Georgia Farm Bureau's August 4 Field Notes

Photo by Amy Simpson, honorable mention in 2020 GFB Photo Contest

August 4, 2021

www.gfb.org

Vol. 3 No. 16

EPA, ARMY ANNOUNCE WOTUS VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETINGS On July 30, the EPA and the Department of the Army announced a schedule for initial public meetings to hear from interested stakeholders their perspectives on defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) and how to implement that definition as the agencies pursue this process. The public meetings will be held as web conferences in August, with one date reserved in September, if needed.

The EPA and the Army announced in June their intent to initiate a new rulemaking process that restores the requirements that were in place prior to the 2015 WOTUS implementation, which Georgia Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau and numerous agricultural stakeholder organizations opposed. This will involve establishing two new rules – a “foundational” rule that restores pre-2015 requirements and a second rule that builds on the foundational rule.

These actions are in accordance with an executive order issued by President Joe Biden in January. Biden ordered the EPA and Army to review the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which was developed under an executive order from then-President Donald Trump.

NWPR was implemented in 2020 The agencies intend to engage with state and tribal co-regulators and the public as a part of these two rulemakings. For more information regarding federalism and tribal consultation, please contact CWAwotus@epa.gov. Additional information about tribal consultation may also be found on the Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System website.

The virtual meetings schedule: Aug. 18 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. registration (https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-2hqD0tHZ8ZbSJcnnfLBtOM-u2U2uc) Aug. 23 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. registration (https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcumpqT8vGmWJmukgXw0nMm0bqxgbkZ4) Aug. 25 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. (for small entities) registration (https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdO6pqz0uEtOg6CU0zK3WiUB_usmk6AU) Aug. 26 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. registration (https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdeyopzguHVJrUB9rdohxK10OluAeE2o) Aug. 31 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. registration (https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdumvrDMvHIW2UceeU0FtkD8mE99IrFQ)

GFB Field Notes page 2 of 12 EWE OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES: GFB NAMES PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS Georgia farmers have long known that the state offers bountiful agricultural scenery. And the entries in the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers 12th Annual Picture Agriculture in Georgia Photo contest serve as proof. The contest drew more than 90 contestants who submitted more than 200 photos.

Congratulations to Holly Gordon of Douglas County for winning the contest and the $150 grand prize! Her photo of young piglets will be featured on the cover of the 2022 GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers calendar available at most county Farm Bureau offices in January.

The calendar will also feature the 11 honorable mention winners, who each received a $75 prize.

The GFB YF&R Committee judged the submitted photos and narrowed them down to a group of 19. Voting to choose the overall winner and the honorable mentions was held via Facebook. Visit https://gfb.ag/21PhotoContestWinners to see the top 12 photos.

The honorable mention winners were: Amy Meeks, Coffee County; Becky McInvale, Crawford County; Cretia Ariail, Franklin County; Jesse Fleming, Houston County; Katie Williams, Morgan County; Kendall Jimmerson, Colquitt County; Louie Perry, Colquitt County; Michael Chafin, Colquitt County; Molly Rabalais, Upson County; Ricky Minter, Fayette County and Ross Kendrick, Turner County.

The YF&R Committee thanks all GFB members who entered the contest. Look for contest details about the 2022 contest on GFB social media and at county offices. If you are interested in entering the 2022 contest, ask your county office to notify you when it receives contest details.

PRODUCE, PRIZES, PRESTIGE AVAILABLE THROUGH FARM PASSPORT Summer is winding down and children are headed back to school. If you’re looking for latesummer activities outside, may we suggest a late-summer trip to a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market?

Among the best things about Georgia in the summer are Georgia peaches and ice cream! With the peach season winding down, don’t miss out on these awesome treats!

While you’re at it, bag a few stamps in your 2021 Farm Passport for some sweet prizes. The grand prize for the most farms visited is an RTIC cooler and the winner will be featured on the Farm Monitor TV show! The grand prize is not the only prize, though.

In addition to fresh produce and fun family memories, here’s what you can get through the Farm Passport program: All passports returned with at least one stamp will be entered in a drawing to win a basket of favorite products from CFMs ($100 value); five stamps - limited edition T-shirt; 10 stamps – awesome ag swag and ball cap; 15 stamps – choice of product from Certified Farm Market (honey, pecans, or fruit jam) plus prizes listed above; 20 stamps - full access pass farm tour with Farm to Table meal in spring of 2022 plus all of the above.

Just by going – no stamps needed – you get access to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown right here in Georgia. Some of the crops in season are apples (certain varieties) beans, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, grapes (muscadines are available in South Georgia), mushrooms, okra, peaches, peppers, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, watermelon and zucchini.

As you visit participating farms, ask the farmer to stamp your passport. The more stamps you receive, the more prizes you will earn! Keep in mind farmers are at the mercy of the weather. Be sure to call or check the farm website/social media before visiting to make sure the farm is -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 3 of 12 Continued from previous page open. Passports can be picked up at county Farm Bureau offices or at a Certified Farm Market.

For the more information, about the GFB Certified Farm Market program, visit www.gfb.ag/passport. Mail in your passport by Jan. 7. 2022, and GFB will return it to you with your prizes! Mail passports to GFB Certified Farm Markets, P.O. Box 7068, Macon, GA 312097068.

GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE HOSTS FARMTASTIC FUN DAY Fun was in full supply at the Farmtastic Fun Day hosted by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), Georgia Farm Bureau, the Dairy Alliance and the Georgia Public Library Service at the Rock House Creamery in Morgan County on July 24.

More than 100 visitors toured the Georgia Ag Experience mobile classroom, which highlights Georgia agriculture through hands-on STEM activities. When they weren’t doing that, they swung on tire swings, enjoyed story time, drew cows, took tractor-drawn wagon rides to visit real cows, churned butter and planted seeds. And, no visit to a creamery would be complete without a serving of ice cream.

Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall read “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” to children in attendance, with the goal of improving agricultural literacy.

“The thing about reading to these kids, it piques their interest in where their ice cream really comes from,” McCall said. “I hope they learned a little bit that ice cream starts with the grass on the ground and the cow eats it. Then the fact that they got to go see how it’s made up here. They learned that it just isn’t in a freezer in a grocery store somewhere.”

The proceeds from the event will assist GFA in its mission to prepare the next generation of Georgia leaders for success in agriculture.

“We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Rock House Creamery and Keith Kelly for their generous support of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture,” said Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Lily Baucom. “It is through partnerships like this that the foundation and continue pushing toward improved agricultural literacy.”

The Dairy Alliance had a table-top video game. Morgan County FFA students helped children plant seeds in cups filled with of soil. Children churned butter in condiment containers with assistance from Newton County Farm Bureau.

“This is the first year we have hosted an ag literacy celebration to highlight the AFBF Ag book of the year,” said Baucom. “We partnered with the Georgia Public Library System, Georgia EMC, and the Dairy Alliance to bring the book to life- at Rockhouse Creamery and Farm. We aim to create an in-person experience like this every summer to allow everyone to enjoy time with on the farm and have fun in the sun.”

Kelly, who owns Rock House Creamery, said he was willing to open his farm for the event to encourage children to learn and become interested in farming. The 130-acre farm, where Kelly milks cows from a 100-animal herd, sells its milk, cheese and ice cream at Farmview Market in Madison and other outlets across the state.

“It was education as much as anything,” said Kelly. “I think we realized years ago that our young people don’t know much about our food system. I just think we, Farm Bureau, everybody that possibly can has got to get the word out. We’re woefully short in getting Americans educated -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 4 of 12 Continued from previous page as to where food comes from.”

The event, sponsored by Georgia EMC, served to promote “Tales of a Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish,” and featured exhibits from The Dairy Alliance, The Georgia Public Library Service, Morgan County FFA and Newton County Farm Bureau.

“Obviously farming is important across rural Georgia and of course being a partner with Farm Bureau in the book distribution, this event really seemed like a good tie-in for us to show the support that the EMCs have at the local level with those local libraries and local school districts with youth education and agriculture,” said Georgia EMC Public Relations Representative Kaleb Frady.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preparing Georgia agriculture’s next generation of leaders. The foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers, manages the Georgia Ag Experience mobile classroom, funds leadership development programs and projects that increase students’ and the public’s understanding of agriculture. Visit www.gafoundationag.org to make a tax-deductible donation or learn more about the foundation and its programs.

FOOD ANIMAL VET LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM DEADLINE IS SEPT. 13 Georgia food animal veterinarians with student loans have until Sept. 13 to apply for funds under the Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program (GVELRP).

The 2021 Georgia General Assembly appropriated state funds totaling $90,000 to the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) for the GVELRP Board to carry out its purpose. These funds became available to the board effective July 1 and will remain with GSFA until the terms of the first contracts awarded have been met, at which time the 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 board may enter into contracts with up to five (5) eligible applicants. Award amounts are capped at $20,000 per twelve (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.

The Board and GVELRP were established by the Georgia General Assembly for the purpose of providing financial relief, by way of student loan purchases, for veterinarians willing to provide food animal veterinary services in shortage areas around the state.

Applicants must be a citizen 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.

Georgia law stipulates that only candidates who practice or intend to practice in board-approved rural counties with populations of 35,000 or less may be considered for awards. Prior service in these areas will not be considered services rendered for contracts entered into.

Each applicant is required to submit a completed application form and the appropriate reference -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 5 of 12 Continued from previous page documents to the Board by no later than Sep. 13. Completed applications must be accompanied by three (3) completed reference forms, one of which must be from a DVM/VMD and one from a current of former employer. If an applicant has no employment history, they are asked to include a reference from a professor directly involved in the completion of their veterinary degree program.

Once the application period closes, board members will review the completed applications and narrow the candidate pool based on the quality of the candidate and the severity of the shortage situation the candidate intends to serve. Candidates may be asked to be interviewed by one or more board members, either in person or over the phone. The final candidates and their awards will be announced by Nov. 13.

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. Complete program information and application documents are available online at https://gfb.ag/21GVELRPapps.

APPEALS COURT REJECTS NPPC/AFBF SUIT OVER CALIFORNIA FARM LAW On July 28, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a lower court’s verdict and rejected a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12, which beginning in 2022 will ban sale of meat from animals confined in a manner inconsistent with California standards.

The suit, filed by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), argued that Proposition 12 violates the “dormant Commerce Clause,” which prohibits states from discriminating or unduly burdening interstate commerce.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr was among numerous attorneys general who wrote amicus briefs for the NPPC and AFBF in the case.

“The complaint here fails to make a plausible allegation that the pork production industry is of such national concern that it is analogous to taxation or interstate travel, where uniform rules are crucial,” the court opinion reads. “Although the complaint plausibly alleges that Proposition 12 will have an impact on a national industry, we have already held that such impacts do not render the state law impermissibly extraterritorial.”

According to the court opinion written by Judge Sandra S. Ikuta, Proposition 12 does not violate the dormant Commerce Clause because it does not dictate prices. According to the court, the practical effects on how pork is produced and sold outside California do not qualify as impermissible under the dormant Commerce Clause.

G&R FARMS PARTICIPATING IN RECYCLING LABELING PROGRAM On July 20, G&R Farms in Tattnall County announced its participation in the How2Recycle labeling program, a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public.

As part of their How2Recycle program commitment, G&R Farms has already moved many recyclable packaging initiatives forward including widely recyclable boxes and Store Drop-off recyclable bags, as well as using 20% recycled material in their film and netting on their bags.

“Consumers want more than just quality; they want to feel that the products and brands that they -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 6 of 12 Continued from previous page purchase align with their personal values and that those companies are doing their part.” Said G&R Farms Vice President Walt Dasher, “Consideration for recycling and sustainable packaging solutions has to be one of our top priorities as we help solve waste related problems.”

As a third-generation family farm, G&R Farms began in Southeast Georgia with a small farm in 1945. Today, the organization has grown to over 5,000 acres encompassing several crops with a main focus on sweet onions.

How2Recycle focuses on taking the guesswork out of recycling and getting more materials into recycling bins. How2Recycle involves a coalition of more than 380 forward-thinking brands and members who want to effectively communicate the recyclability of their packaging by empowering consumers through clear and concise packaging labels.

To learn more about How2Recycle, www.how2recycle.info.

USDA DESIGNATES SEVEN GA COUNTIES AS NATURAL DISASTER AREAS On July 30 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named seven Georgia counties as natural disaster areas for weather-related damage that occurred in March and April. The USDA is also making assistance available for producers and local municipalities recovering from losses caused by Tropical Storm Elsa in July.

This Secretarial 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 triggering disaster was flash flooding from March 24 to March 31 in Gordon County, which was named the primary disaster area. Gordon County producers who sustained agricultural losses as a result of the flooding are eligible for emergency loans through the FSA. Producers in contiguous counties Bartow, Cherokee, Floyd, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Walker and Whitfield are also eligible.

The second triggering disaster was a freeze on April 22 in Union County, which was named the primary disaster area. Union County producers who suffered agricultural damage from the freeze are eligible for emergency loans through FSA. Producers in contiguous counties Fannin, Lumpkin, Towns and White are also eligible.

The third triggering disaster was excessive rain, hail and high winds on April 24 in Echols and Lowndes counties, which were named primary disaster areas. Producers in those counties who suffered losses from the extreme weather are eligible for emergency loans through the FSA. Producers in contiguous counties Berrien, Brooks, Clinch, Cook and Lanier are also eligible.

The fourth triggering disaster was excessive rain and high winds on April 24 in Atkinson, Coffee and Ware Counties, which were named primary disaster areas. Producers in those counties who suffered losses from the extreme weather are eligible for emergency loans through the FSA. Producers in contiguous counties Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Charlton, Clinc, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Pierce and Telfair are also eligible.

The application deadline for emergency loans is March 16, 2022, for all four incidents.

-continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 7 of 12 Continued from previous page On www.farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-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.

The USDA is prepared to assist farmers, ranchers and communities recover from damages brought on by Tropical Storm Elsa. While Georgia agricultural producers are still encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to learn about the programs available to help them recover from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses, local governments are also reminded that USDA can assist with the cost of recovery efforts like debris removal and streambank stabilization to address natural resource concerns and hazards through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. The deadline to apply for EWP assistance is Sept. 6, 2021. For more information, visit https://gfb.ag/EWP or contact State Conservation Engineer Diane Guthrie at diane.guthrie@usda.gov.

TWO GEORGIANS AMONG FFA AMERICAN STAR AWARD FINALISTS Sixteen finalists will vie this year for the National FFA Organization’s top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience.

Tyler Ertzberger of Carnesville and Duncan Patton of Comer have been named finalists for the 2021 American Star Awards given by American FFA. Ertzberger is a finalist for the American Star Award in Agribusiness. Patton is a finalist for the American Star Award in Agricultural Placement.

The American Star Awards represent the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients. The award recognizes FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies by completing a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows members to learn by doing. Members can own and operate an agricultural business, intern at an agricultural business, or conduct an agriculture-based scientific experiment and report the results.

Other requirements to achieve the award include demonstrating top management skills; completing key agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements; and earning an American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest level of student accomplishment.

A panel of judges will interview the finalists and select one winner from each award category for the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall. The four winners will be announced during the convention.

Case IH, Elanco Animal Health, NAU Country Insurance Company, Pepsico Inc, RAM Trucks and Syngenta sponsor the American FFA Degree recognition program.

Visit www.FFA.org/stars for more information about the American Star Awards.

GFB Field Notes page 8 of 12 RMA FRESH MARKET PEPPER LISTENING SESSION Aug. 10 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. via Zoom Producers of fresh market peppers are invited to participate in a listening session with Agralytica, which is working under contract for USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). RMA is seeking feedback about a potential production and revenue history (PRH) policy for fresh market peppers.

There are two in-person sessions in South Florida on Aug. 4 and 5. The Zoom videoconference can be accessed by video and audio or by audio alone. The Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82499205917. For more information, contact Agralytica President Andre Williamson at 240-432-0308 or awilliamson@agralytica.com. If you email, please include “Peppers PRH insurance as your subject line. Public comments will be accepted by by phone or email until August 31.

MIDVILLE FIELD DAY Aug. 11 Southeast Georgia Research & Education Center Midville Georgia cotton producers, University of Georgia faculty and staff and industry personnel will gather for a firsthand the research that UGA’s first class group of extension scientists are conducting with producer funds via the Georgia Cotton Commission and Cotton Incorporated. To pre-register, visit https://bit.ly/3y8lyPQ. UPPER OCMULGEE CONSERVATION DISTRICT MEETING Aug. 17 Jasper County Farm Bureau 10 a.m.

Monticello The regular meeting of the Upper Ocmulgee Conservation District will not be held in July. The August meeting will be held on Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. in the Jasper County Farm Bureau Office, 671 W. Washington Street, Monticello. For more information, contact Northeast Georgia Regional Program Manager LeAnn Rutledge at (757) 373-0930.

USDA ACCEPTING ENROLLMENT FOR CRP GRASSLAND PROGRAM Aug. 20 enrollment deadline Agricultural producers and landowners can apply for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands signup from until August 20. This year, (USDA) updated signup options to provide greater incentives for producers and increase the program’s conservation and climate benefits, including setting a minimum rental rate and identifying two national priority zones. To enroll in the CRP Grasslands signup, producers and landowners should contact USDA by the Aug. 20 deadline.

GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE ONLINE AUCTION Sept. 27 – Oct. 8 Mark your calendars to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping while supporting Georgia Foundation for Agriculture programs. Registration details to place bids will be announced in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in donating an item for the auction should contact Lily Baucom at lrbaucom@gfb.org or 478.405.3461 or Jennifer Farmer at jmfarmer@gafoundationag.org or 478.405.3463 by Aug. 20.

GFB Field Notes page 9 of 12 AFBF AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE Aug. 20 deadline to enter The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The Challenge was the first national business competition of its kind focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs. Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds to ten businesses, culminating at a live pitch competition and networking event at the AFBF Annual Convention in January 2022 in Atlanta, GA. The Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will be awarded $50,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, and FMC Corporation. To apply and learn more, visit www.fb.org/challenge.

GREAT GEORGIA POLLINATOR CENSUS Aug. 20-21 The Great Georgia Pollinator Census, hosted by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, will be held this year on Aug. 20 and 21. During the census, Georgia citizens are asked to visit plants in their gardens or other spots frequented by insect pollinators and count how many pollinators they observe in a 15-minute window. Those who participate then submit their counts online via the census website. Data collected for the pollinator census are currently being used by UGA researchers for economic valuation studies of pollination. Some are also used in classrooms for student projects. For details, visit https://ggapc.org/.

CLIMATE ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION SURVEY Deadline extended to Aug. 20 If you are a cattle or cotton farmer in Georgia, please consider completing a survey being conducted by a University of Georgia graduate student regarding farmers’ willingness to adopt various technology for your farm as well as your perceptions on climate change. It should take just 20 minutes to complete, and the information collected goes to help the graduate student Georgia complete her degree.

To participate in the survey, please visit https://gfb.ag/UGAclimatetechsurvey. For more information on the survey contact Julian Worley at julian.worley@uga.edu. Participants are asked to respond by Aug. 20.

USDA NRCS OUTREACH AND TRAINING PROGRAM Aug. 24 Tilford Winery Farm, 236 Lake Joy Rd. 10 a.m. – noon Perry The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is hosting this free event for farmers, ranchers and landowners. Topics include the NRCA EQIP Program, the FVSU Extension Program, the Southern Farmers Collaborative Group Program, the Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education, Inc. Program, an MCL Jasco – HelpForFarmers.org Soil Health Live Demonstration and a Tilford Winery Farm Propagation Live Demonstration. For more information, contact NRCS South Region Outreach Coordinator Charlie Grace at (229) 268-9106, Ext. 111, (229) 591-9919 or charlie.grace@usda.gov.

GFB Field Notes page 10 of 12 ONION CROP INSURANCE Aug. 31 sales closing date The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia onion growers that Aug. 31 is the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2022 crop year. This is also deadline for current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage to do so. Coverage is available for onions in Appling, Bulloch, Candler, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Laurens, Long, Montgomery, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, and Wayne counties. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online.

THE RIVER RATS 5K/1 MILE RUN & BREAKFAST Sept. 11 7:30 a.m.

Lumber City One mile race begins at 7:30 a.m. 5K begins at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $25 or $30 for those who enter both the one mile and 5K. This race, sponsored by the Lumber City Woman’s Club, was formerly known as the Lumber City Farm Day Run. Registration forms are available at www.lumbercityfarmday.org. For information, please visit the website or call (912) 363-4643 and leave a message or send email to: jeaban2007@mac.com.

INMAN FARM HERITAGE DAYS Sept. 17-19 Minter’s Farm, 283 Hill’s Bridge Rd. Fayetteville Admission is free for this annual event featuring hundreds of antique farm implements, including antique tractors, as well as cars and trucks. Demonstrations include sawmilling, planing, pea shelling, threshing, syrup making, quilting and more! Hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 18, 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. on Sept. 19. For more information call 770-461-2840 or 770-296-8360, or visit www.mintersfarm.com.

KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS Sept. 18 & Oct. 9 Morgan County Agricultural 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, costume contests & more! Both shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. 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 $156,750 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region through the 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 Georgia & County Parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, Don Carter, Watson Mill Bridge and Heritage Park.

GFB Field Notes page 11 of 12 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU QUALITY HAY CONTEST Oct. 31 deadline to enter Georgia Farm Bureau is calling all members who grow Bermudagrass hay to enter its annual hay contest. Hay entered in the 2021 GFB Quality Hay Contest will be tested at the University of Georgia Feed & Environmental Water Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which provides an analysis of the nutritional value of the hay. Winners will be determined by the RFQ analysis and announced in December at the annual GFB Convention on Jekyll Island. Prizes will be presented to the top five producers. The first-place winner will receive the free use of a Vermeer 604R baler for one year, courtesy of the Vermeer Manufacturing Company. The winner will have the option to purchase the mower at a reduced price at the end of the year. Entry forms outlining all contest rules may be picked up at local county Farm Bureau offices or downloaded at www.gfb.ag/HayContest. There is a $20 fee for each entry to cover the cost of the lab test. Checks should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Entry fees, forms and samples should be sent to the GFB Public Policy Department 1620 Bass Road Macon, Ga., 31210. For more information about the contest contact Jeremy Taylor in the GFB Public Policy Department at 1-800-342-1192 or jrtaylor@gfb.org.

GFB HAY DIRECTORY GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2021 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.

DAIRY VOLUNTEERS LEND A LISTENING EAR FOR THOSE IN STRESS Are you a dairy farmer who would like to talk to a fellow farmer or industry friend about the stress you’re experiencing? Georgia Milk Producers has partnered with dairy groups in other Southeastern states to compile a list of dairy producers who are volunteering to talk with fellow farmers & dairy industry employees as the dairy sector navigates these difficult times.

Click here to access the list of volunteers & other tips/suggestions for dealing with stress.

GFB Field Notes page 12 of 12 UGA VETERINARY SCHOOL DOG AGING PROJECT Researchers at the University of Georgia are looking for new participants for a study that aims to determine why smaller dogs live longer lives than their larger counterparts. There are almost 90 million dogs living in the United States, and to date, nearly 30,000 dog owners from around the country have volunteered for this community science research project as part of a five-year, $23 million project funded by the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health. All kinds of dogs are welcome to join, but researchers are specifically seeking dogs, both purebred and mixed breed, in the following categories: Large breed dogs weighing between 70100 pounds, especially breeds other than Labradors, golden retrievers and German shepherds (the most common breeds in the U.S.); Giant breed dogs weighing more than 100 pounds, such as Great Danes, wolfhounds and mastiffs; Hound dogs, spaniels, pointers, terriers, bulldogs and pit bulls (purebred and mixed breed); Working dogs, such as herding, K9 and service dogs. Because the Dog Aging Project (DAP) is a long-term study, puppy participants are especially beneficial to the project. The research team wants to follow dogs through their entire lives. To participate in the Dog Aging Project, owners nominate a dog (one per household) at the project website, www.dogagingproject.org. After this, they are invited to set up a personal research portal where they answer scientific surveys about their dog and upload veterinary records. For more information, or to nominate your dog, visit www.dogagingproject.org.