December 5, 2012
www.gfb.org
Vol. 30 No. 49
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU HOLDS 75th ANNUAL CONVENTION More than 1,700 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Island Dec. 2-4 for the organization’s 75th annual convention. The three-day convention included a trade show and commodity conferences where farmers heard updates on policy and production issues impacting Georgia’s major commodities. During the general session on Dec. 3, convention attendees heard from Gov. Nathan Deal, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard. While delivering his annual address to Georgia Farm Bureau members, GFB President Zippy Duvall urged Congress to take action during the lame duck session to prevent federal estate taxes from rising on Jan. 1, 2013. Rising estate taxes pose a threat to the ability of Georgia farm families being able to pass their farms from one generation to the next because families may be forced to sell land, buildings or equipment to pay taxes Deal due on the death of an owner. “Federal estate taxes threaten our farms, and unless Congress acts soon, many farm families could be faced with some very difficult financial decisions if there is a death in their family,” Duvall said. “We urge a lower tax rate with increased exemptions indexed to inflation.” Deal gave the GFB members an overview of tax reform legislation, House Bill 386, passed by the Georgia General Assembly earlier this year. In addition to eliminating sales taxes on energy used in manufacturing and the “birthday tax” Georgia residents have been paying when they renew their car tags each year by their birthday, the bill also expands existing sales tax exemptions on products used to produce farm commodities. Deal acknowledged the role Georgia Farm Bureau played in securing expanded sales tax exemptions for farmers saying, “Your Farm Bureau leadership was critical in making the importance of your case known to the General Assembly. Without Farm Bureau’s voice being added, this particular part of the tax reform package probably would not have been included.” Black also addressed the convention attendees during the general session. “The Georgia Department of Agriculture has been delighted to be here with you at your 75th convention. There’s a lot to celebrate here in this room. It is a big thing to celebrate 75 years. Congratulations to all of you,” Black said. Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, gave GFB members a synopsis of the Army National Guard’s many programs. Jarrard pointed out that the U.S. National Guard will celebrate its 376th anniversary on Dec. 13 saying, “The Minutemen, the farmer-citizen, is what started our militia, so we have a common thread there.”