CONGRESS EXTENDS FARM BILL THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2025
On Dec. 21, 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Relief Act of 2025, providing fiscal year 2025 appropriations for the federal government though March 14, 2025, while funding disaster relief and economic assistance to farmers and extending the 2018 farm bill through September 2025.
“Farm Bureau thanks the House and the Senate for finding common ground and passing legislation that will keep the government open and help farmers who are struggling with natural disasters, high supply costs and out-of-reach interest rates,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “For many farmers, the disaster relief provided through the CR will be the difference between planting for another year or going out of business.”
The bill passed the U.S. House by a 366-34 vote and the Senate by an 85-11 vote. Ten of Georgia’s 14 representatives and both of the state’s senators voted for passage.
Following is analysis from AFBF’s Market Intel:
The 2018 farm bill expired – for a second time – on Sept. 30, 2024. While the farm bill has been expired for nearly three months, the impacts of an expiration unfold slowly and unevenly across programs it supports. If an extension had not been passed, markets would have gone over the “Dairy Cliff” on Jan. 1, with USDA required to purchase dairy products at about twice current market prices, based on parity price formulas established in the 1930s using 1910-1914 commodity prices. Similarly high prices would have been offered for many crops in the 2025 crop year under so-called permanent law, which is suspended with every farm bill – and every farm bill extension.
While the farm bill extension gives Congress until Sept. 30, 2025, to pass a new farm bill, it did not fund numerous programs without baseline funding – so-called “orphan programs.” The first extension of the 2018 farm bill included $177 million for 19 of its 21 orphan programs for the 2024 fiscal year. The current extension includes no such funding. Unfunded programs range from the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program to Emergency Citrus Disease Research.
Disaster Aid
The second pillar of agriculture-related provisions in the American Relief Act of 2025 is $21 billion in disaster aid. Dozens of natural disasters occurred in 2023 and 2024 with over $1 billion in economic impact. For agriculture, significant events across these years include extreme drought -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page in the Gulf Coast; hurricanes Hilary, Idalia, Helene and Milton; and flooding in the Northeast and California. Before estimates for hurricanes Helene and Milton-related losses were included, Farm Bureau estimated that uncovered disaster-related agricultural losses had already exceeded $14.1 billion across 2023 and 2024 alone.
Most of the $21 billion in agriculture disaster aid in the American Relief Act of 2025 is to be distributed by USDA to cover necessary expenses related to the losses of revenue, quality or production for crops (including milk, on-farm stored commodities, crops prevented from planting, and harvested adulterated wine grapes), trees, bushes and vines. Qualifying losses include those caused by the following natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024: droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure and excessive moisture. Of the $21 billion, up to $2 billion will be used to cover livestock losses related to drought, wildfires and floods and $3 million is mandated to be used to carry out regular testing for molasses imports at port of entry.
USDA may provide the disaster assistance through block grants to eligible states and territories, including assistance in the form of compensation to producers for timber (including non-federal forest landowners), citrus, pecan and poultry (including infrastructure), and agricultural producers who have suffered losses due to the failure of Mexico to deliver water to the United States in accordance with the 1944 Water Treaty.
Producers who have insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Program or coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for the applicable crop year are eligible to receive payments covering up to 90% of their disaster-related revenue losses, as determined by USDA. For producers without crop insurance or NAP coverage, payments are available but are capped at 70% of their disaster-related revenue losses as determined by USDA. If uninsured losses are determined to represent only a de minimis (insignificant) portion of a producer's overall revenue losses, USDA may allow payments covering up to 90% of total losses. However, USDA has significant discretion in defining terms like “de minimis” and setting program provisions, which will ultimately determine the amount of assistance farmers receive. Other provisions, such as county-level drought triggers, administrative cost caps, expanded reporting obligations and payment rules for specialty categories, will follow the framework established in the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022 to ensure consistency and clarity in program implementation.
Economic Aid
Of the bill’s $31 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers, $10 billion is specifically for economic aid in response to the perilous financial situation in farm country, particularly for row crop farmers. According to bill text, the $10 billion must be distributed within 90 days of enactment through a one-time economic assistance payment for producers of eligible commodities in the 2024 crop year. Eligible commodities include all those covered by Title I of the farm bill, excluding temperate rice japonica.
Payments per acre for each crop will be determined as the higher of the two formulas – primary -continued on next page
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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-Economic Research Service’s published national average cost-ofproduction forecasts. For all other crops, USDA is to calculate a comparable total estimated costof-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 and Demand Estimates (WASDE) 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 that was prevented from planting during the 2024 crop year due to drought, flooding, other natural disaster or other conditions beyond the control of the farmer as determined by the secretary of agriculture.
For commodity per-acre payment estimates provided by AFBF, click here
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 increased to $250,000 for farmers with 75% or more of their average gross income derived from farming, ranching and forestry. There is no traditional adjusted gross income maximum to receive aid, and economic aid payment limitations are unrelated to any other program’s payment limits. As is typical with ARC/PLC payments and other forms of agricultural direct payments, 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.
Additional Miscellaneous Agriculture-Related Funding
A hodgepodge of other disaster funding to be administered by USDA totals $2.5 billion, including several funding items closely aligned to a November White House request for emergency funding for USDA. Additional USDA funding includes:
• $7.5 million for the Office of the Inspector General for oversight of projects and activities carried out by funds given to USDA in the continuing resolution;
• $42.5 million for Agricultural Research Service’s building and facilities;
• $356.535 million for Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Forest Restoration Program;
• $828 million for the Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Conservation Program;
• $920 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program;
• $362.5 million for the Rural Development Program’s Rural Development Disaster Assistance -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page Fund; and
• $25 million for the Food and Nutrition Service’s Commodity Assistance Program to support The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for infrastructure needs related to the consequences of major disaster declarations from 2023 and 2024.
The American Relief Act of 2025 will provide much-needed relief to farmers and ranchers across the country. A total of $31 billion of economic and disaster aid for farmers and an extension of the 2018 farm bill has certainly saved farms. However, an updated farm bill with a functioning safety net would have made much of this ad hoc aid unnecessary. The suspension of funding for the orphan programs also leaves a hole for some important priorities for agriculture. A new farm bill in 2025 could plug these holes and prevent the need for ad hoc economic aid in future years.
For the entire Market Intel analysis on the farm provisions of the American Relief Act of 2025, including commodity per-acre payment estimates, click here
HPAI CONFIRMED IN BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCK NEAR ATLANTA
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced, Jan. 10, that a small, backyard flock of 13 chickens & ducks located in Clayton County tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the positive case.
In late December 2024, the flock owners observed that three birds in their flock died in a short period of time. The carcasses were refrigerated and sent to the Georgia Poultry Lab Network (GPLN) on Jan. 6, for testing. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the GPLN confirmed a positive case of HPAI, and this result was further confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Lab (NVSL).
The GDA reports that the affected premises is in a residential neighborhood in close proximity to a manmade lake frequented by wild birds, particularly waterfowl which are known carriers of HPAI. It is most likely transmission occurred via interaction with wild birds or from viral material shed by wild birds into the environment.
There are no commercial poultry or dairy cattle operations located within a 10 Kilometer (6.2 mile) radius around the affected premises.
GDA officials visited the affected premises on Thursday, Jan. 9 to complete flock depopulation, cleaning & disinfection, and disposal operations to mitigate further spread of the disease.
This is the third detection of HPAI in a backyard flock and fourth overall detection in Georgia since the ongoing nationwide outbreak began in February 2022.
“As the ongoing, nationwide HPAI outbreak continues, implementing and maintaining strict biosecurity measures has never been more important,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “To date, the ongoing outbreak has impacted more than 133 million birds nationwide and less than .025% of those birds have been from Georgia, the nation’s top poultry producer –that speaks to the effectiveness of biosecurity and the importance of the work our animal health professionals and poultry producers are doing every single day to ensure the safety of their animals, -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page employees, and operations.”
Owners of poultry flocks, especially backyard flocks, are strongly encouraged to closely observe their birds and report a sudden increase in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850.
For more information about HPAI & biosecurity tips visit:
Protect Your Flock (Georgia Dept. of Ag) (https://agr.georgia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/animal-health/AI-Rack-Card.pdf)
Avian Influenza FAQ (Georgia Dept. of Ag) (https://agr.georgia.gov/avian-influenza-faq)
Protect Your Livelihood PDF (For commercial poultry producers) (https://gfb.ag/allinallgone)
The Georgia Department of Agriculture maintains a close working relationship with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) – the state’s lead human health agency. DPH is coordinating with local public health officials to conduct appropriate testing and surveillance with individuals who may have had direct contact with the affected animals. Georgia Department of Agriculture staff who visited the affected premises conducted operations in Level C PPE and followed strict biosecurity protocols. Out of an abundance of caution, Department employees that were onsite will participate in a 10-day surveillance period.
RACHEL MOSELY NAMED GFB CFO/CORPORATE TREASURER
Georgia Farm Bureau announced Jan. 1 that Rachel Mosely is the organization’s next chief financial officer and corporate treasurer effective that day.
Mosely, who was GFB’s assistant corporate treasurer & senior director of accounting, assumed her new role when former GFB Chief Financial Officer David Jolley retired Dec. 31.
“Rachel brings a wealth of experience at Georgia Farm Bureau to this new appointment. That includes starting as a staff accountant in 2008. She takes this important role at a critical juncture as we pursue our long-term strategic goals,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall.
“She will continue serving as corporate treasurer and liaison between accounting and the administration at GFB. Rachel’s organizational skills and accounting knowledge continue to serve our members, volunteers, and staff well.”
Before joining Farm Bureau, Mosely worked for McNair, McLemore and Middlebrooks for two years. She was promoted to GFB assistant corporate treasurer & senior director of accounting in 2019.
A native of Bibb County, Mosely graduated from Wesleyan College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She earned a master’s degree in accountancy from Georgia College and State University and received her CPA license in 2009.
Mosely and her husband, Matt, are parents of twin boys, Gunnar and Kain.
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GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION RELOCATES TO PERRY
The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) began 2025 by relocating its office to the former Perry Visitor’s Center across from the west entrance of the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA). The office is conveniently located near Larry Walker Parkway off I-75 at Exit 135.
“I am looking forward to the GCA offices being in Perry. We will have much greater visibility in the ag community at the new location,” GCA President James Vaughn said. “It will be much easier for GCA to support our youth who are showing and exhibiting cattle at the AgriCenter since the office is literally across the street!”
GCA decided to sell its former office located off I-475 in western Bibb County after a change in the neighborhood that led to safety issues. GCA staff said the organization is leasing their new office from the GNFA.
The mailing address for the new building is 103 General Courtney Hodges Boulevard. You may reach GCA staff by phone at 478-224-5900.
GCA staff said the organization plans to hold an open house reception in late February with details to be announced on GCA’s social media accounts.
In other GCA news, Dale Sandlin resigned as GCA executive vice president on Dec. 10. He served in the position for five years.
“We thank Dale for his dedication to and hard work on behalf of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. The Executive Committee wishes Dale the best in his future endeavors,” GCA President Vaughn said in a statement issued in December.
GEORGIANS NAMED TO NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL PANELS
In December, several Georgians were named to national advisory and commodity promotion boards by multiple federal agencies.
Casey Cox Kerr of Mitchell County was elected chairperson of the National Peanut Board (NPB), the organization announced on Dec. 17. Kerr previously served as vice chairman. Officer terms begin January 1, 2025, and end December 31, 2025.
The NPB works to help peanut growers improve their production practices and continue to put the world’s highest-quality peanut product in the hands of people around the globe.
Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center Executive Director Mark Masters has been appointed to the 24-member Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) The FRRCC provides independent policy advice and recommendations to the EPA administrator on crucial environmental issues affecting agriculture and rural communities.
On Dec. 6, the USDA announced the appointment of members, alternates, and advisors to serve three-year terms on The Cotton Board from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. Additionally, USDA appointed seven individuals to fill board vacancies.
Newly appointed members include Georgia producers Caroline Collins Barber of Burke County and alternate member Willie Scott of Tattnall County.
Members, alternates, and advisors of The Cotton Board represent the interests of both importers -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page and producers to The Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated. Their insight contributes to activities of the Cotton Research & Promotion Program targeted at improving the profitability of the entire cotton industry.
On Dec. 5, the USDA announced the appointment of 11 members and nine alternates to serve on the American Egg Board. Eighteen members and alternates will serve two-year terms, and two members will serve a one-year term. The terms of the new appointees will begin March 2025.
Among the appointees to the American Egg Board is Gijs Schinmel of Oglethorpe County, who operates Centurion Poultry.
The American Egg Board’s goal is to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for eggs and egg products. The program is funded by a mandatory assessment of 10 cents per 30-dozen case of eggs sold.
CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT ON HOLD FOR NOW
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) of 2021was set to go into effect on Jan. 1. After a backand-forth series of December court decisions, the law’s reporting requirements are halted.
The CTA requires most U.S. businesses to file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report providing details on individuals who owned portions of the businesses or held decision-making authority over them. The law imposes heavy penalties, up to and including jail time, on those who fail to report.
On Dec. 3, 2024, a federal district court issued a nationwide injunction to prevent implementation of the CTA, putting a key Jan. 1, 2025, deadline on hold. On December 23, a panel of judges on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that injunction, finding that the reporting law was likely constitutional.
On Dec. 26, a different panel of Fifth Circuit judges reversed the previous ruling and reinstated the nationwide injunction. The entire Fifth Circuit will hear the case on March 25. The U.S. Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to review the nationwide injunction, though it is not clear if or when the Supreme Court will do so.
The law was intended to combat money laundering by criminal enterprises. For GFB’s coverage of what the law would require if enforced, click here.
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GFA ANNOUNCES FALL STEM CHALLENGE WINNERS
Georgia elementary classes in third through fifth grades put their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to work in the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s Fall 2024 STEM Challenge, Turning Trash Into Treasure. Special education classes, homeschool groups and community or after-school groups participated in this hands-on sustainability project.
The challenge tasked students with answering the question: “Why is composting important, and how do brown and green materials break down differently?” To explore this, students created compost bins, documented the decomposition of organic waste and shared their findings through creative video presentations.
First-place winners were selected in four categories: after-school groups, third grade, fourth grade and fifth grade. Each received a prize package totaling $350 for their class.
The Ithica Elementary Garden Club from Carroll County, led by Lura Scruggs, won first place in the after-school category for their teamwork, detailed research and creative use of compost to enrich their school garden.
Rowes Growers from Austin Road Elementary in Barrow County, led by Andrea Rowe, earned first place in the third-grade category. Their entertaining skit about worms’ role in composting and their use of household materials to create compost bins impressed the judges.
The homeroom class of Amanda Edwards from Chattahoochee County Education Center took first place in the fourth-grade category. Their project demonstrated strong research and a clear understanding of how green and brown compost materials break down differently.
The Trash Transformers from West Point Elementary in Troup County, led by Valerie Carter, claimed first place in the fifth-grade category. The team creatively used cafeteria scraps and materials from the school grounds to build their compost bins and involved the entire school community in the process.
“This challenge gives students a hands-on way to learn about sustainability,” said Phoebe Beard, Georgia Foundation for Agriculture educational programs assistant. “We were so impressed by their creativity and hard work, and we cannot wait to see what ideas they come up with for the next challenge in February.”
The biannual STEM Challenge is organized by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s Georgia Ag Experience mobile classroom program and sponsored by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau.
The next STEM Challenge will launch in February. For more information and to see the winning videos of the fall winners, visit www.gfb.ag/stemchallenge.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 17
GFB SEEKS ENTRIES FOR ’25 MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTESTS
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is now accepting entries for the 2025 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. 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 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. County Farm Bureaus must submit their entries to Georgia Farm Bureau for the state contest by March 7.
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.
Between the crops Georgia farmers grow and the jobs agriculture creates to harvest, process and transport these crops, agriculture contributed $83.6 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2022, according to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
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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GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 2024 KING COTTON AWARDS
Mitchell County Extension Coordinator Brian Hayes and Effingham County Extension Agent Blake Carter were named recipients of the 2024 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 2023 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.
Hayes is the 2024 Senior King Cotton Award recipient. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and received a master’s degree in plant protection and pest management UGA. He began his UGA Extension career in 2014 in Grady County and moved to Mitchell County in 2017. He has also served as the interim ANR Agent in Decatur County. Prior to moving to UGA Hayes spent 17 years as an independent crop consultant in the Mid-South. Hayes has worked with cotton producers and the UGA Cotton Team members through multiple on-farm variety trials each year. Throughout his years in Extension, he has assisted growers in management decisions including plant growth regulators, fungicide applications, fertilizer recommendations, insect management, and irrigation scheduling. In recent years he has also been heavily involved in Using Pesticide Wisely training and was one of three agents in UGA’s Rural Stress Pilot program.
Carter is the Allen B. Fulford Award winner. He began his career with UGA Extension in 2020, where he first served in the same role in Liberty County. Carter holds annual cotton production meetings for local farmers on topics such as agronomy, economics, and pest management. Throughout his career, he has conducted and collaborated on several cotton research trials including the statewide on-farm variety trials, nematode variety trials, and assisting with research related to deer pressure. Carter holds a bachelor’s and master's in agribusiness from UGA, and is working toward his doctorate in agricultural leadership, education, and communication.
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48th ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW
Jan. 16
UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton
This 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 industry. 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. At the close of the show, 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 on the show, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission office at 229-386-3470 or visit www.gapeanuts.com.
GFB DISTRICT 2 CATTLE SHOW
Jan. 18 Jackson County Ag Facility Jefferson It's show time again! Competition in the show is available to cattle exhibitors who live in District 2 (Banks, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties). Entries are being accepted until the morning of the show. Entry forms and show details are available at gfb.ag/district2cattleshow. The deadline to apply for the high school senior scholarship has closed.
GEORGIA DAIRY CONFERENCE
Jan. 20-22 Marriott Savannah Riverfront Savannah
The Georgia Dairy Conference is the Southeast's premier dairy management conference featuring 16 guest speakers, the region's largest dairy trade show, and a pre-conference symposium highlighting the latest innovations in dairy production. The full conference agenda, registration information, and more can be found at the conference website www.gadairyconference.com
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UGA VET CAMP FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
Jan. 21 Application deadline
June 1-7 Camp dates
The UGA College of Veterinary Medicine is offering VetCAMP for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders interested in veterinary medicine! This intensive weeklong summer program will be held at the UGA Athens Campus. Students will be involved in activities aimed at evaluating their skills and competitiveness as future veterinarians. The week is filled with visits and hands-on learning at our veterinary teaching hospital, diagnostic labs, and the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center and highlighted by a behind-the-scenes tour of a veterinary medicine field trip. Campers will learn what vet school is all about – from admissions to classes, to the wide variety of career paths veterinary medicine has to offer! For more information and to register visit www.ugavetmed.com/3BP3HVr. Applicants must have a teacher or counselor submit an online recommendation form. The program fee is $1,000 and covers all expenses for the week, including lodging, meals, instruction, lab materials, scrubs, and social activities. Financial assistance, which can only be requested once a student has been accepted into the program, is available to participants with demonstrated need.
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU CONVENTION
Jan. 23-28 San Antonio, Texas
Registration is now open for the 106th Annual American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio! Don’t miss the educational workshops, exciting keynote speakers, innovative industry trade show, and world-class tours in the beautiful state of Texas! Attendees can register now! We encourage you to sign up with your individual state Farm Bureau office or register now through this link.
2025 GEORGIA CORN SHORT COURSE
Jan. 21 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Tifton
This annual event will feature talks on the Endangered Species Act and pesticide regulations, irrigation management, nitrogen management, a weather outlook and an economic outlook. For registration and agenda, visit http://bit.ly/3W09zQ7. For more information call 229-391-6914.
2025 GEORGIA AG FORECAST
Jan. 24 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tifton
UGA’s annual seminar shares the latest research and information from UGA faculty to help farmers and agribusinesses in Georgia's No. 1 industry. The 2025 Ag Forecast report will give a detailed overview of more than a dozen agricultural sectors, published by UGA economists and collaborators. To register, click here. For more information, click here or contact Regina Fitzpatrick at regina@uga.edu or 706-542-5046.
(https://register.extension.uga.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId =2025033&selectedProgramAreaId=1040938&selectedProgramStreamId=)
https://agforecast.caes.uga.edu/
Field Notes page 13 of 17
GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING
Jan. 29 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 7:30 a.m. Tifton
This one-day 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 William Kimbrell, President and CEO, Cotton Incorporated; Stanley Culpepper, Professor – Extension Weed Scientist, University of Georgia; and Jeff Kuckuck, Senior Government Relations Director, National Cotton Council. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online here or call (229) 386-3416.
FRESH MARKET TOMATOES AND PECAN CROP INSURANCE
Jan. 31 deadline to enroll/renew
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia fresh market tomato and pecan growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2025 crop year is Jan. 31. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the Jan. 31 sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for fresh market tomatoes in Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell, Seminole, and Tift counties. Coverage is available for pecans in select counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2025 crop year. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at https://rma.usda.gov. The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company contracts with three companies - Rain & Hail, Sompo, and Crop Risk Services to offer crop insurance. GFB has more than 70 experienced crop insurance agents (and growing) across the state to help their members protect their investment. Find your local agent and learn more at www.GFBInsurance.com or email crops@gfbinsurance.com for more details. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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INFO SESSION: EPD ISSUING WATER PERMITS IN LOWER FLINT RIVER BASIN
Feb. 6 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Stripling Irrigation Park Camilla
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Harvey Drilling, and Stripling Irrigation Park are hosting an information session regarding the Dec. 18 announcement that the EPD will begin accepting applications April 1 for groundwater withdrawal permits in portions of the Lower Flint and Chattahoochee River Basins. Sub Area 4 of the Flint River Basin is included. This is an opportunity for anyone to have questions answered by EPD staff. These permits will be for drought-restricted wells so this will be a chance to learn about the restrictions and regulations that apply to the new ag water permits. The meeting is from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Stripling Irrigation Park in Camilla. Lunch will be provided. If you have any questions, please email or call the Harvey Drilling office at 229-435-0204. Visit https://gfb.ag/epdresumeswaterpermits to read more about the EPD’s Dec. 18 announcement.
GFB DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Feb. 11 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 Georgia State University Blue Lot located at 76 Fulton St. SW, 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.
32nd ANNUAL UGA FOCUS ON GENOMIC ENHANCED EPDs BULL SALE
Feb. 13 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena Noon Athens
This sale will include 35 Angus Bulls, three registered Angus open heifers and 30 Angus-cross commercial open heifers. For more information, please contact Carroll T. Cannon at 229-881-0721 or 229-881-2705 or by email at CannonMarketingCompany@gmail.com.
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2025 FLAVOR OF GEORGIA FOOD PRODUCT CONTEST
Feb. 13 deadline to enter
March 13-14 First round UGA Griffin Campus
April 17 Final round Athens
Contestant registration for the 2025 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest is now open! Some exciting new changes are coming to the competition this year, so be sure to mark your calendars! Each entry is featured in the digital product directory, including a professional product photo and brief overview, which gets seen by leading food industry buyers and media outlets. Finalists will receive branded press releases, the use of the Flavor of Georgia logo on their label and promotional materials, and the opportunity to present their product to a panel of food industry experts. Contestants who enter three products can get a fourth product entry free. The entry fee is $100 per product. The first round of judging is moving to the UGA Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center (FoodPIC) on the UGA Griffin Campus! There will be three days (March 10-12) of in-person product drop off at UGA FoodPIC. All contestants will receive feedback from our first-round judges: the Southern Crescent Technical College Culinary Arts program. Contestants who advance to the final round of the competition will be able to sell their products during the reception and awards ceremony! The reception and awards ceremony has a brand new name: Savor the State: A Flavor of Georgia Tasting Experience. For more information and to register, visit https://flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu/.
GFB DIST 8 FARM SAFETY DAY
Feb. 21
UGA Southwest Ga. Research & Education Center Plains
Check in and refreshments begin at 8 a.m. Event begins at 9 a.m. & ends at 1:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Mike Reynolds, founder of HERO Agriculture, which helps veterans reintegrate into civilian life through farming and agriculture. The event offers networking opportunities and Air Evac will be there, with a chance they’ll do a fly-in, as well as on-site vendors. Event is free but those attending are encouraged to register at https://gfb.ag/D8FarmSafety
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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.
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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
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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.
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.