AFBF CONVENTION FOCUSES ON FARM BUREAU FAMILY
Georgia Farm Bureau was well-represented at the 104th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 6-11. GFB’s delegation of about 120-members and staff attended educational workshops, heard from inspirational speakers and had a chance to soak up the sun and culture of the U.S. territory.
During the opening session of the 104th AFBF Convention, Georgia Farm Bureau was recognized for receiving AFBF Awards of Excellence in all four program work areas of advocacy, engagement & outreach, leadership & business development and coalitions & partnerships.
“Georgia was well-represented at this AFBF Convention. We’re especially proud of the MycoLogic team from Kennesaw State University for winning the People’s Choice Award in the Agriculture Innovation Challenge. We’re proud of how Brian, Colt and Willie represented us in the Young Farmers and Ranchers events,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “We’re also excited about the memorandum of understanding AFBF signed with John Deere at the convention that gives farmers the ability to repair their farm equipment. This is something Georgia farmers have wanted for a long time and GFB worked with AFBF to achieve this.”
Duvall praises AFBF members’ advocacy efforts
Puerto Rico Farm Bureau President Hector Cordero-Toledo welcomed Farm Bureau members from across the country to San Juan. This is the first time the AFBF convention has been held in the U.S. territory.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall delivered his annual address at the opening session of the organization's 104th annual convention on Jan. 8. During his optimistic speech, Duvall discussed the organization’s successes in 2022, including grassroots advocacy efforts to send more than 38,000 messages to lawmakers and regulatory agencies.
“We have a mighty force of Farm Bureau advocates. When we combine these advocates with our team of expert lobbyists, we are a force to be reckoned with,” Duvall said.
Duvall also shared the exciting announcement that AFBF had reached a memorandum of understanding with John Deere that gives farmers’ and ranchers’ the right to repair their farm equipment. The MOU is the culmination of several years of discussions between AFBF and John -continued on next page
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Vilsack: USDA working to help farmers
While speaking to Farm Bureau members at the AFBF convention on Jan. 9, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack outlined steps the USDA is taking to help farmers meet current challenges they are facing.
“American farmers are an incredibly resilient group. When we think about the challenges you have faced in recent years from mega droughts, fires, terrific storms and hurricanes. You all have continued to produce although you’re still dealing with the challenges COVID presented with supply chain issues. You’re still producing despite the challenges Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine has presented to our fertilizer supply,” Vilsack said.
Vilsack acknowledged that although overall farm income has reached record highs the past two years, studies show that about half of U.S. farm households had negative incomes these same two years.
“Knowing that 50% of our farm families had negative [household] incomes in a time of record overall farm income suggests to me we need to do more to help our farmers,” Vilsack said.
He said the USDA has allocated $3 billion to fund 141 projects to reward farmers and agribusinesses implementing climate smart production practices; invested $1 billion in expanding existing local meat processing facilities or building new ones; and allocating funds for programs to help farmers to connect with local restaurants and schools to sale their crops directly.
Vilsack also referenced $500 million in funds the USDA allocated last fall to support increased production of fertilizer by U.S. companies to meet farmers’ needs for their 2023/24 crops.
“We think there’s an opportunity to send a strong message that we are self-reliant, and we are excited to decrease our reliance on those who do not agree with us,” Vilsack said.
Vilsack also discussed the importance of the 2023 farm bill.
“A farm bill isn’t just about farms, and it isn’t just about nutrition, and it isn’t just about conservation. It’s about preserving a fundamental aspect of our country, of being a food secure nation that empowers the rest of the nation to do all of what we do in America,” Vilsack said.
“The future of our country is directly connected to your future,” Vilsack told attendees.
After Vilsack’s speech, President Joe Biden addressed the AFBF convention via video message saying,
“American farmers feed our families and power our economy. That’s why our administration has invested $1 billion in meat processing facilities in the past year, $500 million to support domestic fertilizer production and funding to improve the roads and bridges in rural America and to expand internet access into rural communities. God bless you.”
AFBF members also heard from Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi.
“Puerto Rico is emerging from past challenges and entering a new season of economic growth. Our farms and agribusinesses are key to our future sustainability,” Pierluisi said. “Our current ag production [of yams, vegetables, fruit and livestock] fills 15 percent of our consumption. Ninety percent of what Puerto Rico consumes comes from the U.S.”
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Life Is Good CEO shares company’s story
A highlight of the closing session for Georgia Farm Bureau members at the AFBF annual convention was hearing from Bert Jacobs, co-founder of the Life is Good apparel company. Jacobs shared how he and his younger brother, John, started selling quirky t-shirts in 1994 and grew a $150 million lifestyle brand that promotes optimism. The early t-shirts featured a stick figure named Jake that John drew.
“A t-shirt is a communication device. It’s a way to tell others about your values and interests,” Jacobs said. “We started celebrating what people love to do and putting it on t-shirts.”
Gratitude, Jacobs said, is a superpower.
“We’re rational optimists. We recognize that life is not perfect but there is a lot of good if you look for it.”
Capitalism, he said, creates the opportunity for upward mobility.
“Businesses should not be demonized for the world’s problems,” Jacobs said. “Capitalism iis the most powerful tool in the world we have for solving problems.”
Nashville star Big Kenny has Farm Bureau background
Big Kenny Alphin entertained Georgia Farm Bureau members attending the AFBF Convention during a speech on Jan. 8 by sharing memories of growing up on his family’s farm in Culpeper, Virginia, and going to local Farm Bureau meetings with his family.
Alphin moved to Nashville in 1994 when he was 30 to try his hand at music and eventually became half of the Big & Rich duo with John Rich.
AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Chairman Alisha Schwertner interviewed Alphin, who encouraged the audience by sharing that for the one producer who signed him, 50 turned him down.
“Faith is the eternal elixir that gives life to the impulse of thought. I’m going to keep on having faith. Why don’t we all keep on having faith?” Alphin said.
Big Kenny applauded farmers attending his speech saying, “It’s the farmers that put the feast on the table. It’s the farmers that feed the world.”
Farm dogs honored
Tough, a 14-year-old border collie belonging to Kansas Farm Bureau members Denny & Donna Ashcraft, is the 2023 Farm Bureau Dog of the Year. This amazing dog was paralyzed from the neck down for a week after being injured while working cattle seven years ago. Miraculously, through rehab, she has regained about 90% of her mobility.
Case, a Corgi owned by Louisiana Farm Bureau members Kelsi and Amanda Duhon, was named People’s Choice Pup in a social media contest with online voting as part of the overall competition. Case wins bragging rights, a year’s supply of Pro-Plan dog food and other Purina products. Case is featured in a children’s book, “Case and the Sugar Run,” which teaches children how sugar cane is grown.
The contest celebrates farm dogs that work alongside farmers and ranchers as they sustainably produce nutritious food for families and their pets across America. Rounding up livestock and -continued on next page
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Nestlé Purina PetCare donated prizes for the contest. This included $5,000 in prize money, a trophy plate, a year’s supply of Pro-Plan dog food and other Purina products for Tough.
A panel of judges with expertise in the pet care industry, veterinary medicine and communications reviewed more than 100 nominations to select the 2023 Farm Dog of the Year. Judging criteria included the dog’s helpfulness to the farmer and his/her family, playfulness and their role in making life better on and off the farm. Farm Bureau members submitted written responses to questions, photos and video clips to nominate their dogs for Farm Dog of the Year. Learn more and nominate your dog for the 2024 contest at https://www.fb.org/farmdog.
Georgians discuss farm mental health
During a AFBF convention workshop focused on mental health, panelist Dr. Anne Montgomery, assistant professor of community medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine, discussed the ways farmers cope with stress, such as exercising, talking to family and friends and spending time on hobbies. She said farmers’ coping mechanisms vary based on demographics and whether they’re a first generation or multigeneration farmer.
Montgomery was one of the principal investigators on a study Mercer conducted last year on farmers’ mental well-being. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture partnered with Mercer on the study. To learn more, visit https://gfb.ag/FarmStress .
Also on the panel were Sumter County Farm Bureau President Matt Berry and his wife, Alicia, who shared how she supports Matt just by listening and taking very seriously her role as sounding board for things weighing on him, big and small. Matt provided excellent insight into the mental health and unspoken issues that farmers face.
This session shed light on emerging research about the top stressors for farmers and how they differ by roll, as well as data-backed strategies to aid in the coping of stress and anxiety.
If you have any questions about farmer mental health please reach out to info@georgiaruralhealth.org.
GA CO. WINS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD IN AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Georgia Farm Bureau member Dr. Chris Cornelison and his colleagues at MycoLogic LLC won the People's Choice Award in the AFBF Agriculture Innovation Challenge. The startup, which originated in the BioInnovation Laboratory at Kennesaw State University, received a $5,000 prize for being voted the People's Choice Award by those attending the AFBF convention. This is in addition to the $10,000 the company won as one of the contest’s nine semi-finalists.
MycoLogic co-founders Cornelison and Dr. Kyle Gabriel developed technology farmers can use to grow larger quantities of specialty mushrooms - like Shiitake, Oyster and Lion’s Mane - more efficiently. Luc Lalire is responsible for MycoLogic’s business development. Will Beeson manages mushroom cultivation and operations.
The company’s proprietary software can be applied to shipping containers or existing infrastructure and facilitates a semiautonomous system for fruiting of specialty mushrooms. The -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page company says this technology increases the profitability of existing farms and lowers the barrier for new growers by providing a turn-key solution for increasing the size and frequency of harvests while reducing labor costs.
“Our software can help people successfully grow mushrooms anywhere in the U.S.,” Cornelison said. “The sales of specialty mushrooms have increased by 50% in the past five years and most of the specialty mushrooms consumed in the U.S. are grown overseas.”
The Ag Innovation Challenge provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations in agriculture. This is the ninth year of the challenge, which was the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching food and agriculture businesses. The contest is organized by AFBF and sponsored by Farm Credit with additional support from Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank and Farm Bureau Financial Services.
In the Final Four round of the competition, MycoLogic competed against teams from Iowa –Chop Local - an online store that facilitates sales of meat directly between livestock producers or local butchers & consumers); Texas – EmGenisys Inc. - a company that has developed software to help beef and dairy producers evaluate the health/viability of embryos before implanting into mama cows to increase calving success & genetics goals; and Kansas – NORDEF - a company that has developed technology and machinery to allow farmers/large equipment operators to mix diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) onsite in the quantity that they need by using a pod of urea and mixing it with water. DEF is injected into the exhaust stream of diesel vehicles to break down emissions to meet Environmental Protection Agency standards.
NORDEF won the overall competion to receive a total of $50,000 in prize money. Austin Hausmann, a Kansas Farm Bureau member, is team lead for the company.
EmGenisys Inc. was named runner-up in the contest and received a total of $20,000. Cara Wells, a Texas Farm Bureau member, is team lead for the company.
Each of the nine semi-finalist teams won $10,000; the final four teams were awarded an additional $5,000 each.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Ag Innovation Challenge. Learn more at www.fb.org/challenge.
YF&R COMPETITORS, WOMEN’S COMMITTEE REPRESENT GEORGIA
Colt Hart, Brian Fleming and Willie Sizemore represented Georgia in the three AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers events held during the AFBF convention.
Lee County Farm Bureau member Willie Sizemore talked his way into the Sweet 16 round of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet contest. This event is designed to simulate a committee meeting where participants talk about an ag-related issue and explore possible solutions. Contestants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic.
During his first round of competition Sizemore prevailed against competitors from Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada and South Carolina to advance. In the second round, he faced contestants from -continued on next page
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Sizemore graduated from the University of Georgia in 2021 with a degree in agricultural communications and is currently a student at the Mercer University Law School.
Bernie LeFils of Florida was the second-place runner-up. Kreg Vollmer of Colorado won third place, and Rachel Hyde of Indiana was the fourth-place finalist.
Hart County Farm Bureau member Brian Fleming competed in the Excellence in Agriculture competition on Jan. 7, delivering a PowerPoint presentation outlining the advocacy work he does on behalf of agriculture.
This competition recognizes young farmers and ranchers for their agricultural advocacy efforts and leadership. Brian has chaired the Hart County Farm Bureau YF&R Committee since 2014 and grew the county’s YF&R program from just himself to its current membership of about 35. He served on the GFB YF&R Committee from 2019 to 2021 and regularly visits local schools to teach students about agriculture.
Fleming, of Hart County, is operations manager for PTL Agriculture, the family farm owned by his dad, Bobby, that produces soybeans, wheat, oats, milo and corn on approximately 1,000 acres, along with maintaining a small herd of brood cows and growing hay. Brian also runs a small seedcleaning operation that serves area farmers.
Stacie Anderson of Ohio won the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award. Kristy Miron of Minnesota was the second-place runner-up. Garrett and Miranda Driver of California won third place. Kaylee Heap of Illinois is the fourth-place finalist.
Franklin County Farm Bureau member Colt Hart represented Georgia in the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award competition. Colt is a fourth-generation farmer in Franklin County who raises beef cattle, broilers & goats with his wife, LeAnna Bond Hart. The Harts also grow millet, ryegrass, Bermudagrass & wheat. The Harts represent GFB's 2nd District on the GFB YF&R Committee & Colt is chairing the committee this year.
Daniel and Carla Trantham of Alabama won the Achievement Award. Derek and Micayla Giffin of Tennessee were the second-place runners-up. Evan Hultine of Illinois won third place.
Rachael Sharp of South Carolina is the fourth-place finalist.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.
GFB members attend Women’s Leadership Meeting
Many thanks to the Georgia Farm Bureau members who represented Georgia at the Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Women. GFB delegates were: GFB Women's Leadership Committee Chairman Kathy Malone Sanders, immediate past GFB WLC Chairman Melissa -continued on next page
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Mathis, Donna Barrett, Connie Copelan, Doris Jean Malone and Lisa Rainwater.
The women’s meeting allowed delegates to discuss ways to promote agriculture to consumers and students.
“I Love Strawberries,” authored by Shannon Anderson, was announced as the 2023 AFBF Foundation for Agriculture Book of the Year at the convention. This book shows young readers how strawberries grow, what pests to look out for in a garden, why ladybugs are helpful, and much more
SPENDING BILL PROVIDES SUSTAINABILITY SUPPORT, DISASTER AID FOR AG
On Dec. 29, President Joe Biden signed the FY2023 omnibus spending bill into law, providing funding for the federal government through Sept. 30.
The legislation provides $25.48 billion in funding for the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and related agencies. The bill provides funding to address sustainability goals, disaster relief, nutrition, research and trade concerns.
“AFBF commends lawmakers for including several important pieces of legislation in the 2023 omnibus bill to support the role farmers and ranchers play in sustainability and recognize the hardships caused by natural disasters,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said.
According to a summary from the Senate Appropriations Committee, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is funded at $1.74 billion and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture receives $1.701 billion. This includes $455 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), and $50 million for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
The bill provides $3.741 billion for disaster assistance for U.S. ranchers and farmers, including row crop producers, who have suffered losses of revenue, quality or production losses of crops (including crops prevented from planting in 2022), due to adverse weather conditions.
The USDA is allotted $100 million to make payments to cotton merchandisers who have experienced economic losses. The bill sets aside $15.45 million for cotton pest management activities, $4 million for USDA’s cotton classing laboratories, and increased funding for cotton genetics and fiber quality research programs within the Agriculture Research Service.
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DUVALL: NEW WOTUS RULE A STEP IN WRONG DIRECTION
On Dec. 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its updated Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule, which would impose legal and administrative burdens on farmers. The rule expands federal overreach on private land and brings back the “significant nexus” test for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EPA representatives to use to determine which areas qualify as “ephemeral waters” under the Clean Water Act. Landowners will have to consult with attorneys to pursue compliance with the rule.
The rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register in mid-January and implemented within 60 days.
Meanwhile, a Supreme Court ruling in Sackett, v. EPA, which centers on what qualifies as WOTUS, is expected in the coming months. The court heard arguments in the case during its October 2022 session.
Both Georgia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation support keeping the Clean Water Act rules established in 2020 under the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.
In the Jan. 4 installment of his column, The Zipline, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall expressed disappointment in the move.
“The EPA’s new Waters of the U.S. rule is a giant step in the wrong direction,” Duvall wrote. “Instead of making federal regulations more clear, the rule reinstates confusing standards that have already caused decades of uncertainty and litigation.”
Duvall said the rule gives the government sweeping authority over private lands and will require teams of lawyers and consultants for common and necessary farming activities.
“We worked with the EPA’s staff and leaders while they were drafting the rule, hoping our input would make these regulations clear and fair, but I’m deeply disappointed in the outcome,” Duvall wrote. “Farmers and ranchers share the goal of protecting our nation’s waterways, but we deserve rules that don’t require hiring experts to tell us if we can farm our land.”
The overreach under the new WOTUS rule could subject farming activities like moving dirt, plowing, or building fences to require a federal permit, resulting in more paperwork, delays, and lawyers.
“Instead of being treated as partners in protecting our nation’s water supply, the federal government wants to dictate what we can and can’t do on our farms,” Duvall wrote.
U.S. farmers have increased practices that reduce soil erosion and keep nutrients in their fields, increased the use of cover crops and placed over 140 million acres of land into voluntary conservation programs.
“We’ve installed buffer strips to filter water coming off our fields and installed protective zones and terraces – all to protect water quality for our families and yours,” Duvall wrote. “EPA held a -continued on next page
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BELFLOWER JOINS GFB PUBLIC POLICY STAFF
Adam Belflower recently joined the Public Policy Department at Georgia Farm Bureau as a Governmental Affairs Specialist and now lives in Macon.
He is a graduate of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. While at UGA, he studied Agribusiness and researched food policy under Dr. Travis Smith in the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics.
“We are excited to have Adam join the Farm Bureau family. His strong academic background and agricultural ties make him a valuable addition to our advocacy efforts at the capitol and our members,” GFB President Tom McCall said.
Belflower was an active member of the GFB Young Farmers and Ranchers UGA Chapter competing in the Discussion Meet for two years, attending State YF&R Convention, and attending the 2022 AFBF Conference.
Belflower has worked as an intern for Corteva Agriscience on the Southeast Seed Team and the Georgia Department of Agriculture as a Licensing Intern. He spent three summers as a row crop scout for a local agriculture consultant in Middle Georgia and worked on various farms with strawberries, row crops, and livestock.
Belflower grew up in Cochran and attended Bleckley County High School. In middle and high school, he was involved in Georgia 4-H with his project work focusing on strawberry production.
MILLER, MOON PRESENTED 2022 KING COTTON AWARDS
County UGA Cooperative Extension Service agents are an important resource for Georgia cotton farmers. Agents are known for delivering timely and accurate information, which is instrumental for the success of Georgia’s farmers. They also perform community specific research, education and outreach programs designed to help farmers maximize yields and efficiency.
The Georgia Cotton Commission sponsored the King Cotton Awards to recognize outstanding contributions of county agents to Georgia cotton producers. The Senior Award honors agents with 10 or more years of experience. The Junior Award, named the Allen B. Fulford Award, honors the accomplishments and memory of Allen B. Fulford, who served as a county Extension agent and state cotton agronomist. This award credits those with less than 10 years of service. The awards were presented at the 2022 Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting & Professional Improvement Conference in November. The Georgia Cotton Commission is proud to salute the excellent work that County Extension Agents do for farmers across the state. -continued on next page
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The 2022 Senior King Cotton Award recipient is Jennifer Miller of Jeff Davis County, where she serves as the Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent. She began her career with Gold Kist and came to UGA Extension in 2006 as the 4-H Agent in Wheeler County. She later served as the ANR Agent in Montgomery County and covered Treutlen County for part of that time. Miller has participated in the Statewide On-Farm Variety trials for 11 years, a statewide project managed by county agents and Dr. Camp Hand, UGA Cotton Agronomist. Throughout her career, she has conducted trials that have focused on irrigation and late season cotton management and was also awarded the Allen B. Fulford Award in 2017. In 2021, she collected data on fruiting position and value to update the cotton “money tree” graphic. Miller has a bachelor’s in agriculture from UGA, where she majored in Agriscience & Environmental Systems.
The Allen B. Fulford Award winner is Cole Moon, who serves as the County Extension Coordinator and Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent for Bleckley and Twiggs County. He has worked for Extension since 2018. In addition to holding producer education programs regarding agronomics and defoliation, Moon conducts county research on cotton. The priorities for the local research are made in collaboration with local growers. Recent trials have been on topics such as plant population, variety selection, cotton leafroll dwarf virus and foliar potassium applications. Moon graduated from UGA with a bachelor’s in Agribusiness and a master’s in Plant Protection and Pest Management.
AMERICAN PEANUT COUNCIL ELECTS NEW OFFICERS
At its 2022 Winter Conference in Atlanta in December, the American Peanut Council (APC) elected new officers and executive committee members to lead the organization for the next year.
Collins McNeill, of M.C. McNeill & Company, was elected chairman. McNeill is the owner of a Tallahassee-based peanut brokerage firm. Georgia farmer Donald Chase was elected vicechairman. Chase also serves as a member of the Georgia Peanut Commission. Selected as secretary/treasurer was Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for PeanutsAmericas at Mars Wrigley.
The board also approved recommendations from the year-long work of a Governance Task Force. The task force recommendations included significant changes to the bylaws to better reflect industry priorities, improve transparency in decision-making and establish parameters between the work of the board and related committees. A major outcome of the bylaws reform was the creation of a new 15-member executive committee. The new executive committee members include representatives from the four industry segments represented in APC’s membership:
Growers – Tim Burch and Donald Chase, Georgia; Joel Sirmon, AL; Dell Cotton, VA; Larry Don Womack, TX; Paul Rogers, VA, representing as chairman of the National Peanut Board; Shellers – Greg Harnish, Birdsong Peanuts; Clint Piper, Golden Peanuts; Jamie Brown, OFI; Rachel Santos, Premium Peanut; John Powell, APSA; Manufacturers – Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, Mars Wrigley; Kimmi Wernli, Crazy Richards ; Brian Reed, The JM Smucker Company; Allied – Collins McNeill, M.C. McNeill & Company
The make-up of the 54-member board of directors remains unchanged
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2023
GEORGIA DAIRY CONFERENCE
Jan. 16-18 Savannah Marriott Riverfront Savannah
The 2023 Georgia Dairy Conference will be January 16 -18 at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront in Savannah. The event will feature 16 speakers from across the country to discuss marketing, economic forecasts, innovations in management, and more. The conference website is www.gadairyconference.com.
2023 GEORGIA
CORN SHORT COURSE
Jan. 17 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Tifton
This annual program will include discussions on carbon credit markets, spray drones, irrigation management, plant tissue analysis, variable rate nitrogen, pest management an economic outlook. This program has been approved for the following CEUs: Pesticide Applicators: 5 hours in Cat 21 (Plant Agriculture); 1 hour in Cat 10 (Private); CCA: 2 Nutrient Management, 1 Soil & Water Management, 1 Integrated Pest Management, 1 Crop Management, 1 Sustainability, 1 Precision Ag. Registration is $15 for in-person attendance and $10 for livestream audience. The link for livestream attendance will be sent following registration. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. To register and view the full agenda, visit http://bit.ly/3W09zQ7. For more information call 229-386-3416.
46TH ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW
Jan. 19 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton Make plans to attend the 46th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference! The one-day show is free and open to all farmers and industry representatives to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with nearly 100 agribusinesses and organizations in the peanut and agricultural sector. Farmers will be able to earn private and commercial pesticide applicator certification, as well as learn about cutting-edge research and developments during the University of Georgia Peanut Production Seminar and industry-wide sponsored Peanut Seed Seminar. The Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with OneBlood, will host a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 19. At the close of Thursday, there will be nearly $10,000 in door prizes presented to farmers, as well as a Grand Door Prize, vendor products, certificates and equipment. For more information, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission office at 229-386-3470 or visit www.gapeanuts.com
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GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING
Jan. 25 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This annual meeting is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop will feature breakout sessions where attendees will learn the latest technical production strategies from the researchers whose projects are funded by the Commission’s research program. The Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting will follow the breakout sessions and feature speakers from several industry organizations. The program speakers are Dr. Ryan Kurtz, Vice President of Agricultural & Environmental Research, Cotton Incorporated; Dr. Mark Masters, Director, Georgia Water Planning & Policy; and Robbie Minnich, Director of Washington Operations, National Cotton Council. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. For more information visit https://georgiacottoncommission.org/ or call 229-3863416.
2023
GEORGIA AG FORECAST
Jan. 27 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8:30 a.m. Tifton In this annual event, UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences economists provide an outlook of agricultural markets for the coming year and speakers focus on important and trending topics. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Deputy Chairman William Chambers will give the keynote address. To view the agenda and download the Georgia Ag Forecast Report, visit https://agforecast.caes.uga.edu/
2023
FLAVOR OF GEORGIA FOOD PRODUCT CONTEST
Jan. 30 deadline to register Registration is now open for the 2023 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. Held annually since 2007, Flavor of Georgia has launched new products into success and garnered more publicity and sales for products already in the market. From rural farmers to urban businesses, successful and talented food artisans have emerged from all over Georgia to create delicacies from the abundant agricultural products our state has to offer. More than 1,500 products have entered the contest since it began. Products are to be submitted March 6-8. Finalists will be announced March 10, and the final round will be held in Athens on March 28. To register and see full contest rules and more information about Flavor of Georgia, click here https://flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu/registration.html
2023 MENTAL HEALTH DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Jan. 31 Georgia Freight Depot 8 a.m. - noon Atlanta Each year the Behavioral Health Services Coalition, a group of advocates supporting behavioral health in Georgia, organizes Mental Health Day at the Capitol. Anyone whose life is impacted by mental health concerns is welcome including: people in recovery, families, political leaders, service providers, community support organizations, faith leaders, law enforcement, first responders, other advocates, and anyone else who wants to support behavioral health in their communities. For more information, click here.
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BEEF CATTLE 101
EDUCATIONAL SERIES
Jan. 31-March 4 Barnesville Civic Center 685 Forsyth St. Barnesville This innovative cattle workshop is sponsored by the Lamar County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, UGA Cooperative Extension and Two Rivers Soil & Water Conservation District. The course is designed for beginning and small farmers interested in farming operations and optimal farming techniques. Seminars will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday Jan. 31 – Feb. 28, with a field day on Saturday, March 4 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration is $100 per person. Register in person at the Barnesville NRCS field office. For more information, contact Lisa Minick at 770-358-0787, ext. 3 or lisa.minick@usda.gov.
13th
ANNUAL GFB DISTRICT 2 YF&R STEER & HEIFER SHOW
Feb. 4 Jackson County Ag Facility 1869 County Farm Rd. Jefferson Open to all fourth through 12th-graders who exhibit beef cattle in Banks, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union & White counties. Register at https://gfb.ag/District2CattleShow by Jan. 20, 2023. Barn will be open on Feb. 3 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for early arrivals. Check-in will be 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Show will begin Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. with showmanship classes. The entry fee is $25 per animal for Farm Bureau members or $35 per animal for non-members. Membership must belong to the exhibitor and/or their immediate family. Membership can be obtained at your local county Farm Bureau office for $35. Entries are nonrefundable/nonreturnable. Twelfth-grade exhibitors are eligible for a Senior Academic Scholarship of $500. Senior participants must contact Katie Alt at atkmalt@gfb.org or 229-454-0239 for a scholarship form. Form must be received along with cattle show entry form by Jan. 20. The show committee will select one winner and the scholarship will be awarded at the show. The committee will also give a $250 scholarship to the senior showmanship winner.
CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
Feb 6
deadline to submit responses
The USDA has mailed survey codes to all known agriculture producers across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture at www.agcounts.usda.gov. The ag census is the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and territory. Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. The same law requires NASS to keep all information confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. NASS will release the results of the ag census in early 2024. To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. On the website, producers and other data users can access frequently asked questions, past ag census data, special study information, and more. For highlights of these and the latest information, follow USDA NASS on twitter @usda_nass.
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AREA PRODUCTION MEETINGS HOSTED BY TATTNALL COUNTY EXTENSION Tobacco
Feb. 8 Bevricks Restaurant noon Metter Speaker: J. Michael Moore Pesticide credits will be available Contact Derrick Bowen at 912-557-6724 for more information
Pecan
Feb. 13 Evans County Recreation Dept. Noon Claxton Speakers: Andrew Sawyer and Lenny Wells Pesticide Credits will be Available Contact Derrick Bowen at 912-557-6724 for more information
Weed Control
Feb. 21 Evans County Recreation Dept. Noon Claxton Speakers: Eric Prostko and Stanley Culpepper Pesticide Credits will be available Contact Derrick Bowen at 912-557-6724 for more information
Prescribed Burning
March (Date TBD) Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center, Lyons Speakers: David Clabo and Tattnall County Forestry Unit Forestry Credits Available Contact Derrick Bowen at 912-557-6724 for more information
30th ANNUAL UGA Focus on Genetically Enhanced EPDs Sale Feb. 9 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena Noon Athens This sale will include 50 Angus and Hereford Bulls, three registered Angus open heifers and 20 Angus-cross commercial open heifers. Contact Carroll T. Cannon at 229-881-0721 or 229-8812705 or by email at CannonMarketingCompany@gmail.com.
GFB DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Feb. 14 Georgia Freight Depot & State Capitol
9:30 a.m. Atlanta Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol orientation begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Blue Room at the Georgia Freight Depot. The Depot is located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, one block northwest of the Capitol, at Underground Atlanta. After orientation, GFB members are encouraged to visit with their legislators at the Capitol and return with them to the complimentary lunch at the Depot beginning at noon. Lunch invitations will be sent to all legislators, but a personal invitation from you would be especially helpful and effective. Complimentary security parking is located at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel parking deck, located at 165 Courtland Street NE, and the shuttle bus service will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Renee Jones at 478-474-0679, ext. 5130 or rejones@gfb.org
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MIDDLE SOUTH GA SWCD FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP
Feb. 21 Worth County Ag Pavilion 102 Rebecca Dr Sylvester
A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together in a series of educational workshops and trapping demonstrations for farmers and landowners. The workshop will be from 8:30am to 1:00pm with lunch provided. This workshop is sponsored by the Middle South Georgia Conservation District. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question and answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Additional workshop opportunities will be announced soon. More details and registration information is available at www.GACD.us/events
GEORGIA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
March 1
deadline to apply
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is offering $70,000 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 2023-24 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, 2023. Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted online with the application. The scholarship recipients will be announced in spring of 2023. 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 2024 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.
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GFB MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTESTS
March 10 deadline for county offices to submit entries
Contact your county Farm Bureau office to learn deadline for its local contests
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is now accepting entries for the 2023 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark and High School Art Contests. Students who submit their artwork have the chance to win some great cash prizes! 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. One state runner-up in the art contest will receive $150 cash. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. 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. Students may enter either contest in the county in which they live or attend school but not both counties. To enter either contest, students should contact their county Farm Bureau for an official entry form and complete contest rules. Contact your county Farm Bureau to learn its February deadline for entering the contests. County Farm Bureaus must submit their entries to Georgia Farm Bureau for the state contest by March 10. Entries are limited to one per person in both contests. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Previous state winners are not eligible for either contest. 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 and https://gfb.ag/UGA22agsnapshots to access info about Georgia agriculture.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE NOW ACCESSIBLE AT 988
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a new name & number. It’s now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It 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. SAMHSA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Communications Commission & other suicide prevention and mental health partners worked together to create 988 and its expanded services. #988Lifeline
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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 2021 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
UGA PILOT PROGRAM OFFERS FREE TELE-COUNSELING
The past few years have been challenging. Sometimes it's hard to recognize the physical effects of stress and how it affects our lives. Talking to someone about your stress can help. The UGA Tattnall County Extension office is partnering with the UGA School of Social Work on a pilot program to offer farmers and members of the agricultural community access to up to six free online counseling sessions with a licensed counselor. Participants do not have to farm or live in Tattnall County to participate but should be farmers or members of a farming family. Call 706-510-6930, email gatelehealth@uga.edu for more information or visit https://gfb.ag/ugapilotaddressstress to complete a questionnaire to begin the enrollment process. Anyone who doesn’t meet the requirements for the grant funding will be provided appropriate counseling referrals. Symptoms of chronic stress include irritability, lack of focus, change in appetite, sleepiness or insomnia, aches/pains, headaches, emotional withdrawal, low energy, anxiety, increased alcohol/substance use. This work is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network- Southern Region [grant no. 2020-70028-32730 / project ascension no 1023989] and the Georgia Farmer Healthy Mindset [grant no. 13395431/2021-09304/ project ascension no 2021-70035575], from the US Department of Agriculture, National Institute on of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by counselors during the sessions should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
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