August 14, 2019
www.gfb.org
Vol. 1 No. 3
GFB COMMODITY CONFERENCE: MEMBERS URGED TO BE INVOLVED Georgia Farm Bureau and its guest speakers during the 2019 GFB Commodity Conference presented one clear message to members on Aug. 8: Your involvement is needed, whether it is voicing your views with elected officials or working to ensure candidates for election support agriculture. The meeting, held at UGA’s Tifton Campus, provided state & federal legislative updates, a synopsis of issues impacting the livestock industry, efforts being made to control feral swine and the status of Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Members also heard from Dr. Sam Pardue, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott and Georgia Ag Commissioner Gary Black. During individual committee meetings, members reviewed GFB’s policy for Georgia’s 20 major commodities. “Georgia Farm Bureau is working on initiatives to make lives better on our farms,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “In order for us to accomplish our goals in Atlanta and Washington we must first understand what’s happening back on the farm. You [our members] are the experts in your commodity areas. We appreciate you taking the time to come and carefully review Farm Bureau’s policies pertaining to your commodities.” Technology an advantage for ag UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) Dean Sam Pardue welcomed GFB to the college’s Tifton Campus Conference Center while providing a CAES update. Pardue touted the college’s accomplishments, noting that roughly 75 percent of patent royalties generated by UGA originated with CAES research. With the variety of challenges facing agriculture, Pardue said developing agricultural technology becomes more important. “I’m grateful because technology is one of the few advantages that we have. That new variety that comes forward, that new method that is developed, is the only thing that gives us an advantage,” he said. Pardue said the 2019 Georgia Legislature budgeted for two new precision ag positions to be -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 2 of 15 Continued from previous page based at UGA Tifton, as well as 12 new Extension agents around the state. CAES Assistant Dean for the UGA-Tifton Campus Joe West said the campus has received a $3.6 million grant to fund research on controlling whiteflies – a pest that has been plaguing vegetable and row crop growers in recent years. Black gives hemp, disaster aid updates Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black reviewed rulemaking for the Georgia Hemp Farming Act, which legalizes the production of industrial hemp in Georgia. The comment period for proposed rules ended Aug. 12. If any changes are made to the proposed rules, the Georgia Department of Agriculture must republish the revised proposed rules and accept comments for 30 days. Black indicated the final rules likely won’t be complete until after Nov. 1. Black also discussed the implementation of federal disaster aid measures, which included $3 billion for ag losses nationwide in 2017 and 2018, including those in Georgia from Hurricane Michael. The disaster aid will be issued through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) and state-administered block grants. Black led the Georgia Agricultural Recovery Task Force in submitting a proposal to the USDA that included recovery estimates by commodity and production formulas for distributing any block grant funds obtained. “There is no doubt that the disaster we had is still a disaster for some of us. But in order for us to begin to get over this we need to change the semantics. We need to focus on recovery,” Black said. “So, the plan we have submitted for block grants is a recovery plan.” The disaster assistance funding would help producers in counties declared disaster areas, the commissioner said. He was not sure if contiguous counties would be eligible. Once the state knows when it will receive the block grant funding, Black hopes to give two weeks’ notice before the signup period, which he has recommended to last 15 days. “There’s not anything we can request that can make anyone whole, but [we can] do what we can do to help along our recovery,” Black said. Right to Farm GFB State Affairs Coordinator Alex Bradford discussed ag-related bills the Georgia General Assembly considered this year, including bills that authorize farmers growing hemp and oysters, and allow electric membership corporations to provide broadband internet service. Bradford said the Right to Farm Bill (House Bill 545), which would enhance right-to-farm protections, is eligible for further consideration during the 2020 session. Although the Georgia House and the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the bill, it did not come to a vote on the Senate floor. “Issues this important only come along every so often,” Bradford said. “It would protect agriculture and your farm’s vitality for years to come.” Bradford noted that a federal precedent has been set with a set of verdicts in North Carolina, where trial lawyers recruited 541 plaintiffs and filed 26 class-action lawsuits against hog farmers and their integrators, resulting in more than $574 million in damages awarded to the plaintiffs. Georgia’s current right-to-farm law is similar to the one in North Carolina. Georgia is a prime target, Bradford said, because of commodities produced here. -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 3 of 15 Continued from previous page “We know that trial lawyers are shopping these cases around the state,” Bradford said. He asked GFB members to reach out to legislators and explain why farmers need HB 545. Farmer engagement crucial GFB Advocacy and Policy Development Coordinator Katie Duvall stressed the importance of farmers remaining engaged in the lawmaking process – by interacting with legislators and voting. Duvall noted the total number of registered voters in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties are enough to offset 87 rural counties. “Our membership is our biggest strength,” Duvall said. “You, as our commodity advisory committees, have the ability to impact every district. You represent every Farm Bureau district in the state, including metro Atlanta. That means collectively we at Farm Bureau with our 158 county offices can also impact every legislative district in the state.” Duvall encouraged GFB farmer members to sign up with the organization’s Advocacy Action Center, which provides legislative updates according to farmers’ interests throughout the year. To sign up, text “GFB Action” to 52886. EPA working with ag One of the Environmental Protection Agency’s priorities under the Trump Administration is to engage more effectively with agriculture, EPA Region 4 Chief of Staff Blake Ashbee said. While the agency remains committed to protecting air, soil and water, the EPA intends to do so while remaining faithful to the rule of law and working within its authority. “There’s no better example of the administration’s efforts to rebalance power at the EPA than our efforts on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule,” Ashbee said. “This is an area that created real uncertainty for land owners under the previous administration.” The latest WOTUS proposal the EPA has put forth aims to end the patchwork approach to implementing the rule and instead create uniformity and clarity for landowners, Ashbee said. The latest revised rule defines six categories of water that would be subject to WOTUS: traditional navigable waters; tributaries to those waters; certain ditches that were constructed to be navigable or tributaries; certain lakes and ponds, impoundments; and wetlands adjacent to any of the other five components. The EPA also recognizes farmers’ need for effective herbicides to control invasive weeds. “We’ve heard from many of you that access to dicamba is important,” Ashbee said. EPA extended dicamba’s registration for two years last fall and the herbicide will be up for registration review in December 2020. Regarding glyphosate, Ashbee said, “The EPA continues to find it’s not a carcinogen and is safe to use when used according to label.” The EPA is currently conducting a review of glyphosate as part of its standard, periodic reassessment of previously registered herbicides to ensure they are still safe to use. Support pro-ag candidates U.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Dist. 8), who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, encouraged farmers to support candidates who understand and support agriculture with their time -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 4 of 15 Continued from previous page and donations to ensure that farmers continue to have a voice in Congress. “I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or Republican. What I do care about is that when we go to the polls in a November election that we have someone who can support agriculture. In some cases, we’re getting two candidates to the ballot who don’t understand or support agriculture,” Scott said. “Let’s make sure we’ve got pro-ag Democrats and pro-ag Republicans on the ballot.” While Georgia currently has a U.S. Congressional delegation that supports agriculture, Scott expressed concern that agriculture and rural America are losing support overall in Congress. He wants farmers to understand the importance of electing candidates who understand and support rural issues. “Our primaries of both parties are being controlled by outside groups that are raising tremendous amounts of money. We’re in danger of getting candidates from both parties who know nothing about agriculture and don’t support it.” Swine flu could help poultry; lab-grown protein headed to stores U.S. poultry producers are likely to see the biggest benefit from the world’s decreased pork supply caused by the outbreak of African Swine Flu (ASF) in China and Eastern Europe, American Farm Bureau Economist Michael Nepveux said. U.S. beef and pork producers may see increased demand for their product, but poultry should see more demand because it’s cheaper to raise than beef and pork, and it only takes six weeks to raise a chicken. Nepveux said Rabobank estimates 30 to 50% of China’s pig herd will be gone by the end of the year. China raised half of the world’s pigs before ASF hit the country, Nepveux said. Nepveux also discussed the development of lab-grown protein products. “Currently companies are trying to mimic mushy meat products such as ground beef, chicken nuggets and foie gras, but companies are working on developing products that resemble muscle meat,” Nepveux said. “It’s hard to say when these lab-grown products will reach the market, but it will be sooner than you think. The cost of production for these products is coming down and becoming less of an issue.” He explained that these products are made by taking cells from animals, dead or alive, combining the cells with a growth medium, often a calf fetus, that feeds the cells to multiply and “grow” a protein product. The Food & Drug Administration has regulatory authority over cell collection and the growth process in the lab. The USDA will regulate cell harvest, processing and product labeling. Controlling feral hogs Matt Ondovchik of USDA Wildlife Services gave an update on efforts to control feral hogs, which have spread to 40 states. “Eradication is not feasible with the tools we currently have. Our goal and our objective in Georgia is to manage the damage these animals cause,” Ondovchik said. According to a 2007 USDA estimate, feral pigs cause an estimated $1.5 billion in annual ag damage nationwide. Ondovchik suggested annual damage now exceeds $2 billion. Large-scale trapping is the most effective control method currently available, Ondovchik said. He tries to persuade producers not to use small cage traps. He recommends trapping large groups -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 5 of 15 Continued from previous page of pigs rather than two or three at a time. Ondovchik noted that the 2018 farm bill included funding for the pursuit of feral swine control. The USDA has plans for field trials in the near future using sodium nitrite, which is toxic to swine, as a bait for depopulating. Pardue: Technology an advantage for agriculture UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) Dean Sam Pardue touted the college’s accomplishments, noting that roughly 75% of royalties generated by UGA patents originated with CAES research. He noted that with the variety of challenges that face agriculture, developing agricultural technology becomes more important. He also shared CAES’ vision for a new $54 million poultry science building on the university’s South Campus in Athens, as well as a new $111 million plant sciences building, also in Athens. Pardue said the college would pursue funding for the buildings through public/private partnerships. “The challenge that we have is we don’t know what the future is going to be like. I’m sure it’s going to be more challenging from a labor perspective, from markets, from regulatory, from environmental, so it is our job to prepare. Not for the next two years, but for the next five, 10, 15 years,” Pardue said, asking for input as CAES moves forward. “I want somebody to throw up their hand and say, ‘Hey, have you thought about this?’ I hope that Farm Bureau will feel like they have the freedom to say, ‘hey, have you thought about X?’” Pardue said the 2019 Georgia Legislature budgeted for two new precision ag positions to be based at UGA Tifton, as well as 12 new Extension agents around the state. CAES Assistant Dean for the UGA-Tifton Campus Joe West said the campus has received a $3.6 million grant to fund research on controlling whiteflies – a pest that has been plaguing vegetable and row crop growers in recent years. GFB AWARDS HARVEST 20 RESEARCH GRANTS Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) awarded $94,000 in research grants to seven Georgia scientists and their research teams addressing production issues impacting Georgia farmers. GFB President Gerald Long announced the recipients of the organization’s Harvest 20 Research Grants Aug. 8 during the 2019 GFB Commodity Conference held at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. A review committee selected the following research projects from 32 proposals to receive GFB grants: Can Common Nutritional Strategies Have a Negative Impact on Beef Production?, principal investigator Dr. Lawton Stewart; The Etiology & Epidemiology of Cotton Blue Disease in Georgia, principal investigator Dr. Sudeep Bag; Surveying & Monitoring Wood-Boring Ambrosia Beetles in Tree Nurseries, Tree Fruit & Pecan Orchards, principal investigator Dr. Angelita Acebes; Assessing Potential Impacts of a new strain of the bacterium Xylella Fastidiosa on Blueberry Bushes, principal investigator Jonathan Oliver; Antimicrobial Waxes for Produce Application, principal investigator Dr. Govindaraj Dev Kumar; Evaluating Snap Bean Cultivars & Germplasms for Resistance/Tolerance, against Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus, principal investigator Dr. Bhabesh Dutta; Evaluation of the Effect of Foliar Fertilizer in the Early Soybean Production System, principal investigator Dr. Mark Freeman. The grant recipients have been invited to present their research results in a poster session at the 2019 GFB Annual Convention in December.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 15 PATSIE CANNON RECEIVES GFB COMMODITY AWARD Patsie Cannon received the 2019 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Commodity Award during the GFB Commodity Conference held Aug. 8 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. The GFB Commodity Award, one of the organization’s highest honors, is given to individuals who have supported and promoted Georgia agriculture. “Patsie has served Georgia’s beef sector for more than 35 years in a variety of roles,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “Patsie has been a blessing to cattle producers across Georgia through her work with numerous University of Georgia beef production programs, announcing cattle shows at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, and her volunteer work with the Georgia Cattlemen’s & Women’s Associations. Her dedication is evident by the long-lasting relationships and the many lives she has touched across the state.” Cannon taught business classes at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for seven years before pursuing fulltime work with Cannon Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Marketing, the family business dedicated to Long, left, presents the 2019 Commodity marketing purebred cattle throughout the Award to Patsie T. Cannon, accompanied by Eastern United States and Canada. She later her husband, Carroll Cannon. served 16 years at the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Tifton Campus. During her time with UGA, Cannon worked with the college’s Georgia Beef Challenge, Bull Evaluation Program, and the Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development (HERD) Program. “I am humbled and honored to be recognized by Georgia Farm Bureau,” Cannon said. “This organization does a tremendous job working for everyone in Georgia’s ag community. It has been a privilege and a blessing to work for and with so many wonderful producers who have been a part of the Cannon Ag Family for nearly four decades.” With the Georgia Beef Challenge, which allows Georgia cattle producers to gain information on the health, weight gain and carcass merit of their cattle as they move through the feedlot, Cannon coordinated the enrollment and shipping of about 39,000 Georgia calves to the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity in Lewis, Iowa. Cannon developed a chuteside data collection process on calves that continued through the feedlot phase and ended with graded carcasses ensuring each consignor received timely updates as data was collected. While working on the UGA Tifton and Calhoun Bull Evaluation and HERD Programs, Cannon encouraged producers to consign heifers and bulls in the programs. These programs demonstrate the animals’ individual performance differences, provide breeders with a scientific basis for selecting cattle and serve as an educational demonstration of the value of performance records. “Patsie has always been the consummate professional in everything she does. Whether it was -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 7 of 15 Continued from previous page the Tifton Bull Test, the HERD program or the Georgia Beef Challenge, you knew it was going to get done and it was going to be done right,” said John Callaway, chairman of the Georgia Beef Commission. Cannon is an active member of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) and Georgia Cattlewomen’s Association (GCWA). She serves on the GCA Nominating Committee and the Junior Advisory Board and supports all GCWA activities. She promotes the Cattle Drive for Hunger ensuring GCA grants are distributed to organizations that feed the hungry. Cannon was inducted into the Georgia Cattlemen’s Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Georgia Cattlewomen’s Hall of Fame in 2018. “Mrs. Patsie has always worked to make our industry and the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association be the most it could possibly be,” said GCA President Brent Galloway. “Patsie has always treated everyone with the utmost respect and always makes you feel like you are family.” Since the 1990s, Cannon’s melodious voice has announced the names of 4-H and FFA exhibitors competing in cattle shows at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and their placings. She’s praised for her ability to speak clearly enough for all to hear and understand above the noise of the fairgrounds. After retiring from UGA in 2015, Cannon continues to support Georgia’s beef industry through the family business. Cannon and her husband, Carroll T. Cannon, live near Ty Ty. They have one son, Patrick, who is a patrol officer with the Atlanta Police Department. She serves as Sunday School director for five classes at the First Baptist Church of Tifton and is a member of the church’s Policies & Procedures Committee. FAMILY FARMER RELIEF ACT PASSES On Aug. 1, the U.S. Senate passed the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2336) by a voice vote. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-NY), eases the process of reorganizing debt through Chapter 12 bankruptcy rules to assist farmers during this down farm economy. The bill, which was cosponsored by 27 House members, including Rep. David Scott (DGeorgia) awaits President Trump’s signature. The House passed H.R. 2336 by a voice vote on July 26. The bill expands the debt cap that can be covered under Chapter 12 bankruptcy from $3,237,000 to $10,000,000. The changes reflect the increase in land values, as well as the growth over time in the average size of U.S. farming operations and are meant to provide farmers additional options to help keep their businesses running during downturns in the farm economy. The legislation was endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Corn Growers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, the National Pork Producers Council, and American Bankruptcy Institute.
GFB News Alert 8 of 15 MFP WILL PAY PRODUCERS BETWEEN $15 AND $150 PER ACRE During the GFB Commodity Conference, GFB National Affairs Counsel Tripp Cofield discussed trade issues. Cofield noted that the U.S. has completed a trade agreement with Canada and Mexico; has a trade deal on the horizon with Japan; and ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom and European Union. In July, the USDA announced a $16 billion support package for agriculture in recognition of the adverse effect the China trade dispute is having on farmers. The package includes $14.5 billion going directly to farmers under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP). The remaining $1.5 billion will fund the purchase of surplus commodities affected by trade retaliation and market development programs. Farmers may sign up at local FSA offices through Dec. 6. “While our farmers support the ultimate goal of securing international trade agreements that are fair to all sides, the financial difficulties and reduced market access resulting from retaliatory tariffs from China and other nations have taken their toll and further worsened an already shaky landscape in the farm economy,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “Georgia Farm Bureau is extremely grateful for the continued support Georgia farmers are receiving from President Trump and USDA Secretary Perdue, and we hope that the new trade mitigation payments will diminish at least some of the financial stress our farmers have experienced during the ongoing trade conflicts.” Pecans, dairy and peanuts are eligible crops under MFP. The pecan payment is set at $146 per acre, while the dairy payment is set at 20 cents per hundred pounds. Producers of other eligible commodities, such as peanuts, will receive payments based on a county rate determined by the USDA. County rates may range from $15 to $150/acre depending on the impact of trade retaliation in that county. MPF payments will be divided into three installments. The first, which will be for 50% of a producer’s calculated payment or $15/acre, were expected to be made by September. If market conditions necessitate them, the other installments are expected to be made in November and January. For more information on the MFP, visit www.farmers.gov/mfp or contact your local FSA office, which can be found at www.farmers.gov. The trade assistance package includes the Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP), and Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP). According to the USDA, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will purchase surplus commodities affected by trade retaliation such as fruits, vegetables, some processed foods, beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and milk for distribution by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to food banks, schools, and other outlets serving low-income individuals. AMS will buy affected products in four phases, starting after Oct. 1, with deliveries beginning in January 2020. The products purchased can be adjusted between phases to accommodate changes due to growing conditions, product availability, market conditions, trade negotiation status and program capacity. AMS will purchase known commodities first. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will administer the ATP, which will provide costshare assistance to eligible U.S. organizations for activities such as consumer advertising, public relations, point-of-sale demonstrations, participation in trade fairs and exhibits, market research, and technical assistance. In mid-July, USDA awarded $100 million to 48 organizations through the ATP to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 15 NASS: PEACHES, COTTON EXPECTED TO MAKE BIG PRODUCTION GAINS Georgia peach production is forecast to nearly double and the state’s cotton growers are projected to produce 38% more cotton in 2019, according to the August Crop Production report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Georgia producers are expected to finish 2019 at 50,000 tons of peaches, up from 26,000 tons in 2018, when a late freeze devastated the state’s peach crop. This would represent a 92% increase. Georgia cotton growers, whose 2018 production suffered as they were hammered by Hurricane Michael in October, are forecast to produce 2.7 million bales in 2019, up from 1.96 billion bales in 2018. The state’s corn production is forecast at 56.95 million bushels in 2019, up from 50.16 million bushels in 2018, an increase of 13.5%. Georgia hay production is expected to decline slightly, from 1.74 million tons in 2018 to 1.68 million tons in 2019, a decline of 3%. Georgia peanut and soybean production are forecast for significant declines. The state’s peanut growers are expected to produce 2.596 billion pounds in 2019, which would be down from 2.892 billion pounds in 2018. The 10.3% decline is primarily a function of fewer acres being planted in peanuts. The state is expected to produce 3.99 million bushels of soybeans in 2018, which would represent a 26% decline from 2018, when Georgia soybean growers produced 5.4 million bushels. The state’s tobacco growers are expected to harvest their fewest acres in more than a century, down from 12,500 acres in 2018 to 9,000 acres in 2019. Production is forecast at 18 million pounds in 2019, down from 23.75 million pounds in 2018, a decline of 24 percent which would represent the state’s lowest tobacco production since 1932. Meanwhile, a USDA report released on Aug. 12 indicated that agricultural producers nationwide were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019. This marks the most prevented plant acres reported since USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began releasing the report in 2007 and 17.49 million acres more than reported at this time last year. More than 73 percent were in 12 Midwestern states, where flooding this year prevented plantings mostly corn, soybeans and wheat. Official USDA estimates of total acres planted, harvested and to be harvested, yield, and production are available from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service at www.nass.usda.gov. WILKINSON TO CHAIR GA SENATE STUDY COMMITTEE ON AG WORKFORCE Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan appointed Sen. John Wilkinson (R – Toccoa) to chair the Senate Study Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Landscape Workforce Access. The committee is tasked with exploring new employment initiatives in technical schools, youth career development programs, coordination among state agencies, and other efforts to improve workforce availability within agriculture, forestry and landscaping. The study committee will report its finding on or before Dec. 31. Wilkinson is joined on the committee by Sens. P. K. Martin and Frank Ginn and citizen appointees Charles Hall (Lt. Governor’s Appointee) and Brent Galloway (Governor’s Appointee), Mary Kay Woodworth (Executive Director of Georgia Urban Agriculture Council), State Schools Superintendent Richard Woods, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 15 FARM DOG OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL SEPT. 2 Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2020 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, sponsored by Purina. This is the second year of the contest, which celebrates farm dogs who work alongside their people to bring nutritious food to our tables and our pets’ bowls. The grand prize winner will win a year’s worth of Purina dry dog food and $5,000 in prize money for his or her farmer to offset travel costs to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas, Jan. 17-22, 2020. The winner will be recognized at the Farm Dog of the Year award ceremony at the convention. Up to four runners-up will win $1,000 each in prize money. Desired attributes in 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. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit www.fb.org/join to learn about becoming a member. Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available online at www.fb.org/2020farmdog. Farm Dog of the Year nominations, which include written responses to questions, still photos and a video clip (optional), must be received by Sept. 2 for consideration. CENTER FOR RURAL PROSPERITY & INNOVATION OPENS ELLIJAY OFFICE The Georgia Center for Rural Prosperity & Innovation has opened a North Georgia Office in Ellijay. The office is located in the Collaboration on River’s Edge (CORE) Building, a workplace innovation space and initiative of the Greater Gilmer Community Foundation. The center, also known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has named Janet Cochran to lead the North Georgia Office. Cochran comes to the center with more than a decade of experience as a project manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Headquartered at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, the Center for Rural Prosperity & Innovation serves as a central information and research hub for rural best practices, including community planning, industry-specific assistance and cooperative efforts with community partners. The center was proposed by the House Rural Development Council in 2017 and was created by House Bill 951, which was enacted in 2018. For more information about the Center for Rural Prosperity & Innovation, visit http://www.ruralga.org/. GEORGIA 4-H’ERS WIN TOP HONORS AT ANNUAL STATE CONGRESS After a year of hard work and dedication, close to 150 Georgia 4-H youths were named state winners at the Georgia 4-H State Congress held July 23-26 in Atlanta. Georgia 4-H members earn an invitation to compete at State Congress through hard work and dedication. At the beginning of the year, students select an area of study, give an oral presentation before judges at their respective District Project Achievement (DPA), and participate in service -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 11 of 15 Continued from previous page and leadership events in their communities throughout the year. The regional first place winners compete at State Congress in a variety of categories including history, horses, performing arts, and public speaking. Each student gives a 12-minute presentation before expert judges and is interviewed about their portfolio, which details their research, leadership and service projects. Arch Smith, state leader for the Georgia 4-H program, calls State 4-H Congress “the annual capstone event” of the 4-H year. “‘Learn by Doing’ is a slogan of 4-H, and Georgia 4-H members who have been involved in the Project Achievement process competed for the honor of being named state winner,” Smith said. "We recognized nearly 150 state winners at the annual banquet in 4-H educational programs from agriculture to performing arts to food preparation and healthy living. We are proud of these young people who have reached the highest level of attainment of over 238,000 4-H participants during the program year that ended in July.” This year’s winners, listed by home county with their 4-H project, are: Bacon - Mason McClintock, General Recreation; Berrien - LeAnn Beville, Fashion Revue; Bibb - Larry Howard, Food for Fitness; Bleckley - Caleb Moseley, Food Safety and Preservation; Bulloch - William Gatch, Outdoor Recreation; Burke - Hannah Eckerman, Photography; Chattooga - Mary Anna Bentley, Dairy & Milk Science and Lily Thibodeaux, Human Development; Coffee - Savannah Cothern, Dairy Foods; and Evie Woodward, Performing Arts – Vocal; Columbia - Emma Wurst, Safety; Crisp - Kayla Stephens, Workforce Prep and Career Development; Dougherty - Tandria Burke, Companion & Specialty Animals; Douglas - Rhiannon Perrien, Entomology; Effingham - Owen Mercer, Plant & Soil Science; and Payton Mercer, History; Elbert - Emma Williams, Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts; Emanuel - Savannah Reynolds, Food for Health & Sport; Fulton - Adin Burwell, Environmental Science; Gordon - Olivia Forrest, International; Grady - Asher Childs, Pork Production; Lily Norton, Sheep & Meat Goats; and Lizzy Thompson, Festive Foods for Health; Hall - Gracie McBride, Sports; Haralson - Jozie Mize, Food Fare; Hart - Rachel Tellano, Arts & Crafts, and Ben Tellano, Communications; Henry Ashlyn Donaldson, Forest Resources/Wood Science; Houston - Allen Brooks, Performing Arts – General, and Evelyn Day, Veterinary Science; Jackson - Andie Ellett, Performing Arts – Drama; Jasper - Keri Roach, Family Resource Management; Lowndes - Daniel Peterson, Poultry and Egg Science; Madison - Donovan Nelson, Public Speaking, and Clayton Adams, Robotics; Mitchell Abi Pace, Performing Arts – Dance; Monroe - Austin Wiggins, Beef; Morgan - Susan Bishop, Health, and Leah Wall, Performing Arts – Piano; Newton - Lavendar Harris, Wildlife & Marine Science; Oconee - David Han, Physical, Biological & Earth Sciences, Amelia Sale, Housing, Equipment & Environment; and Kalani Washington, Performing Arts – Other Instrumental; Paulding - Nicholas McKinley, Engineering & Mechanics; Spalding - Jhaycee Barnes, Computer Information Technology; Thomas - Michaela Falconer, Dog Care & Training; Tift - Lydia Connell, Horse; Toombs – Hannah Page, Flowers, Shrubs and Lawns; Treutlen - Trevor Byrd, Target Sports; Webster - Savannah Matthews, Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors. For more information, visit www.georgia4h.org or contact your local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office.
GFB News Alert page 12 of 15 DORFMAN NAMED STATE FISCAL ECONOMIST On Aug. 12, Gov. Brian Kemp announced the appointment of long-time University of Georgia professor Jeff Dorfman as State Fiscal Economist. The State Fiscal Economist develops forecasts based on Georgia's tax revenue, works closely with bond rating agencies on revenue and economic trends, and manages the development of fiscal impact estimates on tax-related legislative proposals. Dorfman is a nationally known economist, author and professor at the University of Georgia, where he has been since 1989. He teaches classes in the economics of the food industry, microeconomic theory, and macroeconomic theory and policy. His research on economic forecasting, food insecurity, productivity measurement, and the economics of growth and sprawl is often reported in industry, academic and news media. He has authored three books, most recently “Economics and Management of the Food Industry,” more than 90 academic journal articles, and a variety of other articles in various publications. In 2013 Dorfman was elected as a fellow by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. He has testified before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, the Georgia Legislature on several topics, and a USDA panel on farmland preservation. He served as editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics from 2009 to 2012. He has worked as a consultant to a variety of businesses, foundations, and local governments. He has served as a senior fellow at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. He is married with one daughter and attends Alps Road Presbyterian Church where he serves as treasurer. U.S. DOL, GUATEMALA SIGN AGREEMENT TO IMPROVE H-2A On July 30, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) signed a bi-lateral cooperative agreement with Guatemala to facilitate increased transparency, accountability, and worker safety in the H-2A nonimmigrant visa program for temporary agricultural workers from Guatemala, according to a DOL press release. Through this agreement, the Guatemalan government will provide additional safeguards for temporary workers by certifying that labor recruiters are vetted and registered with their government. The agreement is intended to complement existing U.S. laws and strengthen the protections for U.S. workers as well as prospective Guatemalan H-2A workers by ensuring Guatemalan H-2A workers are less susceptible to criminal actions and are not charged excessive fees as part of the H-2A nonimmigrant visa program, potentially undercutting U.S. workers. Additionally, these safeguards will assist U.S. employers who utilize the H-2A nonimmigrant visa program to seek workers from Guatemala by providing additional transparency and accountability concerning foreign labor recruiters’ compliance with U.S. and Guatemalan law. The H-2A nonimmigrant visa program allows American agricultural employers to hire seasonal workers from 85 eligible countries after the U.S. employer demonstrates that there are not sufficient, able, willing and qualified U.S. workers available at the time and place of need. Employers must show hiring foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. All H-2A nonimmigrant workers are vetted by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State prior to entering the United States.
GFB News Alert page 13 of 15 AGAWARE FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOPS Aug. 16 Central Ga Tech. College Milledgeville Aug. 23 AgSouth Farm Credit Statesboro AgSouth Farm Credit and AgGeorgia Farm Credit have partnered to bring the AGAware program to young, beginning and small farmers in Georgia through these workshops aimed at highlighting the many aspects of running a successful agricultural operation. Topics of the program include: Balance Sheets, Income Statements, Family Finance & Family Budgeting, Risk Management. Applications for scholarships for future education through Farm Credit University will be available to graduates of these workshops. AGAware is also certified for FSA Direct Borrower Training Credit. The training is open to anyone who wishes to develop a better understanding of how to run a successful operation. Classes will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided. To register for the Statesboro event, visit https://gfb.ag/AGAwarestatesbororeg. To register for the Milledgeville event, visit https://gfb.ag/AGAwareTifMillreg. For more information contact Christy Smith at CSmith@AgSouthFC.com or 912-764-9091. GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CHILD AGRICULTURAL INJURY PREVENTION Proposals are now being accepted by the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety for grants up to $20,000 to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. Application deadline is Aug. 19. Since 2002, 58 projects have been funded. For information on eligibility, how to improve your chances of being funded, submitting a proposal and frequently asked questions, go to www.marshfieldresearch.org/nccrahs/mini-grants or contact Marsha Salzwedel, salzwedel.marsha@marshfieldresearch.org; 715-389-5226 or 1-800-662-6900 option 8. UGA EXTENSION SOUTHEAST GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS FIELD DAY Aug. 28 Parker Brothers Farm, 334 Veal Camp Road 8 a.m. Baxley UGA’s Southeast Georgia Pecan Field Day will cover the different aspects of pecan production and help local pecan growers identify problems and solutions. The event is free and open to the public. The field day will begin at 8 a.m. with equipment viewing and registration. The welcome and introduction to the program will start at 9 a.m., to be followed by the orchard tour. The field day will end with a free lunch for all participants. For more information, call the Appling County Extension office at 912-367-8130. Participants are asked to call and register for the free event by Aug. 23. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY Aug. 24 Six Flags Over Georgia/Hurricane Harbor Austell Georgia Farm Bureau will celebrate its members in this all-day event. For a discounted price of $44.99 per person, members receive all-day park admission (10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. for Six Flags; noon – 6 p.m. for Hurricane Harbor), free parking and an all-you-can-eat buffet from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. That’s an $85 value! To purchase tickets, visit www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia, use promo code GFBGA in the upper right corner and follow the step-by-step instructions to purchase tickets online. You’ll need your GFB membership number and zip code.
GFB News Alert page 14 of 15 GA NAT’L ANTIQUE AG SHOW SEEKS EQUIPMENT EXHIBITORS, VENDORS Sept. 1 Deadline to reserve exhibitor & vendor space The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter is seeking owners of antique tractors, trucks and farm equipment to showcase their treasures at the Georgia National Antique Agriculture Show, to be held at the facility Nov. 14-16. The show is welcoming all brands and types of farm equipment. Vendors with goods, wares or services of interest to show attendees interested in agricultural history are also sought. For more details or to register online visit www.gnfa.com. There is no charge to participate in the show. For more information contact Philip C. Gentry at 478-988-6522 or pgentry@gnfa.com. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 5 King Springs Pecans, 563 Pitts Rd. 8:15 a.m. Hawkinsville This annual field day is free for Georgia Pecan Growers Association members and registration is $20 for non-members. Topics include young plantings, pruning and hedging, fertilization, water use/irrigation, harvesting and hedging and NRCS program opportunities. Lunch will be served at noon. Advance registration is required. To register, visit www.georgipecan.org or call 229-3822187. WEST GEORGIA BEEF MANAGEMENT TOUR Sept. 17 Carroll County Ag Center/various stops 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Carrollton Stops include Callaway Cattle Company in Hogansville, White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Oakhurst Farm in West Point and Oliver Angus in West Point. Cost is $50 per person and includes bus, tour and lunch. Registration and payment are due by Sept. 10. Participation is limited to 40 people. For more information contact Paula Burke at pjburke@uga.edu, or Anne Anglin at anne.anglin@uga.edu, or call 770-836-8546. ENTER GFB HAY CONTEST, SUBMIT INFO FOR HAY DIRECTORY BY OCT. 31 Georgia Farm Bureau is calling all members who grow Bermudagrass hay to enter its annual hay contest by Oct. 31! Hay entered in the 2019 GFB Quality Hay Contest will be tested at the UGA 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 GFB Convention on Jekyll Island. For contest rules and to access the entry form, visit www.gfb.ag/haycontest. GFB is also 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 participate, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. For more information about the contest contact Jeremy Taylor in the GFB Public Policy Department at jrtaylor@gfb.org.
GFB News Alert page 15 of 15 COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKETS CLINCH COUNTY FARMERS MARKET First Saturday each month 8 a.m. – noon Empire Plaza Homerville This monthly farmers market co-hosted by Clinch County Farm Bureau and Homerville Main Street features a variety of locally produced treats, arts and crafts. Empire Plaza is located at the water fountain behind Heritage Bank on U.S. Highway 84. COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays through September 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Lost Mountain Park Powder Springs The public is invited to check out a variety of vendors with locally grown produce, baked goods, strawberries, peaches, jams, jellies and much more. Lost Mountain Park is located at 4845 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/cobbcofarmbureau/ or call 770-943-3531.