December 7, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 49
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU HOLDS ANNUAL CONVENTION More than 1,400 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Island Dec. 4-6 for the 2011 Georgia Farm Bureau 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. 4 convention attendees heard Gov. Nathan Deal, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens along with the annual address from GFB President Zippy Duvall. Deal discussed trade, water, labor and budget issues, saying that the state is working to deepen the Savannah harbor in preparation for 2014, when the Panama Canal will allow passage of larger ships. He also spoke of the drought conditions that returned to Georgia this year, and reiterated his commitment to dedicate $300 million over the four-year period of his term to build regional reservoirs to lessen the state's dependence on federally controlled reservoirs. Deal closed by voicing his commitment to being fiscally responsible and rebuilding the state’s financial reserves. While delivering his annual address to Georgia Farm Bureau members, GFB President Zippy Duvall discussed how Farm Bureau has worked at the state and national levels to represent farmers on environmental issues and the upcoming farm bill, saying Farm Bureau would support a mirror image of the 2008 farm bill if it were possible because it has succeeded in providing Americans with a safe and abundant food supply, while helping farmers, but recognized the current budget crisis would likely require a much different farm bill. Duvall also described the efforts Farm Bureau has made to fight metal theft, as increasing numbers of farmers in recent years have had copper wiring stripped from irrigation pivots and farm buildings by thieves. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black reviewed changes at the Georgia Department of Agriculture, including the expansion of the Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin subscription base and steps the department is taking to market Georgia grown products. He encouraged all Farm Bureau members to get involved in the legislative process and address issues such as taxes, the environment and metal theft while guarding against apathy, and he challenged Farm Bureau members to think of ways they could promote agriculture in their local communities, prepare young farmers to assume leadership roles in the organization and recruit new members. Duvall ended the general session by announcing that Georgia Farm Bureau will celebrate it's 75th anniversary throughout 2012 and culminate the yearlong celebration at the 2012 annual convention. Convention attendees received 75th anniversary lapel pins to kickoff the celebration.