Photo by Logan Thomas
June 9, 2021
www.gfb.org
Vol. 3 No. 12
GEORGIA AG COMMISSIONER GARY BLACK RUNNING FOR U.S. SENATE Gary Black, Georgia’s agriculture commissioner since 2011, announced June 4 that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Raphael Warnock. Black’s decision means Georgians will elect a new agriculture commissioner in 2022. He will continue to serve as ag commissioner through the remainder of his current term. Black says he is running for Senate for the future of America. “People have asked me ‘Why are you running for the U.S. Senate when you could be re-elected to serve as agriculture commissioner?’ As far as keeping an office for the sake of having it, doing that is not the way I operate nor is that how I think about it,” Black said. “Running for Senate is about the safety and security of America for my children and grandchildren. It’s about what kind of contribution can I make to make our country better? Some people have said they want to fundamentally change America, and I fundamentally disagree with them. I believe we have to restore trust in the institution of the federal government. I’d like to start with the U.S. Senate.” During Black’s decade as agriculture commissioner, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has revamped and expanded its Georgia Grown program to promote Georgia commodities and the many food products made from them by Georgia companies. Many of these businesses began in the past 10 years. The GDA divisions for information technology, animal health, homeland security and food safety have been modernized to protect Georgia’s food supply. “We’ve worked with the Emergency Management Agency to develop Georgia as one of the best prepared states in the nation to deal with disaster and emergency management issues. We’ve made significant progress in technology and response management that impacts every mission of the department,” Black said. Black led the GDA in administering the federal relief funds for farmers affected by Hurricane Michael that the USDA allocated to Georgia through a state block grant program as authorized by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019, which Congress passed to address multiple natural disasters that hit the U.S from 2017 into 2019. He also worked with the federal government to utilize China tariff money on expanded marketing efforts in Taiwan. As head of the GDA, Black has overseen the department’s budget that includes state and federal funds that approaches about $70 million annually and approximately 525 employees.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 14 GFB AWARDS PRIZES TO GA JR. NATIONAL LIVESTOCK GRAND CHAMPIONS Visit www.gfb.ag/21gajrshowpics to see photos of the grand champions accepting prizes from GFB President Tom McCall and showing in February. The 31st Annual Georgia Junior National Livestock Show (GJNLS) grand champions didn’t win their titles by accident. The six winners have a combined 41 years of showing experience between them. For the tenth year, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) sponsored the cash prizes and coveted belt buckles for the species grand champions of the GJNLS held in February at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. This year’s winners are: Commercial Dairy Heifer – Angelica Smith of Houston County; Breeding Doe – Carlie Christian of Franklin County; Beef Heifer – Jesse Cronic of Jackson County; Market Cattle – Bella Chandler of Jackson County; Market Gilt – Makinley Duke of Calhoun County; and Breeding Ewe – Gabrielle Ralston of Gordon County. GFB President Tom McCall and GFB Field Services Associate Director Clay Talton, traveled across Georgia May 24 through June 3 to personally present this year’s grand champion winners with their belt buckles and prize checks. McCall and Talton visited with the champions, their family members, and 4-H agents or FFA advisors who were able to attend receptions hosted by each champion’s county Farm Bureau office. “Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to support the Georgia Junior Livestock Program,” said McCall. “We’re proud of the work these kids put into their animals with the day-to-day care of them. These livestock projects help prepare 4-Hers and FFA members for the responsibilities they’ll have as adults. We hope the positive experience they have showing livestock will make them want to pursue jobs in agriculture or to be farmers.” MEET THE CHAMPIONS Angelica Smith Angelica Smith was a sophomore at Houston County High School (HCHS) when she won the grand champion commercial dairy heifer prize of $1,500 with a red Holstein she called “Applejacks.” This was the second year Smith showed dairy cattle as a member of the HCHS FFA. The daughter of Christopher and Janet Smith of Kathleen, Angelica was introduced to showing dairy cattle by her older sister, Aaliyah, who also showed dairy cows as an FFA member. Angelica said she began her FFA showing career in 8th grade showing pigs with her best friend, Karli Stallworth. “We went into high school and they didn’t have pigs; they had dairy heifers we could show. So, that’s what we did,” Angelica said. “I averaged working with Applejacks an hour after school each day and two hours on Saturday and Sunday.” Carlie Christian Franklin County 4-Her Carlie Christian earned a $1,000 prize for her grand champion commercial doe (female goat) “Miss P”. Christian, a sixth grader at Franklin Middle School when she won the award, has been showing for five years. She also shows hogs and lambs. The daughter of Bryan and Leslie Christian of Royston, Carlie says she prefers showing goats. Jesse Cronic Jesse Cronic, who won the grand champion beef heifer prize of $2,500 with a Simmental named -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 14 Continued from previous page “Lola,” is the third generation of his family to show cattle. Cronic, who was a sophomore FFA member at Jackson County High School when he won the award, has been showing livestock for six years. He started showing goats in second grade and switched to cattle in fifth grade. He is the son of Michael and Shane Cronic of Braselton. “My family has always been in the cattle business. My grandfather [Barry Cronic] showed and my Daddy [Michael] showed as well, so I guess it’s in my blood,” Jesse said. Jesse said he was, “looking for an Angus heifer to show, but I stumbled on this one and I knew she was the one I wanted to bring home. She’s the soundest female [cow] I’ve ever owned. She’s got the ability to get out in the pasture and produce calves. We can show and sale her profitably.” Bella Chandler After showing livestock for 14 years, winning the grand champion market beef cattle prize of $5,000 was a dream come true for East Jackson High School FFA member Bella Chandler. The daughter of Rodney and Gay Chandler of Royston, Bella was a junior when she won the award. Chandler says she was about three years old when she started showing goats. She also showed sheep and then started showing cows at nine, as soon as she was eligible. “I got into showing because of my family’s influence. My grandfather influenced me to show. Both of my parents and my uncles showed too,” Bella said. She said she relied on advice of family friends to help her pick out her prize-winning Maine & Angus crossbred steer “Lupe” (pronounced Loo-pay). She also credits her uncle David Farmer for his help throughout her showing career. With 14 years of showing under her belt, Chandler said the hardest part about showing is “When the calves don’t act right.” Lupe proved to be a handful. “He was actually pretty crazy. Just scared of everything,” Chandler said. “We used horse ear plugs, but we took them out for this show, and he did ok.” Makinley Duke Calhoun County 4-Her Makinley Duke captured the $1,500 grand champion market gilt (young female) prize with a pig named Karma. The daughter of Kelli and Jackie Duke of Leary, Makinley has shown hogs for six years. “I watched Charlotte’s Web, and I told my dad I wanted a pig,” Makinley said when asked how she started showing. “I’ve been working with Karma since around November. We have a long driveway, and I took her down and back up three times a day. I worked showmanship with her, too. She is very sassy. She loves to eat boots and brushes.” Makinley was a sixth grader at Lee County Middle School when she won the award. Gabrielle Ralston Winning the grand champion breeding ewe prize of $1,000, allowed Gordon County 4-Her Gabrielle Ralston to end her eight-year showing career on a high note. Ralston was a senior at Sonoraville High School when she won with her ewe named “Unicorn.” Showing has been a family affair for Gabrielle as she showed alongside her fraternal twin sister, Jasmine. “It’s a team victory for our household. Winning this award means a whole lot. It’s been a goal since day one,” Gabrielle said. “When we picked her out, she was an ugly duckling, but she blossomed into a very nice swan for us.” -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 14 Continued from previous page The Ralston sisters began their showing career with goats and then got into sheep. Gabrielle has also shown cattle and pigs. Lily and Tanner Norton McCall also presented first cousins Lily and Tanner Norton of Grady County with the belt buckles and prize money they won last fall for winning the species grand championship awards at the Georgia Jr. Market Goat Shows (Doe & Wether) and Georgia Jr. Market Lamb Show. Lily, then a senior at Cairo High School, won both the Market Wether Grand Champion prize of $1,500 and the Market Doe Grand Champion prize of $1,500. Tanner, then a sophomore at Cairo High, won the Market Lamb Grand Champion prize of $1,000. Both Lily and Tanner showed as Grady County 4-Hers. The double win last fall was especially sweet for Lily, who participated in the fall shows for the last time as a student. “I’m so thankful for the family and friends who have got me this far. It’s a great way to end my senior year,” Lily said. “When they canceled the fair, I was scared the shows might be canceled. I was very thankful to the fairgrounds and state of Georgia for letting us show since for a lot of us it is our senior year.” Tanner is no stranger to the winner’s circle. He won the grand champion market wether award in 2019 and grand champion market doe and lamb awards in 2018. “Picking good animals and working them every day,” is his secret for winning. About 1,560 Georgia 4-H and FFA members exhibited 2,534 animals at the 2021 GJNLS. BREANNA BERRY JOINS GFB AS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Breanna Berry has been named the new Georgia Farm Bureau Leadership Development Coordinator. She will facilitate activities of the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee and the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee. She started June 1. A native of Pike County, Berry has worked as an agricultural education teacher at Locust Grove High School for the past three years. Before that, she worked for the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES), helping to recruit students to CAES and managing the student ambassador program. In her work she connected with alumni, ag stakeholders and professionals to engage in college-wide initiatives. Berry earned bachelor’s and specialist degrees in agricultural education from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in ag education from Auburn University. Berry’s husband, Zach, is a worship pastor at First Baptist Church of Conyers. Breanna succeeds Erin Nessmith, who left GFB in January to pursue other opportunities. She assumes the responsibilities of the WLC from Lauren Goble, who continues to serve as GFB’s education program coordinator focusing on the Ag in the Classroom program.Berry can be reached via email at bcberry@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5232.
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 14 JULY 13 IS DEADLINE TO FILE CLAIMS IN PEANUT ANTITRUST SETTLEMENT Recently, some peanut farmers may have received an email or letter in the mail regarding an antitrust litigation notice. If you received the notice, check the peanut sales information listed on the letter and file your claim by July 13. Peanut growers and other affected parties who do not submit a valid claim form by the deadline, will not receive a payment from the Settlement Fund, but will be bound by the Court's judgment in these actions. The notice was sent to farmers or entities who sold raw, harvested runner peanuts in the U.S. to Birdsong Peanuts, Golden Peanut or Olam Peanut Shelling Company from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2019. The full notice regarding the proposed settlement is available at www.PeanutFarmersAntitrustLitigation.com. Continue to check the website to be kept informed about any future developments. If you believe you are a member of the Class, you are urged to obtain a copy of the Notice, which explains your rights regarding the settlements and related matter. For more information, contact the settlement administrator at 844-754-7469 or Info@PeanutFarmersAntitrustLitigation.com. SCOTT URGES BIDEN TO SHIELD FARMERS FROM FINANCIAL HARM In a June 2 letter to President Joe Biden, House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott (D-Georgia 13th District) signified support of the historic nature of the American Jobs Plan and American Family Plan, while emphasizing the need to protect farmers, ranchers, and small businesses from financial burden. “As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, I applaud the programs in the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan as admirable, but the brunt of paying for them cannot be borne by the next generation of farmers taking over the land,” Scott wrote. “Any increase in inheritance tax for those taking over farmland is untenable and will further strain a farm economy that is just now beginning to recover from the strain of the pandemic.” Chairman Scott pointed out that stepped-up basis is a critical tool enabling family farming operations to continue from generation to generation. The potential for capital gains to be imposed on heirs at death of the landowner would impose a significant financial burden on these operations. Scott also noted that farmers’ exemptions as proposed in the American Jobs Plan and the American Family Plan would merely delay tax liability until farm assets are sold. One possible consequence of this would be further consolidation in farmland ownership, he said. “While I appreciate that the proposal provides for some exemptions, the provisions could still result in significant tax burdens on many family farming operations,” Scott wrote. “We must ensure that we protect our family farmers, ranchers and small businesses that keep our rural communities alive.”
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 14 USDA HOLDING AMERICAN PECAN COUNCIL REFERENDUM THROUGH JUNE 28 Pecan growers in 15 states have until June 28 to vote on whether to continue their federal marketing order in a mail referendum the USDA is holding. The marketing order authorizes the American Pecan Council to conduct crop and market data collection, domestic pecan research and promotion campaigns, and efforts to regulate grade, size, quality, pack and container requirements under USDA’s oversight. The federal statutes that outline how USDA manages commodity marketing orders stipulates that the USDA conduct a continuance referendum every five years to determine growers’ level of support for the program. To be eligible to vote, pecan growers must have produced a minimum average of 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans over the four years from Oct. 1, 2016, to Sept. 30, 2020, or must own a minimum of 30 pecan acres in the production area of Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. USDA will consider continuing the marketing order if at least two-thirds of the growers voting, by number or volume, vote in favor of continuance. “I encourage pecan growers who receive a ballot to vote in the American Pecan Council referendum to fill it out and send it back by June 28. I won’t tell you how to vote, but I will tell you to vote,” said Garrett Ganas, chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Pecan Advisory Committee. “Time is short so don’t wait.” The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has mailed ballots and voting instructions to all growers of record. Eligible growers who did not receive a ballot by June 7, should contact Abigail Campos at Abigail.Campos@usda.gov or 863-324-2145. Requests for a ballot may also be faxed to (863) 291-8614 or mailed to USDA, AMS, 1124 First Street South, Winter Haven, FL 33880. More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of pecans grown in 15 states is available on the AMS 986 American Pecan Council webpage, the Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage or by contacting the Marketing Order and Agreement Division at (202) 7202491. Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to 29 fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders and agreements, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity. JBS BACK TO FULL CAPACITY AFTER CYBERATTACK A ransomware attack discovered on May 30 prompted JBS USA and Pilgrim’s to close slaughter facilities in the United States, Canada and Australia, though the company says it minimized the damage. According to published reports, nine U.S. beef and pork slaughter facilities closed down. The FBI attributed the cyberattack to the REvil ransomware gang. On June 3, JBS USA and Pilgrim’s announced that all their global facilities were fully operational after resolution of the criminal cyberattack on May 30, according to a company press release. The company said it limited the loss of food produced during the attack to less than one days’ -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 14 Continued from previous page worth of production. Any lost production across the company’s global business will be recovered, limiting any potential negative impact on producers, consumers and the company’s workforce. “The criminals were never able to access our core systems, which greatly reduced potential impact,” said Andre Nogueira, JBS USA CEO. “We are fortunate that all of our facilities around the globe are operating at normal capacity, and we are focused on fulfilling our responsibility to produce safe, high-quality food.” In a June 2 interview with RFD-TV, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Economist Veronica Nigh pointed out that because JBS USA accounts for approximately 20% of U.S. beef processing, any impact on the company’s operations is significant. “Certainly, folks who were trying to sell [during the shutdown] had to turn around and put those cattle back on feed for a couple more days,” Nigh told RFD-TV on June 2. Immediately upon learning of the intrusion, JBS said it contacted federal officials and activated its cybersecurity protocols, including voluntarily shutting down all its systems to isolate the intrusion, limit potential infection and preserve core systems. In addition, the company’s encrypted backup servers, which were not infected during the attack, allowed for a return to operations sooner than expected. JBS USA and Pilgrim’s prioritized restoring systems critical to production to ensure the food supply chain, producers and consumers were not adversely impacted. The company said it was not aware of any evidence that any customer, supplier or employee data has been compromised or misused as a result of the situation. USDA URGED TO EXPEDITE COVID-19 RELIEF FOR POULTRY GROWERS On June 4, 59 members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting that a rulemaking process to administer direct payments to contract chicken growers be completed as quickly as possible. Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) and Reps. Austin Scott (R-8th District), Buddy Carter (R1st District), Andrew Clyde (R-9th District), Drew Ferguson (R-3rd District) and Rick Allen (R12th District) signed onto the letter. The congressmen emphasized that contract growers who raise chickens for poultry processing companies have not yet received federal assistance during the pandemic. Many contract chicken growers suffered substantial losses when processing facilities were forced to reduce or suspend production during the pandemic threatening many smaller and family-owned farms. As a result, the congressmen wrote, COVID-19 has severely affected the bottom lines of many chicken growers in their home states. On Dec. 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which included additional resources for USDA to continue supporting American farmers. The bill also included funding for USDA to provide direct payments for contract chicken growers who previously had been excluded from assistance provided by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). “As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to assist farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), we respectfully request that the Department expedite the rulemaking process to administer direct payments to contract chicken growers,” the members of Congress requested. Georgia poultry production was worth approximately $4 billion in 2019, according to the University of Georgia Center of Agribusiness & Economic Development.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 14 EXHIBIT CELEBRATING AGRICULTURE UNVEILED AT GEORGIA CAPITOL The next time you visit Georgia’s Capitol, check out the new exhibit spotlighting Georgia agriculture that is part of the Capitol Museum on the fourth floor. The permanent exhibit ‘From Your Farm to Your Table’ highlights the impact agribusiness has on Georgia’s economy and culture. The Georgia Capitol Museum (GCM) worked with the University of Georgia Libraries team to develop the colorful exhibit that also highlights tips for eating healthy on a budget, the seasons in which various Georgia crops are harvested and some of the ways farmers use technology, such as apps and drones to monitor their crops for diseases or pests and to conserve water. The exhibit includes an interactive kiosk. Georgia Sen. Valencia Seay (D – Dist. 34/Riverdale) sponsored bipartisan Sen. Bill 274, which the Georgia General Assembly passed and then-Gov. Nathan Deal signed in 2014, to create this exhibit. On June 4, Seay hosted an unveiling ceremony for the exhibit attended by other members of the Georgia Legislature and capitol staff. Georgia Farm Bureau provided food for the luncheon that followed. Seay, who grew up in Atlanta, was first introduced to agriculture while serving on the Georgia House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee before being elected to the Senate. She remembers traveling to Middle Georgia with other House Ag Committee members to see peaches picked and processed at Lane Orchards. Several years ago, she attended an Urban Ag Academy hosted by Iowa State University for urban legislators. “I saw an autonomous tractor equipped with the latest technology going down corn fields as far as the eye can see beaming back data about the crop and soil. I was fascinated as was my grandson, who went with me,” Seay recalls. “Most kids are not aware of basic agriculture much less the technology being used in agriculture today. It came to me that we needed an exhibit at the Capitol that would highlight Georgia agriculture. My grandkids gave me the idea for it to be an interactive display with games kids can play because they were born into technology.” Seay credits the late Sen. Jack Hill for helping her secure money in the state budget for the exhibit and UGA Librarian & Associate Provost Toby Graham and his team for bringing her idea for the exhibit to life. “I gave them [UGA Library team] the idea and they pulled it all together,” Seay said. “There’s a lot of information in that display and there’s a teaching element to the display that teachers can use to get their kids involved with the interactive computer game kids can play. My grandson loved playing to get his score up.” Before COVID-19, about 25,000 people annually booked guided tours of the Georgia Capitol each year through the GCM. Thousands more Georgians visit the capitol annually while the Georgia General Assembly is in session for 40 days during mid-January to April. At this time, all guided tours of the Capitol are suspended until further notice, per the museum website, but the Capitol is open for self-guided tours. All capitol tours are free. Visit https://gfb.ag/gacapitolmuseum for more information about visiting the Capitol.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 14 GA COTTON COMMISSION SEEKS NOMINEES FOR COTTON BOARD In July, the USDA will convene a caucus of certified producer organizations representing cotton producers in Georgia to nominate individuals to serve as members and alternates of the Cotton Board, which administers the Cotton Research & Promotion Program, for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2022. Current board members’ terms expire on Dec. 31, 2021. The Georgia Cotton Commission is seeking nominees for vacant positions. The Georgia Cotton Commission is focused on helping the USDA realize its commitment to full representation of women, minorities, and opinions on research and promotion board by nominating individuals of diverse backgrounds, farming practices, operational sizes, and geographical locations. Interested individuals should email the commission’s office at info@georgiacotton.org. The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer-funded organization located in Perry, Georgia. The commission began in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay an assessment enabling the commission to invest in programs of research, promotion, and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia. For more information about the Georgia Cotton Commission please call 478-988-4235 or visit www.georgiacottoncommission.org.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 14 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. 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. AGRABILITY NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOPS 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. 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 11 of 14 GEORGIA FORAGE & GRASSLAND COUNCIL SUMMER TOUR June 24 McGill-Woodruff Ag Center 8 a.m. Washington, Ga. National Forage Week is the week of June 20 and the Georgia Forage and Grassland Council is hosting a tour on June 24 to celebrate. Space is limited, so advance reservations are recommended. To register, contact Wilkes County Extension at 706-678-2332. Registration is $5 at the door. The McGill-Woodruff Agricultural Center is located at 136 Campbell St., Washington, GA 30673. 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. 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.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 14 FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY GOAT & SHEEP WORKSHOPS July 8 Meat Technology Center 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fort Valley This workshop will include a live demonstration of processing a goat at the FVSU Meat Technology Center. The workshop 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 preregister 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. GEORGIA PORK CONGRESS/GPPA DELEGATE ELECTION July 13 Georgia Farm Bureau 8 a.m. Macon Registration for the Georgia Pork Congress starts at 8 a.m. and the program begins at 8:30. Lunch will be served at noon. The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2022 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 2:00 p.m. on July 13, in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of Georgia Pork Producers Association. 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. 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. PINE GENETICS AND NURSERY UPDATE WORKSHOP Aug. 5 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. via Zoom UGA Warnell School of Forestry faculty Dr. David Dickens and Dr. David Clabo will lead this virtual workshop. Participants will learn about performance rating sheets and seedling consideration, survival and growth performance results from genetics trials, information about regional nurseries, economics of pine genetics selection and more. Registration is $150. Fees include the meeting registration link and instructional materials. There is a $25 discount for fees paid and postmarked by July 22. Final day to register is July 29. To register, visit http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 14 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. 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.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 14 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.