Georgia Farm Bureau's June 15 Field Notes

June 15, 2022

www.gfb.org

Vol. 4 No. 13

GFB: 85 YEARS & GROWING As Georgia Farm Bureau marks its 85th anniversary June 17, we dive into the organization’s history, with some perspective from a few people who have lived it. See stories below the calendar or visit the following web pages.

Learn how GFB has grown through the years: https://gfb.ag/85yearhistory.

Longtime Polk County Farm Bureau President James Casey shares his memories: https://gfb.ag/jamescasey.

Longtime Crawford County members Charlie & Betty Harris and Bacon County Office Manager Jeanne Taylor share their GFB memories:https://gfb.ag/harristaylormemories.

MERCER RESEARCHERS RELEASE RESULTS OF FARM STRESS SURVEY Researchers at the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University gave a preview of “Farmer’s Mental Well-Being Project: Statewide Survey Report,” at the May 19 Farm Stress Summit in Tifton.

Among the findings was this: 29% of farmer workers, owners and managers had thought of suicide in the past year. Among first-generation farmers, 60% said they had suicidal thoughts in the past year.

The survey, conducted from Jan. 1 to April 30, drew 1,651 responses. Each of Georgia Farm Bureau’s 10 districts had at least 100 survey respondents. All but two of Georgia’s 159 counties had at least one person respond.

“In the months leading up to this research, we heard about things like farmer-specific trainings and mental health trainings for farmers, but there’s no real data to show what that training needs to look like, and so we thought to inventory our farmers to find out what is going on,” said lead author Stephanie Basey, a PhD candidate in the Mercer University School of Medicine’s (MUSM) Rural Health Sciences program. “What are the stressors that impact them directly or maybe even in their community? That was the base of this, with the hope to, working with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, develop that farmer-specific training with the input of our farmers.”

The study quantifies what many in agriculture have long known – farming, with so many factors outside the farmer’s control, comes with extraordinary stress. The survey showed 96% of farmers are either moderately or highly stressed. In addition, 40% of farmers felt lonely at least once in the -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 2 of 13 Continued from previous page last month, 49% felt sad or depressed and 39% felt hopeless.

“There was a scarcity of literature, and what literature there was focused mainly on suicide,” Basey said.

In addition to suicidal thoughts, the survey measured sources of stress, activities farmers use to cope with stress, and access to professional help for mental well-being.

Dr. Anne Montgomery, a biostatistician with Mercer’s Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center who served as a co-principal investigator for the study, said the group wanted to generate data to help explain the alarming rate of farmer suicides noted in 2018 documentation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which counted 50.7 suicides per 100,000 farmers, more than triple the rate (14.9 per 100,000) measured in all industries.

“Long-term exposure to stress negatively impacts physical and mental health, and in turn this leads to development of stress-related disease and disorders,” Montgomery said. “So the bulk of our study was to develop an inventory of stressors and coping mechanisms among farmers. We were hoping to develop some tailored interventions to improve mental well-being of farmers and we will be working on that.”

Survey participants were presented a wide array of stressors and asked to identify which ones affected them. The two most common were balancing home/work life and weather. For each of those, 61% said they were moderately worried, worried a lot or extremely worried. Following those stressors were COVID-19 impact on income (59%), saving for retirement (59%) and unexpected financial burdens (59%).

The respondents were asked to identify the ways they manage their stress. The most common, noted by 39% of respondents, was exercise or walking, followed by talking to family or friends (31%), engaging in a hobby (28%), drinking alcohol (27%), watching TV or reading (27%) and sleep (22%). In addition to drinking alcohol, survey participants said they use cannabis (5%), other illicit drugs (4%) and over-the-counter drugs (2%).

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau were among the partners in publicizing the research and gathering data.

Visit www.georgiaruralhealth.org/farmworkersurvey/ to request the final report and to access the results of a pilot study done in 2021.

GFB PRESIDENT McCALL APPOINTED TO GNFA BOARD On June 7, Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Tom McCall to the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority.

McCall is the president of Georgia Farm Bureau as well as a grain and livestock farmer in Elbert County. McCall previously served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors (1984-1996) representing the organization’s 2nd District before he went on to serve 26 years in the Georgia House of Representatives.

During McCall’s tenure in the Georgia House of Representatives he chaired the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and a member of the Natural Resources and Environment, Transportation and Game, Fish and Parks committees.

“With Tom’s appointment, this Board gains decades of experience in agriculture, 4-H, FFA, and -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 3 of 13 Continued from previous page educating young people” said Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority Chairman, Foster Rhodes. “He will be an incredible asset to this Board, and I am so appreciative for his appointment.”

The Exposition Authority met with McCall present on June 8.

“Tom is a true friend to agriculture and specifically youth livestock programs in Georgia. His willingness to serve reflects his passion for this industry and I look forward to working under his thoughtful and experienced leadership,” said Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Executive Director Stephen Shimp.

McCall is grateful for the new appointment and excited to get to work.

“It is a distinct honor to be asked to serve the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in the role as an Exposition Authority Board member,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “The facility and the many events at the center help highlight the importance of Georgia’s number one industry while at the same time teaching young people the importance of being connected to agriculture.”

As a member of the Georgia Agriculture Exposition Authority McCall will help oversee all operations of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter to continue to promote the agricultural achievements of Georgia’s youth, showcase Georgia’s agribusiness, and provide a center for diverse activities to benefit the state’s economy.

McCall resides in Elbert County with his wife, Jane. The couple has two adult children: Al (Rachel) and Katie McCall Archer (Bristol) and two grandchildren: Winn and Wilkes McCall.

WHIP+ NAME CHANGED TO ERP AS USDA AD HOC DISASTER PROGRAM On May 16, the USDA announced that some commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disasters in 2020 and 2021 will soon be eligible to receive emergency relief payments totaling about $6 billion to offset crop yield and value losses through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Relief Program (ERP), previously known as the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program + (WHIP+).

On May 19, the American Farm Bureau Federation focused its Market Intel report including the following information on the revamped program.

Farmers and ranchers over the past two years faced billions of dollars in losses associated with wildfire, extreme drought, hurricanes, tornados and other major weather events. Those who had losses in early 2020 have waited more than two years to hear program specifics.

Using data from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency, AFBF estimated that $124 million would be distributed in Georgia.

Established under the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 with $3.005 billion in funds alongside On-Farm Storage Loss, Milk Loss, and Tree Assistance programs, WHIP+ had its origins in the 2017 WHIP. On Sept. 30, 2021, President Biden signed a continuing resolution into law with a retroactive extension of disaster assistance programs, including WHIP+ (or a WHIP+-like program, like ERP), the On-Farm Storage Loss Program, Milk Loss Program and Tree Assistance Program, through 2020 and 2021. The law appropriates $10 billion out of the Treasury to the office of the Secretary of Agriculture for these programs and -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 4 of 13 Continued from previous page expands ad hoc disaster coverage for additional causes of loss including derechos, winter storms, polar vortexes, freeze, smoke exposure and quality losses for crops. The first phase of ERP will provide $6 billion of these funds to eligible farmers and ranchers.

The ERP announcement breaks the program down into two phases., Phase 1 focuses on streamlining payments to producers whose crop insurance and/or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data are already on file. Phase 2 focuses on filling payment gaps to cover producers who did not participate or receive payments through existing programs or with other special cases (see payment calculation examples).

Under Phase 1, eligible crops include all crops for which federal crop insurance or NAP coverage was available and a crop insurance indemnity or NAP payment was received, except for crops intended for grazing. Qualifying natural disaster events include “wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions.” Related conditions under ERP include “weather and adverse natural occurrences that occurred concurrently with and as a direct result of a specified disaster event.” Examples include excessive wind that occurred with a derecho or silt and debris that occurred as a result of flooding. Losses due to drought are also eligible if they occurred in areas rated by the U.S. drought monitor as D2 (severe) for eight consecutive weeks or D3 (extreme drought) or higher at any time during the applicable calendar year. Phase 2 details are expected later this summer.

How to apply Under ERP Phase 1, the FSA indicated it would provide pre-filled applications to producers with existing crop insurance or NAP information on file. The form will include eligibility requirements, outline the application process and provide ERP payment information. A separate application form will be sent for each program year (2020 and 2021). USDA clarified that receiving a pre-filled application does not necessarily guarantee payment under Phase 1 ERP. Producers will have to return completed and signed ERP Phase 1 applications to their local FSA office.

In addition, USDA is requiring the following forms, which should already be on file for those with prior FSA program participation, for ERP eligibility: Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet, Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity; Form CCC901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable); Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs (if applicable); Form CCC860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, if applicable, for the 2021 program year; a highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates.

Phase 1 Payment Calculations USDA has reported that ERP Phase 1 payments for crops covered by crop insurance will be reduced to 75% of the calculated total payment to ensure payments under both phases do not exceed available program funding. Phase 1 payments for NAP-covered crops will not be prorated due to the much smaller portfolio of participating producers. ERP Phase I payment calculations -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 5 of 13 Continued from previous page for a crop will depend on the existing coverage obtained by a producer. Calculations will parallel the formula of the existing coverage but use an ERP factor in place of the producer-selected coverage level. Paid indemnities or NAP payments through existing coverage (after also subtracting service fees and premiums) will be subtracted from the final ERP payment. In other words, producers will be indirectly reimbursed for premium and fee costs for 2020 and 2021 program years. ERP factor tables for crop insurance and NAP are provided below.

Payments under ERP Phase 1 will be calculated based on the producer’s loss due to all eligible causes of loss. Producers who are defined as beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or are veterans will have payments under ERP raised by 15% from the base ERP payment.

Payment limitations for Phase 1 ERP are dependent on farm-related adjusted gross income (AGI).

Some payment limitations apply.

Payment limitations are addressed by USDA as follows: • A person or legal entity, other than a joint venture or general partnership, cannot receive, directly or indirectly, more than $125,000 in payments for specialty crops and $125,000 in payment for all other crops under ERP (for Phase 1 and Phase 2 combined) for a program year if their average AGI farm income is less than 75% of their average AGI the three taxable years preceding the most immediately preceding complete tax year.

• If at least 75% of the person or legal entity’s average AGI is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities and the participant provides the required certification and documentation, as discussed below, the person or legal entity, other than a joint venture or general partnership, is eligible to receive, directly or indirectly, up to: o $900,000 for each program year for specialty crops; and o $250,000 for each program year for all other crops • The relevant tax years for establishing a producer’s AGI and percentage derived from farming, ranching, or forestry related activities are: o 2016, 2017, and 2018 for program year 2020; and o 2017, 2018, and 2019 for program year 2021 Similar to WHIP+, ERP retains future insurance coverage requirements for participating producers. All producers who receive payments are required to purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage where crop insurance is not available for the next two available crop years. Insurable crops must be covered at greater than or equal to 60% or at the catastrophic level for NAP crops.

USDA has reported Phase 1 payments for qualifying producers with submitted applications should reach bank accounts in June.

GA VET LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM TAKING APPLICATIONS UNTIL AUG. 1 The Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program (GVELRP or Program) is accepting applications for funding for FY2021 through Aug. 1. The GVELRP provides financial relief, by way of student loan purchases, for veterinarians willing to provide veterinary services for food animals in areas of Georgia that need livestock veterinarians.

GVELRP is administered by the State Veterinary Education (SVE) Board with assistance from the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA). The Board also receives administrative support -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 6 of 13 Continued from previous page from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The 2022 Georgia General Assembly appropriated state funds totaling $90,000 to GSFA for the board to carry out its purpose. These funds became available to the SVE effective July 1 and will remain with GSFA until the terms of the first contracts awarded have been met, at which time the SVE Board will instruct GSFA to make payments of up to $18,000 on the outstanding student loan debt of the contracted veterinarian. GVELRP awards are subject to appropriation each year by the legislature.

The SVE Board may enter into contracts with up to five eligible applicants. Award amounts are capped at $18,000 per 12 months of service. Each GVELRP participant is required to reapply to the program after their first contract is completed, and no participant may receive more than $80,000 in total assistance.

Preference may be given to previous participants in GVELRP, provided that they continue to demonstrate their commitment to practicing food animal veterinary medicine in the area of need they serve.

Applicants must be citizens of the United States or have a lawful presence in the country. Only veterinarians who are Georgia residents will be considered. Eligible candidates can be either practicing veterinarians or veterinary students in their final year of study.

The application and supporting documents can be found here. (https://www.agr.georgia.gov/Data/Sites/1/media/ag_animalindustry/animal_health/files/GVELR P-Application-2022-fillable.pdf) Each applicant is required to submit a completed application form and the appropriate reference documents to the SVE Board by no later than Aug. 1.

The final candidates and their awards will be announced by Aug. 30. Participants who receive the awards will be required to enter into a contract with the Board in order to receive their awards.

If chosen to participate in the program, applicants will also be required to submit a lender verification form to GSFC. Each contract between the SVE Board and the participant will be for a 12-month period to be defined by the contract. During this time, the participant is expected to devote at least 20 hours per week to providing food animal veterinary services in the area of need that they applied for.

Completed applications can be returned via email to statevetedboard@agr.georgia.gov or mailed to: Georgia Department of Agriculture Attn: Bo Warren 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. SW Suite 210 Atlanta, GA 30334 Inquiries about the program can be made to Bo Warren at Bo.warren@agr.georgia.gov.

For more information, including complete application instructions and eligibility requirements, visit https://www.agr.georgia.gov/georgia-veterinary-education-loan-repayment-program.aspx

GFB Field Notes 7 of 13 SENATE PANEL HEARS FARMERS’ INTERNATIONAL TRADE TROUBLES During a June 9 hearing of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade, representatives from the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF) detailed how international trade practices – in both imports and exports - are affecting Georgia farmers. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock chairs the subcommittee.

In his opening statement, Sen. Warnock expressed concern that “Our trade policies are leaving certain sectors behind, including Georgia’s seasonal fruit and vegetable farmers. A steep increase in cheap imports have made it difficult for Georgia’s produce farmers to compete in the market.”

UGA Professor of Agricultural & Applied Economics Dr. Gopi Munisamy discussed pressures on U.S. fruit and produce growers from imports of competing commodities. Testifying on behalf of the USPF, Karla Thompson of Mitchell County noted the effects expanded aflatoxin testing requirements the European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed on peanuts from the U.S., as well as increased input costs and supply chain challenges are having.

The subcommittee also heard from representatives from wheat and dairy sectors.

In her testimony, Thompson noted that the EU, and now UK, select 20% of U.S. shipments (containers) for aflatoxin testing and test 100% of the selected peanuts. In contrast, the EU and UK only select 10% of shipments from China and 5% of shipments from Argentina.

“These new requirements for the U.S. are far more extensive than those required of our competitors in the EU and are costing the U.S. peanut industry hundreds of millions of dollars each year,” Thompson said.

Dr. Munisamy highlighted the ever-increasing import levels that drive prices lower for all producers. He noted a large trade imbalance in fruits and vegetables, where the value of imported produce triples the value of U.S. exports of those products.

Dr. Munisamy tied his comments back to recent farm visits with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and UGA College of Agriculture Dean Nick Place.

“I found a common theme across the dozen produce farms we visited: Hard-working families – husband and wife, grandpa and granddaughter, entire families – challenged by imports, input costs, and labor issues. A major question on their agenda is, ‘How can we compete with the flood of both in-season and off-season Mexican and South American produce in our markets?’”

A video stream of the hearing, as well as all written testimony, can be found here. (https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/hearings/agricultural-trade-priorities-and-issues-facingamericas-farmers).

BRIM, THOMPSON APPOINTED TO GEORGIA FSA STATE COMMITTEE On June 2, The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced appointees Bill Brim of Tift County and Reese J. Thompson of Toombs County, who will serve on the Georgia USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders, keeping producers informed about FSA programs and operating in a manner -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 8 of 13 Continued from previous page consistent with USDA equal opportunity and civil rights policies.

Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The state committee chairperson will be named when all committee members have been appointed.

The Farm Service Agency is responsible for delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs.

USDA DESIGNATES EIGHT GA COUNTIES AS PRIMARY DISASTER AREAS On June 3, the USDA declared eight Georgia counties as disaster areas as a result of wind and freeze events in March.

This natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

The first disaster, for damage resulting from high winds March 1-30, includes primary counties Baldwin, Greene, Jasper, Jones, Morgan and Putnam counties. Producers in contiguous counties Bibb, Butts, Hancock, Monroe, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Taliaferro, Twiggs, Walton, Washington and Wilkinson are eligible for disaster assistance under this declaration.

The second disaster, for damage resulting from freeze, frost, ice, and high winds that occurred March 11-14, names Evans and Tattnall counties as primary disaster areas. Producers in contiguous counties Appling, Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Emanuel, Liberty, Long, Toombs and Waynbe, are also eligible for disaster assistance.

Producers in impacted areas have until Jan. 23, 2023, to apply for emergency assistance under this declaration.

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.

CITRUS CANKER DETECTED IN GEORGIA On June 14, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) alerted commercial and backyard citrus growers that citrus canker has been found in the state. The USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS PPQ) laboratory confirmed a suspected sample from a commercial citrus grove in Decatur County was citrus canker.

“Citrus canker is not harmful to humans, pets, or other animals but it is another disease our growers need to be on the lookout for,” said Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black. “We want our citrus growers to be aware, so their produce remains marketable as fresh fruit.”

Citrus canker is caused by the bacterial pathogen xanthomonas citri, subspecies citri, and is a -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes 9 of 13 Continued from previous page serious disease that affects all citrus varieties. Another citrus disease, citrus greening (also known as “HLB” or “huanglongbing”) is already established in some Georgia counties and is regulated by the USDA. Federal guidelines require surveys to determine the extent of citrus canker establishment in the state. GDA and USDA APHIS PPQ personnel will begin surveying in the area this week.

Any backyard or commercial citrus grower that suspects his or her trees may be infected with citrus canker should contact the local University of Georgia Extension Agent (https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices.html) or our Plant Protection office at 404-586-1140 to submit a sample.

Pictures of infected leaves and fruit may be viewed here. (www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-anddiseases/citrus/citrus-canker)

GFB Field Notes 10 of 13 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.

2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE June 30 deadline to receive survey Agriculture producers who did not receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture and do not receive other USDA surveys or censuses have until June 30 to sign up to receive the 2022 Census of Agriculture at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail ag census survey codes for responding securely online to every known U.S. producer this November.

Hard copy questionnaires will follow in December. The ag census, conducted for more than 180 years, remains the only source of comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every state and county in the nation. It includes every operation – large or small, urban or rural – from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products are produced and sold, or would normally be produced and sold, in the ag census year. On the NASS webpage, producers can also access frequently asked questions, explore past and current ag census data, access tools to help spread the word about the upcoming ag census, learn about ag census special studies, and more. NASS builds its distribution list for every Census of Agriculture between and during ag census years through the official signup webpage and multiple National Agricultural Classification Surveys. To learn more about the 2022 Census of Agriculture, visit www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus CROP INSURANCE FOR GEORGIA CABBAGE GROWERS July 1 Sales closing date Georgia cabbage growers have until July 1 to apply for crop insurance coverage or make changes to their existing coverage for the 2023 crop year. Coverage is available for cabbage in Brooks, Colquitt, Tift, and Toombs counties. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2023 crop year. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.

GFB Field Notes 11 of 13 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. GCC SEEKING POTENTIAL NOMINEES FOR COTTON BOARD July 18 Cotton board caucuses In July, the United States Department of Agriculture (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 January 1, 2023. Current board members’ terms expire on Dec. 31. The Georgia Cotton Commission is seeking nominees for vacant positions. The Georgia Cotton Commission is focused on finding the USDA fully realize their 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 GCC office at info@georgiacotton.org.

GFB Field Notes 12 of 13 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.

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.

GFB Field Notes 13 of 13 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.

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.

Georgia Farm Bureau 85th Anniversary stories HOW GFB HAS GROWN THROUGH THE YEARS

By Jennifer Whittaker, Georgia Farm Bureau 1937 was an eventful year. Amelia Earhart vanished. The World’s Fair, held in New York, introduced television to America. The U.S. government issued its first social security checks. The U.S. Steel Corporation raised workers’ wages to $5 a day.

Three months after organized steel workers got their raise, farmers from seven Northwest Georgia counties met at the Bartow County courthouse on June 17, 1937, to discuss forming an organization to represent them called the United Georgia Farmers (UGF). Bartow County farmer Robert M. Stiles organized this meeting attended by farmers from Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gordon, Floyd, Polk and Paulding counties.

An editorial from Country Home Magazine reprinted in the second UGF newsletter, weeks after the June 17 meeting, shows how the steel workers’ success inspired Georgia farmers to unite: “Farmers have watched the tactics of organized labor this year with personal interest. They have seen the unions win wage increases. Greater incomes for the workers may mean improved demand for farm products and may mean higher prices for the things farmers must have. Farmers find themselves wondering about their own power in bargaining matters.”

A second meeting, attended by 50 farmers from 25 counties across Georgia, was held at the Ansley Hotel in Atlanta on July 31, 1937. During this meeting, the farmers officially formed the UGF and elected Stiles president of the organization.

In 1939, the UGF affiliated with American Farm Bureau and in 1941 changed its name to the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Federation.

Since 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau’s primary and ongoing goal has been to give farmers a united voice in the legislative arena, promote farm markets and provide leadership to Georgia’s agricultural community. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, voluntary membership organization that is local, state, national and international in its scope and influence.

“Beginning with those first 50 farmers, Georgia Farm Bureau has been, and will continue to be, a grassroots organization that represents farmers in Atlanta and D.C. based on policy positions determined by our members,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “Through the years, Georgia Farm Bureau has grown as it started offering services and benefits requested by its members, such as insurance, but its core mission - to be the Voice of Georgia’s farmers - hasn’t changed.

GFB's Early years GFB marks its anniversary date from 1937 because our organization has been in continuous operation since then, but the seeds for our current organization were planted years before.

According to “A History of Georgia Farm Bureau 1937-1987,” which the organization published in December 1987, there were some county farm groups across Georgia organized in the first decade of the 1900s that went by various names. These associations formed after the University of Georgia College of Agriculture was established in 1907 and the Georgia Extension Service program was created to offer educational programs to farmers on the county level.

Around 1910-11, Sears, Roebuck and Co., offered to give $1,000 to any county in the U.S. that wanted to hire a full-time farm demonstration/Extension agent. To qualify for the funds from Sears in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture, the county had to form a “Farm Bureau” organization of farmers that would also provide $1,000 annually to help support the agent.

In 1911, the Bibb County Agricultural Association changed its name to the Bibb County Farm Bureau to employ an Extension agent. BCFB was among the first county Farm Bureaus formed in

the U.S. through this program. The first county farm bureau was formed in Broome County, New York, where the Binghamton Chamber of Commerce is credited with being the first to use the name “farm bureau” in 1910 for its department that dealt with farming interests.

By 1919 so many county “farm bureaus” were established across the U.S. through the Sears/USDA program that when a group of farmers met that year to form a new national organization they chose the name American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

A Georgia Farm Bureau Federation was formed in 1920 that paid dues to AFBF until 1923.

James Morton served as the first GFB president and was among AFBF’s first executive committee members. AFBF held its annual convention in Atlanta in 1921.

Georgia farmers’ enthusiasm for supporting the first GFB faded, most likely due to economic depressions in the 1920s and 1930s.

GFB’s rebirth & growth After the United Georgia Farmers changed its name to Georgia Farm Bureau and affiliated with AFBF in 1941, the organization took off. Most county Farm Bureau chapters were chartered in 1941 with a few as late as 1948.

GFB voting delegates elected Harry L. Wingate of Mitchell County to serve as its second president in July 1941. The GFB history book notes that Wingate, who was GFB’s first full-time paid employee, was able to fit all of the organization’s records and assets in the back of his car when he took office.

Under Wingate’s leadership, GFB membership grew from 1,313 in 1941 to 9,847 in 1942. At some point in 1942, Wingate and the GFB Board of Directors hired Katie Willingham Ward as GFB’s first full-time secretary/treasurer. In 1943, GFB hired Herbert Woodruff as director of the organization.

GFB hired its first two field representatives in 1947 as the organization continued to grow. These employees served as liaisons between the county chapters and the state organization. Today, GFB has a district federation manager for each of its 10 districts who continue to fill this role.

The Cooperative Extension Service played an important role in the early organization of GFB. The county Extension office often kept the county Farm Bureau’s records, and at times, the Extension secretary served as the county Farm Bureau secretary. It wasn’t until the GFB Mutual Insurance Company began operations in 1959 that every county was able to hire its own secretary.

As more county Farm Bureau chapters were organized across the state, GFB leaders decided to locate the organization’s headquarters to a central part of Georgia. GFB was previously headquartered in Style’s and Wingate’s hometowns of Cartersville and Pelham.

In 1944, the GFB home office moved into the B Suite in the Bibb Building in downtown Macon. In 1951, GFB headquarters transferred to a small building on New Street in downtown Macon. As GFB added more member programs and employees, GFB relocated its state office 10 years later to a building on Ingleside Avenue in Midtown Macon.

By the late 1960s, GFB was outgrowing the Ingleside office and GFB leaders started planning to build a modern, three-story office on Riverside Drive in a new shopping center located on what was then the expanding outskirts of Macon. On March 24, 1970, GFB broke ground on this building and moved into the 50,000 square foot building during the summer of 1971. This building still stands in a shopping center located at the corner of Riverside and Wimbish Road and is today occupied by Fickling & Company.

By 1983, GFB was beginning to outgrow the Riverside office, so, its board of directors began a study to look for property for a new building. After considering other sites along I-75 near the

Riverside office, in 1986 the GFB Board of Directors approved buying a 15-acre tract on Bass Road in Northwest Bibb County to build the organization’s current state office.

Former GFB 4th District Director Marvin Ruark recalled serving on the GFB committee that studied the organization’s options for buying the land for its current Macon office.

“Buying this property and building this new building was a controversial issue,” Ruark said.

“Many wanted to expand the existing office on Riverside. We had some growing pains, but I think we made the right decision.”

GFB held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new, five-story building on March 11, 1987, and GFB employees moved into the building in May 1988. GFB held a dedication ceremony in October 1988 for the new building attended by-then AFBF President Dean Kleckner.

When GFB moved to Bass Road, none of the current fast-food restaurants, banks, gas stations or shopping centers existed. The first new development in the area didn’t start until 1996 when the subdivision on Brookfield Drive off Bowman Road began, followed by Providence Subdivision in 2002. Growth on Bass Road really took off in 2006 when Bass Pro opened a distribution center in March 2006 followed by a store and outlet in October 2006. The March 2008 opening of The Shoppes at River Crossing on Riverside Drive, near the end of Bass Road, also contributed to the area’s growth.

Soon after GFB moved into its current state office, it began a campaign to help county Farm Bureaus do the same. From the late 1980s into the first decade of this century, the majority of the counties built new offices.

GFB's main mission The heart of Farm Bureau’s member programs remains its legislative activities. GFB is issueoriented in its approach to legislative activity. Farm Bureau helps farmers advocate for agriculture by coordinating events such as Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol in Atlanta, and annual trips to Washington, D.C., for county leaders and young farmers, that let them meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill and see our government in action.

Serving as the Voice of Georgia farmers in the legislative arena has always been GFB’s main mission. The first issues GFB advocated for on behalf of Georgia’s farmers included expanding electricity across rural Georgia and improving farm-to-market roads.

Today, Farm Bureau continues to advocate for farmers on the county, state and national levels on issues including zoning, water, environmental regulations, labor, taxes and transportation.

Every position that GFB takes on any issue is based on policy approved by Farm Bureau members during the organization’s annual policy development process.

Since the 1980s, GFB has organized an annual Farm Bureau Day at the Georgia Capitol giving Georgia farmers a chance to present a united front in Atlanta to remind the General Assembly of the importance of Georgia agriculture to the state’s economy. GFB also annually organizes trips for its county leaders to travel to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to meet with Georgia’s U.S. delegation. County Farm Bureaus regularly host legislative breakfasts and dinners and farm tours to give local farmers a chance to meet with their elected officials.

In 2021 GFB’s voting delegates unanimously voted for the organization to establish the GFB Impact Fund, a political action committee (PAC) for the organization. The organization saw the need for a PAC as rural areas lose representation to metro areas. The Impact Fund is meant to be a tool to help GFB connect with non-farm legislators on both the state and national level, and with those who support farmers and believe in the future of Georgia agriculture.

GFB Women’s & YF&R Programs through the years

Farm Bureau has been a family organization for 85 years, and member programs such as the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) and the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Program have offered leadership development opportunities and ways for all members of the family to get involved with the organization.

Today, both programs have a state committee. The WLC consists of a representative from each of GFB’s 10 districts and the YF&R Committee has a representative or representative couple from each GFB district. Every year each committee nominates a member to serve as its chairman the next year; both chairmen serve a one-year term on the GFB Board of Directors. These committees coordinate numerous statewide activities designed to help county WLC Committees and YF&R Committees promote agriculture in their local communities.

GFB thanks the ladies and gentlemen who have volunteered their time to serve on both committees through the years.

To see a list of GFB Women’s Committee Chairmen through the years visit www.gfb.ag/wlcchairmen To see a list of GFB YF&R Committee Chairmen through the years visit www.gfb.ag/yfrchairmen Ladies First In 1944 the women involved with GFB organized an auxiliary called the Georgia Farm Bureau Associated Women. Mrs. Geraldine (Joe S.) Ray of Coffee County was elected as president of the group and served as an ex-officio member of the GFB Board of Directors. In 1955 the GFB Associated Women reorganized as the GFB Women’s Committee and became more involved in Farm Bureau activities.

In 1959, the GFB Board of Directors authorized the Women’s Committee to establish a scholarship program for students planning to pursue a career in agriculture, and the first scholarship was awarded that year. The GFB Mutual Insurance Company, which began operating Jan. 2, 1959, funded these scholarships and the Women’s Committee supported the program through 2015 when the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture was established. The foundation assumed responsibility for raising funds for the scholarships and coordinating the program in 2016.

The Women’s Committee has worked to promote Georgia commodities in numerous ways through the years. For many years, the Women’s Committee promoted Georgia agriculture by spotlighting Georgia commodities through recipe contests, such as the June Dairy Dessert Recipe Contest, held from 1971 to 1986 that evolved into a Dairy Recipe Contest from 1987 through 1991.

After the former GFB Commodities Department was formed in 1974, the Women’s Committee worked with the department to highlight a different Georgia commodity each year. Longtime GFB members probably have a collection of lapel pins dating back to at least the 1980s to mid-2000s featuring a variety of Georgia commodities including apples, bees, beef cattle, blueberries, corn, cotton, dairy, fish, hay, horses, peaches, pecans, peanuts, poultry, soybeans, swine, tobacco and vegetables.

In the early 1980s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and American Farm Bureau Federation led a national effort to develop the National Agriculture in the Classroom organization.

Georgia Farm Bureau accepted responsibility for the Ag in the Classroom program (AITC) for Georgia, and in 1986 hired Donna Hellwig Rocker to coordinate the AITC program in Georgia, a position she held until her retirement in 2018. Both the GFB and county Farm Bureau Women’s Committee volunteers continue to make taking AITC curriculum into schools a priority.

Bertie Mae McDonald of Washington County, who chaired the GFB Women’s Committee from 1981-1986, became the first GFB member to serve on the AFBF Women’s Committee in 1984.

McDonald represented AFBF’s Southern Region on the national committee through the 1990 AFBF convention. She also served a two-year term on the GFB Board of Directors from 19881990. Peggy Smith of Turner County, who chaired the GFB Women’s Committee in 1993 and again in 2001, served a one-year term on the AFBF Women’s Committee in 2001 as the AFBF Southern Region representative.

Archived issues of the GFB News show that Georgia Farm Bureau held a statewide essay contest for middle school students from at least as early as 1977 through 2021. The GFB Young Farmer Committee coordinated a contest for seventh graders through at least 1997. At some point the contest was transferred to the women’s committee.

For more than 20 years, the contest was for seventh graders but later expanded to include sixth through eighth-grade students. Essay topics ranged from “Why Agriculture is Important to Me,” to the importance of a healthy diet, how farmers protect natural resources, or the economic contributions agriculture make to Georgia’s economy. With students being drawn to learning more visually, GFB held a bookmark design contest for middle schoolers in 2022.

The Women’s Committee began sponsoring a statewide art contest for high school students in 1995 that asked students to draw sketches depicting some aspect of Georgia agriculture. For many years the sketches of the 10 district winners and two honorable mention winners were featured in a calendar and then on notecards. Both contests gave county Farm Bureaus a way to connect with local teachers to encourage them to incorporate agriculture as a topic in their curriculum and to connect students to the farmers who grow their food.

Since 2014, the committee has been known as the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee after the GFB Board of Directors approved adding the word leadership to the committee’s name in the fall of 2013 in recognition of the leadership roles women have on the county and state level in organizing Farm Bureau activities. The WLC is placing an increased emphasis on preparing the organization’s female volunteers to serve as county vice presidents and presidents and to reach out to their elected officials to advocate for agriculture.

Throughout GFB’s history, the organization has held conferences in addition to its annual convention designed to encourage its farm members, offer leadership training and fellowship.

These conferences have gone by variety of names: farm family, women’s conferences or leadership conferences.

In the 1990s, GFB began offering a Women’s Leadership Conference to equip women’s committee members to visit their local schools using AITC activities and curriculum. This gradually morphed into the Leadership & Education Conference as more county Farm Bureaus began inviting local teachers whose classes they visited.

Recruiting Young Farmers & Ranchers The American Farm Bureau Federation began its Young Farmers & Ranchers Program in 1967, and Georgia Farm Bureau followed suit in 1972. AFBF and GFB created their programs to recruit and develop future Farm Bureau leaders and to encourage young people starting out in farming.

According to GFB records, the program was originally for farmers between the ages of 21 and 30. Through the years, the program broadened its scope and now welcomes GFB members ages 18 through 35 who farm or work in an ag-related profession.

In the early years of its YF&R program, AFBF began offering a national Outstanding Young Farmer Award to three recipients nationwide to recognize young farmers or couples for their farm operation, achievements in agriculture and community service. GFB records show that in 1972 Bill & Annette Smith of Bulloch County were the first to receive the GFB Outstanding Young

Farmer Award. The Smiths went on to receive the AFBF Outstanding Young Farmer Award at the 1973 AFBF convention. The award was renamed the AFBF Young farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award around 1990.

Between 1973 and 1986, eight Georgia farm couples won the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. These couples are: (each couple won the GFB award in the first year listed followed by the AFBF award in the second year) Bill & Annette Smith of Bulloch County (1972/1973); Larry & Phyllis Tucker of Lee County (1973/1974); Wesley & Angie Kaylor of Lee County (1974/1975); David & Patricia Graham of Laurens County (1976/1977); Ken & Mona Howard of Morgan County (1979/1980); Anthony & Linda Everett (1980/1981); Zippy & Bonnie Duvall of Greene County (1982/1983); and Jim & Patti Reid of Sumter County (1985/1986). In most of these years, AFBF named three national winners to represent different regions of the country.

Farm Bureau records show that from 1995 forward AFBF awarded one national achievement winner and gave prizes to the top four or five contestants from the Top 10 finalists. GFB members who finished in the top four of the AFBF YF&R Achievement competition include: Parks & Maridel Callan of Miller County (1977/1978); David & Shirley Jarriel of Tattnall County (2001/2002); Chad & Julie Carlton of Polk County (2011/2012); and Jacob & Emily Nolan of Wayne County (2020/2021) second place winners.

To see a list of all GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award winners from 1972 to 2021 visit www.gfb.ag/achievementwinners .

At some point in the 1970s, AFBF began offering a “Talk Meet” competition for young farmers at its annual convention. The event was renamed the “Discussion Meet” by 1976 when GFB held its first discussion meet at its annual convention. This event is intended to help younger Farm Bureau members develop public speaking skills and to feel more comfortable speaking up for agriculture at local government meetings. The event is not intended to be a debate but rather a conversation between participants seeking to find a solution to a current agricultural issue that needs to be resolved.

Barry Cronic of Jackson County not only won the 1976 GFB Discussion Meet, but he also won the 1978 GFB Discussion Meet and was a Top 4 runner-up in the 1979 AFBF contest. GFB’s 1979 Discussion Meet winner – Steve Wilson of Henry County – went on to win the 1980 AFBF Discussion Meet.

Joining Wilson in the winners’ circle at the 1980 AFBF convention were Ken & Mona Howard, of Morgan County, who received the AFBF Outstanding Farmer Award. GFB News archives note this was the first time that a state Farm Bureau had winners for both national contests.

Georgia hasn’t had a national discussion meet winner since Wilson in 1980, but besides Cronic, GFB has had six additional contestants place in the Top Four final round: Greg Ison, Spalding County (AFBF 2001); Pam Williams, Appling County (AFBF 2002); Joel McKie, Wilcox County (AFBF 2005); Chad Carlton, Polk County (AFBF 2008); Skye Gess (AFBF 2017); and Becca Creasy, Bulloch County (AFBF 2019). Numerous GFB contestants have reached the third round of competition known as the Sweet 16 through the years.

Visit www.gfb.ag/dmwinners to see a list of all GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet winners from 1976 to 2021.

Today when discussion meet contestants enter the competition, they are given a list of five issues agriculture is currently facing so they can research the topics before the contest. On the day of the GFB or AFBF competition, contestants are informed which topic they will discuss at the start of

each round of the discussion meet. The top four contestants compete for first place honors on a second day of competition.

AFBF held its first YFR Excellence in Agriculture competition at its 2003 annual convention.

GFB held its first competition for the Excellence in Agriculture Award at its 2013 YF&R Summer Leadership Conference. This award is designed to recognize young professionals who work in agriculture in some capacity other than farming fulltime and actively volunteer and/or advocate for agriculture in their communities and/or on the state level. Clay Talton, then an Extension agent in Elbert County, won the 2013 award. In the past nine years, GFB contestants have placed in the Top 10 for the AFBF award five times. GFB’s 2018 winner, Caroline Lewallen, won third place in the 2019 AFBF event while representing Hall County. Jessica Lance, of Morgan County, came in fourth at the 2022 AFBF convention.

Visit www.gfb.ag/excellencewinners for the list of all GFB YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award winners.

Since the first GFB YF&R Committee was appointed in 1973, GFB has had a YF&R Committee made up of young farmers or farm couples representing each of GFB’s districts. Albert Wildes of Jeff Davis County served as the first committee chairman in 1973. GFB voting delegates amended the organization’s by-laws at the 1973 convention so that the YF&R Committee serve on the GFB Board of Directors as an ex-officio member during the duration of his time as committee chairman.

GFB Women’s Committee chairmen have served as an ex-officio member of the GFB Board since 1945.

To see a list of GFB YF&R Committee Chairmen through the years visit www.gfb.ag/yfrchairmen At least ten of GFB's YF&R Committee chairmen have gone on to serve on the AFBF YF&R Committee: Mack Crawford, Pike County (1981&82); Zippy & Bonnie Duvall, Greene County (1986 & 87); Teel & Jeanie Warbington, Dooly County (1991&1992); Terry & Cindy England, Barrow County, (1994 &1995); Michael Williams, Bleckley County (2002-2003) Ben Boyd, Screven County (2004 & 05); Leighton & Brenda Cooley, Crawford County (2010 &11); Jake & Jennifer Carter, Henry County (2013 &14); Matthew & Kimberly London, White County (2017&18) and Ben Cagle, Cherokee County (2020 & 21). Three of them – Zippy Duvall, Ben Boyd and Jake Carter chaired the AFBF committee during the second year of their term.

From the late 1970s until 2010, the GFB Young Farmer Committee hosted an annual three-day farm tour for GFB members. The tours, held in June or July, rotated each year to a different GFB district highlighting farms and agribusinesses in the district. The GFB YFR Committee stopped hosting the tour in 2010 so it could give full attention to the annual YF&R summer leadership conference it began holding that summer. The summer conference allows GFB to reach more young farmers.

GFB has held Young Farmer conferences since the 1970s, but the format of GFB’s current threeday Summer Leadership Conference that’s been held on Jekyll Island since 2012, took root in 2010 when GFB held it’s first “destination” conference at Lake Blackshear followed by Callaway Gardens in 2011.

GFB’s Young Farmer Program started its annual Harvest for All Campaign in 2004. County Farm Bureaus were asked to collect staple pantry items that were donated to food banks across the state through 2009. During these six years, the committee collected about 49,000 pounds of staple food items. In 2005, GFB donated the 17,000 pounds of food Farm Bureau members collected to victims of Hurricane Katrina in Hancock County, Mississippi, one of that state’s areas hit hard by the historic storm.

Since 2010, Farm Bureau switched to making cash donations upon the request of the GFBA because food banks on average can provide four meals for every dollar they receive. The GFB YF&R Committee has annually asked county Farm Bureaus to make a cash donation to the Georgia Food Bank Association (GFBA). Georgia Farm Bureau also contributes to the collective donation presented at the annual GFB convention. Since 2010, GFB and the county Farm Bureaus have donated more than $260,000 to the GFBA. GFB offered its first Young Farmers to Washington trip in 1983 to introduce beginning farmers to how Capitol Hill functions and how Farm Bureau advocates for farmers on the national level.

In the early years the groups traveled to D.C. by bus instead of flying. GFB took its 38th group of young farmers to D. C. in 2020 right before the COVID – 19 pandemic erupted in mid-March of that year. High numbers of COVID cases in the winter of 2021 and 2022 prompted Congress to close Congressional offices to outside visitors preventing GFB from offering the trip.

Going to market Through the years, Farm Bureau has implemented numerous programs for Georgia’s farmers.

These include commodity programs that help farmers sell their crops, buy ag products and address issues pertinent to their commodities.

GFB formed its marketing association in 1964 to engage in activities connected with the marketing, selling, harvesting, preserving, drying, processing, ginning, packing, canning, storing, handling or utilizing of any ag products produced by members of the GFB Marketing Association.

The association also sold tires to GFB members at reduced prices. In 1971 the marketing association began a livestock marketing program to sell fowl and hogs. In 1972 the livestock program expanded into dairy replacement heifers.

The GFB Commodities Department was formed in 1974 to coordinate communication among Farm Bureau members regarding issues affecting the crops and livestock they produce and to serve as a liaison with the commodity organizations that represent those crops and/or to work on the behalf of those crops that don’t have a state commodity commission or producer organization.

Through the years GFB created commodity advisory committees for specific crops grown in Georgia as needed for farmers to have an avenue for discussing issues affecting their farms and work with GFB to address the issues. Today, GFB has 20 commodity advisory committees for the major crops and livestock produced in Georgia and a committee to address water issues.

The marketing association and commodities departments eventually merged. As farmers’ need for the marketing services GFB offered declined, the organization eventually phased out its livestock marketing services by the mid-1990s and its last grain marketing service in 2017. That year GFB merged its commodities and marketing department with its legislative department to form a new GFB Public Policy Department.

Certified Farm Market Program begins In 1986, GFB kicked off its Certified Farm Market Program to help its members with you-pick farms and/or retail farm markets promote their operations. Six of the 30 farm markets that enrolled in the program the first year are still members of the CFM program today: Adams Farms in Fayetteville; Dickey Farms in Musella; Hillcrest Orchards in Ellijay; Jaemor Farm Market in Alto; Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge; and R&A Orchards in Ellijay. An additional three markets that joined the program in 1987 are still CFM participants: Burton Brooks Orchard in Barney; Ellis Brothers Pecans in Vienna; and Paulk Vineyards in Wray.

Since 1986, GFB’s CFM program has grown from 30 markets to 93 as consumers’ desire to connect with the famers who grow their food has increased and the farm to table movement has exploded in recent years. In 2019 GFB began offering a Farm Passport that encourages farm

visitors to collect stamps at each CFM they visit to earn a variety of prizes based on the number of farms visited. Visit www.gfb.ag/cfm to learn more.

GFB Hay Contest begins The GFB Quality Hay Contest was first offered by the GFB Hay Committee in 1992, a year after the committee was created. The purpose of the contest has always been to promote quality, Georgia-grown Bermudagrass hay. Farmers enter their hay samples for the cost of having the hay tested at a state lab to determine the hay’s relative forage quality, which indicates the amount of digestible nutrients the hay contains. Starting with the 1999 contest, GFB began partnering with Vermeer to offer the hay contest winner the free use of a piece of Vermeer hay equipment – rake, trail mower or baler – for one year with the option to buy the equipment at a discounted price.

Former GFB 1st Vice President Donald Childs was instrumental in securing Vermeer’s sponsorship of the contest. GFB has published a hay directory to connect farmers with hay for sale with those who need to buy it since 1992. The directory has evolved from a printed to directory to being published online.

Publicizing Georgia agriculture Throughout its history, GFB has worked to keep farmers informed of the latest ag news. Since 1937, GFB has published a newsletter that became The Georgia Farm Bureau News. In 1951 GFB established a public relations department and began producing daily radio programs.

In 1966, GFB began producing a weekly television show, “The Georgia Farm Monitor,” which airs weekly on stations across Georgia, including Georgia Public Broadcasting, and nationally on RFD-TV. The Monitor is also available on YouTube.

In 1983, the department began publishing a weekly newsletter “Leadership Alert” to keep county and Farm Bureau leaders informed about current ag issues. The newsletter eventually went digital in 2014 and has evolved into the bi-monthly “GFB Field Notes.”

The PR Department has published the Georgia Neighbors magazine since 1996. The department’s Marketing Team maintains the organization’s website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, creates commercials and campaign strategies to increase awareness of Farm Bureau and its member benefits.

GFB offers member benefits In 1958, insurance services were not readily available to rural Georgians, so GFB members voted to establish their own insurance company. The Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company (GFBMIC) began operations on Jan. 2, 1959. The GFBMIC is owned 100 percent by GFB policyholders and is the largest Georgia-based personal lines property casualty insurance company.

County Farm Bureau offices began opening at this time with two paid employees - a secretary and insurance agent. Today, GFB has 158 county offices. Each county office is affiliated with GFB but operates under its own autonomy and is governed by a local board of directors.

In addition to offering a variety of home, auto, farm, life and health insurance products to our members, GFB members also have access to more than 300,000 services, benefits and discounts for travel, family entertainment, farm equipment and select Ford vehicles and many more local discounts through the Savings Plus app.

“Georgia Farm Bureau is a local organization. Our county Farm Bureau chapters are operated by and staffed by local folks who care about their communities,” said McCall. “Our county chapters serve the Farm Bureau members in their county so well because they live in the same communities as our members, go to church with them, and see them at local school and sporting events.

To learn more about Farm Bureau, contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit www.gfb.ag/join to join.

GFB Leadership History Every two years, voting delegates at the GFB annual convention elect their GFB president.

In the past 85 years, 13 presidents – elected by the GFB voting delegates, who are farmers, have led GFB: Robert L. Stiles (1937-1941) of Bartow County; Harry L. Wingate (1941-1957) of Mitchell County; John P. Duncan Jr. (1957- 1961) of Brooks County; Harry L. Brown (1961-1964) of Rabun County; William L. Lanier (1964-1970) of Candler County; W.J. McKemie (1970) of Clay County; H. Emmett Reynolds (1970- 1978) of Crisp County; Robert “Bob” L. Nash (19781988) of Upson County; T.M. “Mort” Ewing (1988-1994) of Newton County; Wayne Dollar (1994-2006) of Thomas County; Vincent “Zippy” Duvall (2006-2016) of Greene County; Gerald Long (2016-2020) of Decatur County and Tom McCall (2020-present) of Elbert County. All but Ewing, Duvall, Long and McCall are deceased.

In January 2016, the voting delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention elected Zippy Duvall as the AFBF president. Duvall is the first Georgian to serve as AFBF president. Mort Ewing served as an AFBF vice president from January 1994 through December 1994 while also serving as GFB president.

Numerous GFB presidents have served on the AFBF Board of Directors during their terms as GFB president to represent AFBF’s southern region including: H.L. Wingate; Harry L. Brown; H. Emmett Reynolds; Robert Nash; Wayne Dollar; Zippy Duvall, Gerald Long and Tom McCall. The following GFB young farmer members served one-year terms on the AFBF Board while chairing the AFBF YF&R Committee: Duvall in 1987; Ben Boyd in 2005; and Jake Carter in 2014.

GFB also has a state board of directors, which consists of two directors, elected by voting delegates from each of GFB’s 10 districts, and three regional vice presidents, elected by delegates from each region. District directors serve two-year terms. Regional vice-presidents serve three-year terms.

Each year at the GFB convention, voting delegates designate one of the regional vice presidents to serve as first vice president. GFB bylaws state only active farmers may hold these elected positions.

The state Women’s Leadership and Young Farmer & Rancher Committee chairmen, who are nominated by their fellow committee members and elected by the GFB directors, serve on the GFB Board while chairing their respective committees. These positions must also be held by active farmer members.

The GFB Board of Directors also includes the organization’s corporate officers: GFB’s general counsel, chief financial officer & corporate treasurer; chief administrative officer; corporate secretary and senior counsel, and assistant corporate treasurer. The GFB Board elects these four positions.

“Georgia Farm Bureau has been blessed to have had dedicated and visionary leaders who have led our organization from a group of 50 farmers in the 1930s to becoming the state’s largest farm organization that we are today advocating for agriculture to benefit farmers and consumers,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “I’m humbled to follow in the footsteps of the presidents who have served before me. We are indebted to them and the many men and women who have served in leadership positions on our state board and county boards through the years.”

Visit www.gfb.ag/directors37to2022 for a list of everyone who has served on the GFB Board of Directors from 1937 through the present time.

Supporting Ag Literacy & Building Future Leaders

Georgia Farm Bureau originally founded the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) in 2014 under the name Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. As the foundation evolved in its first years, so did its mission. The GFB Foundation for Agriculture was founded with the primary objective of advancing Georgia agriculture and creating healthy communities. Under its new name, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders through numerous programs that will deepen the foundation’s impact on Georgia’s agricultural community.

The GFA is planting seeds of inspiration for elementary students through agricultural based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum and a state of the art mobile classroom, The Georgia Ag Experience, that started traveling to schools and community events across Georgia in January 2020. The GFA also coordinates a bi-annual STEM Challenge for third through fifth graders that encourages students to explore a different aspect of agriculture using their STEM skills.

Since 2016, the foundation has annually distributed a children’s book that accurately portrays agriculture to Georgia’s approximately 400 public libraries. Georgia EMC has partnered with the foundation on this project since 2018. The foundation is grateful to all of the county Farm Bureau staff and volunteers who have delivered the books annually to their local libraries.

Since 2016, the foundation has offered scholarships for graduating high school seniors, rising college juniors and seniors, and technical college students who are pursuing a degree in an agrelated field or home economics at a school in the University of Georgia system, Berry College or Emanuel College. There are also scholarships for UGA College of Veterinary Medicine students specializing in farm animals.

The GFA is also working to provide mental health support to Georgia farmers and rural communities.

To learn more about the foundation, visit www.gafoundationag.org .

Information in this article came from “A History of Georgia Farm Bureau 1937-1987,” published by GFB in December 1987, and archived issues of the Georgia Farm Bureau News.

MORE THAN A HALF-CENTURY OF AGRICULTURAL ADVOCACY Editor's note: This article first appeared in the fall 2015 Georgia Neighbors magazine. While we're remembering Georgia Farm Bureau's growth, Mr. Casey's memories add insight on how the organization progressed through the decades. Years of service and periods of time have been updated.

Polk County Farm Bureau President James Casey has held his position for 56 years, guiding the county Farm Bureau chapter through two moves, including the construction of the current office in 1984.

By Jay Stone The second-floor landing in the old Polk County administrative building is about 5 feet by 12 feet, a humble space for a humble beginning.

Until the mid-1960s, that’s where Polk County Farm Bureau (PCFB) called home, with room for a desk, two chairs and a filing cabinet. PCFB was able to use the phone that belonged to the local UGA Cooperative Extension agent.

It’s also where Polk County Farm Bureau President James Casey, then 29 years old, took office in December 1965.

“I didn’t decide I wanted to be president, the county did,” Casey says now as he reminisces on the past 56 years, all of which he has spent as the PCFB president. “I don’t remember how I got elected, who nominated me or anything about that meeting. I just know I was elected and started serving that night.”

Prior to being elected county president, Casey served on the PCFB Board of Directors in 1961.

If 56 years seems like a long time, consider that Casey still lives on the farm where he grew up.

The house he and his wife, Jean, share is just a few hundred yards from the house where he grew up and the barn where he began milking cows after school in the first grade.

“I didn’t have to get up and milk in the morning until I was in the second grade,” Casey said.

By 1965, Casey remembers, PCFB was already moving toward leaving the administration building, which is now occupied by Grace Baptist Church. Georgia Farm Bureau had formed its insurance company in 1959, and the county government couldn’t allow PCFB to sell insurance out of the county building.

So Casey’s first order of business, inherited from his predecessor, Chris Sewell, was to get the organization its own place. Sewell had started the process of raising money for land and a building, and by 1967, PCFB under Casey’s leadership had managed to acquire a lot on East Avenue in Cedartown and an out-of-use Sunday School building from Pine Bower Church in west Polk County. The building was moved to the lot, and brick siding was added. There was room for people to walk around inside. Insurance could be sold.

“For a while there the membership dues were $10 and we had about 300 members. About 100 of those members would not renew unless I came after it. They paid faithfully if I would come, but they would not send it in. Part of the reason was that they wanted to tell me what was wrong with Farm Bureau, so I gave them the opportunity,” Casey said By the early 1980s, Polk County Farm Bureau had outgrown the office on East Avenue and broke ground on the current office on East Ware Street, moving there in 1984. Today, PCFB has about 1,470 members.

Now 85, Casey has presided over the PCFB’s growth, and while at times he would have been happy if someone else had assumed Farm Bureau leadership in the county, his attitude has always been that someone had to be an advocate for agriculture. Might as well be him.

To explain why, he referenced a quote often attributed to Edmund Burke: “All that’s required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”

Casey has continued to push forward to help advance agriculture, lending a local voice when Farm Bureau took steps to ease difficult times for farmers.

“He just wanted to be sure that farmers had a voice in government and everywhere else,” said Jean, to whom James will have been married to for 64 years on June 28. “He wanted to make people realize that if it weren’t for agriculture, you wouldn’t have the financial basis for anything else.”

When farmers had trouble finding quality fertilizer, the organization arranged to have supplies of it brought in and sold it to farmers. When prices for baling twine soared, Farm Bureau bought it in bulk and sold it. In both cases, Casey said, farm suppliers matched what Farm Bureau was doing.

“This happened with a lot of commodities we were selling,” Casey said. “Other people would meet what we were doing {on prices}, so as far as I’m concerned ,we did our job. It’d be nice if we could make money with it, but our job is to help agriculture. Getting into it and having somebody else come in and match that {our prices}, sometimes that’s the best way we can help.”

During his presidency, PCFB has developed local political forums to engage candidates on agricultural topics and farm days for school children. The county chapter’s young farmer program has enjoyed successes too. Former PCFB Director Chad Carlton won the GFB Discussion Meet in 2007. Carlton and his wife Julie won the GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award in 2011. PCFB Director Bennett Jacobs and his wife Rebecca won the 2016 GFB Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2016.

In the late 1980s the American Farm Bureau Federation decided to upgrade communications between its national headquarters and the state and county Farm Bureaus by installing a series of satellite communications facilities. Casey lobbied to get one of the satellite dishes in Polk County and GFB’s then-president Mort Ewing agreed. Polk County was the first county Farm Bureau in the state to have one of the dishes, and Casey made the first phone call using it, connecting with then-Senator Wyche Fowler in Washington.

“I’m proud of the fact that I have lasted this long and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished here,” he said, “but I’m not an advocate of trying to see how long you can be president. It’s very possible that Farm Bureau might be better off without the same person being president all the time.”

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU MEMBERS, STAFF LOOK BACK IN TIME

By Jennifer Whittaker Georgia Farm Bureau members and its employees have worked together to help farmers since the organization was founded on June 17, 1937. Our members and county staff are the heart of GFB. Georgia Farm Bureau leaders ran the organization with no state employees until 1941 when the organization’s second president, Harry Wingate, became the organization’s first full-time paid employee. County chapters relied on members or the help of Extension employees to manage membership records and local programs until the GFB Insurance Company opened in 1959 and counties began hiring staff.

To celebrate GFB’s 85th anniversary, we asked Charlie Frank and Betty Harris to share their experiences as lifelong members. Mr. Harris has been a Farm Bureau member for 73 years. Jeanne Taylor, GFB’s longest serving county office manager with 60 years of service, provided insight on how county operations have changed.

Harrises share their GFB story Charlie Frank Harris was 8 in 1937 when GFB was established. He was 13 in 1942 when his father, J.R., and other farmers in the county formed the Crawford County Farm Bureau (CCFB).

He recalls CCFB’s first office being at the local draft board office as the Selective Service secretary also served as the county Farm Bureau’s business secretary. After a year or so, CCFB relocated to a gas station before moving to another office and then building its current office in 1997.

“I started going with my father to county Farm Bureau meetings in the 1940s,” Charlie recalled.

“They talked about how we could get better prices for our crops. Our Extension agent gave us the latest fertilizer and seed recommendations and advice for raising livestock People were figuring out ways to better raise cattle and hogs back then.”

Harris and his nine siblings grew up growing cotton, corn, wheat, oats, sugar cane and vegetables on the family’s farm five miles away from where he and his wife, Betty, live today on the farm where she grew up.

When Charlie joined Farm Bureau as an adult at age 20 in 1949, membership dues were $3.

“For a farmer that could be worth three days of work,” Charlie said.

At the time, his father got $2 to $5 for seven-week-old pigs sold to families to raise for meat.

Betty says her father, Hoke Bennett, who was a dairy farmer, belonged to CCFB but didn’t have time to attend the meetings. While they dated, Betty knew Charlie attended Farm Bureau meetings but had no idea what a big part of her life the organization would become when they married in 1952.

The Harrises managed a cattle farm for absentee owners until 1957, then began dairy farming with Betty’s parents. They bought the farm from the Bennetts in 1972 and dairied until 1997, when they started raising beef cattle and hay.

Charlie is a past CCFB vice president, secretary and was president from 1961-62. For the last 60 years he’s served as CCFB treasurer.

“As a member of an organization I want to be able to see a record of how the money has been spent, so that’s how I’ve approached being treasurer,” Charlie said. “I will not vote for a budget that does not balance itself.”

Under Charlie’s guidance over 15 to 20 years, CCFB saved the money it needed to build its current office. The county was able to keep construction costs low thanks to CCFB member Larry Cooley furnishing the construction labor and other members helping out.

When asked why he’d continued to be a Farm Bureau member for 73 years, Charlie said, “I’ve always thought Farm Bureau was the best organization for farmers to have a voice in Atlanta and Washington and for building a relationship with our representatives and senators.”

The Harrises recall attending their first GFB convention in the early 1970s before the event moved from Macon to Jekyll Island.

“We drove back and forth from Musella to Macon for the two days because we had to make sure the cows were milked,” Betty recalled. “I remember there being a little red wagon given away as a door prize that first year that I really wanted, but I didn’t win it.”

Once the Harrises' three sons - Frankie, Edd and Steve – were old enough to do the milking with Betty’s parents supervising, the couple were able to attend the conventions on Jekyll Island.

“Going to convention was really our vacation because we didn’t go to the beach during the year and it’s still that way to me,” Betty said.

Betty thinks they’ve only missed three GFB conventions. They attended AFBF conventions in California in the early 1970s, Florida in the early 1990s, Utah in 2002 and Hawaii in 2004.

“Attending a national convention shows you that Farm Bureau is a big organization,” Betty said.

Betty began serving on the CCFB Women’s Committee in 1975 and is still an active committee member. She chaired the CCFB committee for many years.

“Our county women’s committee has always had a booth at the school Farm Days to promote Georgia commodities,” Betty said.

She represented the GFB 5th District on the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee from 20012004.

“The state Women’s Committee helped promote Farm Bureau’s essay and art contests and its scholarship program for high school seniors,” Betty recalled.

Winning the 1986 GFB Dairy Dessert Contest for her ‘Heavenly Banana Delight’ is one of Betty’s favorite Farm Bureau memories. She won the contest’s GFB 5th District prize in 1984 and placed second in the state contest with her “Frozen Fluffy Strawberry Pie.” In 1985 Betty’s “Frozen Peach Fantasy Pie” won her the 5th District award again. Third time was a charm

in 1986 when Betty captured her district prize for the third consecutive year along with the state prize, a Bahama vacation for two.

Betty recalled being surprised when then-GFB President Bob Nash called out her name as the winner. “I had gotten my mind on something else at that moment,” she said. “I was really shocked.”

An article about Harris’ win that ran in the July 1986 GFB News quoted one of the contest judges as saying that Betty’s recipe won because it used readily available ingredients and was easy to prepare.

Betty Harris’ ‘Heavenly Banana Delight’ State winner of the 1986 GFB Dairy Dessert Recipe Contest 1-3 ounce package instant vanilla pudding 1 can condensed milk 1 cup sweet milk 1-8 ounce carton sour cream 1 half pint whipping cream 1 box vanilla wafers 3 or 4 bananas 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup Serves 10 – 12 • In a large bowl mix instant pudding, condensed milk, and sweet milk together for two minutes or until well blended. Refrigerate for five to ten minutes.

•Whip the whipping cream. Add the whipped cream and the sour cream to the chilled milk and pudding mixture.

• In a large dish place a layer of vanilla wafers and a layer of sliced bananas. Pour a little of the mixture and then stream a little chocolate syrup on top. Repeat each layer and garnish the top with the chocolate syrup.

Veteran office manager shares memories Jeanne Taylor married into farming and Farm Bureau when she and her late husband, Jerry, tied the knot in 1958.

Her father-in-law, Clifford Taylor, was a dairy farmer and grew tobacco. He was also the Bacon County Farm Bureau (BCFB) president from 1957 until he died in 1960.

“We lived with my husband’s family and were farm hands. In the first four years of marriage, I loved being a farmer’s wife and thought my life was set,” Jeanne said.

Her father-in-law was among the GFB voting delegates at the 1958 convention who voted to establish the GFB Insurance Company.

In 1961, BCFB’s first agent left, giving Jerry the chance to work for BCFB as an insurance agent.

“Jerry’s father had died, and he liked selling insurance more than milking cows seven days a week,” Jeanne said.

In 1962, Jeanne joined her husband at the BCFB office after the county’s first secretary left.

Sixty years later, she’s still holding down the fort.

“My father-in-law instilled in us the value of Georgia Farm Bureau and the need for an insurance company designed for the farmer’s needs,” Jeanne says. “After he died, we worked hard at recruiting new members and getting members to rejoin. The entire organization was a huge benefit to the farmers, and we were a farm family.”

Jerry later became the BCFB agency manager and retired on Dec. 31, 2005, with 44 years of service.

Jeanne recalls getting a list of farmers’ names from the Extension office in the 1960s and ‘70s to recruit members. Jerry, the county directors and Jeanne would divide the list of potential members and call or visit the farmers to ask them to join Farm Bureau.

She remembers recruiting a farmer who had never been a Farm Bureau member.

“His wife answered the door and said he wasn’t going to join and that he would hurt my feelings if I asked. I told her I’d like to try. She sent me to the feedlot. The farmer told me 'No.' when I told him my purpose for visiting, but I proceeded to follow him from the feedlot to the hay barn and into the hogpen expounding on all the benefits and reasons he should become a Farm Bureau member,” Jeanne recalled. “He never said a word until we got back to the house. When he walked back to the house, I was still hot on his heels. He told his wife to write me a check and said if he wanted to join again, he would come into the office.”

The farmer never let his membership lapse, Jeanne said.

Jeanne also remembers BCFB’s first office being an 8x10 foot space in the Satilla Rural Electric Administration Building before they moved to the county Extension building in 1964. In 1969, a veterinarian’s office came up for sale, and then-BCFB President W.C. Scott decided the county Farm Bureau should buy it.

“I was skeptical because our phone bill was our only expense, and I wasn’t always paid, but Mr. Scott had faith and was thinking long term.” Jeanne said. “He and Jerry sold debentures to raise the money for the down payment.”

Scott, Jerry and Jeanne remodeled the building, rented out two offices and did maintenance on the building to make ends meet.

“Until we purchased the current office in 1969, Jerry and I shared one large wooden desk. He worked at one end, and I worked on the other,” Jeanne said. “Good thing we were fond of each other.”

Through the years, Jeanne has seen changes in her job description, too, like selling tires, twine and batteries through the former GFB Service Company. From the late 1960s into the ‘70s, Farm Bureau trained office managers to file farmers’ income taxes. After surviving an audit, she told her directors she was done doing taxes.

Today, she enjoys promoting agriculture in schools and planning legislative events.

“I believe Farm Bureau is important to our community and it will always be important to me,” said Jeanne.

To read more about GFB’s history visit www.gfb.ag/85yearhistory.