Photo by Logan Thomas
May 12, 2021
www.gfb.org
Vol. 3 No. 10
GFB SEEKS TO PROTECT STEPPED-UP BASIS FOR FAMILY FARMS President Biden recently announced his two-part infrastructure plan with a price tag exceeding $4 trillion. The President’s proposal calls for partially offsetting this spending with tax increases, including making changes to stepped-up basis. Stepped-up basis refers to how inherited assets are valued for tax purposes. It has allowed American farm families to pass their operations to their children and grandchildren for generations without forcing them to sell land and/or other assets to cover the tax bill. Under stepped-up basis, a farmer pays capital gains taxes only on a property’s increase in value since the time that land was inherited, instead of paying the full increase in value since it was purchased by a deceased relative. In addition, the tax on the new stepped-up value is deferred until property is sold by the surviving family member. One of the reasons the step up in basis is so important to farmers and ranchers is the asset values in agriculture have appreciated significantly in recent years. As a result, when farmland is inherited, without a step up in basis, many farmers would face very significant capital gains taxes. For the American Farm Bureau Federation’s full Market Intel report on stepped-up basis, visit https://gfb.ag/AFBFstepupbasisanalysis. The American Families Plan, as proposed, could put the continuity of family farm operations in jeopardy. Georgia Farm Bureau is asking for help to keep stepped-up basis. Visit https://gfb.ag/GFBstepupbasisltr to write your Congressman and ask for the preservation of stepped-up basis which supports American farmers. For individual property and tax situations, farmers should consult with a certified public accountant or an attorney specializing in taxation.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 15 GOV. KEMP SIGNS AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY BILLS INTO LAW AT GFB Gov. Brian Kemp showed his support of Georgia farmers and timber growers by signing eight bills into law pertaining to agriculture and forestry. Georgia Farm Bureau hosted the bill signing ceremony on May 7 at its home office in Macon. A group of about 100 Georgia ag and forestry leaders attended the event along with the state legislators who authored and secured votes for the bills in the Georgia General Assembly. “Georgia Farm Bureau is the largest ag organization in the state of Georgia. Our purpose is to represent farmers and agriculture in the legislative arena. We represent everything from apples to zuchinis, and I want to welcome all of y’all here today as Governor Kemp signs these bills into law that will help Georgia farmers and timber growers,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall said. “GFB thanks all of the legislators who wrote and introduced these bills and got them passed through the Georgia Legislature this session. Senate Bill (SB) 247, which updates how state commodity commissions can communicate with producers, was among the bills Kemp signed. Sen. Lee Anderson authored this bill supported by multiple ag commodity commissions, GFB, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and Georgia Milk Producers. SB 247 modernizes how Georgia Commodity Commissions serve notices to producers, hold hearings, and vote on new commodity assessments. SB 247 allows notices to be published in the Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin and online, and allows for online public comment periods, ensuring the target audience of these notices are reached. State statute previously required commodity commissions to advertise proposed changes in Georgia’s official legal organ - the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Gov. Kemp also signed House Bill (HB) 498, which will let Georgia voters decide in the 2022 election if family farms that have merged may have the same ad valorem tax exemption on farm equipment that they qualified for before merging. Rep. Sam Watson introduced this bill for which GFB, Georgia Agribusiness Council, and other ag organizations advocated. “I want to thank Georgia Farm Bureau and its members and other ag organizations, the Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Forestry Commission and Department of Natural Resources for the input they give at the capitol every day of the session,” Gov. Kemp said. “There’s no more generational business than a family farm. Marty and I know how important small business is to Georgia’s economy and that’s what Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Agribusiness Council are fighting for in the capitol every day.” Other ag bills Kemp signed at GFB included HB 336, which aligns Georgia’s hemp laws to match federal standards, increases surety bond requirements and outlaws hemp from being grown in residential structures. Forestry legislation that Gov. Kemp signed included HB 90, supported by the Georgia Forestry Association, which updates a 1939 statue to accommodate modern forestry practices with regards to mill purchases of cut timber and liability for these transactions. HB 282 updates the Qualified Timber Property program to define parameters for contiguous property, specify how the appraised value of timberland is calculated based on fair market value and in income approach & clarifying the documentation landowners must submit to the revenue commissioner for certification. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 15 Continued from previous page Other forestry and natural resource bills Gov. Kemp signed included House Bill 355 and Senate Bill 119. HB 355 updates Georgia’s Carbon Sequestration Registry and allows building materials that sequester carbon to qualify for carbon credits and adds stands of timber to the list of items that qualify for credits. SB 119 states that homeowners no longer have to notify the Georgia Forestry Commission when burning small piles of backyard debris. It outlines allowed times, locations and precautionary requirements for burning backyard debris without overriding any local ordinances that counties or cities may have in place regarding such fires. Gov. Kemp also signed HB 575, for which the Macon-Bibb County Government and community leaders advocated. This bill allows Macon-Bibb County to increase its Other Local Option Sales Tax from 1% to 2% if the governing authority passes a resolution and Macon-Bibb voters pass a referendum to do so. Local government and community leaders who supported the bill participated in the bill signing. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DRAW GA AGRICULTURE FOR GFB ART CONTEST Georgia high school students across the state captured the beauty of Georgia agriculture as they created entries for the 27th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) High School Art Contest. The 63 county Farm Bureaus that held local contests submitted their top winners to GFB from which 10 district winners were chosen. The 10 district winners’ drawings were posted on the Georgia Farm Bureau Facebook page April 21 where Georgia’s ag community selected the state winner and runners-ups. After a week, the drawing with the most likes on the GFB Facebook page won the contest and the drawings with the second and third most votes were named runners-up. “Georgia Farm Bureau’s High School Art Contest provides a unique insight into how young people view agriculture when they use black and white media to depict their creativity on paper. From farm scenes, to livestock - talented students draw what they’ve experienced, have learned and love about Georgia agriculture,” said GFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Heather Cabe. “Each year I continue to be amazed at the talent and accuracy these contestants submit with their entries.” Sydney Smith of Hart County sketched the first-place winning picture that depicts Georgia’s beef, row crop and poultry ag sectors. Angel Alvares of Laurens County and Kayli Brinks of Effingham County were named the state runners-up. Smith won $250 as the state winner and $100 as the GFB 2nd District winner. Alvares and Brinks each won $150 for being runners-up and $100 each for being the GFB 6th and 7th District winners respectively. Other district winners in the art contest were: Hannah Pak, Forsyth County, GFB 1st Dist.; Emmanuel Kamos, Carroll County, GFB 3rd Dist.; Maddie Cummings, Greene County, GFB 4th Dist.; Riley Owens, Pike County, GFB 5th Dist.; Bentley Savelle, Lee County, GFB 8th Dist.; Adia Barrera, Brooks County, GFB 9th Dist.; and Grace Salinas, Glynn County, GFB 10th Dist. Contestants were instructed to create a black, white and gray drawing using graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, ballpoint pen or mixed media appropriate for printing. Drawings were judged on how well the artwork represents agriculture in the student’s county or Georgia and for artistic merit. Visit www.gfb.ag/21artcontestwinners to see the state and district winners’ art.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 15 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 30. 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 also eligible for reappointment. ACC members whose terms are expiring are: Apple - John Reece, Andy Futch; Beef - Kenneth Murphy (representing dairy), Jesse Driggers; Blueberry - John “Wink” Strickland, Jerome Crosby; Corn - Herbert “Hub” Daniel, Mike Jaros Cotton - Chad Mathis, Bart Davis; Equine - Julie Murphy, Jordan Vaughn; Milk - Paul Johnson, Phil Harvey; Peach - Lawton Pearson, Drew Pearson; Pecan - Brenda Evans, Mark Cook; Tobacco - Wayne McKinnon, Daniel Johnson; Vegetable - Ken Corbett, Bill Brim. 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. MURRAY NAMED GFB 2ND DISTRICT FEDERATION MANAGER Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has hired Katie Murray as the federation manager for its 2nd District, which includes Banks, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White. Murray, who fills the position previously held by Brittany Ivey, started her new job with GFB April 30. Ivey resigned to serve as president and CEO of the Stephens County Development Authority. A native of Colquitt County, Murray grew up in Moultrie Georgia exhibiting cattle, hogs, and sheep as part of her extensive involvement with Colquitt County FFA. She graduated from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. Murray graduated from North Carolina State University in 2010 with a master’s degree in agricultural education. Most recently, Murray worked as an admissions counselor at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus since 2017. In that capacity, she worked to promote degree options through CAES as well as advising prospective transfer students.
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 15 FARM BUREAU LAUNCHES FARM STATE OF MIND RESOURCE DIRECTORY In recognition of May as Mental Health Month, the American Farm Bureau Federation launched a comprehensive, easy-to-use online directory of resources for farmers, ranchers and their families who are experiencing stress and mental health challenges. The directory, which is on the Farm State of Mind website at www.farmstateofmind.org, features listings for crisis hotlines and support lines, counseling services, training opportunities, podcasts, videos, published articles and other resources in every U.S. state and Puerto Rico. Listings for crisis support, counseling and behavioral health resources that are available nationwide are also included. “For far too long, farmers and ranchers have been trying to cope with increasing levels of stress on their own,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Our Farm State of Mind campaign is encouraging conversations about stress and mental health in farming and ranching communities. It is so important to spread the word that no one has to go it alone. “This new online directory of stress and mental health resources in every state gives farmers, ranchers and rural communities a user-friendly, one-stop shop to find services in their area that can help them manage farm stress and find help for mental health concerns. Whether you’re looking for information about how to recognize and manage stress, trying to find counseling services in your area or are in need of crisis support, you can find help here.” National research polls conducted and published by AFBF in 2019 and 2021 showed that a number of factors including financial issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting farmers’ mental health, highlighting the need to identify local resources that can help farmers and ranchers cope with chronic stress and mental health concerns. The Farm State of Mind directory lists resources specifically geared toward farmers, ranchers and rural communities in states where these specific services are available, with additional listings for county and statewide mental health and other support services in every state. The listings can be filtered by state and type of resource, including hotlines, counseling services and published information. AFBF partnered with the University of Georgia School of Social Work to research available resources across the U.S. and Puerto Rico and compile the comprehensive information included in the directory. Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to share the directory with their family, friends and community networks to ensure widespread awareness of the availability of these important resources. GEORGIA AMONG 20 STATES CHALLENGING CALIFORNIA’S PROPOSITION 12 On Feb. 26, 20 states, including Georgia, filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the petition filed by the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12). “The governments of nearly half the states agree,” said Meat Institute President and CEO, Julie Anna Potts. “If California is allowed to apply its laws to conduct in other states, a single state will dictate policies in all others, encouraging a patchwork of regulations and threatening the free flow -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 15 Continued from previous page of interstate commerce.” The brief was filed by Indiana, joined by Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. “It (Prop 12) freely permits California to impose regulations directly on out-of-state commercial conduct and thereby fosters inconsistent state regulatory obligations and enables tit-for-tat state regulatory conflict,” the states argued in the amicus brief. “The ultimate result may be transformation of America’s current integrated national market into a patchwork of regulatory regions.” Georgia Farm Bureau opposes government regulation of specific livestock production practices. In February, the Meat Institute filed a petition for a writ of certiorari asking the Supreme Court to review an earlier ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the Meat Institute’s challenge to the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12: The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative. The Meat Institute opposes the law because it is unconstitutional and will hurt the nation’s food value chain by significantly increasing costs for producers and consumers. The petition may be found here, appendix here. The question in the case is whether the U.S. Constitution permits California to extend its police power beyond its territorial borders by banning the sale of wholesome pork and veal products sold into California unless out-of-state farmers restructure their facilities to meet animal-confinement standards dictated by California. In its brief, the Meat Institute urged the Court to grant review because the “Ninth Circuit’s decision conflicts with the decisions of other federal courts of appeals on the question whether the Constitution limits a State’s ability to extend its police power beyond its territorial borders through a trade barrier dictating production standards in other States and countries.” Allowing Prop 12 to stand “insulates in-state farmers from out-of-state competition, while imposing crushing burdens on out-of-state farmers and producers who have no political voice to shape the regulations that California has unilaterally determined to foist upon their operations outside of California.” Meanwhile in Colorado, activists are petitioning the state legislature to put similar restrictions up for a public vote in 2022. A coalition of state agriculture leaders and their organizations, including Colorado Farm Bureau, has formed to oppose Initiative 16, a potential 2022 ballot initiative that would ask voters to criminalize commonly accepted veterinary and animal care practices in Colorado. It would also ban the slaughter of livestock that have not yet lived more than one-quarter of their anticipated lifetime, a standard far longer than consumer and foreign markets demand. GEORGIA AG EXPORTS TOTALED $2.78 BILLION IN 2019 In 2019, Georgia agricultural producers sold an estimated $2.781 billion worth of commodities in markets outside the United States, according to estimates compiled by the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). ERS released the estimates on March 26, and 2019 was the most recent year for which data were available. Georgia ranked in the top 10 among U.S. states’ exports of eight agricultural commodities. According to ERS data, Georgia’s largest agricultural export in terms of dollar value was cotton, -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 15 Continued from previous page at $695 million, second among U.S. states behind Texas ($2.06 billion). In “other oilseed products,” which includes peanuts, cottonseed and soybeans, Georgia ranked second at $487.4 million, behind North Dakota ($563.2 million). Georgia led the nation in exports of poultry broilers ($459.7 million). Georgia’s exports of tree nuts were estimated at $134.2 million, ranking third. Georgia ranked fifth in tobacco exports at $29.8 million, sixth in fresh fruits at $64.1 million, sixth in processed fruits at $55.6 million and seventh in “other poultry” at $97 million. The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) compiles data recorded by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the State Trade by Country of Origin and Destination data set. Additionally, ERS estimates exports by state based on farm cash receipts for exported products in the State Exports, Cash Receipts Estimates data set. These data sets are generated using different methods and, therefore, may contain contradicting information. The documentation page contains full descriptions and comparison of the methods. Although a state’s actual agricultural export value cannot be measured directly, ERS estimates state exports of total and selected commodities based on U.S. farm cash receipts data. State shares of U.S. farm receipts are updated annually in calculating state-level international export values. The documentation page describes both the current cash receipts-based method and the discontinued production-based method. The ERS publishes the data in spreadsheet form, and the complete data sets are available at https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-agricultural-trade-data/. MIDDLE GA EMC TO EXPAND HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IN SEVEN COUNTIES Middle Georgia EMC announced plans on April 27 to provide access high-speed fiber internet service to all of its 4,800 members in seven counties, according to a MGEMC press release. The cooperative has selected Conexon Connect, the newly-formed internet service provider created and managed by rural fiber-optic network design and construction management leader Conexon, to lead the project. The $36.7 million project will include implementation of a 1,900-mile fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network providing high-speed internet access to MGEMC members in Dooly, Houston, Macon, Pulaski, Turner, Wilcox, and Ben Hill counties in central Georgia. The project will offer Middle Georgia EMC members to fiber internet upon completion, which is expected within two years. The first customers will be connected as early as the first quarter of 2022. The fiber-optic network will offer members access to symmetrical gigabit internet capabilities (same download and upload speeds) – among the fastest and most robust in the nation. Additionally, it will provide reliable, clear phone service and enable the benefits of smart grid capabilities to the electrical infrastructure, including improved power outage response times, better load balancing, more efficient electricity delivery, and other benefits. On May 10, Carroll EMC and Syncglobal held a ribbon-cutting for Phase I of their FTTH project, which was announced in 2020. When complete, the $40 million project will make highspeed internet access available to more than 10,000 rural Georgians in five western Georgia counties. To read more about the Carroll EMC project and rural broadband in Georgia, visit https://gfb.ag/CEMCruralbroadband.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 15 AGRABILITY NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOPS 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 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. 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. The Beekeeping Institute will be available to those who register by May 13 for 30 additional days to view at their own leisure.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 15 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. 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.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 15 MENTAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT & SCIENCE OF COVID-19 VACCINES May 25 Noon-1:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom This past year has shown the importance of mental health care and understanding the science of vaccines. During this virtual workshop Fort Valley State University Director of Student Counseling Jacqueline Caskey-James will share ways to cope with depression and anxiety. Joycelyn Warren, a county nurse manager/nurse practitioner with the Georgia Department of Public Health will discuss the COVID-19 vaccines and how they work. Workshop is free but pre-registration is required by May 21. Visit www.gfb.ag/fvsumentalhealthvaccineworkshop to register. For more information contact Phillip Petway at 478-954-7121 or petwayp@fvsu.edu or Millicent Price at 478-235-8694 or pricem@fvsu.edu. SMALL FARM GRASS-FED BEEF MARKETING & PRODUCTION WORKSHOP May 25 Virtual via Zoom Noon-1:30 p.m. This virtual workshop will explore the production & marketing of grass-fed beef by small farms. Fort Valley State University Meat Technology Center Manager Terrell Hollis will discuss the services the center offers cattle producers. Lee Lancaster, Georgia Department of Agriculture/Georgia Grown marketing specialist, will discuss rules/regulations for producers selling meat as individuals. Tennessee State University Animal Scientist Dr. Richard Browning will offer production & marketing tips. Workshop is free but pre-registration is required by May 21. To register, visit www.gfb.ag/fvsugrassbeefworkshop For more information contact Bobby Solomon at 706-665-3230 or solomob@fvsu.edu . 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.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 15 2021 GEORGIA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL May 22, June 4-5 various locations & Goldwasser Park Alma The festival includes a pre-event cooking contest on May 22 at the Bacon Co. Extension Building with adult (18+) and youth (17 & under) divisions. One entry/person. Contestants must submit a printed copy of their entire recipe with the already cooked dish they enter the day of contest. Contestants should bring their food with a serving utensil to the Extension office between 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Judging begins at 10:30 a.m. Top prizes for adults are:1st place: $50; 2nd place: $35; 3rd place: $25. Top prizes for the youth division are: 1st place: $15; 2nd place: $10; 3rd place: $5. For more information about this contest, call 912-288-0705 or email uge4005@uga.edu or visit festival website. On June 4, the main festival events kick off at 1 p.m. at Goldwasser Park including arts & crafts, food vendors, face painting, rock climbing, pony rides and more. The “Big Sound of the Okefenoke” from Waycross will perform from 3-5 p.m. That night, from 7-11 p.m., the “Groove Infusion” band from Orlando, Fla., will provide tunes to dance the night away. On June 5, festival events begin at 7 a.m. at the 10th St. Church of God with the Alma Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast featuring Georgia blueberries, blueberry syrup & homemade sausage. Pay at door. The festival parade will roll through downtown Alma beginning at 10 a.m. Festival events at Goldwasser Park will include arts & crafts, food vendors, carnival rides plus a stilt walker from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and a pie eating contest at noon with divisions for all ages. Visit www.georgiablueberryfestival.org or call 912-310-7399 for more information. 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 12 of 15 GFB YF&R SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE July 14-17 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island 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). 2021 PICTURE AGRICULTURE IN GEORGIA PHOTO CONTEST June 1 photo submission deadline This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture and Farm Bureau in Georgia and will be awarded cash prizes. The contest is open to any amateur photographer (one who receives no income from photography) who is a member of Georgia Farm Bureau. All photos must highlight Georgia agriculture and have been taken in 2020 or 2021. Each entrant may enter three (3) photos, and only those of highest quality will be considered. All digital photos must be in a jpeg format and should be a minimum of 1 MB in size. Photos entered in the GFB photo contest may not have been entered in any other contest. Photos will be judged on the use of angle, lighting, balance, color, contrast, viewpoint and technical ability. Photos altered in any way will not be judged. All photos become the property of GFB and may be used for any purpose, such as publishing in Farm Bureau Neighbors and/or Farm Bureau News, posting it on GFB’s website, reproducing it for Farm Bureau use or selling it. Georgia Farm Bureau has the final decision on any and all questions or concerns regarding rules, judging, eligibility, prizes awarded or anything else that may arise pertaining to the Photo Contest. Prizes: Grand Prize - $150; 11 Honorable Mentions - $75 each. The grand prize winner will be featured on the front of the 2022 Young Farmer and Rancher Calendar. The 11 Honorable Mention winners will be featured inside the calendar. If you use children or people in your photo, you must complete a Model Release Entry Form found in the registration form. This form must be completed and uploaded to www.gfb.ag/yfrphoto by June 1. Direct any questions to hadarby@gfb.org.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 15 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). 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. 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 GEORGIA-FLORIDA TOBACCO TOUR June 7-9 Alma, Waycross, Tifton and Live Oak, Fla. This annual tour will consists of a car caravan tour with individuals in their own vehicle with outside visits of Georgia and Florida tobacco farms, farmers and on-farm demonstrations. Meals will be provided using CDC recommended practices. For information about stops, lodging and to register, visit https://tobacco.caes.uga.edu/tours/2021-ga-fl-tobacco-tour.html. CLIMATE ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION SURVEY If you are a cattle or cotton farmer in Georgia, please consider completing a survey being conducted by a University of Georgia graduate student regarding farmers’ willingness to adopt various technology for your farm as well as your perceptions on climate change. It should take just 20 minutes to complete, and the information collected goes to help the graduate student Georgia complete her degree. To participate in the survey, please visit https://gfb.ag/UGAclimatetechsurvey. For more information on the survey contact Julian Worley at julian.worley@uga.edu. Participants are asked to respond by June 20.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 15 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 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 runnersup 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 www.gfb.ag/join to learn about becoming a member. Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available at www.gfb.ag/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. SUNBELT EXPO FIELD DAY July 22 Spence Field Moultrie This half-day event, which will use the drive-through format implemented 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 Field Notes page 15 of 1153 UGA VETERINARY SCHOOL DOG AGING PROJECT Researchers at the University of Georgia are looking for new participants for a study that aims to determine why smaller dogs live longer lives than their larger counterparts. There are almost 90 million dogs living in the United States, and to date, nearly 30,000 dog owners from around the country have volunteered for this community science research project as part of a five-year, $23 million project funded by the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health. All kinds of dogs are welcome to join, but researchers are specifically seeking dogs, both purebred and mixed breed, in the following categories: Large breed dogs weighing between 70100 pounds, especially breeds other than Labradors, golden retrievers and German shepherds (the most common breeds in the U.S.); Giant breed dogs weighing more than 100 pounds, such as Great Danes, wolfhounds and mastiffs; Hound dogs, spaniels, pointers, terriers, bulldogs and pit bulls (purebred and mixed breed); Working dogs, such as herding, K9 and service dogs. Because the Dog Aging Project (DAP) is a long-term study, puppy participants are especially beneficial to the project. The research team wants to follow dogs through their entire lives. To participate in the Dog Aging Project, owners nominate a dog (one per household) at the project website, www.dogagingproject.org. After this, they are invited to set up a personal research portal where they answer scientific surveys about their dog and upload veterinary records. For more information, or to nominate your dog, visit www.dogagingproject.org. 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. 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.