July 22, 2020
www.gfb.org
Vol. 2 No. 14
SAVANNAH IS NOW THE TOP U.S. PORT FOR AG EXPORTS The Port of Savannah’s proximity to major producers, direct access via road and rail, broad global network and responsiveness to customer needs have recently made it the top port in the nation for the export of containerized agricultural goods. “Agriculture is a major driver for Georgia’s economy, contributing $74 billion in annual economic benefit and nearly 400,000 jobs across the state,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “As this country’s No. 1 port for the export of agricultural products, Savannah provides vital support for the state and nation, helping our farmers reach overseas buyers efficiently.” In Calendar Year 2019, agriculture accounted for 60% of Savannah’s exports, or more than 843,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units. Forest products such as wood pulp, paper and logs made up the largest category of goods, followed by clay, cotton and poultry. For the fiscal year to date (July 2019-May 2020), total loaded exports increased by 15,500 twenty-foot equivalent container units to 1.33 million TEUs. During the pandemic, GPA has focused on ensuring both chassis and empty containers are available to support the movement of export commodities. Through its association with the South Atlantic Chassis Pool II and the completion of a new on-terminal chassis yard, the Port of Savannah provides customers with access to the largest chassis pool in the Southeast. In addition, GPA’s team has focused on cargo owners and other contacts to ensure a reliable supply of containers. On-terminal projects to expand export capacity have continued throughout the crisis, including the Mason Mega Rail, with the first nine of 18 new working tracks complete and two new railmounted gantry cranes slated to begin work in July. GPA’s inland terminal, the Appalachian Regional Port, has seen increased volumes and export commodities coming from Northwest Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. At the Port of Savannah, GPA has increased its on-time performance of vessel operations to achieve its best performance in three years. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 439,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $25 billion in income, $106 billion in revenue and $2.9 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.5 percent of U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in FY2017. For more information, visit www.gaports.com.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 11 USDA MAKES ADDITIONAL COMMODITIES ELIGIBLE FOR CFAP On July 9, the USDA announced an initial list of commodities that have been added to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made other adjustments to the program based on comments received from agricultural producers and organizations and review of market data. Producers may submit applications that include these commodities to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) through Aug. 28. CFAP helps offset price declines and additional marketing costs because of the coronavirus pandemic. USDA expects additional eligible commodities to be announced in the coming weeks. USDA collected comments and supporting data for consideration of additional commodities through June 22. Changes to CFAP include: • Adding the following commodities: alfalfa sprouts, anise, arugula, basil, bean sprouts, beets, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, celeriac (celery root), chives, cilantro, coconuts, collard greens, dandelion greens, greens (others not listed separately), guava, kale greens, lettuce – including Boston, green leaf, Lolla Rossa, oak leaf green, oak leaf red and red leaf – marjoram, mint, mustard, okra, oregano, parsnips, passion fruit, peas (green), pineapple, pistachios, radicchio, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, fresh sugarcane, Swiss chard, thyme and turnip top greens; • Expanding for seven currently eligible commodities – apples, blueberries, garlic, potatoes, raspberries, tangerines and taro – CARES Act funding for sales losses because USDA found these commodities had a 5 percent or greater price decline between mid-January and mid-April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for marketing adjustments; • Determining that peaches and rhubarb no longer qualify for payment under the CARES Act sales loss category; • Correcting payment rates for apples, artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, garlic, kiwifruit, mushrooms, papaya, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, tangerines and taro. Additional details can be found at www.farmers.gov/cfap or by contacting your local USDA Service Center. SALTER NAMED GFB 10TH DISTRICT FEDERATION MANAGER Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has hired Ben Salter as the federation manager for its 10th District, which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Glynn, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce and Ware counties. Salter, who fills the position previously held by Michael Purvis for nine years, started his new job with GFB July 15. Purvis resigned in May, effective June 1, to begin a new role with Georgia Farm Bureau as an insurance training agent in Irwin County. “Georgia Farm Bureau appreciates everything Michael did for our county Farm Bureau offices on the federation side and wish him well as he transitions to our insurance company,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “We’re excited to have Ben join our GFB 10th District team and think his agricultural background and love of agriculture will help him serve our county offices well.” A native of Tift County, Salter grew up on a diversified row crop and commercial cattle farm. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 11 Continued from previous page He graduated from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in crop and soil science. “I am passionate about agriculture and its direct role in the community for both sustainability and financial stability,” Salter said. “I am excited about the opportunities to further agriculture through Georgia Farm Bureau and the people I will be working with.” After graduating from UGA, Salter was employed for eight years with Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton as the farm greenhouse, farm and nursery manager overseeing production and nursery crops and pine seedlings. He has also been operating his own farm since 2012, raising commercial beef cattle and growing row crops, vegetables and cereal grain grasses for grazing/cattle feed. Salter also operates a land management business. Salter is a graduate of the Advancing Georgia in Agriculture and Forestry Class of 2017-19. He and his wife, Bailey, have two young children: son, Grey, and daughter, Harlow. PEANUT INDUSTRY FORMS UNITED STATES PEANUT FEDERATION Peanut industry growers, shellers and buying points have joined together to form the United States Peanut Federation (USPF). USPF will serve as a unified voice in Washington, D.C., for all sectors of the peanut industry and advocate actively for strong agricultural policy. USPF’s mission is to protect, promote, and improve business conditions for the peanut industry. The move was announced on July 13. “I cannot express how pleased I am that the United States Peanut Federation has been formed to advocate collectively for all sectors of the peanut industry,” said Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga. 2nd District), chairman of the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee. “I believe the industry will benefit tremendously from this new unified voice. This is truly an organization whose time has come.” The federation consists of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association and the National Peanut Buying Points Association and will be funded by its member organizations. No additional grower assessments will be collected. “I commend the associations for joining forces to advocate for our nation’s peanut industry which plays an important role in feeding not only our country but also the world,” said Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga. 8th District), ranking member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit. “As times get tough for our country, it is important to concentrate efforts in a unified voice to better our peanut industry in rural America, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this new partnership.” The USPF will represent several thousand people with interests in the peanut industry. Karl Zimmer, president and CEO of Premium Peanut will serve as the first chairman of the USPF. “I am thrilled with the launch of the U.S. Peanut Federation, formalizing and bringing structure to years of informal collaboration among growers, buying points, and shellers,” said Zimmer. “By working together, I believe we will be able to effectively advance many issues that are critical to peanuts. Now, more than ever, we are faced with many challenges. By working together in a coordinated fashion, I believe we can solve those challenges to the benefit of every segment of this industry.” For information about joining the United States Peanut Federation, contact Joe Thomas at (202) 543-7464 or by emailing jthomas@reddingfirm.com.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 11 AFBF HELPS MENTAL HEALTH WITH FARM STATE OF MIND, ONLINE COURSE Early this year, American Farm Bureau Federation took over operation of Bayer’s Farm State of Mind campaign, an initiative to raise mental health awareness among the farming community. The campaign aims to reduce stigma surrounding the topic of mental health in rural communities and to provide relevant information to farm families on this important topic. Farm Bureau plans to combine the Farm State of Mind assets with those of its ongoing Rural Resilience campaign, expanding the reach and effectiveness of its rural mental health initiatives. Challenging weather, destructive pests, trade disputes, labor shortages and market volatility over the past few years have brought an unprecedented level of pressure on America’s farmers. A 2019 Farm Bureau survey showed that an overwhelming majority of farmers and farmworkers say financial issues, farm or business problems and fear of losing their farm negatively impact their mental health. In addition, 48% of rural adults said they are personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago. Nearly one in three farmers doesn’t feel comfortable talking to friends or family members about solutions for a mental health condition. The campaign is designed to encourage an open dialogue among farmers through social channels and offers a variety of tips, resources and referrals to address mental health needs. Farm State of Mind has already reached millions of farmers across the country and that number continues to grow. Bayer provided Farm Bureau with a financial contribution to help support the transition and future success of the Farm State of Mind campaign. The campaign can be accessed at www.gfb.ag/FarmStateofMind. In addition to Farm State of Mind, AFBF, Farm Credit and the National Farmers Union have launched a free online training course and made it available to the general public. Developed by Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) and University of Illinois Extension (Illinois UIExtension), the course provides participants with skills to understand the sources of stress, manage their own stress, learn the warning signs of stress and suicide, identify effective communication strategies, reduce stigma related to mental health concerns and connect farmers and ranchers with appropriate mental health and other resources. This online course builds upon past training materials Michigan State University Extension developed beginning in 2016 and tailored for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in 2019. Additional courses and specific training have since educated employees and members of Farm Credit, Farm Bureau and Farmers Union nationwide. Anyone can register for the free, online training course. It is funded by a grant from Farm Credit and supported by MSU Extension and Illinois Extension. To sign up for the course visit www.gfb.ag/farmstressmgmtcourse.
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 11 USMCA TAKES EFFECT On July 1, The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect, replacing the decades-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). President Donald Trump signed the USMCA into law on Jan. 29. Key provisions in the USMCA include: • Expanded market opportunities in Canada for America’s dairy farmers on a wide variety of dairy products. Canada agreed to eliminate the unfair Class 6 and 7 milk pricing programs that allowed their farmers to undersell U.S. producers. • For the first time, the agreement specifically addresses agricultural biotechnology – including new technologies such as gene editing – to support innovation and reduce trade-distorting policies. • The agreement institutes a more rigorous process for establishing geographical indicators and lays out additional factors to be considered in determining whether a term is a common name. • The three countries agreed to strengthen disciplines for science-based measures that protect human, animal, and plant health while improving the flow of trade. • U.S. poultry producers will have expanded access to Canada for chicken, turkey, and eggs. • Canada agreed to terminate its discriminatory wheat grading system, enabling U.S. growers to be more competitive. • The three countries agree to avoid technical barriers to trade through non-discrimination and transparency regarding sale, distribution, labeling, and certification of wine and distilled spirits. The USMCA expands U.S. food and agricultural exports and support food processing and rural jobs, according to the USDA. Canada and Mexico are the top two export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products, totaling more than $39.7 billion food and agricultural exports in 2018.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 11 USDA DESIGNATES 10 GA COUNTIES AS PRIMARY NATURAL DISASTER AREAS On July 7 the USDA designated 10 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. 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. Producers in Wilcox County who suffered losses due to excessive rain that occurred March 1 April 30, may be eligible for emergency loans. Producers in the contiguous Georgia counties of Ben Hill, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Pulaski, Telfair, and Turner, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans. Producers in Clinch and Lanier counties who suffered losses due to a tornado, rain, wind and hail that occurred on April 8, may be eligible for emergency loans. Producers in the contiguous Georgia counties of Atkinson, Berrien, Echols, Lowndes, and Ware are also eligible to apply for emergency loans. Producers in Towns County who suffered losses due to a freeze that occurred on April 16 may be eligible for emergency loans. Producers in the contiguous Georgia counties of Habersham, Rabun, Union and White are also eligible to apply for emergency loans. Producers in Atkinson, Brantley, Clinch, Coffee, Lanier, and Ware counties who suffered losses due to a tornado, rain, wind and hail that occurred on April 23, 2020, may be eligible for emergency loans. Producers in the contiguous Georgia counties of Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Camden, Charlton, Echols, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lowndes, Pierce, Telfair, and Wayne are also eligible to apply for emergency loans. The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is Feb. 25, 2021. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. Due to April storms, Burke, Murray, Upson and Washington counties requested and received approval to implement the USDA FSA Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), according to Dianne Westmoreland, Georgia FSA acting state executive director/administrative office. EFRP is a cost-share program that provides assistance to remove down or damaged trees and replant destroyed tree cover on non-industrial private forestland. Private landowners who suffered damage to forest/timber acreage in these counties should contact their local FSA office to apply. FSA has a variety of additional programs to help farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster. FSA programs that do not require a disaster declaration include: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Emergency Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; and the Tree Assistance Program. Farmers may contact their local USDA service center for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at www.farmers.gov/recover.
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 11 COVID-19: ESSAYS ADDRESS ECONOMIC IMPACT ON AG, ETHANOL HIT HARD The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association have partnered together on a new paper, Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Food and Agricultural Markets. This publication contains insights from 31 experts and is now available for download. Among the essays is one by UGA Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics Jeff Dorfman, who wrote about macroeconomic impacts and policies. Many countries shut down large segments of their economies, with most employees working remotely if possible. Doing so “led to a sharp and significant loss in gross domestic product and a rapid rise in unemployment and underemployment,” Dorfman wrote. “The challenge is to restore as much economic activity as possible while maintaining some measure of control and mitigation of the novel coronavirus.” COVID-19 disrupted nations around the world this year. People have had to alter their typical lifestyle, and the measures put into effect to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have had an immense impact on economic activity, employment, food consumption and workplace environments. The paper's authors discuss macroeconomics, trade, supply chain, consumer behavior, food service/grocery, meat processing, forestry and wood products, local food systems, food waste, food insecurity, major commodity crops, agricultural finance, agricultural labor, rural health care, and research and outreach priorities. “Between food producers and consumers lies a complex and often-ignored food supply chain. It is ignored in part because it has consistently provided safe and plentiful food supplies,” said Keith Coble, the department head for agricultural economics at Mississippi State University. Most of the time people's attention is on food-borne illnesses instead of looking at shutdowns that could affect the labor supply. “The COVID-19 crisis has also shown us the danger of disregarding scientific knowledge. There is a need to reassess the regulation of new technologies in the United States and globally,” said David Zilberman, a professor in the agricultural and resource economics department at the University of California, Berkeley. To access the complete report, visit www.gfb.ag/CASTCOVIDessays. Meanwhile, the ethanol industry has already sustained more than $3.4 billion in lost revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), which released the results of pandemic-related economic analysis on July 15. The analysis, provided by RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman, projects nearly $9 billion in lost revenue by 2021. Richman, using data from the Energy Information Administration and the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute during the period of March-June, found that the cumulative decline in ethanol production and consumption exceeded 1.3 billion gallons. Nearly 500 million fewer bushels of corn were used in ethanol production, and industry revenue from ethanol and coproducts sales were reduced by more than $3.4 billion due to the combination of reduced output and lower prices. The RFA report is available at www.gfb.ag/RFACOVIDanalysis.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 11 GEORGIA FORECAST FOR SMALLEST TOBACCO CROP SINCE 1932 Georgia growers are expected to produce 16.5 million pounds of tobacco in 2020, according to the July crop production report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), released July 10. The expected production would represent a 13% decline from 2019, when Georgia’s tobacco growers produced 18.9 million pounds. It would also be the smallest Georgia tobacco crop since 1932. The decline is due in part to a reduction in acreage. According to NASS Georgia growers planted approximately 7,500 acres of tobacco in 2020, down from 9,000 acres in 2019. NASS’ June Acreage Report, released June 30, also estimated Georgia’s planted acreage in 2020 for the state’s row crops. Georgia corn, cotton and soybean growers are all expected to plant fewer acres in 2020 than in 2019. The state’s cotton acreage is forecast at 1.23 million acres in 2020, down from 1.4 million acres in 2019, a reduction of 12%. Georgia peanut growers are expected to plant 710,000 acres in 2020, up from 670,000 acres in 2019, an increase of 6%. Georgia soybean growers are expected to plant 90,000 acres in 2020, down from 100,000 acres in 2019. NASS forecast Georgia’s winter wheat acreage at 190,000 acres in 2020, up 27% from 2019, when Georgia growers planted 150,000 acres. Georgia growers planted an estimated 80,000 acres in oats in 2020, up from 70,000 acres in 2019.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 11 STAY AT HOME BEEKEEPING SERIES
July 28 Dr. Audrey Sheridan, MSU/Hive beetles 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. online The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is offering members of beekeeping clubs the opportunity to attend these free online meetings, each of which will bring participants up to date on timely beekeeping topics. Time for Q&A is included. Watch with Zoom at https://auburn.zoom.us/j/904522838 stream via Facebook live at www.facebook.com/LawrenceCountyextension/. For more information, visit Allyson Shabel at ams0137@aces.edu. GFB YF&R COMPETITIVE EVENTS Applications for the YF&R Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture Award will be accepted until July 31. Entry applications may be downloaded at www.gfb.ag/20YFRawards. The Achievement Award, given to recognize accomplishments of farmers who earn the majority of their income from production agriculture, will be based solely on contents of the competitors’ applications. Unlike years past, there will be no on-farm interviews. The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes farm-related accomplishments of those whose income is derived through something other than production agriculture. The top three competitors will be determined through evaluation of applications. Finalists will make presentations through video conferencing with contest judges. The 2020 YF&R Discussion Meet is on hold. The YF&R Member of the Year Award will not be given in 2020. For more information about the competitive events or the YF&R program, contact Nessmith at ennessmith@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5232. 2021 AFBF AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE July 31 Deadline to enter The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting online applications for the 2021 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies that are addressing challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Bureau will award $145,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors Farm Credit, John Deere, Bayer Crop Science, Country Financial, Farm Bureau Financial Services and Farm Bureau Bank. Entrepreneurs must be Farm Bureau members to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can join a state Farm Bureau of their choice. Visit www.gfb.org/membership/join-today.cms to learn about becoming a member. Detailed eligibility guidelines, the competition timeline, videos and profiles of past winners are available at www.fb.org/challenge. Applications must be received by midnight Eastern Daylight Time on July 31. FOREST DEBRIS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM July 31 documentation deadline The Forest Debris Management Program (FDMP) made $20 million in Hurricane Michael cleanup funds available through contract work facilitated by the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Development Authority. Participants have until July 31 to submit required paperwork. To access the required form, visit https://gfb.ag/FDMPforms. GFB Field Notes page 10 of 11 CROP INSURANCE FOR SWEET CORN AND PEPPER PRODUCERS
July 31 deadline to apply Georgia sweet corn and pepper producers have until July 21 to apply for crop insurance coverage or make changes to existing coverage for the 2021 crop year. Coverage is available for fresh market sweet corn in Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Tift, Toombs, and Worth counties. Coverage is also available for peppers in Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Ware, and Worth counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. Growers are encouraged to contact their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2021 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers by visiting the RMA agent locator at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov. FARM SERVICE AGENCY COUNTY COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS Aug. 1 deadline for nominations The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting nominations for county committee members. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these members who make decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2020 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1. 2021 AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FARM DOG OF THE YEAR CONTEST Aug. 20 deadline to enter Calling all farm dogs! Aug. 20 is the deadline to enter the 2021 American Farm Bureau Farm Dog of The Year contest, sponsored by Purina. A grand prize winner and up to four regional runnersup will be recognized. Visit www.gfb.ag/21farmdogcontest for complete details and to enter. The grand prize winner receives a year’s worth of Purina dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The four regional runners-up will win $1,000 each. Dog owners must be a Farm Bureau member to enter. Anyone with a great dog who isn't a Georgia Farm Bureau member can join at www.gfb.ag/join. GREAT GEORGIA POLLINATOR CENSUS Aug. 21-22 statewide Students and families are encouraged to participate in the second annual Great Georgia Pollinator Census on August 21-22 coordinated by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. About 4,500 participants documented more than 131,000 insect sightings as part of the inaugural census in 2019, and more than 100 events related to the project took place around the state. Census takers are asked to count pollinators on a favorite pollinator plant with abundant insect activity for 15 minutes each day using the provided observation sheet. An Insect Counting and Identification Guide gives detailed instructions on counting and photo examples for classification. Those interested in counting should visit www.ggapc.org to sign up and subscribe to the monthly newsletter about pollinator gardening and insect identification. For more information including publications on recommended plants to attract pollinators, visit www.extension.uga.edu/topicareas/timely-topics/pollinators. GFB Field Notes page 11 of 11 2020 NORTHWEST GEORGIA MASTER CATTLEMAN PROGRAM
Sept. 3 – Oct. 22 Webinars each Thursday 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. online Learn practical, science-based management techniques to increase profitability and sustainability in your beef cattle operation in this series of webinars hosted by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Advance registration of $60 is required by Aug. 24 and includes program materials for all eight live webinar sessions. The first 20 paid registrants receive a free forage sample lab analysis. For more information, contact Heather Kolich with Forsyth County Extension at 770-887-2418 or hnkolich@uga.edu. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Originally scheduled for March 24-25, The Georgia Pecan Growers Association annual conference is postponed to Sept. 10-11. The conference will remain in Tifton for the fall event and will essentially combine with GPGA’s annual fall field day. The GPGA uses the conference as its primary fundraiser to offset operating costs throughout the year. Registration will remain open online until the event occurs in September. All planned events will proceed at the fall event, including the golf tournament, orchard tour, welcome reception, and annual awards luncheon. U.S. CENSUS TIMELINE ADJUSTED The self-response phase of the 2020 U.S. Census, originally scheduled to run through July 31, has been extended to Oct. 31, one of several adjustments to the Census calendar in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a Census Bureau press release. The non-response follow-up timeline has been moved back to Aug. 11 – Oct. 31. Census Bureau processing of data after completion of the count activities has been rescheduled for Oct. 31 – April 30, 2021. Delivery of states’ population totals, which determine how many seats states have in the House of Representatives, will be delivered to the president by April 30, 2021. For more information, visit https://census.georgia.gov/. ASA CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE YOUNG LEADER PROGRAM The American Soybean Association (ASA) and Corteva Agriscience are seeking applicants for the 2021 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program, a two-phase educational program for actively farming individuals and couples who are passionate about the future possibilities of agriculture. The women and men who participate in this program will be the leaders that shape the future of agriculture. Phase I of the 2021 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program will take place Dec. 1 – 4, 2020, at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa. The program continues March 2 – 6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. Soybean grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply. For more information or to apply, visit www.gfb.ag/21ASAYoungLeaders. DAIRY VOLUNTEERS LEND A LISTENING EAR FOR THOSE IN STRESS Are you a dairy farmer who would like to talk to a fellow farmer or industry friend about the stress you’re experiencing? Georgia Milk Producers has partnered with dairy groups in other Southeastern states to compile a list of dairy producers who are volunteering to talk with fellow farmers & dairy industry employees as the dairy sector navigates these difficult times. Click here to access the list of volunteers & other tips/suggestions for dealing with stress