Photo: Jay Stone
April 28, 2021
www.gfb.org
Vol. 3 No. 9
SOUTH GEORGIA STORMS CAUSE CROP, STRUCTURE DAMAGE A line of thunderstorms that swept through Georgia on April 24 resulted in heavy rainfall, high winds and hail across South Georgia. Farms in multiple counties were hit, in some cases making it necessary to replant. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed four tornadoes, two in Early County, one in Terrell County and one in Coffee County. The NWS received reports of hail in 22 Georgia counties, and the hail ranged from nickel-size to tennis-ball size. In Echols County, South Georgia Produce sustained extensive damage, losing large quantities of cabbage, bell pepper, squash and eggplant, all of which were ready to be picked, as well as sustaining damage to its packing shed, according to Echols County Extension Agent Justin Shealey. “Really, everybody [in the county] had damage of some sort,” Shealey said. “There was corn snapped off at the stalk and some fields of tobacco will have to be replanted because of damage from the hail.” In the southwest corner of the state, farmers in Baker and Grady Counties reported five inches or more of rain, and the wet conditions will likely result in planting delays for cotton and peanut growers. Hail damage to corn in Grady County was also reported. Grady County Extension Agent Cole Cloud said the bulk of the damage was in the southern part of the county, where hail defoliated young pepper plants, shredded corn leaves and destroyed one farmer’s cabbage. “The farmer had started harvesting,” Cloud said. “It’s still edible, but you can’t market it.” Cloud said not many peanuts had been planted, but some will likely have to be replanted after the heavy rain. In Lee County, Stocks dairy was closed because of damage from the storm, according to the NWS. Turner and Irwin Counties received heavy rain, prompting concerns that cotton may have to be replanted. In Lowndes County, Extension Agent Jake Price said that because of hail at least one field of cucumbers will have to be replanted, and some tobacco fields sustained 50% losses. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 13 Continued from previous page Farther east in Ware County multiple equipment sheds sustained damage from high winds, according to Ware County Farm Bureau Agency Manager Wendell Bagley. There were also reports of pecan trees being stripped of leaves by high winds. In Bacon County, the NWS reported damage to at least one farm shelter and a tractor that rolled over from high winds. PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE FIBER INTERNET IN 10 MIDDLE GA COUNTIES On April 16, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that Washington Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) will form a new partnership with Conexon Connect to provide high-speed fiber internet to more than 12,000 homes and businesses in 10 Middle Georgia counties: Baldwin, Emanuel, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Johnson, Laurens, Warren, Washington and Wilkinson. “The announcement we are making today will have a real impact on hard-working Georgians by providing new job opportunities, improved education tools, and access to telemedicine,” said Gov. Kemp. He pointed out that this partnership and others around the state were facilitated by a 2019 law that authorized EMCs to provide broadband service. “The legislation is doing exactly what it was intended to do: encourage EMCs and community leaders to work together on developing creative solutions to close the gap on the digital divide in our state,” Kemp said. The partnership includes a capital investment of more than $54.5 million with Washington EMC (WEMC) investing $52 million and Conexon Connect contributing another $2.5 million. Under terms of the agreement, WEMC will partner with Conexon Connect, the internet services provider (ISP) arm of full-service rural fiber-optic broadband provider Conexon, to design and build a 3,000-mile fiber network that will serve two strategic purposes: provide improved electric service and increased reliability through smart grid capabilities, and provide high-speed internet access to all 12,200 WEMC members within the next three years, beginning as early as first quarter 2022. Conexon works exclusively with electric cooperatives and is considered one of the pioneers in the electric cooperative broadband movement. WEMC will own the fiber and lease excess capacity to Conexon Connect, which has agreed to serve every EMC member with fiber-to-the-home internet speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second. The internet service will be powered by Washington EMC fiber, but Conexon Connect will provide the retail service to homes and businesses, managing account set-up, customer service, operations, marketing and billing. In recent years, Georgia’s EMCs have been aggressively pursuing solutions to help expand broadband. Some, like Blue Ridge Mountain EMC and Habersham EMC, have created affiliates and are already providing high-speed service to members and many are exploring or have formed partnerships with broadband providers. In addition to today’s news, other EMC partnerships and projects were announced recently by Amicalola EMC, Carroll EMC, Central Georgia EMC, Colquitt EMC, Diverse Power, Southern Rivers Energy and Tri-County EMC, resulting in expanded access for tens of thousands of Georgia households.
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 13 GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AG AWARDS $65,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS A crop of 24 Georgia students will receive a total of $65,000 in scholarships from the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) for the 2021-2022 academic year. The scholarships are awarded to students who have excelled academically and/or with their extracurricular activities. The selected students also intend to pursue or are pursuing degrees in agriculture, forestry or family and consumer sciences at a school that is part of The University System of Georgia, Berry College, Emmanuel College or any accredited college/university in Georgia with an ag program or a Georgia accredited technical college. “The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is committed to investing in the future of Georgia agriculture by offering these scholarships to students who want to pursue a career in agriculture. The foundation is happy to offer scholarships this year to students who plan to become ag teachers, welders, veterinarians, ag mechanics, ag engineers, ag business employees and ag lawyers,” said GFA Board Chairman and GFB President Tom McCall. “Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to support the foundation’s efforts. We look forward to continuing to keep up with these deserving students and their agricultural careers.” The scholarships were awarded to graduating high school seniors headed to college or a technical college next fall, rising college juniors and seniors and students enrolled in the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine who plan to care for farm animals. Recipients are as follows: College Freshman Scholarship for Agriculture Ten students planning to enter college this fall at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES), or Berry College were awarded scholarships of $3,000 each: John Aultman & Kloie Varnadoe, both of Tift County; Olivia Bellotte, Banks County; Morgan Kitchens, Sumter County; Thomas Maddox, Jasper County; Matthew McNeely, Jefferson County; Ella Jane Miller, Oconee County; Raymond Pan, Clarke County; Hannah Williams, Telfair County; and Peyton Worsham, Mitchell County. The top three candidates - Maddox, Miller and Williams - received an additional $1,000. These 10 students plan to pursue degrees in ag education, agribusiness, ag engineering, ag & environmental systems, animal science, pre-vet medicine, plant pathology, or forestry/wildlife management. Technical College Scholarship for Ag Allie Royston, Franklin County; David Workman, McDuffie County; Jennifer Moss, Gwinnett County; and Kane Pruitt, Stephens County, were selected to receive a $1,500 scholarship to attend Gwinnett Technical College, South Georgia Technical or North Georgia Technical College. These students plan to pursue degrees in horticulture science, agricultural technology, agribusiness or welding. Rising College JR/SR Scholarships for Ag The foundation awarded eight $2,000 scholarships to these rising college juniors and seniors: Adam Belflower, Bleckley County; Brooke Appelbaum, Chattooga County; Dawson Adams, Coffee County; Edwin Oliver, Harris County; Ellie Clark, Hall County; Joshua Brown, Habersham County; Lauren Pike, Walker County; Teresa Lindstrom, Houston County. The students plan to attend UGA CAES, ABAC and Berry College in the fall and are studying ag education, ag studies, agribusiness, ag communications and animal science. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 13 Continued from previous page UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Katelyn Williams and Lindsey Fenster, both Clarke County residents, will each receive scholarships of $5,000 as they study to become animal veterinarians at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture invests in the next generation of ag leaders by supporting higher education for high school and college students. To support ag education for Georgia students, consider giving to GFA’s GROW program. Visit www.gafoundationag.org/OurWork.html to learn more about our plans to support learning outside the classroom. Visit www.gafoundationag.org/joinus.html to make a tax-deductible donation. Instructions for applying for the 2022 scholarships will be posted on the GFA website this fall. SOUTH GEORGIA STUDENT WINS GFB ESSAY CONTEST Trips to apple orchards to pick honey crisps to bake a pie, flashlight nights in corn mazes and seeing farm animals were some of the experiences district winners in Georgia Farm Bureau’s 2021 Middle School Essay Contest shared as they addressed the contest topic: How do GFB Certified Farm Markets and agritourism benefit farmers and consumers? “Georgia Farm Bureau’s Middle School Essay Contest is where research and creativity meet. We provide a topic, the students do the research, and then they help us tell the story of agriculture,” said GFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Heather Cabe. “Tackling a writing prompt outside of assigned classroom curriculum is no small task. It makes me extremely excited to see students going the extra mile for agriculture!” The annual contest, organized statewide by the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee for at least 45 years, encourages sixth through eighth-grade students to consider the importance of agriculture. The 45 county Farm Bureaus that held local contests submitted their top winners to GFB from which 10 district winners and a state winner were chosen. Decatur County student Walker Elrod won the state prize of $150 and an additional $100 for being the GFB 9th District winner. Elrod was a seventh-grader at Grace Christian Academy when he wrote his essay earlier this year. Other district contest winners were: Molly Hooker, Pickens County, GFB 1st Dist.; Jonathan Felipe, Habersham County, GFB 2nd Dist.; Aarsheya Gunjal, Cobb County, GFB 3rd Dist.; Cameron Rogers, Wilkes County, GFB 4th Dist.; Avery Beverly, Upson County, GFB 5th Dist.; Shyann Evans, Twiggs County, GFB 6th Dist.; Erin Shen, Bulloch County, GFB 7th Dist.; Molly Williford, Turner County, GFB 8th Dist.; Serenity Pitts, Lanier County, GFB 10th Dist. Each of these students won a $100 prize. The essay contest was open to all public, private and home-schooled 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students statewide. Students were encouraged to explore GFB’s Certified Farm Market and Farm Passport program in writing their essays. Essays were judged on clarity of thought and writing skill. Visit www.gfb.ag/21essays to read all of the winning essays.
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 13 REGISTRATION OPEN FOR GFB YF&R SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE After being canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19, the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Summer Leadership Conference is back! The conference will be July 14-17, 2021, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. This conference features the YF&R competitive events, educational sessions and networking opportunities for GFB members between the ages of 18 and 35. A children’s program will be provided for kids ages 12 and younger as a convenience for attendees competing or participating in educational sessions. Register by June 1 by visiting gfb.ag/YFRSLC. The registration fee is $100 per attendee. Registration fees for first-time conference attendees will be waived (limit of two per county). Registration fees will also be waived for current college students. Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Room blocks have been secured at select Jekyll Island hotels. For rates and contact information, click here. (http://www.gfb.org/skins/userfiles/files/YF%26R/2021/Hotel%20Pricing%20Sheet.pdf) For more information, please contact your district GFB Federation Manager, Clay Talton (cstalton@gfb.org) or Haley Darby (hadarby@gfb.org). GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION APPROVES 2022 RESEARCH The Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors approved $745,094 in research for the 2022 crop year and an additional $42,050 for the 2021 crop year during the March board meeting. The money will fund 19 projects that will be conducted by University of Georgia researchers and extension specialists. Projects range from funding for the UGA cotton team to research on resistant weeds, evaluating the economics of sustainable production, monitoring cotton leaf-roll dwarf virus 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 both the commission board of directors and GCC State Support Committee, made up of cotton producers from across the state, and the commission’s research review committee, which is made up 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,” GCC Chairman Bart Davis said. “It is important for us to be good stewards of producers’ money by funding research that influences their farms.” The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer-funded organization located in Perry. The commission began its work in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay an assessment enabling the commission to invest in programs of research, promotion and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia. For more information about the Georgia Cotton Commission, call (478) 988-4235 or go to the www.georgiacottoncommission.org website.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 13 GA PEANUT, BLUEBERRY GROWERS VOTE TO CONTINUE ASSESSMENTS Georgia peanut and blueberry voted to continue funding for their respective agricultural commodity commissions in recent referendums. Georgia’s agricultural commodity commissions are required to hold reaffirmation votes every three years under Georgia law. The Georgia Peanut Commission received a 94.43% favorable vote in its referendum, the highest the commission has received in its nearly 60-year existence. Balloting was held March 15April 16. “I am thankful our board and staff have been able to work in the areas of research, promotion and education of peanuts, as well as support efforts in Washington to maintain legislation that is helpful for peanut farmers, which in turn, continues to allow us to provide a healthy, nutritious product for consumers,” GPC Chairman Armond Morris said. Georgia peanut farmers invest $2 per ton annually to the commission to be used in the program areas of research, promotion and education. For more information on the GPC and its activities, visit www.gapeanuts.com. With almost 82% favorable ballots, Georgia blueberry growers voted to continue the assessment of $5 per ton of marketed blueberries for an additional three years The balloting period for the blueberry market order was conducted from March 1-30, 2021. The Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries utilizes funds for blueberry research, education and promotional projects. The Georgia Blueberry Commission has been actively supporting efforts to encourage the Federal Trade Commission to investigate trade practices of other countries for dumping blueberries into the U.S. market. The Commission was established by the Georgia State Legislature in 2008 and has continued to support important projects for Georgia blueberry growers, with most of the funds committed to research projects on fertility, variety evaluation, insects, disease management and weed control. GA CONSERVATION DISTRICTS REACH MILESTONE IN FERAL HOG CONTROL Feral swine have become increasingly detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources throughout the state. According to the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), the economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia is estimated at over $150 million. Feral swine are reported to live in all of Georgia’s 159 counties, likely only trailing the massive feral swine populations in Texas and Florida. Feral swine are one of the greatest invasive species challenges facing Georgia. Under the leadership of Tom Mims, the GACD Feral Swine Committee chair, conservation districts have now eradicated over 5,000 feral swine from the state since the program’s inception in 2017. Conservation districts have saved landowners an estimated $1.5 million dollars in property damage caused by feral hogs (Pimental, D. 2007. Environmental & Economic Costs of Vertebrate Species Invasions into the United States). In 2017, the Brier Creek Conservation District, led by Mims, initiated a feral swine control program within the District boundaries of Burke, Glascock, Jenkins, Jefferson and Richmond counties to assist producers and landowners who are experiencing significant damage. The Brier Creek District equipped a local hog control custodian (HCC) with automated trapping and thermal equipment to work with landowners to provide control services. Landowners and producers report -continued on previous page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 13 Continued from previous page that this program has made a tremendous difference in reducing feral hog damage. Farmers who have been forced to make a decision not to plant peanuts, corn, or soybeans in some of their best soils due to feral hog damage are now considering planting these crops. GACD has expanded the program started by the Brier Creek Conservation District by providing funding for control equipment to 9 conservation districts across the state spanning 51 counties. In addition to providing funding for control services, GACD also coordinates feral swine outreach and trapping demonstrations throughout the state in partnership with federal and state agencies. GROWING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ACT INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE On April 22, Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana) introduced the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which creates a certification program at USDA to help facilitate farmer and forest landowner participation in carbon credit markets, according to a press release from Braun. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) supports the bill, Sen. Raphael Warnock (DGeorgia) is among the bill’s cosponsors. “AFBF welcomes the introduction of the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which builds on the strong foundation of environmental stewardship in American agriculture by providing more clarity and guidance for farmers and ranchers as they explore or expand participation in carbon markets,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. The bill creates an online “One-Stop Shop” for farmers, ranchers and foresters interested in carbon markets to help them get their foot in the door. The bill also establishes a USDA Certification for private parties that farmers work with to generate and ultimately sell their carbon credits. Finally, the bill commits to including farmers and other climate stakeholders on USDA’s Advisory Council. Meanwhile, agriculture fared well in an annual report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The newest annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report from the Environmental Protection Agency offers a sector-by-sector look at emissions. According to AFBF Economist Shelby Myers, the report includes good news for agriculture. “For agriculture, we stayed relatively neutral compared to last year,” Myers said in the April 22 edition of AFBF’s Newsline podcast. “U.S. agriculture greenhouse gas emissions contribute just 10.2% overall compared to some of the other economic sectors, like transportation, electricity, industry, commercial and residential.” Myers attributes the findings to the conservation efforts of farmers and ranchers. “We’re actively trying to make our footprint even smaller, converting waste into energy, applying conservation and working lands programs into our everyday cropping system, and really utilizing the tools at hand to work on things like carbon sequestration,” she said. To read the entire 791-page report, click here. The chapter on agriculture begins on page 413 of the pdf document.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 13 AGRABILITY NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOPS May 4 Choosing the Right After-Market Tractor Seat Cushion 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. May 11 Low-Tech Assistive Technology at Home and Abroad 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. May 18 Farmer Mental Health and Stress Reduction 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. May 25 Finding the Resources for Rural Caregivers 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. June 1 Improving AgrAbility Relationships with Vocational Rehab 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. June 8 Legacy Innovation Farming Economics Project (LIFE) 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. June 15 Quality of Life, Independent Living & Working Levels 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. June 22 What Isn't Currently Attainable Through AgrAbility? 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. June 29 Alternative or Value-Added Agricultural Enterprises 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. The National AgrAbility Project’s National Training Workshop has gone virtual and is free for 2021. The virtual sessions covering a variety of topics continue through August. Virtual sessions started in February and will continue through August. Lots of opportunities to engage in these free sessions online. To register, visit www.agrability.org/agrability-national-training-workshop. You only need to register once to have access to all of the free sessions. Sessions will use Zoom. For more information, contact Tess McKeel at 585-953-8430 or tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org. FVSU ORNAMENTAL PLANT CONFERENCES 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. GEORGIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL May 8 Various locations in town 8 a.m. Reynolds This annual event is free to attend and includes arts & crafts, food vendors, a parade, strawberry patch, antique tractor show, a 5K race, photography contest, live entertainment and much more. For more information, visit https://ga-strawberry.org/. GFVGA WEBINAR SERIES May 11 Legislative recap 1 p.m. online Hosted by the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association’s (GFVGA) Chris Butts and Georgia Agribusiness Council Executive Director Will Bentley, this webinar features a panel discussion on state and federal legislative issues with Georgia Rep. Robert Dickey, chairman of the Georgia House Agriculture Committee, Bob Redding of the Redding Firm in Washington, D.C., and Georgia Rep. Sam Watson. Each webinar is free but registration is required. All webinars will be available after the live event in the GFVGA store for free for GFVGA members and for $20 for non-members.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 13 2021 YOUNG HARRIS BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 13-14 online Registration is open for the 2021 Young Harris Beekeeping Institute. Due to continuing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Georgia/Young Harris Beekeeping Institute will be held virtually. Because of the virtual format the Master Beekeeping Program will not be offered. To register and view the program, visit https://bees.caes.uga.edu/yhc-uga-beekeepinginstitute.html. AMERICAN CONNECTION PROJECT SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR FELLOWSHIPS May 15 Application deadline Georgia is one of 12 states selected to participate in the just-launched American Connection Corps (ACC) that will place 50 paid fellows in local public-serving institutions in rural and urban towns for the purpose of increasing digital access and inclusion in their hometowns. During their two years as ACC fellows, participants will coordinate with community partners to tap into federal and state resources for broadband access or to deliver digital literacy to marginalized members of the community. Fellows will receive training from higher education institutions in their region on technical assistance, research and innovation. Ideal candidates range from new college graduates to young adults in their early 30s. The ACC is spearheaded by the American Connection Project (ACP), of which American Farm Bureau is a founding partner. The ACP Broadband Coalition, led by Land O’Lakes Inc., consists of companies and organizations involved in agriculture, energy, financial services, health care, education and technology. Visit www.gfb.ag/accorps for more information and to apply. UPLAND HARDWOOD & SILVICULTURE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 18-20
online
Foresters, land managers, forest landowners, loggers, and others interested in effectively managing their hardwood stands., attendees will learn about silvicultural systems and regeneration, harvest
methods, managing hardwoods and pines in the same stand, herbicides for hardwood management, improving wood quality and much more. Instructors are Instructors: Dr. David Clabo (UGA), Stephen Peairs (Clemson) & Wayne Clatterbuck (University of Tennessee). Continuing education credits are available, but full attendance is mandatory to receive them. The fee for this course is $300, which covers registration and instructional materials. There is a $50 discount for fees paid and postmarked by May 4. May 14 is registration deadline. Interested participants must have an email address in order to view Zoom webinars. To register, visit http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/. For more information about the course, contact David Clabo at 865-603-0594 or e-mail him at david.clabo@uga.edu.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 13 FERAL SWINE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS May 20 SE Ga. Research & Education Center 8:45 a.m. – noon Midville May 20 SE Ga. Research & Education Center 1:45 p.m. – 5 p.m. Midville A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together for these two educational workshops on May 20 for farmers and landowners. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question-andanswer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. COVID precautions will be followed. Additional workshop opportunities will be announced soon. More details and registration information is available at www.GACD.us/events. HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING May 21 deadline to apply The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence awards more than $1 million to skilled trades teachers in public high schools across the United States. To learn more about the prize or about Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, please visit https://harborfreighttoolsforschools.org/. Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is a program of The Smidt Foundation, established by Harbor Freight Tools Founder Eric Smidt, to support the advancement of skilled trades education in America. Believing that access to quality skilled trades education gives high school students pathways to graduation, opportunity, good jobs and a workforce our country needs, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to stimulate greater understanding, support and investment by public entities and others in skilled trades education. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM May 31 Application deadline Congress recently extended the Paycheck Protection Program application deadline by two months, from March 31 to May 31, helping more farmers and ranchers participate in the loan program, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The PPP is a low-interest Small Business Administration loan program that helps small businesses keep employees on their payrolls. The SBA forgives loans if employee retention criteria are met and the funds are used for eligible expenses. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, passed in December, contained additional funding for the program, allowed for a second loan and expanded eligibility to selfemployed farmers and ranchers who file a Schedule F. More recently, farm and ranch eligibility was further extended to single-member LLCs and qualified joint ventures. Click here (https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/paycheck-protectionprogram) for more information about the PPP.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 11 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). 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. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE June 2-3 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry Georgia Pecan Growers Association's 56th Annual Conference & Trade Show will be held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA on June 2-3, 2021. Early bird registration is $50 until May 14 and covers two-day admission for one pecan grower and his/her spouse, as well as access to the welcome reception, awards luncheon and educational seminars. Late registration beginning May 15 is $60. After a year of Covid-19 and social distancing, we are thrilled to see you all in person this June! For the full attendee Packet, please go to www.georgiapecan.org.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 13 35TH ANNUAL GEORGIA PEACH FESTIVAL June 4-5 Fort Valley and Byron The Georgia Peach Festival is home of the World’s Largest Peach Cobbler and a shared event of two great cities, Fort Valley and Byron. The festival is a state-sanctioned food festival that honors peach growers for their contributions to Georgia’s economy, the nation’s food supply and Peach County’s signature crop. For more information, visit www.gapeachfestival.com or call 478825-4002. 2021 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 27-July 2 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton 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. A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on exam scores and specific scholarship guidelines and criteria. GACD in partnership with Georgia's Conservation Districts, will be awarding two $6,500 scholarships to the top scoring students at camp. Camp features field trips, classroom instruction, and recreational activities. Due to COVID restrictions, Workshop attendance this year is reduced to 80 students Registration is completely online at www.abac.edu/nrcw. No paper applications are being accepted. Registration fees and transportation options are provided by local Conservation Districts. For more information, contact Michelle Boone, GACD program manager and NRCW director, at michelle@gacd.us or 478-2983087. 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 Field Notes page 13 of 13 SUNBELT EXPO FIELD DAY July 22 Spence Field Moultrie This half-day event, which will utilize the drive-through format deployed in 2020, is packed full of ag technology, and the latest equipment and techniques for successful farming in the southeast! Details will be announced soon at www.sunbeltexpo.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 2020 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory. GFB Field Notes page 16 of 16 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.