December 10 , 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 49
DEAL, PERDUE SPEECHES HIGHLIGHT GFB 77TH ANNUAL CONVENTION More than 1,500 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Island Dec. 7-9 for Georgia Farm Bureau’s 77th Annual Convention, highlighted by speeches from Gov. Nathan Deal and U.S. Senator-elect David Perdue during the Dec. 8 general session. In a 25-minute address, Deal thanked GFB for its support in his re-election campaign and touched on a variety of topics. He noted that the state’s population and economy are growing, that the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project will pay dividends for Georgia farmers, that adjustments to the Flint River Drought Protection Act should help with the water lawsuit in the Supreme Court filed by Florida. He also discussed EPA regulations, transportation and the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE). “The GATE program is always subject to legislative oversight,” Deal said. “As you use your GATE cards responsibly, I hope you will encourage your neighbors to do so as well. We do not need to revisit this issue under the cloud of inappropriate use.” In what he called his first public opportunity to speak since winning the election to succeed Saxby Chambliss in the U.S. Senate, Perdue discussed labor, government regulations, energy and term limits in Washington. He said he is lobbying for a spot on the Senate Ag Committee. Agriculture, he said, “is the backbone of our state. It’s the backbone of our country. What you do is an honorable profession. Our future as a country to some degree resides in whether or not we have a healthy agricultural community. In Georgia, you’re the largest business we have, and that’s what you do. You run a business every day.” American Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Chairman Jake Carter also spoke on Dec. 8. The three-day convention included a trade show and commodity conference where farmers heard updates on policy and production issues affecting Georgia’s major agricultural commodities. The convention featured GFB’s annual award program and the final round of the 2014 GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet. Attendees were treated to a showing of the documentary film “Farmland” and a demonstration landing of the AirEvac Lifeteam, for which GFB members can receive discounted memberships to use the service in life-threatening emergencies. During the Dec. 9 business session, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black spoke and voting delegates approved the organization’s policy and elected its leaders for 2015. GFB President Zippy Duvall highlighted the organization’s key initiatives in 2014, including membership growth, Farm Bureau’s Ditch the Rule campaign against the water rule proposed by the U.S. EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and many others. “It has been a busy year and we can all be proud of our success,” Duvall said, “but we can’t live on past success. Just like on our farms, the end of one year is the beginning of the next. We have many challenges ahead.”
GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU PRESENTS STATE AWARDS The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation recognized the best of the organization’s volunteers and county chapters during an awards program held Dec. 7 at the GFB 77th Annual Convention on Jekyll Island. The state award winners were honored for the programs they conducted this past year to promote agriculture. Georgia Farm Bureau named a McKemie Award winner - the highest honor given to a county in recognition of its overall member programs - from each of its three membership categories. Bacon County Farm Bureau, whose president is David Lee, received the McKemie Award for the 0 to 1,299member division. Cook County Farm Bureau, whose president is Derry Bennett, won the McKemie Award for the 1,300 to 2,179-member division. Newton County Farm Bureau, whose president is Charles Berry, received the award in the 2,180 plus-member division. The McKemie Award is a memorial to one of the organization’s former presidents, W.J. McKemie. Drew and Shelly Echols of Hall County were named the GFB Young Farmer Achievement winners. The Echolses grow fresh fruit and vegetables with Drew’s grandfather, Jimmy; father, Jarl; and uncle Judah at Jaemor Farms. The family sells their produce at the original Jaemor Farm Market in Alto and at the new Jaemor Market in Commerce. Drew has been instrumental in starting and expanding agritourism activities Jaemor Farm offers at its Alto location, such as the corn maze and farm tours. Drew and Shelly served on the GFB Young Farmer Committee in 2005 and 2006. Drew is a Hall County Farm Bureau director and served as HCFB president from 2009-2013. The Echolses have a daughter Chloe and son Cohen. The Echolses received a $500 cash prize, courtesy of Georgia Farm Bureau, and an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention Jan. 10-12 in San Diego, Calif., to compete for national honors. They also received a Polaris rough-terrain-vehicle, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. Brittany Ivey of Stephens County won the Young Farmer Discussion Meet and will enjoy an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Convention in San Diego to compete for national honors, courtesy of GFB. Finalists included Heather Brannen of Bulloch County, Cleve Jackson of Floyd County and Constance Reid of Greene County. During the discussion meet, the contestants discussed how U.S. policy should balance concerns about food insecurity against concerns regarding the safety and environmental impact of modern ag technologies along with the role farmers should have in discussing these issues with society and lawmakers. Ivey also received a $500 cash award, courtesy of Georgia Farm Bureau, and a Polaris all-terrainvehicle courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. The three finalists each received a $350 cash award from SunTrust Bank. Trisha Lastly of Madison County won the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award. GFB presents this award to recognize young farmers who earn the majority of their income from something other than production agriculture. Lastly teaches agriculture at Madison County High School. She is a member of the Madison County Cattlemen’s Association and the Madison County chapter of Georgia Young Farmers. Lastly won $4,000, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance, and an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Convention in San Diego to compete for national honors, courtesy of GFB. Georgia Farm Bureau presented a Membership Excellence Award to a county from each of its three membership categories in recognition of the counties’ membership campaigns that -continued
GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 - Awards, continued resulted in membership growth. Turner County Farm Bureau, whose president is Ross Kendrick, received the GFB Membership Award for the 0 to 1,299-member division. Franklin County Farm Bureau, whose president is Michael Thomason, won the award for the 1,300 to 2,179-member division. Newton County Farm Bureau, whose president is Charles Berry, received the award in the 2,180 plus-member division. Other state awards presented included: Outstanding Promotion & Education Award received by Newton County Farm Bureau; Outstanding Women’s Leadership Committee Award received by Bacon County Farm Bureau; Outstanding Legislative Committee Award received by Henry County Farm Bureau; and Outstanding Young Farmer Committee Award received by Madison County Farm Bureau. Katy Seagraves, Clarke County Farm Bureau office manager, received the organization’s Outstanding Office Manager Award. She was recognized for her work to promote agriculture and Farm Bureau in her local community. Seagraves has been employed with Clarke County Farm Bureau since 2005. Carmen Power, a science teacher in Cherokee County, received GFB’s Georgia Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Educator Award. Power, who teaches fourth and fifth-graders at Free Home Elementary School in Canton, was recognized for incorporating information and activities in her classroom curriculum that teach her students about agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives. She received a $500 award and an expense-paid trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Louisville, Ky., in June 2015. GFB MEMBERS RE-ELECT DUVALL PRESIDENT FOR FIFTH TERM Voting delegates at the Georgia Farm Bureau 77th Annual Convention, held Dec. 7-9, on Jekyll Island, re-elected Zippy Duvall of Greene County to his fifth, two-year term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization. Duvall ran unopposed. In the past eight years, Georgia Farm Bureau has worked diligently under Duvall’s leadership to ensure the economic viability of Georgia’s farmers and educate the public about how Georgia farmers grow their food. A Farm Bureau member since 1977, Duvall, 58, and his wife, Bonnie, raise broilers, hay and beef cattle on their farm in Greene County. In other elections, voting delegates selected their state board of directors and officers for 2014. Bernard Sims of Catoosa County, who ran unopposed, was re-elected to his third, three-year term as North Georgia vice president. Sims, who was first elected in 2008, represents 49 counties in north Georgia. Sims, who also serves as the Catoosa County Farm Bureau president, grows turf grass, small grains, strawberries, hay and beef cattle. Duvall GFB voting delegates re-designated Gerald Long of Decatur County as the organization’s 1st vice president as he begins serving the second year of his third, three-year term as South Georgia vice president. Long and his family raise cattle and grow peanuts, vegetables, corn, cotton, hay, small grains and timber on their farm near Bainbridge. Robert Fountain Jr. of Emanuel County begins the third year of his second consecutive threeyear term as GFB Middle Georgia vice president. Fountain raises cattle, hay, timber, small grains and pecans on his family farm in Emanuel and Johnson counties. -continued
GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 - Elections, continued In district director races, Wesley Hall of Forsyth County was elected to a two-year term on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors as a 1st District director. William Grizzle of Cherokee County also ran for the position. Hall, who is president of the Forsyth County Farm Bureau, raises cattle and operates a custom farm business that specializes in hay baling and hay sales, the sale of chicken litter for fertilizer and commercial fertilizer spreading. Randy Ruff of Elbert County was re-elected as a GFB 2nd District director was elected as a GFB 2nd District director. Dennis Miles of Towns County also ran for the position. Ruff, who owns a dairy farm, is president of the Elbert County Farm Bureau and has served as a GFB 2nd District director since 2002. OR Don Wood of Wilcox County was re-elected as a GFB 8th District director was elected as a GFB 8th District director. Rodney Dunaway of Pulaski County, who had campaigned for the position, withdrew from the race. Wood, who grows row crops, pecans, watermelons and raises cattle, has served as a GFB 8th District director since 1982 and is a Wilcox County Farm Bureau director. The following were re-elected unopposed to serve two-year terms on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors: Nora Goodman of Paulding County, 3rd District; Skeetter McCorkle of McDuffie County, 4th District; Jim Ham of Monroe County, 5th District; James Emory Tate of Jeff Davis County, 6th District; Ben Boyd of Screven County, 7th District; Scotty Raines of Turner County, 8th District; Lucius Adkins of Baker County, 9th District and Daniel Johnson, of Pierce County, 10th District. GFB board members beginning the second year of the two-year term they were elected to in 2013 are: Bill Bryan of Chattooga County, 1st District; Bobby Gunter of Lumpkin County, 2nd District; George Chambers of Carroll County, 3rd District; Marvin Ruark of Morgan County, 4th District; Ralph Adamson of Lamar County, 5th District; James Malone of Laurens County, 6th District; Gary Bell of Evans County, 7th District; Paul Shirah of Mitchell County, 9th District and David Lee of Bacon County, 10th District. David Cromley of Bulloch County was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. Janet Greuel of Fayette County was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. Both will serve a one-year term as committee chairmen and will sit on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors. GFB COMMODITY COMMITTEES GET PRODUCTION, ECONOMIC INFO Eighteen of Georgia Farm Bureau’s 20 commodity advisory committees held meetings during GFB’s annual convention, receiving detailed information about economic factors affecting their commodity, research and promotion efforts. In the Peanut Committee meeting, UGA Extension Peanut Agronomist Dr. Scott Monfort reviewed the 2014 crop year, noting that early season rains followed by an extremely dry late season created a variety of stresses on peanut crops around the state, including slow emergence, flooding and thrips and herbicide injury in some cases. The dry conditions in the summer prompted growth and reproductive issues and widespread problems with the lesser corn stalk borer and spider mites, as well as disease issues. J.R. James Brokerage Company Vice President Jim Moore provided analysis of the peanut -continued Lange
GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 - Commodities, continued market in 2015 and beyond. The unused portion of the 2014 crop is forecast at 950,000 tons, which Moore indicated could keep prices in the 42-47 cents per pound range. The prices could be affected by aflatoxin damage being reported by some shelling companies, the fact that many farmers produced peanuts in 2014 without contracts and greatly expanded acreage. Moore indicated the acreage expansion is being driven in part by the first-time availability of crop insurance for peanuts under the 2014 farm bill. “We may have a record number of acres planted in 2015,” Moore said, saying estimates are as high as 1.8 million acres nationwide. “The farm bill is saying to growers, ‘plant peanuts.’” In the GFB Cotton Committee meeting, National Cotton Council President Dr. Mark Lange said the cotton industry faces a variety of challenges in dealing with federal regulations, managing contamination and navigating international markets, particularly in China and Turkey. China has built huge reserves, its government is making payments to growers in a key western province and is limiting imports. Chinese mills, Lange said, are moving away from using cotton because polyester is less expensive. In Turkey, which normally imports about 2 million bales of U.S. cotton per year, the government has announced an anti-dumping investigation on U.S. cotton imports unprompted by complaints of its own growers. In the event this results in tariffs it likely will have a chilling effect on U.S.-Turkey cotton trade. “The Turkish importers say they’ll just buy cotton somewhere else rather than pay the duties,” Lange said. Despite the challenges, domestic cotton use seems likely to increase, with foreign companies locating major mills in the United States to be close to U.S. cotton production areas. During the GFB Water Committee Conference, Georgia EPD Program Director of Agricultural Water Use Cliff Lewis said the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to address the lawsuit Florida filed against Georgia over access to water from the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers in two to three years. Attorney Brad Carver, who also addressed the GFB Water Committee Conference, outlined the claim Georgia has to water from the Tennessee River stemming from a flawed survey in 1808 that improperly sited the Georgia/Tennessee line one mile south of the mutually agreed upon border at the 35th parallel. Carver, who says Georgia never accepted the survey, maintains Georgia should have access to the river at Nickajack reservoir, which could supply Georgia with more than a billion gallons of water a day. Speaking at the GFB Beef Committee Conference, Georgia Department of Agriculture Commodity Commissions Manager Andy Harrison gave an overview of Georgia's Commodity Commissions and an update on the Georgia Beef Commission, which will use the $1 per head of cattle sold that it began collecting from producers in July to fund research, education and beef promotion programs. John Callaway, who serves as chairman of the GFB Beef Committee and the Georgia Beef Commission, said the Beef Commission expects to select the first research, education and promotion programs it will fund in the first quarter of 2015. Mike Wylie, a wetlands inspector with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 4, spoke at the GFB Fruit & Vegetable Committee meeting, telling producers they should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service Office before converting woody wetlands to fields to determine if the land conversion will require a permit from EPA or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wylie said conversion of woodland that requires draining, dredging or filling to convert it to farm fields requires a Corps permit and could put landowners in violation of farm programs.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 FORMER CARROLL CO. FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT CHAMBERS DIES Alvin Chambers, who served as Carroll County Farm Bureau president in 2013, died on Dec. 6. He was 87. Chambers was born in Eatonton to Rev. George Alvin Chambers and Nellie Tisinger Chambers and moved to Bowdon when he was an infant. Chambers graduated from Bowdon High School in 1943, and went to Berry College until old enough to join the U.S. Navy during WW II. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at the University of Georgia. Chambers began his teaching career at East Coweta High School and before being called back into active military service during the Korean War. In 1953 Chambers married Virginia Ruth Dees whom he met while attending the University of Georgia where they both earned their Master's Degrees. Chambers received his Educational Administration certification and later added the six-year certification at Auburn University. He was Principal of Western High School in Coweta County, and later returned to Carroll County and served as principal of Roopville Elementary until retiring in 1988. After retiring from education, Chambers raised cattle full time. He served on the Carroll County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for more than 30 years. He also served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Beef Advisory Committee from 1997 to 2008, including six years as chairman. Chambers was an active member of Victory United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Sylvain Lodge F & A M for more than 50 years and the American Legion Post #143. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Rev. George Chambers. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Virginia Ruth Chambers and son, George Alvin Chambers (Candi), and grandchildren, Kaleb and Taylor, brother Eugene Chambers and wife Barbara, and sister-in-law, Jewel Chambers, and with several nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to R.CALF USA, P.O. Box 30715, Billings, MT 59107 or Victory United Methodist Church, 210 South Street, Carrollton, GA 30117. MUSCOGEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT GEORGE DUDLEY DIES President George Williams Dudley, who had served as Muscogee County Farm Bureau president since 1984, died on Dec. 6. He was 92. Dudley was born Aug. 31, 1922, in Seale, Ala.,, son of the late Albert Homer Dudley and Mattie Williams Dudley. He lived in Seale, and moved to Columbus to play football at Columbus High School. He enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II. Dudley attended St. Luke United Methodist Church, supported the Valley Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army along with the Boy Scouts of America, and he was a member of the Lions Club. On his family’s farm he raised cattle, timber and various crops. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Brad Richards Dudley and George Williams Dudley Jr.; his brother, Albert Homer Dudley Jr. (Bubba) and sister, Dorothy Banks Dudley (Dot). He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wilda Richards Dudley; two daughters, Anne Dudley Lee (Steve) of Birmingham, Ala. and Nancy Dudley Gordy (George) of Columbus; three grandchildren, Cheryl Lee and Stuart Lee of Birmingham, Ala., Chris Gordy (Rachel) of Columbus; two great-granddaughters, Sarah Lee of Birmingham, Ala. and Bailey Claire Gordy of Columbus; his nephew, Albert Homer Dudley "Bud"; his loving caretakers, Elaine Jordan and Nadena Billingslea; along with many cherished friends and family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Respite Care Center, Valley Rescue Mission of Columbus or The Salvation Army.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 GFB/UGA EXTENSION FARM BILL INFORMATION MEETINGS Dec. 12 C.W. Pettigrew Center 9:30 a.m. – noon Fort Valley Dec. 15 UGA Tifton Conference Center 9:30 a.m. – noon Tifton Dec. 15 Cloud Livestock Center 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Bainbridge Dec. 16 Terrell County 4-H Pavilion 9:30 a.m. – noon Dawson Dec. 16 Brooks County Ag Annex 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Quitman Dec. 17 Captain’s Corner Restaurant 9:30 a.m. – noon Vidalia Dec. 17 Burke County Office Park 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Waynesboro Dec. 18 Clarence Brown Conf. Center 9:30 a.m. – noon Cartersville Dec. 18 Jackson EMC 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Hull Dec. 19 Alma Blueberry Warehouse 9:30 a.m. – noon Alma Georgia Farm Bureau and UGA Extension are providing this series of farm bill educational meetings. The meetings, conducted by UGA agricultural economists Nathan Smith and Don Shurley, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), will feature information and analysis to help farmers and landowners understand what is required and assist them in farm bill program enrollment decisions. A complimentary meal is provided at the conclusion of all the meetings. Anyone planning to attend should contact their local Extension office so arrangements can be made for the meals. GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION NOMINATION MEETINGS Dec. 15 District 3 - Emanuel County Farm Bureau 11 a.m. Swainsboro Dec. 16 District 1 – Miller County Extension 10 a.m. Colquitt These nomination meetings to fill two positions on the Georgia Peanut Commission Board of Directors will be conducted by Georgia Farm Bureau. The three-year terms expire Dec. 31 for the incumbents in these two positions. Each nominee must produce peanuts and live within the district for which he is nominated. Tim Burch of Baker County is the incumbent in District 1. Counties in District One include: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell and Seminole. Joe Boddiford of Screven County is the incumbent in District 3. Counties in District Three include: Appling, Bacon, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Washington and Wayne. Any producer living in the district may be nominated or make nominations at the meeting. Incumbents are eligible for renomination. If more than one person is nominated, an election will be conducted by mail ballot. If only one person qualifies for the position, no election is required, and the nominated person automatically becomes a member of the commission board. NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL STAX WEBINAR Dec. 17 10 a.m. to noon online The National Cotton Council is hosting a series of regional webinars as a follow-up to the regional STAX/Farm Bill workshops held in November. The Southeast Region webinar will be held Wed. Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. The session will include regional examples of insurance rates, county yields and other information regarding farm programs. To participate, call 1-800-377-8846 use participant code: 55634947# and then login to the webinar site at https://cotton.adobeconnect.com/stax . Once you are at the web address, the default option is to enter as a guest. Type your name into the box and select the button “Enter Room”.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 11 SIGNUP FOR WRE, ALE ENDS DECEMBER 18 Sign-up continues for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). To be considered for the fiscal year 2015 program, applications must be submitted by Dec. 18. ACEP, created through the 2014 Farm Bill, is a program that has two components, known as Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). These easements would restore and enhance wetlands and improve habitat. Applications will be rated according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds, fish and other wildlife. Applications ALE are accepted from eligible partners. Applications must be submitted to Georgia NRCS for both ACEP-ALE and ACEP-WRE. Applications are available at your local USDA Service Center and at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. For more information about ACEP and other Farm Bill programs in Georgia visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov. EQIP SIGN-UP ENDS DECEMBER 19 Georgia producers who wish to be considered for financial assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program should apply by Dec. 19. This year, the process is streamlined giving producers an opportunity to apply for all general EQIP, as well as special initiatives such as the Longleaf Pine, National Water Quality,On-Farm Energy, Organic,Seasonal High Tunnel, StrikeForce, Working Lands for Wildlife and the North Georgia Irrigation Pilot Project, by making one visit to a local USDA Service Centers. EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water and other natural resource concerns on private lands. EQIP conservation practices include, but are not limited to: pasture and hay land planting, heavy use areas, waste storage facilities, terracing, pest management, tree planting, seasonal high tunnels, organic crop assistance, and wildlife habitat management. More information on NRCS conservation programs can be found at www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab. 2015 GFB DISTRICT II YOUNG FARMER STEER AND HEIFER SHOW Jan. 17, 2015 White County Agr-Science Center Cleveland This one-day show features cash prizes and plaques, as well as a $250 scholarship for the 12thgrade showmanship winner. Check-in runs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. State show rules apply. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 22, 2014. Entry fee is $20 per animal for Georgia Farm Bureau members and $30 per animal for non-members. Show is open to junior beef cattle exhibitors from Union, Towns, Rabun, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Hall, Banks, Stephens, Franklin, Jackson, Madison and Elbert counties. The barn will be open at 5 p.m. on Jan. 16 for early arrivals. For more information contact Will Cabe at 706-988-0018 or willcabe@yahoo.com, Matthew London at 706-969-9284 or mlondon9284@gmail.com, or Clay Talton at 706-9880153 or cstalton@gfb.org. 2014 GATE CARDS EXPIRE DEC. 31 The Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program is an agricultural sales tax exemption certificate issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture that identifies the card holder as an ag producer qualified for the tax exemption. All 2014 GATE cards expire Dec. 31. To renew your card visit http://forms.agr.georgia.gov/gate/ or call 1-855-FARM-TAX (855-327-6829) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. There is a $20 fee for online applications and a $25 fee for applications made via mail or phone. Many county Farm Bureau offices will assist their members with online signups or renewals. The GATE card should only be used to purchase items that qualify under the program for the production of ag commodities.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 INAUGURAL ABAC YOUNG FARMERS STEER AND HEIFER SHOW Jan. 23 & 24 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This show, organized by the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Farm Bureau chapter, is open to all 4-H and FFA members in Georgia in grades 4-12. Georgia show rules and regulations apply to all entries. Complete rules are available at http://tinyurl.com/4hshowrules. Entry fees are $35 per exhibitor and entry forms must be postmarked by Jan. 3, 2015. Late entries will be accepted with a $10 late fee. T-shirts will be given to all exhibitors. For more information contact Charlsy Anesetti at 770-490-6391 or canessett@stallions.abac.edu or Johnathan Barrett at 706-499-3456 or j24barrett@gmail.com. VEGETABLE MARKETING ORDER HEARING Jan. 6, 2015 Macon Farmers Market 10 a.m. Macon This is a public hearing regarding the proposed marketing order for the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Vegetables. Anyone may make comments. Participants at the hearing are required to register on arrival. Individuals may also submit written comments by mail or email to: Andy Harrison, Commodity Commissions Manager, Ga. Dept. of Agriculture, 19 MLK Jr. Dr. S.W., Room 324, Atlanta, Ga. 30334 or via email to andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov. Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2015, in order to be considered. The proposed marketing order would assess vegetable producers 1 cent per marketing unit on affected products. The affected products are include bell peppers, specialty peppers, beans, broccoli, beets, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, greens, squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes produced for sale on the fresh market. The order would apply to all producers of those vegetables for sale who have 50 acres or more of vegetable production annually. Revenue generated by the marketing order would be used for research, promotion and education. For information contact Harrison at 404-586-1405. AG SAFETY GROUP OFFERING GRANTS Grants of up to $10,000 are being offered by a national coalition of agribusinesses, producer organizations and safety professionals in order to foster new champions of agricultural safety and health. The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) has announced an application deadline of January 7, 2015. Information regarding eligibility, priorities, application instructions and frequently asked questions is available at http://www.ashca.org. SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 8-11, 2015 International Trade and Convention Center Savannah This annual conference features nine crop-specific workshops plus workshops on roadside markets, business operations and food safety. New for 2015 are the Southeast Farm Market Bus Tour on Jan 8 and the National Vegetable Grafting Symposium, and the always-popular trade show with more than 200 exhibitors. For more information or to register, visit http://www.seregionalconference.com.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 2015 AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 14 Brenau Georgia Mountains Center 9 a.m. Gainesville Jan. 15 Clarence Brown Conference Center 9 a.m. Cartersville Jan. 16 Cloud Livestock Facility 9 a.m. Bainbridge Jan. 21 Toombs County Agricenter 9 a.m. Lyons Jan. 22 UGA Conference Center 7 a.m. Tifton Jan. 23 Georgia Farm Bureau 9 a.m. Macon This series, supported by an endowment from Georgia Farm Bureau with additional support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, focuses on how technology is being used to solve problems for the ag industry along with the 2015 economic outlook for agricultural commodities. All of the meetings except Tifton will be followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. The Tifton event begins with breakfast Cost is $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com, call 706583-0347 or email carlam@uga.edu. Follow the meetings on UGA CAES Facebook or on Twitter @GaAgForecast and join the conversation with #AgForecast. GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE Jan. 15, 2015 UGA Tifton Conference Center 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton This annual must-go event features 100 exhibits, nearly $40,000 in door prizes, a free farmer lunch and educational sessions, including pesticide applicators certification classes. For more information contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-386-3470 or info@gapeanuts.com, or visit the GPC website at www.gapeanuts.com. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 15 Holiday Inn Express (1502 Sam Nunn Blvd.) Perry Meeting, which begins at 1 p.m. will provide a program update for 2015. Call 1-800-269-9926 to RSVP or for more information. INAUGURAL ABAC YOUNG FARMERS STEER AND HEIFER SHOW Jan. 23 & 24 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This show, organized by the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Farm Bureau chapter, is open to all 4-H and FFA members in Georgia in grades 4-12. Georgia show rules and regulations apply to all entries. Complete rules are available at http://tinyurl.com/4hshowrules. Entry fees are $35 per exhibitor and entry forms must be postmarked by Jan. 3, 2015. Late entries will be accepted with a $10 late fee. T-shirts will be given to all exhibitors. For more information contact Charlsy Anesetti at 770-490-6391 or canessett@stallions.abac.edu or Johnathan Barrett at 706-499-3456 or j24barrett@gmail.com.
GFB News Alert page 11 of 11 GCC ANNUAL MEETING & UGA COTTON PRODUCTION WORKSHOP Jan. 28, 2014 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. Tifton Featured speakers for the Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting are Mark Messura, Senior Vice President for Global Marketing, Cotton Incorporated; John Maguire, Senior Vice President of the National Cotton Council, and a representative for Southern Cotton Growers. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop, conducted by the Research & Extension Cotton Team, provides the latest technical production strategies from the researchers whose projects were funded by the Commission using growers’ dollars. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at www.ugatiftonconference.org or call 229.386.3416. For more information call 478-988-4235 or visit http://tinyurl.com/cottonmtg. OLD SOUTH FARM MUSEUM HOG KILLING DEMONSTRATION Feb. 7, 2015 Old South Farm Museum 8:30 a.m. Woodland This event will demonstrate how farmers once slaughtered hogs on their farms for their families and the many products made from hogs. Program includes a meat-cutting class and demonstrations on making various products from pork including sausage, Brunswick stew, meat skins and lye soap. Classes run from 8:30 a.m. into the afternoon. Breakfast and lunch will be sold at the museum. The fee to observe and receive free sausage is $12 per person. The fee is $35 to participate in the workshop demonstrations with hands-on experience and receive pork products. Feb. 2 is the deadline to pre-register. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit www.oldsouthfarm.com to print the registration form to be mailed with payment to Bulloch.