GFB HOLDS SPRING COMMODITY MEETING TO DISCUSS AG ISSUES
Members of Georgia Farm Bureau’s Commodity Advisory Committees met at the organization’s home office in Macon on Feb. 24 to discuss issues their respective commodities are facing and to review the organization’s policy pertaining to their crops or livestock. GFB has 20 commodity committees – one for each of the major crops or livestock Georgia farmers produce, one for agritourism and direct marketing venues, and one for ag water issues.
During a lunch program, committee members heard from James Beal, executive director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform regarding tort reform legislation the Georgia General Assembly is considering this session at the request of Gov. Brian Kemp. Beal explained that the goal of tort reform is to bring balance to the legal system and keep lawsuits from getting out of control.
Beal said there are a few key areas where tort reform change is needed in Georgia, such as stopping phantom damages where people claim more money than they actually lost, premises liability (ensuring property owners aren’t unfairly blamed for accidents), seat belt “gag rules” (this would allow evidence to be presented to a jury if a plaintiff was not wearing a seat belt, which is currently not allowed), and third-party litigation funding where outside investors fund lawsuits to make a profit or gain intellectual property. Fixing these issues would help reduce lawsuit abuse, lower costs for businesses, and make sure Georgia’s legal system is fair for everyone not just those seeking a big payout.
“When you have these sorts of abuses in the legal system, you see unpredictability in the law and it drives up insurance rates for businesses,” Beal said. “What the governor is trying to do with tort reform is to put standards into law and to shine light on these third-party litigation groups. It’s frivolous lawsuits that we want to cut down on and make it fair for all parties. If this is an issue that you care about, it’s vital that you contact your state representatives and ask them to support these bills, especially your state House members.”
Last week the Georgia Senate passed SB 68 - introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon)which contained most of Gov. Kemp’s comprehensive tort reform proposals: preventing people from claiming more damages than they actually lost, limiting premises liability to prevent property owners from being unfairly blamed for accidents, and allowing evidence to be presented if a plaintiff was not wearing a seatbelt. SB 68 has now moved to the Georgia House for consideration. -continued on the next page
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As of Feb. 24, it was being considered by the House Rules Committee. A second Senate bill, SB 69, proposes preventing third-party litigation funding where outside investors fund lawsuits to make a profit.
After Florida legislators passed laws that are similar to SB 68 and SB 69, the state is seeing “a phenomenal result,” Beal said.
“They’re seeing a 6 percent reduction in their [insurance] premiums across the state. They’re seeing 11 new insurance carriers come into Florida to start providing policies that creates competition that should hopefully lower prices for businesses,” Beal said. “Sixty percent of their Top 10 largest insurers are increasing their coverage and 40 percent of them are reducing their rates.”
Among issues some of the committees discussed was the executive order President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office that paused funding for federal programs appropriated under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for review. This included $19.5 billion for ag-related conservation programs and $3.1 billion for climate-smart farm projects. This frozen funding was set to support projects including rotational grazing systems to improve soil health, waterways to reduce erosion, the installation of solar panels, and conversion from diesel to electric irrigation systems. Many farmers have made plans and investments based on the promised funding, leaving some in financial peril, according to several groups that support farmers.
While speaking with some of the committees, GFB National Affairs Coordinator Ben Parker noted that the USDA announced Feb. 20 that it is releasing the first portion of paused IRA funding, totaling about $20 million, for USDA programs like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.
In a statement announcing the releasing of funds, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins emphasized honoring existing farmer contracts. She pledged support for farmers, calling them the nation's backbone. The review continues to ensure funds prioritize farmers over unrelated initiatives like DEIA or climate programs, with more funding releases expected.
Parker also discussed the American Relief Act of 2025, which Congress passed in December and former President Biden signed into law Dec. 21. Parker explained that this act had three provisions for agriculture: 1) it continues the 2018 farm bill through Sept. 30, 2025; 2) it appropriated $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers in response to the dire financial situation they are experiencing; and 3) appropriated $21 billion in disaster aid for natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
The act states that producers who grew any crop that falls under Title 1 of the farm bill in 2024 – barley, corn, cotton, grain sorghum, oats, peanuts, rice (long/medium grain), soybeans and wheat - are eligible for economic assistance payments, which must be paid to producers within 90 days of enactment date of the legislation. It is expected farmers will receive these payments by the end of March.
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Continued from previous page payment or minimum payment.
The primary payment will be calculated by multiplying projected per-acre losses by a factor of 26%. For corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, sorghum, oats and barley, the payments are to be calculated using the USDA’s published national average cost-of-production forecasts.
For all other crops, USDA is to calculate a comparable total estimated cost of production. The projected revenue per acre will be calculated using projected 2024/25 market year average prices set in the Dec. 10 World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates and a 10-year average of the national average harvested yield per acre.
A minimum per-acre payment will be calculated by multiplying 8% of a crop’s statutory reference price by the national average payment yield. The payment yield is the yield used in calculating Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program payments.
The farmer will then be paid on all acres planted to eligible commodities for harvest, grazing, haying, silage or other similar purposes for the 2024 crop year. Additionally, farmers will be paid on 50% of all acreage prevented from planting during the 2024 crop year due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or other conditions beyond the control of the farmer determined by the secretary of agriculture.
Economic aid will be capped at $125,000 for farmers and ranchers with less than 75% of their average gross income across tax years 2021, 2022 and 2023 derived from farming, ranching or forestry. The cap is $250,000 for farmers with 75% or more of their average gross income derived from farming, ranching and forestry.
The legal structure of the farm will determine the per-farm aid limit. If multiple farmers are part of a general partnership or joint venture, payment limitations are not imposed on the entity level but apply to each farmer individually.
The timeframe for USDA disbursing the disaster aid is unknown at this time, Parker said.
On the state level, GFB Governmental Affairs Specialist Chase McClure discussed efforts being made by Georgia officials to help farmers recover from Hurricane Helene. Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross) has introduced HB 223, Gov. Kemp's Hurricane Relief Package. This bill consists of three proposals, which are all tax policies.
First, the bill proposes that federal disaster assistance payments for ag losses due to Hurricane Helene be exempt from the state income tax.
Second, the bill proposes a tax credit for the clean-up or replanting of trees used in the commercial production of food, wood, or wood products. This tax credit is like the credit issued after Hurricane Micheal and applies to the 66 counties included in the renewal of Gov. Kemp's Executive Order No. 10.29.24.01. The taxpayer claiming the credit can claim up to $400 per acre and the tax credit is both transferable and refundable.
Third, the bill proposes a sales tax exemption through the GATE program for building materials used in the repair of buildings used exclusively to raise animals, like poultry houses and livestock barns. This exemption would only apply from enactment of the legislation to end of year 2025.
Other topics discussed in committee meetings included a water metering bill (HB 143), truck -continued on the next page
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Continued from previous page weights and the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA).
On Feb. 13, the Georgia House Natural Resources and Environment Committee considered HB 143, which would help reduce the burden of water metering on farmers while giving the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) the ability to monitor statewide water usage more efficiently. A provision was added to allow EPD to perform maintenance on water meters.
Multiple bills concerning CUVA are under consideration. Senate Bill 45 and Senate Resolution 56, both introduced by Sen. Sam Watson (R-Moultrie), passed the Senate. SB 45 would increase the acreage cap under CUVA from 2,000 acres too 4,000 acres. A companion bill was introduced in the House. SR 56 proposes an amendment to the state constitution to allow the changes under SB 45.
Watson also introduced SB 59, which would allow CUVA-enrolled land to be leased in some circumstances without breaching the landowner’s CUVA covenant. The Senate passed SB 59, which is awaiting consideration in the House.
House Bill 165 would make permanent the weight limit of agricultural and forest products hauled by truck at 88,000 pounds, matching the weight limits allowed in all of Georgia’s neighboring states. The limit was established through legislation passed in 2023 and would “sunset” this year without additional legislation.
FEB. 18 COURT RULING REINSTATES CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT
On February 18, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Smith, et al. v. U.S. Department of the Treasury, et al., 6:24-cv-00336 (E.D. Tex.), ruled that beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) are once again back in effect.
The Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has extended the reporting deadline 30 calendar days from February 19, 2025, for most companies, according to an agency press release
FinCEN indicated it will use the time to assess its options to further modify deadlines, while prioritizing reporting for those entities that pose the most significant national security risks.
FinCEN also intends to initiate a process this year to revise the BOI reporting rule to reduce burden for lower-risk entities, including many U.S. small businesses.
For most reporting companies, the new deadline to file an initial, updated, and/or corrected BOI report is now March 21. FinCEN will provide an update before then of any further modification of this deadline.
Reporting companies that were previously given a reporting deadline later than the March 21 deadline must file their initial BOI report by the later deadline. For example, if a company’s reporting deadline is in April 2025 because it qualifies for certain disaster relief extensions, it should follow the April deadline, not the March deadline.
Plaintiffs in National Small Business United v. Yellen, namely, Isaac Winkles, reporting companies for which Isaac Winkles is the beneficial owner or applicant, the National Small -continued on the next page
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Business Association, and members of the National Small Business Association (as of March 1, 2024) are not currently required to report their beneficial ownership information to FinCEN at this time.
For more information, see FinCEN Notice, FIN-2025-CTA1, FinCEN Extends Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadline by 30 Days; Announces Intention to Revise Reporting Rule (February 18, 2025).
On Feb. 10, the U.S. House unanimously passed the Protect Small Businesses from Excessive Paperwork Act (H.R. 736) with a 408-0 vote. Under the bill, existing entities that are “a small business concern” as defined under 15 U.S.C. 632 would have until January 1, 2026, to submit reports about their beneficial owners to Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). On Feb. 11, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a companion bill (S.505), but as of Feb. 26, the Senate had not voted on the bill.
Reporting companies can report their beneficial ownership information directly to FinCEN, free of charge, using FinCEN’s E-Filing system available at https://boiefiling.fincen.gov. More information is available at www.fincen.gov/boi.
WEATHERED BUT STRONG CAMPAIGN RAISES MORE THAN $1.7
MILLION
In the wake of devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, more than 40 agriculture organizations joined forces to establish a relief fund for farmers whose livelihoods were upended by the storm. With overwhelming support from hundreds of donors, the fund successfully raised $1,774,282 in just three months, providing vital aid to those who sustain our communities with locally grown food and fiber.
The “Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund for Georgia Farmers” will provide direct assistance for agricultural losses, including damages to crops, livestock, and farm infrastructure that is not covered under insurance. 100% of the funds raised is being distributed directly to affected farmers, ensuring swift and meaningful support. Farmers were encouraged to apply for funds from mid-November to Dec. 31, 2024. Checks being distributed are based on needs outlined in their applications.
The relief effort was spearheaded by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, which facilitated the collection of all donations and is coordinating the distribution of the funds.
“The overwhelming support we saw for this fund is a testament to the deep appreciation and respect that people hold for Georgia farmers,” said Lily Baucom, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s executive director. “Donations poured in from individuals, businesses, and major philanthropists over the course of three months, underscoring the shared recognition of the critical role farmers play in ensuring food security and economic stability.”
“For farm families impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Weathered But Strong Fund represents more than just financial relief – it represents the generosity and kindness of our fellow Georgians -continued on the next page
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who had our farmers’ backs during their time of need. That means the world to our Ag Community, and I’m grateful to everyone who was a part of this effort,” said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper.
The relief fund was made possible by more than 40 influential organizations dedicated to promoting agriculture, including Georgia Farm Bureau.
“With an estimated impact of $5.5 billion in agriculture damages, Georgia’s farmers will feel the pain of this event for years to come,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “The relief fund won’t make farmers whole, but it will help and will also send a powerful message to our farmers that their community supports them.”
For more information on the relief fund and how you can continue to support local farmers, visit www.SupportGeorgiaFarmers.org.
The organizers express heartfelt thanks to all donors and partner organizations for their generosity and commitment. A special thanks to those donors who gave more than $10,000:
Anonymous Family Foundation
Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company
AgGeorgia Farm Credit Verizon
Loyce & Annette Turner Foundation
AgCo Agriculture Foundation
We Care by Zyn
Kentucky Farm Bureau
AgSouth Farm Credit ACA
Georgia Farm Bureau Federation
Georgia Power
Magnolia Loom
Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, Georgia System Operations, Georgia EMC
QuickTrip
CareSource
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Kelly Loeffler and Jeff Sprecher
Harley Langdale Junior Foundation
Truist Foundation
Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with Georgia's Conservation Districts: Altamaha, Blue Ridge Mountain, Brier Creek, Broad River, Catoosa County, Cobb County, Coastal, Coosa River, Dekalb, Flint, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Henry County, Lower Chattahoochee River, McDuffie, Ocmulgee River, Oconee River, Ogeechee River, Ohoopee River, Piedmont, Pine Mountain, Satilla River, Stephens County, Towaliga, Upper Chattahoochee River, Walton County, Warren County, West Georgia.
See the full list of donors here.
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The agriculture organizations who made the relief fund possible include:
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Dickey Farms
Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension
Georgia 4-H
Georgia 4-H Foundation
Georgia Agricultural Education
Georgia Agribusiness Council
Georgia Association of Conservation Districts
Georgia Cattlemen's Association
Georgia Citrus Association
Georgia Cotton Commission
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Georgia EMC
Georgia Farm Bureau
Georgia FFA
Georgia FFA Alumni
Georgia FFA Camps-Covington and Fort Valley
Georgia FFA Foundation, Georgia Farm Bureau
Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service
Georgia Forestry Association
Georgia Forestry Commission
Georgia Forestry Foundation
Georgia Foundation For Agriculture
Georgia Green Industry Association
Georgia Milk Producers
Georgia Peanut Commission
Georgia Pecan Growers Association
Georgia Poultry Federation
Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
Georgia Wine Producers
Georgia Young Farmers Association
Lamar Pecan Co
Magnolia Loom
Silicon Ranch
Stuckey’s Corporation
Sunbelt Ag Expo
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The Georgia Pecan Commission
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
KEMP MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, AUTHORITIES, AND COMMISSIONS
On Feb. 7, Gov. Brian Kemp announced 104 appointments and reappointments to various state boards, authorities, and commissions, among them a handful relating to agriculture.
On the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, Kemp reappointed Matthew Bradley and Wendy Cuevas-Espelid. Dr. Seth Stowers of Dawson County and John Tarabula of Cherokee County are new appointees.
Stowers began Hillside Veterinary Services in May of 2018. His professional interests encompass anything involving beef cows, especially herd health and preventative medicine. A former 4-Her and FFA student, Stowers was elected to serve as the district 1 Commissioner on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners in 2023.
Dr. John Tarabula is a seasoned veterinary professional with more than 30 years of experience in small animal and exotic medicine. He has served as the medical director at the Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Canton, since 1988. Additionally, he is the owner of Creekside Animal Hospital in Cumming, Georgia, where he has been practicing since 2015. Tarabula has served as a city councilman and mayor pro-tempore in Holly Springs. Tarabula has participated in medical missions with the Flying Doctors of America, providing veterinary care in Ecuador, Peru, and Bhutan.
On the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Kemp appointed Jim Waters from Pierce County. Waters He is the elected Pierce County Supervisor for Satilla River Conservation District. He also serves as the chairman. He is a full-time farmer, planting crops that consist of cotton and peanuts. Waters is the Pierce County Farm Bureau president.
On the Georgia Rural Development Council, Betts Berry, Gabe Evans, Jim Matney, and Stuart Rayfield were reappointed. Barbara Rivera Holmes is a new appointee.
Holmes is president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. In 2018, Holmes was appointed by then-Gov. Nathan Deal to serve on the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, for which she chaired the Committee on Economic Development. In 2020, Holmes was appointed by then-Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to co-chair the Rural Initiatives Subcommittee of the Georgia Innovates Task Force to help design the state’s innovation blueprint. Holmes is a former journalist whose work has earned four awards for excellence in journalism from the Georgia Associated Press.
On the Georgia Forestry Commission, Ken Sheppard was reappointed.
On the Board of Natural Resources, Nancy Addison was reappointed. Mike Peavy is new appointee.
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Cherokee Brick, Cherokee Block, Cherokee Masonry, Stratton Stone and other businesses. Peavy served many years on the Brick Industry Association (BIA) board, BIA Region 9 and as past president of Brick Southeast. He currently serves on the Georgia Mining Association (GMA) board and the Southeast Concrete Masonry Association (SCMA). Peavy lives in Macon.
GEORGIA COTTON PRODUCERS TO VOTE ON CONTINUATION OF ASSESSMENT
Georgia cotton farmers have the opportunity to vote on renewing the $1 bale assessment which funds the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC).
Voting by cotton producers will take place from Feb. 10 to March 12. Growers should receive a ballot for voting in the mail. They must sign the back of the ballot envelope for the ballot to be valid. Ballots must be mailed by midnight March 12. Unsigned ballot envelopes will not be counted. Growers who do not receive ballots should contact the GCC in Perry (478-988-4235), or the Georgia Department of Agriculture in Atlanta (404-586-1405).
The commission is charged by law with providing programs of research, promotion and education on behalf of Georgia cotton producers. Throughout the 50-plus year history of the GCC, millions of dollars have been invested in research and promotion.
Much of the funds received by the commission are committed to research projects conducted by the University of Georgia regarding issues related to cotton production to provide producers with the latest information and techniques to keep their operations profitable. Some of the projects funded include work on: Palmer amaranth pigweed, insect control, nematode control programs, product comparisons, fertility studies and varietal trials.
The 2022 University of Georgia Farm Gate Value Report reported Georgia’s cotton crop was valued at $1.3 billion and is currently the second highest grossing agricultural commodity in the state. In addition to its monetary merit, it is also a significant contributor to the economy of the communities where cotton is grown in Georgia.
‘PLANTING SAFETY, GROWING WELLNESS’ IS THEME FOR ASAP WEEK
County and State Farm Bureau leaders across the nation are sharing resources that will help farmers and ranchers keep safety top-of-mind through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program.
As part of this year’s ASAP commemoration, March 3-7 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers will join Farm Bureau in promoting the week with its theme “Planting Safety, Growing Wellness.”
A different safety focus will be highlighted by Farm Bureau and U.S. Ag Centers each day of the week:
• March 3 – Creating Safety Leaders on the Farm
• March 4 – Farmer Stress
• March 5 – Disaster Preparedness
• March 6 – Health & Wellness in Agriculture
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• March 7 – Grain Bin Safety
During this week and throughout the year, Farm Bureau encourages farmers to make safety a priority on the farm.
“Emphasizing the need for safety education on America’s farms and ranches is a continuing priority for Farm Bureau,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “It’s important to support members of our agricultural communities as they strive to save lives and prevent injuries and lost time on the job.”
The Agricultural Safety Awareness Program is a part of the Farm Bureau Health and Safety Network of professionals who share an interest in identifying and decreasing safety and health risks. For more information and resources, visit the ASAP Facebook page. Visit the Centers’ YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/USagCenters) for content and ideas about how to stay safe while working in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
Join the movement to keep farms safe and share your own safety messages on social media using the hashtags #ASAP25 and #USAgCenters.
The 12 U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers (https://bit.ly/3X46IIE) are funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
MARK MASTERS ELECTED NACD FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
On Feb. 11, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) welcomed and administered oaths of office to its new leaders during the association’s 79th Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mark Masters of Terrell County was elected as NACD first vice president.
Masters has been a district supervisor on the Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District in southwest Georgia for over ten years and currently serves as past president of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD). As executive director of the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center, he is well-versed on issues related to water use and management and has participated in a large portfolio of conservation research and outreach projects across the United States.
Mark is active on a number of local, state and national advisory boards and has been recognized as Georgia’s District Supervisor of the Year (2020), a Georgia “Clean Water Hero” (2017) and is a graduate of the National Conservation Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Institute (2022). Mark operates a beef cow and timber farm with his family in Dawson.
“As producers and local conservation district leaders, NACD’s leadership team is honored to represent America’s conservation districts and the varied producers and communities we serve,” said NACD President Gary Blair. “Together, we are champions for our nation’s time-tested voluntary and locally led approach to conservation on all lands. We will ensure NACD remains a trusted bipartisan voice for conservation investments that provide the healthy soil and clean water we all depend on for health, wealth, and security.”
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GEORGIA PEANUT, SOYBEAN PRODUCTION MADE GAINS IN 2024
Georgia’s peanut and soybean crops both increased, while corn, cotton and hay production declined in 2024, according to the Southern Region Annual Crop Production Report by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
The state’s peanut production, at 3.21 billion pounds in 2024, was up 2% from 2023, when Georgia growers produced 3.14 billion pounds. The peanut yield for 2024 was 3,800 pounds per acre, down from 4,080 pounds per acre in 2023. Georgia growers planted 850,000 acres of peanuts in 2024 versus 775,000 in 2023. They harvested 845,000 acres versus 769,000 in 2023.
Georgia soybean production, at 7.61 million bushels, was up 14% from the 6.67 million bushels produced in 2023. Georgia growers planted 170,000 acres in 2024, up from 160,000 in 2023, and harvested 162,000 acres last year versus 155,000 in 2023. Georgia yield per acre was 47 bushels last year up from 43 bushels/acre in 2023.
Corn for grain production in 2024 totaled 49.7 million bushels, down 35 percent from 2023, when Georgia growers produced 76.5 million bushels. The average yield fell by nine bushels per acre, and Georgia farmers harvested 135,000 fewer acres in 2024.
Cotton production fell by 11 percent in 2024 compared to 2023. Georgia growers produced 1.93 million bales in 2024 and 2.18 million bales in 2023.
Georgia’s hay stocks decreased from 930,000 tons in December 2023 to 740,000 tons in December 2024.
Meanwhile, the state’s hay production dropped by 8.9%, from 1.58 million tons in 2023 to 1.44 million tons in 2024.
Georgia growers seeded more acres in winter wheat for 2025 (190,000 acres) than in 2024 (145,000 acres), an increase of 31%. Growers planted 195,000 acres in 2023.
McOMBER APPOINTED AS EPA SOUTHEAST REGION ADMINISTRATOR
On Feb. 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the appointment of Kevin McOmber to serve as regional administrator for the EPA’s Southeast Region (Region 4). McOmber will lead the implementation of the Trump administration’s environmental agenda in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and with six federally recognized tribes.
Prior to joining the EPA, McOmber served as executive vice president and national community practice leader at architecture and engineering firm CPL, where he led transformative municipal and public infrastructure projects. With a distinguished career spanning over 37 years in civil engineering, construction management and community development, McOmber brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his new role, according to an EPA press release.
The agency noted McOmber’s expertise in environmental planning, water resources, stormwater management and sustainable urban development, and his history of collaborating with state and local agencies to ensure the successful execution of complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
McOmber’s leadership roles include being elected twice as a City of Suwanee Councilmember, an appointment to the Gwinnett County Water & Sewerage Authority, and several state and -continued on the next page
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Continued from previous page national roles with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Kevin has been married for 36 years to his wife, MaLisa. They have two adult children, Marissa and Andrew, who live in North Carolina.
Here’s what people are saying about McOmber’s presidential appointment:
“On behalf of our fellow Georgians, I want to congratulate Kevin McOmber on this new role leading EPA Southeast,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. “As regional administrator, I’m sure his experience and skill will benefit both our state and nation as we safeguard the natural resources we’re blessed to have in the Southeast while also promoting the growth and strength of our economy.”
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SPRING 2025 STEM CHALLENGE: RECYCLE AND REIMAGINE
Feb. 28 deadline to register
April 4 deadline for classes to submit projects
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, problemsolving, 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, visit https://gfb.ag/25SpringSTEMChallenge
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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67TH ANNUAL TIFTON PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE
March 5 UGA Tifton Bull Center 12:30 p.m. Irwinville
The sale will include 70 performance-tested, genomic enhanced and parentage-verified Angus, Black Hereford, Hereford, Red Angus, Santa Gertrudis, Simmental & SimAngus bulls from consigners. The sale will be broadcast online live through LiveAuctions.tv. The sale catalog, videos of bulls and more information is available online at www.ugabeef.com/bulltest. Contact Jason Duggin at jduggin@uga.edu or 706-728-4354 or Grace Nyhuis at gracen@uga.edu or 229386-3683 for more information.
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.
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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.
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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.
19TH ANNUAL CHEROKEE COUNTY AG EXPO
March 22 River Church, 2335 Sixes Rd. 10 a.m. – 2 p..m. Canton
This free event features a tractor and petting zoo, display booths from more than 20 agricultural organizations and lots of door prizes. The Ag Expo is open to the public. For more information, contact Denise Forward at 770-479-1481 or dbforward@gfbco.org
CROP AND DAIRY SAFETY NET PROGRAAMS
March 31
DMC application deadline
April 15 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.
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KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
April 12, 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.
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)
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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 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.
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.
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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.