GFB SHOWS STRENGTH DURING ANNUAL VISIT TO STATE CAPITOL
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members visited Atlanta on Feb. 11 for the annual GFB Day at the Capitol event. Approximately 575 people from 80 counties participated, meeting elected officials outside the Georgia House and Senate chambers. GFB hosted a lunch meeting for members and legislators at the Georgia Freight Depot.
“Your representatives and your senators, they want to see you, they want to talk to you,” GFB President Tom McCall said, underscoring the reason behind the annual event. “If it's nothing but y'all getting to know them, that makes a huge difference.”
McCall and guest speakers Rep. Robert Dickey, Sen. Russ Goodman, Gov. Brian Kemp, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones each lifted Burns’ Chief of Staff Terry England for prayer. England, who retired from the Georgia House of Representatives after his last term, suffered extensive injuries in a farm accident over the weekend. He had spinal cord surgery Saturday.
GFB members carried messages to the legislature on a variety of ag concerns, and two key topics emerged – disaster relief and tort reform.
Multiple speakers praised the Weathered but Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund, which raised more than $1.7 million over three months following Hurricane Helene; all of the proceeds are being provided to farmers whose operations were damaged by the storm. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and GFB are coordinating hand delivery of 920 checks from the effort.
“It was truly a generational storm,” Kemp said during the lunch meeting, praising the more than 40 organizations involved with the effort. “It was the largest, most dangerous and costliest storm in state history.”
Kemp said he has pushed the General Assembly to provide funding for block grants and low interest loans to help storm victims keep their farms going.
“Our farmers are now in the process of getting federal assistance,” Kemp said.
A key piece of state disaster relief legislation is House Bill 223, which would exempt federal disaster relief payments for agricultural loses from state income tax, provide a tax credit for eligible timber losses at $400 per acre, and exempt building materials used for repairing poultry and -continued on next page
Field Notes page 2 of 17
Continued from previous page livestock barns from sales tax.
In remarks at the morning orientation session, Senate Ag Committee Chairman Russ Goodman noted a bill he sponsored called the Timberlands Recovery, Exemption and Earnings Stability (TREES) Act. This bill would suspend “severance” taxes in the 66 counties that were declared federal disaster areas in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The bill would also set up a grant program for municipalities in those counties to recoup lost revenue resulting from diminished timber prices.
“People that would normally be selling wood for $25 or $30 a ton are selling wood for 50 cents or a dollar return,” Goodman explained, noting that the basis for severance taxes is the sale amount in dollars. “It's going to help the landowner a little bit, but it's also going to help those counties.”
Kemp has urged the General Assembly to act on tort reform – making changes to the civil justice system limit ability of plaintiffs to sue and the amount of damages they can receive. Kemp noted that the five-year average of legal claims in the state has risen by 25%, faster than the state’s population growth, and the number of claim awards exceeding $1 million has also increased.
“I know you have often found yourselves on the front lines of the challenges that we are trying to address,” Kemp said, “whether it be an unsustainable increase to your insurance premiums or frivolous lawsuit claims.”
Proposed legislation would allow business owners – including farm business – to be held liable only for what they can control. It would also set up legal proceedings in such a way that juries decide damages for actual pain and suffering rather than have attorneys suggest damage amounts. It would also allow for separation of the liability and damage portions of trials, so juries aren’t weighing both topics at the same time.
ROLLINS CONFIRMED AS SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
On Feb. 13, the U.S. Senate confirmed Brooke Rollins of Texas as Secretary of Agriculture by a 72-28 vote.
Rollins, who will be the second woman to lead the USDA, received unanimous support in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Feb. 3.
She had received wide support from agricultural organizations, including American Farm Bureau and Georgia Farm Bureau.
A Texas native, Rollins served as White House Domestic Policy Council director during President Donald Trump’s first term. She has worked as president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation and currently serves as president of the America First Policy Institute.
Rollins has a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M and a law degree from the University of Texas.
The secretary of agriculture post is responsible for leading the USDA, with its 29 agencies and approximately 100,000 employees. The cabinet post operates as the presidential administration’s instrument to carry out agriculture policy. Rollins succeeds Tom Vilsack, who served as agriculture secretary under presidents Obama and Biden.
GDA LIFTS POULTRY ACTIVITIES SUSPENSION, CONTROL AREA RELEASED
On Feb. 10, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced that the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has lifted the suspension of poultry activities in Georgia and released the HPAI Control Area around the affected poultry farms in Elbert County following the successful completion of testing and response protocols with no additional detections. The two affected premises remain under quarantine until further notice.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture received notification of a “non-negative” HPAI test result from the Georgia Poultry Lab Network (GPLN) on Jan. 16. The following morning, the department was notified of an additional “non-negative” result by GPLN. Those results were further confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Jan. 17 for the first HPAI detection and Jan. 21 for the second.
The GDA activated its emergency operations center within an hour of the initial notification, and GDA staff began deploying to the Elbert County area on Jan. 16. Depopulation, disposal, and cleaning & disinfecting operations at both locations began Jan. 17, and were conducted concurrently due to the close proximity of the operations. GDA Law Enforcement officers maintained a biosecurity perimeter around the affected premises to prevent unauthorized access and further spread of the disease.
In response to these detections, the GDA immediately suspended all poultry activities involving live birds including sales at auction, flea, or livestock markets, meet ups, swaps, and exhibitions. Following the release of the control area, the suspension has been lifted and poultry activities may resume as normal.
In response to these detections, the GDA established a control area – a 10km (6.2 mile) radius around the affected premises. There were approximately 103 additional commercial poultry operations located within the control area. Every commercial operation within the control area was subjected to increased testing and movement controls based on their proximity to the affected premises. In response to this event, GPLN staff completed 4,541 tests representing 49,951 individual chickens and hundreds of flocks with no additional detections of HPAI.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture implemented movement controls requiring a permit for any movement of birds or related products into, out of, or within the control area. Negative HPAI testing was one of several requirements to receive a permit. The Department issued 240 movement permits, representing approximately 600 movements during this event.
HPAI detections continue around the U.S.
Meanwhile, HPAI detections continue across states and species, and is considered a cause for rising egg prices.
APHIS reports 30 cases of HPAI in California cattle USDA announced Jan. 31 that testing of milk samples in Nevada show that six dairy cattle in that state are infected with a different variant of H5N1 avian flu from that which other dairy herds across the U.S. previously tested positive. Previously all the known cases of H5N1 in U.S. dairy herds were of the B3.13 genotype. The two herds in Nevada have tested positive for the D1.1 genotype, a variant found in wild birds across -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 17
Continued from previous page the U.S.
Since the first of the year, there have been 196 detections in poultry flocks, including broilers, layer hens, turkeys and other species, according to APHIS data. The two Elbert County broiler flocks are the only ones so far in Georgia.
A total of 26 flocks of layer hens in eight states have prompted the elimination of more than 22 million birds since Jan. 1, diminishing production by an estimated 131 million eggs, based on the United Egg Producers’ estimate that on average layer hens produce 300 eggs per year each.
The reduced supply has coincided with escalating prices, with some varieties of eggs topping $8 per dozen. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the national average price for a dozen Grade A Large eggs was $4.14 at the end of December. Some retail outlets are limiting how many eggs customers can buy, and Waffle House is adding a 50-cent surcharge for every egg sold at its more than 2,000 locations in 25 states.
COTTON GROWERS GAIN FLEXIBILITY UNDER EPA HERBICIDE STRATEGY
Since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed its “herbicide strategy” in July 2023, UGA Extension has worked to find ways to help farmers work within it and still protect their crops.
“It would have been ‘game over’ for most of us,” UGA Extension Cotton Specialist Stanley Culpepper said. “There was no way if this strategy had moved forward through the right process that we would've been able to use these tools in practice.”
Culpepper spoke to Georgia cotton growers as part of the program at the 2025 Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Annual Meeting on Jan. 29. The event included presentations from representatives of Cotton Inc., the National Cotton Council and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
The herbicide strategy included requirements for spray drift and runoff mitigation measures that would have placed an unworkable compliance standard on growers, effectively eliminating farm use of herbicides to control weeds, Culpepper said.
Since the initial proposed rule, the EPA said it received more than 10,000 public comments, and UGA undertook two strategies of its own. Culpepper arranged for key officials within the EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to visit numerous Georgia farms and talk to farmers about how herbicides are used to control weeds that threaten crop yields.
“Every single farmer, no matter who was in the car, they said, ‘Yes, bring them on,’” Culpepper said.
Meanwhile, UGA Extension Sustainability Specialist Taylor Singleton, then a doctoral candidate working with Culpepper, developed a field-specific mapping technique that offered a more detailed look at habitats for a protected species, the reticulated flatwood salamander. The county-wide approach defining habitat for the salamander applied to more than 951,000 acres statewide. By using the advanced mapping techniques, the covered areas for the salamander were -continued on next page
Field Notes page 5 of 17
Continued from previous page reduced to 3,526 acres. EPA has modified this technique for other use nationwide.
The finalized herbicide strategy that the EPA published in August 2024, gave farmers more flexibility, but made the guidance labels more complex. Culpepper said efforts are underway to simplify the labels.
NCC: Farm bill may take a back seat to tax, border wall initiatives
National Cotton Council Senior Government Relations Director Jeff Kuckuck gave a political update. He praised farmers for their efforts to contact Congress in December as it considered a continuing resolution to fund the government and an extension of the 2018 farm bill. Kuckuck said that getting a new farm bill is a priority for the NCC, but in Congress it could take a back seat to tax measures and border wall funding espoused by President Trump.
Kimbrell: Making cotton competitive with synthetic fibers
Cotton Incorporated President & CEO William Kimbrell explored the organization's efforts to make cotton competitive with synthetic fibers, including discussions about sustainability and the development of ToughCotton and TransDry Tech cotton fabrics to rival durability and moisture wicking properties associated with synthetic fibers.
Harper: Disaster loans help ease farmers’ losses to Helene
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper gave an update on the Department of Agriculture activities. He thanked retiring Commodities Marketing Director Andy Harrison, and announced his successor, Frank Rayfield. Harper expressed concerns about the state of the ag economy but expressed optimism over the state's push for agriculture education in elementary schools and detailed progress on relief efforts for farmers' losses due to Hurricane Helene. The department began issuing low-interest disaster loans the week prior, and Harper said he's asking the legislature to appropriate more funding for the loan program.
Toews: Extension offers stress services, Tifton Campus develops precision ag demo farm
Dr. Michael Toews, assistant dean in the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, welcomed GCC members and shared details about the Tifton Campus, noting that the conference center hosted 50,000 conference attendees last year. He said farmers feeling overwhelmed with stress can contact their local county Extension offices to access a variety of services. Toews also said the campus will be developing a precision agriculture demonstration lab, which already has a 100 hp autonomous tractor and research in geofencing for cattle.
Trustees Awards
The Georgia Cotton Commission presented its third annual Trustees Awards to Johnny L. Crawford and Marvin Ruark.
Ruark, from Morgan County carried on his family tradition and bought the Bostwick Cotton Gin in the 1970s. The Ruark family farm produces cotton, turfgrass, broilers and cattle.
Ruark has served as a board member of both Morgan County Farm Bureau and Georgia Farm Bureau, district supervisor for the Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District, and -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 17
Continued from previous page secretary/treasurer of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation. He has also served as a council delegate and board member for the National Cotton Council, Southern Cotton Growers, and the Cotton Board. Ruark was a board member for the Georgia Cotton Commission from 1980 to 2015.
Crawford, a Grady County native, worked as an Extension plant pathologist for cotton and was a charter member of the UGA Extension Cotton Team. He became the Extension Agronomist for Cotton in 1986 and in the early 1990’s became head of the Extension Plant Pathology Department, where he continued to lead the Cotton Team.
Crawford was awarded the National Cotton Council’s Cotton Foundation Fellowship and was appointed as UGA’s D. W. Brooks Distinguished Professor of Agronomy in 1989. Crawford was recognized as the Cotton Specialist of the Year in 1994.
After retirement, Crawford remained active in agriculture as a cotton producer and President and General Manager of South Central Georgia Gin Company. He is a deacon and Bible teacher at Northside Baptist Church of Tifton. He and wife Yvonne live in Chula and have three children and eight grandchildren.
SPRING 2025 STEM CHALLENGE: RECYCLE AND REIMAGINE
Registration is open until Feb. 28 for classrooms in grades 3-5 to participate in the Georgia Ag Experience Spring 2025 STEM Challenge.
With the theme, “Recycle and Reimagine,” participating classes will pursue ways recycled materials can be used to design solutions for real-world agricultural problems?
This challenge invites 3rd-5th grade students to reimagine the possibilities of recycled materials by creating tools or solutions that address agricultural challenges. Students will explore sustainability, problem-solving, and the connection between recycling and agriculture while aligning with Georgia Ag Ed and Georgia Standards of Excellence.
The STEM Challenge is open for 3rd-5th grade classes, homeschool groups and special needs groups.
The top three classrooms will win $350 to support future STEM projects.
Visit https://www.gafoundationag.org/stemchallenge for more information and to download the Stem Challenge digital toolkit.
To register by Feb. 28, visit https://gfb.ag/25SpringSTEMChallenge. After registering, classes can submit their projects from March 3 to April 4.
DUVALL SHARES AGRICULTURE CHALLENGES WITH U.S. SENATE
America’s farmers and ranchers need a new, modernized farm bill, a strengthened farm safety net, and open trading markets. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall traveled to the Capitol Feb. 5 to emphasize those priorities to the Senate Agriculture Committee as he testified in the hearing “Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part I.”
“Farm families across the country are grateful that you recognized the incredibly hard times across the agricultural economy and included much-needed economic assistance and emergency aid for communities devastated by natural disasters in December’s Continuing Resolution,” Duvall said. “Despite the assistance in the CR, farmers still are looking to you all to pass a modernized, five-year farm bill as soon as possible.”
President Duvall took questions from lawmakers, including Chairman John Boozman (RArkansas), who asked about the challenges farmers face without a new, modernized farm bill.
“We are hearing that maybe 20% or more of our farmers are having difficulties getting operating loans,” Duvall said. “We’re in a time where that should have already been done, and they should have seed in the barn, ready to start planting. And, it’s really hitting them at a hard, difficult time. They’re telling us they’re losing money per acre – corn over $100 an acre losing. They’re having to make a decision to plant and not to plant.”
Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) asked about the impact of tariffs.
“We need more access, not less,” replied Duvall. “We need this administration– because we haven’t seen it for almost a decade – really getting fair trade deals to be put in place and stick with good rules and keep people working under it. The other issue is the cost of production. I think you said it yourself, over 80% of the potash comes out of Canada that goes on our cropland. [Losing] that would be devastating to our farmers – just that one example is difficult for our farmers.”
As public discussions increase about efforts to make the food system healthier, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi) asked Duvall to elaborate on the importance of maintaining scientifically proven farming methods.
“It is absolutely critical that we continue to have faith in the system that provides the sciencebased tools that we use on our farms. It takes almost 11 years to get a product to the market. They having 350 scientists at the EPA… making sure that those things are safe and our farmers apply it according to the label.”
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) observed that some farmers are not eligible for risk management assistance. President Duvall said access to the farm safety net needs to be expanded.
“Any farmer out there that’s putting a crop in the land, and depending on the good Lord to give him things to grow it with, and with the markets like they are, deserves to have some risk management program. Now, the difficulty comes by making it very complicated. And, the smaller farm it is, the more difficult it is. It needs to be simplified. A lot of people aren’t going to do it because it’s just too difficult. They’re in the field working. A lot of these are farm to table, farm to market people, and they deserve a shot to be able to have that risk management tool, too.”
Read President Duvall’s testimony as prepared here.
Field Notes page 8 of 17
TARIFFS POSE THREATS TO MANY GEORGIA FARMERS
Having been through tariff wars in previous years, Georgia’s farmers know all too well what to expect as President Donald Trump moves forward with his plan to impose tariffs on foreign goods coming into the United States.
Some crops may benefit. Fruit and vegetable producers who have contended with what they say is unfair competition from imports, which are produced at lower cost largely because labor in the U.S. is significantly more expensive than labor in competing nations.
Farmers who grow other crops stand to lose business as a result of the tariffs.
According to AFBF, more than 80% of the U.S. supply of potash comes from Canada, so a tariff against Canadian imports would make potash more expensive, increasing U.S. growers’ input costs.
More than 20% of U.S. farm income comes from exports. In the past, export destination countries have responded to U.S. tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
In 2024, the U.S. exported over $30 billion in agricultural products to Mexico, $29 billion to Canada and $26 billion to China.
That included $490.11 million worth of poultry bound for China.
U.S. cotton growers – Georgia is the second-largest cotton-producing state – exported $10.7 billion worth of cotton to China alone in 2023, accounting for more than 20% of U.S. cotton exports that year.
China has been the largest export destination for U.S. pecans since 2000. According to published reports, China has imposed retaliatory tariffs of 52% on U.S. pecans, seven times the tariff percentage China levies on imports from other countries.
GFB ANNOUNCES 2025 FEDERATION AMBASSADOR TEAM
The GFB Federation Ambassadors kicked off their year with a weekend orientation on January 24-25 at the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Home Office in Macon. Promoting GFB, its members, and sharing the important role of agriculture in Georgia is the mission of the ambassador team, while also promoting the membership opportunities across the state.
During their orientation, the ambassadors worked on team building exercises, met GFB staff, and learned about all things Farm Bureau. They also created a mission statement for their year of service: To engage and inspire Georgia’s current and future agriculturalists while equipping them with the information and resources GFB provides.
The ambassadors will promote GFB through a variety of member recruitment, public relations and brand awareness campaigns. Ambassadors will work alongside GFB staff and industry professionals on projects and events throughout Georgia. Their year will conclude at the 2025 GFB Annual Convention on Jekyll Island.
Federation Ambassadors are chosen for their interpersonal skills, passion for ag advocacy, innovative thinking and overall enthusiasm. To serve as an ambassador, candidates must be over the age of 18 when selected, commit to the hours of service and present an exceptional application. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 17
Continued from previous page
They must maintain good academic standing while in service to the program.
We hope you will join us in congratulating this outstanding group of young professionals and be sure to visit with them during their year of service.
To learn more about the program, contact Keaton Walker at kgwalker@gfb.org, visit www.gfb.ag/ambassadors or follow @gafarmbureau on Facebook and Instagram.
CHINESE MYSTERY SEED PACKAGES ARRIVE IN TEXAS
On Feb. 7, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced new reports of unsolicited seed packages arriving across Texas from Chinese vendors. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is working swiftly to safely collect these packages and ensure they are delivered to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for inspection.
One Texan reported ordering a dog toy from the Chinese vendor TEMU, only to receive a package of seeds instead, according to TDA, which indicated five packages were received around the state.
APHIS identified the seeds and liquid in the package delivered to Clute, Texas. The seeds were identified as Sacred Lotus or Nelumbo nucifera seeds, also known as Indian lotus, an aquatic plant. The unlabeled liquid was also confirmed as an accompanying nutrient solution. Sacred Lotus is considered an invasive aquatic plant in many regions, particularly when introduced outside its native range in Asia. While invasive, it is not listed on the federal noxious weed list and is only prohibited in one state, Wisconsin.
The TDA indicated that contents of these packages will be destroyed through steam sterilization at no cost to the recipients. TDA’s partners at APHIS will share the detections with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify similar small mail packages from the same sources.
This is not the first time unsolicited packets of seeds have found their way to the U.S. In August 2020, almost 1,000 Georgia residents reported receiving unsolicited seeds. The Georgia Department of Agriculture advised people then not to open the packages or plant the seeds.
Field Notes page 10 of 17
SWEET MARKET CORN CROP INSURANCE
Feb. 15 deadline to enroll/renew
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia fresh market sweet corn growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2025 crop year is Feb. 15. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the Feb. 15 sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for fresh market sweet corn in Toombs County. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2025 crop year. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at https://rma.usda.gov. The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company contracts with three companies - Rain & Hail, Sompo, and Crop Risk Services to offer crop insurance. GFB has more than 70 experienced crop insurance agents (and growing) across the state to help their members protect their investment. Find your local agent and learn more at www.GFBInsurance.com or email crops@gfbinsurance.com for more details. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
GFVGA WEBINAR ON PREPARATION FOR ICE RAIDS & DHS ENFORCEMENT
Feb. 19 noon
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will host this Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations webinar to help prepare agricultural operations for potential ICE raids and DHS enforcement actions. Many agricultural operations depend on a reliable, skilled seasonal workforce that is largely made up of employees from Mexico and Central America. The southeast is working to avoid a similar labor shortage and panicked workforce as experienced in 2012 with the implementation of E-Verification surrounded by fear and miscommunication. Businesses must be prepared for unexpected workplace investigations and enforcement actions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may investigate a workplace most anytime, even those with the best internal practices to verify employee work authorization documentation. These enforcement actions, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) audits and workplace raids, can disrupt operations, create civil and criminal liabilities for companies, owners, managers, and employees, and significantly impact your workforce. Attendance is free with registration
GFB DISTRICT 8 FARM SAFETY DAY
Feb. 21
UGA Southwest Ga. Research & Education Center Plains
Check in and refreshments begin at 8 a.m. Event begins at 9 a.m. & ends at 1:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Mike Reynolds, founder of HERO Agriculture, which helps veterans reintegrate into civilian life through farming and agriculture. The event offers networking opportunities and Air Evac will be there, with a chance they’ll do a fly-in, as well as on-site vendors. Event is free but those attending are encouraged to register at https://gfb.ag/D8FarmSafety.
Field Notes page 11 of 17
NASS TO CONDUCT PLANTING INTENTIONS SURVEY
Feb. 27 requested response date
As the 2025 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. NASS will mail the survey to 3,700 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina on Feb. 18 asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2025, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed they store on their farms. Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. Those who do not respond by Feb. 27 may be emailed a reminder or contacted for an interview. In accordance with federal law, NASS keeps responses confidential and publishes data in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. The data will be published in the Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks reports on March 31. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information, call the NASS Southern Regional Field Office at 800-253-4419.
GA PORK PRODUCERS MEETING AND NATIONAL PORK BOARD ELECTION
Feb. 28 State Farmers Market 1:30 p.m. Macon
The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2026 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at this meeting in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of Georgia Pork Producers Association. All Georgia pork producers are invited to attend. Any producer age 18 or older who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information, contact Georgia Pork Producers Association, P.O. Box 1566, Bainbridge, Ga., telephone 1-229-254-9355.
SPRING 2025 STEM CHALLENGE
Feb. 28 deadline to register
It’s time to get creative! Classes in grade 3-5, homeschool groups, and special needs groups can register for the 2025 Spring STEM Challenge. This challenge is all about solving real-world agricultural problems using recyclable materials. This challenge is designed using Georgia Standards of Excellence and Ag Ed standards to help students solve real-world problems faced by farmers. The top three classrooms will win $350 to support future STEM projects. Don’t wait register today and let your students make a difference! For more information or to register, visit https://www.gafoundationag.org/stemchallenge.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 17
GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS
March 1 deadline to apply
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is offering $65,000 in scholarships to Georgia students pursuing a degree in agriculture, veterinary medicine, family and consumer sciences or a related field. The GFA will award scholarships in the following four categories. Scholarship for Agriculture – This scholarship is for high school students who plan to enter a college that is part of the University System of Georgia, Berry College, Emmanuel College or any accredited college/university in Georgia with an ag program during the 2025-26 academic year to pursue an undergraduate degree in agricultural and environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or a related agricultural field. College Scholarship for Agriculture – This scholarship is for students who will be enrolled in a Georgia accredited technical college and major in an area of agriculture or an ag-related field of study, such as welding, mechanics, culinary arts, or commercial truck driving. Visit https://gfb.ag/gfatechscholarshipmajors for a list of eligible schools and majors. Rising College Junior/Senior Scholarship for Agriculture – This scholarship is for college students who have at least two semesters of college remaining to receive an undergraduate degree from a unit of The University System of Georgia, Berry College, Emmanuel College or any accredited college/university in Georgia with an ag program. Applicants must be majoring in agriculture and environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or an ag-related field. UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship – This scholarship is for students currently enrolled in the UGA Veterinary Medicine program specializing in large animal/food animal practice. Visit www.gafoundationag.org/scholarships for a list of eligible majors/schools for all scholarships, applications, and instructions to apply. All applications must be submitted online by March 1, 2025. Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted online with the application. The scholarship recipients will be announced in spring of 2025. Scholarship checks will be sent to the qualifying college/university the recipient is attending and placed in their school account upon verification the student has met all qualifications for the scholarship. Scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors will be distributed for spring 2026 upon receipt of first semester college transcript indicating the recipient is pursuing an ag-related course of study and has at least a 3.0 GPA.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 17
AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
March 1
application deadline
The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for 2025 from welding students across North America. In 2024, the AWS Foundation awarded scholarships to more than 1,200 welding students, providing financial support ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000 per recipient. These scholarships benefited students attending more than 400 academic and training institutions across all 50 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. The AWS Foundation’s scholarships support welding education at every level, from short-term training programs to degree-based learning. In 2024, 64% of scholarship recipients pursued technical school education, addressing the critical need for skilled welders in construction and manufacturing industries; 25% of scholarship recipients were female, far surpassing the industry participation rate of 5.6%. Scholarships are available to all students in welding and related fields; all are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to help fund their education. Applications are available at scholarship.aws.org.
POST HURRICANE HELENE FORESTRY PROGRAM
March 5 Burke Co. Office Park Auditorium
Waynesboro
This event, hosted by the Burke & Jefferson County Extension offices, runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Speakers from the Georgia Forestry Commission, UGA Warnell School of Forestry & UGA Extension Service will discuss a variety of topics timber producers are facing after Hurricane Helene. These topics will include: assessing storm damaged stands, recovery of leaning & uprooted pines; insects & diseases to watch out for after hurricane damage; USDA Emergency Forestry Restoration Program & other USDA programs available; timber taxation & casualty losses; reforestation options for damaged stands not salvaged; seedling availability updates. Registration is required to attend. To RSVP call 706-554-2119 or email uge3033@uga.edu. Meeting location is 715 West Sixth St., Waynesboro, Ga., 30830.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 17
2025 GFB MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTESTS
March 7 deadline for county Farm Bureaus to submit entries
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is now accepting entries for the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark and High School Art Contests. The GFB Middle School Bookmark Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students statewide. The 10 GFB district winners of the bookmark contest will receive $100 each and compete for the state prize of $150. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. The GFB High School Art Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled students in ninth through twelfth grades. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will receive a cash prize of $100. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will compete for the state prize of $250 cash. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. Students may enter either contest in the county in which they live or attend school but not both counties. To enter either contest, students or teachers should contact their county Farm Bureau for an official entry form and complete contest rules and to learn the county’s February deadline for entering the contests. Middle school students will be given a blank bookmark and asked to draw a picture that depicts some aspect of Georgia agriculture. Students may use crayons, markers or colored pencils to create their bookmark that illustrates agriculture. High schoolers entering the art contest should draw a scene depicting Georgia agriculture. Artwork submitted in the high school art contest must be on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper and should be created in the colors black, white and gray. Contestants may use a variety of media to create their artwork including graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, pen-and-ink, ballpoint pen or mixed media appropriate for printing. Artwork entered in both contests will be judged on 1) how well the artwork represents modern agriculture found in the artist’s county or Georgia and 2) artistic merit. Entries are limited to one per person in both contests. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Previous state winners are not eligible for either contest. All artwork submitted in both contests must be original and becomes the property of Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) once submitted. GFB may use artwork from both contests on various products distributed or sold by the organization to promote agriculture. For more information about the contests contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit www.gfb.ag/contests. Students and teachers may visit https://gfb.ag/video to view a video about Georgia agriculture, https://www.gfb.org/connect/farm-markets to find a farm near you or https://gfb.ag/UGA24agsnapshots to access info about Georgia agriculture.
GFB Field Notes page 15 of 17
GFB DAY AT THE BRAVES
April 5 Truist Park 7:15 p.m. Atlanta
Deadline to purchase tickets is March 7
GFB is bringing the heart of Georgia agriculture to Truist Park for an evening of baseball, fellowship, and a celebration of the farmers who make it all possible. From the fields to the stands, this night is all about showing support for the people and industry that keep our state growing strong. Tickets are $25 general admission seats in sections 439-444. GFB recommends arriving early to secure seats together! GFB will offer Magnolia Loom GFB Braves t-shirts and Ag is #1 foam fingers ($6) for purchase to enhance the gameday experience. A portion of the t-shirt sales, foam finger sales and $8-$10 from each ticket sale will go to support the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. Have fun while raising funds for a good cause! We are all Farm Bureau! For more information or to by tickets and merchandise, click here.
63rd ANNUAL GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
March 12-14 Augusta Marriott Convention Center Augusta
GCA’s Annual Convention is the place to be to find the best program for education and networking in the cattle industry around Georgia! The convention features a phenomenal tradeshow, educational sessions, social opportunities and much more! There is sure to be something for everyone! For more information or to register, click here.
2025 FARM STRESS SUMMIT
March 13 Ga. Southern Continuing/Professional Education Center Statesboro This free event that runs from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. is open to all who want to help combat farm stress in Georgia’s rural communities. This event aims to connect community leaders with existing resources and establish partnerships across organizations. Lunch will be provided. Key priority audiences include medical providers, counselors, faith leaders, Extension agents/specialists, Georgia Farm Bureau members and staff, farmers, agribusiness owners/operators, policymakers, ag lenders, local elected officials, county/city municipal staff, and pharmacists. Social workers, family counselors and marriage/and family therapists may earn 2.5 CEU general contact hours for attending. Participation is limited to the first 140 registrants due to the venue size. After event is full, a waitlist will be started and registrants will be notified if space becomes available. Visit https://gfb.ag/25farmstresssummit to register. Organizations interested in having a free exhibit at the summit should complete a survey by Feb. 24 available at the previously mentioned registration site. The event location is 10449 US Hwy 301, Statesboro, GA 30458. It is being sponsored by UGA Extension, UGA College of Public Health, UGA School of Social Work, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities, the Southern Ag Exchange Network, Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University, Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance, and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture.
GFB Field Notes page 16 of 17
GEORGIA BOOT 4-H TRAILBLAZERS CONTEST
March 16
Application deadline
Are you a 4-H member with a passion for your 4-H projects? Do you enjoy making an impact in your club and community? If yes, apply to be a Georgia Boot 4-H Trailblazer today! The Georgia Boot Trailblazer contest provides an opportunity for 4-H members to share their project journey with the Georgia Boot audience! Winners will receive a prize package valued at $800 that includes: 2 Pairs of Georgia Boots, a $350 gift card to a qualifying farm & ranch or hardware store, & Georgia Boot & 4-H Merchandise. To apply visit https://www.georgiaboot.com/4-h-trailblazers/ Applications must be submitted by March 16.
CROP AND DAIRY SAFETY NET PROGRAAMS
March 31
April 15
DMC application deadline
ARC/PLC application deadline
The USDA Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for key safety-net programs –Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) as well as Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms. Meanwhile, DMC provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences. Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for more information on these programs.
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.
PIEDMONT CONSERVATION DISTRICT FERAL SWINE CONTROL SERVICES
Ongoing
The Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has acquired a trapping system to provide control services throughout Piedmont SWCD which includes Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Putnam, Hancock, Baldwin, and Jones Counties. If you are interested in feral swine control services, please contact the District’s Hog Control Custodian, Kris Pope at kmpope@bellsouth.net or 404-402-2207. More information can be found at www.gacd.us/piedmont.
GFB Field Notes page 17 of 17
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 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.