FARMERS RECEIVE TIPS AND RESOURCES AT AG LABOR RELATIONS FORUM
By Jay Stone, Georgia Farm Bureau
The 2024 Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum, held Aug. 20 and 21 in Tifton, offered tips on a variety of labor-related topics, from recruitment of foreign laborers to wage and payroll requirements and worker safety practices. The event, held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, was organized by the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and sponsored in part by Georgia Farm Bureau.
“It's our opportunity once a year to meet face-to-face because people like us who do care a lot about farming, we want it to be right and we love our workers,” said Courtney Griffin of Southern Valley Farms in Colquitt County. “We couldn't do what we do without our workers. “We're not here to hurt people or mistreat them. We want it to be good for them because giving them good conditions and them being healthy increases our production on the farm and it brings in more revenue for us, to where the business is sustainable. Yes, there's bad players in the industry, but there's more of us that want to do a good job and are doing an excellent job.”
Recruiting challenges
Dan Chapman of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) reviewed some common mistakes that can cause problems for H-2A employers. WHD, Chapman said, urges employers who use H-2A laborers to comply with the program’s rules regarding recruitment, pay and expense reimbursement. WHD’s program includes outreach and education, providing technical assistance when employers request it, and, of course, enforcement.
Chapman emphasized that employers need to be aware of how the concept of corresponding employment applies on farms that use H-2A laborers. Corresponding employment refers to non H-2A workers who are hired for the same job functions and on the same work contract as H-2A workers. The domestic workers are entitled to the same pay and benefits and must be hired according to the same standards as H-2A workers.
For example, “if you offer an end-of-season bonus to your H-2A workers, you’ve got to make sure that you're offering at least that same bonus in the same terms to workers who are in corresponding employment,” Chapman said.
Chapman gave the example of a job listing that includes an experience requirement. If, for -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page
instance, the job listing includes experience driving a tractor as a requirement for employment, WHD might ask H-2A workers if they had experience driving a tractor before arriving for the job. If they say they’d never driven a tractor before, this could pose a problem if a corresponding employee has to meet that standard as a condition of employment.
“Those standards cannot be any more stringent for potentially U S applicants than the H-2A workers,” Chapman said.
Another requirement regularly overlooked is reimbursement for travel. Chapman said sometimes an H-2A employer will reimburse travel from the border consulate in the worker’s home country to the farm. They are also required to reimburse the workers for travel expenses from their home to the border consulate, including any taxi fares or overnight stays.
Preventing heat stress
OSHA Savannah area officials discussed heat safety and what to expect if an OSHA case officer comes to the farm for an inspection.
OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer Deanna Bolduc noted that employers are required to have a heat injury and illness prevention program and gave some recommendations for prevention and response to heat stress incidents.
“As an employer, there's a legal and moral responsibility not to assign work in high heat conditions without protections in place for workers,” Bolduc said.
Protections Bolduc covered included acclimatization, water intake, rest and use of the buddy system
Workers who have been out of work should be gradually advanced to 100% work capacity to allow them to acclimatize to conditions on the farm. Bolduc recommended starting them at 20% of full workload on the first day, then increasing the workload by 20% each following day until they reach 100%.
Bolduc said OSHA recommends workers drink a cup of water every 15 minutes and take breaks in shaded or cooler areas to rest and recover from the heat. She encouraged employers to use the “buddy system,” where employees check in on each other and look for signs of heat injury or illness.
“If one of them experiences [heat stress] their buddy would be able to notify a supervisor,” Bolduc said.
Risk factors for heat stress include low water consumption, heavy physical activity and direct sun exposure, various medical conditions, use of certain medications, alcohol use, drug use, physical fitness levels, and individual behaviors.
Bolduc encouraged employers to train workers on signs of heat stress. Signs of a medical emergency include abnormal thinking or speech seizures or loss of consciousness. Early warning signs include lack of sweating, dizziness and nausea.
When OSHA shows up
Bolduc also walked forum attendees through the steps the agency follows when it conducts an on-site inspection. Inspections are generally triggered in one of three ways: From a complaint, a -continued on next page
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referral from a medical provider when a worker has been hospitalized or based on injury data.
An on-site OSHA inspection has four basic steps. First is an opening conference, during which the OSHA case officer will gather information about the employer’s written heat injury prevention program and review the employers OSHA 300 logs used to record employee injuries or illnesses. Then, the case officer conducts a walk-around review of the job site where the incident occurred, followed by confidential interviews with employees and interviews with employer representatives. Finally, the case officer would sit down with the employer for a closing conference to eview what was observed and request documents.
Bolduc noted that an inspection can be expanded if, for instance, the initial reason for the inspection is heat-related and the case officer finds other types of safety issues.
GFB VISIT TO UGA ATHENS CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS AG RESEARCH
By Jennifer Whittaker, Georgia Farm Bureau
Researchers at the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences are studying pigs to reverse brain damage from strokes and other traumatic brain injuries, ands their work is having real world applications. Members of the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of directors got to see these labs and the new CAES Poultry Science Building during a tour of the CAES Athens Campus on Aug. 22.
CAES doing mind-blowing research to treat brain injuries
Dr. Erin Kaiser, an assistant professor in Regenerative Bioscience Swine Research in the UGA CAES, explained the advantages of using a pig brain for research versus a rat.
“There’s a big difference between a rat and a human brain. A pig brain is only 7.5 times smaller than a human brain,” Kaiser said. “Dosing a pig is much closer to a human than a rat.”
Another similarity between human and pig brains, Kaiser said is that both have about 60% white brain tissue, where memories are storied versus gray.
Kaiser is using pigs to research gender differences in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and vascular cognitive impairment pathophysiology. Her laboratory is using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate tissue-level changes as well as gait and neurobehavioral tests to evaluate functional-level outcomes in response to novel therapies such as neural stem cells, extracellular vesicles, nanoparticles, and other proprietary pharmaceuticals.
Kaiser and her research team collaborate with other research groups across the UGA campus including the UGA Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Public Health, Family & Consumer Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy. The team also works with public and private institutions like Georgia Tech, Emory, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“We’re looking at using stem cells as neural injury therapy. We use skin cells to make the stem cells so it’s your cells going into your brain, so your body won’t reject them because they have your DNA,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser’s research is crucial because stroke is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and Southeast -continued on next page
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residents have a 34% higher risk of stroke than other regions of the country.
“After a hog has a stroke, they are figuring out how to make it well, so, hopefully the technology can be transferred to human medical technology,” GFB President Tom McCall said. “I get excited when I see all of this coming out of the College of Agriculture. When I was here in the 1970s you learned how to grow animals better and how to butcher the animals. None of this was possible.”
This cutting-edge research is helping the UGA Animal & Dairy Sciences Department (ADSD) recruit pre-medicine students and educate them about agriculture before they’re taught misinformation.
“We have a lot of people who aren’t from an agriculture background in this major,” said Dr. Francis Fluharty, UGA ADSD head. “While we have them as undergrads, we have the ability to teach potential future doctors about red meat and its importance to human nutrition and how animals are properly raised.”
Staying true to its mission
Don’t worry that CAES has abandoned its mission to prepare tomorrow’s farmers and ranchers to raise livestock or harvest it efficiently.
“We haven’t lost sight of production agriculture. I still have cows myself,” Fluharty said. “From my standpoint, food production is national security.”
Fluharty discussed what his department is doing to prepare students to go into production agriculture and to help livestock and dairy producers on their farms.
A student-run/faculty-led Angus farm is being developed on campus that will give students a credit for an Advanced Beef Production class.
Students interested in learning about dairy science can participate in the Jersey Active Management by Students (JAMS) program through which students make decisions about the mating, culling and sire selection at the UGA Teaching Dairy.
In addition to the UGA Beef teaching farm near Athens, the ADS department operates three other sizeable beef farms across Georgia where research is conducted to address production & forage issues Georgia cattle producers deal with. The ADS department also operates a teaching dairy, sheep, swine and horse farms near Athens where students get hands-on experience with raising livestock.
“Over forty percent of our undergrads participate in research projects during their time at UGA,” Fluharty said.
CAES is also working to reverse the trend of Georgia FFA and 4-H members who show livestock opting to go out of state to school.
“I go to Perry and see smart kids showing livestock but they’re going out of state. Prior to this year we weren’t allowed to get names of people who applied but didn’t get in the first time. If you’re a really good kid in your county FFA or 4-H livestock program, I want your name,” Fluharty said. “We’ve got great things to offer students at UGA. We’ve got the only Regenerative Swine Science research major in the U.S. We had the 2022 National Meat Judging Team -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page Champions.”
Fluharty mentioned the UGA CAES Rural Scholars Program that focuses on helping students from rural communities thrive at UGA, especially if they’re a first-generation student.
“Did you know that if you are the valedictorian or salutatorian of your school you have automatic admission to UGA?” Fluharty asked.
Fluharty stressed that he wants Georgia farmers and ranchers to know “We care and we’re trying to reach your kids to get them enrolled.”
CAES Poultry Sciences Building highlights state’s top commodity
The new UGA Poultry Sciences Building, which was dedicated Oct. 6, 2023, is a $54.1M facility that gives faculty, staff and students access to modern labs, collaborative meeting spaces and classrooms with the latest technology. Located just southwest of Ag Hill beside the science library and Family & Consumer Sciences College, the new building is fitting for Georgia’s top commodity.
Did you know that on an average day, Georgia produces 30.2 million pounds of chicken, 7.8 million table eggs and 6.5 million hatching eggs, per CAES stats? Last year, the average American consumed about 100.2 lbs. of poultry products.
Dr. Todd Applegate, CAES Poultry Science department head and R. Harold & Patsy Harrison Chair in Poultry Science, welcomed the GFB group to the new Poultry Sciences Building along with UGA President Dr. Jere Morehead.
Applegate said UGA has one of six poultry science departments in the Southeastern Conference with the others being at Texas A&M, University of Arkansas, Mississippi State, Auburn and nonSEC North Carolina State. UGA’s Poultry Science Department has the largest faculty and Extension staff of the six, he said. UGA’s Poultry Science department offers four undergrad majors: avian biology to prepare students for further degrees or employment related to birds; poultry science, with a dash of business that focuses on the expanding poultry industry and related industries; animal health, a pre-vet track that allows students to complete the minimum requirements for acceptance into UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine in three years; and biological sciences, which prepares students for medical school, vet school or other graduate/professional degrees.
UGA President Morehead visits with GFB
“There are a lot of exciting things happening on this part of campus,” UGA President Morehead said. “Thank you for being here and your willingness to learn about the agriculture research we’re doing. I also thank you for your support of Dr. Nick Place, the dean of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. When we open the School of Medicine here in Athens, we’ll be one of only 11 universities in the U.S. that has a Vet Medicine College, College of Agriculture and Medicine together.”
Morehead announced that he has asked McCall to fill the seat on the UGA Research Foundation recently vacated by the death of Abit Massey.
“I think it’s really important that we have someone who understands agriculture serving on this -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page foundation,” Morehead said. “When I first became UGA president, I went on a tour of farms around the state of which Tom was a part of and it soon became apparent to me that there’s no one in this state that doesn’t know Tom McCall.”
CAES Dean Dr. Nick Place stressed that research conducted in the new building will benefit Georgia’s poultry producers.
“We’re working to elevate our teaching research and Extension to be able to take the latest poultry research and technology developed here out to producers and to help them use it on their farms,” Place said. “I ccan’t wait to show you around this building that is serving the poultry sector that makes Georgia agriculture the top industry in our state.”
Dr. Manpreet Singh, UGA CAES Food Science & Technology Dept. head & professor, discussed food product development projects his department is working on including a UGA brand of ice cream.
GDA ANNOUNCES PRODUCERS APPOINTED TO GA COMMODITY COMMISSIONS
The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced producer appointments to Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions Aug. 21 The ex officio committee of these commissions, which includes Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, Russ Moon, an appointee of the Georgia Senate Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, and Al Pearson, an appointee of the Georgia House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs makes these appointments.
Georgia’s Commodity Commissions collect a per unit assessment from producers of each commodity, as allowed in that commodities marketing order, to support growers by funding research, education, and marketing efforts.
Appointments are as follows:
Apple Commodity Commission: Andy Futch and John Reece, both of Gilmer County, were reappointed.
Beef Commodity Commission: Kenneth Murphy of Meriwether County was reappointed as the Dairy representative. Kristi Arnold of Wayne County was reappointed. Cannon Mosely of Early County was appointed as an advisory member with his term expiring in 2025.
Blueberry Commodity Commission: Jerome Crosby of Atkinson County and John Strickland of Clinch County were reappointed. Mike Bruorton of Clinch County will continue serving as a special appointee with his term ending in 2025.
Corn Commodity Commission: Lee Webster of Burke County was reappointed, and Mark Hanna of Seminole County was appointed.
Cotton Commodity Commission: Bart Davis of Colquitt County and Chad Mathis of Baker County were reappointed.
Equine Commodity Commission: Julie Murphy of Brooks County was reappointed, and Courtney Hester of Jeff Davis County was appointed to replace Robin Tardy, who was appointed -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page as an advisory member.
Milk Commodity Commission: Aillene Schaapman of Wilcox County was reappointed, and Ashley Bailey of Brooks County was appointed.
Peaches Commodity Commission: Drew Echols of Hall County and Lawton Pearson of Peach County were reappointed.
Pecan Commodity Commission: Brenda Evans of Peach County was reappointed. Arren Moses of Montgomery County and Jena Ellis Wright of Dooley County were appointed. Jeff Worn, Will Easterlin, and Cason Anderson were appointed as advisory members with terms expiring in 2025.
Tobacco Commodity Commission: Daniel Johnson of Pierce County was reappointed.
Vegetable Commodity Commission: Bill Brim of Tift County was reappointed. Ben Herring of Lowndes County and Courtney Hamilton Griffin of Colquitt County were appointed. Brad Calhoun will continue as an advisory member with his term ending in 2025.
Wine & Grape Commodity Commission: Gary Engel of Gilmer County and Eric Miller of White County were reappointed.
USDA UPDATES FARM LOAN PROGRAMS
On Aug. 7, the USDA announced changes to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs. According to a USDA press release, the changes are intended to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable. These improvements are part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, which is finalized and becomes effective Sept. 25.
Farm loan policy changes outlined in the rule are designed to better assist borrowers to make strategic investments in the enhancement or expansion of their agricultural operations.
The three most notable policy changes are:
• Establishing a new low-interest installment set-aside program for financially distressed borrowers. Eligible financially distressed borrowers can defer up to one annual loan installment per qualified loan at a reduced interest rate, providing a simpler and expedited option to resolve financial distress in addition to FSA’s existing loan servicing programs;
• Providing all eligible loan applicants access to flexible repayment terms that can increase profitability and help build working capital reserves and savings. By creating upfront positive cash flow, borrowers can find opportunities in their farm operating plan budgets to include a reasonable margin for increased working capital reserves and savings, including for retirement and education;
• Reducing additional loan security requirements to enable borrowers to leverage equity. This reduces the amount of additional security required for direct farm loans, including reducing the frequency borrowers must use their personal residence as additional collateral for a farm loan.
Additional Farm Loan Program Improvements
FSA has an initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-continued on next page
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Continued from previous page facing business process. Among the FLP improvements are:
• The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process;
• The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet, and build a farm operating plan;
• An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local USDA Service Center to pay a loan installment;
• A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.
USDA encourages producers to reach out to their local FSA farm loan staff to ensure they fully understand the wide range of loan and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining their agricultural operation. To conduct business with FSA, please contact your local USDA Service Center
CANADA RAILROADS RESUME OPERATIONS AS NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE
An Aug. 27 order from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) prompted resumption of operations for Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kanas City (CPKC), ending a lockout by the two companies. According to published reports, the CIRB order requires the railroads to continue operations while labor negotiations continue.
Teamster Canada Rail Conference approved a strike on May 1, and CIRB reviewed the possible ramifications of a strike then approved the strike on Aug. 9. On Aug. 22, the two railroads locked out more than 9,000 union employees and halted operations.
According to an Aug. 21 Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau Federation, CN and CPKC combined own 80% of the railroads in Canada, with the rest owned by short-line rail companies that provide “first-mile/last-mile” service. CN and CPKC also operate track in the United States, and U.S. companies Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and CSX have tracks that extend into Canada.
AFBF said the interrupted rail operations in Canada would severely disrupt U.S.-Canada agricultural trade, leading to commodity and input delivery delays, shortages, commodity price volatility and other rippling impacts on the integrated North American agricultural supply chain.
From Market Intel:
A recent USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service Grain Transportation Report summarized U.S.Canadian agricultural trade, emphasizing agricultural products moved by rail. The report noted that in 2023, $28.2 billion of U.S. agricultural products were exported to Canada, making Canada the third-largest destination for agricultural exports (behind China and Mexico). In the same year, the United States imported $40.1 billion of Canadian agricultural products, making Canada the second-largest origin of U.S. agricultural imports (behind Mexico).
In 2023, Canada was the leading destination for several key U.S. agricultural exports, including -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page ethanol and barley, with 76% of U.S. barley exports and 44% of ethanol exports heading north of the U.S. border. Canada also ranked as the fourth-largest market for U.S. soybean meal and rice, and the fifth largest for corn (Figure 2). Interestingly, a portion of these exports is transported to Canada, then moved westward across the country before being re-exported through Pacific Northwest ports on both sides of the border. This complex logistical flow means that a Canadian rail strike could disrupt not only trade with Canada but also with key markets in Asia and Oceania, further amplifying the potential risks and impacts on U.S. agricultural exports.
In addition to being a major destination for many U.S. agricultural products, Canada is a key source of fertilizer for U.S. farmers. Though the U.S. is the third-largest producer of fertilizer globally, it still relies on imports to fully meet domestic demand. For example, Canada holds potash deposits not found in the U.S. that are vital to produce potassium-based fertilizers. USDA noted that in 2023, from all sources, the U.S. imported 13 million tons of potash, with 85% originating in Canada. Canada is also a primary source of nitrogen-based fertilizer imports. USDA reported, on a nitrogen-equivalent basis, just over 25% of all U.S. nitrogen imports came from Canada in 2023. This corresponded to 3.1 million tons of nitrogen-based fertilizers, including 1.2 million tons of anhydrous ammonia, 510,000 tons of urea and 420,000 tons of urea ammonium nitrate. For perspective, between 2005 and 2020 the U.S. imported between 30% and 59% of its ammonia-based fertilizer use.
More than 85% of fertilizer trade between the U.S. and Canada is transported by rail, with the remainder handled by trucking (12%) and waterborne vessels (3%). The vast majority of this trade over 90% occurs at border crossings in five states: North Dakota (90% by rail), Minnesota (100% by rail), Idaho (99% by rail), Michigan (29% by rail) and Montana (29% by rail). In 2023, Over $2.1 billion in fertilizer trade occurred across the border crossing in International Falls, Minnesota; $1.3 billion occurred across the border crossing in Pembina, North Dakota; and $839 million occurred across the border crossing in Portal, North Dakota (Figure 3).
Disruptions to railway access between the U.S. and Canada could severely jeopardize farmers' ability to secure essential inputs critical for crop growth. This is particularly concerning with nitrogen fertilizer, a key input for many crops, with a significant portion applied in the fall. Specifically, 36% of nitrogen for winter wheat, 21% for spring wheat, 20% for corn, and 7% for cotton is typically applied during this season. Given that a significant portion of nitrogen fertilizer is sourced from Canada, this situation creates a perfect storm of conditions, where the reliance on Canadian supply chains and the critical timing of fall applications could converge to significantly impact future crop yields and farm operational schedules.
Field Notes page 10 of 21
LOWRIMORE LEADING GA FORESTRY ASSOC., SABO NEW STATE FORESTER
Georgia’s two leading forestry organizations have new leaders at the helm. Tim Lowrimore has stepped down as director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) to serve as president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) and the Georgia Forestry Foundation effective Oct. 1, the GFA announced August 9.
Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Johnny Sabo to replace Lowrimore at the GFC effective Sept. 1.
"I know Johnny will continue the good work of the GFC, ensuring the success of our forestry industry," Gov Kemp said in a released statement. "As the No. 1 forestry state in the nation, Georgia and its forests depend on GFC for a multitude of services. Under Johnny's leadership, I am confident that mission will be fulfilled successfully."
Lowrimore, who Gov. Brian Kemp appointed as director/state forester of the GFC in December 2020, is a registered forester with more than 20 years of forestry experience whose career spans the entire forestry supply chain.
GFA says Lowrimore’s experience gives him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing landowners, loggers and forest product manufacturers in Georgia.
“We are pleased to have identified the next leader of the Georgia Forestry Association and Foundation,” said GFA’s 2024 Chairman Zach Johnson, and vice president of supply chain at Beasley Forest Products. “We are confident that Tim has the experience, skill and drive to continue growing GFA and ensuring that we remain the #1 forestry state in the nation.”
As director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, Lowrimore led the commission through a strategic leadership change to improve the performance and efficiency of the agency in service to Georgia’s forest landowners. In addition, he advocated in support of the modernization of equipment and increased funding for personnel to support forest ranger recruitment and retention.
“I worked at GFA early in my career, and I have always had such tremendous respect for this association and the commitment it has to excellence. In many ways this feels like I’m coming back home.” said Lowrimore, who served as director of GFA Forest Policy from 2003 to 2008. “Following a great leader like Andres Villegas is an honor. The opportunity to continue supporting the work of the association in this new role is a dream of a lifetime.”
Lowrimore’s background as a leader of a state agency and the private sector in government affairs provides him with a unique blend of relationships and insights that GFA says will strengthen its advocacy efforts. Under his leadership, GFA will continue to champion the interests of Georgia’s forestry sector by protecting private property rights, encouraging sensible taxes and regulation and championing healthy markets for forestry in Georgia.
Sabo came to the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) as deputy director in April 2023. Prior to coming to GFC, Johnny served nearly 20 years with the Florida Forest Service. At GFC, Johnny has direct oversight of the Forest Management, Forest Protection, and Law Enforcement departments, as well as five regions spanning the entire state where field operations are conducted. Johnny also serves on the Georgia Forestry Foundation Board of Trustees and the Georgia Sentinel Landscape Executive Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Forest Resource Management from Clemson University. Johnny and his wife, Christina, have one son and live in Macon.
UGA CAES RELEASES 20 YEARS OF FARM GATE TRENDS
By Jordan Powers, UGA
For more than two decades, the Georgia Farm Gate Value Report has offered a comprehensive analysis of the county-level production value for commodities in Georgia’s No. 1 industry, agriculture.
The reports provide essential data to the state’s farmers and present University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agents with a resource to interact and build relationships with producers in the state’s 159 counties.
Now the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is providing Georgia’s farmers with a new tool: Georgia Farm Gate Value 20-Year Trends.
Agricultural trends in Georgia
While the annual farm gate reports share insight on rankings and dollar value data for Georgia’s commodities, the new farm gate trends instead look at percent change across more than 20 years of data.
“Using percent change gives an idea of trends, which can tell us more of a story than the numbers,” said Ben Campbell, associate professor in the CAES Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and UGA Extension coordinator.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the nursery-greenhouse industry responded well people were isolating at home, and purchasing plants became one of the many ways to pass time and cope.
Meanwhile, trends show that the nursery-greenhouse industry was decimated during the Great Recession of 2008-2009, while vegetable commodities did surprisingly well, because at the end of the day, everyone needs to eat, Campbell said.
“From a policy standpoint at the capitol or a planning standpoint on the farm, you can’t treat all crops the same, because they are not,” he said. “One size fits all is not effective in agricultural policy or planning it has to be viewed commodity by commodity.”
More than 20 years of data show industry resilience
The trend reports break the state’s 76-plus commodities into six groups: row and forage crops; blueberries and pecans; nursery and greenhouse; vegetables; cattle, hay and poultry; and hospitality and agrotourism. There is also a trend report on Georgia agriculture overall.
Each report begins with a summary of trends for key crops within the commodity group followed by highlighted graphs of trends for the crops with data from 2001 to 2022. All data has been inflation adjusted to 2020.
“The data speaks to the fact that agriculture in Georgia is consistent,” said Jared Daniel, data coordinator in the UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. “The ag industry is important and here to stay.”
Daniel, who earned his bachelor's degree in agribusiness and his master's degree in agricultural and applied economics from CAES before taking a role as an agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, added that while producers may stress about changes in the market or events -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Recession, the key is focusing on the long term especially good business management and profitability over numbers from any single given year.
“For producers, what we’re really seeing with these trends is that things will recover. It takes time, and the amount of time is always the biggest variable,” Campbell added. “We think worstcase scenario, that something will kill an industry, but it comes back. It always does.”
Explore the Georgia Farm Gate Value 20-Year Trends at https://agecon.uga.edu/extension/gafarm-gate-value-trends.html.
LABOR DEPT. HALTS RULE FOLLOWING INJUNCTION IN GFVGA CASE
On Aug. 26, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction in the case Kansas, et al. vs. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), prohibiting DOL from enforcing the Farmworker Protection Rule in certain states and with respect to certain entities.
“We feel that the DOL action to suspend implementation was a prudent decision,” said Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Vice President Chris Butts. “The H-2A program is complex enough as it is without having to implement one set of rules for growers in 33 states while growers in the 17 states included in the injunction would be subject to different rules. We can now focus on the core of our case, that the rule was an overreach to begin while knowing that growers nationwide will not be held to comply with rules the court has identified as unlawful.”
The preliminary injunction specifically prohibits DOL from enforcing the Farmworker Protection Rule in the states of Georgia, Kansas, South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, and against Miles Berry Farm and members of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association as of Aug. 26. To comply with the court order, DOL said it will not be enforcing the final rule in these states or with respect to these entities while the order remains in effect.
The DOL published the final rule, “Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States” and it became effective on June 28. The department previously announced that it would process clearance orders and associated H-2A applications filed before 7 p.m. on Aug. 28, at which time the department’s case processing system, the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) was to be updated to accept applications under the Farmworker Protection Rule. In light of the injunction, the DOL’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will delay updating its FLAG system to implement revised H-2A job order and application forms associated with the Farmworker Protection Rule until further notice.
OFLC will continue to receive and process H-2A job orders and applications under rules that were in effect on June 27. OFLC has indicated it will provide additional public notice regarding a revised transition schedule.
GEORGIA FARMERS’ EXPENSES INCREASED IN 2023
Overall production expenses for Georgia farmers totaled $10.89 billion in 2023 according to the Farm Production Expenditures Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), a 7% increase over 2022, when the cost of production for the state’s farmers totaled $10.17 billion.
Feed purchases the largest portion of farm production expenditures by Georgia farmers, accounted for 30% of the expenditures in Georgia, increased 10 percent to $3.31 billion in 2023.
Georgia’s farmers incurred $2.04 billion in livestock and poultry-related expenses in 2023, a 29% increase over 2022, when those expenses totaled $1.58 billion.
Farm services expenditures totaled $1.11 billion in 2023, up 11% from 2022.
Labor costs for Georgia farmers totaled $780 million in 2023, up 39% from 2022, when labor cost them $560 million.
Georgia farmers spent $155 million on interest in 2023, up from $150 million in 2022, an increase of 3%.
Georgia farmers also spent more in 2023 on supplies and repairs, improvements and construction, non-self-propelled farm machinery, seeds and plants, and miscellaneous capital items.
According to NASS, Georgia farmers spent $160 million less on tractors and self-propelled machinery in 2023, when they paid out $390 million, after spending $550 million in 2022.
Fertilizer, lime and soil conditioners cost the state’s producers $490 million in 2023, down 23% from 2022, when they spent $640 million. Agricultural chemicals expenditures were $100 million less for Georgia farmers, from $470 million in 2022 to $370 million in 2023.
Georgia’s farmers spent $90 million on trucks and autos in 2023, down $80 million, or 47%, from 2022.
Georgia farmers’ expenditures on rent and taxes also decreased in 2023.
Nationwide, NASS estimated total farm production expenditures at $481.9 billion for 2023, up from $452.5 billion in 2022. The 2023 total farm production expenditures are up 6.5 percent compared with 2022 total farm production expenditures. The total expenditure average per farm in the United States is $255,047 for 2023, up 12.4 percent from $226,885 in 2022.
AFBF ANNOUNCES VETERAN FARMER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Aug. 30 deadline to apply
The Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence is a new recognition program launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation with support from Farm Credit. AFBF and Farm Credit will recognize one individual who has served or is currently serving in the U.S. military and is actively involved in agriculture and their community. Applicants will be evaluated based on excellence in farming and community impact. The award winner will receive $10,000 plus reimbursement of up to $5,000 in travel and other expenses incurred for the recipient and a guest to attend the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 25-27. Veterans or service members may apply for the award online through Aug. 30. The application consists of both short-answer and essay questions covering two main focus areas: how the applicant has exhibited excellence in farming or agriculture, and how the applicant has impacted their community in a positive way. Applications for the award submitted on behalf of worthy recipients also will be considered; if chosen, however, the recipient must be willing to be acknowledged publicly. Farm Bureau membership is not required to apply for the award. The national award recipient will be recognized by AFBF in a variety of ways and should be willing to share his or her story and represent the veteran farmer community. The recipient of the 2024 AFBF Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence will be notified in mid-September. The award winner will be announced on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Complete details, including eligibility and requirements, are available online. Applications must be received by Aug. 30 for consideration.
ONION CROP INSURANCE
Aug. 31
deadline to enroll/renew
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia onion growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2025 crop year is Aug. 31. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the Aug. 31 sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for fresh market sweet corn in Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Tift, and Worth counties. Coverage is also available for peppers in Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Ware, and Worth counties. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2025 crop year. 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. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at https://rma.usda.gov. The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company contracts with three companies - Rain & Hail, Sompo, and Crop Risk Services to offer crop insurance. GFB has more than 70 experienced crop insurance agents (and growing) across the state to help their members protect their investment. Find your local agent and learn more at www.GFBInsurance.com or email crops@gfbinsurance.com for more details. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Field Notes page 15 of 21
COTTON/PEANUT RESEARCH FIELD DAY
Sept. 4 8 a.m.
Tifton Campus Conference Center North Parking Lot
The Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams are hosting this joint field day. Event will start at 8 a.m. at the Tifton Campus Conference Center (TCCC) in the North Parking Lot. After a brief welcome, field day attendees will visit the RDC Pivot and the UGA Lang Farm to tour several trials and hear from speakers. Attendees will return to the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center for lunch and a short program. Event is free, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP to Mallory Marchant at mallory.marchant@uga.edu or call 229-386-3366 to provide an accurate count for lunch. The tour will showcase research funded by the two commissions in plot-side presentations by the researchers. The sponsors’ goal is to provide an educational environment for cotton and peanut farmers and give them the opportunity to pose questions directly to the researchers and to express opinions and concerns pertinent to the production of their crops. To view an agenda, visit www.georgiacottoncommission.org or www.gapeanuts.com.
REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES FOR BEEF CATTLE CONFERENCE
Sept. 4 &5
Classic Center Athens
The Beef Reproduction Task Force, a multi-disciplinary group formed by research and Extension faculty members from universities across the U.S. with a focus on beef cattle reproduction, management and reproductive technologies, is hosting this conference. Workshop topics will include: using reproductive technology to increase profitability, strategies to maximize production using natural service, cow herd nutrition: impact on subsequent fertility and offspring performance, implementing estrus synchronization plan for small & large herds, factors that influence pregnancy success in embryo transfer programs, impact of temperature & stress on reproductive efficiency, nutritional management of heifers. For more information or to register click here
(https://beefrepro.org/arsbc/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3NDhSuMdVmn3Uw8axCldJYS3k16znnJAIqAfLr9H94nWK1gnd8H54u9Q_aem_eLCAlV6Qu2zKw0X2-9Y5vg)
GEORGIA MILK PRODUCERS/THE DAIRY ALLIANCE DISTRICT MEETINGS
Sept. 5 12 p.m.
Village Cafeteria Chatsworth
Sept. 16 7 p.m. Bonners Restaurant Buckhead/Morgan Co.
Sept. 19 12 p.m. Sass! Thomasville
Sept. 23 7 p.m.
Burke Co Ext. Office Waynesboro
Sept. 24 12 p.m. Hillcrest Farms Dearing
Sept. 30 7 p.m. Doodlum’s BBQ Woodbury
Georgia dairy farmers and their families are invited to attend their local fall district meeting hosted by Georgia Milk Producers and The Dairy Alliance. Join GMP & TDA for dinner or lunch as the organizations provide updates from the two groups, vote on district officers, and enjoy time together as an industry. RSVP to Bryce Trotter at bryce@gamilk.org.
Field Notes page 16 of 21
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
Sept. 7 & Oct. 5
Morgan Co. Ag Center
Madison
These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, ranch riding, ranch reining, dressage on the rail, halter/showmanship, “small fry” and more. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Show participants will enjoy an exciting jumping course and pattern changes, re-themed jumps and online registration/payment. Entry fee per class is $10 regular class and $12 for championship classes. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook page, or www.kelmac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy. (441), north of Madison. These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $167,500 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 48 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, the Barbara Cumming Scholarship, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, and the equestrian facilities of state & county parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, and Heritage Park.
GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE PICNIC ON THE FARM
Sept. 14 Georgia Museum of Agriculture 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tifton Take a step back in time with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture at ABAC's Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton for its 2024 Picnic on the Farm. Each year this unique “pop-up” picnic event explores Georgia agriculture throughout the state at a different location. This year, the foundation is celebrating Georgia's agricultural history at the GMA! The picnic will feature Southern Fixins’ picnic baskets, an immersive art experience, live history actors, historical crafts demos, live music by Megan Fowler, family friendly activities, tours of the Historic Ag Village, a cash bar and Plein Air painters. Tickets are $50 for students ages 21 and under, $75 general admission and $150 for VIP admission. To buy tickets, click here.
UGA HARDWOOD MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Sept. 17-18
Flinchum’s Phoenix, 650 Phoenix Rd. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Athens
This workshop will include a field tour at UGA's Whitehall Forest. The course will offer 10.5 hours of Continuing Forestry Education credits (Category 1), 10 hours of GA Master Timber Harvester Logger Education credits (category B), 2 hours Category 23 GA pesticide applicator credits, 1 hour category 10 pesticide applicator credits, and 10 hours Georgia Association of Realtors credits. The course will cost $280 for early registration and $330 for late registration after Sept. 3. Lunch is included both days and participants will receive copies of the presentations. For more information or to register, click here
Field Notes page 17 of 21
36TH ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR
Sept. 17-19
Various locations
Americus
The tour offers the latest information on peanuts while giving a firsthand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Tour stops will be made in several peanut-producing counties in South Georgia. Attendees can expect to see nearly every aspect of peanut production in the state. This year’s tour includes many exciting stops including on-farm harvest demonstrations and clinics, as well as research at the University of Georgia Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center and the USDA-ARS National Peanut Research Lab. For specific tour info or details, contact David West at 229-386-3475. Registration is $150. Visit www.georgiapeanuttour.com for more info. To register, click here
INMAN FARMS HERITAGE DAYS
Sept. 20-22
Minter’s
Farm, 283 Hills Bridge Rd.
Fayetteville
Mark your calendars for the 27th annual Inman Farm Heritage Days! Inman Farm Heritage Days truly is a community event. Minter’s Farm provides the grounds, but it takes hundreds of people to make the show happen. For three days in the fall, this event serves as a reminder of a simpler time and pay tribute to those who for generations worked the fields and maintained the farm way of life. Admission is free, and patrons can help offset the cost by purchasing programs, t-shirts and other items for sale. Exhibiting tractors, engines, trucks, cars and other farm items is also free. If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Stephanie Adamek at stephanie@mintersfarm.com or 770-296-8360 For non-food vendors, the charge is $25/day or $50 for the weekend; for food vendors: snack food vendors are $50/day or $100 for the weekend and major food vendors are $100 per day. Prior approval of vendors is required. We’ll open the gates at 9 a.m. on Sept. 20 and 21 and run until about 6 p.m. Hours on Sept. 22 are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information, call 770-461-2840. Also, look for updates on the Minter’s Farm Facebook page!
NEWTON COUNTY RODEO
Sept.
20-21 T.M. “Mort” Ewing Newton County Ag Center Covington
The Newton County Rodeo will feature bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, breakaway roping and bull riding. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. Only 2,000 tickets will be sold per night. Interested persons should recommend purchasing tickets online in case it sells out. Parking will be in a grass field. There will be signs and volunteers directing drivers to park. A limited amount of handicap parking is available. Be aware that areas around the arena are uneven. Patrons can also take advantage of the Behind the Chutes Tour, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and features an inside look at the daily life of the animal and human athletes competing in the rodeo. The Newton County Ag Center is located at 120 FFA FHA Camp Road in Covington. For more information, visit www.newtoncountyrodeo.com.
Field Notes page 18 of 21
2024 TRI-STATE PEANUT DISEASE TOUR
Sept. 24-26
AL, GA, FLA
The 2024 Tri-State Peanut Disease Tour will be held Sept 24-26, beginning in Headland, Alabama on Sept. 24, moving into Florida on Sept. 25 and finishing in Tifton on Sept. 26. Lunch will be provided at the UGA Black Shank Pavilion on Sept. 26. There is no registration for the tour, but RSVP is requested for lunch on Sept 26. Specific times and maps are TBA. For more information, contact Albert Culbreath at spotwilt@uga.edu.
POND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Sept. 24 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Johnson Angus Farm Jefferson
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) and the Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering to present a free informational workshop for managing pond health and care for anyone who wants to learn more about ponds and how to care for them. Topics covered will include fish health, weed control, pond designs, and healthy fish management. In addition, information on farm programs will be presented. Partnering agencies for this event include UGA Extension and USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Lunch will be served. Event is free, but pre-registration is required online at www.gacd.us/events The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Johnson Angus Farm is located at 2738 Cedar Grove Church Road, Jefferson, GA 30549.
GEORGIA VET LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
Sept. 30 Deadline to apply for 2025 cycle
The Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program (GVELRP) is open for applications for the 2025 cycle. through September 30th, 2024. Financial relief is available to veterinarians through the GVELRP, provided they commit to delivering veterinary services for a minimum of 20 hours per week, over at least one year, in designated rural counties facing shortages in food animal care across the state. Applicants must practice or intend to practice in Board-approved rural counties with populations of 35,000 or less to be considered for an award. A map of eligible rural counties can be found here. To qualify for this program, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have lawful presence in the U.S., live in Georgia, be a practicing veterinarian or a veterinary student in the final year of study. This year, participants can receive awards of up to $20,000 per twelvemonth service period. Preference will be given to previous participants in GVELRP, provided they continue to demonstrate their commitment to practicing food animal veterinary medicine in the area of need they serve. Each participant must reapply after completing their initial contract, with a maximum total assistance cap of $80,000 per participant. Payment will be applied by the Georgia Student Finance Commission directly to the applicant's designated student loans. For detailed program information and to apply, please visit https://agr.georgia.gov/vet-education-loanrepayment-program. Inquiries about the program can be made to: statevetedboard@agr.georgia.gov or by calling GDA’s Policy office at 404-656-3656.
GFB Field Notes page 19 of 21
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU HAY CONTEST
Oct. 31 deadline for entries
Georgia Farm Bureau members who grow any variety of dry Bermudagrass hay have until Oct. 31 to enter the organization’s 33rd Annual Quality Bermudagrass Hay Contest. The contest winner will receive the free use of a Vermeer mower-conditioner for one year. The winner will have the option to buy the equipment at a reduced price at the end of that year. This is the 26th year that Vermeer has sponsored GFB’s hay contest. Hay entered in the 2024 GFB Quality Bermudagrass 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 hay. Additional prizes will be awarded to the top five producers. Winners will be determined by the RFQ analysis and announced in December at the GFB Convention. Entry forms and complete contest rules may be picked up at your county Farm Bureau office or downloaded at www.gfb.ag/HayContest. You may also contact the GFB Public Policy Department at 1-800-342-1192 if you have any questions about the contest. Important rules to note include: Only hay grown in Georgia by a GFB member is eligible; hay samples must be taken from fields with a minimum maturity or regrowth of at least 25 days to ensure fair competition; hay must have been dried in the field and should not be artificially dried by fans or forced air in a barn; forage samples must be collected with a hay probe. Any samples with moisture above 18% or nitrates above 4500ppm will be disqualified. There is a $25 fee for each entry to cover the cost of the lab test. Producers may enter more than one sample. Checks should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Contest participants will receive a detailed copy of their hay analysis and may choose to have a free listing in the 2024/25 online GFB Hay Directory available at https://www.gfb.org/join/hay . Producers must be a GFB member to enter the contest or list hay for sale in the hay directory. The cost to list hay in the directory alone is $10 and may be submitted at any time. If you aren’t a Farm Bureau member, you may join at the county Farm Bureau office of your choice or at https://www.gfb.org/join/join-today .Previous first place winners are not eligible to win any prize category for a period of five years from the year they won the contest. A previous first place winner may enter his/her hay sample for the purpose of having it officially graded. Any producer submitting more than one sample can only place in the Top 5 with one sample – their highest scored sample – but will receive analysis for all submitted samples.
GFB Field Notes page 20 of 21
UGA CITRUS ORCHARD NUTRITIONAL SURVEY
For the past three growing seasons, the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs (AESL) has been conducting a foliar nutrient survey of Georgia's citrus industry with funding from the USDA and Georgia Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. One of the conditions of the project’s grant funding is that researchers seek stakeholder feedback on the effectiveness of the program, and how this work may influence future grower decisions. The project researchers ask that you please complete this short (7 questions, 3-5 minutes) Citrus Nutrition Questionnaire here (https://ugeorgi a.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bgr8t6TWhUKNJ4i) These results will help UGA researchers demonstrate the importance of this work to their sponsors, which increases the likelihood of future funding in this area. If you would like to learn more about this project and the results of the study, please visit the project website.
PIEDMONT CONSERVATION DISTRICT FERAL SWINE CONTROL SERVICES Ongoing
The Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has acquired a trapping system to provide control services throughout Piedmont SWCD which includes Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Putnam, Hancock, Baldwin, and Jones Counties. If you are interested in feral swine control services, please contact the District’s Hog Control Custodian, Kris Pope at kmpope@bellsouth.net or 404-402-2207.More information can be found at www.gacd.us/piedmont.
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 2023 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER NO-TILL EQUIPMENT FOR RENT
Ongoing
Local Conservation Districts and their partners help farmers try a number of conservation practices by purchasing equipment and making it available to rent. Some districts offer no-till drills, PVC pond pipe systems and repair parts, as well as geotextile fabric for agricultural and road use. To see what equipment is available in your conservation district, click here.
GFB Field Notes page 21 of 21
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER FERAL HOG CONTROL SERVICES
For a list of feral hog control services available in each GACD Conservation District, visit https://gfb.ag/feralhoggacdresources.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE OFFERS SUPPORT
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or chatting on 988lifeline.org 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. You don’t have to be suicidal to reach out. 988 trained crisis counselors can help you through whatever mental health challenges you are experiencing.