September 2, 2020
www.gfb.org
Vol. 2 No. 17
GFB’S LONG URGES USTR TO SEEK SOLUTIONS FOR PRODUCE GROWERS Federal agencies announce plan to pursue trade remedies Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long asked the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to use any means necessary to remedy Mexico’s unfair trade practices that are harming Georgia produce growers. Long testified in a Aug. 20 virtual hearing before officials from USTR, USDA and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The GFB president was one of two dozen witnesses to testify, including Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) Executive Director Charles Hall. Seven Georgia farmers testified as well. Long pointed out that Georgia’s seasonal and perishable commodity production has been—and continues to be—directly affected by Mexican imports due to shared marketing periods. Georgia producers are struggling to compete against heavily subsidized Mexican imports. Long said Mexico’s unfair market practices have undercut American farmers. “NAFTA failed to provide protections or a remedy for our seasonal and perishable commodity producers, and the newly established USMCA effectively followed suit,” Long said. Long noted the U.S.’ $5 billion agricultural trade deficit with Mexico, saying it is largely due to imported fruits and vegetables, and that fruit, vegetable and nut production combined provide more than 26,000 jobs and $4.5 billion to Georgia’s economy. During the USMCA negotiations, Mexico resisted provisions that would limit its produce exports to the U.S. during U.S. growing seasons. Long said the USMCA’s failure to provide adequate protection for this industry must be addressed because the viability of many family farms in Georgia is at stake. “I’m afraid we will continue to see farm closures and severe losses in our local economies if action is not taken soon,” Long said. Possible actions Long mentioned included the consideration of a Section 301 investigation as allowed under the Trade Act of 1974, collection of data to show the impact Mexican imports have on Georgia fruit and vegetable marketing seasons, and for producers to have an opportunity to bring a trade dispute before federal trade officials. Hall presented sobering statistics from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on how Mexico’s produce imports to the U.S. have grown. For example, Mexican -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 11 Continued from previous page shipments of specialty crops to the U.S. grew by 551% between 2000 and 2019, and the market value of Mexican produce sold in the U.S. has grown from $12.9 billion to more than $15 billion over the past three years. Mexico’s share of the U.S. blueberry market grew by 2,111% from 2010 to 2019. “As you can imagine, the domestic grower is helpless against this scale of import pressure,” Hall said. “When those imports are coming in at prices below his cost of production, he is doomed.” Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Blueberries Chairman Jerome Crosby testified that blueberry growers have lost the market for their berries harvested in May and now find their June harvest at risk because of Mexican imports. Further, Crosby said, U.S. growers are being denied access to provisions of U.S. trade laws. Crosby said the unfair market landscape contributed to a loss of 25% of Georgia’s market and a 24% to 48% reduction in price on the fruit growers are able to sell in 2020. He requested the ability of Georgia growers to file petitions for import relief. “If you remove the American farmer from the equation, if you allow us to be knocked out of business by dumped and subsidized competition, then you leave the market to the imports,” Crosby said. “And you remove any competitive incentive for foreign producers to send to the U.S. market the safe food products our consumers need and expect.” On Sept. 1, the USTR, USDA and Department of Commerce announced plans to address threats posed by increased foreign imports to U.S. producers of season and perishable fruits and vegetables. The plan includes making a USTR request to the International Trade Commission to investigate the relationship between imports and losses sustained by U.S. blueberry, strawberry and bell pepper growers, and opening discussions with Mexico to address growers’ concerns. SURVEY: 82% OF FARMERS HAVE LOST REVENUE BECAUSE OF COVID-19 As a result of COVID-19, 82% of Georgia farmers lost revenue, according to an impact survey conducted by the UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development (CAED). Some of the state’s leading agricultural organizations, including Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB), the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and the Georgia Grown program supported the survey by publicizing it and collecting responses. A total of 862 farmers statewide responded to the survey, which was held May 1-21. It is important to note that COVID-19 statistics, policies and circumstances continue to evolve, and a follow-up survey is planned to gauge those changes. Some key findings from the survey: • Farmers who experienced a decline in weekly sales reported an average revenue decline of $8,500 per week and those who anticipated an annual loss, on average expected to lose $49,000. • Farmers were more concerned with the potential financial impact of the pandemic than they were about getting sick or the emotional strain from the COVID-19 situation. Of the respondents, 25% were significantly concerned with low prices created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of market opportunities accounted for another 19% of those with significant concerns. Respondents reported only slight concerns with availability of farm inputs, access to working capital and lack of markets. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 11 Continued from previous page • More than half of the farmers indicated they implemented social distancing measures to protect themselves and their customers. Approximately 20% provided protective equipment to their employees. Only 5% indicated that they closed their operations because of COVID-19. • Nearly 70% of the farmers indicated they were not participating in any relief program while only 22% were participating in a federal program. Those that were participating were most likely to have used the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). More than three-quarters of the farmers indicated that these COVID relief programs would not provide sufficient relief. • Livestock producers indicated that they experienced significant losses due to COVID-19. The survey report can be viewed online at www.gfb.ag/COVID19impactstudy. For more information about the survey contact UGA Assistant Dean for Extension Dr. Mark McCann at mmccnn@uga.edu or 706-542-3824. GFB has assembled a collection of resources for those affected by the pandemic. That information can be accessed at www.gfb.org/advocacy/covid19resources.cms. 2020 CENSUS RESPONSE DEADLINE MOVED UP TO SEPT. 30 The 2020 Census deadline has been changed to Sept. 30. Georgia Farm Bureau is encouraging its members to fill out the ten-question survey so Georgia does not miss out on vital federal funding and legislative power that data derived from the Census helps to determine. As of Aug. 31, Georgia was ranked 39th out of all states in the U.S. in terms of household response rate. Statewide, 60.3% of Georgia households had responded. The national response rate on Aug. 31 was 65%. For more information about Georgia’s response rates, visit www.gfb.ag/20Census0830Censusresponse. Here are Georgia’s response rates by congressional district: 1st District 56.2%; 2nd District 50%; rd 3 District 65.8%; 4th District 63.1%; 5th District 56.7%; 6th District 68.9%; 7th District 70.4%; 8th District 55.3%; 9th District 57.8%; 10th District 60.6%; 11th District 65.1%; 12th District 55.4%; 13th District 62.6%; 14th District 60.5%. Rural Georgia in particular is undercounted. While access to reliable internet may play into this trend, there are other options. Georgians can fill out the Census questionnaire over the phone by calling 844-330-2020, via U.S. mail by sending completed paper questionnaires to the U.S. Census Bureau National Processing Center,1201 E 10th Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47132. Online surveys can be submitted by visiting https://my2020census.gov/. In line with the I Farm. I Vote. campaign, GFB has dubbed its 2020 Census initiative “You Farm. You Count.” Local Farm Bureaus and their members may encourage their communities by placing op-eds or ads in the paper and using the county Farm Bureau marquee sign to share the importance of a complete count. The new deadline to fill out the census is Sept. 30, but the sooner Georgia’s citizens are counted, the better! For questions about the You Farm. You Count. initiative, contact Katie Duvall in the GFB Public Policy Department at kgduvall@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5217.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 11 GA FSIS TRAINS PEANUT GRADERS TO FOLLOW COVID PROTOCOLS The Georgia Federal State Inspection Service in Albany is preparing to hire some 1,000 temporary workers to grade this year’s multimillion-dollar peanut crop at about 130 peanut buying points across Georgia, peanut marketing expert Tyron Spearman recently reported in the Peanut Marketing News. To make sure COVID-19 safety protocols are followed by workers, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Georgia Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey visited Farmers Gin and Peanut in Moultrie to review plans for keeping workers safe from COVID-19 during the fall harvest. Dr. Toomey told FSIS staff what to do if an employee becomes infected with the virus and how to prevent further spread among other workers. She suggested identifying someone in each buying point facility whose job would be to educate employees on the proper use of masks and enforce the measures. Officials said it is critical that Georgians follow the preventive guidance of social distancing, wearing masks or face coverings and frequent handwashing. Commissioner Black said Toomey’s willingness to conduct an in-person safety review will help head off problems down the road, adding, “We need to proactive and plan now for the fall.” Another virtual meeting was held between state inspection services in mid-August to discuss protocol and safety procedure since there is not a national mandate, but rules are required in each state. The goal is to make sure peanut grading is not delayed as farmers and buying points deliver their peanuts to the buying points. GA FSIS provides impartial, efficient and accurate inspection services to Georgia’s agricultural community. The agency inspects more than 35 commodities, including peanuts, fruits, vegetables and pecans. GA FSIS performs voluntary and/or compulsory inspections of products grown and/or marketed across Georgia and in the interstate commerce arena. FSIS also inspects products imported into the U.S. such as onions, peanuts and melons. These inspections determine grade, size, quality, and net weight and are certified on federal or federal-state certificates. USDA ISSUES DISASTER DECLARATION FOR TOOMBS COUNTY DUE TO HAIL On Aug. 19 the USDA designated Toombs County as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to hail that occurred on April 8 may be eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. Producers in the contiguous Georgia counties of Appling, Candler, Emanuel, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Tattnall, and Treutlen, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans. The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is April 12, 2021. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 11 Continued from previous page FSA has a variety of additional programs to help farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster. FSA programs that do not require a disaster declaration include: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Emergency Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; and the Tree Assistance Program. Farmers may contact their local USDA service center for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at www.farmers.gov/recover. 1890 LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES CELEBRATE 130 YEARS Aug. 30 marked the 130th anniversary of the authorizing legislation establishing the 1890 LandGrant Universities (LGUs). The Second Morrill Act, creating the United States’ historically black land-grant colleges, was successfully shepherded through Congress by Senator Justin Smith Morrill and signed into law on Aug. 30, 1890. This thriving network of 19 universities, which includes Fort Valley State University, has a legacy of educating first-generation and economically disadvantaged college students, and enhancing the resilience of limited-resourced farmers, families, individuals, and underserved communities. “America’s 1890 Land-Grant Universities are home to some of the best and the brightest our nation has to offer,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “The thousands of scientists, researchers, and educators at these institutions are undertaking user-inspired, cutting-edge science that is transforming lives across our nation and around the world. The students at these institutions are a critical part of the future of American agriculture and with them the future is bright.” The USDA supports a variety of initiatives and programs supporting 1890 institutions across the nation: The 1890 Scholarships Program provides scholarships to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training of undergraduate students. In FY 2020, each of the 1890 LGUs received $752,632 from NIFA, totaling more than $14 million to enhance student opportunities. The 1890 Agricultural Extension Program assists diverse audiences, particularly those who have limited social and economic resources, to improve their access to positive opportunities through outreach education. The funds support small and medium-size family farms and new producers in owning and operating viable businesses, youth and others. In FY 2020, these NIFA grants in the amount of $54,720,000 supported all the 1890 LGU’s. The 1890 Facilities Grant Program provides for the acquisition and improvement of agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment, including libraries, so the 1890 LGUs may participate fully in developing human capital in food, agricultural, and human sciences. The 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program supports research, teaching, and extension by awarding grants that address key problems of national, regional, and multi-institutional importance in sustaining all components of agriculture and rural development. NIFA supported this program in FY 2020 with $21,853, 028. The Evans-Allen Research Program supports agricultural research activities at 1890 LGUs. In -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 11 Continued from previous page FY 2020, NIFA awarded $62,910,320. The 1890 National Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural sciences, and related disciplines by providing full tuition and employee benefits for up to 4 years to selected students. Selected students will then be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment with USDA upon successful completion of their degree. The Booker T. Washington Fellowship Program, managed by the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), connects faculty and staff at 1890 institutions to resources and research available to them at USDA. The USDA-1890 Task Force also managed by OPPE – body composed of equal part USDA employees and 1890 institution officials – regularly meets and converses to seek mutually beneficial cooperation. The Centers for Excellence Program provides support for enhanced international training and development and to increase diversity in the science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics pipeline. In 2015, on the 125th Anniversary of the Second Morrill Act, USDA-NIFA established the 1890 Centers of Excellence Program. This program provides support for the three Centers of Excellence to increase profitability and rural prosperity in underserved farming communities. After 130 years of experience and diversity in agricultural research, education, and extension, 1890 LGUs are poised to develop leadership and human capital for our nation’s preeminence in the 21st century. For more information about USDA’s 1890 Land-Grant University Programs, visit our websites: 1890 Land-Grant Institutions Programs or 1890 Land-Grant Institutions National Program. SANTOS APPOINTED GA FARM SERVICE AGENCY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rachel McLocklin Santos is the newly appointed state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia, the agency announced Aug. 11. An appointee of President Donald Trump, Santos will be responsible for planning, organizing and administering FSA programs in Georgia and running the Georgia FSA office. Prior to her FSA appointment, Santos served as the chief of staff and director of policy, government and corporate affairs for the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences starting September 2017. Before that, she worked as an aide to U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and David Perdue with a focus on agriculture, natural resources and related policy issues. Santos has also held positions with the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration and Related Agencies and the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. A native of Barrow County, she is a 2010 graduate of the UGA CAES with a degree in Agricultural & Applied Economics. Santos replaces Tas Smith who left the FSA last November to join the National Cotton Council as its producer affairs representative.
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 11 USDA RULE CHANGES AGI, ACTIVELY ENGAGED RULES On Aug. 20, the USDA published a new rule in the Federal Register that changes Farm Service Agency (FSA) payment limitations required by the 2018 farm bill. The rule became effective at the time it was published. The rule, published under Docket ID number CCC 2019-0007-0001, provided the secretary of agriculture latitude to grant waivers of the average adjusted gross income (AGI) requirements in some cases. The rule also adjusts definitions of family members for the purposes of determining payment eligibility for FSA programs. Individuals or entities with a three-year average AGI of $900,000 or more are not eligible for farm payments under FSA programs. The new rule allows the secretary of agriculture to waive that limit for participants of some FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) land conservation contracts in cases where the secretary determines that the land under contract is environmentally sensitive land of special significance that would be protected as a result of the waiver. The rule amends the scope of farm family members who are eligible to receive farm program payments to include first cousins, nieces and nephews. To read the rule in its entirety, visit www.gfb.ag/20USDAAGIrule. NCC OFFERS CONTAMINATION PREVENTION TRAINING VIDEO With harvest season approaching, the National Cotton Councile (NCC) has made a series of short videos about cotton contamination prevention as an educational tool for growers. The NCC-produced series, "Prevention of Plastic Contamination," is intended as an educational tool for producers and ginners to use to improve their understanding and implementation of best management practices that prevent plastic contamination of seed cotton and baled cotton lint during harvesting and ginning. The videos are divided into several short chapters, providing a step-by-step overview of contamination prevention from the field to the gin allowing for ease in training harvest crew, gin crew, module truck drivers and others individually. The videos are available at https://gfb.ag/NCCcontamvideo. These videos are among multiple contamination prevention resources provided on the NCC's "Contamination-Free Cotton" web page at www.cotton.org/tech/quality/contamfree.cfm. The page features two recently added plastic contamination prevention documents -- "Recommendations and Best Handling Practices For Tama Blue Value Round Module Wrap" and Cotton Incorporated's new “Prevention of Plastic Contamination When Handling Cotton Modules.� The Georgia Cotton Commission also offers a collection of contamination prevention resources at www.gfb.ag/gcccontamprevent.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 11 GEORGIA COTTON AND PEANUT RESEARCH VIRTUAL FIELD DAY Sept. 9 9:30 a.m. online The purpose of this event, sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the UGA Extension Cotton and Peanut teams, is to showcase current research to producers and industry leaders, which is funded by both commissions. The field day provides an educational opportunity for cotton and peanut farmers and offers them the chance to present questions directly to the researchers and express opinions and concerns pertinent to the production of their crops. Re-certification credits for pesticide applicators and CCA will be available pending approval. Attendees are encouraged to preregister at https://gfb.ag/ctnpntvirtualfieldday. Videos from the Cotton and Peanut Research Virtual Field Day will be available on the Georgia Cotton Commission and Georgia Peanut Commissions websites at www.georgiacottoncommission.org or www.gapeanuts.com. HOW DO I BRING BROADBAND TO MY RURAL COMMUNITY WEBINAR Sept. 10 10 – 11 a.m. online Join the Rural Georgia Initiatives as it hosts this webinar highlighting success stories of how rural counties brought broadband to their communities. Deana Perry of the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative will discuss how to secure needed assets to make rural broadband a reality. Amy Stone will discuss the public-private partnership formed in Oglethorpe County to get broadband. Woodbury Mayor Steve Ledbetter will explain how his Meriwether County town used its existing assets to become its own ISP to serve its residents. Greg Turton will share how he formed a small business – Southern Fiber Worx- to tackle the broadband issue in Crisp County. For more information and to register visit www.gfb.ag/broadbandwebinar. The Rural Georgia Initiatives Team is part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. CORONAVIRUS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Sept. 11 deadline to apply Farmers or ranchers whose operations have been hurt by the coronavirus pandemic may apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides relief to producers who faced declining prices or additional marketing costs. Producers with approved applications will receive their final payment. Additional details can be found at www.farmers.gov/cfap. Producers, especially those who have not worked with FSA previously, are recommended to call 877-5088364 to begin the application process. An FSA staff member can help producers start their application during the phone call. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Sept. 10 10 a.m. online The 2020 Georgia Pecan Growers Association annual conference will be held virtually. A $25 access fee will provide on-demand viewing the day of the conference through Sept. 30. Pecan industry experts will present their research and answer questions. Those who registered for the original March event do not need to re-register and will receive a $25 credit with GPGA. To register, visit www.georgiapecan.org/calendar/#Conference.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 11 GEORGIA MILK PRODUCERS ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 11 Hillcrest Farm Noon Dearing Sept. 14 Briar Patch Farm 7 p.m. Eatonton Sept. 17 Burke Co. Extension Office 7 p.m. Waynesboro Sept. 21 Oasis Coffee House 7 p.m. Montezuma Oct. 1 The Barnstormer’s Grill 7 p.m. Williamson Dairy producers across Georgia are invited to attend the annual Fall District meetings for Georgia Milk Producers and The Dairy Alliance next month. The organizations will hold elections, report on industry issues and promotional efforts and announce upcoming events. Dinner or lunch will be served at each location depending on the time the meeting is set to begin. Due to current Covid19 restrictions for gatherings, no more than 50 people are allowed to attend each meeting. For the Waynesboro meeting, please limit those attending from your farm to 2 or 3 people. Masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing will be utilized for each meeting. To preregister for the district meeting of your choice, please contact the Georgia Milk office at 706-310-0020. 2020 NORTHWEST GEORGIA MASTER CATTLEMAN PROGRAM Sept. 3 – Oct. 22 Webinars each Thursday 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. online Learn practical, science-based management techniques to increase profitability and sustainability in your beef cattle operation in this series of webinars hosted by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Advance registration of $60 is required by Aug. 24 and includes program materials for all eight live webinar sessions. The first 20 paid registrants receive a free forage sample lab analysis. For more information, contact Heather Kolich with Forsyth County Extension at 770-887-2418 or hnkolich@uga.edu. GACD ANNOUNCES GEORGIA CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Sept. 10 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. virtual workshop Sept. 10-30 application period Georgia Conservation Assistance Program will fund the installation of green infrastructure practices on residential properties located in Cobb and Fulton County. GACD and the Conservation Districts are partnering with the University of Georgia to host a free virtual workshop that will provide information on green infrastructure practices and maintenance and outline the GCAP program and application procedure. This virtual workshop will be held on September 10 at 10 a.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who participates in the workshop will receive extra points on their GCAP application. For more information and to register for the virtual workshop, please visit www.gacd.us/gcap. GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE VIRTUAL SILENT AUCTION Sept. 21-Oct. 2 online The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is offering almost 60 items in its first virtual silent auction! This is a great way to get a jump on your Christmas shopping while supporting the important agriculture programs the foundation manages, such as scholarships for students pursuing ag careers, Ag in the Classroom activities and the soon-to-be launched mobile Ag Classroom. Register to participate at https://georgiafarmbureau.regfox.com/2020-foundation-silent-auction. Registration ends Sept. 18.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 11 STAY AT HOME BEEKEEPING SERIES Sept. 29 Jack Rowe, Ala. Ext./Winter bee biology 7:30 p.m. online Oct. 27 Anthony Abbate, Auburn/Wildflower meadow 7:30 p.m. online Nov. 24 Jeff Harris, MSU/Getting started 7:30 p.m. online Dec. 29 Beekeeping Boxing Day Sales 7:30 p.m online The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is offering members of beekeeping clubs the opportunity to attend these free online meetings, each of which will bring participants up to date on timely beekeeping topics. Time for Q&A is included. Watch with Zoom at https://auburn.zoom.us/j/904522838 stream via Facebook live at www.facebook.com/LawrenceCountyextension/. For more information, visit Allyson Shabel at ams0137@aces.edu. U.S. CENSUS TIMELINE ADJUSTED The self-response phase of the 2020 U.S. Census, originally scheduled to run through July 31, then extended to Oct. 31, was on Aug. 3 shortened to Sept. 30, one of multiple adjustments to the Census calendar in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a Census Bureau press release. Delivery of states’ population totals, which determine how many seats states have in the House of Representatives, will be delivered to the president by April 30, 2021. For more information, visit https://census.georgia.gov/ and www.census.gov. GFB QUALITY HAY CONTEST Georgia Farm Bureau invites all of its members who grow Bermudagrass hay to enter its annual hay contest by Oct. 31. Hay entered in the 2020 GFB Quality Hay Contest will be tested at the University of Georgia Feed & Environmental Water Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which provides an analysis of the nutritional value of the hay. There is a $20 fee for each entry to cover the cost of the lab test. Checks should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Entry fees, forms and samples should be sent to the GFB Public Policy Department 1620 Bass Road Macon, Ga., 31210. Entry fees, forms and samples may also be taken to your county Farm Bureau office. For more information about the contest contact Jeremy Taylor in the GFB Public Policy Department at jrtaylor@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5212. GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL HARVEST CELEBRATION Nov. 20 Cobb Galleria Centre Atlanta The GAC’s focal event of the year for Georgia agribusiness, the Harvest Celebration unites leaders from every agriculture sector and corner of the state in a festive salute to the industry. For the first time the Harvest Celebration will be hosted by the GAC Foundation, the 501(c)3 partner of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, and contributions will directly benefit initiatives that support agriculture education, research, leadership develop, and agriculture policy studies. We hope that you will join us for a celebration that will honor our past and provide vital support for the future of agribusiness leadership in Georgia. The evening’s activities include a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. and a unique Field of Dreams reception that precede dinner at 7:30 and entertainment at 9. Entertainment will be provided by The Kinchafoonee Cowboys! For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.ga-agribusiness.org/Events.aspx.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 11 ASA CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE YOUNG LEADER PROGRAM The American Soybean Association (ASA) and Corteva Agriscience are seeking applicants for the 2021 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program, a two-phase educational program for actively farming individuals and couples who are passionate about the future possibilities of agriculture. The women and men who participate in this program will be the leaders that shape the future of agriculture. Phase I of the 2021 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program will take place Dec. 1 – 4, 2020, at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa. The program continues March 2 – 6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. Soybean grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply. For more information or to apply, visit www.gfb.ag/21ASAYoungLeaders. 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 enter the GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory. DAIRY VOLUNTEERS LEND A LISTENING EAR FOR THOSE IN STRESS Are you a dairy farmer who would like to talk to a fellow farmer or industry friend about the stress you’re experiencing? Georgia Milk Producers has partnered with dairy groups in other Southeastern states to compile a list of dairy producers who are volunteering to talk with fellow farmers & dairy industry employees as the dairy sector navigates these difficult times. Click here to access the list of volunteers & other tips/suggestions for dealing with stress.