April 6, 2022
www.gfb.org
Vol. 4 No. 8
FREEDOM TO FARM ACT RECEIVES FINAL PASSAGE IN GA. LEGISLATURE The Georgia General Assembly has passed the Freedom to Farm Act - Georgia Farm Bureau’s (GFB) 2022 spotlight issue. After the Senate passed the bill with a minor change on April 1, final passage was secured with an agree vote in the House on April 4, the final day of the 2022 Legislative Session, also called Sine Die. With this vote of 106-60, HB 1150 received final passage and is on its way to the Governor’s desk where it must now be signed into law. “Georgia Farm Bureau has long believed that Georgia farmers have the right to make a living without fear of being sued out of business for nuisance over normal farming practices,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “The Freedom to Farm Bill protects that right for producers that operate in the way they are supposed to, in the places they are supposed to. We’re grateful that our state lawmakers understand the importance of protecting Georgia’s largest industry and we thank those who supported this bill. I especially want to thank the GFB Public Policy team, which led the effort along with other ag organizations to help protect the future of our younger generations who want to farm.” Despite a great deal of opposition coming from environmental groups and others, GFB and allied agricultural organizations were able to dispel much of the false information being pushed about the motivation for this bill. The legislation was heard a total of five times by the House and Senate Agriculture committees, with each committee making changes to balance the rights of farmers and neighbors while still ensuring strong protections for agriculture against nuisance lawsuits. The Freedom to Farm Act has been many years in the making and will pay off for many years to come as the ever-changing landscape of Georgia presents additional challenges to our state’s farm families. HB 1150 will provide agricultural operations with protection after two years of operating so long as they are complying with all laws, rules, regulations, and local zoning ordinances. Nothing in this bill negates any environmental law or the ability of local governments to determine where farms can be located and operate. The bill even resets the 2-year window of opportunity for someone to bring a nuisance suit if a farm starts a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO). GFB would like to thank the chairmen of each Agriculture Committee, Rep. Robert Dickey (RMusella) and Sen. Larry Walker (R-Perry), for their hard work and dedication in getting this bill across the finish line. This undertaking took the collective efforts of many other agricultural -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 2 of 14 Continued from previous page organizations including the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Milk Producers, Georgia Poultry Federation, and the Georgia Urban Ag Council, as well as other state business partners including the National Federation of Independent Business and the Georgia Chamber. GFB would also like to thank all the GFB members who actively engaged alongside us by getting in touch with their legislators to advocate for this issue. Without the strong grassroots support of our members, major legislative efforts like this one would not be possible. GFB TAKING ENTRIES FOR YF&R CONFERENCE, COMPETITIVE EVENTS Registration is now open for the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Summer Leadership Conference! The conference will be held July 14-16 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. This conference is open to any GFB YF&R member (ages 18-35). A children’s program will also be provided for kids (ages 12 and younger) as a convenience for attendees competing or participating in sessions. Please register by June 1 using this link - https://gfb.ag/yfrslc. The registration fee is $100 per attendee. Registration fees for first-time conference attendees will be waived (limit of two free registrations per county). Additionally, registration fees will be waived for current college students. Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Room blocks have been secured at select Jekyll Island hotels. Conference attendees are invited to participate in the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Mini Golf Tournament on July 15. All proceeds benefit the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. To sign up for the Mini Golf Tournament, please click here. The YF&R Summer Leadership Conference agenda will be released at a later date. For more information about the conference, please contact GFB Leadership Programs Director Breanna Berry by email at bcberry@gfb.org or by phone at 478-474-0679, ext. 5232 or 678-5889908. Competitive events Georgia Farm Bureau is now accepting entries for its 2022 Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) competitive events and the 2022 Picture Agriculture in Georgia Photo Contest. The deadline for entries for the competitive events – Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet – is June 1. Competitors should contact their county Farm Bureau office for entry applications, as well as information about how the contests are scored and tips for success. Completed applications can be submitted online at https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete. It is highly recommended that applicants work with their district federation manager on the application well in advance of the deadline. The state winners of all three contests will be announced during the YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, July 14-16 on Jekyll Island. Here’s a brief overview of each award: • Achievement Award – Candidate(s) for this award are individuals or couples involved in production agriculture with a majority of their net income subject to normal production risks. Following the deadline, district winners and three state finalists will be determined. The state -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 3 of 14 Continued from previous page finalists will be contacted by June 10 for an on-farm interview the week of June 26. • Excellence in Agriculture Award – Candidate(s) for this award are individuals or couples who do not have the majority of their income subject to normal production risks. Following the deadline, district winners and three state finalists will be determined. The state finalists will be contacted by June 10 in order to prepare for the presentation component of this award. Presentations will be in person on July 13 as a part of the YF&R Summer Leadership. If you have questions regarding the awards applications, please contact your district federation manager. • Discussion Meet – The GFB Discussion Meet is a series of committee-style meetings during which competitors consider a predetermined topic related to agriculture. Any Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers member is eligible to compete. Discussion Meet orientation (for all competitors) will be on July 13 and the discussion meet competition will be in-person at the YF&R Summer Leadership Conference. Competition will include two preliminary rounds, a Sweet Sixteen round, and a Final Four round, which will determine the state winner. If you have questions regarding Discussion Meet, please contact your district federation manager • Picture Agriculture in Georgia Photo Contest – This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our state’s largest industry. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture and Farm Bureau in Georgia. All photos must highlight Georgia agriculture and have been taken in 2021 or 2022. Each entrant may enter no more than three photos; only those of highest quality will be considered. All digital photos must submitted as a digital .jpeg file and should be at least 1 MB in size. Entry forms, complete rules and model release forms are available at https://gfb.ag/yfrphoto. The deadline to submit photos for the contest is June 10. FARMERS FEELING EFFECTS OF RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT The results of the war in Ukraine, ongoing since Feb. 24, are bloody and devastating, with thousands of Ukrainians dead or injured and buildings reduced to ruin in cities across the country, which is about 1 1/2 times the size of California. The human toll is resulting in immeasurable heartbreak, but the damage does not stop at Ukraine’s borders. Economically, the conflict is being felt worldwide because both Ukraine and the Russian Federation are major exporters of agricultural products, materials used to make agricultural inputs and energy sources. Neither is among the United States’ largest trading partners, according to the United States Trade Representative. In 2019, Ukraine was the 59th-largest export market for U.S. goods and the 71st-largest supplier of goods to the U.S. That same year, Russia was the U.S.’ 40th-largest export market and 20th-largest supplier of imported goods. Fertilizers are the imports most concerning to U.S. farmers. In 2019 the U.S. imported $963 -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 4 of 14 Continued from previous page million worth of fertilizer from Russia. “Agricultural producers have faced a 300% increase in fertilizer prices since last November, and it’s gone up another 100% in the past 3-4 weeks,” said UGA Professor of Agricultural & Applied Economics Gopi Munisamy. “Why? Because natural gas [for which Russia is the world’s top supplier] is a key ingredient in fertilizer production, and Russia is the No. 1 exporter of nitrogen-based fertilizer globally.” Munisamy said Ukraine and Russia combined account for about 3% of Georgia’s international trade, and companies with trade links to those two countries have been hampered by the conflict. “Fertilizer is kind of the poster child of the story, but other inputs are also getting beat up. It turns out machinery is also a problem. It requires iron, steel, and both Ukraine and Russia are huge exporters of iron ore and semifinished iron products,” Munisamy said. While Ukraine and Russia are not the U.S.’ largest trading partners, ripple effects of the conflict could reach the U.S. indirectly. Because Ukraine has halted much of its international trade to focus on defending itself and nations around the world have imposed trade sanctions against Russia, countries that normally trade with them are left to fill in supply gaps on products they normally get from Ukraine and Russia. According to Munisamy, this can result in higher commodity prices in the countries that usually import commodities from Ukraine and Russia. When those prices reach a certain point, U.S. suppliers might be inclined to sell more of their goods to countries where the prices are highest. This in turn increases demand in the United States, resulting in higher domestic commodity prices. These commodity-price increases pose the most risk for U.S. producers already operating on thin financial margins. “Fertilizer is an input cost for a lot of producers (i.e., organic), and reduced profitability among marginal producers – those who are at the margin who don’t make a whole lot between their revenues ,and costs could potentially lead to farms going out of business, or just using less fertilizer, which would reduce their yield,” said UGA Associate Professor of Agricultural & Applied Economics Michael Adjemian. “They may end up looking for substitutes, which are likely difficult to identify and find. I think that’s probably the widest impact from the conflict, but certainly there are product markets and commodities and sellers that will be more impacted than others.” The ripple effect could reach the U.S. in other ways. Ukraine supplies between 40% and 50% of the world’s neon, which is a key component for lasers used in microchip production. Manufacturers in many sectors are already struggling for access to computer chips for their products and could find it more difficult in the coming months. U.S. exporters have pulled back some shipping to countries in the Black Sea region, which both Ukraine and Russia border – over concerns their ships might be fired upon and because of sharply increasing insurance premiums for marine traffic in the area. The American Farm Bureau has produced a comprehensive analysis of Ukraine and Russian -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 5 of 14 Continued from previous page agricultural factors and published it on the organization’s Market Intel page. The analysis can be read here. FOOD PRICES AND AVAILABILITY Adjemian said the U.S. is largely insulated from the possibility of famine, but says a simulation by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) indicates a prolonged reduction of food exports from Ukraine and Russia could result in an increase of 8 to 13 million undernourished people globally. “Rising prices put pressure on the most vulnerable, even in the United States,” Adjemian said. “In fact, the lowest-income people devote relatively more of their total household income to food, so they’re going to feel the pain. It may increase food insecurity, but it’s unlikely to produce famine in the United States. However, the United Nations FAO simulation predicts this conflict could lead to famine-type conditions in parts of the rest of the world, particularly the Asia-Pacific, subSaharan Africa, and the Near East and North Africa.” UKRAINIAN FARMERS: PLOWSHARES TO SWORDS In the first several days after Russia invaded its neighbor to the west, Ukraine farmers grabbed the world’s attention by using their tractors to take possession of abandoned Russian tanks. Since then, with all adult Ukraine males required to join the nation’s military as volunteer fighters, they’ve done their part in a number of ways. According to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), a business advocacy association that works to facilitate the nation’s agricultural business development, Ukraine’s farmers are using their mechanical skills to repair and maintain military equipment, taking up arms and fighting, and donating food and fuel to the war effort. In the Russian-occupied northern, eastern and southern portions of the country, much agricultural work from crop production to animal husbandry ground to a halt in early March. Large-scale poultry operations had to cull flocks. The Ukrainian government has indicated there could be changes in what crops the country produces, favoring crops that contribute to feeding Ukrainian people over those that would be typically planted for export. In unoccupied areas, much of the agricultural work was up to date as of March 12, but agricultural activity was paused through April 1. Moving forward, the biggest need according to UCAB is diesel fuel to complete spring planting. https://ucab.ua/en/pres_sluzhba/ukab_u_zmi/farmers_in_ukraine_warning_we_have_only_tim e_until_1_april.
GFB Field Notes 6 of 14 GA GROWERS EXPECTED TO INCREASE SOYBEAN ACREAGE BY 21% Georgia soybean producers intend to increase planted acreage by 21% in 2022, according to the Prospective Plantings Report released March 31 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Producers intend to plant 170,000 acres of soybeans, up from 140,000 acres in 2021 and 100,000 acres in 2020. Georgia farmers are expected to plant fewer acres in corn, cotton, peanuts and winter wheat in 2022. Corn planted acreage for 2022 is estimated at 430,000 acres, down 10% from 2021, when Georgia growers planted 480,000 acres. Cotton planting intentions are 1.2 million acres, up 3% from 2021, when Georgia farmers planted 1.17 million acres. Georgia peanut growers are expected to plant 730,000 acres in 2022, down 3% from 2021, when they planted 755,000 acres The state’s 2022 tobacco acreage, projected at 8,000 acres is unchanged from 2021. Georgia’s 2022 winter wheat planted acreage is estimated at 210,000 acres, down 5% from 2021. Nationwide, the 2022 estimated corn planted acreage for all purposes is 89.5 million acres, down 4% from last year. U.S. farmers are expected to plant 91.0 million acres of soybeans this year, up 4% from last year. While the 2022 U.S. all wheat planted acreage of 47.4 million acres is up 1% from 2021, it represents the fifth-lowest all wheat planted acreage for the U.S. All U.S. cotton planted acreage for 2022 is estimated at 12.2 million acres, up 9% from last year. VIDALIA ONIONS SHIP TO STORES APRIL 12 The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia Onion Committee announced April 12 as the official pack date for the 2022 Vidalia onion season. “Each year, I along with the Vidalia Onion Committee, look forward to sharing when Vidalia onions will be on their way to stores, so I'm pleased to announce April 12th as the official pack date this season,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. “Cultivated for more than 80 years, Vidalia onions mean a great deal to the state of Georgia, earning a renowned reputation for their sweet distinct flavor and versatility beloved by chefs and home cooks alike.” Only available for a limited time each year, Vidalia onions hitting grocery store shelves often signals spring has sprung for fans near and far from the onions' home state of Georgia. The pack date is determined by growing season soil and weather conditions to ensure the highest quality Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel unanimously approved April 12 as the 2022 pack date. The pack date rings in the start of the Vidalia onion season, where shoppers can get their hands on the famous seasonal treat between April to August. Known for their sweet, mild flavor, these onions compliment any dish - from soups to salads and even desserts. In the 2022 season, approximately 10,000 acres of Vidalia onions were planted by 60 registered farmers across 20 southeastern Georgia counties. Representing about 40% of the sweet onion market across America, Vidalia onions are sold in all 50 states and most of Canada. Originally discovered by accident in the 1930s during the Great Depression, Vidalia onions have -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 7 of 14 Continued from previous page grown to be considered a favorite across America. The Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 granted the trademark of the name “Vidalia onions” and defined the growing region in South Georgia. Vidalia onions are grown from a distinctive Granex seed, then packed and sold on or after the official pack date annually. More information about Vidalia onions can be found at www.vidaliaonion.org. Updates on this season's news will be shared on Vidalia Onion Committee's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube accounts. GEORGIA COTTON GROWERS VOTE TO CONTINUE ASSESSMENT Every three years, pursuant to law, Georgia cotton producers have the opportunity to vote to continue the $1 per bale assessment that funds the Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) research, promotion and education programs. The 2022 referendum period was February 14 through March 16. The Georgia Department of Agriculture recently recorded the votes, and the result shows 93.8% of voters favored continuing the assessment that funds the GCC. “I am pleased that growers voted to continue the program, and that the yes margin increased from 2019,” said Bart Davis, GCC chairman and cotton grower of Doerun. Davis noted that Georgia cotton farmers have faced some challenging times over the recent years and that the GCC would continue to make every effort to find solutions, educate policy makers and effectively promote cotton to consumers on behalf of the cotton growers of the state. The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer-funded organization located in Perry. The Commission began in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay the assessment enabling the Commission to invest in programs for research, promotion, and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia. For more information about this and other cotton-related topics please call 478-988-4235 or visit us on the web at www.georgiacottoncommission.org. GEORGIA PEANUT & COTTON COMMISSIONS APPROVE RESEARCH FUNDING The boards of directors for the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) and the Georgia Cotton Commission recently announced research project funds for the state’s top two row crops. The GPC board of directors approved $795,205 in research project funding for the 2022-23 research budget year. This action was taken during the GPC’s March board meeting. The research projects approved include 36 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Fort Valley State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. “As a peanut grower, I’m proud to invest in the Georgia Peanut Commission and in the future of the peanut industry by supporting research that continues to demonstrate a return on our investment,” said GPC Research Committee Chairman Donald Chase, of Macon County. “We are proud of our partnership with research institutions and look forward to seeing the results which will benefit farmers in the state and enhance the sustainability of our crop.” Georgia’s peanut growers invest $2 per ton annually toward GPC research, promotion and education programs. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 8 of 14 Continued from previous page methods, irrigation and water management, as well as management of pests, weeds and diseases. Additionally, GPC manages funding for the Southeastern Peanut Research Initiative, which includes research funding of $1,019,686 for projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. These projects are funded through the National Peanut Board checkoff dollars from farmers. For additional information and a complete list of the research projects funded by the Georgia Peanut Commission visit www.gapeanuts.com. The GCC Board of Directors approved $770,924 in research for the 2023 crop year during the March board meeting. The money will fund 20 projects that will be conducted by University of Georgia researchers and Extension specialists. Projects include the UGA cotton team researching resistant weeds, evaluating the economics of conservation production, monitoring water use efficiency, and many more. The goal of this producer-funded research is to help cotton producers by conducting research that can either raise yields, promote efficiency or open new markets. All projects are vetted by the GCC Board of Directors and the GCC State Support Committee, made up of Georgia cotton producers and the commission’s research review committee, comprised of researchers, crop consultants and local UGA Extension Agriculture/Natural Resource agents. “Our board is committed to providing the cotton farmer valuable research that will make a positive impact on the farm,” said GCC Chairman Bart Davis, a cotton farmer from Colquitt County. “It is important for us to be good stewards of producers’ money and make strategic investments by funding research that benefits our growers and their farms.” DREDGING COMPLETE IN SAVANNAH HARBOR EXPANSION PROJECT On March 9, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that dredging in the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) was complete after more than six years of work. The project deepened the Savannah River shipping channel from 42 feet to 47 feet and extended it an additional seven miles into the Atlantic Ocean. According to a release from the Georgia Ports Authority, the project expedites the flow of cargo to and from global destinations by reducing tidal restrictions for mega-ships transiting the Savannah River. The Port of Savannah can now accommodate larger cargo vessels, making it more cost effective to ship cargo, including agricultural products, from Savannah to destinations around the world. Georgia exporters now have greater opportunity to move goods overseas, because ships can take on more cargo. Additionally, faster vessel service means the Port of Savannah can handle more ships each year. “This is a great day for the state of Georgia and for the nation,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said during a March 25 event to celebrate the completion. “The Port of Savannah is the gateway port for our region, and the first choice of businesses serving the U.S. Southeast. Completion of our harbor deepening is a testament to a shared commitment between state and federal partners – like our previous governors and current and former members of Congress who worked tirelessly to help move this project forward – to provide the infrastructure our economy needs to thrive. Our collaborative approach to economic development is what makes Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. I also want to thank the Georgia General Assembly for their valued -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 9 of 14 Continued from previous page partnership and for backing this project through many legislative sessions.” Dredging for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project started in September 2015, adding five feet in depth to the shipping channel. Initial feasibility studies for the harbor deepening began in 1997. “After more than 20 years in the making, we are thrilled to mark this accomplishment today,” said Griff Lynch, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority. “A deeper channel means more than just efficient passage for the largest vessels calling the U.S. East Coast. It means continued opportunity, job growth and prosperity for the people of our state.” According to a Corps of Engineers study, the project is expected to net more than $291 million in annual benefits to the nation, or approximately $7.70 for every dollar invested in the project. “The Savannah District is proud to partner with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Ports Authority in completing the deepening of Savannah Harbor,” said Col. Joseph R. Geary, Commander, Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Complemented by unprecedented remediation efforts, the economic and environmental benefits provided through shipping efficiencies will drive healthy growth in the Southeast for decades to come.” Deepening the Savannah Harbor to 47 feet at mean low water (the average depth at low tide), provides ample draft for vessels carrying 16,000+ twenty-foot equivalent container units, allowing ships to transit the river with more containers each trip and during more hours of the day. Along with Savannah’s 7-foot tidal swing, the water is as deep as 54 feet at high tide. The deeper water enables ships to load up to approximately 1,000 containers worth of additional cargo, for increased efficiency in vessel transport. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 496,700 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $29 billion in income, $122 billion in revenue and $3.4 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. HPAI HAS NOW BEEN DETECTED IN 24 STATES Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been identified in 26 total locations in 24 states according to a tabulation of reports from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Information Service. Among these are seven cases involving commercial flocks. There have been confirmed HPAI cases in wild migratory birds in Georgia, but no cases of HPAI have been identified in Georgia commercial or backyard flocks as of April 6, according to state veterinarian Janemarie Hennebelle. Georgia is located in the Atlantic Flyway – one of four major north-south routes migrating birds take over North America – where HPAI has been detected in six states, including commercial flocks in Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina. In mid-February, the Georgia Department of Agriculture ordered suspension of all exhibitions, shows, sales (flea markets, auction markets), swaps, and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in Georgia until further notice. Notifications will be announced when listed activities can resume in Georgia. Please see Commercial, Backyard, & Wildlife cases in the United Stated (USDA APHIS) for more information about HPAI detections in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes 10 of 14 Continued from previous page in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kills bacteria and viruses. Good biosecurity practices are the best defense against AI infection and poultry producers must take the following measures to protect their flocks: • Move all poultry with outside access indoors. • Implement strict biosecurity. • Monitor flocks for clinical signs consistent with AI. • With HPAI, birds may become quiet, not eat and drink, have diarrhea, and have discolored combs and feet. Birds may also die suddenly with no signs of disease. • Report any concerns to your veterinarian, state animal health official or federal animal health official immediately. Avian Influenza is a reportable disease in Georgia. If you have concerns about AI in birds, call the Georgia Avian Influenza hotline at (770) 766-6850 or visit https://www.gapoultrylab.org/avian-influenza-hotline/. Biosecurity and other resources: GDA Avian Influenza Resource Page Protect Your Flock (GDA) Defend the Flock - Resource Center (USDA APHIS)
GFB Field Notes 11 of 14 KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS April 9, May 14, Sept. 17 & Oct. 8 Morgan Co. Ag Center Madison These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, halter/showmanship, beginner, open, minis, & a costume contest at the Oct. 8 show. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Entry fee per class is $10 and $12 for championship classes. For more information call Susie at (706) 342-3775 or visit the Kel-Mac Saddle Club Facebook page or www.kel-mac.com. These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated an estimated $157,050 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region through its 45 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, the Morgan County Sherriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, the Calvin Center’s Horses & Warriors program, a student scholarship and the equestrian facilities of state & county Parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, Don Carter, Watson Mill Bridge and Heritage Park. CHEROKEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU AG EXPO April 22 Cagle’s Farm, 362 Stringer Road 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Holly Springs This annual event, sponsored by Cherokee County Farm Bureau, Cherokee County Extension, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Woodstock, is free and open to the public. Attractions include: Tractors; gardening classes; a children’s area with planting, animals and games; teacher and student friendly booths, local commodity foods and drinks and door prizes including a $100 gift card! For more information, contact Shirley Pahl at 770-479-1481 or email sfpahl@gfbco.org. FERAL SWINE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS April 28 Gordon County Ag Service Center 10 a.m. – noon Calhoun May 4 Rock Eagle 4-H Center 10 a.m. – noon Eatonton May 11 Honey Ridge Agricenter 10 a.m. – noon Guyton May 20 Toombs County Ag Center 10 a.m. – noon Lyons May 24 Rabun Arena 10 a.m. – noon Tiger June 9 Billy Walker Ag Center 10 a.m. – noon Douglas This free training, sponsored by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, the USDA, UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources and UGA Extension Service, features a trapping demonstration and will cover swine biology, economic damage, regulations and control techniques. Featured speakers are UGA Professor and Wildlife Specialist Mike Mengak and Matt Ondovchik of USDA Wildlife Services. Advance registration is requested. To register, visit www.gacd.us/events. For more information, send an email to info@gacd.us. 94TH GEORGIA FFA STATE CONVENTION April 28-30 Macon Centreplex Macon More than 4,000 Georgia FFA members, teachers, and guests are expected to attend this annual event. The Georgia FFA Foundation will hold its Sponsors' Dinner on April 28 at 5 p.m., followed by the first general session of the convention. The convention includes workshops and competitions, including the FFA Discussion Meet sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau. For more information or to register, visit www.gaaged.org/page.aspx?ID=45.
GFB Field Notes 12 of 14 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 12-17 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton The Natural Resources Conservation Workshop is available to Georgia’s Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. This workshop focuses on the value, protection, and conservation of Georgia’s wildlife, forestry, soil, and water resources, including conservation in Georgia’s mining industry. The workshop provides students with a taste of college life while delivering valuable insight into careers through their counselors and instructors. (Students who have previously attended the workshop are not eligible. Students scoring well on the workshop exam may be awarded a college scholarship. A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on exam scores and specific scholarship guidelines and criteria. Registration will be open from April 1-30. For more information, visit www.abac.edu/nrcw. SPRING 2022 GEORGIA AG EXPERIENCE STEM CHALLENGE Entry Deadline April 29 Focus on pollinators Georgia elementary classes in third through fifth grades are being challenged to put their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to work to explore the real-world issues that face pollinator spaces in local communities. Elementary teachers and their students may enter the Great Georgia Pollinator Protectors STEM Challenge until April 29 for the chance to win a prize package totaling $350 for their class. Teachers interested in participating in the Great Georgia Pollinator Protectors Challenge may visit www.gfb.ag/stemchallenge for more information and to register for the program. Once teachers register their class, they will receive instant access to a digital resource toolkit that equips the class for participating in the pollinator stem challenge. Each participating class is being asked to answer the question “How can we improve and increase pollinator spaces across our landscapes in our communities?” The Georgia Ag Experience/Georgia Foundation for Agriculture STEM Challenge is designed to be a bi-annual competition with a spring and fall contest. The GACD is the 2022 challenge partner. 2023 AMERICAN FARM BUREAU AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE April 29 deadline to enter in its ninth year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Bureau is offering $165,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition, which will culminate in the top 10 semi-finalists competing in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ten semi-finalist teams will be announced Sept. 13. Each of the semifinalist teams will be awarded $10,000 and a chance to compete to advance to the final round where four teams will receive an additional $5,000 each. The final four teams will compete to win: Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, a total of $50,000; Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, a total of $20,000; People’s Choice Team selected by public vote, an additional $5,000 (all 10 semi-finalist teams compete for this honor). Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. For more information, visit https://www.fb.org/land/ag-innovation-challenge. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit https://www.fb.org/about/join to learn about becoming a member.
GFB Field Notes 13 of 14 COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL April 30 Enrollment deadline extended! Due to U.S. cotton producers heightened interest in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, the deadline for producers to enroll/complete their data entry for the 2021-22 cotton crop has been extended until April 30. The extended deadline will give producers additional time to complete enrollment during this busy part of the season. Producers who enroll in the program and complete their data entry before the extended deadline will have an opportunity to receive a potential redistribution of program revenue. To aid with enrollment, the Trust Protocol rolled out two additional avenues to streamline the process. First, producers can authorize their crop consultant to help ensure that necessary information is entered and accurate. Second, if producers utilize the John Deere Operations Center, they can pre-populate up to 40% of the data needed to complete their Fieldprint analysis through the platform. To complete online enrollment and data entry, producers can visit www.TrustUSCotton.org before the extended April 30 deadline. Producers with questions and/or needing help with enrollment, can reach out to the Grower Help Desk at growers@trustuscotton.org. GFB AMBASSADOR PROGRAM May 2 www.gfb.ag/ambassadors Application deadline Georgia Farm Bureau is looking for enthusiastic students between the ages of 18-22 to serve as GFB Federation Ambassadors during fall 2022. Ambassadors will receive credit for a 30-plus hour internship and compensation for their service to Georgia Farm Bureau. Each ambassador must work three full days at the Georgia National Fair on Oct. 7-9 or Oct. 14-16. For more information or to apply, visit www.gfb.ag/ambassadors. Questions? Contact Slayten Carter at smcarter@gfb.org. 2022 PESTICIDE CLEAN DAY May 3 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Perry This event is for individuals who have old pesticides that they need to dispose of properly. PreRegistration Applications must be submitted to GDA by April 28. Failure to do so, will result in not being able to dispose of your unused/unwanted pesticides. Visit the Upson or Lamar Extension Pages to access those forms. Forms can be accessed at: https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/upson/agriculture-and-natural-resources.html (Upson County) or https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/lamar/agriculture-and-natural-resources.html (Lamar County). 30TH ANNUAL YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 18-21 Young Harris College Young Harris More than 90 bee-related lectures and workshops, improved honey show with $1,000 in cash prizes, local and national vendors, training and certification for the Georgia Master Beekeeping Program, Welsh Honey Judge, and the newly added Honey Bee Control and Removal Operator. This year will also include a Thursday cake and ice-cream anniversary gathering, along with a Friday night social and dinner, with live music and awards, so bring your dancing shoes. For more information, visit https://bees.caes.uga.edu/yhc-uga-beekeeping-institute.html.
GFB Field Notes 14 of 14 WINTERGREEN 2022 June 21-23 Gas South Convention Center Duluth Wintergreen, Georgia’s premier multi-day trade show and conference for the green industry, boasts more than 250 exhibitors and thousands of attendees each year. The event offers three days of industry educational sessions and updates to keep producers ahead of the competition. The Gas South Convention Center is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. For more information, visit www.mywintergreen.com. GFB HAY DIRECTORY GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2021 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.