Photo: Jay Stone
March 17, 2021
www.gfb.org
Vol. 3 No. 6
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU TO PARTICIPATE IN 2021 AG LITERACY DAY Georgia Farm Bureau will participate in Agriculture Literacy Day on March 25 in celebration of the Georgia Ag Week, March 22-26. On Ag Literacy Day, five Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee members will provide video recordings of themselves reading books that promote some of Georgia’s top commodities. Members of the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee are also providing virtual tours of their farms. Sign up to receive both sets of videos and GFB activities at www.gfb.ag/agweek. Agriculture contributes $70.1 billion annually to Georgia’s economy and provides (359,220) jobs. “Agricultural literacy in Georgia is economic literacy,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “One in seven Georgians work in agriculture, and seven in seven Georgians consume agricultural products. Georgia thrives when agriculture thrives.” The Ag Week celebration will include these themed days: March 22 – Hands-On Garden Day; March 23 – Buy Georgia Grown; March 24 – Ag Hero Day; March 25 – Ag Literacy Day; March 26 – Make My Plate Georgia Grown Day. For more information, visit www.gfb.ag/agweek21. The goal of Agriculture Literacy Day is to better communicate to students how food and fiber products are produced, the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy, and appreciation of the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products. “We are fortunate to have local communities around the state that are helping us bring the message about the importance of agriculture into the classroom,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said. “Georgia Ag Week, and specifically Agriculture Literacy Day, is a great opportunity to speak to our youth through a fun and educational medium.”
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 14 DISCOVER GEORGIA AGRICULTURE WITH GFB FARM PASSPORT Looking for more adventure in your life? Discovery is made simple with the 2021 Farm Passport. All you need is an open road and a tank of gas to discover where your food comes from and the people who grow it. See towns not yet visited. Explore your next favorite trail. Stop at a new restaurant. For the third year, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is offering its Farm Passport program. Chances are you’re within an hour of a GFB Certified Farm Market (CFM) and straight-from-the-farm goodness, whether it’s strawberries or peaches in the spring, fresh vegetables in the summer, apples in the fall or Christmas trees at year’s end. “We visited so many places we would have never even known about because of the Georgia Farm Passport. From picking and tasting the wonderful muscadines, to eating the most-yummy peach ice cream at Lane Southern Orchards, to shopping in the adorable market at Jaemor Farms, we got to spend quality time as a family and explore the farms of Georgia,” said Jennifer Miles, a participant in GFB’s 2020 Farm Passport program. “We cannot wait to start our journey this year! We are hoping to double our number of stamps for 2021! Thank you Georgia Farm Bureau for getting my son to put down his phone and enjoy the great outdoors with his family! We had a blast!” The farm passport guides travelers across Georgia to farms that offer food items for virtually any taste. Travel with the passport to live out your love of discovering Georgia, supporting local farmers and experiencing fresh food. Passport holders will learn about Georgia’s agricultural diversity firsthand as they get their passport stamped at each farm visited. In 2020, farm passport travelers made more than 6,000 visits to GFB CFMs. That’s up from 2,400 farm visits in 2019. Two participants – Jennifer Appleton and Sarah Ridgeway of Brunswick visited 77 of the 78 markets across the state. They missed one farm due to the farm’s strawberry season ending early. “We had so much fun traveling the state, meeting the local providers, learning new things, and tasting all of the amazing locally grown products,” Appleton said of their travels. Eight new farms have joined GFB’s CFM program this year, so Farm Passport travelers have eight new farm markets to visit. “I started visiting Georgia farms last April. I wanted to explore more of what the state had to offer. I love that so many of the local farms are family-based, selling delicious homemade sauces, sweet preserves, and healthy snacks,” said Paige Overmyer, a 2020 passport participant. “I’ve grown to love spending time on Georgia’s back roads. I hope to spend 2021 visiting as many cute little towns as I can while I find more farms.” Turn in your passport with stamps from five or more CFMs and you get a limited-edition t-shirt. Passports stamped from 10 or more farms earn participants the t-shirt and assorted ag swag items like a baseball cap and additional surprises. Travelers who get stamps from 15 or more CFMs get all that plus their choice of selected CFM products. Get 20 or more stamps and receive a farm-totable dinner and farm tour along with all the other prizes. The Georgia Farm Passport is available at county Farm Bureau offices and at the 83 farms that GFB CFMs. To find participating farms, visit www.gfb.ag/farmpassport. The deadline to submit your passport for prizes is Jan. 7, 2022. The Farm Passport is a collection of GFB Certified Farm Markets. These markets sell directly -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 14 Continued from previous page on the farm or offer farm tours and a majority of goods sold are grown on their farm. Each farm is unique. Some farms offer a pick-your-own option, corn mazes, farm games, educational opportunities or host special events as specified in the Farm Passport. One passport allowed per person. One stamp allowed per person per farm. Must be present to get your passport stamped. As you visit, share your journey on social media with #farmpassport #gafarmbureau. While no purchase is required to participate, please be kind and make one since these farms are their owners’ livelihoods. For potential travel routes, optimized to help you discover Georgia, visit www.gfb.ag/passport and email cfm@gfb.org for questions. GARLAND ONE OF EIGHT TEACHERS SELECTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD Cherokee County teacher Karen Garland, who won the 2020 Georgia Farm Bureau Ag In the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award, is one of eight teachers nationwide to receive the 2021 National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award. Garland, a kindergarten-fifth grade science teacher at Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy in Canton, GA, uses a school garden to teach kindergarteners about the five senses, first-graders about the water cycle, second-graders about plant and animal life cycles, third-graders about habitat conservation and soil health, fourth-graders about the weather and ecosystems and fifthgraders about erosion and other destructive forces in the garden and classification systems. The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO), U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) and Farm Credit partner each year to honor teachers in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from around the country for the innovative ways they use agricultural concepts to teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies, STEM, STEAM and more. “Many people think that agriculture teaches hard work and perseverance, and it does. But, these outstanding teachers recognize that agriculture also is fertile ground for teaching botany, biology, chemistry, finance, climatology, and arts, in ways that any age or level of students can understand, appreciate and apply to their daily life,” said Dr. Carrie Castille, USDA-NIFA director, which provides federal leadership and annual funding for NAITC. “When a student makes that real-life connection to the lessons their teachers share, students continue to learn and absorb the true meaning of those lessons when they leave the classroom. Innovative teachers like these are often responsible for awakening a student’s love of learning, nature and science.” Garland and the other recipients will be honored at the 2021 National Ag in the Classroom Conference, to be held June 28-July 1 in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information about GFB’s Ag In The Classroom program, visit https://gfb.ag/AITC or contact Lauren Goble at ldgoble@gfb.org To learn more about NAITCO, please visit www.agclassroom.org.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 14 GEORGIA AG EXPERIENCE ON THE ROAD AND IN THE NEWS The Georgia Ag Experience (GAE), a 36-foot mobile classroom, hit the road in January and has been a huge success. The mobile ag classroom of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is working its way from South Georgia to North Georgia over the course of the year. The GAE mobile classroom will spend approximately 75 days at Georgia elementary schools in 2021. To date, it has made 24 visits to 13 schools, reaching more than 2,000 students in grades 3 through 5. Through the GAE, Georgia students are exposed to technology and digital learning for a deep dive into seven different Georgia agricultural commodities. “This would not have been possible without the support of our donors and sponsors who contributed financially and those that were able to bring their commodities to life for this one-ofa-kind learning opportunity,” GFA Executive Director Lily Baucom said. For more about the GAE’s generous sponsors, visit www.georgiaagexperience.org/partners/sponsors.cms. Sponsorship opportunities for the forestry station in the GAE mobile classroom are still available. Anyone interested in sponsoring the forestry station, which includes video interaction, should contact Baucom at lrbaucom@gfb.org or 478-405-3461. Professors at The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences developed all of the GAE curriculum. The lesson plans meet Georgia educational standards and incorporate Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) teaching practices and will be updated periodically to keep pace with Georgia educational requirements and agricultural advancements. The foundation’s goal is to increase students’ knowledge of and foster a positive attitude toward Georgia agriculture. By allowing children an opportunity to visit the farm without leaving the school, the GAE directly impacts children who would not typically have exposure to agriculture in their daily lives. After a recent visit to the mobile classroom, Seminole County student Rylan Cook said, “Now I really think that I want to be a farmer.” As the classroom rolls into town after town, it has attracted attention from local television stations and local newspapers coverage. For a look inside the classroom watch this recent news feature from WTVY News in Donalsonville. https://www.wtvy.com/2021/02/05/seminolecounty-elemetary-school-students-go-on-a-trip-to-the-farm-without-leaving-school/. Visit https://www.georgiaagexperience.org/experience/news.cms to see other coverage of GAE school stops. To help bring agriculture into the classroom with the GAE mobile classroom and other ag literacy programs, please make a donation to the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_c0da93eb-7692-11e6-9d490a1b37ae639f&WidgetId=4020226. Contact Baucom at lrbaucom@gfb.org or 478-405-3461 for more information about the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture.
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 14 GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION HOLDING REFERENDUM The Georgia Peanut Commission is holding a referendum through April 16, giving peanut producers an opportunity to vote on whether to reaffirm the commission. State law mandates a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs. The last referendum in 2018 passed with a 94.02 percent reaffirmation. “I urge all peanut producers to vote in this referendum. Research, education, and promotion continue to be the core focus of the commission,” GPC Chairman Armond Morris said. “It is extremely important for growers to continue to focus their efforts on supporting research and promotional efforts through their checkoff dollars. One way for farmers to do that is by continuing their support of the Georgia Peanut Commission.” Contact GPC Executive Director Don Koehler by email at don@gapeanuts.com or 229-3863470 for more information about the commission’s activities or the referendum. Peanut producers who do not receive a ballot may obtain one by calling the commission. The commission requests that anyone who receives a ballot but is no longer farming to write, “no longer producing” on the certification envelope and return it to the commission. This will assist the commission in updating its mailing list. The commission’s address is P.O. Box 967, Tifton, Georgia 31793. The Certified Public Accounting Firm of Allen, Pritchett, and Bassett will count the votes. GA BLUEBERRY GROWERS TO VOTE ON CONTINUATION OF ASSESSMENT Georgia blueberry growers can vote on the continuation of the Georgia Commission Blueberry Marketing Order which allows for assessment of blueberries produced in Georgia. Ballots for the continuation of the market order will be accepted through March 30. Growers who annually produce and market 2000 pounds or more of blueberries are eligible to vote. The current assessment amount is set at $5.00 per ton. When growers receive the ballot, they should vote and return the addressed envelope by March 30. They must also sign and fill out the back of the envelope to certify they are a qualified Georgia blueberry producer for the ballot to be counted. A favorable vote of 66% of the returned eligible ballots are required for the continuation of the market order. The Georgia Blueberry Commission was created by the Georgia Legislature at the request of Georgia blueberry growers in 2008. Funds received by the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries are used for research, education and promotion of Georgia blueberries. Some of the research funded includes projects on Spotted Winged Drosophila, fruit quality, nutrition traits of varieties, development of varieties, disease management and federal trade import investigation. Growers who do not receive a ballot should contact Georgia Department of Agriculture Commodity Commissions Manager Andy Harrison at Andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or (404) 710-1196.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 14 WHAT’S IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 FOR AGRICULTURE? On March 11, President Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package (The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) into law. While much of the coverage of the legislation has focused on the $1,400 stimulus checks for qualifying individuals, extended unemployment benefits, a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures and increased assistance through USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, there are several agricultural-related provisions. According to analysis by American Farm Bureau Economist John Newton, the nutrition and agricultural provisions are estimated at $22.7 billion. Agricultural Provisions Agricultural provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriate an estimated $10.4 billion for programs designed to strengthen the agricultural and food supply chain, e.g., animal surveillance or COVD-19 mitigation efforts for agricultural workers; additional resources to purchase and distribute agricultural commodities to nonprofits, restaurants or other food-related entities; increase access to health care in rural communities; and provide debt relief and other support programs for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Food Supply Chain and Agriculture Pandemic Response The act appropriates $3.6 billion, approximately 35% of total agricultural expenditures, for USDA to purchase and distribute agricultural commodities and fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts for agricultural and supply chain workers. Similar efforts through the Farmers to Families Food Box program have resulted in the delivery of more than 140 million food boxes containing dairy products, fluid milk, fruits, vegetables and pre-cooked meats. This package differs in that the food donation efforts are now expected to also include other distribution channels such as restaurants and food-related entities that can receive, store, process and distribute food items. Other efforts to protect the food and agricultural supply chain include $300 million for animal monitoring and surveillance efforts for the incidence of SARS–CoV–2. For example, mink and cats are more likely to expose humans to the viral strain that causes COVID-19 in humans. Another $100 million is appropriated to reduce fees associated with overtime inspection costs at federally inspected small and very small meat, poultry and egg processing facilities. Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers While the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 does not appropriate funds directly, it’s estimated that $4 billion will be used to relieve up to 120% of a socially disadvantaged, e.g., Black, Hispanic, Native American or Asian American, farmer’s or rancher’s outstanding debt as of Jan. 1, 2021. The loans include USDA Farm Service Agency direct farm loans, USDA guaranteed loans and Commodity Credit Corporation farm storage loans, among others. The additional 20% is intended to pay off the taxes associated with the amount of the direct payment related to the outstanding debt. In addition to the debt forgiveness, the act appropriates $1.01 billion to provide outreach, training, education, technical assistance, grants and loans, and funding to educational institutions to help improve land access for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and address heirs’ property issues, among other issues. In total, more than $5 billion is expected to fund provisions -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 14 Continued from previous page designed to provide assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers or provide debt relief for these farmers and ranchers. Food for Peace To address hunger, food insecurity and support humanitarian efforts around the world, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides $800 million to the Food for Peace program. During fiscal year 2018, the Food for Peace program provided U.S. food-in-kind, procured local food supplies, provided food vouchers and made cash transfers to more than 76 million beneficiaries in 59 countries. Rural Development Grants for Rural Health Care The act provides $500 million for a variety of rural health care efforts, including but not limited to increasing capacity for vaccine distribution, improving access to medical supplies, increasing telehealth capabilities, supporting staffing needs for vaccine distribution or COVID-19 testing and providing nutrition assistance to vulnerable communities. “MR. PEANUT” FRANK MCGILL DIES J. Frank McGill, affectionately known throughout the Georgia agricultural community as “Mr. Peanut,” died March 3 in Tifton. He was 95. McGill earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1951 and a master’s degree in agronomy in 1962 from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He began his career with UGA as a county Extension agent in southwest Georgia and later became the state’s Extension peanut specialist. McGill worked at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station — now known as the UGA Tifton campus — and helped develop a “package approach” for peanut production, which includes management of land preparation, environmental control, variety selection and harvesting. From 1954 to 1982, McGill’s expertise helped Georgia’s peanut yields increase from 955 pounds per acre in 1955 to 2,040 pounds in 1967 and 3,220 pounds in 1974. Over his career, McGill traveled to 21 countries as a peanut consultant. He also served as a technical advisor to the Georgia Peanut Commission, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, National Peanut Council and the National Peanut Growers Group. His honors include being named president of the American Peanut Research and Education Society and chairman of a special task force requested by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee to determine the 40-year impact of peanut policy on the family farm. CAES named McGill a D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor of Agronomy in 1979 and Progressive Farmer magazine named him Man of the Year. He received the college’s Medallion of Honor in 2019. In October 2018, he was honored by the UGA Graduate School as an Alumnus of Distinction. He was inducted into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame in 1982 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Peanut Council in 1999. In 1996, he was inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame and received the American/World Agriculture Award from the National County Agents Association in 2000. He also received the Valor Award from the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. McGill was selected as one of 12 UGA scientists whose -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 14 Continued from previous page work has impacted the world in the last 100 years as part of UGA Tifton’s centennial celebrations. At his retirement in 1982, McGill discouraged gifts and the numerous monetary donations he received were used to create the J. Frank McGill “Up with Peanuts” Scholarship. As a result, a substantial scholarship has since been awarded each year to a rising junior or senior UGA crop and soil sciences major. Most recently, he created a fund in the UGA College of Engineering honoring his uncle Arnton Clegg. After retirement, McGill remained an active voice in the peanut industry. He served as president of the American Peanut Research and Education Society, chairman of the U.S. Task Force on Peanut Policy and the U.S. Peanut Improvement Working Group. He also worked as a peanut consultant with M&M Mars for 16 years, followed by four years as a part-time consultant with the National Peanut Laboratory. TOM MCCALL NAMED TO JAMES MAGAZINE'S MOST INFLUENTIAL LIST Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall is included in James Magazine’s annual list of most influential Georgians. The list includes the state’s top leaders in the business, political and media realms, university leadership and others. The magazine noted McCall’s career as a state legislator and called GFB “perhaps the loudest voice speaking on behalf of farmers and rural Georgians under the Gold Dome in Atlanta.” To see the entire list and bios, visit https://www.paperturn-view.com/insideradvantage/james-mar-apr2021-web?pid=MTQ146675&p=13.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 14 GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE MASK SALE March 17 deadline to order Support the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and your community! For a $10 donation, donors receive a GFB-branded face mask. The masks are made of soft 100% polyester material, have a sturdy three-ply design, are breathable and flexible with comfy ear loops that stretch to fit. The masks are made in the U.S.A. After the pre-order window closes on March 17, GFA will submit the full order to the manufacturer. All masks will be shipped through the GFB company courier to your county Farm Bureau county office 2-3 weeks after March 17. GFB home office employees will receive their masks via delivery to their departments. To order, visit https://georgiafarmbureau.regfox.com/foundation-face-mask-sale-march-2021. For more information, contact GFA Development Associate Jennifer Farmer at jmfarmer@gafoundationag.org. 2021 USING PESTICIDES WISELY VIRTUAL TRAINING Date, Time Registration Link March 18, 9 a.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0318 March 22, 5:30 p.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0322 March 25, 9 a.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0325 March 29, 5:30 p.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0329 April 1, 9 a.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0401 April 5, 5:30 p.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0405 April 8, 9 a.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0408 April 12, 5:30 p.m. https://gfb.ag/21UPWtng0412 All applicators driving the tractor/sprayer applying Engenia, FeXapan, Tavium or ExtendiMax must attend Using Pesticides Wisely during 2021 prior to using these herbicides. As mandated by federal law, applicators must have a private or commercial pesticide applicator license to apply these products. Labels specifically state “To be used by certified applicators only; NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator, except that uncertified person may transport containers.” All persons in charge of in-season applications of Enlist Duo or Enlist One in Enlist cotton or soybean must attend Using Pesticides Wisely training prior to using these products in 2021. Applicators are asked to please select one of the dates provided below to attend a virtual training. Although far from an ideal training approach, it is the most efficient and safe method to communicate critical information that applicators must understand for the 2021 growing season. The training will last no more than 1 1/2 hours. If computer or internet access restricts participation, contact your local Extension office. No training will be offered after April 15 for the 2021 season. Each individual applicator must pre-register to attend the training. Registration is permitted up to 2 hours prior to the training. Make sure you have your pesticide license number available for registration. Attendee’s names will be placed on a list posted to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s auxin website at http://www.agr.georgia.gov/24c.aspx. Please allow up to 21 days after the training date for names to be posted. This list will serve as the official training record as attendance verification. Two hours of pesticide credit for private or commercial will be offered as long as a pesticide license number is provided during registration.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 14 PRESERVING FAMILY HERITAGE: ESTATE PLANNING BASICS March 18 noon – 1:30 p.m. online This webinar, hosted by Fort Valley State University Extension, will cover what estate planning entails, how to build wealth and provide for your family and next generation, what happens if you die with or without a will, and more. Speakers are Delene Porter and Gentry Mander of the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center. To register, visit www.bit.ly/fvsu-estate-planning-march-2021. The webinar will be simulcast on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/FVSUCAFST. For more information, contact Phillip Petway at 478-954-7121 or petwayp@fvsu.edu or Leon Porter at 478235-8697 or porterl@fvsu.edu. UGA YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS DISCUSSION MEET March 19 Final Four round 7 p.m. Facebook live Students from UGA's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences are competing in the discussion meet, set up to simulate a committee-style meeting in which participants talk over agriculture-related issues and potential solutions. Final four competitors will be announced March 18 at 9 p.m. The final four round begins at 7 p.m. on March 19 and will streamed live at on the UGA Young Farmers & Ranchers Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/UGA-YoungFarmers-and-Ranchers-427383067810782) NOMINATIONS FOR AMERICAN PECAN PROMOTION BOARD March 26 deadline The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the American Pecan Promotion Board under the newly established Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order. Nominations are due by March 26. The 17-member board will consist of 10 producers and seven importers. The 10 producer members will be allocated between three regions within the United States as follows: three from the Eastern Region; three from the Central Region; and four from the Western Region. Seven members will be importers. Initial board members’ terms of office of two, three and four years will be assigned by USDA to stagger future terms of office. Each member’s term will begin when USDA approves the nominations. To serve on the board, producers and importers must have produced or imported more than 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans (25,000 pounds of shelled pecans) on average for four fiscal periods. Producers who produce pecans in more than one region may seek nomination only in the region in which they produce the majority of their pecans. If you are interested in serving as a producer member please submit your nominations to info@americanpecan.com. You may also contact Jeff Smutny at (817) 916-0020. USDA is conducting nominations for importer members. Please submit nominations to Patricia Petrella at Patricia.Petrella@usda.gov. For more information about the program, visit the AMS American Pecan Promotion Board webpage ( https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/pecan) or contact USDA Promotion and Economics Division Deputy Director, Patricia Petrella, at (301) 337-5295 or Patricia.Petrella@usda.gov.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 14 11TH ANNUAL GEORGIA DAIRY YOUTH FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT March 26 Lane Creek Golf Club 10:30 a.m. Bishop This annual event provides financial support for the Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation. The tournament will be played in a four-person Lauderdale Scramble format. Each player will receive 18 holes of golf, use of a cart and lunch. Lunch and check-in begin at 10:30 a.m. and tee time is noon. Entry fee is $75 per person or $300 for a four-person team, and for $20 players receive two mulligans and a tee buster. To register, call 706-310-0020 or send an email to gadairyyouth@gmail.com. Players are asked to register by March 22. FLINT RIVER FRESH PLANTING DAY March 31 Various locations Dougherty County Flint River Fresh is growing good food throughout the Albany through fruitful partnerships. March 31 is Planting Day with Flint River Fresh in Dougherty County. The day of community volunteer gardening activities begins at J. C. Odom, Jr. Fitness and Wellness Center at 10:30 a.m. The afternoon activities will start at 2 p.m. at The Arc of Southwest Georgia. Planting days with Flint River Fresh are opportunities for the community to help make every household food secure and gain do-it-yourself gardening skills. Volunteers are needed at both locations to install raised garden beds or plant seedlings. Sign up to volunteer at www.flintriverfresh.org/volunteer. Registration is required for public safety and COVID-19 safety protocols. For more information, email info@flintriverfresh.org or call 229-352-6591. DEADLINE EXTENDED – CORONAVIRUS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The USDA is reviewing the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and the original Feb. 26 application deadline has been extended during the evaluation period. CFAP Additional Assistance, which expanded eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities, is under review. Producers will be given at least an additional 30 days to sign up after any decision is announced. Payments from the CFAP 2 signup that ended Dec. 11, 2020, have not been affected. FVSU ORNAMENTAL PLANT CONFERENCES April 2 Feed the pollinators! Part 1 online May 6 Feed the pollinators! Part 2 online June 11 New annuals & perennials in the landscape online This series of virtual conferences, hosted by Fort Valley State University, will be presented by UGA Extension Horticulture Specialist Dr. Bodie Pennisi. Plants that will be covered include small trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials, roses, daylilies, camelias, native plants and more. Each conference lasts from noon to 1 p.m. To register, visit www.bit.ly/fvsu-ornamental-plant-series2021. The conferences will be broadcast on Facebook Live at facebook.com/FVSUCAFST. For more information, contact Joshua Dawson at 478-283-2949 or dawsonj01@fvsu.edu.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 14 DEADLINE EXTENDED - USDA QUALITY LOSS ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM April 9 Deadline to apply Funded by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, this new program provides assistance to producers who suffered eligible crop quality losses due to natural disasters occurring in 2018 and 2019. For more information, visit www.farmers.gov/quality-loss, or contact your local USDA Service Center. Producers can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling 877-508-8364. KICKOFF TO PLANTING, PEANUT PALOOZA! April 17 Georgia Peanut Commission 10a.m.-2 p.m. Tifton All peanut lovers are invited to this free event to celebrate the 2021 peanut planting season. The Georgia Peanut Commission is hosting this event on behalf of Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farm families. The GPC food trailer will distribute fried peanuts, boiled peanuts & glass bottles of CocaCola. Event will also include a cupcake food truck, peanut shakes, M & M taste testing, a prize wheel, DJ music, a tractor display and tours of the GPC headquarters, which are located at 445 Fulwood Blvd. Tifton, Ga. 31794 Visit www.gapeanuts.com or call 229-386-3470 for more information. 2021 PICTURE AGRICULTURE IN GEORGIA PHOTO CONTEST June 1 photo submission deadline This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture and Farm Bureau in Georgia and will be awarded cash prizes. The contest is open to any amateur photographer (one who receives no income from photography) who is a member of Georgia Farm Bureau. All photos must highlight Georgia agriculture and have been taken in 2020 or 2021. Each entrant may enter three (3) photos, and only those of highest quality will be considered. All digital photos must be in a jpeg format and should be a minimum of 1 MB in size. Photos entered in the GFB photo contest may not have been entered in any other contest. Photos will be judged on the use of angle, lighting, balance, color, contrast, viewpoint and technical ability. Photos altered in any way will not be judged. All photos become the property of GFB and may be used for any purpose, such as publishing in Farm Bureau Neighbors and/or Farm Bureau News, posting it on GFB’s website, reproducing it for Farm Bureau use or selling it. Georgia Farm Bureau has the final decision on any and all questions or concerns regarding rules, judging, eligibility, prizes awarded or anything else that may arise pertaining to the Photo Contest. Prizes: Grand Prize - $150; 11 Honorable Mentions - $75 each. The grand prize winner will be featured on the front of the 2022 Young Farmer and Rancher Calendar. The 11 Honorable Mention winners will be featured inside the calendar. If you use children or people in your photo, you must complete a Model Release Entry Form found in the registration form. This form must be completed and uploaded to www.gfb.ag/yfrphoto by June 1. Direct any questions to hadarby@gfb.org.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 14 GFB YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS 2021 COMPETITIVE EVENTS June 1 deadline to enter Georgia Farm Bureau is now accepting entries for its Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. The winners of all three competitive events will be announced during the YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, scheduled for July 14-17 on Jekyll Island. GFB will continue to follow the most up-to-date CDC guidelines for these in-person competitions, and if necessary, they are subject to convert to virtual events. The deadline to enter these contests is June 1. All applications and registration forms must be submitted online at www.gfb.ag/yfrcompete. For more information contact your GFB District Federation Manager. For help submitting the application/registration form online, contact Haley Darby (hadarby@gfb.org). AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FARM DOG OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS OPEN Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2022 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, supported by Purina. This is the fourth year of the contest, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families and their pets across America. The grand prize winner – Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year – will win a year’s worth of Purina dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year award ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in January 2022. Up to four regional runners-up will each win $1,000 in prize money. Desired attributes for the Farm Dog of the Year include helpfulness to the farmer and his/her family, playfulness and obedience. The 2022 Farm Dog of the Year will also be featured in a professionally produced video. The profile of 2021 Farm Dog of the Year Bindi can be viewed at https://www.fb.org/land/fdoty. Farm dog owners must be Farm Bureau members to enter their dogs in the competition. Prospective applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit fb.org/join to learn about becoming a member. Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available at https://www.fb.org/land/fdoty. Farm Dog of the Year nominations, which include written responses to questions, still photos and a video clip (optional), must be received by July 2 for consideration. 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 2020 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 14 DAIRY VOLUNTEERS LEND A LISTENING EAR FOR THOSE IN STRESS Are you a dairy farmer who would like to talk to a fellow farmer or industry friend about the stress you’re experiencing? Georgia Milk Producers has partnered with dairy groups in other Southeastern states to compile a list of dairy producers who are volunteering to talk with fellow farmers & dairy industry employees as the dairy sector navigates these difficult times. Click here to access the list of volunteers & other tips/suggestions for dealing with stress.