February 9, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 6
WATER & IMMIGRATION HOT TOPICS AT GFB DAY AT THE CAPITOL Gov. Nathan Deal outlined his plan for addressing Georgia’s water issues while addressing Farm Bureau members during Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol Feb. 8. Deal said the state continues to appeal the 2009 U.S. District Court ruling that said Atlanta has no legal right to withdraw water from Lake Lanier. In additon to appealing Judge Paul Magnuson’s ruling and working to conserve water, Deal is proposing the state budget $300 million over the next four years to assist local governments in developing reservoirs to capture rainwater. Deal said he considers water to be a local issue but that state funds to help local governments build reservoirs and water storage facilities are warranted due to the magnitude of the costs associated with building reservoirs. Deal has asked the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to spearhead his proposed Georgia Water Supply Development Program that will include a task force consisting of representatives from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Departments of Natural Resources and Community Affairs, the Georgia Financing and Investment Division and the Georgia Properties Commission. He has also asked Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black to work with the task force to represent Georgia agriculture’s water needs. “No industry in our economy is more sensitive to this issue of water than agriculture because you depend on it for the vitality of your crops and the livestock and the poultry we raise in this state. Agriculture is a vital component of what we do about water,” Deal said. Deal also commended Georgia farmers for installing about 9,000 meters on their irrigation systems since 2003 which has provided the state with scientific data to show Alabama and Florida how much water agriculture really uses. During the luncheon, GFB President Zippy Duvall issued a statement outlining the organization’s position on immigration in response to queries stemming from immigration bills recently introduced in the General Assembly. “Georgia Farm Bureau maintains that the enforcement of immigration laws and border security is a responsibility of the federal government and reform of the law should be a high priority. We encourage the state of Georgia to assist farmers to obtain legal workers instead of threatening them with fines and imprisonment because the federal government has failed to handle its responsibility.” Duvall pointed out that all immigrant farm workers are not illegal and said legal immigrants might be fearful of working in Georgia if the state is seen as anti-immigrant, which could cause major economic consequences within large sectors of agriculture. Commissioner of Agriculture Black also addressed the group, describing work his department is doing to make the Georgia Department of Agriculture a tour stop for school groups visiting the capitol where they can learn how Georgia farmers grow food and fiber.
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GFB HOLDS ANNUAL PRESIDENTS' CONFERENCE Georgia Farm Bureau kicked off a campaign to promote membership during the organization's annual Presidents' Conference Feb. 2 at the Macon Centreplex. Farm Bureau presidents and leaders from 139 of Georgia's county Farm Bureau chapters attended the event and learned about new member benefits that will be available to Farm Bureau members later this year. County leaders were also reminded of the value of existing member benefits such as the 10 percent discount Farm Bureau members get when they order products from Grainger, a supply company that sells brands such as Craftsman and DeWALT. “There are a lot of reasons to be a Farm Bureau member. Farm Bureau membership provides access to a wide variety of benefits ranging from health programs to discounts on popular hotels and car services,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “Then there is the work our organization does to ensure that consumers continue to have a safe, affordable food supply grown by Georgia farmers who make economic contributions to rural communities across our state that benefit everyone. Consumers want to support their local farmers. Let your neighbors know that joining Georgia Farm Bureau is a way they can support you and gain access to member benefits that will save them money.” Rodney Miller, recently named director of advancement and external affairs for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, delivered the conference keynote speech. Miller thanked GFB for its longtime support of the college, specifically for funding the endowment that supports the annual Ag Forecast meetings. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black told the county Farm Bureau leaders he wants to rebuild the Georgia Department of Agriculture for the 21st century. Black discussed budget issues the department is facing and encouraged Farm Bureau members to send in their subscription fees for the Market Bulletin by the end of April. SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ETHANOL FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY Southwest Georgia Ethanol LLC (SWGE), a subsidiary of First United Ethanol LLC (FUEL) and Georgia's largest corn ethanol producer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a bank notice that it was in violation of the terms of its construction and working capital loans.FUEL has not filed for bankruptcy. In a statement, SWGE said the filing “results from liquidity constraints arising from operational problems that, while largely resolved, impacted financial performance, the impending maturity of its working capital facility and from a lack of sufficient working capital due to increasing input costs and decreasing prices as a function of the economy.” SWGE will continue to operate under court protection using FUEL's employees while working out a plan of reorganization to restructure its debt and pay its creditors and does not expect to scale back its purchases of corn. Georgia's biofuels industry sustained another setback last month when Colorado-based Range Fuels shut down its plant in Treutlen County after producing one batch of cellulosic ethanol in order to solve technical issues and raise money, according to a report from Reuters.
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SENATE BILLS WOULD HALT EPA REGULATION OF GREENHOUSE GASES Two bills introduced in the U.S. Senate Jan. 31 would stop federal agencies from regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) submitted the Defending America's Affordable Energy and Jobs Act (S. 228), which would remove federal authority to regulate GHGs under existing law. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) reintroduced legislation from the last Congress that would suspend U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of GHG emissions from stationary sources for two years. The Barrasso bill would prevent any federal action on climate change without explicit congressional authorization. The bill would prohibit the president or any departments or agencies from issuing any regulations under any law for the control of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as any regulation that takes into consideration the climate effects of GHG emissions. Barrasso’s bill would pre-empt the EPA from regulating stationary sources of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. According to EPA estimates, more than 90 percent of U.S. livestock production would be affected by the agency’s proposal to regulate GHGs. Farm Bureau supports S. 228. “It's time for the [Obama] administration to face the facts: Americans rejected cap and trade because they know it means higher energy prices and lost jobs,” Barrasso said in a statement. “Washington agencies are now trying a back-door approach to regulate our climate by abusing existing laws.” Rockefeller said his bill, called the EPA Stationary Source Regulations Delay Act (S. 231), provides a delay that is needed to give Congress time to craft a new energy bill. “Many of us agree that Congress, not the EPA, must be the decision-maker on such a challenging issue,” Rockefeller said. President Obama has promised to veto any attempt to block EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. SENATE AMENDMENT WOULD REPEAL 1099 REPORTING RULES Senate Ag Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) is using a bill that modernizes the Federal Aviation Administration to try to repeal the IRS Form 1099 reporting requirements included in the health care reform law passed last year. The Senate passed Stabenow’s Senate Amendment 9 to the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act (S. 223) by an 81-17 vote on Feb. 2. The full bill was still under consideration at press time. Farm Bureau supports efforts to repeal the 1099 requirement. USDA, HHS ISSUE NEW DIETARY GUIDELINES The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the release of 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Jan. 31, placing stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. Included are 23 key recommendations for the general population. They include decreasing portions, eating more fruits and nuts, switching to fat-free or low-fat milk, monitoring sodium intake and making efforts to choose foods with lower sodium content and drinking water instead of sugary drinks. The guidelines, based on the most sound scientific information, also include six key recommendations for specific population groups.Visit http://www.dietaryguidelines.gov for the complete list of dietary recommendations.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 LONGLEAF PINE WORKSHOP Feb. 10 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta Feb. 22 FSA Service Center Statesboro Feb. 23 Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center Vidalia Feb. 24 Waycross College Waycross These workshops are for landowners, agency personnel and private natural resource professionals. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop runs until 4:30 p.m. Sessions cover prescribed burns, seed mixes, insects, diseases, herbaceous release and more. Cost is $20 at the door and includes lunch. For information, contact Vickie Stallings at 334-427-1029 or by e-mail at Vickie@longleafalliance.org. COMMITMENT TO AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE Feb. 15 Monsanto and the national Association of Farm Broadcasters will award a total of 100 scholarships this year to high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in agriculture. To qualify, high school seniors must come from a farming family, plan to enroll as a full-time student in an agriculture-related program from an accredited school and commit to pursing a career in agriculture. Applicants will be evaluated on their academic record, leadership abilities, extracurricular activities and personal essays. Applications are available online at www.monsanto.com/scholarships. GREEN UP 2011 LANDSCAPE UPDATE & TRADE SHOW Feb. 15 Macon State College Macon Turf, landscape, golf course and grounds maintenance personnel can find up-to-date training, pesticide certification credits and interaction with others in the industry at the annual Green Up landscape update and trade show. Attendees can choose from four educational tracks: Management (for business issues), Basic/Review (information for your crews), Green Landscaping (for environmental practices), and New Ideas (to introduce the latest trends). Participants can also visit with landscape suppliers in the vendor area. For more details, a full schedule and registration information; visit http://www.ugaextension.com/houston/ or contact Karen Atkins at (478) 987-2028 or atkinsk@uga.edu. 21st GEORGIA NATIONAL RODEO Feb. 17 – 19 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and features specialty acts plus cowboys and cowgirls from across the country competing in seven events: saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding, and barrel racing. Points earned at the Georgia National Rodeo qualify riders for the National Finals Rodeo held every December in Las Vegas. Visit http://www.gnfa.com to purchase tickets or call 1-800-987-3247 for more information. GEORGIA JUNIOR NATIONAL LIVESTOCK SHOW Feb. 17 – 20 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry Open to all Georgia 4-H and FFA students. Features breeding & commercial dairy heifer, breeding ewe, market hog, market steer, marker lamb and market goat shows. For more information, visit http://www.georgia4h.org/livestock/state_livestock_show.htm. UGA CAES ALUMNI AWARDS NOMINATION DEADLINE IS FEB. 20 The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association is accepting nominations for its Young Alumni Achievement Award and Alumni Award of Excellence. The Young Alumni Achievement Award is for alumni who are 35 years old or younger and who have achieved excellence in their chosen field and/or in their community. The Alumni Award of Excellence recognizes CAES alumni 35 years or older. Visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/applications/CAESAlumniNomination/?public=nominationForm to nominate someone.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 5 FEB. 18 IS DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FLAVOR OF GA CONTEST Judges are looking for market-ready foods - either commercially available or prototypes – in the following categories: barbecue and hot sauces, confections, dairy products, meat products, snack foods, and jams, jellies and sauces. Entries will be judged on flavor, best use of Georgia ingredients, Georgia theme, unique or innovative qualities, commercial appeal and originality. The University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED) will reveal the winners of the 2011 Flavor of Georgia contest during Georgia Ag Day March 22. Semifinalists will be announced in February. Final judging will be March 21 at the Freight Depot in Atlanta. This annual contest is sponsored by the CAED in partnership with the Governor's Agricultural Advisory Commission, Georgia Agribusiness Council and UGA Department of Food Science and Technology.Register online at www.flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu. For more information, call Sharon Kane at (706) 542-9809 or e-mail spkane@uga.edu. GEORGIA VEGETABLE COMMISSION REFERENDUM DEADLINE February 21 is the deadline to return a ballot in the mail ballot referendum currently in progress to reaffirm the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission. The Agricultural Commodity Commission for Vegetables Marketing Order assesses growers who annually produce 50 acres or more of beans, bell pepper, cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumbers, leafy greens, squash, sweet corn and tomatoes or have a combined annual production of 50 acres of these crops. The assessment is one cent per marketing unit. The Commission committed that at least 75% of collected funds each year be used for vegetable research. Since its inception in 2008, the Commission has approved more than $330,000 dollars for various research projects. If you should have received a ballot and have not, please contact Marcia Crowley at (404) 656-3678. 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. 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 2011-2012 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. NRCS CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM DEADLINE IS MARCH 2 The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). This program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. 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.