Georgia Farm Bureau's June 3 Field Notes

June 3, 2022

www.gfb.org

Vol. 4 No. 12

HPAI CONFIRMED IN TOOMBS COUNTY BACKYARD FLOCK The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) have confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard flock (non-poultry) located in Toombs County. This is the first confirmation of HPAI in domestic birds in Georgia.

It is important to note that avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply, and no affected animals entered the food chain. The risk of human infection with avian influenza is very low.

The flock owners reported sick birds and an increased rate of mortality. Samples taken on May 29 were tested for the presence of H5N1 avian influenza virus in the flock by the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN) and USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). This is the first detection of the virus in domestic birds in Georgia in 2022. There are no detections in commercial poultry in the state, according to a GDA press release.

“Poultry is the top sector of our number one industry, agriculture, and we are committed to protecting the livelihoods of the many farm families that are dependent on it,” said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black. “In order to successfully do that, it is imperative that we continue our efforts of extensive biosecurity.”

The GDA held a press conference on June 2 during which details the department’s response were presented by State Veterinarian Janemarie Hennebelle, GDA Inspector General Gary Kelley, GDA Director of Emergency Management Vanessa Sims and Georgia Poultry Lab Network Director Louise Zavala.

The flock owner, who raises a variety of bird species, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, peafowl and others, told media outlets that he had noticed dead buzzards nearby and then his birds started dying.

Georgia is the 36th state affected by the H5N1 outbreak that has beset more than 350 flocks and nearly 38 million birds nationwide. Previously, the virus had been confirmed only in wild birds in Georgia.

At the Toombs County farm, the Georgia State Agricultural Response Team (SART) worked with the flock owner to perform testing, euthanize and dispose of more than 350 birds and GDA staff facilitated cleaning and disinfection efforts at the farm. This work was completed within 48 hours.

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GFB Field Notes 2 of 14 Continued from previous page Hennebelle said the state’s coordinated response that included multiple government agencies and the flock owner had contained the virus on the premises and reduced the likelihood it would spread. A few feral chickens remained unaccounted for at the time of the June 2 press conference.

“We want to encourage all of our flock owners, small or large, to maintain vigilance and ensure that you have robust measures in place to protect your birds,” Hennebelle said.

Hennebelle specifically mentioned the following measures: • Moving birds with outdoor access indoors or covering their enclosures to reduce exposure to wild birds that might be shedding the virus; • Review biosecurity practices with a veterinarian or Extension Agent, or • Visit the GDA avian influenza webpage for biosecurity resources.

Zavala provided additional details on how the virus is spread.

“This virus is carried by wildlife,” Zavala said. “This virus has been circulating in Asia and Europe recently, with high numbers of detections in both wildlife, commercial and noncommercial poultry in 2001, 2020, 2021 and here we are in 2022. So the migratory birds are carrying this virus around the globe.”

Zavala said this indicates the virus is in the environment and emphasized that several species of wildlife are carrying the virus and shedding it. To protect domestic flocks, Zavala recommended establishing what she called a “line of separation” between where the flock is and where wildlife are, and taking measures to ensure that humans are not tracking the virus into flock enclosures.

This can be accomplished by use of disinfecting foot baths at enclosure entry points or using only dedicated or disposable footwear when entering the enclosure, as well as limiting visitors to chicken houses or coops.

According to Sims, information about protecting human health and stress-related conditions like compassion fatigue that can accompany this process was shared with the flock owner. The Georgia Crisis and Access line (1-800-715-4225 or www.mygcal.com) is available to connect individuals with a variety of resources to help with their mental well-being.

The GDA’s official order suspending poultry exhibitions and assembly of poultry, issued by the state veterinarian’s office on February 16, remains in effect. This order prohibits all exhibitions, shows, sales (flea markets, auction markets), swaps and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in Georgia until further notice.

Poultry flock owners are encouraged to closely observe their birds and report a sudden increase in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850. For more updates and information regarding biosecurity tips visit: Protect Your Flock (Georgia Dept. of Ag) Defend the Flock - Resource Center (USDA APHIS) AI Information for Hunters (USDA) Avian Influenza FAQ Protect Your Livelihood PDF

GFB Field Notes 3 of 14 FARM STRESS DRAWING ATTENTION OF STATE AND NATIONAL LEADERS A pair of events in May – National Mental Health Month – demonstrated that while farmers’ mental health challenges continue, there is increasing awareness of those challenges at the state and national levels.

On May 19, the University of Georgia hosted the Farm Stress Summit in Tifton, and on May 31, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock held a town hall-style meeting in Musella, hosted by Dickey Farmsk and Musella Baptist Church.

The Farm Stress Summit offered presentations from American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Communications Director Ray Atkinson, UGA School of Social Work Professor Dr. Anna Scheyett and Mercer University researchers Dr. Anne Montgomery and PhD candidate Stephanie Basey.

Montgomery and Basey discussed their study this spring on farm stress in Georgia. The study is expected to be published soon.

The Farm Stress Summit also featured a workshop in which participants considered communications approaches and audiences that might be targeted for messaging on mental wellbeing.

Atkinson traced AFBF’s work since 2017, focusing first on the national opioid crisis and later on farmers’ mental well-being. AFBF realized early in its work on opioids – which grew into the Farm Town Strong campaign – that the topic was not the organization’s forte and that it was so broad that collaboration would be required.

“AFBF we are not a behavioral health or a mental health or public health organization,” Atkinson said. “The strength that we have is our network of state Farm Bureaus, county Farm Bureaus and volunteers.”

Using those networks, the organization focused on messaging, communications and encouraging conversations to reduce stigma, Atkinson said, and the Farm Town Strong campaign served as a model for how AFBF could approach mental health concerns.

On May 31, Warnock and USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh met with farmers and representatives of various agricultural stakeholder groups at the event in Musella.

“It’s important to make them aware of what’s really going on with some of the stresses that agriculture has to put up with and also I hope it got stressed to him how important food security is and the fact that if you lose your producers, you’re going to lose your national security,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, one of the representatives of ag stakeholders who participated in the conversation with Warnock. “If you have to import all of your food, you’re in a vulnerable state.”

Warnock briefed attendees on Congressional passage of funding for the Farm Stress Assistance Network and praised the Georgia General Assembly for passing HB 1013, the Mental Health Parity Act, which is aimed at helping Georgians access affordable mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

“Mental health care is health care,” Warnock said. “There's no question farming is a tough job.

There are not a lot of factors completely in your control, and yet you show up, day after day after day.”

Bronaugh recognized Dickey and the fact that his family's farm is a multigenerational farm.

“That's a lot of pressure,” Bronaugh said. “You don't want to be the generation to not pass it -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 4 of 14 Continued from previous page on.”

Warnock and Bronaugh listened to producers’ concerns and ideas about ways the federal government can help alleviate stress among Georgia farmers. A big part of the message, Warnock told reporters, centered on financial pressures and the increasing difficulty farms are having with profitability.

“That’s what farmers lay awake at night worrying about, paying back loans, paying back all these inputs that are going sky high, and commodity prices are not necessarily following it,” McCall said. “That’s the mental stress of it. And then when you work seven days a week, there’s a physical stress that goes along with it.”

Signs a farmer or rancher may be at risk • Changes in their routines or social activities • Decline in the care of their domestic animals • Increase in illness or chronic conditions • Increase in farm accidents • Decline in appearance of farmstead • Decreased interest in activities or events Source: Farm State of Mind (https://www.fb.org/land/fsom) Mental health resources If you or someone you know are in distress, help is available here: • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (988 after July 16) or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org • Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225 or www.gfb.ag/gacrisisline • AFBF Farm State of Mind: www.fb.org/land/fsom • Rural Georgia: Growing Stronger – www.gfb.ag/ugaextensionstresshelp AGSOUTH FARM CREDIT TO MERGE WITH CAROLINA FARM CREDIT On May 25, Carolina Farm Credit and AgSouth Farm Credit jointly announced their intention to pursue a merger. Under the terms of the Letter of Intent (LOI), which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both associations, the combined entity would form the largest ag lending cooperative in the Southeast. Based on the two associations’ current portfolios, the merged entity would begin with over $4.2 billion in gross loan volume serving more than 24,800 stockholders with more than 475 employees.

The two Associations would operate as AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA. The combined Agricultural Credit Association would serve 147 counties in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The headquarters would be located in Statesville, North Carolina.

If approved, the combined Association would be led by current Carolina Farm Credit President -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 5 of 14 Continued from previous page and CEO Vance Dalton, who has more than 29 years of Farm Credit leadership experience.

AgSouth President and CEO Pat Calhoun, will retire after more than 34 years of Farm Credit service. Calhoun has successfully led AgSouth Farm Credit for the past 6 years and the Boards appreciate his strong leadership and vision.

According to a Carolina Farm Credit press release, a merger should generate meaningful benefits for the stockholders, agriculture producers and future producers, communities served and employees from both Associations. The intended merger is expected to provide more access to specialized lenders to provide the needs and expertise for a diverse market along with more efficiencies through access to increased resources in technology and capital.

No branch office closures or branch staffing changes are anticipated as part of the merger.

Once due diligence is complete, the respective boards will vote on whether to approve a definitive merger agreement and seek to obtain regulatory approval. If regulatory approval is obtained, stockholders will receive a merger disclosure package in early 2023 with a complete description of the merger terms and the board’s reasons for recommending stockholder approval.

A stockholder vote would occur afterward, and, if approved, the merger would become effective on April 1, 2023.

AgSouth Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its borrowers that provides loans for farms, land, equipment and homes. Crop insurance and leasing services are also available.

AgSouth Farm Credit serves over 12,000 members with more than $2.3 billion in gross accruing loans. AgSouth has branches 59 Georgia counties with branches in Baxley, Blackshear, Carrollton, Douglas, Greenville, Griffin, Jesup, Madison, Statesboro, Sylvania, Thomaston and Vidalia. The association also serves 34 counties in South Carolina with branches in Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Batesburg, Camden, Laurens, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, St. Matthews, Summerville and Walterboro.

Carolina Farm Credit is a stockholder-owned cooperative that provides financing to full and part-time farmers, agricultural-related businesses, and for the construction and purchase of homes in 54 counties through 29 branch offices. Appraisal and Leasing services are also available.

Carolina Farm Credit serves more than 12,000 members with more than $1.9 billion in gross accruing loans. The cooperative’s territory covers the western half of North Carolina, with branch offices located in Albemarle, Asheboro, Asheville, Browns Summit, Burnsville, Carthage, Conover, Ellerbe, Graham, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Lexington, Lincolnton, Monroe, Murphy, Pilot Mountain, Roxboro, Rural Hall, Salisbury, Shelby, Siler City, Sparta, Spindale, Statesville, Taylorsville, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, and Yanceyville.

USDA ACTIONS TO ADDRESS FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS, PRICE CHALLENGES On May 26, the USDA announced a suite of new actions, including issuing a new Packers & Stockyards Act rulemaking, making available $200 Million to expand competition in meat processing, and investing $25 million in workforce training.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more support, resources, and new rules that the Biden administration says will strengthen the American food supply chain, promote fair and -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 6 of 14 Continued from previous page competitive agricultural markets, prevent abuse of farmers by poultry processors and make prices fairer for farmers and American consumers. These actions fulfill key components of the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Action Plan launched in January. The moves also combat market dominance by a small number of major meat and poultry processors in key markets, where excessive concentration and control has led to lower prices paid to producers and higher prices paid by consumers.

The USDA announced a proposed rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act to protect poultry growers from abuse, the first of three rulemakings that USDA will issue under President Biden’s executive order aimed at stopping unfair, deceptive, discriminatory, and anticompetitive practices in the meat and poultry industry.

The new rulemaking will require poultry processors to provide key information to poultry growers at several critical steps—increasing transparency and accountability in the poultry growing system. For example, processors would be required to disclose details of the inputs they provided to each farmer and information about the input differences among farmers being ranked.

Furthermore, disclosures would cover the level of control and discretion exercised by the poultry processor and what financial returns the farmer can expect from the relationship based on the range of real experiences of other growers. Contracts would also be required to contain guaranteed annual flock placements and density. Poultry processor CEOs would be required to sign off on the compliance process for disclosure accuracy.

The USDA is also opening an inquiry into whether some practices of processors in the tournament system are so unfair that they should be banned or otherwise regulated. USDA seeks input from stakeholders to determine whether the current tournament-style system in poultry growing could be restricted or modernized to create a fairer, more inclusive marketplace.

Vilsack announced that USDA is making available $200 million under the new Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) to strengthen the food supply chain and create opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in rural communities. These funds will provide much-needed financing to independent meat and poultry processors to start up and expand operations.

The MPILP will provide grants of up to $15 million to nonprofit lenders, including private nonprofits, cooperatives, public agencies and tribal entities. These intermediaries will use this funding to establish a revolving loan fund to finance a variety of activities related to meat and poultry processing. For example, businesses may use the loans to acquire land, build or expand facilities and modernize equipment.

For more information, please visit www.rd.usda.gov/mpilp and read USDA Rural Development’s program announcement.

Vilsack also announced $25 million in investments for workforce training programs for meat and poultry processing workers with American Rescue Plan Act Section 1001 funding. The targeted funding through new and existing National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) programs is designed to create and expand upon good-paying jobs that can strengthen the meatpacking industry by attracting and retaining employees.

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GFB Field Notes 7 of 14 Continued from previous page NIFA is leading two funding opportunities: • Extension Risk Management Education and Sustainable Agriculture Research Education Programs: An investment of $5 million will be split equally between Extension Risk Management Education and Sustainable Agriculture Research Education programs. Work in these programs will support development of meat and poultry processing training and educational materials for place-based needs, particularly relevant to small- or medium-sized farmers and ranchers.

Additionally, training local and/or regional meat and poultry workers presents a unique opportunity to address the demand from niche markets, like mobile processing units fulfilling market demand from fresh markets, on-site processing, farm-to-fork (restauranteurs), boutique grocers and others.

• Community/Technical College Ag Workforce Training and Expanded Learning Opportunities: This Agricultural Workforce Training (AWT) investment makes available $20 million to qualified community colleges to support meat and poultry processing workforce development programs.

The AWT program helps develop a workforce ready for the field as well as industry jobs in the food and agricultural sectors. By creating new workforce training programs, or expanding, improving, or renewing existing workforce training programs at community, junior, and technical colleges/institutes, this program will expand job-based, experiential learning opportunities, acquisition of industry-accepted credentials and occupational competencies for students to enable a workforce for the 21st century.

For more information, please visit NIFA’s Webpage and read NIFA’s agency announcement.

The USDA also released a new report on Promoting Competition in Agricultural Markets, as required by President Biden’s executive order on promoting competition in the American economy. The report details USDA’s strategy for promoting competition in agricultural markets— including not only actions and initiatives to promote competition in meat and poultry markets, but also other key agricultural sectors like fertilizer and seeds. The report also discusses the negative impacts concentration in shipping has on our food supply chain and describes USDA’s efforts to work across the Administration to use all available tools to promote competition.

GROUP OF CONGRESSMEN BALK AT SEC CLIMATE REPORTING RULE On May 25, a group of 118 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler expressing concerns about the SEC’s proposed rule on “Enhanced and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors.”

Georgia’s Rick Allen, Buddy Carter, Andrew Clyde, Drew Ferguson and Austin Scott signed the letter, which they say would be unnecessarily burdensome on farmers, who are outside the SEC’s responsibility.

The congressmen said if promulgated, the rule “would be a significant and unworkable regulatory burden, and a considerable departure from the SEC’s mission to protect investors, facilitate capital formation, and foster fair, orderly, and efficient markets.”

The rule would require publicly traded companies to disclose Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To do business with public companies, small farms would be required to disclose a significant amount of climate-related information. Unlike large corporations, small farms do not -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 8 of 14 Continued from previous page have full-scale compliance departments. Imposing these additional reporting requirements could disqualify small, family-owned farms from doing business with companies which could lead to more consolidation in the agriculture industry.

The congressmen pointed out that farmers are already regulated by agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, and that there are currently multiple programs at the federal level to help farmers implement conservation practices.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the proposal would require public companies to report on Scope 3 emissions, which are the result of activities from assets not owned or controlled by a publicly traded company but contribute to its value chain. While farmers and ranchers would not be required to report directly to the SEC, they provide almost every raw product that goes into the food supply chain.

“The Securities and Exchange Commission plays an important role in protecting investors, but its reach has never extended to America’s farms. The bipartisan letter sent to the SEC recognizes the proposed rule’s overreach by an agency whose mission should be focused on Wall Street,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “America’s families rely on farmers to put food on their table every day, and farmers are increasingly being asked to answer the growing call for nutrition from families around the globe. Higher costs, liabilities and privacy issues will all create obstacles to reaching those goals.”

To read the letter, click here. To read AFBF’s Market Intel report on the proposed rule, click here.

The SEC is accepting public comments on the proposed rule until June 17. To read the rule click here. To make a comment, visit www.sec.gov/rules/proposed.shtml, scroll down to Release No. 33-11061 and click the link “submit comments on S7-10-22” in the section for that release.

GOTHAM GREENS TO LOCATE GREENHOUSE IN WALTON COUNTY On March 29, indoor farming company Gotham Greens announced it will open a greenhouse facility in Monroe, Georgia, one of three new facilities the Brooklyn-based company has planned, according to a company press release. The project is expected to cost $34 million and create 45 new jobs.

Gotham Greens operates one of the largest networks of high-tech hydroponic greenhouses in North America. The new facilities, combined with expansion of the company’s existing greenhouses in Chicago and Providence, R.I, will double the size of its greenhouse capacity from 600,000 square feet to over 1.2 million square feet in 2022.

Gotham Greens is building a 210,000 square foot state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse facility within the Piedmont Regional Industrial Park in Monroe. The greenhouse will open in 2022 and join the company’s national network of greenhouses located in New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maryland, Colorado, and California, as well as a recently announced project in Texas.

In addition to the facility in Walton County, development is currently underway for new stateof-the-art greenhouse facilities in Seagoville, Texas (outside Dallas) and Windsor, Colorado (outside Denver), as well as the expansion of its existing greenhouses in Chicago and Providence, R.I. Upon completion, Gotham Greens will own and operate 12 high-tech, climate-controlled -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 9 of 14 Continued from previous page hydroponic greenhouses in eight states.

The new greenhouses will enable Gotham Greens to continue serving many of the country’s largest grocery retailers, which continue to see a steady increase in consumer demand for greenhouse-grown produce. The company’s national and regional retail partnerships include Whole Foods Market, The Kroger Co., Albertsons Companies, Sprouts Farmers Market, and more.

Gotham Greens currently sells its salad greens, herbs, salad dressings, dips, and cooking sauces in approximately 3,000 stores across 45 U.S. states.

For more information on Gotham Greens, its products and job openings, visit www.gothamgreens.com.

GFB Field Notes 10 of 14 FERAL SWINE EDUCATION WORKSHOP 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.

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.

GFB Field Notes 11 of 14 GEORGIA PORK PRODUCERS MEETING/DELEGATE ELECTION June 14 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2023 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 1:30 p.m. in conjunction with a board of directors meeting of Georgia Pork Producers Association in the auditorium of the Georgia Farm Bureau building in Macon, Georgia. All Georgia pork producers are invited to attend. Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information, contact Georgia Pork Producers Association, P.O. Box 1566, Bainbridge, Ga., telephone 1-229-246-8297.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON COMPETITION CHALLENGES IN AG INPUTS June 15 Deadline to comment The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a 30-day extension to the public comment period to identify the impacts of concentration and competition challenges in seed, fertilizer, other agricultural inputs, and retail markets. The new deadline is June 15. Three RFIs (requests for information) were published in the Federal Register on March 17, each with a 60-day comment period ending May 16, 2022. The RFIs are intended to provide USDA with data on competition and market access for farmers and ranchers, new and growing market competitors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and the context of these markets for farmers. Additional information is available at www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/fair-competitive/rfi. All written comments should be posted online at https://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the docket number of the RFI, the date of submission, and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments may also be sent to Jaina Nian, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Room 2055-S, STOP 0201, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 202500201. Comments will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours or online.

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 12 of 14 FARM BUREAU FARM DOG OF THE YEAR July 1 deadline to enter Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2023 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, supported by Purina. This is the fifth year of the contest, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families and their pets across America. The grand prize winner – Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year – will win a year's worth of Purina dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year award ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in January 2023. Up to four regional runners-up* will each win $1,000 in prize money. The 2023 Farm Dog of the Year will also be featured in a professionally produced video. The profile of 2022 Farm Dog of the Year Fit can be viewed at https://www.fb.org/land/fdoty. Desired attributes for the Farm Dog of the Year include helpfulness to the farmer and his/her family, playfulness and obedience. Farm dog owners must be Farm Bureau members to enter their dogs in the competition.

Prospective applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit fb.org/join to learn about becoming a member. Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available at https://www.fb.org/land/fdoty. Farm Dog of the Year nominations, which include written responses to questions, at least one still photo and a video clip (optional), must be received by July 1, 2022, for consideration. The Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest is sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The third annual social media contest, People’s Choice Pup, was a popular element of the Farm Dog of the Year competition in 2022 – reaching 133,000 people – and will return for 2023. Profiles of several dogs nominated for the contest will be shared beginning in October, with the public invited to vote. Bragging rights and a year’s worth of dog food from Purina will be awarded to the People’s Choice Pup. SUNBELT FIELD DAY TO FEATURE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH July 21 Sunbelt Ag Expo 8 a.m.

Moultrie Farmers are invited to join us to learn practical information from the region’s top agricultural scientists about the newest technologies that farmers can use to improve their operations. Field Day features a driving Tour of the Darrell Williams Research Farm. The half-day event is free for anyone who works in agriculture. Visitors should arrive thru Gate 2 anytime between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to begin the tour. Signs will direct those in attendance to a red tent where they will register, receive a welcome bag including snacks, register for CCA credits, and begin the tour. Visitors are encouraged to bring a friend to experience the event with you. Be sure to have a smartphone or tablet with you to view the research videos during the tour. Videos will be accessible using the Official Sunbelt Ag Expo app, web site, or YouTube channel. Connect your device to your vehicle Bluetooth before you arrive. Plan to chat with researchers and vendors at plots that specifically interest you. Prepare to explore and learn on the research farm, all while enjoying your comfortable vehicle! UGA researchers, Extension Specialists, and ag chemical representatives conduct numerous trials at the Sunbelt farm for all major southern agronomic crops. To view more specific Field Day details, download the Sunbelt Ag Expo app or visit www.sunbeltexpo.com.

GFB Field Notes 13 of 14 PICNIC ON THE FARM EVENTURE September 17 Engelheim Vineyards 12 – 4 pm Ellijay Join the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture on September 17 for a one-of-a-kind agricultural and culinary experience you won’t soon forget. Georgia’s best chefs fill the picnic baskets for GFA’s signature even’ture, Picnic on the Farm. Guests will receive a blanket and picnic basket with a 3course, chef-created lunch to share with friends or family anywhere on the farm. The 2022 event is celebrating all things about Georgia’s newest commodity: Wine and Grapes. Guests will enjoy beer and wine, live music, farm tours, silent auction, lawn games and other kids’ activities, against the beautiful backdrop of North Georgia’s wine country. Picnic on the Farm is perfect for families, couples, colleagues and clients or a fun girls’ trip with good food and friends. Make a weekend of it and explore what North Georgia has to offer. Engelheim Vineyard is one of Gilmer county’s most scenic vineyards, located just off Ga. Hwy. 52 aka Apple Alley. Tickets are $75 for a twoperson basket and $150 for a four-person basket. VIP-designated picnic areas are $500 with picnic baskets for up to eight people and wine included. VIP areas offer a scenic, themed picnic set up for your group and exclusive offers for additional activities. Attire for the event is farm chic.

Learn more and sign up soon by visiting https://www.gafoundationag.org/picniconthefarm. Events such as this help support the mission of the foundation. Any support is appreciated to help make this signature event a success! Sponsorship opportunities from $50 to $10,000 are available. Please inquire by emailing jmfarmer@gafoundationag.org. All proceeds benefit the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s core program areas: elementary ag classroom learning, higher ag education, farm-based mentorship, professional learning and farmer mental health. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is on a mission to develop a pipeline for Georgia’s next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders. For more information, visit www.gafoundationag.org.

GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL HARVEST CELEBRATION Nov. 18 The Classic Center Athens Early bird tickets are on sale now for the Harvest Celebration, the focal event of the year for agribusiness in Georgia. The evening unites leaders from every agriculture sector and corner of the state in a festive salute to the industry. On November 18, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the Live Auction, Silent Auction and Field of Dreams raffle, and listen to entertainment provided by The Swingin’ Medallions at our the event’s new location, The Classic Center in Athens, GA! The cut-off date to be listed in the Harvest Celebration program as a ticket purchaser or a table sponsor is Oct. 21. Those who register by Aug. 1 have a chance at one of four prizes. To register, visit https://www.ga-agribusiness.org/Events.aspx, call the GAC office at 706-336-6830 or send an email to Maggie Wooten at mwooten@ga-agribusiness.org.

GFB Field Notes 14 of 14 KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS 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 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.