Georgia Farm Bureau News - February / March 2013

Vol. 75 No. 1

GEORGIA

February/March 2013

FARM BUREAU NEWS

The Voice of Georgia Farmers

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february/march 2013

departments

we, the farmers PAGE 4

legislative update PAGE 5

commodities update PAGE 10

young farmer update PAGE 12

women’s committee update PAGE 13

around georgia

PAGE 20

public relations staff

Paul Beliveau Jennifer Whittaker

Lillian Davis

Jay Stone

Ray D’Alessio

Rick Treptow Michael Edmondson

Mark Wildman

Dean Wood

Damon Jones

Vickie Amos

Director Editor Publications/Advertising Manager Print/Web Specialist Senior Producer/TV Host Senior Radio-TV Specialist Web/Video Manager Radio-TV Specialist Radio-TV Specialist Radio-TV Specialist Office Coordinator

For questions about your membership or member benefits, call 1-800-633-5432.

For questions regarding editorial content call 478-474-0679, ext. 5334 or e-mail jawhittaker@gfb.org For questions regarding advertising contact Hurst and Associates, Inc., 1-800-397-8908 Visit the GFB Web site today! www.gfb.org Georgia Farm Bureau TV: www.youtube.com/georgiafarmmonitor “Like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GeorgiaFarmBureau Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/gafarmbureau

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Georgia Farm Bureau ended its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration with a dinner and concert at the annual convention. Members reelected GFB President Zippy Duvall, Middle Georgia Vice President Robert Fountain and district directors.

PAGE 6

Photo by Lili Davis

contents

GFB holds 75th convention

EPD gives update on state water issues

Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Jud Turner gave an update on state water issues, specifically the status of the Flint River Drought Protection Act, during the GFB convention. At separate December meetings in South Georgia, EPD staff member Cliff Lewis explained why the agency suspended new agricultural water permits last July.

PAGE 8

GFB members attend AFBF meeting

Retired astronaut Mark Kelly, pictured, gave the keynote address at the 94th Annual American Farm Bureau Meeting. He shared his experiences as a naval aviator, astronaut and husband to former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Georgia had a good showing at the convention. Chris and Marilyn Hopkins placed in the top 10 of the Young Farmer Achievement Contest. Matt Bottoms made it to the Sweet 16 of the Discussion Meet, and, most importantly, GFB influenced AFBF policy to the benefit of Georgia farmers.

PAGE 14

Photo by Jay Stone

table of

Outlook for Georgia corn growers promising

Georgia corn growers attending the annual Corn Short Course received good news about the crop’s 2013 market outlook and heard updates on the Georgia Corn Commission and Georgia Corn Growers Association activities. Winners of the 2012 yield and efficiency contests were also named.

PAGE 17

Georgia peanut news

Georgia leads the nation in peanut production, and we’ve got the news to prove it! You’ll find information about an upcoming Georgia Peanut Commission election, the Peanut Genome Initiative and 2013 market outlook along with a summary of the annual Georgia Peanut Show and National Peanut Board appointments on PAGES 18-19.

Farm Bureau celebrates Farm-City Week

County Farm Bureaus observed National Farm-City Week Nov. 16-22, 2012.

We’re highlighting some of the many counties who held events in their communities and recognizing the district winners of the GFB FCW contest. PAGE 22

on the cover

(Photo by Gerald Calhoun) Turner County Farm Bureau member Gerald Calhoun won an honorable mention in the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau photo contest with this photo titled “Ham & Eggs.” Gerald and his wife, Joyce, purchased Watson, the pot-bellied pig, for the petting zoo at their farm, Calhoun Produce. Watson and his “peeps” hung out until the chicks started pecking him. Then, Watson got a girlfriend named Abigail, another potbellied pig. GFB will accept entries for the 2013 photo contest from March 14 – April 26. Contest rules will be sent to county Farm Bureau offices and posted on the GFB website by mid-March. Get your photos ready to enter!

February-March 2013/ 3

we, the Photo by Jay Stone

farmers Zippy Duvall, GFB President

So God made a farmer

The new year is well underway, and Georgia Farm Bureau is working hard to represent Georgia’s farmers in both Atlanta during the General Session of the Georgia General Assembly and in Washington as the 113th Congress grapples with the federal budget crisis, immigration and the farm bill.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your confidence in re-electing me as your president during our 2012 convention.

I love working for you and representing the greatest industry in our state, and I pledge to work with everyone in our organization to ensure that Georgia Farm Bureau remains a strong advocate for Georgia agriculture and that our affiliated companies remain fiscally sound.

The people of Georgia who work in agriculture depend on Farm Bureau to represent them. We have an organization to be proud of, and we’re going to move forward to continue our work for Georgia’s farmers.

In January, your GFB Board of Directors approved priority issues for 2013 based on the policy that GFB voting delegates approved at our annual convention. Our priority issues are: water, taxes and budget, animal agriculture, national immigration reform, curbing thefts on farms and merging state and federal Commercial Driver’s License regulations for all crops. All of these have surfaced as having particular interest for our membership.

The adoption of these priority issues does not limit GFB’s work on other issues.

When other issues arise we will address them based on official GFB policy.

As the Georgia General Assembly kicks off the 2013 session, I’d like to con-

gratulate Sen. John Wilkinson of Toccoa for being named chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee following the retirement of Sen. John Bulloch in December. We greatly appreciate the years of service Sen. Bulloch gave to Georgia agriculture and wish him the best in his retirement. Sen. Wilkinson has a strong understanding of Georgia agriculture gained during his years overseeing the state’s agricultural education programs, and we look forward to working with him. I am confident that John and Rep. Tom McCall of Elberton will make a great team as they chair the agriculture committees of their respective chambers.

Although our focus is on the current General Assembly, I would like to remind any Georgia farmers who have not applied for their Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) certificate that the signup for this card is ongoing. As of Jan. 1, farmers must have this card to receive sales tax exemptions on farm input costs.

GATE was authorized by legislation the Georgia General Assembly passed last year that Georgia Farm Bureau strongly endorsed because it allows a sales tax exemption on inputs used to produce a farm product. The new GATE certificate replaces the Agricultural Certificate of Exemption (form ST-A1) that producers previously used to receive sales tax exemptions.

As of Jan. 29, the Georgia Department of Agriculture reported that 22,000 farmers had applied for the card since signup began Nov. 15. If you haven’t already applied for your GATE card, you may do See WE, THE FARMERS page 15

Pictured from right, GFB President Zippy Duvall, GFB 1st Vice President Gerald Long, GFB Middle Georgia Vice President Robert Fountain and GFB board members served as voting delegates at the American Farm Bureau convention in January. The Georgia delegation was successful in getting AFBF to adopt several policy resolutions it submitted based on GFB policy.

4 / February-March 2013

GEORGIA

FARM BUREAU NEWS

The Voice of Georgia Farmers

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OFFICERS President ZIPPY DUVALL 1st Vice President/South Georgia Vice President GERALD LONG North Georgia Vice President BERNARD SIMS Middle Georgia Vice President ROBERT FOUNTAIN Jr. Treasurer/Corporate Secretary Wayne Daniel General Counsel DUKE Groover

DIRECTORS FIRST DISTRICT: Wesley Hall, Cumming; Henry J. West, Rydal SECOND DISTRICT: Bobby Gunter, Dahlonega; Randy Ruff, Elberton THIRD DISTRICT: George Chambers, Carrollton; Nora Goodman, Temple FOURTH DISTRICT: Marvin Ruark, Bishop; Skeetter McCorkle, Dearing FIFTH DISTRICT: Jim Ham, Smarr; Ralph Adamson Jr., Barnesville SIXTH DISTRICT: James Emory Tate, Denton; James Malone, Dexter SEVENTH DISTRICT: Ben Boyd, Sylvania; Gary Bell, Bellville EIGHTH DISTRICT: Scotty Raines, Sycamore; Don Wood, Rochelle NINTH DISTRICT: Paul Shirah, Camilla; Lucius Adkins, Elmodel TENTH DISTRICT: David Lee, Alma; Daniel Johnson, Alma YOUNG FARMER CHAIRMAN: Garrett Ganas, Waycross WOMEN’S COMMITTEE CHAIR: Nanette Bryan, Summerville ADVERTISING POLICY All advertising accepted subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaint about advertiser service or products. Publisher does not accept per-order, political or alcoholic beverage ads, nor does publisher prescreen or guarantee advertiser service or products. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in the Georgia Farm Bureau News.

For advertising rates and information, contact Hurst and Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, 1-800-397-8908.

Georgia Farm Bureau News was established in 1937.

Copyright 2013 by the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation. Printed by Panaprint, Macon, Georgia.

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Georgia Farm Bureau News

legislative update Jon Huffmaster, Legislative Director

Delegates debate policy at AFBF Convention Georgia Farm Bureau positively impacted this year’s American Farm Bureau Federation policy development process.

GFB submitted 43 resolutions to the AFBF Resolutions Committee in December, and Georgia’s voting delegates made a difference during the Jan. 15 policy debate at the AFBF Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

Policy development is important in Farm Bureau because our policy determines the legislative agenda of the organization. Official policy guides Farm Bureau’s support or opposition to a specific bill. County chapters submit resolutions to GFB. These resolutions are considered by the GFB Policy Development Committee, which is composed of county Farm Bureau leaders from across the state.

The state policy development committee presents its recommendations to the GFB state delegates at the annual GFB Convention. Adopted resolutions that are national in scope are submitted to AFBF for consideration. A committee of state Farm Bureau presidents then makes recommendations for the delegates at the AFBF Annual Meeting.

GFB President Zippy Duvall served on the AFBF Resolutions Committee in December and was assigned to the subcommittee that considered state resolutions on national farm policy. In this capacity, Duvall was able to impact the policy language recommended to the delegates in Nashville.

For example, AFBF policy makes no mention of direct and countercyclical payments. Michigan Farm Bureau submitted a resolution to have AFBF actively oppose commodity program payments. Duvall successfully argued that it would be counterproductive to limit AFBF’s options during the current uncertainty swirling around farm policy. He was able to build a coalition of southerners and a few Midwesterners that held together through the AFBF Convention.

There was considerable debate on the convention floor. The delegates finally adopted language calling for a farm bill Georgia Farm Bureau News

with “…producers being allowed a choice of program options.” While GFB did not support that specific language, it is a compromise clearly preferable to an outright statement of opposition to direct and countercyclical payments.

On the issue of immigration, GFB offered a resolution calling for a viable federal agriculture worker program. Farm Bureau does not support amnesty, but the current situation with millions of undocumented people being in the country is a failure. The language included a way for undocumented workers to obtain some type of legal status. The idea is to allow current workers an opportunity to qualify for a specific type of work visa. The AFBF delegates adopted Georgia’s resolution with little debate.

In regard to row crops, GFB submitted a resolution calling for a revenue insurance program for peanut producers, and the delegates adopted it. Another Georgia resolution AFBF passed urged positive treatment of base acres for farmers engaged with intercropping production practices.

Texas Farm Bureau submitted a resolution calling for an assessment on all U.S. cotton farmers to assist in creating a boll weevil buffer zone in South Texas. Georgia plants about one million acres of cotton, so any assessment would significantly affect our state. Georgia farmers generally agree

that it is preferable to fight the boll weevil in Texas rather than dealing with the pest in Georgia, but GFB believes it is premature to have AFBF policy call for funding such an assessment.

After discussions with members of the Texas delegation, a compromise was offered which supports efforts “…developing a means to assure the boll weevil remains suppressed outside the borders of the U.S.” Every cotton farmer can agree with that statement, and it is a good place to begin deliberations.

The AFBF delegates also supported GFB’s resolution calling for loosening federal guidelines to allow more farm pond construction.

Concerning livestock, Iowa Farm Bureau submitted a resolution to have AFBF oppose the sale of unpasteurized milk. Georgia supported the Iowa resolution, and after vigorous debate, the delegates approved the policy statement. GFB opposes the sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products being sold for human consumption because unpasteurized milk products are simply not as safe as pasteurized milk products.

A dairy supply management program is another controversial issue for which support varies from state to state. GFB supports some type of supply management while AFBF generally opposes the concept.

See POLICY page18

Wilkinson, McCall chairing Ga. Ag Committees

Sen. John Wilkinson (R-Toccoa) was named chairman of the Georgia Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee following the December retirement of Sen. John Bulloch. Wilkinson is a member of the Georgia Agricultural Education Hall of Fame and has worked as a program manager with the Georgia Department of Education, overseeing the state’s agricultural education programs.

Wilkinson McCall Rep. Tom McCall (R-Elberton) has been reappointed chairman of the Georgia House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. McCall has chaired the committee since 2005.

February-March 2013/ 5

M

ore than 1,700 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Island Dec. 2-4 for the 75th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention. The three-day event 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. NaBlack than 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, Jarrard 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. On Jan. 1, Congress passed a bill that permanently sets the federal estate tax exemption at $5 million per person and indexes the exemption to inflation. The top rate at which estates will be taxed increased from 35 to 40 percent.

Deal gave the GFB members an overview of tax reform legislation, House Bill 386, passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2012. 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.”

6 /February-March 2013

Black also addressed 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 would celebrate its 376th anniversary on Dec. 13, 2012, saying, “The Minutemen, the farmer-citizen, is what started our militia, so we have a common thread there.”

GFB President Zippy Duvall, left, welcomes Gov. Nathan Deal to the GFB convention.

Photo by Lili Davis

By Jennifer Whittaker _____________________________________

Photo by Jennifer Whittaker

GFB holds 75th annual convention

GFB President Zippy Duvall introduces the 2013 GFB Board of Directors following completion of elections at the 75th annual convention.

Duvall re-elected GFB president for 4th term Voting delegates at the GFB Convention re-elected Zippy Duvall of Greene County to his fourth two-year term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization.

Irwin County Farm Bureau President Gary Paulk also ran for the position.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your confidence in re-electing me as your president. I love working for you and representing the greatest industry in our state,” Duvall said in his acceptance speech. “Thank you for what you stand for. The people that work in agriculture depend on our organization. We, the farmers have something to be

proud of, and we’re going to move forward to continue our work for you.”

In other elections, voting delegates selected their state board of directors and officers for 2013. Robert Fountain of Emanuel County was re-elected to his second consecutive three-year term as Middle Georgia vice president. Fountain has held the position since 2009 and previously held the position from 1997 to 2006.

In district director races with opposition, D.E. “Skeetter” McCorkle of McDuffie County was elected as a GFB 4th District director. Scotty Raines of Turner County was Georgia Farm Bureau News

elected as a GFB 8th District director.

The following were re-elected unopposed to serve two-year terms on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors: Henry J. West of Gordon County, 1st District; Randy Ruff of Elbert County, 2nd District; Nora Goodman of Paulding County, 3rd District; Jim Ham of Monroe County, 5th District; James Emory Tate of Jeff Davis County, 6th District; Ben Boyd of Screven County, 7th District; Don Wood of Wilcox County, 8th District; Lucius Adkins Jr., of Baker County, 9th District and Daniel Johnson, of Pierce County, 10th District.

Gerald Long of Decatur County was redesignated as the organization’s 1st vice president. He begins the third year of his second, three-year term as GFB South Georgia vice president in which capacity he represents 53 counties in South Georgia.

Bernard Sims of Catoosa County begins the second year of his second, three-year term as GFB North Georgia vice president. He was first elected to the position in 2008. Sims represents 49 counties in north Georgia.

Garrett Ganas of Ware County was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. Nanette Bryan of Chattooga County, was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. Both will serve a one-year term as committee chairmen and will sit on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Photo by Jennifer Whittaker

The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation honored county Farm Bureaus for promoting agriculture and individual members for personal achievement during the organization’s 75th annual convention. GFB President Zippy Duvall (far right) congratulates the 2012 GFB award recipients (front row seated, L-R): Betty Harris, accepting on behalf of Crawford County; Matt Bottoms of Pike County; Tom Lacey accepting on behalf of Pike County Farm Bureau; Marilynn and Banks Hopkins of Toombs County; David Carswell accepting on behalf of Montgomery County Farm Bureau; Dobie Gay accepting on behalf of Jenkins County Farm Bureau; and Charlotte Wingate of Colquitt County; (back row, L-R) William Grizzle accepting on behalf of Cherokee County; B.J. Marks accepting on behalf of Newton County, David Lee accepting on behalf of Bacon County; Chris Hopkins of Toombs County; Derek Pridgen accepting on behalf of Coffee County; Max Freeman accepting on behalf of Franklin County and Randy Ruff accepting on behalf of Elbert County.

GFB presents state awards By Jennifer Whittaker __________________________________________________________________________ During its 75th annual convention, Geor- ington County and Charlie and Nancie Sandgia Farm Bureau presented state awards to vol- ers of Greene County. The finalists each reunteers and county chapters for programs they ceived $250. conducted to promote agriculture.

Matt Bottoms of Pike County won the GFB named a McKemie Award winner - the Young Farmer Discussion Meet. Other fihighest honor given to a county in recognition nalists included Kyle Dekle of Habersham of its member programs - from each of its three County, B.J. Marks of Newton County and membership categories.

Clay Talton of Elbert County. The contestants Bacon County Farm Bureau received the discussed what could be done to encourage McKemie Award for the 0 to 1,392-mem- young farmers to return home to the farm if it ber division. McKemie finalists in this divi- means foregoing the amenities of a metropolision were: Crawford, Heard, Jasper, Macon, tan community.

Screven, Upson and Wilcox counties.

Bottoms received $500, courtesy of GFB, Pike County Farm Bureau won the McK- and an Arctic Cat 500 all-terrain-vehicle, couremie Award for the 1,393 to 2,335-member divi- tesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. sion. Finalists in this division were: Cook, Floyd, The three finalists each received $350 from Franklin, Greene, Jeff Davis, Monroe, Polk, SunTrust Bank.

Spalding, Troup and Washington counties.

Bottoms and the Hopkinses enjoyed an Cherokee County Farm Bureau received expense-paid trip to the AFBF Convention in the award in the 2,336 plus-member division. Nashville, Tenn., in January to compete for naFinalists in this division were: Carroll, Coffee, tional honors.

Elbert, Habersham, Henry, Jackson, Madison, Montgomery County Farm Bureau reNewton and Stephens counties. ceived the GFB Membership Award for the Dr. James E. “Jim” Strickland of Tattnall 0 to 1,392-member division. Jenkins County County was honored with the GFB Distin- Farm Bureau won the award for the 1,393 to guished Service Award. Strickland has made 2,335-member division. Elbert County Farm numerous contributions to Georgia’s livestock Bureau received the award in the 2,336 plusindustry during his career as a large animal member division. veterinarian. This award is the highest honor Other state awards included: OutstandGFB gives to one of its volunteer members, ing Promotion & Education Award received recognizing volunteers who have made an out- by Franklin County; Outstanding Women’s standing contribution to the organization and Leadership Award received by Crawford agriculture over a long period of time.

County; Outstanding Legislative Award re Chris and Marilynn Hopkins of Toombs ceived by Coffee County; Outstanding Young County won the Young Farmer Achieve- Farmer Committee Award received by Newment Award. The Hopkinses grow about 600 ton County and Outstanding County Office acres of row crops, watermelons and pecans. Manager Award, received by Charlotte WinThe couple received $500 and a year’s use of a gate of Colquitt County. Crawford County Kubota tractor. teacher Andrea Seagraves is the 2012 recipient The finalists in the achievement contest of the GFB Georgia Excellence in Teaching were James and Brooke Hitchcock of Wash- Agriculture Award.

February-March 2013 / 7

EPD gives update on state water issues When Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Jud Turner declined to declare drought under the Flint River Drought Protection Act (FRDPA) in 2012, the move drew criticism because the stream flows in Southwest Georgia clearly warranted the declaration. Turner, speaking during a meeting on water at the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Convention, noted that the payouts to farmers who pulled acreage out of irrigation when the FRDPA was triggered in 2001 were about $136 an acre, and the state had access to federal funds to handle the cost. That funding wasn’t available in 2012, he said, and high commodity prices further complicated the financial aspects of the FRDPA. “The act doesn’t work in its present form,” Turner said. “The [stream flow] numbers were there to do it. I made no bones about that. But we don’t have the money.”

Meanwhile, the state continues to explore the viability of aquifer storage and recovery, a system where water is pumped into underground aquifers and held until it is needed. It has water quality and other challenges, Turner said, but it also has several advantages, including fewer environmental impacts than building reservoirs.

During meetings on Dec. 4 in Camilla and Dec. 12 in Dawson, EPD staff member

Cliff Lewis, who manages EPD’s agricultural operations and permitting program, provided an explanation of why the agency suspended new agricultural water permits last July.

On July 30, Turner announced the decision to suspend new permits for agricultural ground water and surface water use in Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Turner and Worth counties. The suspension also covers applications for surface water withdrawals for parts of Chattahoochee, Clay, Marion, Randolph, Schley, Stewart and Webster counties.

“Part of the EPD thinking behind this is to protect the current investments and infrastructure that’s already out there,” Lewis said, noting that the suspension is only for new permits or alterations to current permits that would increase water use.

Lewis emphasized the suspension will be reassessed in November 2013. One question farmers asked was if they could apply now for permits to become effective after that time, but Lewis said the EPD is discouraging that approach because the application requires a non-refundable $250 fee and the application is likely to change.

From 2006 to 2012, Lewis said, thousands of permits were issued. With ongoing

On Jan. 1, the U.S. Congress passed the American Tax Relief Act, H.R. 8, which includes permanent estate tax reform and extends the 2008 farm bill until Sept. 30.

President Obama signed the bill into law.

H.R. 8 permanently sets the federal estate tax exemption at $5 million per person and indexes the exemption to inflation.

This means the exemption amount will increase at the rate of inflation and does not expire after a set number of years. The top rate at which estates will be taxed increased from 35 percent to 40 percent.

Without congressional action, the federal estate tax exemption was set to drop from $5 million to $1 million per person

and the top rate would have increased to 55 percent on Jan. 1.

“While this bill isn’t a complete repeal of estate taxes that Farm Bureau would like to see, we have pushed for estate tax reform for nearly 20 years, and this is a much better scenario than what we were facing,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said.

The 2008 farm bill is extended through Sept. 30 with some exceptions. The extension includes authorization for most commodity programs, including direct payments and counter-cyclical payments and marketing loans for the 2013 crop year. The dairy price support program is extended through Sept. 30. The Supple-

Photo by Jay Stone

By Jay Stone __________________________________________________________________________

Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Jud Turner discusses state water issues at the 2012 GFB Convention.

drought conditions, the EPD has begun to field inquiries from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division about efforts to protect stream flows in areas where there are federally endangered species and whether or how the resources have been affected by extended drought.

Lewis said assessments are needed to answer those questions.

Dr. Gary Hawkins of the University of Georgia’s Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department reviewed ways farmers can more efficiently use water, including evaluating various types of irrigation for their specific farming area, looking for leaks and encouraging end-gun shutoffs, use of conservation tillage and soil moisture monitoring.

Congress passes estate tax reform & extends farm bill

8 / February-March 2013

mental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) was not renewed. H.R. 8 also authorized a number of disaster relief programs, including livestock indemnity payments and the livestock forage disaster program, but funding for those programs must be allotted through the Congressional appropriations process.

“Farm Bureau continues to press Congress to pass a new farm bill, but Georgia farmers needed something they could count on to plant their crops this year,” Duvall said. “We appreciate Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson supporting this bill along with Reps. Sanford Bishop, Hank Johnson and David Scott.”

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Georgians appointed to national commodity boards U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed multiple Georgia farmers to national promotion boards for their respective commodities last fall.

Vilsack appointed Grady County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman Walter Godwin to the United Soybean Board. The 69-member board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act. Godwin will serve a threeyear term ending December 2015.

Dooly County Farm Bureau Vice President George “Teel” Warbington of Dooly County has been reappointed to serve as a member of the Cotton Board. Georgia Farm Bureau 7th District Director Ben Boyd of Screven County has been reappointed as an alternate member. Both will serve threeyear terms ending December 2015. Based in Memphis, Tenn., the Cotton Board is the oversight and administrative arm of the Cotton Research & Promotion Program that represents U.S. Upland cotton.

Dania Devane of Randolph County and Mark Clemmer of Coffee County were among 156 pork producers and

four pork importers Vilsack appointed to one-year terms on the National Pork Board, which oversees a national program designed to improve the pork in-

dustry’s position in the marketplace.

Devane serves on the Georgia Farm Bureau Swine Committee. Both she and Clemmer sit on the Georgia Pork Board.

FSA program sign-up dates

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 Congress passed Jan. 1 extended the 2008 farm bill and many of the farm programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) through 2013. On Jan. 22 the FSA announced sign-up dates for the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP), the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC).

FSA will begin sign-ups for DCP and ACRE for 2013 crops Feb. 19. The DCP sign-up period ends Aug. 2. The ACRE sign-up period ends June 3. The 2013 DCP and ACRE program provisions are unchanged from 2012, except that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop

year. This means eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE and vice versa.

All dairy producers’ MILC contracts are automatically extended to Sept. 30,2013.

Eligible producers do not need to re-enroll in MILC. Beginning Feb. 5 USDA will issue payments to producers enrolled in MILC for Sept. 2012 marketings. Before the October 2012 MILC payment can be issued, producers must complete a new Average Adjusted Gross Income form for 2013. Producers may obtain the form at their local FSA office or online at www.fsa.usda.gov/ccc933. Producers who wish to select a production start month other than Oct. 2012 must visit their local FSA office between Feb. 1-Feb. 28.

Grow Your Agriculture Business Purchase or refinance the agricultural equipment you need today to grow your business for the future. Plus take advantage of your membership with dedicated service, special rates, flexible terms and payment plans up to seven full years. We make financing easy!

Contact your local Farm Bureau agent to apply today Existing Farm Bureau Bank equipment loans are excluded from this offer. *Rate disclosed as Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and based on exceptional credit. Some restrictions may apply based upon the make and model of equipment offered as collateral. Up to 90% financing for new and 85% for used equipment. Loans subject to credit approval. Rates are accurate as of 01/25/2013. Rates and financing are limited to farm equiment model years 2003 or newer and are subject to change without notice. A down payment may be required for new or used equipment purchases. Financial information required for loan requests over $50,000.

Commercial vehicles and trailers may be subject to an additional documentation fee. Farm Bureau Bank does not provide equity or cash-out financing on commercial vehicles and equipment.

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Georgia Farm Bureau News

February-March 2013/ 9

commodities/marketing update Don McGough

GFB names commodity committee members Georgia Farm Bureau has named the members of its 2013 commodity advisory committees. Each committee meets several times during the year to address issues pertinent to their commodity and assist with GFB’s policy development process. Georgia Farm Bureau has 20 commodity committees.

Each committee chairman serves on the GFB Policy Development Committee. The GFB Commodity Committee chairmen make an important contribution to Farm Bureau by providing knowledge of their commodity and leadership for their committee. Their input provides an important link back to the farm and helps maintain the strong grassroots representation within Farm Bureau.

The committees meet to discuss issues regarding their commodities. They will meet again on Aug. 1 during the GFB State Commodity Conference. Members of the 2013 GFB Commodity Committees are listed below along with their membership county.

AQUACULTURE Chairman Terry Bramlett, Fannin; Vice Chairman Ricky Boyd, Berrien; Albert Cagle, Cherokee; Danny Chandler, Early; Harold Fallin, Upson; Sherrell Fleming, McIntosh; Wesley Ham, Monroe; Travis Henry, Douglas; James Lee, Brantley; David Lewis, Glynn BEEF CATTLE Chairman John Callaway, Troup; Vice Chairman Samuel Perkins, Grady; Jeff Duncan, Madison; Sarah Kinser, So. Fulton; Jerry McKinnon, Coffee; Calvin Minchew, Bibb; Dr. Lanier Orr, Dawson; Arthur Rider, Richmond; Dr. Jim Strickland, Tattnall; Wayne Talton, Houston COTTON Chairman Eddie Green, Dooly; Vice Chairman Jason West, Candler; Johnny Hagan, Brooks; David Holton, Mitchell; Chris Hopkins, Toombs; Wayne Hurley, Chattooga; Jerry Kirkland, Jeff Davis; Steven Metcalf, Turner; Rick Wansley, Elbert; Joey Williams, Cook DAIRY Chairman Bud Butcher, Coweta; Vice 10 / February-March 2013

Chairman Mark Rodgers, McDuffie; Harry Allison, Hall; Judd Chambers, Jones; Jimmy Franks, Burke; Adam Graft, Sumter; Albert Hale, Oconee; Kenneth Murphy, Meriwether; Charlie Sanders, Greene; Franklin Wright, Gilmer ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE Chairman Matt Bottoms, Pike; Vice Chairman Troy Windham, Laurens; Charles Berry, Newton; Bruce Dillard, Berrien; Linda Everett, Walton; Donald McCorkle Sr., McDuffie; Mark Porter, Fayette; David Ridgeway, Butts; Doris Smith, Habersham; Craig Truitt, Elbert EQUINE Chairman Danny Hogan, Laurens; Vice Chairman Gary Walker, Tift; Molly Childs, Cherokee; Jimmie Davis, Emanuel; Jan Ison, Richmond; Tom Kerlin, Fayette; Jimmy Kowalsky, Habersham; Darryl Landreth, Troup; Boyd McLocklin, Barrow; James Wood, Wilcox FEEDGRAIN Chairman Brian Ogletree, Spalding; Vice Chairman James Gaston, Sumter;Winston Brogdon, Berrien; Rodney Harrell, Lee; Nathan Hodges, Tattnall; Stanley London, White; Mike Newberry, Early; Jerry Smith, Dawson; Thomas Strickland, Henry; Hugh H. Veal, Jr., Johnson FORESTRY Chairman John W. Mixon, Pike; Vice Chairman Jimmy Kennedy, Hancock; Bill Carmichael, Emanuel; Steve Collins, Mitchell; John Davis, Whitfield; Scotty Dumas, Jasper; Eric McGrew, Carroll; Billy Moncrief, Clay; Harold Simpson, Lanier; William Tanner, Johnson FRUIT Chairman Bob McLeod, Wilcox; Vice Chairman Jake Carter, Henry; Debra Elliott, Bibb; Andy Futch, Gilmer; Debbie Greene, Butts; Timothy E. McMillian, Berrien; Tim Mercier, Fannin; Larry Moore, Lanier; Larry Rodgers, Lumpkin; Charles Tillman, Tattnall GOATS & SHEEP Chairman Mike Bunn, Walker; Vice Chairman Patricia Parson, Elbert; Raymond Bailey, Henry; Charles Batten, Washington;

Bobby Joe Cason, Bulloch; Greg Gilman, Jackson; Howard Hawthorne, Barrow; Betty Anne Lewis, Glynn; Greg Phillips, Whitfield; Wes Smith, Upson HAY Chairman Farrell Roberts, Tift; Vice Chairman Cory Tyre, Bacon; Gilbert Andrews, Harris; John Case, Dade; Swayne Cochran, Jackson; Gene Hart, Effingham; Wymann Hartley, Houston; Hudson Sanders, Oglethorpe; Jamie Tate, Jeff Davis; Stanley Williams, Haralson HONEYBEES Chairman Bobby Rowell, Brantley; Vice Chairman B.J. Weeks, Cherokee; Andrew Bailey, Forsyth; Jennifer Berry, Madison; David Bigham, Rockdale; J. Keith Fielder, Putnam; Jesse McCurdy, Houston; John Pluta, Baldwin; Gary Rentz, Brooks; Terry Williams, Monroe PEANUTS Chairman Wes Shannon, Tift; Vice Chairman Mike Lucas, Bleckley; Andy Bell, Decatur; John Harrell, Grady; Mason Henry, Emanuel; Jared Howell, Cook; Gregg Keene, Wilcox; Chris Rodgers, Jefferson; Frankie Sapp, Brooks; George T. Warbington, Dooly PECANS Chairman James Exum, Brooks; Vice Chairman Jim Lumpkin, Turner; Danny Brooks, Habersham; Mark Cook, Washington; Kyle Durrence, Tattnall; Elliott Ellis, Dooly; Vinson Griffin, Berrien; David Levie, Macon; Chris McBryant, Wilcox; Jacob Nolan, Wayne POULTRY Chairman Larry Cooley, Crawford; Vice Chairman Russ Moon, Madison; Bobby Barber, Decatur; Wade Castleberry, Forsyth; Jackie Copelan, Greene; Joe Griffith, Haralson; Charles Royal, Irwin; Kennon Tatum, Tattnall; Michael Thomason, Franklin; Stephen Wilson, Turner SOYBEANS Chairman Jimmy Phillips, Whitfield; Vice Chairman Neil Skipper, Bibb; Olin Boyd, Screven; Ronnie Courson, Lanier; Bobby Eavenson, Elbert; Joe King, Clay; Dylan KirkContinued on next page Georgia Farm Bureau News

ley, Newton; Larry Lodge, Brooks; Alan Scoggins, Walker; Glenn Waller, Washington SWINE Chairman Andrew Thompson, Brooks; Vice Chairman Terry Danforth, Berrien; Alan Davis, Decatur; Dania DeVane, Randolph; Danny Gunter, Wilkes; Clint Oliver, Tattnall; Bill Waldrep Jr., Monroe; Don Williford, Crisp; Steve Wilhoit, Whitfield TOBACCO Chairman Jerry Wooten, Jeff Davis; Vice Chairman Lamar Vickers, Berrien; Charles Ed Barber, Bacon; Tim Crosby, Brooks; Dewey Davis Jr., Pierce; Lee Ivey, Lanier; Reid Turner, Appling VEGETABLES Chairman Greg Murray, Decatur; Vice Chairman Sam Payne, Gordon; Tim Carter, Bacon; Eric Gibbs, Wilcox; Brian Griffin, Berrien; Adam Lowe, Polk; Brodie McCranie, Dodge; Richard Minter, Fayette; Brian Robinson, Brooks; Brett Williams, Toombs WATER Chairman Hal Haddock, Early; Vice Chairman Lee Webster Jr., Burke; Sam Chapman, Hall; Steve Dixon, Berrien;

Larry Eley, Greene; William Grizzle, Cherokee; C.F. Harris, Crawford; Rocky Nobles, Twiggs; Billy Sanders, Dooly;

Doug Sowar, Paulding Don McGough is director of the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department.

Georgians named to AFBF committees

The American Farm Bureau Federation has chosen 14 Georgia Farm Bureau members to serve on its 2013 commodity advisory committees. The committees provide farmer input on AFBF policy and make recommendations relative to their commodities to the AFBF Board of Directors. The committees will meet on a staggered schedule for three days each in Washington, D.C., the week of Feb. 17.

GFB Forestry Committee Chairman John Mixon of Pike County Mixon will chair the AFBF Forestry Committee.

Other GFB members serving on AFBF committees are: Matt Bottoms, Pike County, Ag Nursery & Greenhouse Committee; Terry Bramlett, Fannin County, Aquaculture Committee; Bobby Rowell, Brantley County, Honey/Apiculture Committee; Bob McLeod, Wilcox County, Horticulture Committee; Eddie Green, Dooly County, Cotton Committee; Wes Shannon, Tift County, Peanut Committee; Jimmy Phillips, Whitfield County, Soybean Committee; Jerry Wooten, Jeff Davis County Tobacco Committee; Farrell Roberts, Tift County, Hay and Forage Committee; Larry Cooley, Crawford County, Poultry Committee; Terry Danforth, Berrien County, Swine Committee. James Gaston, Sumter County, will attend the Feedgrain Committee meeting as an alternate for Brian Ogletree of Spalding County. Patricia Parson, Elbert County, will attend the Goat & Sheep Committee meeting as an alternate for Mike Bunn of Walker County.

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February-March 2013/ 11

Photo by Jay Stone

The 2013 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee includes, pictured from left, Joe & Leigh Rush (1st. Dist., Floyd County); B.J. & Kaci Marks (3rd Dist., Newton County); Matt and Ivy Oliver (8th Dist., Macon County); Vice Chairs Jacob & Emily Nolan (7th Dist., Wayne County); Chairs Garrett and Nydia Ganas (10th Dist., Ware County); Matt & Kimberly London (2nd Dist., White County); Chris & Lori Rogers (6th Dist., Jefferson County); Marcus & Neely South (5th Dist., Upson County) and Andrew Ruark (4th Dist., Morgan County).

Not pictured are Sam and Emily Watson (9th Dist., Colquitt County).

YF Committee sets deadlines for competitions & photo contest By Jed Evans ___________________________________ The 2013 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee is looking forward to a very busy year of programs for farmers between the ages of 18 through 35. The committee selected Garrett and Nydia Ganas of Ware County to chair the committee. Jacob and Emily Nolan of Wayne County were named vice chairmen.

The Young Farmer Committee is proud to host several events, programs and trips in 2013. On March 5-8, 30 young farmers from across Georgia will travel to our nation’s capitol. While in Washington D.C., the group will meet with Sens. Chambliss and Isakson and all 14 congressmen from Georgia. There will be many other networking opportunities and a guided tour of D.C. Competitive events are a highlight of

the GFB Young Farmer program. Applications for the Young Farmer Achievement and Excellence in Agriculture Awards will be mailed to county Farm Bureau offices on Feb. 28. The Achievement Award seeks to highlight outstanding young farmers whose primary income comes from farming. The Excellence in Agriculture Award will highlight Farm Bureau members whose primary income does not come from normal production risk. More information about these contests and all Young Farmer contests will be sent to each county Farm Bureau, so make sure to check with your office manager for complete details. Deadline to enter either contest is May 10.

The Young Farmer Committee encourages young farmers to save the dates of July 12-14 for the annual Young Farmer Leadership Conference at the Jekyll Island

Convention Center. Highlights will include the preliminary rounds of the annual GFB Discussion Meet, dynamic speakers and multiple social opportunities. Applications will be sent to county offices in late March for both the discussion meet and leadership conference. Deadline to apply for discussion meet or conference is May 31.

One of the highlights for our volunteers is the annual Young Farmer Photo Contest. The committee will accept photo entries March 14 - April 26. We encourage all amateur photographers to share their photos. The top 12 pictures will be featured in the 2014 Young Farmer Calendar. Visit the GFB website http://www.gfb.org or contact your county office after March 14 for complete details.

Check with your county Farm Bureau for more information about any of our Young Farmer programs or visit http://www.gfb. org/yf to make sure you don’t miss any of the exciting events taking place in 2013!

Jed Evans is the GFB Young Farmer Coordinator.

By Jay Stone _________________________________________________ During the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Harvest For All campaign Georgia Farm Bureau’s 158 county chapters combined to contribute $20,000, which was presented to Georgia Food Bank Association (GFBA) Executive Director Danah Craft during the 2012 GFB convention.

The GFBA uses donated dollars to purchase high-protein, low-cost foods like chicken and peanut butter and to offset the costs of various outreach programs like mobile See DONATION next page 12 / February-March 2013

Photo by Jay Stone

GFB donates $20,000 to Ga. Food Bank Association

Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee Chair Jake Carter, left and President Zippy Duvall, right, present the $20,000 collected during the 2012 Harvest for All campaign to Georgia Food Bank Association Executive Director Danah Craft.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

The GFB Women’s Committee continues to promote soybeans as the commodity of the year. The committee will host GFB’s Educational Leadership Conference March 16 in Macon. GFB volunteers are encouraged to attend the conference to learn the commodity GFB will promote from July 2013-2014 and to get promotion ideas.

Women’s Committees across the state will observe Food Check-Out Week Feb. 17-23 by educating the public about ways to eat healthy and how to stretch food dollars on a budget.

During GFB’s seven-week soybean promotion contest held last fall, GFB volunteers in 50 counties reached 8,619 students through visits to schools and distributing soybean information to teachers. Winners of the soybean conDONATION from previous page pantries, Manna drops and backpack programs. Because the GFBA uses bulk purchasing, they can turn $1 into more than $7 worth of food. The GFB Young Farmer Committee coordinated the campaign.

“We are so grateful to Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers for this donation,” Craft said. “These funds could not have come at a better time. Donations like this are critical because food banks often need to purchase protein to supplement the donated food that comes through food drives and other product donations.”

Craft noted that demand for food assistance grew by 15 percent in 2012, and one in six Georgians need food assistance.

The GFBA distributes the funds to food banks in Savannah, Atlanta, Columbus, Athens, Augusta, Macon and Valdosta.

“Sadly, hunger is a significant problem for many of our fellow Georgians,” said 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee Chairman Jake Carter. “The Harvest For All campaign is our way of reaching out to those in our communities struggling to feed their families.”

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Photo by Jennifer Whittaker

GFB Women’s Committee kicks off year

Members of the 2013 Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee are: seated, from left, Chairman Nanette Bryan (1st Dist, Chattooga County); Janet Mazurek (2nd Dist., Elbert County); Janet Gruel (3rd Dist., Fayette County); Linda Crumley (4th Dist., Barrow County) and standing, from left, Brenda Cooley (5th Dist., Crawford County), Elaine Avery (6th Dist., Laurens County); Angela Todd (7th Dist., Evans County); Melanie Raines (8th Dist., Turner County); Angie Durham (9th Dist., Early County) and Jeannie Tucker (10th Dist., Berrien).

test receiving Walmart gift cards were: Dodge County, 1st place; Lanier County, 2nd place and Harris County, 3rd place.

Pike, Worth and Jeff Davis counties won Walmart gift cards in the drawing of contest participants.

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GEORGIA FARM BUREAU NEWS FEB/MAR ISSUE

GFB members attend 94th AFBF annual meeting Article & photos by Jay Stone ___________________________________ group of 240 Georgia Farm Bureau members, along with Farm Bureau members from across the country, heard messages of triumph and future challenges at the 94th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting, held Jan. 13-16 at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award winners Chris and Marilynn Hopkins of Toombs County qualified for the top 10 in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award contest, while GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet winner Matt Bottoms of Pike County advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet.

Bottoms and the other discussion meet contestants hashed over what might be included in a fair and balanced immigration policy in the first round of competition on Jan. 13. The second round featured a discussion of how Farm Bureau can reach out to associate members to enhance the value of their memberships. In the Sweet 16 round on Jan. 14, the contestants discussed what can be done to coax young farmers and ranchers to return home to

GFB President Zippy Duvall, right, greets AFBF President Bob Stallman during the state awards program, which was part of the opening general session on Jan. 13.

Georgia Farm Bureau won AFBF Awards for Excellence in the areas of education and outreach; leadership development; member services; policy development and implementation; and public relations and communications.

14 / February-March 2013

Photo courtesy of AFBF

A

Marilynn and Chris Hopkins were recognized as one of the top 10 couples in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award competition during an awards ceremony at the 94th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting. Ryan and Misty Bivens of Kentucky won the contest.

GFB Women’s Committee Chairman Nanette Bryan, center, accepts a certificate of recognition on behalf of the GFB Women’s Leadership Program from AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Terry Gilbert, left, and AFBF Vice President Barry Bushue.

the farm if it means living in a rural area.

Georgia Farm Bureau won AFBF Awards for Excellence in five categories in Group 6, which includes states with memberships of 300,000 or more. Georgia won awards for education and outreach, leadership development, member services, policy development and implementation, and public relations and communications.

GFB President Zippy Duvall was re-

elected to the AFBF Board of Directors on Jan. 15, representing the organization’s southern region. The event, which drew an estimated 6,000 Farm Bureau members from all 50 state Farm Bureaus, featured seminars on crop insurance, agricultural transportation issues, a discussion of the U.S. crop outlook and a variety of other topics. AFBF pushed for a long-term farm See MEETING next page

Pike County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman Matt Bottoms makes his opening statement during the second round of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet. Bottoms advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the competition, which was designed to function like a commission meeting where issues are discussed. Dillon Kjerstad of Arizona won the competition.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke during the closing general session at the AFBF Annual Meeting shortly after it was announced he would continue as agriculture secretary during President Barack Obama’s second term. Vilsack outlined components he feels should be included in a long-term farm bill, including solving the conflict with Brazil over the cotton program, providing credit for beginning farmers, a strong and streamlined conservation program and a continuing commitment to expanding trade opportunities both domestically and abroad.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

MEETING from previous page bill and praised the passage of a permanent estate tax structure.

AFBF President Bob Stallman noted in his opening session address that the organization has plans to submit a new farm labor proposal. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke during the closing general session, emphasizing the elements he felt are essential in farm bill legislation.

The closing session was highlighted by a keynote address from Capt. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and husband of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly shared his experiences as the son of a police officer, as a navy pilot and as commander of the last space shuttle mission.

WE, THE FARMERS from page 4 so online at http://www.agr.georgia.gov or by calling 1-855-FARM TAX (1-855-3276829) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Speaking of signing up for programs via the internet, as you talk to your friends and neighbors about Farm Bureau and the work we’re doing for Georgia agriculture, be sure to tell them that they can easily join Farm Bureau by visiting the GFB website at http://www.gfb.org. It’s simple, easy and a great bargain at only $25 a year!

Every year we hear the talk about the Super Bowl commercials. Most of the time they make me and Bonnie laugh, but this year three of the commercials spotlighted the best things about rural

Carters named to AFBF YF Committee Article & photo by Jay Stone ___________________________________ Henry County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairs Jake and Jennifer Carter have been selected to serve on the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee for a two-year term that begins March 1.

The Carters served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee the past two years, and chaired the committee in 2012.

“We’re humbled and honored to be able to serve on the committee,” Jake Carter said. “We want to represent Georgia agriculture well and make GFB proud.”

The Carters, along with Jake’s father Jimmy, run Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, growing strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches and hay as well as maintaining a herd of beef cows. They also

Jake & Jennifer Carter operate a thriving agritourism business, with a popular corn maze that has become a regular destination for school field trips. Jake has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Georgia. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in exercise and health science from Kennesaw State University.

America, filling our hearts with pride.

To tell you the truth, I missed the first half because I was at church, and during the second half the habits I developed as a dairyman took over and I fell asleep. I woke up to a news report of the top five commercials, and, to my surprise, three of them touched my heart. One was about service to our country and the bravery of our men and women in uniform. Then it was the Clydesdales and the tender loving care we farmers give our animals. The last and most impacting was Paul Harvey and his speech “So God Made a Farmer.” I was proud that in a time when the American public is so far removed from the farm, America’s farmers were honored with such a wonderful tribute.

In the midst of an event that celebrates consumerism, these commercials shared the message that our country is great because of the sacrifice, humbleness, and dedication of soldiers and farmers. These commercials proved the truth of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

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By Jennifer Whittaker ___________________________________ The Georgia High School Rodeo Association (GHSRA) hosted the 22nd Annual Southeastern Showdown Nov. 9-11, 2012, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry.

The event featured 360 contestants from 11 states competing in barrel racing, bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, pole bending and various roping competitions. Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to be a corporate sponsor of this event and the GHSRA. Points that contestants earned during the competition count toward yearend totals that determine who qualifies to compete at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyo., in July. Georgia contestants placing in the top four in events at the Showdown were: Barrel Racing, Ali Ayers, 1st place; Bull riding, Cole Moore, 1st place; Breakaway Calf Roping, 2nd place LeeAnn Johnson & 3rd place Jesse Denney; Pole Bending Race, 2nd place Ryanne

Photo by Jennifer Whittaker

Georgia rides well at Southeastern Showdown

Georgia had a delegation of about 100 contestants compete in the Georgia High School Rodeo Association Southeastern Showdown in November. The delegation is pictured participating in the parade of states Nov. 9.

Heath & 4th place Cassidy Sims; Team Roping, Tyler Boatwright & Clay Freeman, 1st place and Riley Sims & John

Hutson 4th place and Tie-Down Calf Roping, Cole Watkins, 1st place & Zach Thrift 2nd place.

Pugliese wins GFB Hay Contest Bartow County Farm Bureau Vice President Harry J. Pugliese won the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Quality Hay Contest.

Pictured from left, Pugliese accepts the prize of a year’s use of a Vermeer trailed mower from Vermeer dealer Donald Childs, center, and GFB Hay Committee Chairman Farrell Roberts. He has the option to purchase the mower at a reduced price at the end of the year.

Pugliese submitted coastal Bermudagrass for the contest and earned a relative forage quality (RFQ) score of 135.4. He has placed in the top 10 in the contest multiple times, including one second-place finish. Pugliese grows hay on 200 acres to support his livestock herd of beef cattle and horses and sells hay to horse, goat and cattle owners.

Wes Pope of Troup County placed second with his submission of Russell hay, achieving an RFQ score of 126.7.

William Sumner of Laurens County was third, submitting a sample of coastal hay with an RFQ of 124.3. Paul Brodie of Barrow County took fourth with his sample of coastal hay that achieved an RFQ score of 123.9. Jeff Davis County Farm Bureau Director Jamie Tate was fifth, scoring 120.3 with his submission of Alicia hay.

16 / February-March 2013

Photo by Jay Stone

By Jay Stone ____________________________________________________

The contest, which drew 49 entries from 29 counties across the state, consisted of quality analysis of hay grown by entrants, using the University of Georgia’s RFQ testing method, which measures nutrient content of the hay.

Entered samples had to have nitrate levels below 4,500 parts per million to be eligible for contest prizes. The winners were announced during the 2012 GFB Annual Meeting on Jekyll Island.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

2012 contest winners named

By Jennifer Whittaker ___________________________________ The price of corn will continue to be volatile in 2013, with prices most likely trending downward on the prospect of a crop larger this year than last, University of Georgia Ag Economist Nathan Smith told growers during the 2013 Corn Short Course held Jan. 15 in Tifton.

But the good news for Georgia corn growers is that the UGA estimated net return above variable costs, figured with a $185 land rent, is $306 per acre for corn, higher than other crops in 2013. Although fuel and fertilizer costs are expected to increase, Smith said corn seed prices seem to be fairly stable depending on the variety.

“There’s excitement about corn looking at yields from last year. We’ve still got good prices compared to previous years.

We’re tight on supplies because of low national yields last year. What prices do this year will depend on yields,” Smith said. “In terms of cost projections corn looks best of all the row crops.”

On Jan. 11 the USDA announced the 2012/2013 projected ending stocks for corn at 602 million bushels, their lowest level since 2003/2004, Smith said. Projections for the 2013 U.S. corn crop’s planted acreage range from 96 million acres to 98.5 million acres, with between 87.4 to 91.1 million harvested acres, a yield per acre of 135 to 161 bushels/acre and ending stocks between 795 million to 2.2 billion bushels. Smith said prices could range from $5 per bushel, if the U.S. has a high crop yield, to $5.50 per bushel if there is a medium crop yield.

Corn yields could be impacted by drought conditions that persist in the Midwest and across parts of the Southeast, including Middle Georgia.

Danny Willingham, chairman of the Georgia Corn Commission and Rodney Harrell, president of the Georgia Corn Georgia Farm Bureau News

Photo by Jennifer Whittaker

Outlook for Georgia corn growers promising

Pictured from left, Dr. Dewey Lee presents awards to Randy Dowdy and Jeremy Williams during the 2013 Corn Short Course and Georgia Corn Growers Meeting. Dowdy won the 2012 Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award in the irrigated category. Williams won the 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Award.

Growers Association (GCGA), gave updates on their respective organizations.

Willingham said the commission is funding $265,489 for research programs to study corn production issues.

Harrell said the growth in attendance at the annual meeting corresponds to increased corn acreage but noted the organization has room for growth as there are an estimated 17,000 farmers growing corn in Georgia but currently only 107 members.

He encouraged corn growers to join the GCGA for which dues are only $30 a year or $75 for three years.

Both organizations have joined forces to create a new website for Georgia corn producers–http://www.georgiacorngrowers.org.

Winners of the 2012 Georgia High Yield Corn Contest were named during the corn short course. In the irrigated category, Randy Dowdy of Brooks County won the Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award for producing 374 bushels/acre at $2.54 per bushel.

The 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Award went to Jeremy Williams of Peach County for producing 326 bushels/acre. The 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award went to Stephen Scott of Seminole County for producing 291 bushels/acre at $2.69 per bushel.

In the dryland category, Richard Weaver of Gordon County won the Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award for producing 195.7 bushels/acre at $2.55 per bushel. No second place awards for production or efficiency were presented in the dryland category.

“When you see these yields you realize these guys are really doing something on their farms,” said Agronomist Dr. Dewey Lee, a consultant for the Georgia Corn Growers Association. “These awards recognize the hard work all corn farmers do on their farms.

If there’s anything you learn today at the short course, I hope you learn to be a better student of your crop and learn from each other.”

February-March 2013/ 17

Nominations made for Peanut Commission Board GPC Dist. 2 election set for April

By Jennifer Whittaker ___________________________________ At the request of the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC), Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) held nomination meetings Dec. 18 and 19 to fill three positions on the GPC Board of Directors that begin in May. The term for each position is three years.

On Dec. 18 peanut growers in the GPC District 2 renominated incumbent Armond Morris of Irwin County, who currently chairs the GPC. Through the years, Morris has served a total of 26 years on the GPC Board and as chairman for nine years non-consecutively. Wes Shannon of Tift County has served on the GFB Peanut Committee since 2007 and as committee chairman since 2010. He has served on the American Farm Bureau Peanut Com-

mittee since 2010 and chaired the committee last year. He also served on the National Peanut Board from 2004-2009 and chaired the NPB in 2008. Both are Farm Bureau members.

Since more than one person was nominated for the District 2 seat, a mail ballot election will be held April 1-30. GPC’s District 2 includes Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth counties. The GPC will send ballots to peanut farmers in the district. If you are a peanut grower in the GPC District 2 and do not receive a ballot but would like to vote, call the GPC at 229-386-3470.

During the District 4 nomination meeting held Dec. 19, Rodney Dawson of Pulaski County was renominated without opposition for the District 4 position which

represents the counties of Bleckley, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Laurens, Pulaski, Telfair, Twiggs, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkinson. Donald Chase of Macon County was renominated without opposition for the District 5 seat during a nomination meeting held Dec. 19. The GPC District 5 includes Chattahoochee, Clay, Lee, Macon, Marion, Peach, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Terrell and Webster counties.

The Georgia peanut production area is divided into five districts based on acreage distribution and geographical location with one board member representing each district for a three-year term. The GPC conducts numerous activities that promote Georgia’s peanut industry, support industry research and educate producers about industry issues.

National Peanut Board names Parker president, Harrell vice chairman Following a nationwide search, the National Peanut Board (NPB) has named Robert T. “Bob” Parker IV as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding Marie Fenn, who retired at the end of 2012.

The NPB is a farmer-funded national research, promotion and education checkoff program consisting of one board member and one alternate from each of the 10 peanut-producing states. It provided more than $4.6 million in domestic and export promotions funding and more than $1 million in research funding in FY2012.

Parker joined the NPB on Dec. 10 from Golden Peanut Company LLC in Alpharet-

ta, Ga., where he worked for the past 25 years in various roles of increasing responsibility, becoming an officer of the company in 1996 and leaving as vice president of industry relations and seed.

Parker’s experience in the peanut industry began in Climax, Ga., Parker where he managed a family-owned farm service and supply business and a farm. He sold that company to Golden Peanut Company and joined them as area procurement manager.

Parker has served as chairman of the American Peanut Council, American Pea-

POLICY from page 5 GFB, however, was able to add policy language that offers flexibility on the issue.

The AFBF delegates also ratified a GFB resolution calling for legislation to prohibit unauthorized photography or other recordings on private property without an owner’s knowledge or consent. The purpose is to combat environmental and animal rights activists from posing as employees while trying to gather footage to undermine a farmer. Farm Bureau believes that legitimate employees should come forward to

farm owners and report improper conduct rather than participating in the activity.

Farm Bureau’s legislative agenda at both the state and national level is based on our policy development process. For our organization to effectively speak for farmers, it is vital that we begin from a position of general agreement. The purpose of policy development is to reach that area of common ground.

Jon Huffmaster is director of the GFB Legislative Department.

By Jay Stone ___________________________________

18 / February-March 2013

nut Shellers Association, the Peanut Institute, and the Peanut Administrative Committee.

He also served on the boards of the Peanut Foundation and the Peanut Standards Board. He holds a B.S. in agricultural economics from the University of Georgia.

Grady County Farm Harrell Bureau Director John Harrell has been chosen to serve as vice chairman of the NPB. His one-year term began Jan. 1. Vic Jordan of Louisiana was chosen as chairman for the NPB. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack reappointed Harrell to a three-year term on the NPB in September 2012. Vilsack also reappointed Decatur County Farm Bureau President Andy Bell as the Georgia NPB alternate.

Harrell, his wife Deena and son Douglas own a sixth generation family farm north of Whigham, Ga. He began farming in 1975 growing peanuts and corn, later adding cotton. Harrell attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Harrell also serves on the Georgia Peanut Commission Advisory Board, the American Peanut Council Export Board, the Georgia Farm Bureau Peanut Committee and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

James Hitchcock wins Young Peanut Farmer Award

Photo by Jay Stone

Hardware, research displayed at Peanut Farm Show

The Georgia Peanut Commission presented its annual awards during the Peanut Farm Show on Jan. 17 in Tifton. From left are: GPC Chairman Armond Morris, Doster Warehouse President Jack Chastain, who received the Distinguished Service Award; Reporter Luke Roberts of the Douglas Enterprise, which was honored with the Media Award; Dr. Jonathan Williams, Special Award; James Hitchcock, who received the 2013 Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer award; and Dr. Bill Branch, who received the Research and Education Award.

By Jay Stone ___________________________________ The 2013 Georgia Peanut Farm Show, held in Tifton for the first time in 30 years, drew an estimated 1,800 attendees and a record 97 exhibitors to the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center on Jan. 17.

The event featured the Georgia Peanut Commission’s annual awards program, tours of the UGA Tifton research facilities and the new GPC headquarters building, as well as educational sessions that covered topics ranging from weed management and soil fertility to crop budgets and maturity determination tools.

Producers were also able to kick the tires on the latest farm equipment and get an up-close look at a crop-duster from Thrush Aircraft. A record 97 exhibitors

participated in the farm show.

“It’s all about the peanut farmer getting the best information from research and from the exhibitors,” said GPC Chairman Armond Morris.

While the surpluses from a record 2012 crop likely will mean fewer peanuts planted in 2013, Morris indicated that overseas markets have helped boost demand.

Washington County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman James Hitchcock received the 2013 Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer award presented by the GPC and Bayer CropScience.

Hitchcock was selected for his overall farm operation, environmental and stewardship practices, and leadership and community service activities. His farming operation consists of 1,365 acres of crops including peanuts, corn, soybeans, hay

and 125 head of cattle.

Hitchcock utilizes variable rate lime on all of his crops. All of his irrigation pivots use low-pressure nozzles and most use electrical irrigation pumps. In 2012 he purchased two new pivots with wireless technology to monitor from his smart phone. Hitchcock also uses GPS systems to plant, spray and harvest more efficiently.

At the end of the show, a grand door prize package donated by Kelley Manufacturing Company was presented to Ken Moore of Blakely, Ga. and Keith Wynn of Ocilla, Ga. Moore received one season’s use of a new 4-row or 6-row KMC peanut combine. Wynn received a season’s use of a KMC peanut inverter. Amadas Industries also provided a grower door prize of $10,000 off the purchase of a peanut combine to Joel Carter, Sylvester, Ga.

By Jennifer Whittaker ___________________________________ Economists estimate new peanut varieties with improved disease resistance developed through the Peanut Genome Initiative could save growers more than $150 per acre, George Birdsong, CEO of Birdsong Peanuts in Suffolk,Va., told growers attending the peanut conference at the 75th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention Dec. 3, 2012.

“I’ve always felt like research is where the industry can make the most progress to help growers grow peanuts more efficiently.

Long-term we need to be more competitive with other crops” Birdsong said. “Peanuts are too small of a crop to motivate seed companies to do genetic research on peanuts like

has been done on corn and soybeans.”

Birdsong said the $6 million project will be funded equally by growers through the National Peanut Board and with donations from shellers and buying points and peanut manufac- George Birdsong turers. The genetic information the project produces will be used to develop peanut varieties that provide higher yields and are also drought tolerant, address aflatoxin issues, require less water and pesticides to produce and offer improved nutrition.

After hearing how genetic research can positively impact the industry, peanut bro-

ker George Lovatt of Lovatt & Rushing Inc. gave growers a grim outlook for the peanut market as 2012’s national record crop of about 6.5 billion pounds is expected to create a carryout supply of about 1.5 million tons of peanuts.

“There’s enough 2012 peanuts to take us from August 2013 into April 2014,” Lovatt said. “It’s not a catastrophe but it’s a serious problem we have to deal with.”

Lovatt encouraged growers to listen to what shellers and buying points are saying in regards to moving this record crop through the supply chain and making planting decisions for 2013. He said the peanut industry will need to decrease imports, increase exports and domestic demand, and limit seed demand by reducing acreage in 2013.

Peanut genetics, market outlook discussed at GFB convention

Georgia Farm Bureau News

February-March 2013/ 19

AROUND GEORGIA News from County Farm Bureaus BAKER COUNTY Baker County Farm Bureau (BCFB) hosted a very successful blood drive for the American Red Cross last August. The blood mobile bus was in the parking lot of the BCFB from 8 a.m. to noon. BCFB was very pleased with the turnout of its members for this worthwhile cause.

Pictured from left, BCFB members Rick Etchells and Fay Forrester were among the BCFB members who participated in the blood drive.

BANKS COUNTY Banks County Farm Bureau increased the agricultural awareness of about 660 students, 31 teachers and other faculty members at the Banks County Primary School during the annual farm day held at the school last fall. The students rotated through numerous exhibits that included the Mobile Dairy Classroom, a veterinary station, live animal and farm equipment exhibits.

Pictured from left, BCFB Women’s Committee members Ann Gordon, Margie Ward and Kelli Ward talked to the students about soybeans along with BCFB member Kris Wheeless, far right. The volunteers gave each student a soybean activity sheet and soybean bookmark, and the teachers were given a “Soybean Ag Mag” to use in their classrooms. BCFB Secretary/Treasurer Sammy Reece drove the students around the school grounds on a hayride, and BCFB Vice President Albert Ward assisted with various duties during the event.

CLARKE/OGLETHORPE COUNTIES The Clarke and Oglethorpe County Farm Bureaus provided dinner for the Athens Christian School FFA chapter ride at the Athens Corn Maze on Oct. 23. The students toured the farm and navigated the corn maze. CCFB Office Manager Katy Seagraves, left, meets with the Athens Christian School FFA officers and their teacher Sara Hughes, far right. CCFB 20 / February-March 2013

gave the FFA members CCFB t-shirts with the GFB 75th anniversary logo.

CLAYTON & HENRY COUNTIES The Clayton and Henry County Farm Bureaus partnered to host a Farmer’s Appreciation Dinner at the Locust Grove Event Center last fall. About 300 farmers and their families attended the event, which included a display of antique tractors and engines, Ford products, and recreational vehicles were on exhibit outside.

The Henry County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee set up a table with information about soybeans and beef. A membership information table, manned by volunteers and agents, resulted in 12 new memberships! GFB President Zippy Duvall addressed the gathering, stressing how important Farm Bureau is to the agricultural community.

FAYETTE COUNTY The Fayette County Farm Bureau presented its 2012 Farmer Appreciation Award to Lester Bray, seated, who taught gardening to hundreds in Fayette county. Bray was also instrumental in Plant a Row for the Hungry, a garden grown by volunteers and from which all the produce is given to local food banks.

The FCFB Women’s Committee sponsors the Farmer Appreciation Award. Committee Georgia Farm Bureau News

members pictured giving the award to Bray are, standing left to right, Janet Greuel, Committee Chairman Debi Creel, Robin Porter, Mary Carden and Joanne Minter.

GLYNN COUNTY Glynn County Farm Bureau made a $500 donation to the Glynn County 4-H program in appreciation for 4-H members who helped with activities during the GFB Young Farmer Conference last summer.

GCFB Office Manager Debra Orr, left, presents the donation to Glynn County Cooperative Extension Agent Robi Gray.

HARRIS COUNTY Harris County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is promoting soybeans during visits to local schools and has reached more than 100 students so far this school year. HCFB Office Manager Linda Luttrell is pictured teaching elementary students about soybeans. Students were challenged to read labels of products at home to find those containing soy. Each student received a soybean bookmark and a soybean worksheet.

TOOMBS COUNTY Toombs County Farm Bureau Secretary Whitney Hutcheson, back row, right, visited local kindergarten classes to teach the children about fire safety. Toombs County Forestry Division Chief Ranger Randy Mosley, back row, center, and Ranger Phil Crosby, dressed as Smokey Bear, attended the presentation and helped demonstrate the importance of fire safety. The students received workbooks to complete at home with their families.

TURNER COUNTY Office Manager Karen McCurdy held a class on soybeans at the Turner County Alternative Learning Center last fall and recently at a local preschool. The older students received an educational magazine about soybeans and soybean crayons and the preschoolers received coloring books and crayons. TCFB gave all of the teachers soybean hand lotion.

2nd Dist. Women’s Leadership Event

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY South Fulton County Farm Bureau members enjoyed a family fun day at the farm of SFCFB Vice President Jerry Watson last fall. Children enjoyed hayrides, face painting, apple bobbing and pony rides. SFCFB President Dorsey Earnest and his wife Peggie performed with their band. SFCFB member David Granroos catered the BBQ meal. GFB President Zippy Duvall discussed the importance of Farm Bureau membership as the organization serves as the Voice of Georgia farmers. GFB Legislative Director Jon Huffmaster addressed legislative issues affecting Georgia agriculture and the importance of Farm Bureau members being involved in the legislative process.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Georgia Farm Bureau District 2 Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Janet Mazurek, who also chairs the Elbert County Women’s Committee, organized a meeting last summer at the Stephens County Farm Bureau office for county Women’s Committee chairmen, county office managers and teachers in the 2nd District to learn more about the Ag in the Classroom program.

Stephens County teacher Karrie Perrin, left, and Elbert County teacher Dixie McCarty, center, presented the program. Perrin showed the meeting attendees how to make a miniature pizza garden as a hands-on activity with students. McCarty demonstrated how to make lip balm from soybean oil as a way to promote soybeans, Farm Bureau’s commodity of the year. Both teachers have attended the National Ag in the Classroom Conference.

February-March 2013/ 21

Farm Bureau celebrates Farm-City Week County Farm Bureaus across Georgia observed National Farm-City Week Nov. 16-22, 2012. Georgia Farm Bureau held a contest to recognize the top three FCW events in each district. The top three counties from each district received $50 to buy ag promotion items from the Field Services Department.

The district winners were: District 1: Floyd, Gordon & Pickens; District 2: Habersham, Stephens & White; District 3: Douglas, Haralson & South Fulton; District 4: Greene & Taliaferro; District 5: Harris, Monroe & Upson; District 6: Bibb, Jeff Davis & Laurens; District 7: Burke, Screven & Wayne; District 8: Lee, Turner & Wilcox; District 9: Brooks, Colquitt & Worth; District 10: Coffee, Cook & Lanier.

Visit GFB’s Facebook page to view a photo album of all the district winners.

terson, Lisa Smith, executive director of the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau and Mary Louise Lever, a director of Georgia Highlands College, FCFB Women’s Committee member, Ivy Lowrey and Thad Rush.

FCFB also sponsored a Town & Country Dinner and Women’s Committee Chairman Lyndall Burk met with the County Commissioners to have them sign a FCW proclamation.

BIBB COUNTY Bibb County Farm Bureau reached out to its fellow business owners by cooking almost 200 sausage biscuits and delivering them along with information about Farm City Week and Farm Bureau to neighboring businesses. BCFB Agency Manager Dennis Snider, pictured, and Office Manager Pat Steed prepared the biscuits. Steed and Agent Brent Worley delivered the biscuits and talked to the business employees about Farm Bureau and its membership benefits.

LANIER COUNTY Lanier County Farm Bureau (LCFB) held a farm day at Lanier County Primary School to celebrate Farm City Week. Local farmers brought livestock and farm equipment to give the students a close up look at agriculture.

Students and teachers also competed in a farm costume contest.

LCFB also recognized the winners of the Kubota Coloring Contest it held earlier last fall. Winners of the contest were, pictured front row, from left: Adaryan McLendon, first prize winner in the 6-8 age group; Samantha Badgero, who won the national grand prize in the 5 and under age group; and Caleb Watson, first prize winner in the 9-12 age group. The winners are pictured with back row, from left, Lanier County Elementary School art teacher Cindy Lyons, GFB President Zippy Duvall and LCFB President Paul Folsom. Badgero received a $100 gift card and Kubota prize pack; McLendon and Watson each received a Kubota prize pack.

FLOYD COUNTY Thanks to the Floyd County Women’s Committee, six businesswomen in Floyd County have a better understanding of farming. The committee arranged for the ladies to tour the farms of John & Ivy Lowrey, Alan & Debbie Ray and Thad Rush. During the tours the ladies learned about poultry, beef cattle and soybean production. Participating in the tour were, pictured from left, Citizens First Bank President Angie Lewis, Randall Selman, Rome Mayor Evie McNiece, Floyd County Commissioner Rhonda Wallace, District Attorney Leigh Pat-

TALIAFERRO COUNTY Taliaferro County Farm Bureau educated local preschoolers about Farm City Week by conducting a program at the local library about pumpkins. Farm Bureau volunteer Linda Franklin is pictured reading a children’s book on how pumpkins are grown.

She cut open a pumpkin to let the students see and touch the pumpkin “guts” and then helped the kids make pumpkin crafts. The county also held a chili supper for farm and urban residents during which information about FCW and how food travels from farm to table was displayed.

Continued on next page

22 / February-March 2013

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Continued fron previous page

WHITE COUNTY White County Farm Bureau held its 10th Annual FarmCity breakfast at the White County High School. All of the local farmers, business owners and ag community members were invited. Awards were presented for the Conservation Farm Family, Ag Hall of Fame and Special Friend of Agriculture.

Monsanto fund offers grants for public schools in 33 Ga. counties

Coweta Co. Farm Bureau honors Odom with building dedication

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Photo by Jennifer Whittaker

By Jennifer Whittaker __________________________________________________

Coweta County Farm Bureau (CCFB) members and Georgia Farm Bureau leaders gathered Dec. 19 to dedicate the CCFB office to Harry B. Odom, who served as the county Farm Bureau president for 41 years before stepping down last fall.

CCFB President Stanley Cauthen, right, reads a plaque dedicating the office to Odom, left, who served as the CCFB president from 1971 to 2012.

“Harry’s love of agriculture made him a good county Farm Bureau president,” Cauthen said.

Odom worked with the CCFB directors to grow the chapter’s membership. In 1991 the county built its current office building and under Odom’s financial leadership was able to pay off the mortgage in 2007. In addition to his county leadership, Odom has served on the GFB Policy Development Committee and several GFB Commodity Committees.

“It’s very fitting that this building be dedicated to someone who has dedicated 50 years of their life to Farm Bureau and served the organization unselfishly,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said of Odom. “I can’t tell you how much Farm Bureau has depended on people like Harry who have made our organization what it is. There’s no way to say thank you to your generation for the time you have given to our organization.”

WILCOX COUNTY In observation of FCW, Wilcox County Farm Bureau gave about 300 students at the local elementary school the Georgia Activity Book: Following Food from the Farm to the Fork. WCFB Women’s Committee members Jennifer Clark, pictured, and Sue Powers presented the books and talked to the kids about where their food comes from and the importance of farming in the county.

They also read the book Barn Sneeze to the students and let the students pet a tame rooster Clark brought to the class.

Farmers in 33 Georgia counties have until April 15 to nominate a public school district for grants of up to $25,000 from the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education fund sponsored by Monsanto.

The eligible Georgia counties are Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth.

To be eligible, a county must have a total of 30,000 acres of corn, soybeans, cotton and/or vegetables planted per calendar year based on USDA statistics. The program is open to all public school districts in eligible counties. Charter schools are eligible if their National Center for Education Statistics is located within an eligible county.

The program provides grants in the amounts of $10,000 and $25,000. One $10,000 grant will be awarded in each eligible crop reporting district. The grants will be based on merit, need and community support. Nominations are limited to one per farmer. The more farmer nominations a school receives, the more community support is demonstrated.

One $25,000 grant will be awarded in each state or designated region. Three Georgia counties – Burke, Terrell and Wilcox – received $10,000 grants in 2012. The Terrell County school system used its grant to purchase laptop computers for 16 teachers.

To submit a nomination, visit http://www.growruraleducation. com and click the “nominate your school district” button. The nomination form may also be printed for submission by regular U.S. mail.

Entries should be sent to America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, 914 Spruce St., St. Louis, MO 63102; mailed entries must be received

by April 15. For more information, call 1-877-267-3332.

Once nominated, the school will be notified and sent an invitation code to apply for a grant at http://www.MonsantoFund.org. School districts will have until April 20 to submit the grant application.

February-March 2013/ 23

Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Companies

Claims Resource Center New Number!

Hours of Operation: M-F 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

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Please notify us as soon as possible when a loss occurs.

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Keeping the Promise.

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Auto • Life • Home Georgia Farm Bureau • P.O. Box 7068 • 1620 Bass Road • Macon, Georgia 31209-7068 • www.gfb.org Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company Southern Farm Bureau Annuity Insurance Company Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company Georgia Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company