractor show at the market Labor Day weekend. WOODSTOCK FARM FRESH MARKET Saturdays through September 8:30 am to Noon. Woodstock Located on Market Street in Downtown Woodstock, the market features vendors who grow at least 85 percent of the products they sell. The Cherokee County Farm Bureau is partnering with the market to bring special events to the market throughout the 2017 season. For more information call 770-924-0406 or visit http://bit.ly/WoodstockFarmFreshMarket.