AFBF: TARIFFS HIT FARMERS’ AND RANCHERS’ IMPORTS AND EXPORTS
According to an AFBF Market Intel report published April 4, U.S. farmers and ranchers could be hit both as producers and as consumers under a slate of tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on April 2.
He has since announced a 90-day “pause” on reciprocal tariffs, a move applauded by AFBF, though the pause does not apply to goods imported from China.
“Farm Bureau appreciates President Trump’s decision to pause the reciprocal tariffs on dozens of America’s trading partners for 90 days. We have been engaging directly with the White House, U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Agriculture to emphasize the toll tariffs will take on America’s farmers and ranchers, who are already strapped because of high supply costs and shrinking paychecks. Creating more market challenges puts at risk more than 20% of U.S. farm income. We’re encouraged that those concerns are being heard,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
“While the pause brings some temporary certainty, questions remain about the long-term competitiveness for farmers in the global marketplace. We encourage the administration to swiftly resolve trade disputes and to pursue strategies that will ensure America’s farmers can continue to stock the pantries of families here at home, and abroad.”
To read the entire Market Intel report, visit https://www.fb.org/market-intel/understanding-thenew-tariffs
Farmers and ranchers, like all Americans, will be paying more for many of the products they purchase, from seed for vegetable growers to tractors and other equipment made of steel. Some exemptions for products including potash and peat, which were hard fought for by agricultural organizations such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, are a testament to the effectiveness of farmers’ and ranchers raising their collective voice. Analysis by the Tax Foundation reports the tariffs applied in 2025 will result in an average tax increase of more than $1,900 for every U.S. household annually, which, would be the largest tax hike in 43 years, if negotiations are not initiated and resolved quickly.
Retaliatory tariffs imposed by U.S. trading partners make American products more expensive than products from countries not facing such tariffs, thereby lowering demand for the more than -continued on next page
Field Notes page 2 of 19
Continued from previous page
20% of U.S. agricultural production that is exported. Before the tariff announcement on April 2, Canada and China already had retaliatory tariffs on $27 billion of U.S. agricultural exports. As of April 4, China, our third-largest agricultural export market, has already announced an additional 34% retaliatory tariff on all U.S. exports effective April 10. As new retaliatory tariffs stack on top of old ones, the total applied tariff for agricultural products in China will rise even higher. For example, the total retaliatory tariffs rise to 71.5% for soybeans, 74% for in-quota cotton and 99% for frozen swine offal. With the simultaneous increase of input prices and decrease in demand, farmers who are already in financial distress will further feel the squeeze.
Longer-term, farmers may also see demand reduction as our economy struggles to cope with these major changes. The volatility of the tariff policy decisions, with new tariffs frequently being announced, paused and placed will take a toll on the American agricultural industry, as on the rest of the economy. Farmers and ranchers suffer from instability, as their soundest business decisions can be turned upside down. If these tariffs lead rapidly to new agreements with new market access, they may help our farmers. In the meantime, without direct support from USDA or a farm bill with an updated safety net, farmers will almost certainly bear the brunt of these tariffs, as they always seem to do.
REGISTER NOW FOR YF&R SUMMER CONFERENCE, COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Registration is open for the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Summer Leadership Conference and competitive events. Please share the following information with anyone who may be interested in attending or competing.
The conference will be July 16-19 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. This conference is open to any GFB member ages 18-35. A children’s program will be provided for kids 4th grade and younger as a convenience for attendees competing or participating in sessions.
Visit https://gfb.ag/yfrslc for complete conference details, including tentative agenda, information about the children’s program and lodging information, or to register by one of the deadlines listed below:
• Early Registration – Deadline: April 30th – Registration Fee: $100 per attendee
• Regular Registration – Deadline: June 1st – Registration Fee: $150 per attendee
Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Room blocks have been secured at the Hampton Inn and Suite (912-635-3733, reservation deadline is June 16), Home2Suite (912319-6019, reservation deadline is June 16), Villas by the Sea (912-635-2521, reservation deadline is June 16) and the Westin (912-635-4545, reservation deadline is June 13) on Jekyll Island
Note: These room blocks tend to fill up quickly.
GFB is also accepting entries for the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award through April 30 and the YF&R Discussion Meet through June 1.
Excellence in Agriculture Award
The application is now available for the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award. The application should be submitted online at https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete by April 30. Any Georgia Farm Bureau -continued on next page
Field Notes page 3 of 19
Continued from previous page member between the ages of 18 and 35 is eligible to compete. Contact your county Farm Bureau office manager or GFB district federation manager to ask for the application form It is highly recommended that applicants work with the district federation manager on the application well in advance of the deadline.
Discussion Meet
Registration is open for the YF&R Discussion Meet. The entry form should be completed and submitted online at https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete by June 1 Contact your county Farm Bureau office manager or GFB district federation manager to ask for the application form and the list of topics that will be discussed during the competition.
The application is now available for the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award. The application should be submitted online at https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete by April 30. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested or qualified and let your county Farm Bureau office manager or district federation manager know of any interested applicants. It is highly recommended that applicants work with the district federation manager on the application well in advance of the deadline.
Candidate(s) for this award are individuals or couples who do not earn the majority of their income from production agriculture. Following the deadline, district winners and three state finalists will be determined. The state finalists will be contacted by June 6 in order to prepare for the presentation component of this award. Presentations will be in-person on July 16 as a part of the conference, where the state winner will be announced.
Discussion Meet
Registration is open for the YF&R Discussion Meet. The entry form should be completed and submitted online at https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete by June 1. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in competing.
Any Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers member between the ages of 18 and 35 is eligible to compete. Discussion Meet Orientation (for all competitors) will be on Wednesday afternoon, July 16 and the competition will be in person at the conference. The Discussion Meet consists of two (2) preliminary rounds, a Sweet Sixteen round, and a Final Four round, which will determine the state winner. A collegiate winner will also be recognized.
Competitors can visit https://www.gfb.org/education-and-outreach/discussion-meet.cms for additional resources that may be helpful when preparing for the Discussion Meet. For questions regarding the Summer Leadership Conference or the competitive events, contact your county Farm Bureau office manager or GFB district federation manager.
DIGGING IN WEBINAR RECAPS 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSSION
On April 15, Georgia Farm Bureau partnered with AgCredit to host “Digging In,” a webinar in which the organization visited with Georgia House Agriculture Committee Chairman Robert Dickey (R-Musella) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Russ Goodman (R-Homerville) along with Georgia Department of Agriculture Policy Counsel Katherine Russell and Ag Georgia and Ag South Farm Credit Marketing Manager Rhonda Shannon.
Dickey, Goodman and Shannon were asked to talk about a number of bills addressing agricultural topics, including disaster relief for those affected by Hurricane Helene, tort reform, veterinary loan repayment, truck weights and others.
Disaster relief
The two committee chairmen were asked to review action taken to help farmers recover from damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
“I’m really proud of what the state has done,” Goodman said. “No amount of money is ever going to be enough. The sun went down that night and when the sun came back up, we’d lost a third of our number one industry in the state, which is hard to imagine.”
House Bill 223 is intended to provide relief from Hurricane Helene by exempting federal disaster relief payments for agricultural losses and crop insurance payments for Hurricane Helene received in 2025 from state income tax, providing a tax credit for eligible losses of trees used to produce wood or food at $550 per acre, and exempting building materials used in 2025 for repairing poultry houses, livestock barns or greenhouses from sales tax.
The final bill includes the language from Senate Bill 52, which suspends the “severance tax,” the tax on harvested timber that is calculated based on dollar value rather than volume of harvested timber. Timber producers suffered because of diminished value when extraordinary quantities of downed trees had to be harvested following the storm, and local communities receiving funds from the severance tax saw drastically diminished revenue.
The bill also included $285 million toward the Georgia Development Authority to fund lowinterest loans for producers whose farms were damaged by the hurricane. Goodman said the total financial response authorized by the legislature was approximately $1.2 billion. At press time the bill awaited signing by Gov. Brian Kemp.
“I think we’ve done all we can do from a state perspective,” Dickey said. “I hope our federal partners will come in helping soon.”
Tort reform
Kemp placed high priority on tort reform, and the legislature passed Senate Bills 68 and 69. SB68 contained most of Kemp’s proposals, including premises liability, seat belt laws, attorney’s fees and others.
“Farmers are small businesspeople,” Dickey said. “We all have vehicles on the road, we have a lot of assets, buildings … a lot of liability out there and we were just wide open.”
Veterinary Loan Repayment Program
Russell detailed updates to the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program authorized in House Bill 172. It increases the total amount a recent veterinary school graduate can receive, from $80,000 -continued on next page
Field Notes page 5 of 19
Continued from previous page over four years to $90,000 over three years.
“The purpose is to support loan repayments for veterinarians who have recently graduated from vet school and are servicing specified areas that are rural and they really focusing on large animal veterinary practices,” Russell said. “We would just like to see those vets available to our constituents who need them.”
Truck weights
House Bill 164 removes the sunset provision on truck weights legislation passed in 2023, making permanent the provision allowing up to 88,000 pounds to be transported. Prior to 2023, the limit was set at 84,000 pounds. Goodman said this put Georgia at the same weight limit as bordering states and saves money by reducing the number of trips for farmers who ship their products across state lines.
Water metering
House Bill 143 relieves farmers of the responsibility of installing sufficient infrastructure for state-funded meters to be installed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) if the EPD attempts to put in a meter and determines there is insufficient infrastructure to complete the installation. The bill will authorize EPD staff to undertake maintenance and new meter installation in specific cases.
CUVA acreage
House Bill 90 doubles the maximum allowed acreage in Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres. If passed, owners can qualify for multiple covenants if the total acreage does not exceed 4,000 acres.
“Ag is changing,” Dickey said, noting that many farms have had to increase in size. “I think this will be a benefit to a lot of farmers.”
House Bill 129 removes restrictions on certain leased properties that were previously disqualified from entering a CUVA covenant. The leasing entity must be owned by a U.S. citizen, the primary purpose of the land use must be agricultural, 80% of the entity's gross income must come from bona fide conservation use, and one member must own at least 25% stake in the property for the leased property to remain eligible.
Pesticide labeling
Senate Bill 144 absolves chemical manufacturers of liability if the product meets Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) standards set forth by the EPA, shielding the manufacturer from lawsuits as long as the product meets the labeling requirements.
Goodman said the bill would keep manufacturers from being held responsible for “failure to warn” here a manufacturer or seller is held liable for failing to adequately inform consumers about the potential dangers or risks associated with their product. Failure to warn has been the basis for successful lawsuits against chemical companies.
“All this legislation did was it said that the label is the law. Anyone who thinks they have been harmed, anyone that they think they bought an adulterated product, whatever it is, they still have multiple avenues to sue,” Goodman said.
Field Notes page 6 of 19
GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AG AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ’25-’26
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is excited to announce the 26 students selected to receive a total of $70,000 in scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. These awards support Georgia students pursuing degrees in agriculture, forestry, or family and consumer sciences at a University System of Georgia institution, Berry College, Emmanuel College, any accredited Georgia college or university with an ag program, or a Georgia accredited technical college.
"The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is proud to support these passionate young leaders," said GFA Board Chairman and GFB President Tom McCall. "Each student brings a unique focus to the field of agriculture, and their studies span across innovative and vital sectors. Georgia Farm Bureau is honored to champion their futures."
The scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors, rising college juniors and seniors, students attending technical colleges, and University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine students specializing in animal care.
Recipients are listed below.
College Freshman Scholarship for Agriculture
Eleven students planning to enter college this fall at the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), or Georgia Southern University were awarded scholarships of $3,000 each: Addie Murphree, Early County; Agatha Grimes, Candler County; Ellie Floyd, Tattnall County; Emma Lawrence, Johnson County; Jackson Daniel, Hart County; Jackson Edwards, Carroll County; Leyton Morris, Morgan County; Lola Talton, Monroe County; Madison Chastain, Gilmer County; Jeremy Hood, Emanuel County; and John Haven Stalvey, Berrien County. The top two candidates – Hood and Stalvey – each received an additional $1,500. These 11 students plan to pursue degrees in agricultural education, agricultural communications, agribusiness, avian biology, biology (pre-vet), agricultural engineering, crop and soil science, and poultry science/livestock production.
Technical College Scholarship for Ag
Brody Everidge, Dooly County; Khalia Clemons, Gwinnett County; Tyler Long, White County; and Sydney Wade, Gwinnett County were each selected to receive a $1,500 scholarship to attend Southern Regional Technical College, Gwinnett Technical College, and North Georgia Technical College. These students plan to pursue degrees in land, forest, and wildlife management; environmental horticulture; and environmental technology.
Rising College JR/SR Scholarships for Ag
The foundation awarded nine $2,000 scholarships to these rising college juniors and seniors: Amiyah Elam, Ware County; Payton Adams, Coffee County; Payne Murphree, Early County; Samuel Nichols, Berrien County; Jane Ashley Rowell, Coffee County; Alexandrea Steedley, Appling County; Joan Tovar-Martinez, Sumter County; Eva Wessels, Lee County; and Tyler Williams, Miller County.
These students attend the University of Georgia and ABAC and are studying agricultural -continued on next page
Field Notes page 7 of 19
Continued from previous page
education, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, agribusiness, avian biology, biological science, regenerative bioscience, social entrepreneurship for consumer well-being, and agricultural technology and systems management.
UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship
Kloie Varnadoe, Tift County, and Ashley Nave, Carroll County, each received a $5,000 scholarship to support their pursuit of careers in large animal veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
GA EPD ACCEPTING WATER WITHDRAWAL APPLICATIONS IN LOWER FLINT
By Adam Belflower
Since April 1, farmers in the Lower Flint River Basin and Sub-Area 4 region have been able to apply for drought-restricted or volumetric-limited permits for agricultural water withdrawal.
In fall 2024, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) announced access to new agricultural water withdrawal permits for farmers in the Lower Flint River Basin and Sub-Area 4. This announcement is a significant win for farmers in Southwest Georgia and builds on the work EPD has done in recent years to provide new access to farmers under the constraints of the 2012 suspension. Georgia Farm Bureau applauds the work of EPD Director Jeff Cown and the EPD Watershed Protection Branch to promote the growth of agriculture in Southwest Georgia by granting new access to water.
In 2012, due to litigation between Georgia and Florida, EPD placed a moratorium on new agricultural water withdrawal permits in the Lower Flint River Basin. Although the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Georgia, concluding that Georgia farmers were not abusing the water supply and were allowing a reasonable supply to pass to our neighbors, EPD kept the moratorium in place because species of endangered mussels live in the Lower Flint River Basin. The EPD wanted a better understanding of the impact new withdrawals would have on these mussels.
EPD’s stated goal has been to protect Georgia farmers from violating the Endangered Species Act, which would risk the ability of any farmer to irrigate in the region, while finding ways to promote the growth of agriculture.
With a better understanding of the hydrological connectivity of the region and over a decade of research, EPD has found a path for farmers to begin drilling new wells.
Farmers may choose between a volumetric permit, subject to the annual volumetric limit, or a drought-restricted permit, which would be suspended during the most critical droughts as determined through a series of monitoring wells in the region.
On new permits, farmers would be required to install meters for EPD to ensure compliance with the permit’s regulations. Because of the hydrologic sensitivity of the region, this is necessary to protect new and existing users of all agricultural water withdrawal permits.
EPD is offering multiple tools to ensure all users in the basin comply. Through internal adjustments, irrigated acre corrections, permit corrections and modifications, or new modified permits, EPD wants to help farmers access an appropriate supply of water and avoid legal -continued on next page
Field Notes page 8 of 19
Continued from previous page ramifications for excessive withdrawals from the Flint Basin.
If you are a farmer in the Lower Flint River Basin, you may want to consider if one of the new modified permits is best for your operation. Contact the Georgia EPD Southwest District Office at (229) 430-4144 or visit www.epd.georgia.gov/water-withdrawal-permitting for more information on compliance for existing users and full details on new modified permits.
GA PEANUT & CORN ACRES EXPECTED TO INCREASE WHILE COTTON DROPS
Georgia farmers are expected to plant more acres of peanuts and corn in 2025, while cotton acres are forecast to decline, according to the 2025 Prospective Plantings Report released March 31 by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Acres planted to winter wheat last fall is up from 2024 but down from 2023.
Peanut growers are expected to plant 950,000 acres, up 12% from the 850,000 acres they planted in 2024. Georgia growers planted 775,000 acres in 2023.
Producers are expected to plant 420,000 acres of corn this year, up 12 % from the 375,000 acres planted last year. Georgia growers planted 485,000 acres in 2023.
Cotton growers are reporting they will plant 1 million acres, down 9% from the 1.1 million acres they planted the past two years.
Georgia farmers reported that they planted 170,000 acres in winter wheat, up 17% from 2024 when they planted 145,000 acres but less than the 195,000 acres planted in 2023.
Soybean growers indicate they will plant 170,000 acres this year, the same acreage they planted in 2024, but up from the 160,000 acres planted in 2023.
Hay producers expect to cut 470,000 acres of hay this year, down 2% from the 480,000 cut in 2024. In 2023, Georgia hay producers cut 510,000 acres.
Georgia farmers reported that they planted 70,000 acres of oats, up 8% from the 65,000 acres they planted in 2024. They planted 55,000 acres in 2023.
USDA discontinued collecting estimates for Georgia’s tobacco crop in 2024.
Total acres of peanuts planted in the U.S. for 2025 is expected to be 1.95 million, up 8% from the 1.8 million planted nationwide in 2024. In 2023 1.645 million acres were planted.
Nationwide, the 2025 estimated corn planted acreage for all purposes is 95.3 million acres, up 5% or 4.73 million acres from 2024. Compared to last year, planted acreage is expected to be up or unchanged in 40 of the 48 states that report estimated corn acreage.
U.S. cotton growers are expected to plant 9.87 million acres, down 12% from last year. Upland cotton acreage is estimated at 9.71 million acres, down 12% from 2024. American Pima acreage is estimated at 157,000 acres, down 24% from 2024.
Nationwide, farmers are expected to plant 83.5 million acres of soybeans, down 4% from 2024. Planted acreage is down or unchanged from 2024 in 23 of the 29 states that report estimated -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 19
Continued from previous page soybean acreage.
All wheat planted in the U.S. is estimated at 45.4 million acres, down 2% from last year. If this forecast proves true, this will be the second lowest acreage for all types of wheat since records began in 1919. The nationwide 2025 winter wheat planted acreage at 33.3 million is down less than 1% from 2024. Acreage expected to be planted in spring wheat this year is estimated at 10 million acres, down 6% from 2024.
IT’S STRAWBERRY SEASON ON GEORGIA FARMS
This spring marks 30 years that Chatham County Farm Bureau member Pete Waller has grown strawberries at his Ottawa Farms outside Savannah.
“We started with blueberries in 1975, and then the Chatham County Extension Agent asked me to start growing strawberries. He talked me into planting half an acre for the 1995 season,” Waller recalled. “That was before the Internet and social media. We advertised in the paper and sent out postcards. On opening weekend that year we had enough people come out so that we were picked out. We increased our acreage through the years so that now we plant five acres.”
Waller’s farm is located about 20 minutes west of Savannah in Bloomingdale, Ga., near the Effingham County line. More than 6,000 people attended Ottawa Farms’ annual strawberry festival April 12-13, he said.
“By 10 a.m. on Sunday they had the strawberry patch picked clean,” Waller said.
Ottawa Farms opened its strawberry season this year on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The farm’s season is expected to last to mid-May, Waller said, depending on the weather. Hot temperatures shorten the season.
“When it starts getting hot, a strawberry plant can’t handle high temperatures,” Waller said.
For decades Ottawa farm has participated in the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Certified Farm Market program, which connects consumers directly with farmers who sell food they grow on their farms.
Waller is one of 26 GFB Certified Farm Markets that offer you-pick strawberries statewide. Visit https://www.gfb.org/connect/farm-markets to find a farm near you offering strawberries or a variety of other farm-fresh food.
“I’ve been a member of the program for years,” Waller said. “It’s a big help in publicizing our farm.”
GFB’s Certified Farm Markets program features 101 family farms statewide that grow and sell a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, honey, preserves, meat, eggs, flowers, and other products. Many offer agritourism activities.
Visit https://www.gfb.org/connect/passport to learn how you can earn prizes by visiting anywhere from five to all of the farms in the program and getting your Farm Passport stamped through Dec. 31. Farm Passports can be picked up at any of the participating farms or your county Farm Bureau office.
-continued on next page
Field Notes page 10 of 19
Continued from previous page
Ottawa Farms offers something for each season
During strawberry season, Ottawa Farms usually averages about 1,400 people a weekend who come from Savannah, surrounding counties and even South Carolina to pick strawberries. The farm offers other seasonal agritourism activities including a giant slide and other rides.
About 10,000 students visit the farm each year on field trips. In the spring they pick strawberries, and in the fall they leave with a pumpkin. All students watch a video produced by Georgia Farm Bureau that provides a broad overview of Georgia agriculture and the many commodities Georgia farmers produce.
“We try to educate kids about where their food comes from and not just entertain them,” Waller said.
Waller also raises Black Angus cattle and sells his farm-raised beef directly to consumers at his farm store. You-pick blueberries and blackberries are available after strawberry season and pumpkins in the fall. Visitors can also buy clover honey collected from hives on the farm.
Ottawa Farms is one of the few remaining farms in Chatham County and has been in the Waller Family since his grandfather bought it in the 1870s.
Waller named Grower of the Year
The North Carolina Strawberry Association (NCSA) recognized Waller as its 2024 Grower of the Year last November at its annual Southeast Strawberry Expo held in Atlantic Beach, N.C. The annual award is presented to a NCSA grower member who demonstrates excellence in producing strawberries, has strong business success and ethics, and has a selfless commitment to helping others.
“Each year we try to select someone who has been involved in promoting the strawberry industry. I’ve known Mr. Pete for twenty to twenty-five years,” said NCSA Board Advisor David Dycus. “He’s served on various grower panels at our annual grower’s conference and is always willing to share his knowledge and growing experience with anyone who asks him about what has and hasn’t worked on his farm.”
Waller is a longtime member of the NCSA, which has more than 360 members from 26 states, including 20 from Georgia, and a few from Canada.
North Carolina ranks third in the U.S. behind California and Florida for fresh market strawberries, according to North Carolina State University Extension.
“It was quite an honor to be selected for the award since the association includes growers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia,” Waller said. “I joined the North Carolina Strawberry Association because they host a three-day conference that covers strawberry production issues. North Carolina is a big strawberry producer, and they have a lot of knowledge up there.”
In addition to his involvement with the NCSA, Waller is a longtime member of the Chatham County Farm Bureau (CCFB) since at least 1976. He served as a CCFB director for years and as the CCFB vice president from 2010 until last fall when he was elected the CCFB president.
GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION APPROVES 2026 RESEARCH FUNDING
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Board of Directors approved $660,818 in research for the 2026 crop year during its March board meeting.
The money will fund 15 projects that will be conducted by University of Georgia researchers and extension specialists. Projects range from funding for the UGA cotton team to research on resistant weeds, soil management practices, evaluating the economics of conservation production, irrigation management and many more. The goal of this producer-funded research is to help cotton producers by conducting research that can either raise yields, promote efficiency or open new markets.
All projects are vetted by both the GCC Board of Directors and State Support Committee, made up of cotton producers from across the state, and the commission’s research review committee, which is made up of researchers, crop consultants and local UGA Extension Agriculture/Natural Resource agents.
GCC Chairman Bart Davis, a cotton farmer from Colquitt County said, “Our board understands that times are very difficult on the farm these days, and we strive to be good stewards of producers’ money by funding research projects that promote efficiency, increases yield, and long-term sustainability.”
The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer-funded organization located in Perry. The commission began its work in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay an assessment enabling the commission to invest in programs of research, promotion and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia. For more information about the Georgia Cotton Commission, call (478) 988-4235 or go to the www.georgiacottoncommission.org website.
$100K FOR TOP ENTREPRENEUR IN AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will receive $10,000.
“This competition supports incredible entrepreneurs who are making sure agriculture is ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “If you have a vision for how your business can drive agriculture forward, apply today.”
Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition. After the application period closes, 10 semi-finalist teams will be selected and announced on Aug. 4. Next, the 10 semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four round of the contest.
The final four teams will be awarded $10,000 each and participate in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 19
Continued from previous page
January 2026 in Anaheim, California, to win:
• Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, $90,000 (total of $100,000)
• Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, $15,000 (total of $25,000)
Farm Bureau is proud to recognize these innovative businesses, in partnership with sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services and T-Mobile.
Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include Gripp, which offers farmers an operator-centric way to keep records of assets in combination with communication tools to keep everyone connected (2025 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner) and Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, a company that manufactures a fully autonomous robot that supports farmers as they plant crops, control weeds and collect soil samples (2024 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner). Other examples of successful Ag Innovation Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines and the competition timeline, can be found at fb.org/challenge.
Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists.
Applicants in Georgia who are not Farm Bureau members can visit https://www.gfb.org/join/join-today to learn about becoming a member. Residents of other states should visit https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved .
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 9.
Field Notes page 13 of 19
POND MANAGEMENT FIELD
DAY
April 22 Blue Springs Hunting Club 9 a.m. – noon Ringgold This free half-day event offers information about pond health, weed management, fish stock health and management, and more. The event includes lunch. To register, click here. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbuCshTTa_mi6Bum0dRbNsXllsLlVm8SW03m HLi_scdzkVkA/viewform?usp=sharing)
GEORGIA HERD PROGRAM SALE
April 22 UGA Bull Evaluation Center 12:30 p.m. Irwinville
If you’re looking to improve the genetics of your cattle herd, make plans to check out this sale of more than 80 heifers bred to Baldridge Command C036 or Mead Magnitude. Heifers to be sold include both registered and commercial. All registered heifers to be auctioned have been genetically tested to provide genomic enhanced EPDs. All commercial heifers have Igenity Beef scores and decision indexes available. To view the sale catalog and videos of heifers prior to the sale, visit www.ugabeef.com/herd Online bidding will be offered through www.LiveAuctions.tv Heifers will not be brought into the ring during the sale. Instead, videos of each heifer will be broadcast in the arena. All heifers will be in pens outside of the arena for viewing before the sale. Arrive early to evaluate heifers in person prior to the auction. Contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at lawtons@uga.edu or 706-542-1852 or Grace Nyhuis at gracen@uga.edu or 229-386-3683 for more information.
LEARN & BURN
April 30 McDuffie Public Fishing Area 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dearing
Registration deadline is April 23
In this introductory level prescribed-fire workshop, attendees will participate in a live burn, learn prescribed burn techniques they can use on their own land, receive information about prescribed burn planning, burn permits, smoke management, fire weather, liability laws and financial resources, and more. Registration is $15 per participant and covers the cost of attendance and lunch. This will be an introductory level event, ideal for participants with little to no prescribed fire experience. Participants are required to sign a hold-harmless liability disclosure/waiver on the day of the event; must expect to be active part of the day walking on uneven ground and using/carrying tools; must wear natural fiber (cotton, linen, silk, wool) pants and shirts. Leather boots are preferred. Participants are encouraged to bring eye protection, leather gloves a bandana, a water bottle and sunscreen. To register, click here. For more information or if you need a special accommodation to attend this event, please contact (no less than 14 days prior to the event): Tony Kroeger, 912-381-2278, Anthony.Kroeger@dnr.ga.gov. (https://events.pheasantsforever.org/events/894f7fd5-9611-46b0-8ad5-f413e9eab259)
Field Notes page 14 of 19
GFB EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD
April 30 deadline to apply
The Georgia Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award honors Young Farmers & Ranchers members who earn most of their income off the farm but are active in Farm Bureau and are ag advocates in their community. Contact your GFB district federation manager or your county Farm Bureau office manager for information to apply for this award. GFB district winners and three state finalists will be selected from the written applications. The three state finalists will be contacted by June 6 so they may prepare a presentation to be given at the GFB YF&R Summer Leadership Conference to be held July 16-19. The state winner will be announced at the summer conference. The state winner will receive an expense-paid trip to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention next January in Anaheim, California, to represent Georgia. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 and should not turn 36 before Jan. 12, 2026. Visit https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete for more information.
2025 GEORGIA FARM DOG CONTEST
May 1 Entry deadline
Do you have a special farm dog that herds or guards your livestock? Maybe it keeps you company as you do your daily chores and provides stress relief. Maybe it has done something heroic. Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting entries for its 2025 Georgia Farm Dog Contest until 10:59 p.m. on May 1 or until 200 entries are accepted. Contest is open to GFB members ages 18 and over. The grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift card and be recognized at the 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo. For contest rules and the criteria dogs will be judged by, visit https://gfb.ag/25farmdogcontest Special thanks to GFB Insurance and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture for helping GFB sponsor the contest!
64TH ANNUAL NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP
May 1 Application Deadline
June 8-13 Camp dates
Applications are being accepted until May 1 for high school students to attend the 64th Annual Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) to be held June 8-13 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Visit www.abac.edu/nrcw to apply online. The program is open to rising 10th, 11th & 12th graders. Current seniors can ask special permission to attend on their applications. The immersive experience includes a taste of college life featuring classes, field trips, hands-on activities, living in a dorm & recreation. Experts from Georgia’s leading natural resource related agencies will speak at the camp, so this is a great opportunity for students to ask questions that could lead them to their future career path! Georgia Association Conservation Districts statewide are sponsoring the registration fee of $375 for students to attend FREE! ABAC is seeking a camps and workshop specialist. Visit https://gfb.ag/nrcwcampjob for more info & to apply.
GFB Field Notes page 15 of 19
GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATIONS
May 1 deadline to apply
Centennial Farm applications are open to all qualifying candidates. Farms play a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of our state, serving as the bedrock for economic, cultural, and familial traditions for generations of Georgians. Several farms boast a legacy spanning more than a century, and Georgia recognizes their historical significance through the Georgia Centennial Farm program. Nominees must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase, actively involved in agricultural production, and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farmgenerated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Georgia Centennial Farms are honored each October at an awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The Georgia Centennial Farm program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia EMC; Georgia National Fair and Agricenter; and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information, please contact Rose Mayo, Historic Preservation Division Outreach Coordinator, at 770-855-2586 or rose.mayo@dca.ga.gov The postmark deadline for applications is May 1, 2025. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centennialfarmsapply (https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division/historicresources/centennialfarms)
2025 INTEGRATIVE PRECISION AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE
May 1-2
Perry Events Center Perry The 2nd Integrative Precision Agriculture Conference hosted by the University of Georgia, Institute of Integrative Precision Agriculture, and the University of Georgia Grand Farm, will focus on “Accelerating Precision Ag Innovation via Public/Private Synergy.” The Perry Events Center is located at 1121 Macon Rd., Perry, GA 31069. Registration is $50. To register, visit https://gfb.ag/25IIPAregistration.
GFB Field Notes page 16 of 19
FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP AND TRAPPING DEMONSTRATION
May 14 Dawson Farms
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ludowici Partnering agencies will host this workshop and trapping demonstration. Dawson Farms is located at 305 Dawson Farms Rd SE, Ludowici, Ga 31316. Lunch will be provided and is sponsored by the Coastal Soil and Water Conservation District. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question-and-answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. More details and registration information are available at www.GACD.us/events.
2025 GFB SPRING SHOOTOUT
May 16 Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Griffin
The third annual GFB Spring Shootout brings together friendly competition, supporting a good cause and enjoying the outdoors for an event you won’t want to miss! Sponsored by PENCO Restoration, it’s perfect for colleagues looking to get out of the office, families making memories, friends catching up, and youth teams gaining real-world tournament experience. VIP team tickets are available for $750, which include a larger tax-deductible amount, regular ticket perks PLUS tshirts, preferred parking, priority access to the course, and complimentary post-event beverages. General admission team tickets are available for $575, which includes the 100-disc event, golf cart rental, eye and ear protection for each shooter, light breakfast, and lunch. Individual entry tickets are $155. Individual entrant will be grouped with other individual participants to form a team for the tournament. Includes the 100-disc event, golf cart rental, eye and ear protection for each shooter, light breakfast, and lunch. This is a great option for those who don’t have a full team but still want to join the fun! All proceeds support the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. To register, visit https://gfb.ag/25SpringShootout. The deadline to register is May 3.
Field Notes page 17 of 19
2025 PESTICIDE CLEAN DAY
May 13 St. Ives Country Club 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Johns Creek
This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture through funding from the EPA, gives everyone an opportunity to discard old, unusable, or canceled pesticides. No fees are charged for participation in this program, and all accepted materials will be turned over to a hazardous waste contractor for disposal. The event is open to all private and commercial applicators with the understanding that the event is designed / intended for farmers, lawn care, golf courses, and pest control companies, statewide. Individuals wishing to participate in the program must fill out the pre-registration form and return it to Brad Baker, Clean Day Waste Disposal Coordinator by May 8. This information is necessary to plan for the collection, transportation, and disposal of the waste pesticides collected. The pre-registration form is available here for download. For information about which products will be accepted and other program details, click here Direct questions to Baker at brad.baker@agr.georgia.gov or 404-686-4958. (https://agr.georgia.gov/events/2025/pesticide-clean-day-event-fulton-county)
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
May 17, Sept. 20 & Oct. 25 Morgan Co. Ag Center
Madison
These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, ranch riding, ranch reining, dressage on the rail, halter/showmanship, “small fry” and more. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Trail classes are from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Western Classes not to start before lunch. Riders must be members of Kel-Mac to accrue points towards year-end awards. Age divisions for competition are as follows: Small Fry: 10 and under; Junior: under 14 years of age; Senior: 14 years and over. Novice: Rider is in 1st or 2nd year of showing. Green Horse: Horse is in 1st or 2nd year of showing. Entry fee per class is $12. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook page, or www.kel-mac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. Signup for shows on the website. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy (441), north of Madison. These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $170,250 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 49 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, and the equestrian facilities of state & county parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, and Heritage Park.
Field Notes page 18 of 19
UGA WARNELL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY BOBWHITE QUAIL SURVEY
The Martin GAME Lab at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at UGA is looking for private landowners in Georgia to take part in a brief survey about their opinions on bobwhite quail management for a study titled “Bobwhite Restoration, Incentives, and Research.” The purpose of the study is to better understand landowners’ opinions on bobwhite quail management and cost-share programs landowners would enroll in to manage their properties for bobwhite quail. Visit https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_3aRgLcUioS8uy0u to take the study. Thank you in advance for helping with in this study.
GEORGIA PIVOT SURVEY
A research team from the University of Georgia, University of Nebraska, University of Florida, Fort Valley State University, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is conducting a survey to understand the recovery of farms following windstorms. Farmers are asked to participate. This survey asks about your farm, damage inflicted by recent hurricanes, and recovery since the hurricane. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete, depending on the types of structures on your farm and the damage the farm experienced. Questions 11-15 are voluntary, answer if you would like. Your participation is completely voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. To participate, visit https://forms.office.com/r/JZGAxfKfRG For more information, contact Wes Porter at wporter@uga.edu, or Joshua Dawson at dawsonj01@fvsu.edu, or call 229-386-7328.
UGA CITRUS ORCHARD NUTRITIONAL SURVEY
For the past three growing seasons, the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs (AESL) has been conducting a foliar nutrient survey of Georgia's citrus industry with funding from the USDA and Georgia Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. One of the conditions of the project’s grant funding is that researchers seek stakeholder feedback on the effectiveness of the program, and how this work may influence future grower decisions. The project researchers ask that you please complete this short (7 questions, 3-5 minutes) Citrus Nutrition Questionnaire here. These results will help UGA researchers demonstrate the importance of this work to their sponsors, which increases the likelihood of future funding in this area. If you would like to learn more about this project and the results of the study, visit the project website.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER FERAL HOG CONTROL SERVICES
For a list of feral hog control services available in each GACD Conservation District, visit https://gfb.ag/feralhoggacdresources.
GFB Field Notes page 19 of 19
GFB HAY DIRECTORY
GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2024 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE OFFERS SUPPORT
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or chatting on 988lifeline.org. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. You don’t have to be suicidal to reach out. 988 trained crisis counselors can help you through whatever mental health challenges you are experiencing.