March 25, 2020
www.gfb.org
Vol. 2 No. 6
GFB WORKS TO SECURE NEEDED FARM WORKERS DURING COVID-19 Since March 17, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has been working closely with Georgia’s U.S. Congressional delegation, USDA officials, American Farm Bureau and other ag allies to avoid labor shortages caused by changes in how H-2A workers are processed due to the COVID-19 response. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico announced March 16 an indefinite suspension of routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services beginning March 18 in response to COVID-19. GFB immediately began receiving calls from producers who were concerned about the potential impact this decision could have on their farms. According to AFBF, visa activities for H-2A workers who are eligible for interview waivers will be prioritized. Workers eligible for interview waivers include returning H-2A applicants whose visas have expired in the last twelve months and are now applying for the same visa classification and did not require a waiver the last time they applied for a visa. GFB is pleased to report that the messages from our farmer-members have been well received and the issue is being taken seriously by policymakers. Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler along with Reps. Rick Allen, Sanford Bishop, Buddy Carter, Doug Collins, Tom Graves, Jody Hice, Austin Scott and Rob Woodall joined other U.S. senators and representatives from across the country in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. In their letter, the legislators asked the agencies to take the following actions to support American farmers: • Use all existing available authorities to provide maximum flexibility to consulate staff in the processing of H-2A visa applicants, while implementing protocols to protect public health. • Identify any current legal or logistical hurdles that may prevent U.S. agencies from implementing additional flexibilities, such as developing a separate screening process or remote interviews, in processing H-2A visa applicants. • Provide an estimation of any costs associated with implementing any of the aforementioned actions. • Provide data on the number of H-2A petition beneficiaries nationwide and by state that are -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 16 Continued from previous page eligible for an interview waiver and will not be affected by these processing changes. “With all that has happened in agriculture in recent years—from extreme weather events to tariffs and historically low commodity prices—labor has remained one of the top issues for many Georgia farmers, and news that the coronavirus response could make it even more challenging for our farmers to find workers is disheartening,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “This is why we appreciate the support we’ve received from Georgia’s Congressional delegation in asking the appropriate federal agencies to find a solution that still protects public health.” On March 19, the USDA and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a partnership between the two agencies to facilitate the identification of existing foreign and domestic workers who may be available and eligible to transfer to other U.S. agricultural sector employers to fill critical workforce needs during the COVID-19 response. The USDA and DOL have identified nearly 20,000 H-2A and H-2B certified positions that have contracts expiring in the coming weeks. There will be workers leaving these positions who could be available to transfer to a different employer’s labor certification. The data, available on www.farmers.gov/manage/h2a, includes the number of certified worker positions, the current employer name and contact, attorney/agent name and contact, and the worksite address. This information will be a resource to H-2A employers whose workforce has been delayed because of travel restrictions or visa processing limitations. Employers should note that all statutory and regulatory requirements continue to apply. Employers are encouraged to monitor www.travel.state.gov for the latest information and should monitor the relevant Embassy/Consular websites for specific operational information. GFB President Long praised the USDA and DOL following the agencies’ announcement that they would share information to assist H-2A employers. “We’ve worked with our House and Senate delegation in Washington to advance ideas just like this, and we are pleased to see the USDA and Department of Labor taking action to help ensure that Georgia farmers are able to harvest their crops and get them on grocery store shelves for American consumers during this pandemic,” Long said. GFB encourages Georgia farmers to continue the important work of feeding and clothing our nation as we work with federal officials, our congressional delegation, and allied industry groups to address this challenge. If you have any questions, concerns, or input for consideration please contact the GFB Public Policy Department at advocacy@gfb.org or the USDA at aglabor@usda.gov. AGRICULTURE RECOGNIZED AS CRITICAL TO COVID-19 RESPONSE The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified the food and agriculture sector as being essential and critical to the United States’ COVID-19 response. On March 19, the Homeland Security Department’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a memo identifying industries and workers who are essential to maintaining our country’s infrastructure by contributing to the public health and safety, economic and national security of the U.S. Per the CISA memo, its guidance list is intended to support state, local, and industry partners in -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 16 Continued from previous page identifying the critical infrastructure sectors and their essential workers needed to maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and that need to be able to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic response. The CISA still maintains that everyone should follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as state and local government officials, regarding strategies to limit disease spread. Workers should be encouraged to work remotely when possible and focus on core business activities. In-person, non-mandatory activities should be delayed until the resumption of normal operations. When continuous remote work is not possible, businesses should enlist strategies to reduce the likelihood of spreading the disease. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, separating staff by off-setting shift hours or days and/or social distancing. Industries the CISA recognized as critical to the COVID-19 response include medical and healthcare, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, law enforcement and public works. Per the CISA memo, the list is advisory in nature. It is not, nor should it be considered to be, a federal directive or standard in and of itself. The section of the CISA memo covering food & agriculture is as follows: • Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retailers that sell food and beverage products • Restaurant carry-out and quick serve food operations - Carry-out and delivery food employees • Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging • Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically • Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs • Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor- managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers • Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail • Company cafeterias - in-plant cafeterias used to feed employees • Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education • Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments • Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 16 Continued from previous page fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids • Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce • Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products • Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution Visit www.gfb.ag/COVIDessentialworkers to read the complete CISA memo regarding the industries and workers the Department of Homeland Security has deemed essential and critical to the COVID-19 response. APRIL 8 DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR FARM RECOVERY BLOCK GRANTS The Georgia Department of Agriculture is accepting online applications until April 8 for disbursing $347 million in Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant funds for eligible losses due to Hurricane Michael. The grant program is for farmers and forest landowners with operations in 95 eligible Georgia counties, who suffered losses to beef, dairy, fruit and vegetable, pecan, poultry, timber, and eligible uninsured irrigation equipment or farm structures as a result of Hurricane Michael. The 95 eligible counties received a USDA disaster designation for the storm. The federal block grants seek to help recover losses not covered under existing USDA Farm Service Agency programs. This means not all losses a producer experienced due to Hurricane Michael will be eligible. Eligible losses under this grant are: Beef - Future income losses related to decreased conception rates and mature cow deaths, decreased production due to post-storm effects, and expenses due to increased disease occurrence Dairy - Future income losses related to decreased conception rates and mature cow deaths. Fruits & Vegetables - Expenses related to damaged and destroyed production inputs of plasticulture & bareground production. Pecans - Future income loss from lost trees. Poultry - Damage and destruction of poultry houses (breeder, broiler, and pullet) and lost income due to interruption of business. Timber - Damaged and destroyed timberland. Uninsured Infrastructure - Expenses and losses related to general infrastructure and irrigation used in production of an agricultural commodity. This applies to any agricultural commodity that was in the structure or under the irrigation system at the time of the storm and suffered a loss to the commodity. Before you begin the application, we encourage you to view the application worksheet. This document will provide you with a summary of what information you will need to provide. You can view the worksheet by clicking here. Additionally, you will be required to provide specific documents, all of which are detailed on -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 16 Continued from previous page the application worksheet and are available on the Farm Recovery website. You may also access them below: FRBG-01: Third Party Certification of Timber Damage FRBG-02: Veterinarian Certification of Damage FRBG-03: Entity Organization Only online applications will be accepted. While mobile phones may be used to sign up and log in, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application using a computer to ensure proper upload and attachment of required documents. All applications must be completed and submitted by April 8, 2020. For more information about the Farm Recovery Block Grant, please contact GDA at farmrecovery@agr.georgia.gov. To help growers prepare for the grant application, the GDA has published a guide offering tips on how to apply and a map indicating eligible counties. Access the guide at www.farmrecovery.com. Georgia agriculture suffered a $2.5 billion loss from Hurricane Michael. Under the $3 billion Disaster Relief Act of 2019, USDA earmarked $800 million in block grant funds to aid states impacted by disasters. USDA allocated $347 million for Georgia. COVID-19 PUTS LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS IN TOUGH SITUATION Georgia’s livestock markets are accustomed to wrangling cattle, following time-tested methods of moving the animals into and out of sale barns. Now, in the interest of curbing the spread of COVID-19, they’re being asked to wrangle humans, as well. In typical fashion, the agriculture sector is looking for ways to persevere, knowing consumers have to be fed. On March 19, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified food & agriculture among the industries that are essential to continuing America's critical infrastructure during the COVID-19 response. “Our markets, we consider them part of the critical infrastructure for the food supply,” said Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Region Executive John Kissee, whose region includes Georgia. “Producers need to market their livestock to have money to pay bills, to plant future crops, to buy feed for their animals. For many different reasons, that’s why our markets need to stay open.” The LMA issued a set of suggestions paralleling governmental guidelines for disease control – primarily social distancing and cleanliness. The White House’s recommendation that gatherings be limited to 10 people is problematic in the sale barn setting. Georgia Farm Bureau media contacted nine sale barns around the state to see if and how their operations had changed the week of March 16-20 – the first week of the ramped-up response to COVID-19. For the most part, they carried out their business in their usual manner, with mixed approaches to human disease control, ranging from limiting foot traffic by people who don’t intend to buy -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 16 Continued from previous page cattle to intensifying cleaning efforts, particularly in areas where people congregate. All nine reported sharply reduced sales numbers from the previous weeks and lower purchase prices overall, though prices seemed to be holding well for cattle being sold for slaughter. The markets’ general consensus is that COVID-19 is at least a contributing factor in low sales numbers and low sale prices. At the Carroll County Livestock Sales Barn (CCLSB) on March 16, approximately 190 head of cattle were sold at the facility’s weekly sale, which typically moves around 500 cattle. CCLSB Board Chairman Alan Banks said prices for calves were down between 40 and 50 cents per pound. “That’s a terrible cut,” Banks said. “You can’t pay the bills with that.” Sale barn operators are worried about protecting the health of those who work for the stockyards and those who attend the sales. The ones contacted by GFB indicated they were paying extra attention to cleaning the areas where humans gather. “We’re providing hand sanitizer and just trying to make sure there wasn’t anyone who was here that was sick,” said Mike Sanders of Moultrie Livestock Company. Social distancing? “If [the disease continues to] progress, it might be something we consider,” Sanders said. LMA suggests that stockyard operators urge sellers to drop off their cattle and leave if they aren’t planning to buy cattle. That’s a tough ask for a business built off face-to-face interaction. “This is kind of a funny business,” said Clay Floyd of Swainsboro Stockyard. “You’ve got to be real particular about telling people not to stay and watch. That’s a touchy thing.” In Carroll County, the board of directors considered shutting down its weekly sale at CCLSB, but Banks said the CCLSB board decided to continue under social distancing guidelines - limiting visitors and spectators, closing its dining facility and asking sellers to drop off their animals and leave. Livestock sales have a social aspect that put the stockyards in a difficult position on the subject of social distancing. People come and visit with longtime friends, have a meal and watch the sale. Some stockyards are altering how they serve customary sale-day meals. “We’re business as usual other than we won’t be offering dining here,” said Upson County Livestock Owner Anna Sutton White. “We’re trying to do what’s right to keep our part of the economy going so we can feed the American public.” If you’ve been to a grocery store in the past week, you likely have seen unusually low or no stock in the meat department. Even with strong demand, cattle prices have declined this week. Several stockyard operators said producers are opting not to sell in hopes the prices they receive for their cattle will increase. “The prices are so bad, nobody wants to sell them right now, but there are people who have to,” said Mark Smith of Eastanollee Livestock Auction. The sale barns may not have the answers yet, but most seem confident they’ll find ways to stay in business. “Livestock markets have been around for a long time,” Kissee said. “We’ve faced lots of different challenges. We are confident that our people, our producers, will weather this storm, too.”
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 16 GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO COVID-19 ON AG TOPICS On March 17, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp asked the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for economic injury disaster loans by having the SBA issue a disaster declaration for the state. “Small businesses in Georgia are enduring severe economic hardship stemming from the spread of COVID-19. The effects of this pandemic vary by industry and economic sector, but it is clear that we must act,” Kemp said. “Georgia small businesses are the backbone of our state and national economies, and we look forward to working with SBA and our federal partners to support them in the weeks and months to come.” On March 18 the SBA, under authority granted in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, issued the disaster declaration. As a result, Georgia small businesses in all 159 counties are now eligible to apply for assistance from the SBA in the form of Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These loans can offer up to $2 million in assistance to provide working capital to address financing and cash flow issues. The interest rates are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits. SBA offers up to a 30year loan, and terms are decided on a case-by-case basis. Businesses should expect to provide a tax transcript, financial statements, and a profit and loss statement. Click here to apply or click here for more information and resources. Other government actions of interest to ag: GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY: The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) remains open for business, though all in-person meetings have been postponed until further notice. The GPA Credentialing Center is open but operating under modified conditions by adhering to social distancing guidelines. Specifically, the credentialing office will only serve one visitor at a time. For more information call the Port of Savannah at 912-963-5539 or the Port of Brunswick at 912280-6943. The GPA indicated it is communicating directly with employees and other logistics professionals serving our ports to encourage increased awareness of health safety. GPA encourages all port customers using its facilities to follow the health and safety protocols established by the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health. TAX FILING DEADLINE: On March 21, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced an extension of the federal income tax filing due date from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15 to July 15 without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004. The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible and indicated that most -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 16 Continued from previous page tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days. On March 23, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced that the Georgia tax filing deadline would be extended to July 15, as well. The Georgia Department of Revenue has suspended in-person services. Taxpayers can conduct all business with the Department via online services at https://dor.georgia.gov/, by telephone at 404-417-2100, or through designated secure lockbox locations. LAND TRANSPORTATION: Trucks hauling agricultural commodities are exempt from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours of service rules. In Georgia, all the Department of Driver Services (DDS) customer service centers are closed until April 1. DDS customers are urged to use DDS online services or the DDS 2 GO app. Under Gov. Kemp’s March 23 executive order, all valid Georgia driver’s licenses, including CDLs and CDL medical certificate grace periods, and ID cards with expiration dates between March 23 and June 30 are automatically extended for 60 days. New CDLs will not be issued during this period. USDA ENSURES FOOD SAFETY DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK On March 16, the USDA sent a letter to stakeholders reassuring them that its multiple agencies that oversee food inspections and food grading services are rising to meet the challenges associated with COVID-19 and outlined USDA agency operations to ensure food safety. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will continue meat, poultry, and processed egg inspection services as normal. Planning for absenteeism is a part of normal FSIS operations and as such, FSIS is closely monitoring and tracking employee absenteeism to plan for and minimize impacts to operations. FSIS is also working to prioritize inspection at establishments based on local conditions and resources available. The USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) continue to provide critical inspections and grading services. APHIS and AMS are ensuring the health and safety of USDA employees while still providing the timely delivery of the services to maintain the movement of America’s food supply. The two agencies indicated they are prepared to remedy any possible disruptions in their services. AMS will continue to report commodity prices through its market news service. For more information from the USDA, visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus. The latest information directly from the CDC can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 16 AG PROGRAMS TO BENEFIT FROM COVID-19 STIMULUS PACKAGE Congress and the White House reached an agreement in the early hours of March 25 on a wideranging stimulus bill totaling $2 trillion, including additional funding for USDA programs, according to published reports. Congress must still vote on the package. Per published reports, the package would provide Americans whose annual income is $75,000 or less may receive direct payments of up to $1,200 from the federal government. As part of the legislation, the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) would get a $14 billion boost and the bill would provide $9.5 billion for producers of livestock, specialty crops and dairy, as well as producers who support local food systems like farmers markets, schools and restaurants, AgriPulse reported. The CCC account was the USDA’s vehicle for providing trade relief to farmers under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which was intended to offset economic harm experienced by U.S. farmers as a result of the ongoing trade conflict with China. Agricultural stakeholders and some members of Congress have pushed for additional MFP payments, including House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Michael Conaway (RTexas). The additional funding may allow the CCC to move forward with another round of MFP payments. GEORGIA LEGISLATURE IS SUSPENDED; HB 545 PENDING IN SENATE The Georgia House and Senate suspended their legislative activity until further notice due to COVID-19. The 2020 legislative session was set to finish on April 2. That date will likely change. Meanwhile, House Bill 545, the Right to Farm bill, remains tabled in the Senate. Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Public Policy staff and allied industry groups continue to work both in and out of the Capitol to correct misinformation and educate legislators and consumers on the true intent of the bill. The fight is not over - in fact, it is imperative that farmers continue to ask their senators to vote for the bill until it is passed. Georgia farmers and ranchers are encouraged to share their stories on social media and to tag their legislators and include the hashtag #ProtectMyFarm in any posts that they make or share. GFB has created a landing page to aid in the promotion of House Bill 545. Please share this page with legislators so they can familiarize themselves with the bill and debunk any myths that have been promoted by the opposition. Agriculture is the top economic sector in the state of Georgia. Without a strong right to farm law, our farmers could be subjected to frivolous nuisance lawsuits, which could upend their operations and bankrupt their families. It is vital that we pass House Bill 545 to preserve the production of food and fiber in our state.
GFB Field Notes 10 of 16 CENSUS 2020: YOU FARM. YOU COUNT! Participating in the 2020 Census is important! It’s crucial that the U.S. Census Bureau get an accurate count of the number of people living in Georgia and where they live because federal, state and local governments use these numbers to determine funding for education, health, nutrition assistance and transportation programs. The numbers also determine how many representatives Georgia has in Congress. Georgia ranked 31st in the U.S. for its response rate in the 2010 Census. Counties with the lowest response rates were south of Macon. Make sure Georgia is accurately counted this year, especially our rural communities. You may take the census online, by phone, by mail or in person. Key Census dates: April 1: National Census Day. Every home will have received invite to take the census. April 8-16: Households that have not responded online or by phone will receive a paper questionnaire, which will include a prepaid postage envelope to return it by mail. April 23: Census takers will conduct the Nonresponse Followup operation in a handful of communities beginning as early as April 23 (this was delayed from the original plan to start on April 9). Households can still respond on their own during this phase (online and phone response is available through July 31). May 13-July 31: Census takers visit homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census. Census workers must present an ID badge with their photo, Dept. of Commerce watermark & an expiration date. They should not ask for your full social security number, bank or credit card account numbers, money or donations. Dec. 31: Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the president. For more details on the 2020 Census timeline, click here. GEORGIA’S FARMERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS HIGHLIGHTED IN AG WEEK Georgia’s state seal includes the phrase “Agriculture and Commerce.” For large portions of the state, agriculture is commerce. Agriculture contributed $76 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2018, according to the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED). The center says food and fiber production and the process of getting the raw materials to consumers contributed 399,200 jobs for Georgians in 2018. Georgia farmers grow almost half the peanuts grown in the United States and lead the nation in growing chickens. Georgia farmers are among the top U.S. growers of blueberries, pecans and sweet onions. We can also thank Georgia farmers for growing cotton and timber to clothe and house us. To celebrate farmers and the many contributions they make to our state, the Georgia Department of Agriculture declared March 23-27 as Georgia Ag Week. This week is also National Ag Week and National Ag Day was March 24. “Today’s Georgia farmers are proud to continue our state’s long-standing position as an economic powerhouse,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long said. “Please join us this week in saluting our farmers, who drive Georgia’s biggest economic engine and continue to search for new ways to meet the needs of their fellow citizens.” -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 16 Continued from previous page From 2012 to 2017, U.S. farmers increased the number of acres on which they practice sustainable soil use and conservation efforts by 34 million acres. This includes planting more cover crops, using no-till and minimum tillage planting methods to conserve soil, preserve/increase soil nutrients and improve water quality. These practices also trap excess carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 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%. The week-long celebration continues with these themed days: March 25 – Ag Hero Day; March 26 – Ag Literacy Day; March 27- Make My Plate Georgia Grown Day. Visit www.gfb.ag/agweek20 for more information. County Farm Bureaus and agricultural organizations held events in their local communities as schedules allow throughout the month of March to raise awareness of agriculture. Agriculture celebrations are observed in March to coincide with the planting of spring crops. CANADIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES USMCA The United States, Canada and Mexico can move forward with implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) after Canada’s parliament passed the trade deal and Canada Governor General Julie Payette approved it on March 13. Mexico ratified the agreement in June 2019. The U.S. House passed USMCA in December 2019 and President Donald Trump signed it on Jan. 29, 2020. According to the USDA, the pact includes a number of measures that should benefit U.S. agriculture. Among them are increased access for U.S. dairy producers to Canadian markets, increased access to Canadian markets for U.S. poultry and egg producers. “USMCA is a great victory for America’s agriculture industry, and I am pleased to see Canada’s Parliament approved the deal,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “We will continue to work with both Canada and Mexico in implementing this agreement.” Canada and Mexico are the U.S.’ top two export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products, totaling more than $39.7 billion worth of food and ag exports in 2018 and supporting more than 325,000 American jobs. “USMCA is the gold standard by which all future trade agreements will be judged, and citizens of all three countries will benefit for years to come,” United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 16 AGRICULTURAL EVENTS CHANGE DUE TO COVID-19 The GFB Public Relations staff has compiled a list of ag-related events that have altered their schedules to help prevent the spread of COVID19. Many of the events listed here are events whose organizers asked GFB to promote them. Other events with schedule changes will be added as we are made become aware of them. AG AGENCIES/FACILITIES/SERVICES USDA SERVICE CENTERS HELPING FARMERS VIA PHONE Georgia farmers who need to conduct business with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or other USDA agency housed at their local USDA service center should call their local USDA office to work with local USDA staff by phone and online according to the USDA. Farmers may visit www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator to find their local service center’s phone number. Some service centers may not be able to serve farmers from the office location due to COVID-19 responses put into place by local government. Farmers may visit www.gfb.ag/usdaservicecenters to access the latest information on how USDA is serving producers during the COVID-19 response. Producers who usually work with an office that may be closed should contact their closest alternate Service Center for immediate assistance by phone. In the event that an office is not currently available to serve customers on location, loan payments can be mailed to the FSA county office or at any other open FSA office. GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIRGROUNDS & AGRICENTER The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter is postponing or canceling all events scheduled from March 17 through April 1. GNFA is working with its show organizers to reschedule as many events as possible and will continue to update our events page at www.gnfa.com. GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION OPERATIONS Many of the GFC’s smaller offices are remaining staffed and open. Customers are asked to call or email GFC, or utilize its online services for now, rather than initiate face-to-face contact. The GFC stands ready to respond to wildfires during this outbreak, however, plowing and prescribed burning assistance services are suspended through March 31 in an effort to minimize personal interactions between GFC staff and customers. The GFC will evaluate the situation on an ongoing basis and will notify the public when these services will be reinstated. Please note that normal burn permitting system and all burns that do not require our assistance are not impacted by this service suspension. Individuals may still request burn permits for hand-piled natural vegetation through the GFC’s online system at www.gatrees.org or by calling 877-OK2-BURN. Acreage permits can be requested by calling a local county office. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 16 Continued from previous page EVENTS POSTPONED WITH NEW DATE SCHEDULED GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Originally scheduled for March 24-25, The Georgia Pecan Growers Association annual conference is postponed to Sept. 10-11. The conference will remain in Tifton for the fall event and will essentially combine with GPGA’s annual fall field day. The GPGA uses the conference as its primary fundraiser to offset operating costs throughout the year. Registration will remain open online until the event occurs in September. All planned events will proceed at the fall event, including the golf tournament, orchard tour, welcome reception, and annual awards luncheon. The GPGA will hold its reverse raffle on March 24 as an online event via Facebook Live through its Facebook page @GeorgiaPecanGrowersAssociation. 10th ANNUAL GEORGIA DAIRY YOUTH FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT Originally scheduled for March 27 at the Lane Creek Golf Club in Bishop, the Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation Golf Tournament has been rescheduled to May 8 due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the need to minimize further exposure, The tournament will still be located at the Lane Creek Golf Club in Bishop, with tee time starting at noon. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. Registration deadline is May 1. Visit https://gfb.ag/20GDYFgolf for more information or to register. All proceeds benefit the Georgia 4-H & FFA dairy programs. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION CONVENTION AND BEEF EXPO Originally scheduled for April 2-4, has been rescheduled for May 28-30 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. Convention registration has been transferred to the correct dates. Hotel rooms booked by GCA staff have been moved to the correct dates. Individuals who booked their lodging will need to make sure it is moved to the correct dates. 2020 GEORGIA FORAGE AND GRASSLAND COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING Originally scheduled for March 17 at the Iron Horse Plant Sciences Farm in Watkinsville, the meeting is postponed and will be held in conjunction with the GFGC Tour in June. POSTPONED INDEFINITELY USING PESTICIDES WISELY TRAINING The Using Pesticide Wisely training meetings for March 16 in Rome, March 17 in Dublin and Blackshear, March 19 in Elberton, March 25 in Blakely, March 26 in Statesboro and April 3 in Tifton have been canceled and will be rescheduled, dates TBD. If you need this training to purchase dicamba or 2,4-D products and did not receive it in 2019, please contact your local Extension County Office (https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices.html). -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 16 Continued from previous page SOLAR ENERGY IN GEORGIA WORKSHOP Originally scheduled for March 26 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, the workshop has been postponed. Details TBA. CHEROKEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU AG EXPO Originally scheduled for March 27 at Hickory Flat Fellowship Church in Canton, the Expo is postponed. Details TBA. ABAC GEE HAW WHOA BACK RODEO Originally Scheduled for April 3-4 in Tifton, has been postponed. The rodeo will be rescheduled to a date TBA. GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ANNUAL MEETING Originally scheduled for April 5-7 in Pine Mountain, has been postponed. GACD annual meeting will be rescheduled and information regarding the new date of the rescheduled annual meeting and details regarding registration fees, etc. will be communicated as soon as possible. Current reservations made in the GACD room block at Callaway Gardens will be rolled over to the rescheduled meeting dates. PUBLIC TRADE HEARING FOR GA PRODUCE GROWERS Originally Scheduled for April 9 at the Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta to let Georgia fruit and vegetable growers tell U.S. trade officials how Mexico's unfair trade practices have harmed their farms has been postponed. New date TBD. Interested parties are still encouraged to submit written comments and information via Regulations.gov here (https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USTR-2020-0010-0001). The original deadline for written submissions—March 26, 2020—has been waived. The public docket will remain open and will accept written submissions during this period of postponement, and new submission deadlines will be announced in connection with the announcement of new hearing dates. The Federal Register notice with instructions on how to submit written materials can be viewed here. (https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04827.pdf) UGA FORAGE PROGRAMS The University of Georgia Forage Program announced March 23 that it is postponing all of its short courses and field days scheduled through May 1 to prevent spread of COVID-19. Most of these events will be rescheduled in early summer or this fall. Some events may be transitioned to an online format (i.e. Facebook Live), to allow the presentation of information in a more timely manner. Watch for updates on www.georgiaforages.com and on the programs social media pages @GeorgiaForages. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 15 of 16 Continued from previous page GEORGIA FFA CONVENTION – The State FFA Convention originally set for April 23-25 in Macon has been postponed. Georgia FFA will send updates to its local chapters as decisions are made. CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATION DEADLINE The Georgia Historic Preservation Division recognizes that many Georgia libraries and courthouses are closed due to COVID-19, so it plans to extend the original May 1 deadline but is waiting to see how long COVID-19 requires facilities to remain closed before setting the new application deadline. CANCELED EVENTS APPLE GRAFTING WORKSHOPS Originally scheduled for March 26 at the Ball Ground Community Center in Ball Ground, the workshops have been canceled. County Extension Agent Josh Fuder is working to refund fees for people who have already registered. PEANUT PROUD FESTIVAL Originally scheduled for March 28 in Blakely, the Peanut Proud Festival has been canceled. Details about the Peanut Proud Store, vendors, and other topics will be posted on the Peanut Proud Facebook page as they become available.
GFB Field Notes page 16 of 16 SAVE THE DATE CARROLL COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIP April 15 deadline to apply The Carroll County Master Gardeners Association is accepting applications for a $1,000 scholarship for students from Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties who are studying agriculture, consumer science, landscaping, plant science, environmental science, natural resources, horticulture, forestry or a related field. Students already attending college or a graduating high school senior planning to major in one of the related fields of study are encouraged to apply. An essay is required along with three references and an official transcript. For more information, call 770.836.8546 or email khlittleton@yahoo.com. SMART TECHNOLOGY IN AG & HOME WEBINAR April 8 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. online This free webinar, presented by Indiana Wesleyan University doctoral student Luke Cain, will discuss how smart technologies can benefit agricultural workers in the workplace and in the home. Webinar topics include: Types of smart technologies, wearable devices, home devices, implications for agriculture, implications for individuals with disabilities. A question & answer period will follow the presentation. Click here to access the online registration form by April 3. Instructions for accessing the session will be sent to registrants by April 6. Please share this invitation with others you believe may be interested. Contact AgrAbility at 800-825-4264 or email agrability@agrability.org if you have questions. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU YF&R CONFERENCE, CONTEST ENTRIES June 1 Deadline to register/enter Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is now accepting registration for the 2020 GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Summer Leadership Conference, entries to the 2020 GFB YF&R competitive events and the YF&R Photo Contest. The Summer Leadership Conference, using the theme “Building Our Future,” will take place July 15-18 on Jekyll Island. Registration is $100 per member and the deadline to register is June 1. Registration fees will be waived for college students. To register for the conference, visit www.gfb.ag/20yfrslc. The deadline to enter the competitive events is also June 1. The GFB YF&R program, which is for agriculturalists between the ages of 18 and 35, offers competition for the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, the Excellence in Agriculture Award, the YF&R Discussion Meet and YF&R Member of the Year. Details on all four events, including entry applications can be viewed at www.gfb.ag/20YFRawards. The GFB YF&R Committee is again sponsoring the annual ‘Picture Agriculture’ photo contest. The contest rules, minor release form, and submission information can be found at www.gfb.ag/yfrphoto. Any GFB member can enter, and cash prizes will be awarded. The top 12 photos will be on display during the Summer Leadership Conference, where attendees will vote to determine the winners. The top 12 will also be featured in the 2021 YF&R Calendar, with the statewide winner as the cover photo. The deadline to submit photos is June 1.For more information, contact Erin Nessmith at ennessmith@gfb.org.