Photo by Logan Thomas
May 26, 2021
www.gfb.org
Vol. 3 No. 11
RADKE, KOCH TO SPEAK AT GFB YF&R SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Rancher and farm advocate Amanda Radke and noted skateboarder Chris Koch will provide keynote speeches at the 2021 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference, scheduled for July 14-17 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Radke, a fifth-generation South Dakota rancher, has written multiple children’s books and authored numerous articles promoting and defending animal agriculture. She challenges audiences to change their outlook, to look for opportunities, and to pivot in creative and innovative directions to add value to their operations and supplying high-quality, safe, affordable, nutrient-dense food for consumers. Koch was born without arms or legs, yet his parents chose to raise him without pity or special treatment. Koch developed his life motto of “If I Can…” growing up on his family’s farm in Canada. He’s carved out an extraordinary life and now travels extensively as a motivational speaker, rolling back and forth on his skateboard onstage while encouraging others to seek their greatest potential. The GFB YF&R Summer Leadership 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. The conference is also the setting for GFB’s YF&R competitive events. The YF&R Discussion Meet will be held during the conference, and the three finalists for the Excellence in Agriculture Award will give their final presentations. The winners of those contests, as well as the YF&R Achievement Award, will be announced during the final day. The YF&R Achievement Award is for an individual or couple involved in production agriculture with a majority of his/her net income subject to normal production risks. After the deadline, ten district winners and three state finalists will be determined. The state finalists will be contacted by June 11 for an on-farm interview the week of June 21. The state winner will be -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 15 Continued from previous page announced during the YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, July 14-17. The YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award is given to an individual or couple who does not have the majority of his/her income subject to normal production risks. After the deadline, ten district winners and three state finalists will be determined. The state finalists will be contacted by June 11 in order to prepare for the presentation. Presentations will be in person during YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, July 14-17, and the state winner will be announced during the conference. The YF&R Discussion Meet is open to any GFB YF&R member. The discussion meet will be in-person at YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, July 14-17. The event includes two preliminary rounds, the sweet sixteen round, and a final four round, which will determine the state winner. All applications and registration forms must be submitted online at www.gfb.ag/yfrcompete. The GFB YF&R Committee is also responsible for the Picture Agriculture in Georgia Photo Contest, and conference attendees will vote for their favorite photos to determine the winner. To enter, visit www.gfb.ag/yfrphoto. 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). 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. GACD SOIL HEALTH EXPLORERS STEM CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED Georgia elementary students put their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to work this spring as they competed in the inaugural Georgia Ag Experience STEM Challenge coordinated by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. The Soil Health Explorers STEM Challenge, which the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) sponsored, asked students to explore how farmers and home gardeners keep the soil in their fields and gardens healthy to grow crops and vegetables. The STEM Challenge was open to third through fifth-grade classes statewide with a winner picked for each grade. Almost 50 classes registered for the challenge. Congratulations to Roopville Elementary’s “QUEST Kids,” taught by Jennifer Carroll, for winning the third-grade prize! Trinity Christian School’s “Fourth-Grade Crusaders Team,” taught by Nona Dasher took top honors in its division. Dallas Elementary’s “Venture Soil Detectives,” taught by Stephanie Atkinson won the fifth-grade competition. Winners were announced May 21 in a Zoom presentation. Roopville Elementary in Carroll County won its third-grade division for the authentic way the students discussed what they learned about soil health by testing the pH of their soil and consulting -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 15 Continued from previous page with a local FFA teacher and GACD staff. The Trinity Christian fourth-graders in Laurens County sent a soil sample from their 8x8 garden plot to UGA for soil analysis before planting a pollinator garden for bees and butterflies. The fourth-grade class also made and posted a laminated sign highlighting soil health facts at their garden plot to educate other students. The Dallas Elementary fifth-graders in Paulding County won their category with a creative newsstyle video “Underground News Network” that depicted team members posing as reporters and soil experts being interviewed to share what they learned about soil health. Teachers of each winning class received a $250 classroom supply grant and an educational conservation resource kit donated by GACD. Each class that participated in the STEM Challenge was asked to answer the question, “How can we improve soil biodiversity and overall soil health?” The challenge required participating classes to: 1) Develop an initial report after examining a plot of land to determine the land’s soil health status by performing a series of tests on the soil; 2) Reach out to their local Farm Bureau office, Natural Resources Conservation Service office and/or UGA Extension office for assistance to discuss soil health with their class; 3) Create a video presentation on how they improved their soil and learned how real-world factors impact the soil on their plot of land. The Georgia Ag Experience/Georgia Foundation for Agriculture STEM Challenge is designed to be a bi-annual competition with a spring and fall contest. The GACD is also sponsoring the fall STEM Challenge, which will ask students to explore trees. Look for challenge details to be announced in August at www.gfb.ag/stemchallenge. The purpose of the GAE STEM Challenge is to encourage elementary teachers and students in grades 3-5 to explore aspects of Georgia agriculture by applying their STEM skills to solve realworld problems that farmers face in producing our food and fiber. It is the only ag-focused STEM challenge for elementary students in Georgia. Visit www.gfb.ag/spring21GAESTEMwinners to see the ZOOM awards presentation and the three winning video presentations. GA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SEEKS PROGRAM ASSISTANTS Do you like elementary-age children and have an interest in teaching them about agriculture? Are you interested in traveling across the state with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s Georgia Ag Experience (GAE) mobile classroom? If so, apply for one of the two full-time mobile ag educational program assistant positions the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) seeks to fill by July. These positions will have five main responsibilities: 1) coordinate the GAE mobile classroom visits with schools and their county Farm Bureaus; 2) deliver GAE instruction to students; 3) assist in GAE curriculum development; 4) develop local partnerships; & 5) fundraising. The program assistants will work a rotational schedule of in-person instruction on the road at schools with the mobile classroom and at-home work. Successful applicants must have a valid Georgia driver’s license; current Georgia background checks; have classroom or other student instruction experience; possess good communication/organizational skills and a willingness to -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 15 Continued from previous page travel. Ideal candidates should live in central Georgia and be willing to frequently travel the state. Preferred applicants should have: a current or past Georgia teacher’s certificate; a bachelor’s degree in education or an ag-related field and an agricultural background. Both positions are full time with benefits including a 401K with employer match, health insurance, group term life insurance, long term disability insurance, paid time off accrual and paid holidays. Other benefits include a company car, cell phone stipend, hotel and meal reimbursement. Visit www.gfb.ag/GAEjobs for complete details and to apply. During the GAE mobile classroom’s first five months on the road it has reached 6,502 students while visiting schools across South and Middle Georgia. From January to April, the mobile classroom visited 24 schools in 20 counties reaching 306 teachers. Students and teachers who explored the mobile classroom took surveys before and after their tours. Survey results show that 75% of the students expressed they are more interested in agriculture after going through the GAE, 8% are more interested in pursuing an ag career, and 50% of students now understand the complexity of agriculture and would explain that to a family member. Of the teachers whose classes toured the mobile classroom, 83% expressed they had no, low, or moderate knowledge of agriculture. After their classes toured the GAE classroom, 75% of the teachers had an increased interest in agriculture, and 98% of the teachers surveyed said they are more likely to incorporate agriculture into their future curriculum. Visit www.georgiaagexperience.org for more information about the mobile classroom or to schedule a visit to your school. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture thanks all of the sponsors that funded the creation and launch of the mobile classroom. To discuss a new sponsorship or the renewal of your current commitment towards the GAE classroom’s ongoing operations, please email GFA Executive Director Lily Baucom at lrbbaucom@gfb.org. HEAT CAN INCREASE RISK FOR CERTAIN DISEASES IN PEANUT With temperatures in southern Georgia expected to be near 100 degrees for several days, risks to peanut crop losses can be more severe, according to UGA Extension peanut agronomists. Very warm conditions can bring a greater urgency to early-season control in peanut for Aspergillus crown rot and white mold. UGA’s Bob Kemerait and Tim Brenneman offered analysis and recommendations to protect peanuts from these two diseases. Both fungal pathogens (Aspergillus niger and Sclerotium rolfsii) thrive in warm environments. Hot soils (temperatures well above 100 degrees) will scorch the young seedlings just below soil surface, creating wounds that can be exploited by the A. niger pathogen, increasing risk to Aspergillus crown rot. This has also been shown to be a factor with Diplodia collar rot which can also be an issue on peanuts both early and later in the season in Georgia. Diplodia is often seedborne, and the good growing conditions for last year’s seed should help minimize that problem for this year’s crop. Lesser corn stalk borers are often more problematic in hot and dry soils and increase the risk to Aspergillus crown rot. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 15 Continued from previous page Who is at most risk to Aspergillus crown rot? From above, Aspergillus crown rot is more of a threat during early-season periods of hot and dry weather. Once the tap root of the peanut plant “hardens off” and becomes less succulent, the peanut plant is less susceptible to this disease. Aspergillus crown rot occurs more commonly in non-irrigated fields where irrigation cannot be used to cool the soil. Aspergillus crown rot also occurs more commonly where poor seed quality is an issue. To manage Aspergillus crown rot, Kemerait and Brenneman offered these suggestions: • Use high quality seed. Saved- seed may be at increased risk to Aspergillus crown rot; • Use a good fungicide seed treatment (preferably Rancona over Dynasty PD specifically for Aspergillus crown rot); • Consider use of an in-furrow fungicide. Azoxystrobin is more effective on Rhizoctonia seedling disease and less effective against Aspergillus crown rot. Products that contain fluopyram (Velum and Propulse) have better activity against Aspergillus crown rot than does azoxystrobin; • Take steps to control lesser corn stalk borers. • When available, use irrigation to reduce threat from Aspergillus crown rot. Growers sometimes fear that irrigation will spread the disease, but in reality there is little if any “in field” spread. Irrigation to reduce stress on the plant and help them develop as quickly as possible is a positive step toward control. It also helps reduce damage from lesser corn stalk borers. Who is most at risk to early-season outbreaks of white mold? Hot soil temperatures early in the growing season put the peanut crop at risk to white mold even before a foliar canopy has developed. Early season white mold can be identified by white, threadlike fungal growths along the developing taproot of the peanut plant and subsequent wilt and death. Early-season threat from white mold may also be more problematic in conservation tillage than in conventional tillage as the sclerotia that initiate infection are more likely to be in the upper few inches of the soil surface. Growers who plant peanuts on short rotations (every year or every other year) are at risk to early-season outbreaks. To manage white mold, Kemerait and Brenneman offered these suggestions: • Apply Proline fungicide in a concentrated band ( 6 inches for single rows and 10 inches for twin rows) 3-5 weeks after emergence. • Include a fungicide effective against white mold in the 30 and 45 days after planting broadcast applications instead of chlorothalonil only (which has no activity on white mold). For example, Priaxor and Lucento have both shown activity on white mold when applied during that spray timing for leaf spot. • Use of Proline as an in-furrow application at planting may have some benefit, though limited, in the management of early-season white mold.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 15 PALLET SHORTAGES THREATEN FRESH PRODUCE SUPPLY The United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) is voicing concerns that pallet shortages, have the potential to affect the availability of produce to consumers. In a May 19 release, UFPA noted numerous issues impacting pallet availability, including: • Efforts of wholesalers, distributors and retailers to ensure sufficient inventory of nonperishables given previous pandemic-related impacts; • The availability of lumber to repair and build new pallets; • The escalating price of lumber when it is available; • Non-perishable inventory dwell time increase; • Lack of available trucks to relocate pallets. The lack of pallets is adding stress to a supply chain already facing significant challenges which include a lack of available trucks and shipping containers, ongoing labor challenges, fluctuating fuel costs, pandemic-related challenges and a pending shortage of resin used to make reusable containers and pallets. The UFPA expects the pallet shortage to continue for months, perhaps for the rest of 2021, at a time when many North American produce items are just beginning seasonal harvests and shipments. According to the UFPA, the shortage of lumber and wood products has increased the cost of raw lumber 200% to 350%, which is increasing the cost of wood pallets increase incrementally. For example, over the past few weeks, pallet costs have increased more than 400%, and the pallets often are not available. One farmer was told by a pallet supplier that it is not taking any new customers due to an inability to fill even existing customer demand. Companies are forced to bring pallets from other regions, causing extra transportation costs. Pallets are being held in-house due to delayed and cancelled orders from pallet services, leading to higher storage charges and increased congestion within operations. UFPA urged sections of the produce supply chain to work together and balance organizational goals relative to overall availability of goods with availability of food. Otherwise, “it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for the grower/shipper community to meet buyer, and ultimately consumer, demand for produce,” the organization said. Simultaneously, growers and shippers are working hard to remain compliant with pallet requirement specifications where they can, but this is proving challenging. Temporary modifications or exceptions to pallet requirements, as long as they do not jeopardize safety, could help until this pallet shortage is resolved. REP. D. SCOTT CONSIDERING PERMANENT DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott (D-Georgia 13th District) said during a May 18 hearing that the committee is working on a bill to establish a permanent disaster relief program for farms. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) asked for the committee’s support for the RESTORE act, which would provide disaster relief for Texas farmers who suffered losses from the polar vortex in February and make aid from the Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) available for natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. In response to Jackson’s testimony, Scott said the committee is working toward a similar goal. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 15 Continued from previous page “Disaster aid is so critical,” Scott said. “I’m trying to put together an effort to create a separate, immediate disaster aid fund, so it doesn’t have to go through the regular appropriations process. It just takes too long, and many of our farms are done away with because we move too slow.” In Georgia, delays in delivering federal aid to help in the recovery from Hurricane Michael in 2018 exposed farmers to significant financial hardships. “We are working on a bill to set up a permanent disaster aid that is already there, that we can get help down to our farms in their time of need,” Scott said. The Member Day Hearing allowed members of Congress who are not on the Agriculture Committee to testify. Ten legislators gave remarks via video conference. Visit https://agriculture.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=2189 to watch or listen to recordings of the hearing. LIVESTOCK ORGANIZATIONS DISCUSS CHALLENGES IN CATTLE MARKETS On May 10, member leaders of American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Farmers Union, R-CALF USA, and the United States Cattlemen’s Association met in Phoenix at the request of the Livestock Marketing Association to discuss challenges involved in the marketing of finished cattle. The goal of the meeting was to bring about a more financially sustainable situation for cattle feeders and cow-calf producers. The group talked openly and candidly about a wide range of important issues facing our industry today, including but not limited to: packer concentration, price transparency and discovery, packer oversight, Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement, level of captive supply and packer capacity. The group agreed to take these action items to their respective organizations for consideration these action items: • Expedite the renewal of USDA’s Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR), including formula base prices subject to the same reporting requirements as negotiated cash and the creation of a contract library; • Demand the Department of Justice (DOJ) issue a public investigation status report and as warranted, conduct joint DOJ and USDA oversight of packer activity moving forward; • Encourage investment in, and development of, new independent, local, and regional packers. GEORGIA BUDGET FUNDS UGA POULTRY, HORTICULTURE PROJECTS Gov. Brian Kemp signed the state of Georgia’s fiscal year 2022 budget for the state of Georgia on May 10, securing $21.7 million for first phase of construction of a new Poultry Science Complex on the University of Georgia’s Athens campus. The project will increase the size of the Department of Poultry Science’s existing facilities in UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) to 75,000 square feet, expanding instructional and lab space; providing modern, student-centered facilities; and helping to attract and retain world-class researchers. “The new building will feature facilities and equipment to provide for advanced research to keep Georgia at the forefront of forward-thinking, relevant poultry research, advancing its UGA Cooperative Extension and outreach programs,” said Todd Applegate, head of the CAES -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 15 Continued from previous page Department of Poultry Science. “This will keep staff on the cutting-edge to ensure that industry and government entities increasingly seek them out to address research questions. It will also strategically provide UGA with a competitive advantage in terms of attracting funding to lead innovation to solve grand challenges facing the poultry sector.” State-of-the-art learning labs will bolster the traditional classroom experience with production courses, demonstrations and relevant field-learning exercises and contribute to the department’s expanding FFA, 4-H and other youth programs, as well as assist with student recruitment efforts. Ranked the No. 1 poultry science program in the nation, the CAES Department of Poultry Science has been a major contributor of research and university-trained experts who have led to the exponential growth of the Georgia poultry sector for decades. The department and its faculty are well-known for their industry-focused innovation. The Poultry Science Complex building campaign is a public-private partnership. The commitment from the Georgia legislature and Gov. Kemp marks their second and largest phase of public support of the project, which has an estimated total project budget of $54.1 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2022 with expected completion in fall 2023. The first phase of funding for the project came during the current fiscal year, with $2.2 million allocated from the state for the design of the new Poultry Science Complex. A final capital budget request of $3.2 million to equip the building is slated to be included in the University System of Georgia’s fiscal year 2023 capital budget request. Private fundraising is underway for the project. To make a gift to the Poultry Science Building Fund, contact Mary Ann Parsons at (706) 542-3390 or visit the CAES giving page at https://gail.uga.edu/commit?des=90290000. The fiscal year 2022 budget also includes $5 million for the design, construction and equipment for a new Multidisciplinary Greenhouse Complex on the UGA Athens campus. This greenhouse project will help bridge the gap between laboratory and field experiments, supporting research within CAES. “We are so thankful for the support of our governor and state legislature for these critical projects. These funds will ensure that our facilities are capable of producing high-quality results in both horticulture and poultry research, along with providing increased opportunities for handson learning for our students in labs and greenhouses,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick Place. “Increasing our capacity for innovative research in agricultural and environmental sciences allows CAES to continue serving these industries, our state, and ultimately the world as we develop cutting-edge technologies and practical solutions.”
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 15 U.S. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL SEEKS PRODUCERS’ SUSTAINABILITY IDEAS The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is conducting a brief, confidential survey to better serve the U.S. cotton industry by gaining a more thorough understanding of U.S. cotton producers’ opinions/motivations regarding sustainability. The Trust Protocol encourages producers to complete this brief questionnaire on a computer, smartphone or tablet at www.surveymonkey.com/r/R5TNN3N. The survey seeks producers’ responses on questions ranging from ideas/opinions on sustainability webinars to which media outlets they most trust for obtaining farming news. Meanwhile, Trust Protocol’s Ken Burton strongly encourages producers to continue enrolling their 2021 cotton crop in the Trust Protocol – a major step for helping demonstrate to brands and retailers that the United States is a leader in more sustainable cotton growing practices. To begin the enrollment process, click the Join Now button at the top the Trust Protocol website’s home page, www.trustuscotton.org. More information on the program’s activities is at that site, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/trustuscotton/ and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/trustuscotton/. Program or enrollment questions can be directed to growers@trustuscotton.org.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 15 GEORGIA AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY COMMISSIONS SEEK NOMINATIONS May 30 deadline for nominations Several Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions (ACCs) are seeking nominations for positions of individuals whose terms are set to expire. To serve, 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. AGRABILITY NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOPS 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. 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. 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. Registration deadline is June 1. 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 478-298-3087.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 15 UGA/GCA CALHOUN HERD SALE June 2 NW GA Livestock Pavilion Calhoun A group of 80 bred heifers – registered (GE EPDs) & commercial (Igenity Beef) will be sold starting at 12:30 p.m. All heifers were bred by AI to either Connealy Comrade 1385 or GAR Prophet. Sale information, videos & an online catalog are available at www.ugabeef.com/herd. Contact Jason Duggin at jduggin@uga.edu or 706-728-4354. 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. Registration is $60. After a year of Covid19 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. FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY GOAT & SHEEP WORKSHOPS June 3 & July 8 Meat Technology Center 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fort Valley These in-person workshops, hosted by Fort Valley State University, are the same, just offered on two different days. Each workshop will include a live demonstration of processing a goat at the FVSU Meat Technology Center. The workshops will also include hands-on demonstrations of body condition scoring, hoof trimming, and using the FAMACHA test to determine the number and growth stage of parasites an animal has to know when/how to treat the animal. Other workshop topics will include: forage/feed management, parasite control, predator control, selecting animals for your herd, reproduction issues, and pre-harvest management of animals. Attendees are asked to pre-register at bit.ly/fvsuag-small-ruminant-workshop-registration. Lunch will not be provided but there will be a lunch break. Workshop organizers are willing to help place lunch orders or pick it up if desired. Bottled water and light snacks will be available. For more information contact Dr. Niki Whitley at 478-825-6577 or 478-391-4840 or whitleyn@fvsu.edu. The Meat Technology Center is located on the FVSU Campus on Toomer Lane, which intersects with Carver Drive. 2021 GEORGIA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL June 4-5 various locations & Goldwasser Park Alma 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.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 15 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 consist 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. UGA EXTENSION VIRTUAL SOLAR ENERGY SEMINAR June 8 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Zoom UGA Extension is offering the seminar, “Solar Energy in Rural Georgia: Opportunities and Considerations for Landowners,” to help landowners understand the benefits and possible liabilities of hosting solar panels on their land. The event is free and open to the public, but participants must register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G8mbGbHXRj2Va4p8FARt9Q. Investing in solar panels as an energy provider or leasing to outside companies has been a growing topic in the last few years, and UGA Extension offices have recently been fielding more questions on the subject. Incentive programs and tax credits available for those willing to switch to solar power have reduced in recent years, but future programs are likely. The Biden administration has placed renewable energy expansion as a key environmental priority. Speakers from UGA Extension, Georgia Tech, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and The University of Tulsa will discuss what landowners and communities need to consider before installing solar panels or contracting with a solar energy company. Opportunities to implement solar in the agricultural industry, including on the roofs of poultry houses and other options, will also be covered during the seminar. To register and see the full agenda of the seminar, which includes talks on the state of solar in Georgia and an examination of opportunity costs, visit www.zoom.us. For more information, contact Amanda Smith at aziehl@uga.edu. 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.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 15 AMERICAN CONNECTION PROJECT SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR FELLOWSHIPS June 15 (deadline extended) 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. 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. GEORGIA COTTON WOMEN SCHOLARSHIPS July 1 Application deadline The Georgia Cotton Women (GCW) is accepting applications for two scholarships – the John M. & Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship and the GCW Scholarship. Applicants for both $1,500 scholarships should be entering freshmen or rising sophomores for the 2021-22 academic year planning to attend or attending a Georgia college. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and should possess demonstrated leadership potential and have participated in organized activities. The GCW Scholarship is annually presented to the child or grandchild of a cotton producer or anyone involved in the cotton industry with priority given to children or grandchildren of GCW members. The Mobley Scholarship is annually presented to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer, with priority given to children of GCW members. Email georgiacottonwomen@gmail.com to request an application. Completed applications and supporting material must be postmarked no later than July 1.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 15 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. FARMTASTIC FAMILY FUN DAY AT ROCKHOUSE CREAMERY July 24 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Rockhouse Creamery Newborn Save the date and plan to join the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Program as they bring to life the story of the children’s book “Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish (Tales of the Dairy Godmother) at Rockhouse Creamery in Morgan County. Just as Chuck, the book’s main character, enjoys a memorable visit to a dairy farm, this fun-filled event will include tours of the family-owned dairy, free ice cream and the chance to explore AGCO tractors, just like farmers use. Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall will read the book for attendees at 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. The Georgia Ag Experience Mobile Classroom, which highlights Georgia’s major crops through videos and interactive computer games, will be onsite for tours. There will also be activity stations where kids can make butter and plant seeds to take home to watch grow. This event is a public fundraiser for the GFA to support its ag literacy programs, sponsored by Georgia EMC. Tickets are $10/person ages 4 and up. Children under 3 are free. Online registration information for this event will be announced soon.
GFB Field Notes page 15 of 15 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.