February 19, 2020
www.gfb.org
Vol. 2 No. 4
GFB MEMBERS TAKE AG ISSUES TO ATLANTA Farm Bureau members met in Atlanta Feb. 11 for the 37th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol. The event gives GFB members a chance to talk to their legislators about issues impacting their farms. “Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol is your chance to speak with your legislators to thank them for their support and to ask them to support our priority issues,” GFB President Gerald Long said. Priority issues GFB is addressing during the 2020 session of the Georgia General Assembly include: the Right-to-Farm bill (HB 545) to protect farmers against frivolous nuisance lawsuits, protecting ag program funding in the state budget process, prohibiting cell-cultured protein and nonanimal food products from being called meat (SB 211) and securing farmers’ right to repair farm equipment that has advanced electronic systems (HB 286). “The budget has been the most hotly contested issue so far. It’s been the top priority on their minds as they are constitutionally required to balance it each session,” GFB State Affairs Coordinator Alex Bradford said. With the Georgia Legislature in recess as lawmakers worked on the budget, GFB members met with their legislators in their offices instead of the capitol. GFB members reconvened at the Georgia Deport for lunch with their legislators and other state officials. While speaking at lunch, Gov. Kemp pledged his support for House Bill 545. “I believe we can find a balance that will protect the ag operations we have in this state and continue to make agriculture our number one industry,” Kemp said. Kemp said he is optimistic about economic development for rural Georgia. The governor cited the beef processing plant in Thomasville that Walmart opened in January, the chicken deboning facility Claxton Poultry opened in Sylvania last October and the expansion Tyson made to its Camilla poultry processing facility in September. “All of these things are continuing to add up in our rural communities,” Kemp said. During the event lunch, Long thanked Georgia House and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairmen Rep. Tom McCall and Sen. John Wilkinson for their years of service to Georgia agriculture. McCall has led the House committee since 2005. Wilkinson has chaired the Senate committee since 2013. Neither plans to return to the Georgia Legislature next year. “These men have dedicated their lives to agriculture, ag education and creating policy that has improved the lives of everyone in this room,” Long said. “Georgia agriculture will certainly miss their leadership.”
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 13 GEORGIA FARM RECOVERY BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION GUIDE RELEASED The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is working with the USDA to finalize details for the Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant, which will cover qualifying losses from Hurricane Michael not covered by other USDA disaster programs. To help farmers prepare for the application process, GDA has released an application guide, detailed below, to explain the enrollment process and proof-of-loss documents needed to apply for block recovery funds. There will be a three-week sign-up period. Farmers can use the application guide to begin collecting relevant documents and information so they can submit their application quickly and efficiently when the sign-up period begins. From the GDA: Farmers who suffered losses to infrastructure, timber, beef, dairy, poultry, fruit and vegetables or pecans due to Hurricane Michael will be eligible to enroll in Georgia’s Farm Recovery Block Grant at www.farmrecovery.com. Farmers in the following 95 counties are eligible: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chattahoochee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Greene, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Macon, Marion, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pierce, Pulaski, Putnam, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson, Worth. The enrollment process will take place entirely online at www.farmrecovery.com. Once the application opens, eligible producers should create a www.farmrecovery.com account to add required information and upload documents. Applicants can save their application to finish later throughout the three-week enrollment period. Please monitor the website for more information on the application dates and deadlines. All required documents must be scanned and uploaded to the online application. Mailed applications or documents will not be accepted. This guide is to prepare eligible producers to complete the Recovery Block Grant application. Producers should begin collecting appropriate documents and information including but not limited to: All applications • Numbers: Addresses of the physical locations of damage including GPS (latitude and longitude) coordinates; itemized losses by commodity for each location. • Documents: Recommended but not required - 2018 Property Tax Assessment. Beef • Documents: Conception loss - producer records for conception and breeding certified by veterinarian or third party; mortality - approved application for livestock indemnity program (producers who do not have this form may provide a certification of loss by a third party or veterinarian). -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 13 Continued from previous page Dairy • Documents: Conception loss - producer records for conception and breeding certified by veterinarian or third party; mortality - approved application for livestock indemnity program; producers who do not have this form may provide a certification of loss by a third party or veterinarian; disease loss - records of documented cases of mastitis immediately before and after the storm; milking impacts - milk production records for October and November 2017 to compare to October and November 2018. Fruit and Vegetable • Numbers - Only acres with 15 percent crop loss or higher are eligible for payment; acres of plasticulture production damaged; acres of bare ground production damaged. • Documents: recommended but not required - production and planting reports. Pecans • Numbers: Total number of trees destroyed; total number of trees and acres in production. • Documents: If applicable, a copy of application for Tree Assistance Program through USDA. Poultry • Numbers (itemized per house): Square footage; type of production; insurance payments; number of days without birds. • Documents: Casualty insurance receipts for destroyed and damaged houses. Timber • Documents: 2018 Property Tax Assessment; recommended but not required - IRS 4684 casualty loss form (producers who do not have this form may use a third-party certification of damage form); forest damage assessment property appraisal. Uninsured Infrastructure Losses Structures • Numbers - Type of structure and associated commodity; square footage; value; cost to repair/reconstruct. • Documents: Casualty insurance receipts. Irrigation • Numbers: Number of systems damaged and associated commodity; total linear feet; value; cost to repair/reconstruct. • Documents: Casualty insurance receipts; 2018 Property Tax Assessment. GA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE AWARDS $25,000 TO AG ED PROGRAMS
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) recently presented $1,000 grants to 25 elementary schools across the state with agricultural education programs. The foundation raised the funds for the grants during its “Give to Grow” campaign held last November that culminated on Giving Tuesday - Dec. 3, 2019. “The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture appreciates all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who donated to our campaign to support efforts to teach elementary students about agriculture and its importance to their daily lives,” Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Lily Baucom said. “With this being the first year of Georgia’s pilot ag education program, we wanted to financially support these schools to help them get their programs up and running.” -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 13 Continued from previous page The foundation invited all schools with a pilot elementary ag education program to apply for a grant. Schools receiving grants were: Appling County Elementary, Banks County Elementary, Statham Elementary School (Barrow Co.), Heard Elementary (Bibb Co.), Quitman Elementary (Brooks Co.), Fountain Elementary (Clayton Co.), Brown Elementary (Clayton Co.), Hamilton Elementary (Colquitt Co.), J.M. Odom Elementary (Colquitt Co.), Jones Wheat Elementary (Decatur Co.), Cogburn Woods Elementary (Fulton Co.), Evoline C. West Elementary (Fulton Co.), Whigham Elementary (Grady Co.), Irwin County Elementary, Southwest Laurens Elementary, Northwest Laurens Elementary, Westside Elementary (Lowndes Co.), Montgomery County Elementary, Morgan County Elementary, South Columbus Elementary (Muscogee Co.), Hill City Elementary (Pickens County) and Pike County Elementary. Baucom presented the grants to teachers affiliated with the elementary ag programs in January at the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Mid-Winter Conference. The ag education programs will use the grants to fund a variety of projects including building greenhouses, planting school gardens, purchasing egg incubators, building or expanding chicken coops, buying hydroponics supplies, planting fruit trees and purchasing ag books. The Georgia legislature passed the Georgia Agricultural Education Act in 2018. The law established a pilot program to introduce ag education to elementary schools. Students involved in the pilot have opportunities to build on-campus gardens, interact with livestock and learn about agriculture in their area. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that funds projects to increase the public’s understanding of agriculture, offers scholarships to students pursuing careers in agriculture and funds leadership development programs. To make a tax-deductible donation or learn more about the foundation, visit www.gafoundationag.org or contact Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Lily Baucom at 478-405-3461 or lrbaucom@gfb.org. AG GROUPS FORM COALITION TO ADVOCATE FOR FARMERS IN CLIMATE DEBATE
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and 20 other major ag organizations are teaming up to provide a voice for farmers in the climate debate by educating policymakers and the public about the positive contributions agriculture makes to the environment. During a press conference held today in Washington, D.C., leaders of partner organizations introduced the Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF) coalition. AFBF and the coalition’s other organizations formed the coalition realizing that ag organizations must participate in climate discussions taking place and provide verifiable data that shows the climate-smart farming practices farmers and ranchers are already using on their farms. Public dialogue about climate often cites inaccurate statistics to portray agriculture as a large contributor to climate problems. In addition to AFBF, FSF members include the American Pulse Association, American Sugar Alliance, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council of America, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, National Milk Producers Federation, -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 13 Continued from previous page National Pork Producers Council, National Sunflower Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Association, United Egg Producers, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Dry Bean Council, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, and USA Rice. The coalition will work to ensure that farm families maintain their ability to respond and adapt to climatic events without being burdened by mandates. The coalition supports: voluntary, incentive-based programs that enhance farmers’ profitability and production methods; the development of new technologies and practices rooted in science-based research; initiatives to maintain and improve infrastructure capacity to support farms, rural communities and ag businesses; market-based solutions led by farmers that recognize the diversity of ag practices, climates, challenges and resource needs. The FSF coalition plans to highlight the many ways that farmers and ranchers help and protect the environment. Combined, U.S. agriculture, land use and forestry removed 172 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the atmosphere in 2017. More than 15% of all U.S. farmland is used for conservation and wildlife habitat efforts according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The more than 140 million acres of land U.S. farmers have enrolled in USDA conservation programs equals the total land area of California and New York. Agriculture’s critics have talked a lot lately about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that agriculture generates. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, global agricultural GHG emissions are 24%, but over the last decade, all U.S. agricultural GHG emissions have only contributed an average of 9% of the total GHG in the U.S. Beef cattle contribute only 2% of agriculture’s total 9%, dairy cattle less than 1% and swine less than 0.3%. From 2012 to 2017, farmers increased the number of acres on which they practice sustainable soil use and conservation efforts by 34 million acres. This included planting more cover crops, practicing no-till planting methods and using minimum tillage methods to conserve soil, preserve/increase soil nutrients and improve water quality. These practices also trap excess carbon in the soil and reduce GHG emissions. Farmers also provide and use clean energy. In 2018, the use of ethanol and biodiesel reduced GHG emissions in an amount equivalent to taking 17 million cars off the road, according to the NASS. From 2012 to 2017, farmers began using 132% more renewable energy sources on their farms such as geothermal, solar panels, windmills, hydro systems and methane digesters. Visit www.sustainablefarming.us to learn more about the coalition and the positive climate contributions agriculture makes. BLUEBERRY GROWERS ESTABLISH GEORGIA BERRY EXCHANGE The Georgia Blueberry Growers Association has voted to disband and re-form as the Georgia Berry Exchange (GBE). The action took place at the Southeast Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association meeting in Savannah in January. The decision was made to accomplish multiple goals, according to GBE President Jerome Crosby. First is the ability to gather data from growers about pricing and volumes of fruit moving during -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 13 Continued from previous page the season, which Crosby said could only be done by a cooperative. Gathering this data allows the growers to have more information about marketplace supply and demand, which puts them in a better position when negotiating prices with retailers. “I think that if the retailers recognize that Georgia has an adequate supply of blueberries coming through the pipeline, they will not be as dependent upon reaching into South America to source the berries,” Crosby said. To demonstrate the need to remove guesswork from pricing blueberries, Crosby gave a scenario in which market prices could be skewed by an isolated incident: When the market is at $27 or $28 per flat (12 pints) and then there are some berries sold for $22 per flat, it can cause wholesale prices to drop in the market when the reality is that the $22 sale was a pallet and a half of prepacked fruit that had some issue. “It represents no volume, but it could make way too much noise in the pricing world. This helps us weed out bad pieces of information,” Crosby said. Second, the way the previous body was structured, it couldn’t legally sell blueberries grown by its members. It could work to educate the public about their products, support research and promote the fruit and related products. GBE was formed as a marketing cooperative to allow the option of selling. “Not that the exchange at this time is pursuing the marketing of the fruit, but we have that legal capacity,” Crosby said. “We intend to continue promoting blueberries as we’ve done historically.” GBE was set up to comply with both state and federal statutes, which allows them to accept data or sell berries on behalf of growers in other states. Third, the group concluded that it needed more emphasis on political advocacy to ensure the needs of blueberry growers are met at state and federal levels. This, Crosby said, was prompted by massive crop losses resulting from 2017 and 2018 weather events. “That made us realize that we needed help in Washington relative to crop insurance, disaster programs and all things political,” Crosby said. “We had to re-establish ourself with a framework and a set of goals that would carry our industry.” The GBE followed some of the structure used by the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and used Georgia attorneys to develop its by-laws to ensure compliance at the state and federal levels. For the group to be successful, a high level of participation is needed among Georgia blueberry growers. “The more growers we have, the more efficient we will be and it will be more beneficial to our industry,” Crosby said. Retired UGA Extension agent Ann Wildes, who operates the Blueberry Barn in Alma, is handling GBE operations. For more information on the group or to join, contact Wildes at awildes@uga.edu or at 912-288-0705.
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 13 MICHAEL TOEWS TO LEAD UGA TIFTON CAMPUS Michael Toews has been named assistant dean of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to oversee the Tifton Campus. Toews, a UGA entomology professor, succeeds Joe West, who is retiring Feb. 28 after a 34year career with the college. The UGA Tifton Campus has 60 faculty and more than 400 staff supporting teaching, research and Extension programs for the college. The campus includes the Coastal Plain Experiment Station, the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory and the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. “I look forward to building on the tremendous balance, breadth and professional reputation that our faculty enjoy,” Toews said. “One of my chief goals as the assistant dean will be to secure funding and resources that enable our campus to thrive for the next 100 years.” The Tifton campus, which celebrated its centennial year in 2019, now has 150 buildings and 5,000 acres of farmland to support the land-grant mission of the college. The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is co-located at the campus with approximately 20 scientists working in partnership with UGA scientists. The assistant dean also oversees the Tifton Campus Conference Center, a multiuse facility that brings in conferences and events from across the Southeast. “We are excited about the future direction of the UGA-Tifton campus. Dr. Toews brings a wealth of experience and vision to his new role as assistant dean in Tifton,” said CAES Dean and Director Sam Pardue. “I look forward to working with him as he directs the college’s efforts in South Georgia.” A native of Salina, Kansas, Toews completed a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Fort Hays State University. He then earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in entomology from Oklahoma State University. After completing post-doctoral fellowships at Kansas State University and the ARS, he joined the UGA Tifton faculty in 2006 as a research entomologist focused on insect ecology and cotton pest management. Toews acquired additional graduate teaching and Extension responsibilities in 2009 and was appointed co-director at the UGA Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health in 2014. He was promoted to professor in the UGA Department of Entomology in 2017. During his tenure at UGA, Toews has conducted extensive research to improve Georgia cotton production. He is most well-known for his work on thrips and stink bugs, as well as invasive insect pests including kudzu bug, brown marmorated stink bug and silverleaf whitefly. Toews has served on 27 graduate student committees and secured more than $16 million in competitive grant funding. His research program has resulted in nearly 200 publications, including 72 peer reviewed journal articles, six book chapters, 45 Extension publications and 62 miscellaneous publications. With collaborators, he has released eight smartphone apps and four elearning modules. Former postdoctoral fellows and students from his lab currently work in academia, industry, Cooperative Extension, state government and federal government service. In 2015, Toews was the Southeastern Branch recipient of the Entomological Society of America Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 13 SEC. PERDUE PROCLAIMS FEB. 16-22 GRAIN BIN SAFETY WEEK During a ceremony in South Dakota on. Feb. 14, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a proclamation naming Feb. 16-22 as Grain Bin Safety Week. Perdue sat down with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, to talk about the importance of grain bin safety on the farm. Gov. Noem grew up on a farm in Hamlin County, South Dakota, and has a personal connection to farm safety. She has been an advocate for increased grain bin safety efforts for years. “My life changed forever when we lost my dad in a grain bin accident, and while farmers are often in a hurry to get things done, nothing is worth losing a life,” said Gov. Noem. “This Grain Bin Safety Week, I want to encourage producers to evaluate safety procedures on their farms and ranches. Slow down and be safe – your family will thank you for it.” The purpose of Grain Bin Safety Week is to promote education and awareness of hazards and safe work practices in an effort to reduce the number of accidents associated with grain handling and storage. In 2018, there were 30 documented grain entrapment cases with half of those entrapped resulting in a fatality. With the number of accidents increasing, we must intensify efforts to educate farmers. “We hope grain operators, farmers and community leaders will join us in expanding knowledge of safe practices not just during National Grain Bin Safety Week, but year-round,” said Secretary Perdue. “Tragedies like the one Governor Noem’s family experienced happen too frequently and call for greater action, which is why I have signed a proclamation naming February 16-22 Grain Bin Safety Week.” According to UGA farm safety expert Dr. Glen Rains, individuals who enter grain bins (for instance, to break up crusted grain that impedes unloading) should never do so alone without someone knowing. Rains said it is best to use a safety harness with someone else outside to keep watch and get the individual inside the bin out if the need arises. “It’s actually better to have two people,” Rains said. “It can be pretty difficult to pull someone out of a grain bin by yourself.” To reduce the chances of falls when climbing, always have three points of contact with the ladder. For tips on safe operations in and around grain bins, listen to Episode 3 of Georgia Farm Bureau’s “Growing On” podcast, which can be found here.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 13 AFBF: IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED IN USDA HEMP RULES Improved testing rules, an expanded testing timeline, and clarity around hemp transportation would help farmers grow and market this new crop, the American Farm Bureau Federation said in comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The comments relate to USDA’s Interim Final Rule regulating hemp production nationwide. In January, farmers and ranchers at AFBF’s Annual Convention voted to support an increase in the allowable THC level in hemp up to 1%. The vote gives AFBF leaders and staff the flexibility to engage in discussions with regulators and lawmakers about the appropriate legal limit on THC. Current law limits THC content in hemp to 0.3% or below. In addition, regulations require testing to be conducted only on the flower of the plant, despite the harvesting and use of the entire plant. AFBF is requesting that USDA allow THC testing of the entire plant, including the flower, leaf and stem, to be averaged together. Since hemp’s legalization, there is growing demand for hemp fibers to make everything from clothing to rope and flooring, none of which is impacted by the THC level. The Interim Final Rule requires plant samples needed for THC testing to be collected within 15 days of the anticipated harvest date. In comments to USDA, AFBF noted this narrow window places an unnecessary burden on farmers, who risk losing their entire crop if they cannot complete harvest in just 15 days and fails to consider the potential for delayed test results due to a lack of THC testing facilities. AFBF is urging USDA to extend the 15-day window to 45 days before the anticipated harvest date to remove this unfair and expensive burden on farmers. USDA requires that all THC testing labs be certified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. With only 44 DEA-certified labs in 22 states to serve hundreds of hemp farmers, many believe testing delays and backlogs are inevitable. According to the USDA, there is one such lab in Georgia – Purisys in Athens. There are four in Florida, including one in Jacksonville, one in South Carolina, two in North Carolina and one in Chattanooga, Tennessee. However, without a certified lab in each state, hemp growers may have to transport untested samples across state lines to comply with the regulations. However, if the hemp being transported is above the 0.3% THC threshold, farmers will have shipped an illegal product across state lines, opening them up to potential prosecution. Many states have used private labs with third-party certifications to conduct THC testing, based on guidelines in the 2014 farm bill. These labs are regularly assessed and must meet international performance requirements to maintain certification. AFBF is requesting that USDA allow testing in private labs that have obtained third-party accreditation, to minimize delays and costs to hemp farmers.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 13 CABES NAMED NATIONAL OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMERS Will and Heather Cabe of Franklin County were selected national winners at the 64th Annual National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress held Feb. 6-8 in Westbrook, Conn. Four national winners were selected from a group of 10 finalists for the award based on their career progress, soil and water conservation practices, and contributions to the well-being of the community, state and nation. Guest Master of Ceremonies Tom Steever of Brownfield Ag News announced the four national winners and interviewed them for an upcoming episode of This Week in Agribusiness. The three other national winners for 2020 are from Iowa, Delaware, and North Dakota. National winners received a savings bond from corporate sponsor John Deere and the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., during National Ag Week in 2021. The Cabes served on the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee in 2015 and chaired it in 2016. Heather is chairing the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee this year. The Cabes raise hay, baleage, cattle, goats, and poultry on 600 acres near Carnesville. His return to the farm after earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia was based on his goal to make the farm more efficient and profitable for the next generation. “All the decisions that are made on our farm are with the future generations in mind, and we take a very ‘leave it better than you found it’ approach to the management of our resources,” Will said. An online cattle management platform that Will helped develop allows him to keep livestock records and record updates as they happen, improving management efficiency. Building a stack house for management of poultry litter will allow for a detailed, extension-derived nutrient management plan for best utilizing this essential by product. The couple has three children, Deacon, Teller, and Emersyn. The Cabes serve in their church, the county cattlemen’s association, state young cattlemen’s council, Farm Credit advisory committee, Farm Bureau, and 4-H. Through the Ag in the Classroom program, they give a virtual farm tour that allows kids to experience a day in the life of a farmer.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 13 4TH ANNUAL GEORGIA CITRUS CONFERENCE Feb. 24 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tifton This annual event includes breakout sessions on food safety, integrated pest management, marketing & cooperatives, soil moisture probes, freeze protection and propagation. Tickets are $44.06 for members (including $4.06 service fee) and $54.67 for non-members (including $4.67 service fee). Ticket sales end on Feb. 22 or when the limit is met. For more information visit www.squeezethedayga.com/conference. GFB ‘GROWING ON’ PODCAST Georgia Farm Bureau is excited to announce the debut of a brand new podcast covering all things agriculture. Growing On features regular segments on GFB’s agricultural advocacy work with state and national lawmakers, farm safety, behavioral and emotional health and regular features from around the state. Episodes will be posted every two weeks at www.gfb.ag/GrowingOnPodcast. They can be found in the Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Spotify apps. We welcome your feedback, so please rate and recommend Growing On to your friends! The next episode will be released on Feb. 25! SCORE AG WORKSHOP Feb. 25 Colquitt County Ag Complex 9:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Moultrie Check out this free workshop hosted by SCORE South Georgia. It will cover passing the farm to the next generation, restructuring debt & dealing with stress. The workshop will feature top-notch speakers: Wes Cone with Mass Mutual will discuss succession planning. Frank Cox will discuss ways to restructure debt to avoid bankruptcy. Dr. Anna Scheyett & Marshal Sewell will discuss ways farmers can deal with stress and maintain mental wellness. Feb. 21 is the registration deadline. Visit http://bit.ly/Score225 for more information. TEAM AG GEORGIA WORKSHOP Feb. 25 Appling County Extension, 239 N. East Park Ave. Baxley In partnership with the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils and the National Farmers Union, Seven Rivers RCD will host this free workshop on the farm bill, USDA grants, and the Food Safety Modernization Act. Visit www.teamagriculturega.org for more information. 5K FARM BUREAU DASH FOR AG Feb. 29 Sandy Creek Nature Park, 400 Bob Holman Rd. Athens Get your running or walking shoes out and get ready for this 5k organized by Barrow and Clarke County Farm Bureaus The race starts at 9 a.m. and will raise funds for agriculture education in Barrow and Clarke Counties. Click here to register online for only $25.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 13 GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS March 1 deadline to apply The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, formerly the Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, is committed to investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture or a related field. For 2020, the foundation is offering scholarships for graduating high school seniors, rising college juniors and seniors, technical college students and UGA College of Veterinary Medicine students specializing in large/food animals. Visit www.gfb.ag/scholarships for a list of eligible majors/schools, application instructions and to apply. Applications must be submitted online only by March 1. Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be uploaded into the application. AFBF AG SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK March 1-7 Across the country, county and state Farm Bureaus are making safety a priority through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP). As part of ASAP, March 1-7 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers will join Farm Bureau in promoting the week with its theme “20:20 Vision on Ag Safety.” A different safety focus will be highlighted each day of the week: March 2 – Mental Health; March 3 – Transportation Safety; March 4 – Weather Disasters; March 5 – Confined Spaces; March 6 – Farmer Wellness. During this week and throughout the year, Farm Bureau is encouraging farmers to make safety a priority on the farm. The Agricultural Safety Awareness Program is a part of the Farm Bureau Health and Safety Network of professionals who share an interest in identifying and decreasing safety and health risks. For more information and resources, visit the ASAP Facebook page. Visit the Centers’ YouTube channel for new content and fresh ideas about how to stay safe while working in agriculture, forestry and fishing. That content can be found at www.youtube.com/user/USagCenters. Join the movement to keep farms safe and share your own safety messages on social media using the hashtags #KeepFarmsSafe, #ASAP20 and #USAgCenters. DEADLINE TO ENROLL IN ARC/PLC IS MARCH 16 Farmers have until March 16 to elect either Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) in order to receive payments for the 2019 crop year. ARC and PLC are administered by the Farm Service Agency, and farmers are urged to contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment. To find your local office click here. PEANUT PROUD FESTIVAL March 28 Town Square Blakely Come celebrate all things peanut at the annual Peanut Proud Festival. The day-long celebration begins with a 5K & fun run and ends with a street dance. In between are a parade, more than 100 vendors, a kids’ peanut butter obstacle course, free entertainment and much more. Come sample specialty products like fried peanuts and grilled PB&J sandwiches, then visit the Peanut Proud Store. For more information, visit www.peanutproudfestival.com or search for Peanut Proud Festival on Facebook.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 13 MAY 1 IS DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR CENTENNIAL FARM AWARD If your farm is at least 100 years old, then it may be eligible for one of three awards the Georgia Centennial Farm program presents each fall. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and owned by the same family for 100 years or more. The Centennial Farm Award doesn’t require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the NRHP. Farm owners interested in applying for the 2020 awards should visit www.georgiashpo.org or contact Allison Asbrock at 770-389-7868 or Allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov.