Photo by Jennifer Whittaker October 12, 2023
www.gfb.org
Vol. 5 No. 19
FARMERS ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN DEER CROP DAMAGE SURVEY Over the last several years, deer have increasingly impacted Georgia farmers, causing damage to multiple crops and economic losses across Georgia’s food and fiber production sector. Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is collaborating with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and UGA Extension to conduct a deer impact survey to determine losses from deer activity across the state during the last five years. Data collected from this survey will be used in support of increased mitigation measures and reform, research expansion, and legislative education. During the GFB Commodity Conference in Athens in August, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper acknowledged the losses and said he’d had firsthand experience with crop damage caused by wildlife. “I deal with it on my farm, so we’re going to work and hopefully see if we can find a way to help address those issues across the state,” Harper said. In March, farmers serving on Georgia Farm Bureau’s Feedgrain/Soybean Commodity Advisory Committee identified deer grazing of row crops as a major problem that results in crop yield loss and in some cases additional costs to replant. One farmer said deer destroyed 80 acres of his 2022 soybean crop, never letting the plants get above 3 inches tall. Another said replanting costs at least $100/acre for seed alone. A 2017 study by UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources detailed damage and losses experienced by 109 farmers in a 20-county area in Southeast Georgia, resulting in an estimated $3 million in losses. GFB is asking that agricultural stakeholders help share the 2023 survey through their publications, social media, and other resources. The survey has seven questions, and farmers can submit a survey entry for each county in which their farmers have sustained deer damage. Farmers may take the survey at https://gfb.ag/deersurvey . The deadline for submissions is Nov. 10. For more information, contact GFB Agricultural Programs Manager Raynor Churchwell at rdchurchwell@gfb.org or 1-800-342-1196 Ext. 5288.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 13 2023 SUNBELT AG EXPO – AGRICULTURE IN ACTION The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition will celebrate its 45th Anniversary show Oct.17-19. Over 1,200 exhibitors will display and demonstrate products and welcome thousands of visitors to the 100-acre show site. Crowned as North America’s Premier Farm Show and the largest farm show in America with field demonstrations, the Sunbelt Ag Expo brings together all segments of agribusiness, including farmers, educators, policymakers, ag enthusiasts, and families. Those attending the show will see the latest innovation and technology that the agriculture industry has to offer. Georgia Farm Bureau is a 45-year Sunbelt Expo sponsor and will be on hand to share information about the organization’s programs and advocacy work on behalf of Georgia agriculture. Visitors can pick up “No Farmers, No Food” bags and peanuts, and have a great time taking pictures in GFB’s photo booth in the Georgia Agriculture Building. A highlight of the show is the naming of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. Colquitt County’s Bart Davis, the Georgia Sunbelt Farmer of the Year, will join winners from nine other Southern states for a luncheon to learn who will be selected as the overall winner. This year ushers in a new era for the award as Sunbelt welcomes new sponsors and a new look for the program. Education is the key component of the show, with more than 300 seminars and demonstrations offered over the three-day event. These seminars and demonstrations are taught in exhibit areas for beef, dairy, poultry, forestry, pond management, equine, and cattle management. Farmers and ranchers attending gain beneficial knowledge on the latest in cutting-edge techniques from industry leaders and university specialists. The Expo works with more than 20 education sponsors to host a strong seminar and demo schedule. These education sponsors include major universities and colleges with six of these having permanent exhibit buildings on site. The Expo will feature Youth Educational Challenges sponsored by Country Financial for students in grades 6-12 to demonstrate their knowledge in five different content areas. Additionally, an Ag Mechanics contest sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Georgia will be offered for students. The Advocacy in Action contest sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau will be held for high school and college students with a particular interest in ag policy, law, and communication. The Backyard Garden Area focuses on topics for the specialty gardener. Flint River Fresh, created by the Flint River Soil & Water Conservation District (FRSWCD) and run by Fredando Jackson, “Farmer Fredo,” will organize the display that attracts hobby gardeners and enthusiasts alike. A bounty of information on gardening tips, tools, healthy recipes, and more will be offered in the Georgia Metals Pavilion and in the demonstration garden. Be on the lookout this year for all things “pollinator bees!” A crowd-pleaser is the 600-acre research farm’s field demonstrations. These demos showcase harvesting and tillage equipment for multiple crops. In addition, hay demos will include all facets of hay harvesting, from cutting to baling, and will provide visitors the opportunity to see different types of hay harvesting equipment run in a true farm setting. Expo is honored to have Alabama as the 2023 Spotlight State. Take a road trip through Sweet -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 13 Continued from previous page Grown Alabama exhibit. The Expo always features an array of aromatic compliments of the delicious food sold within the grounds during the show. In addition, many demonstration areas, including the Aquaponics display, the Georgia Peanut Commission building, and the Georgia Grown Marketplace within the Family Living Building, host segments throughout the day with chefs and food enthusiasts alike. Be sure to stop by for a sample of some scrumptious treats. There’s never a dull moment during the three-day show, and attendees will find there is something for the entire family. There is a daily rolling antique tractor parade, and this year’s Expo will feature an antique tractor pull. Don’t forget to make the Cow Milking Contest held every afternoon part of your plan. Add in rural lifestyle fun, truck, tractor, and ATV test drives, and the venue is perfect for rural enthusiasts. “The Sunbelt Expo is an unbelievable showcase of rural living blanketed with agriculture’s newest ideas and technologies,” said Sunbelt Show Director Chip Blalock. “It's three days of fun, education, and dreaming about agriculture’s future as we team together to feed, clothe and house a growing population around the world.” The Sunbelt Ag Expo is open Oct. 17 & 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 19 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission at the gate is $10 per person per day. Advanced and discount tickets can be purchased online. The show site is four miles southeast of Moultrie on Georgia Hwy. 133. For more information or to buy advance tickets, visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. UGA DEDICATES NEW POULTRY SCIENCE BUILDING A new home for the University of Georgia’s next generation of poultry scientists and industry leaders officially opened its doors on Oct. 6 as the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences dedicated its new Poultry Science Building. “The University of Georgia is a land-grant institution that serves our entire state through teaching, research and service, and UGA’s strong relationship with the poultry industry exemplifies this land-grant mission,” President Jere W. Morehead said. “The new Poultry Science Building that we are dedicating today represents what is possible when private donors and government, industry and university leaders all work together to advance agriculture and higher education in our state.” State and university funds as well as private donations supported the construction of the $54.1 million facility. The new home for the department of poultry science will give faculty, staff and students access to modern labs, collaborative meeting spaces and classrooms with the latest technology. During the ceremony, Morehead announced one of those spaces would be dubbed the “Abit Massey Classroom,” named after the UGA alumnus and president emeritus of the Georgia Poultry Federation. The expanded resources found throughout the 70,000-square-foot facility will enhance students’ experiences and strengthen the poultry science department’s abundant learning and development -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 13 Continued from previous page opportunities, said senior poultry science major Sage Barlow. “This gorgeous, new Poultry Science Building will be a home away from home for many of us here,” Barlow said. “It will be a place of learning and discovery, a place where students spend long hours studying and conducting research to advance the industry, and a place that brings together members of the agriculture community and our department.” The building is an investment not only in a physical space but also in the future of poultry science and UGA’s legacy, according to CAES Dean Nick Place. “At UGA, we have been conducting transformational poultry research, instruction and extension outreach for decades — research that has changed the way the poultry industry operates, instruction that equips the next generation of leaders like Sage, and outreach that supports industry and producers at all levels, from the individual to the corporation,” Place said. “I look forward to our work together as we continue to show the world that here in Athens, Georgia, UGA and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are leading the way in poultry science.” Gov. Brian Kemp said this building is one of many recent examples of the university’s commitment to research and scientific advancement as well as to the state of Georgia as a whole. “We know the prosperity of our agriculture industry is not just essential for our farming families, it’s essential for our state’s economic success. Not only is agriculture our largest industry, but Georgia is the top poultry producing state in the United States,” Kemp said. “That accomplishment is made possible by the incredible work done by the UGA poultry science department faculty, staff and students, who for years have made this program a powerful resource to our poultry producers. To secure that continued success, our state and this university have invested in this new facility that will serve as a home to cutting-edge advancements for both agriculture and poultry science.” WALMART TO ESTABLISH DAIRY PROCESSING PLANT IN VALDOSTA On Oct. 11, Walmart announced plans to open a milk processing facility in Valdosta. The multinational retailer plans to break ground late this year on the $350 million facility, which will employ approximately 400 people. The company said in a release that the facility would use locally sourced ingredients and will provide gallon, half-gallon, whole, 2%, 1%, skim and 1% chocolate milk to 750 Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations across the Southeast. “This new, state-of-the-art facility will not only bring jobs and opportunity to the Valdosta area, it will enable our dairy farmers to produce more goods from start to finish right here in Georgia – sending a larger share of the retail dollar back to the family farm and giving Georgia consumers access to the freshest dairy products possible,” said Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “This is a great victory for Valdosta-Lowndes County, the state of Georgia, and our No. 1 industry – agriculture.” Walmart’s new facility will be located on Inner Perimeter Road in Valdosta, and operations are expected to begin in late 2025. The company will be hiring for positions in production, engineering, quality, food safety, warehouse operations, maintenance, drivers, and more. Food and fiber production and related industries represented $73.2 billion in contributions to Georgia’s economy and more than 340,800 jobs in 2021, according to the University of Georgia -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 13 Continued from previous page Ag Snapshots 2023. Georgia Milk Producers reports that Georgia ranked as the top milk producing state in the Southeast in 2022, with the dairy sector contributing close to $2.5 billion to Georgia’s economy. Complementing the state’s agriculture and food processing industries, Georgia offers 178 million cubic feet of cold storage space. Logistics and infrastructure stemming from Georgia’s already central location in the southeastern U.S. allow companies to quickly and efficiently move products in and out of the state. U.S. DEPTS OF LABOR, HOMELAND SECURITY PROPOSE H-2A CHANGES By the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association The Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have released new rules which they assert will strengthen protections for H-2A workers and increase their ability to monitor compliance. This comes as users of the program still face uncertainty from previous rule changes and the challenge of a 14% increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate that went into effect earlier this year. The proposed rules will further complicate a program in which producers already struggle to stay ahead of compliance and rising costs of administering the program on their farms. Of particular concern, the new rules seek to expand organized labor’s access to both farms and employee/employer’s private information. Aside from the obvious privacy issues, the rules seem to contradict a 2021 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court which found that providing activists to farms was unconstitutional. In a statement from the National Council of Agriculture Employers, CEO Michael Marsh strongly condemned the overreaching proposal. “DOL’s own data indicates that unfortunately some employers do not follow the lead of NCAE’s members. Their data indicates that 5% of agricultural employers account for 95% of the violations uncovered in investigations. These 5% are not NCAE members,” Marsh said. “Perhaps it is in this noncompliant subset of employers that WHD feels they had license to attack near unanimously compliant employers.” GFVGA agreed with NCAE, noting that the new rules will further harm farmers who are already struggling to work within the layers of complex regulations. GFVGA continues to work to provide meaningful reform to the program that help growers provide a safe and healthy work environment while providing a reliable workforce to help us bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the American public. The agencies are accepting public comment. The DOL’s proposed rule is open for public comment through Nov. 15. To submit a comment on the DOL rule, click here. The DHS rule is open for public comment through Nov. 20. To comment on the DHS rule, click here.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 13 SANGSTER JOINS GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE STAFF Whitney Sangster, who grew up on a cotton and peanut row crop farm in Wilcox and Dooly counties, has joined the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) staff as a fundraising and events assistant. She graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural communications in December 2022. “Growing up on a family row crop farm in Wilcox County has driven my passion for agriculture. I’m very passionate about advocating for all areas of the ag industry,” Sangster said. Sangster worked with the Colquitt Regional Medical Foundation (CRMF) from June 2021 until beginning her new position with the GFA in mid-August. At the CRMF, Sangster helped the foundation staff build and maintain relationships with key donors and stakeholders. She also assisted in planning, promoting and holding CRMF fundraising events. “My background and experience in non-profit fundraising has prepared me for this new role, and I am excited to be part of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture team,” Sangster said. While attending ABAC, Sangster was a member of the ABAC Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Growing up, she was an active member of the Crisp County 4-H Club from 5th-12th grades serving as a county 4-H board member and a term as president in high school. Sangster is the daughter of Wayne and Cathy Sangster of Pineview. APHIS TO SPREAD RABIES VACCINE BAITS IN SELECTED AREAS In August, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) began its annual distribution of RABORAL V-RG, an oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait, in select areas in the eastern United States to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies into America’s heartland. Distribution in and around Dalton and Chattanooga is set to occur in October. Rabies is a serious public health concern. While rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it also is 100% preventable. Human exposure can be successfully remedied if medical attention is sought immediately following exposure. Costs associated with rabies detection, prevention and control may exceed $500 million annually in the United States. According to the CDC, about 90 percent of reported rabies cases in the U.S. are in wildlife. APHIS’ Wildlife Services (WS) and its cooperators will begin distributing ORV baits on August 5 across rural areas by airplane and in suburban or urban areas by helicopter, vehicle, and bait station. ORV baits are coated with a fishmeal attractant and are packaged in two-inch plastic sachets or one-inch square cubes. To see photos of the vaccination baits, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/sets/72157623983143606/. The Dalton project will cover areas in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, distributing approximately 840,000 ORV baits by airplane and helicopter. APHIS will also distribute ONRAB in the Greater Chattanooga, Tennessee area in tandem with RABORAL V-RG. The RABORAL V-RG vaccine is safe for many animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the baits but if they encounter them, they should leave them undisturbed. Dogs that consume large numbers of baits may experience an upset stomach, but there are no long-term health risks. If adults or children come in contact with baits, immediately rinse the contact area with warm water and soap. Click here for additional information concerning rabies or the ORV program or contact Wildlife Services toll free at 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297).
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 13 AG GROUPS SEEK HERBICIDE STRATEGY WITHDRAWAL On Sept. 12, the U.S. EPA reached a settlement with activist groups in longstanding litigation covering more than 1,000 pesticide products. In 2011, two activist groups filed a complaint in Federal Court in California against EPA alleging that it was violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) when it registered or reevaluated the registration of 382 pesticide active ingredients, which was ultimately reduced to 35 active ingredients covering more than 1,000 pesticide products containing one or more of these active ingredients. This became known as the “megasuit” because of the number of pesticides it covered. The settlement entered by the Court this week resolves all outstanding claims. In 2022, EPA issued its ESA Workplan, Balancing Wildlife Protection and Responsible Pesticide Use: How EPA’s Pesticide Program Will Meet its Endangered Species Act Obligations, which describes how EPA will address the challenge of protecting ESA-listed species from pesticides. The ESA Workplan was developed with public listening sessions and public comment. This settlement is consistent with EPA’s ongoing efforts to develop a multichemical, multispecies approach to meeting its ESA obligations under the workplan. EPA’s traditional chemical-bychemical, species-by-species approach to meeting these obligations has been slow and costly, with ESA work on each pesticide typically taking many years to complete. As a result, EPA has completed its ESA obligations for less than 5% of its actions, creating legal vulnerabilities, the potential for adverse impacts to listed species, and uncertainty for farmers and other pesticide users that use many pesticides. Resolving the remaining claims in this lawsuit and establishing a path forward under the settlement is a significant step to overcoming these challenges. This agreement and the prior partial settlement include obligations for EPA, including development and implementation of a herbicide strategy, a draft of which was released for public comment on July 24. The comment period ends Oct. 22. Agricultural stakeholder groups maintain that the herbicide strategy would impact most agricultural herbicide users in the lower 48 states, and producers in four pesticide use limitation areas (PULA) established by the proposal, including some in Georgia (see PULA map here) could be subject to greater restrictions. Southern Cotton Growers has organized a petition asking EPA to withdraw the herbicide strategy. To join the petition, click on the sign-on link and answer the four questions and your name will be attached to the letter. This needs to be done by October 20. Ginners or representatives for another segment of the cotton industry, are asked to forward the petition to their growers and urge them to sign on too. This is a nationwide initiative among the agriculture organizations. For more information, please contact Dave Ruppenicker, Southern Cotton Growers CEO, via email at david@southern-southeastern.org.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 13 WARE COUNTY FARM BUREAU HOSTS COMMUNITY SAFETY DAY On Sept. 30 at the Okefenokee Fairgrounds in Waycross, Ware County Farm Bureau hosted a free Ag & Community Safety Awareness Day. The event featured approximately 20 exhibitors, including first responders and safety equipment companies, and drew more than 100 visitors. “Every year we have a tragedy either in Ware County or in an adjoining county during harvest season,” said WCFB President Victor Aldridge. “One is too many, and we just want the people to be aware of what’s going on.” Much of the focus was on farm safety, but it’s clear many of the messages applicable to farm situations also apply to non-farm scenarios. Exhibitors addressed mental health, internet safety, handling flammable materials, safety devices for tractors, and public agency activities that may not be common knowledge in the general public. WCFB Women’s Committee Chairwoman Mary Alice Aldridge arranged a showing of video from former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, whose father died in a grain bin accident. Noem emphasized the importance of always keeping safety in mind during the course of everyday activities. “Waycross is a medium-sized city, and I worked in the school system and know how hard the ag pathways work to educate students who live in the county and in the city on how to be safe on ATVs and on golf carts,” Mary Alice said. “We felt like it was needful for that group of people but also, the farmers that we do have, they have not had anything available to them like this, so that they can be exposed to what’s out there.” The event presented a chance for the public to meet first responders in a non-crisis setting and get an up-close look at cool emergency vehicles, from helicopters to fire trucks, fully tricked-out RVs and police cars. Ware County Sheriff Carl James and his deputies shared messages on vehicle safety, including paying heed to safety triangles on farm equipment, and safe operation of all-terrain vehicles. Maggie Santana from Satilla Advocacy Services, a child advocacy and rape crisis center, was on hand to promote safe practices when using the internet, as well as the importance of respecting individual physical boundaries. Sumter County Farm Bureau President Matt Berry and his wife Alicia talked to visitors about Farm Bureau's Farm State of Mind behavioral health resources and research from Mercer University on farmers’ mental and emotional challenges. Daniel Stewart of fuel and lubricant company Lewis & Raulerson promoted safet handling of flammable materials and noted a key message for young people in the event they find themselves near spilled fuel. “Don’t clean up the spill,” Stewart said. “Go get an adult. Using rags might create friction that results in a spark, and the fumes from the fuel will ignite.” Wesley Mattox of Bennett’s Tractor Service in Waycross showed visitors special air filters designed to keep airborne chemicals from entering tractor cabs during application of crop protection products. The filters are installed in a compartment in the overhead portion of many tractor cabs. At least two vendors – Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) and the Georgia Department of -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 13 Continued from previous page Natural Resources (DNR) – used the opportunity for recruitment. CPTC in Waycross sought students for all its programs, including one to prep for careers in forestry. DNR worked to promote interest in careers as forest rangers. Of course, some safety themes bear repeating. Georgia State Patrol Troopers Merritt Meeks and Damascus Chambers urged visitors to buckle seat belts while in motor vehicles and not to drink and drive. GSP also had one of its helicopters – the agency has a fleet of 15 choppers statewide – on hand to give locals a chance at a close look. Pilot Sgt. Brad Harris said the aircraft are used in search and rescue for missing people, escapees from custody and providing aerial imaging support in a variety of formats – photo, video, infrared, etc. – in response to natural disasters. The AirEvac LifeTeam also brought a helicopter to the event, this one a rescue unit for medical emergency evacuation from remote areas. Georgia Farm Bureau members are eligible for discounts on AirEvac LifeTeam enrollment.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 13 STUDY COMMITTEE SEEKS INPUT ON PUBLIC ACCESS TO WATERWAYS Oct. 18 Old Toccoa Farm, 596 Curtis Switch Rd. 8:30 a.m. Mineral Bluff (discussion concerning the Toccoa River) Oct. 25 Georgia Southern University noon Statesboro (discussion concerning the Ogeechee River) The Georgia House Study Committee on Fishing Access to Freshwater Resources is holding public meetings to get feedback regarding private property owners' ability to restrict access versus the public's right to utilize waterways for recreation. These meetings are open to the public. If you wish to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, please email Deborah Baselj at Deborah.baselj@house.ga.gov. As the House study committee evaluates ways to balance these two interests, it will discuss topics such as defining which waterways qualify as "navigable," the ability of the public to traverse or fish, and where private property ends and the public's begins. GFB encourages you to attend a meeting and voice your opinion; legislators want to hear from you. The actions of this committee will have major implications for the future of private property rights in Georgia and provide an avenue to address concerns stemming from SB 115, which was signed into law this year. SB 115 changes the historic rights that come with property boundaries adjoining Georgia’s river networks and prioritizes the public’s use of this resource over individual ownership. For more information, please reach out to the Ga. Farm Bureau Public Policy Department at 478-474-8411 or advocacy@gfb.org. A meeting for the Flint River was held Oct. 4 & a meeting for the Soquee River was held Oct. 12. HOUSE RURAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETINGS Oct. 25 Georgia Southern University Statesboro Nov. 16 University of Georgia Athens The Oct. 25 RDC meeting will be held in the Nessmith-Lane Center Ballroom at 847 Plant Drive Statesboro. An agenda and a live stream for the meetings may be found here. Details about the Nov. 16 meeting will be announced closer to the date. Check back here. Meetings of the House Rural Development Council will be livestreamed and are open to the public. Established in 2017, the House Rural Development Council was renewed for the 2023-2024 by the unanimous adoption of House Resolution 488 during the 2023 legislative session. BEEKEEPING SHORT COURSE Oct. 28 Henry Co. Farm Bureau Office 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. McDonough The Henry County Beekeepers are hosting this workshop scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The course will cover: Introduction to Beekeeping; Hive Assembly; NUC’s, Packages & Swarms; Hive Manipulation; Extracting Honey; and beekeeping issues. Early registration by Oct. 27 is $25 or $30 at the door day of the event. The registration fee includes a one-year membership to the Henry County Beekeepers. The Henry County Farm Bureau is located at 117 Racetrack Road, McDonough, Ga. 30253. To register or receive more information please contact Tom Bonnell by calling 678-983-7698 or e-mail Tom at tombonnell@bellsouth.net.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 13 2023 GFB HAY CONTEST ACCEPTING ENTRIES Oct. 31 deadline to enter Georgia Farm Bureau is calling all members who grow any variety of Bermudagrass hay to enter its annual hay contest. The contest winner will receive the free use of a Vermeer Mid-sized Trailed Mower for one year, courtesy of Vermeer Manufacturing. The winner will have the option to buy the mower at a reduced price at the end of one year. Additional prizes will be awarded to the top five producers. Hay entered in the 2023 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 the hay. Winners will be determined by the RFQ analysis and announced in December at the GFB Convention. Prizes will be presented to the top five producers. Entry forms outlining complete contest rules may be picked up at your county Farm Bureau office or downloaded at www.gfb.ag/HayContest. There is a $20 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. USDA DISCRIMINATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Oct. 31 Application deadline Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021 and/or are currently debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that was subject to USDA discrimination occurring prior to January 1, 2021, have until Oct. 31 to apply for financial assistance. Visit the program website https://22007apply.gov to file an application and for more information on the program. Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, directs USDA to provide financial assistance to producers who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs and has $2.2 billion for this program. Under the law, the Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for administering the assistance through qualified nongovernmental entities under standards set by USDA. Applications will be reviewed in November and December, with payments reaching recipients soon thereafter, according to USDA statements. USDA has become aware of some lawyers and groups spreading misleading information about the discrimination assistance process, pressuring people to sign retainer agreements, and asking people to fill out forms with private and sensitive information. The official application process is free and does not require an attorney. GFB SEEKS MEMBERS FOR 2024 AMBASSADOR TEAM Nov. 1 Application Deadline Any young adults interested in promoting Georgia Farm Bureau in member recruitment & brand awareness campaigns as a 2024 GFB Ambassador are invited to apply by Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants must be at least 18 years old & must be GFB members. If an applicant lives in the household of a family member, such as parents who are members, the applicant is considered a member. Learn more about the program and apply at gfb.ag/ambassadors.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 13 2023 GEORGIA AG LABOR FORUM Nov. 14 &15 UGA Tifton Conference Center Tifton This event brings ag labor regulators and renowned experts together with farm owners and personnel managers. The forum's format encourages active engagement, enabling ag employers, HR managers and administrators to collaboratively tackle the ongoing and dynamic challenge of securing and sustaining a reliable workforce within a complex regulatory landscape. This event is suited for all owners, operators, office managers, personnel managers and service providers for the produce, nursery, landscape, dairy, cotton, and any agricultural professional dealing with agricultural labor relations. For more info about the forum visit https://gfb.ag/aglaborforuminfo . To register, visit https://gfb.ag/aglaborforumregister . GEORGIA AG LABOR RELATIONS FORUM Nov. 14-15 Georgia Museum of Agriculture at ABAC Tifton Hear from regulatory and industry experts to help you navigate the complex realm of agricultural labor relations. This event is suited for all owners, operators, office managers, personnel managers and service providers in produce, nursery, landscape, dairy, cotton, forestry, peanuts, pecan, and any other agricultural professional dealing with agricultural labor relations. Early bird registration by Nov. 6 is $295. Regular registration is $325 Click here to register. USDA DISCRIMINATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Jan. 13, 2024 Application deadline Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021 and/or are currently debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that was subject to USDA discrimination occurring prior to January 1, 2021, have until Jan. 13, 2024 to apply for financial assistance. Visit the program website https://22007apply.gov GFB HAY DIRECTORY GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2021 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory. 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 13 of 13 988 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. SAMHSA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Communications Commission & other suicide prevention and mental health partners worked together to create 988 and its expanded services. #988Lifeline.