Georgia Farm Bureau's May 4 Field Notes

May 4, 2022

www.gfb.org

Vol. 4 No. 10

GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AG NAMES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS A crop of 24 Georgia students will receive a total of $65,000 in scholarships from the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) for the 2022-2023 academic year. The scholarships are awarded to students who have excelled academically and/or with their extracurricular activities. The selected students 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 supporting Georgia’s next generation of agricultural leaders. Our 2022-23 scholarship recipients are passionate students pursuing various careers in agriculture,” said GFA Board Chairman and GFB President Tom McCall.

“Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to support the foundation’s efforts. There are new, fascinating specialties in agriculture that our scholarship recipients are committing to. We look forward to following these deserving students and their agricultural careers.”

The scholarships are for 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.

Here are the recipients: College Freshman Scholarship for Agriculture Ten students planning to enter college this fall at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) were awarded scholarships of $3,000 each: Bethany Champion, Gordon County; Marlee Coffman, Monroe County; Jacob Duke, Carroll County; Jacob Harper, Mitchell County; Margaret Knapek, Houston County; Emily Mason, Jeff Davis County; Michael Miller, Decatur County; Samuel Nichols, Berrien County; Daniel Peterson, Lowndes County; and Jenna Williams, Coffee County. The top three candidates – Champion, Peterson and Nichols – each received an additional $1,000.

These 10 students plan to pursue degrees in ag education, ag communications, biological sciences & avian biology, ag engineering, ag science & environmental systems, animal science, poultry science, regenerative bioscience, and ag & applied economics.

Technical College Scholarship for Ag Joshua Carr, Gordon County; Collin Crowder, Towns County; Emma Holland, Habersham -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 2 of 13 Continued from previous page County; and Jonathan Smith, Stephens County were each selected to receive a $1,500 scholarship to attend North Georgia Technical College. These students plan to pursue degrees in welding, electrical, animal science and agribusiness.

Rising College JR/SR Scholarships for Ag The foundation awarded eight $2,000 scholarships to these rising college juniors and seniors: Hattie Carter, Rockdale/Dekalb County; Ivey Cook, Tift County; Tyler Hunter, Bulloch County; Micah Jones, Cobb County; Sarah Beth Kersey, Emanuel County; Dorothy Paschal, Houston County; Taylor Pearson, Tattnall County; and Bailey Rayfield, Cook County.

The students plan to attend UGA CAES and ABAC in the fall and are studying horticulture, ag education, animal science, agriscience, poultry science, agribusiness, environmental science, entomology, applied biotechnology and environmental systems.

UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship James Holton, Dawson County, and Skylar Lindsey, Fayette County, will each receive scholarships of $5,000 as they study to become food animal veterinarians at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine.

To support ag education for Georgia students, please consider supporting the foundation. Visit www.gafoundationag.org to learn more about the foundation or to make a tax -deductible donation.

Instructions for applying for the 2023-24 scholarships will be posted on the GFA website this fall.

LAUREL CHRISTOPER WINS FFA DISCUSSION MEET SPONSORED BY GFB Congratulations to White County High School FFA member Laurel Christopher for winning the Georgia FFA Discussion Meet Career Development Event sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau!

Eleven first and second place Georgia FFA area finalists, who won competitions held earlier this year, competed in the state event on April 27 at the Georgia FFA Convention in Macon.

The three top finalists were Cameron Sparks, Mary Persons High School, Monroe County; Aiza Kidwai, Cambridge High School, Fulton County; and Jesse Cronic, Empower College & Career Center, Jackson County.

Other area finalists competing in the event were: Alyssa Archer, Wayne County High School; Leanna Beverley, Brantley County High School; Whitley Gatch, Southeast Bulloch High School; Taylor Lucas, Effingham County High School; Chloe Mays, Pickens County High School; and Will Pace, Seminole County High School; Kamren Yaughn, Peach County High School.

Contestants were split into two groups of five and six for the first round of competition.

Contestants drew room numbers to determine who they competed against.

During the first round of competition, all of the contestants discussed how Farm Bureau can help farmers and ranchers continue to increase their efficiency in using valuable natural resources and transition to green energy practices on their farms. In the final four round of competition, Christopher, Cronic, Kidwai and Sparks discussed what the ag community can do to create a preventative rather than reactive approach to farm safety given that farming is one of the most hazardous occupations.

GFB awarded each of the area finalist contestants $50; each of the top four finalists $100 and the state winner $250.

GFB Field Notes 3 of 13 WHITE HOUSE, USDA ANNOUNCE WATERSHED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS On April 21, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu and Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-2) visited Albany to announce the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $420 million in 132 infrastructure projects in 31 states, including rehabilitating dams, flood prevention, and watershed restoration projects. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that builds on a $166 million investment announced earlier this year.

Vilsack and Landrieu made the announcement as part of the Building a Better America Rural Infrastructure Tour. There, NRCS is helping improve the flow of Radium Springs. Radium Springs does not flow consistently and is highly dependent on underground water. Funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will be used to implement strategies that blend efficient irrigation methods with better resource management to ensure consistent flow to support agriculture, provide wildlife habitat, improve water quantity and quality, and improve the recreational value within the existing public park. More than $69 million will go toward eight projects that will provide relief for flood related watershed concerns.

The infrastructure announcement includes funding through two programs: the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program provides technical and financial assistance for new watershed infrastructure, and the Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) upgrades existing USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) dams. The Albany project is funded through WFPO. Examples of REHAB projects include the Settingdown Creek Dams 54 & 56 in Forsyth County, where two earthen dam structures serve Forsyth County as part of the Coosa River Watershed and were built in 1954 to provide flood control to the surrounding community. The area has seen substantial urban growth within the drainage area and breach zones, making both dams uncompliant with federal or state safety laws.

In total, NRCS received $918 million of BIL funding to allocate through its watershed programs.

In addition to WFPO and REHAB, this includes funds for Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) to help communities recover from natural disasters. NRCS will continue to assist communities as it receives disaster requests.

GEORGIA AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY COMMISSIONS SEEK NOMINATIONS Several Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions (ACCs) are seeking nominations for positions of individuals whose terms are set to expire. The deadline for receiving nominations is May 27.To serve on a commodity commission, a person must produce the commodity of the commission represents, commit to attend meetings and represent the interests of Georgia producers of the commodity. Term-expiring board members are eligible for reappointment.

ACC members whose terms are expiring are: Beef – Allen Wiggins (represents beef marketers), Ernie Ford, John Callaway; Cotton – Matt Coley, Steven Meeks; Equine – Beth Williams, Barbara Kelly; Soybean – Jesse Patrick, Brian Ogletree; Tobacco – Jerry Wooten.

Nominations can be completed using the nomination form available at www.agr.georgia.gov/cpf. For more information or to submit forms contact Andy Harrison at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or by mail at Andy Harrison, Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 MLK Jr. Drive S.W., Room 320, Atlanta, GA 30334.

GFB Field Notes 4 of 13 JACK LINK’S, EAST JORDAN PLASTICS TO OPEN PLANTS IN GEORGIA Gov. Brian Kemp recently announced economic development deals for snack maker Jack Link’s and horticultural container manufacturer East Jordan Plastics to locate manufacturing facilities in Georgia.

On April 26, Kemp announced that Jack Link’s, the global leader in meat snacks, will create 800 jobs and invest $450 million as the company expands to Georgia with a new manufacturing facility in Perry. The announcement was made with company, state, and local officials at an event at the future home of Jack Link’s.

Founded in 1985 in Minong, Wisconsin, the family-owned and operated company is best known for its focus on high-quality, great tasting meat snacks, company values, outstanding service resulting from great team members, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. The company operates multiple sites throughout the Midwest and also has facilities in New Zealand, Brazil, and Germany servicing their global business.

Jack Link’s has chosen a 120-acre site in the I-75 GRAD Certified Site in Houston County located at 720 Perry Parkway in Perry to build a new production facility, slated to be operational at the end of 2023.

Jack Link’s expects career opportunities at the facility to include positions in management, production and production supervision, quality, maintenance, engineering, and general office support. To learn more about working at Jack Link’s, please visit www.JackLinks.com/careers.

Houston County’s I-75 GRAD Site is a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Certified park. To earn a GRAD program certification, a property must undergo due diligence and complete specific certification requirements prior to a visit by a prospective business. Completing the GRAD certification program with the Georgia Department of Economic Development is a proactive way both community planners and landowners can help catalyze economic growth and industrial development for the regions they serve.

In other economic development news, on April 21, Kemp announced that sustainability-focused East Jordan Plastics, one of the largest horticultural container manufacturers in North America, will invest more than $44 million in a new facility in Lyons. The project is expected to create 80 new jobs in Toombs County.

Headquartered in Michigan, the family-owned company produces a full line of thermoformed and injection molded horticultural containers that make it easy to fill, plant, ship, and display products around the greenhouse, nursery, and garden center. Most of East Jordan’s containers are made from a high percentage of recycled plastic and are recyclable through the use of a “closed loop” recycling process. East Jordan recycles over 20 million pounds of horticultural containers a year.

During its first year, the facility will be used for logistics and distribution, and the company plans to develop the facility to include recycling and manufacturing operations over the next five years.

East Jordan will open its 255,500-square-foot facility along U.S. Highway 1 in Lyons. Initially, the company will hire for positions in warehouse distribution and eventually add employees for plastic recycling and manufacturing. Interested applicants can learn more and apply at www.eastjordanplastics.com/careers.

GFB Field Notes 5 of 13 BRUNDAGE NAMED NEW ABAC PRESIDENT On May 3, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) named Dr. Tracy L. Brundage president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), effective Aug. 1. The Board of Regents named her as the sole finalist for the position last week and voted on May 3 to make her appointment official.

Brundage is currently president of Keystone College, a private institution with more than 50 fields of study located in La Plume, Pennsylvania. She has been Keystone’s president since 2018.

Brundage will succeed David Bridges, who announced plans last year to retire after serving as ABAC president for 16 years.

As Keystone’s president, Brundage has managed a $27.5 million budget while restructuring debt and reorganizing the college’s administration to realize an anticipated net surplus for fiscal year 2022. In steering the college through the COVID-19 pandemic, she addressed enrollment challenges by creating strong career pathways and expanding services to mid-career learners. She also implemented a plan that is on target to double the amount of funding available for annual scholarships from the previous fiscal year.

“I’m grateful for the Board’s and Chancellor (Sonny) Perdue’s confidence in me to lead a college that takes such pride in its students and the opportunities to learn hands-on in everything from agriculture to healthcare,” Brundage said. “I understand the role ABAC and its students, faculty, staff and alumni play in local communities and across the state. I can’t wait to join them and get started.”

Under her leadership, Keystone College attained a student success rate of placing 94% of its students in jobs, and many of its programs have a 100% placement rate. Keystone has also evolved to meet the changing educational needs of students. The college, during her tenure, created campus-wide enrollment and retention strategies, opened a Professional Development Institute, expanded experiential learning opportunities and added new high-demand, career-based bachelor’s level and other programs to help meet regional workforce needs.

A native of Scranton, Pa., Brundage holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Gettysburg College, as well as a master of education in training and development and a doctorate in workforce education and development from Penn State University.

A recognized expert in the workforce development field, Brundage has 30 years of overall experience in a wide variety of academic and operational leadership, strategic planning and organizational development positions both in higher education and the private sector.

Before being named its president, Brundage served as Keystone’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. In that capacity, she supervised the college’s library, advising & disability services, career services, institutional research & planning, office of grants & specialized programming, Environmental Education Center and adult & online learning. She managed a budget of $10 million, had a team of 13 employees, served on the president’s cabinet and performed the chief administrative officer duties in the absence of the president.

Prior to joining Keystone, she served as vice president of workforce development at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa. A former faculty member at Penn College and the Harrisburg Area Community College, Brundage served as director of Continuing Education at Penn State – York.

She has, among other positions, also served as a corporate trainer and owned and operated the Aurora Leigh Bed & Breakfast in Lock Haven, Pa.

GFB Field Notes 6 of 13 EPA ANNOUNCES ENDANGERED SPECIES WORKPLAN On April 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a comprehensive workplan to address the challenge of protecting endangered species from pesticides. The plan establishes four overall strategies and dozens of actions to adopt those protections while providing farmers, public health authorities, and others with access to pesticides, according to an agency press release.

A key strategy is for EPA to meet its Endangered Species Act (ESA) obligations for all FIFRA actions that invoke ESA. Because EPA does not have the capacity or scientific processes in place to meet all these obligations immediately, it has identified the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) actions that are the highest priority for fulfilling its ESA obligations.

These include actions with court-enforceable deadlines and new registrations of conventional pesticides.

A second strategy is to improve approaches to identifying and requiring ESA protections, especially for species facing the greatest risk from pesticides.

A third strategy is to improve the efficiency and timeliness of the ESA consultation process for pesticides, in coordination with other federal agencies.

And the final strategy is to engage stakeholders more effectively, to better understand their pest control practices and implement species protection measures.

The EPA indicated that over the coming months it will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and will continue seeking input on more effective and efficient ways to meet its ESA obligations. The workplan is a living document that EPA will periodically revisit to incorporate lessons learned from implementation.

To read the entire workplan, click here.

BURN BAN IN EFFECT IN 54 GEORGIA COUNTIES An outdoor burn ban is in effect in 54 Georgia counties, primarily in the northern half of the state. Affected residents are asked to refrain from burning yard and land clearing debris, the smoke from which can negatively impact the state’s air quality during the hot summer months by contributing to high ozone levels. These conditions have been linked to lung and heart disease in humans.

“These restrictions are required by the state Environmental Protection Division so less particulate matter is released into the air,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Protection Chief, Frank Sorrells. “The risk of wildfire is also high at this time, and the Georgia Forestry Commission will be closely monitoring fire activity to keep Georgians and their property safe.”

The burn ban will be in effect until Sept. 30. The 54 Georgia counties affected are: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, and Walton.

Residents in Georgia counties not included in the annual burn ban will continue to be required to follow specific fire safety guidelines and any local ordinances governing debris burning. The five safety precautions now mandated by law include set spacing between fires and woodlands and -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 7 of 13 Continued from previous page structures, burn times from sunrise to sunset, burner attendance at the fire, and reasonable precautions such as weather awareness and suppression tools. Full details including video resources can be found at www.GaTrees.org/burn-permits-and-notifications/.

“Humans are the number one cause of wildfires in Georgia,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore. “As outdoor recreation season begins, we need to lower the risk of wildfire by paying close attention to weather conditions and safety precautions. Everyone needs to work together to ensure an enjoyable and fire-free summer.”

For more information about annual summer burn restrictions, burn permits, and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit www.GaTrees.org.

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH: SEEKING AG STRESS RELIEF May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Georgia’s agricultural community is working to promote resources for rural Georgians to improve their behavioral health and emotional health.

“It is normal to have anxiety or feel depressed. However, if it affects your daily living help is available by calling the Georgia Crisis and Access Line. Seeking treatment for anxiety or depression should be no different than seeking medical help for a physical pain,” said Judy Fitzgerald, Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Awareness of mental health signs and symptoms and promoting self-care is extremely important.

“Take care of your physical health to help lower stress. Take a break to focus on positive parts of your life, like connections with loved ones,” said Commissioner of Agriculture, Gary Black.

“We are the backbones of our community and wellbeing starts within. Take proactive steps today to promote a healthy lifestyle. Agriculture is a leader in the state economically and promoting healthy practices to nurture our communities across the state is another way in which we can lead.”

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) began developing mental health resources to share with Georgia's farming community and to address ongoing factors related to COVID-19. In the fall of last year, the GDA received a grant from USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to promote farmer stress and outreach in the state.

The Farmer Ranch Stress Assistance Network, State Departments of Agriculture (FRSANSDA) project is focusing on a Georgia Healthy Farmer Mindset that is taking a holistic approach to addressing stress and mental health challenges to the farming community. This is a collaborative initiative with project partners including GDA, The University of Georgia (UGA), AgriSafe, McClendon Law and Consulting, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and the Georgia PTA. “Mental Health Matters. We are asking citizens to find proactive ways to educate those in their communities on stress and mental health and to wear green in honor of mental health awareness month to promote a healthier and more resilient Georgia,” said Venessa Sims, Director of Emergency Management for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

GDA and the UGA Cooperative Extension Service are partnering with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, DBHDD, the UGA School of Social Work and the UGA College of Family & -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 8 of 13 Continued from previous page Consumer Sciences to host a free, one-day summit to dive into Georgia’s Farm State of Mind. The event, ‘Stress on the Farm: Supporting Wellbeing of Georgia Farm Families,” is scheduled for May 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. To register, click here or visit http://t.uga.edu/80t.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture partnered with the Rural Health Innovation Center at the Mercer University School of Medicine to survey Georgia farmers on their stress level in January and February. The center is expected to release the results of the study later this year.

Free bookmarks and small handouts, designed for easy and discreet sharing, for agriculture, food service and hospitality sector employees are available at https://agr.georgia.gov/disasterrelief.aspx.

The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) is a resource at 800-715-4225 for anyone who wants to talk about stress and may need access to services and immediate crisis help.

Other resources include the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-TALK or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org; AFBF Farm State of Mind (www.fb.or/land/fsom) and UGA’s Rural Georgia Growing Stronger site (www.gfb.ag/ugaextensionstresshelp).

Additional agriculture mental health resources can be found at https://agrisafe.org/healthcare/mental-health.

GFB Field Notes 9 of 13 FERAL SWINE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS 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.

2023 AMERICAN FARM BUREAU AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE May 13 deadline to enter extended 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.

KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS 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.

GFB Field Notes 12 of 13 CROP INSURANCE FOR PECAN PRODUCERS May 15 deadline to enroll/renew The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia pecan growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2023 crop year is May 15. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the May 15 sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for pecan trees in select Georgia counties.

Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2023 crop year. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online.

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.

STRESS ON THE FARM: SUPPORTING WELL-BEING OF FARM FAMILIES May 19 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Tifton This free one-day summit will dive into Georgia’s Farm State of Mind. Leaders from the American Farm Bureau Federation will share emerging proven practices and recent lessons learned from AFBF’s Stronger Together: Farm State of Mind platform. Breakout sessions will focus on identifying and leveraging existing community resources and supports. Key target audiences for this free event include medical providers, counselors, church leaders, Extension agents, Georgia Farm Bureau members/leaders/staff, policy makers, lenders, local elected officials, county/city municipal staff, pharmacists, school system personnel, agricultural producers, and agribusiness owner/operators. Speakers include: Ray Atkinson, coordinator of American Farm Bureau ‘Farm State of Mind’; Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston; Anne Montgomery, Mercer University School of Medicine assistant professor; Stephanie Basey, Mercer University School of Medicine director of communications & marketing; Anna Scheyett, University of Georgia School of Social Work professor; Jennifer Dunn, with the Ga. Dept. of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities. For more information, contact Dr. Maria Bowie, conference chair, at 706-542-3824 or mbowie@uga.edu, or Dr. Mark McCann, co-chair, at 706-542-3824 or astext@uga.edu. Click here to register. (https://uga.ungerboeck.com/prod/emc00/PublicSignIn.aspx?&aat=Vyos0aOXlv9Ff83glrRdDuG Ql875OMr0nQgqoYtAvz8%3d)

GFB Field Notes 11 of 13 GEORGIA SHEEP ANNUAL CONFERENCE May 21 UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Athens Speakers include American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, Tucker West of Liberty Farms and Joanne Maki of Georgia Rustic Wool. Admission is $15 for non-members.

Current members of the Georgia Sheep & Wool Growers Association are eligible for two free passes to this event. Breakout discussion topics include wool, and animal health. Conference includes the association’s annual business meeting and election of officers. Boxed lunches will be provided. Coffee and conversation begin at 9:15 a.m. The UGA Vet Teaching Hospital is located at 2200 College Station Road in Athens. To register, click here. (https://www.gasheepandwool.org/event-4808033/Registration) GEORGIA MILK PRODUCERS REFERENDUM May 30 Deadline to submit ballots Every three years, Georgia Milk Producers (GMP) must hold a producer referendum as required by the Commodities Promotion Act. For GMP to continue as an organization, at least two-thirds majority (67%) of the Georgia dairymen voting must vote in favor for the continuation of GMP. In late April, the Georgia Department of Agriculture mailed out ballots to reaffirm the one-cent check-off. If you are an eligible producer, but did not receive a ballot, or if you simply have questions, call Andy Harrison with the GA Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Division at 404-656-3678. NOTE: This vote is not the same as the referendum on the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk, which passed in March.

GFB YF&R SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE July 14-16 Jekyll Island Conference Center Jekyll Island Registration is 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. 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 678-588-9908.

GFB Field Notes 12 of 13 GFB YF&R COMPETITIVE EVENTS June 1 deadline for entries Georgia Farm Bureau is now accepting entries for its 2022 Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) competitive events. 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.

PICTURE AGRICULTURE IN GEORGIA PHOTO CONTEST June 10 deadline for entries This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our state’s largest economic sector. 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.

2022 FARMTASTIC FUN DAY June 10 Pittman Family Farm & Market 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Lyons The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Program invite you to Pittman’s Family Farm as they bring to life the story of the children’s book, “How To Grow A Monster," by Kiki Thorpe. Explore all zucchini has to offer by seeing how it’s grown, harvesting your own, and talking to the farmer. Activities include a walking farm tour, zucchini picking, kid-friendly ag-tivity tables, market shopping and ice cream! Sponsors include Toombs County Farm Bureau, the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, UGA Extension, Ohoopee Regional Library System, the Georgia Public Library Service and Vidalia Apicultural Services & Bee Company. The Pittman Family Farm & Market is located at 355 Cedar Crossing Rd., Lyons, GA 30436. All proceeds from the event benefit the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. To learn more about the foundation’s mission visit the website, www.gafoundationag.org.

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 Field Notes 13 of 13 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.