February 23, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 8
CUTS TO AG PROGRAMS INCLUDED IN BUDGET BILL PASSED BY U.S. HOUSE Drought tolerance research being conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Peanut Research Laboratory (NPRL) in Dawson would face elimination and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, already hit hard by state budget cuts, would lose an additional 10 percent of its funding under a federal appropriations bill passed in the U.S. House. The House on Feb. 19 passed H.R. 1, a continuing resolution budget proposal for the rest of fiscal year 2011, which ends Sept. 30. The bill includes more than $5 billion in cuts to agriculture-related programs and eliminates federal earmarked funds. H.R. 1, for which more than 500 amendments were considered, passed by a 235-189 vote. It would cut the federal budget by $60 billion overall. It would reduce funding for ag-related programs and operating budgets by $5.21 billion, or 22.4 percent, more than double the 10.3percent reductions in overall non-defense discretionary spending. The bill will now be considered by the Senate, which reconvenes on Feb. 28. A government shutdown could occur if funding legislation is not approved by March 4. Among the cuts are $1.08 million for the NPRL, which has four scientists and three projects studying irrigation, sustainable production and genetics/physiology that are funded by federal earmarks, according to NPRL Research Leader Marshall Lamb. If the funding reductions in H.R. 1 are put into effect, the four scientists along with support staff and student/temporary employees would be terminated, ending significant industry-supported research efforts. The UGA Cooperative Extension has already lost 24 percent of its budget from state funding cuts over the past two years and restructured its service delivery system statewide in response. Amendments to put caps on farm program payments were defeated on direction from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), who said discussion on farm payment cuts should wait until the 2012 farm bill debate. The House did pass an amendment by Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.) that would thwart the Environmental Protection Agency from proceeding with allowing E15 ethanol blends for cars and light trucks built after 2001. The amendment was approved in a 285-136 vote; Farm Bureau was opposed to the Sullivan amendment. Among other amendments in the bill that were approved and supported by Farm Bureau is one that would prohibit EPA from modifying the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for dust. An amendment supported by Farm Bureau to limit EPA authority to mandate Total Maximum Daily Load requirements on states was also approved.
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MONSANTO ANNOUNCES DONATION PROGRAM WINNERS Georgians in 25 counties have been awarded $2,500 each for donation to a local charity of their choice under Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities project. The project drew more than 47,000 applicants from 38 states. The program was open to farmers, age 21 and older, who actively farm a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton or 40 acres of open field vegetables, or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture in one of the 25 counties eligible for the contest. Counties qualified for the contest by meeting the following criteria: a total of either 30,000 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton, or 30,000 acres of vegetables (pepper, tomato, onion, broccoli, cucumber, melons, watermelons, spinach, squash, pumpkin, sweet corn, lettuce, peas, and garden beans) planted per calendar year based on January 2010 USDA data; or the county was eligible to participate in prior Grow Communities programs. Georgia winners, their counties and their designated charities are: Larry and Jan Roach (Baker), Newton-Baker Fire and Rescue; John Phillips (Bleckley), Bleckley County 4-H; John Hagan (Brooks), Brooks County 4-H; Wade McElveen (Bulloch), Bulloch County 4-H; Ginny Franks (Burke), Burke County 4-H Livestock Club; James Webb (Calhoun), Hospital Authority of Calhoun County; Clinton Russ (Coffee), Coffee County High School FFA; Jimmy Hembree (Colquitt), Red Cross - Sunbelt Area Chapter 11134; Ricky Jackson (Crisp), Crisp Academy; Steve Brock (Decatur), Mount Pleasant Fire Department; Peavy Farms (Dooly), organization to be determined; the Brownlee family (Early), Early County Middle School Library; William Jones (Grady), Grady County 4-H; Brenda Morris (Irwin), Irwin County 4-H; Stephen Nikkel (Jefferson), Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Department; Sandra Watson (Lee), Lee County Middle School FFA; John Trawick (Miller), Colquitt/Miller Arts Council; Tom Windhausen (Mitchell), Cotton Volunteer Fire Department; Joe Boddiford (Screven), Screven County 4-H; Brad Clarke (Seminole), Seminole County High School FFA; Roy and Jean Daniel (Sumter), Phoebe Sumter Hospice; Neil Lee (Terrell), Terrell County 4-H; Claude and Jackie Wilson (Thomas), Thomas County Food Bank & Outreach Center; Holliday Farms (Wilcox), Wilcox County 4-H; the Young Family (Worth), Worth County 4-H. In addition to the $2,500 direct charitable donations, Monsanto plans to give $1 on behalf of each applicant to local United Way chapters. EPD WILL NOT ISSUE SEVERE DROUGHT DECLARATION FOR FLINT RIVER Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Director Allen Barnes will not issue a severe drought declaration in accordance with the Flint River Drought Protection Act due to conditions in southwest Georgia’s lower Flint River Basin. The EPD Director is required by law to issue a prediction by March 1 on whether severe drought conditions are expected during the year. Barnes said that while conditions in the region are dry, stream flows and groundwater levels do not support a severe drought declaration. In addition, the 90-day precipitation forecast from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center calls for only a 40 percent chance of belowaverage rainfall through May.
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FOOD CHECK-OUT WEEK SUGGESTS HEALTHY, INEXPENSIVE CHOICES As American consumers continue to watch their budgets, especially what they spend on groceries, Farm Bureau is using its annual Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 20-26, to help consumers stretch their grocery dollars to buy healthy, nutritious foods. “Every penny counts these days so Farm Bureau is trying to help educate consumers on how to spend their money wisely when they shop,” Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chairman Donna Powell said. “To get the most nutritious food with less money, dietitians recommend setting a food budget, planning balanced meals, making a list and shopping at competitively priced grocery stores.” Home economists recommend that consumers select fresh fruits and vegetables in season and buy frozen or canned fruits and vegetables when they're not in season to save money. They also suggest consumers only purchase items they’re sure will be eaten. A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released Feb. 1 indicates that an adult on a 2,000-calorie diet can meet recommendations for vegetable and fruit consumption in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans at an average cost of $2 to $2.50 a day. For information about making healthy food choices visit http://www.mypyramid.gov to consult the USDA food guidance system. Now in its 13th year, Food Check-Out Week also highlights America’s safe, abundant and affordable food supply, made possible by America's farmers. According to the most recent information from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, American families and individuals spend, on average, less than 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food. French consumers spend 14 percent; Chinese consumers spend 33 percent and Indonesian consumers spend 43 percent. To celebrate the safe and abundant food supply Georgia farmers produce, the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is encouraging each county Farm Bureau to collect donations during February to assist families needing food assistance at the county level and for the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus. Each year the GFB Women’s Committee rotates its state donation among the Ronald McDonald Houses in Augusta, Atlanta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah. Since 1998, GFB has donated $26,700 to the Ronald McDonald Houses of Georgia. YOUTH EQUINE CHAMPIONS HONORED AT CAPITOL Youth equine champions were recognized for their achievements on Feb. 16 during Georgia Youth Equine Championship Day at the Capitol. The third-year event drew almost 500 people, including approximately 100 champion equine competitors, ranging from age five to seniors in high school, who all won state championships and were invited to national and international competitions. They met Gov. Nathan Deal and sat in the House gallery during a session of the General Assembly, where a resolution was read proclaiming the day Youth Equine Championship Day in Georgia. “If you are able to train a horse effectively and show a horse successfully, you have hopefully come to understand that the discipline of the animal must be preceded by the discipline of yourself,” Deal said in a brief speech at the luncheon. “Self discipline is the greatest trait you can carry with you from your experience.”
Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 GFB SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE Feb.25 Georgia Farm Bureau will award a total of $14,250 in scholarships to 10 high school seniors who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in agricultural and environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or a related agricultural field. The top three students will each receive a one-time scholarship of $3,000. The remaining seven students will each receive a one-time $750 scholarship. The scholarships are available to students whose parents or legal guardians are members of Georgia Farm Bureau as of Sept. 1, 2010. Students submitting an application must currently be a high school senior and plan to enroll in a unit of the University System of Georgia or Berry College during the 20112012 academic year. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information or an application. Applications must be approved and signed by the Farm Bureau president of the county where Farm Bureau membership is held before being submitted to the home office. You may also download a copy of the application by visiting http://www.gfb.org then selecting GFB Programs and then FB Women. Each county may submit up to four applications. Winners will be announced in May 2011. UGA HORTICULTURE PRUNING CLASS Feb. 25 & March 4 UGA Research &Education Garden, Ellis Road Griffin Participants will learn proper pruning techniques, what equipment to use, when to prune certain plants and techniques for creating a professional looking landscape. Participants will also learn pest prevention through pruning. Taught by Bob Westerfield, a consumer horticulturist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the class will consist of indoor lectures and outside hands-on demonstrations. The one-day class will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days. The cost of the course is $39 and includes lunch and break refreshments. Pre-registration is required by calling 770-233-5598. TIFTON BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE March 1 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Registration starts at 9 a.m. Contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-6627 or via e-mail at lawtons@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or via e-mail at ptcannon@uga.edu. TIFTON PERFORMANCE-TESTED BULL SALE March 2 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Dr. Ronnie Silcox at 706-542-9201 or via e-mail at rsilcox@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or via e-mail at ptcannon@uga.edu. NRCS CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM DEADLINE March 2 is the deadline to submit a proposal for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Innovation Grants. For more information, visit the Georgia NRCS Web site, http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.html. NRCS PIGWEED CONTROL PROGRAM SIGNUP DEADLINE IS MARCH 4 The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide $150,000 in financial incentives for a project in the Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District (Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Taylor and Wilcox counties) to control pigweed, funded under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and targeted to cotton farmers. Participants will work with NRCS to design a conservation plan and agree to implement pigweed control practices. The payment rate will be up to $75 per acre for two years. Interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for additional information.Visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov for more information.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NRCS HIGH TUNNEL PILOT STUDY March 4 The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for the 2011 High Tunnel Pilot Study thru March 4. Georgia has designated $100,000 for this initiative. NRCS will fund one high tunnel per farm/applicant. The maximum size of high tunnels erected for the study is 2,178 sq. ft. Reimbursement will be made after the structure is completely constructed and inspected by NRCS personnel. The applicant must agree to maintain the structure and a record system for three years. High tunnels must be constructed after the application has been approved and must comply with the standards and specifications in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). High tunnels, sometimes known as hoop houses, help small farmers extend their growing season allowing them to generate income as the temperature gets colder in the fall and winter. Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move. Cost-share rates are 75 percent for general applicants and 90 percent for historically underserved applicants. To sign up or learn more about the project, contact your local NRCS office. Visit http:// www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov to download an application. SOUTHEAST CATTLE ADVISOR WORKSHOP March 8 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Athens Topics to be covered at this workshop include: beef price outlook for 2011 and potential marketing opportunities, calculating your breakeven price, extended ownership management considerations and maximizing forages as an economical feed resource. In addition to offering this workshop live on the UGA Athens campus, cattle producers may also participate in the workshop via satellite at some local Extension offices or via your computer through GoToWebinar software. Visit http://secattleadvisor.com/webinar.html to learn more about participating in the workshop at a satellite location or via the Web. For more information contact Lawton Stewart at lawtons@uga.edu or 706-5421852, Curt Lacy via e-mail at clacy@uga.edu or 228-386-3512 or your local Extension office at 1-800ASK-UGA-1. OCHLOCKONEE WATER CONSERVATION FIELD DAY March 10 Gene Willis Farm, Highway 111 9 a.m. Meigs This field day, hosted by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, will include a best management practices tour of the Ochlockonee River Basin Total Maximum Daily Load Project. The tour will review improvements to heavy use areas and includes a fencing demonstration as well as information on other GSWCC programs and conservation programs that provide cost-share assistance. For more information, call Jonathan Hall at 912-384-4811, ext. 123. GEORGIA AG HALL OF FAME NOMINATION DEADLINE March 15 The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is seeking nominations for the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. This hall of fame recognizes individuals who have made unusual and extraordinary contributions to Georgia’s agriculture and agribusiness industries. Guidelines and a nomination form can be found at the following link: http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/fame/nominate.html or by calling the UGA CAES Alumni office at 706542-3390. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING March 16 Ramada Conference Center Meeting begins at 2 p.m. Call the foundation at 229-263-9366 for more information.
Perry