Georgia Farm Bureau's October 27 Field Notes

Photo by Logan Thomas

October 27, 2021

www.gfb.org

Vol. 3 No. 22

VISITORS REVEL IN RETURN OF SUNBELT AG EXPO Attending Sunbelt Ag Expo this year was like going to a family reunion after you haven’t attended one in a couple of years. With Expo canceled last year due to COVID-19, ag enthusiasts from across the Southeast were eager to return when the gates opened Oct. 19-21 for the 43rd show.

Exhibitors and guests enjoyed the in-person interaction and opportunity to catch up on the latest farm technology and equipment.

“This is going to be the best Sunbelt. Why? Because we’re having it,” Sunbelt Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock joked during the opening ceremony. “This past year has been a hard year on live events. Thanks so much for all of our farmers, exhibitors and attendees for coming back in such a big fashion.”

Virginia shined as the 2021 Spotlight State of the Year with its ‘Virginia Agriculture: 400 Years of Progress’ exhibit in the middle of Expo’s 100-acre exhibit grounds. Visitors learned about Virginia’s agricultural history and the ag advancements made during the past 400 years of the commonwealth that have led to the state’s agriculture and forestry sectors having a combined total economic impact of $70 billion on Virginia’s economy.

Displays highlighted Virginia’s many ag achievements, such as having the first commercially grown peanuts, being home to the McCormick Reaper and yielding extensive research on no-till practices that promote soil health. The commonwealth’s tobacco production was highlighted along with its cattle, cotton, equine and peanut crops amongst about 30 mini displays that made up Virginia’s exhibit.

Virginia State University’s mobile agriculture learning lab, parked on the west side of the spotlight state building, gave Expo guests an interactive virtual tour of Virginia and a crash course on the diversity of agriculture in the commonwealth.

Nunn represents Georgia in Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest 2020/2021 Georgia Expo Farmer of the Year Lee Nunn and the other nine state winners vying for the Swisher/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award were honored during the Willie B. Withers Lunch. Nunn, a diversified row crop farmer from Morgan County, did a fantastic job of representing Georgia. A Morgan County Farm Bureau director, Nunn grows wheat, -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 2 of 15 Continued from previous page soybeans, cotton, corn & winter field peas. He also owns a custom farm service business harvesting crops for other farmers; has an ag construction company building farm structures and fencing for other farms and operates a small trucking company.

South Carolina’s Bob Hall, a fruit & vegetable producer, was named the ‘20/’21 Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. Bob and his wife, Susan, of York, S.C., grow a variety of fruit and vegetables on their farm and operate three fruit stands as part of their Bush-N-Vine Farm.

Hall is a 40-year Farm Bureau member and has served as a South Carolina Farm Bureau director since 2010.

The other eight state representatives for the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year were: Alabama’s Thomas Ellis; Arkansas’ Jamie Anderson; Florida’s Rick Roth Jr.; Kentucky’s Stephen Kelley; Mississippi’s Joe Edmondson; North Carolina’s James Lamb; Tennessee’s Jay Yeargin; and Virginia’s Charles Isbell Jr. Kemp applauds farmers “Farmers are so important,” Gov. Brian Kemp said while speaking at the Expo lunch on opening day. “You can’t stay home as others can when there’s bad weather or a virus shuts things down.

We appreciate what you do to keep us fed.”

Kemp discussed efforts the state has made in the past year to bring new jobs and business to Georgia, saying, “We had a record year for job development in Georgia. Seventy-four percent of the projects and jobs have happened outside of Metro Atlanta.”

He thanked members of the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and various business associations for working together to bring economic growth across the state.

Kubota rewards U.S. Veteran with tractor Master Gunnery Sergeant Tracy Robinson (USMC-Ret.) received a year’s lease of a Kubota Series M tractor courtesy of Kubota in support of the Farmer Veteran Coalition “Geared to Give” program.

Robinson, an Early County Farm Bureau member who grows row crop - peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans and wheats - on approximately 700 acres, has farmed since leaving the Marine Corps in 2011 without any equipment of his own, exchanging his labor for use of other farmers’ equipment.

Shiny new farm equipment Checking out shiny new farm equipment is a big part of the Expo experience for many attendees.

John Deere unveiled its new CP770 cotton picker at Expo, the first time the company’s late model round-bale cotton harvester has been demoed at a farm show according to John Deere Customer Support Manager Seann Cox. He said the JD CP 770 picker was available for farmers to order last year. According to JD Customer Support Manager Bob Long, about five of the pickers have been delivered to farms in South Georgia and were expected to start harvesting cotton last week.

Long said the company's CP 770 cotton picker has a larger cab that is quieter than previous models -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 3 of 15 Continued from previous page and offers farmers better visibility. The cab of the CP 690 model can fit inside the CP 770 cab, Long said.

The six-row picker runs on a 13.6 Liter engine versus the 13.5 L engine in the CP690 picker, Long added, which makes the 770 model about 20% more fuel efficient than the CP 690 model. The JD CP 770 model can run up to 4.6 miles/hour compared to the 4.4 miles/hour speed of the CP 690, Long said.

“This may not sound like a big deal, but over the course of a day’s harvesting it adds up,” Long said.

Another new feature of John Deere's new CP 770 cotton picker is that it has walkways on both sides of the harvester to make it easier for operators to clean and work on the equipment.

The CP 770 cotton picker has the ability to produce a bale with a maximum diameter up to 96 inches.

Farmers can set the picker to produce a 94-inch bale if they prefer, John Deere Customer Support Manager Seann Cox said.

Kelly Manufacturing Company (KMC)’s 7406 peanut picker was used to harvest the Expo farm’s peanut crop during harvest demos held each day of the show. Attendees were also able to see KMC’s stalk shredder in action in the cotton and peanut fields. Shredding the stalks of both crops after the cotton and peanuts are harvested, helps reduce pest populations and speeds the process of returning organic matter back into the soil.

Massey Ferguson showed off its redesigned 5S and 8S tractors, which AGCO Marketing Product Specialist Adam Sills said were retooled with user experience in mind.

“The specs are kind of leveling out between competitors and everybody’s got the same,” Sills said. “You think about your car, the operator experience. Our engineers interviewed a lot of farmers from around the world. Big farmers, small farmers, men, women, custom applicators. We really wanted to get what they want out of a tractor. The No. 1 thing was the cab. They want that comfort. They’re used to being in their King Ranch or Denali pickup, and they want have that feeling in the tractor, as well.”

The cabs on both tractors were appointed with new comfort features, with the operator’s joystick integrated into armrests, tiltable steering wheels that allow for easier cab entry and exit, and other features.

The 5S, designed for use by hay and livestock producers, is available with 115 hp to 145 hp and is built on the same frame as the Massey Ferguson 5700S series tractors. The 8S, designed for rowcrop applications, is built on the company’s 7700S large frame format.

The 8S, available with 205 hp to 265 hp, is configured with an 9.5-inch gap between the front of the cab and the rear of the engine box, allowing enhanced cooling of both the engine and the cab and making for a quieter ride.

GFB Field Notes page 4 of 15 GFB & GDA promote Ga. farmers Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Department of Agriculture staff greeted Expo visitors who stopped by the Georgia Agriculture Building GFB staff recruited new members and discussed how Georgia Farm Bureau works to advocate for farmers and teach consumers how farmers grow their food.

Georgia Grown Executive Chef Holly Chute and Chef Olivia Rader gave daily cooking demos in the Georgia Agriculture building featuring Georgia commodities and Georgia Grown products.

Kudos to Dr. Nick Place, UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences dean, for beating the ag school deans from Auburn and Florida in the annual Cow Milking Contest with a blowout win.

GFB BRINGING BACK “HARVEST FOR ALL” CAMPAIGN Georgia Farm Bureau is bringing back the Harvest for All campaign after skipping 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harvest for All is a fundraising effort to help Georgia food bank feed people in need. Food banks continually need funds to stay operational, and since the start of the pandemic, food insecurity rates have increased.

“Our support is needed more than ever,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall.

“We will work with the Georgia Food Bank Association to ensure our funds go directly to putting food on tables with a focus on Georgia Grown products.”

The Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee sponsors Harvest for All. At the YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, the committee hosted a 50/50 raffle and donated the funds raised. County Farm Bureaus are asked to consider making a donation by Nov. 12.

Harvest for All has been held annually – except for 2020 – since 2004. A total of 49,000 pounds of food and $220,000 in donations has been made to the Georgia Food Bank Association, which uses monetary to offset costs of food delivery like fuel for transportation. GFB donated $50,000 to the Georgia Food Bank Association in April 2020 to help with the increased demand for food due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Feeding America, 12% of Georgians – 1.28 million people – and 1 in 7 children experienced food insecurity in 2019, the latest year for which statistics are available. The Georgia Food Bank Association reported a 50% increase in need for food assistance from March 2020 to March 2021. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sYnFdSw-QCH_hTP2hP93tZ4MQqQQWYpg/view) “As we enter a season of harvest and thanksgiving, I can’t help but reflect on the previous year and be grateful,” McCall said. “Despite all the difficulties our country experienced, farmers never stopped working to ensure Americans were able to continue their lives as normally as possible. I am so thankful for our farmers, members, and organization for the continued work you have done on behalf of agriculture across our state.”

County Farm Bureaus are asked to consider making a donation by Nov. 12. For the donation form, contact GFB Field Services at 478-474-0679.

GFB Field Notes page 5 of 15 UGA, FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS WIN ADVOCACY IN ACTION TOP PRIZES A team from the University of Georgia won the college division of the first Advocacy in Action competition, for which the final round was held at Sunbelt Ag Expo on Oct. 20. Cottondale High School from Florida’s Panhandle won the high school division.

A total of 28 teams entered the competition. The first round consisted of video submissions.

UGA and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College were chosen as collegiate finalists based on the videos. Cottondale was joined in the high school finals by teams from Colquitt County High School and Tift County 4-H. Advocacy in Action is designed to put students in simulated situations to promote their policy stance with elected officials. The idea behind the competition is to develop “elevator pitch” communication skills in students.

“We’re just trying to draw more attention to the importance of being able to tell your story, communicate with your legislators, convince them of your position, why agriculture is important,” said Georgia Farm Bureau Public Policy Director Jeffrey Harvey. “This contest basically is geared around real-life scenarios of what it’s like to work inside the capitol and trying to communicate your message as a lobbyist for an ag organization on a daily basis.”

Harvey, Georgia Peanut Commission Executive Director Don Koehler and state Sen. Tyler Harper served as judges for the final round, where the teams discussed current federal policy incentivizes or discourages the next generation of farmers and what policy changes could be implemented to ensure future generations of Americans have the opportunity to farm.

At the finals, teams were paired with coaches, who are current agriculture policy professionals, for advice on how the process works. Each team prepared a three-minute speech and presented it to the judges. Each judging session included up to five minutes for questions and answers.

“Elected officials are very busy,” Harvey said. “They’re hearing from all types of groups and all types of issues. You need to be respectful of their time. Get right to it. It’s also important to close. What do you want them to do? Why are you asking them to do this? Close the message out, because if you give them the opportunity to get out, they’re going to get out, because they’ve probably got other folks asking them to take the opposite.”

The UGA team, coached by GFB National Policy Counsel Tripp Cofield, consisted of College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences students Claire Coleman, Taylor Davis, Mary Beth Mallard and Bella Kerbers. The Cottondale team, coached by Florida Farm Bureau Director of Government and Community Affairs Charles Shinn, included students, Rayleigh Carter, Robby Griffin and Josh Scurlock.

The UGA and Cottondale teams each received $1,000 and a plaque. The ABAC and Colquitt County High School teams each received $800 as second-place winners, and Tift County 4-H received $600 for finishing third in the high school division.

GFB Field Notes page 6 of 15 GFA AUCTION RAISES $25K FOR GEORGIA AGRICULTURE The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Fall Online Auction, held Sept. 27-Oct. 8, was a huge success, raising $25,755! Auction proceeds will help fund foundation programs including elementary ag education, scholarships, farmer mental health research and more.

This year’s auction featured nearly 130 items donated by more than 100 individuals and local businesses. The auction attracted about 1, 070 registered bidders.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture would like to thank all of the auction participants and prize donors. One lucky raffle participant, Deliah Gravitt, was the winner of 50 chicken halves donated by Harrison Poultry.

The success of this year’s event is due to the generous support from our donors and competitive bidders. Together, we are developing the next generation of successful farmers and Georgia ag leaders. Learn more about our programs by visiting https://www.gafoundationag.org.

GFA Fall Online Auction Donors Please join the GFA in thanking & supporting the following businesses that graciously donated auction items: 920 Cattle & Co.; Abenity; Allison Oliver Photography; Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Marietta; Anna Lisa Patterson; Appling County Farm Bureau; Atlanta Botanical Gardens; Banks County Farm Bureau; BarkBox; Berry's Tree Farm; Bold Spring Blooms a U-Pick Flower Farm; Bulloch County Farm Bureau; Caldwell Farms Beef; Candler County Farm Bureau; Catoosa County Farm Bureau; Center For Puppetry Arts; Chapman Trading or Magnolia Loom; Cheekwood Estate & Gardens; Cherokee County Farm Bureau; Circle F Meats; Cobb County Farm Bureau; Cook County Farm Bureau; Coral Hospitality; Dawson Adams Photography; Dodge County Farm Bureau; Douglas County Farm Bureau; DSH Transportation; Emma Bell Fine Art; Empire South; Farm Bureau Bank; Georgia Aquarium; Georgia Farm Bureau District 3 & District 5 Management Team of Jeffrey Camp, Edward Turner & Brent Wiley; Georgia Peanut Commission; Georgia Pecan Growers Association; Georgia Tech Athletic Association; Georgia Veterinary Medical Association & UGA College of Veterinary Medicine; Godfrey’s Feed; Grainger; Grasshopper Mowers; Habersham County Farm Bureau; Hall County Farm Bureau; Hall Booth Smith P.C.; Hampton Inn Jekyll Island; Harris County Farm Bureau; Harrison Poultry; Hart County Farm Bureau; Henry County Farm Bureau; IDX; James Madison’s Montpelier; Jiffy Lube; Karen Rolader; Kenra Scott; Knott Sew Monograms; Laurens County Farm Bureau & Womens’ Committee Chair; Lazy J Farms; Liberty County Farm Bureau; Life Line Screening; Lucy's Market Macon Memorabilia; Madison County Farm Bureau; Mar-Jac Poultry; McCorkle Nurseries; McDuffie County Farm Bureau; Moon Dairy; Muscogee County Farm Bureau; Nancy Rogers Wagner; Oglethorpe County Farm Bureau; Onward Reserve; Panaprint; Perry Lane Hotel Savannah; Pittman's County Market; REI; Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau; Six Flags Over Georgia; Southern Proper; Springer Mountain Farms; Stone Mountain Park; Strategic Promotion; Strategic Value Media; Stripling's General Store; Talbot County Farm Bureau; The Burgess Hotel, Atlanta; The Westin Jekyll Island; Thomas County Farm Bureau; Turner County Farm Bureau; Twiggs County Farm Bureau; Urban Air Adventure Park Macon; Walker County Farm Bureau; Walton County Farm Bureau; Washington County Farm Bureau Womens’ Committee; Wayne County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee; Wild Adventures Theme Park; World of Coca-Cola; Zoo Atlanta.

GFB Field Notes page 7 of 15 KEN MURPHREE PROMOTED TO GFB ASSOCIATE FIELD SERVICES DIRECTOR Georgia Farm Bureau has promoted Ken Murphree to associate field services director.

Murphree grew up on his family’s diversified row-crop farm in Turner County. He earned an associate degree in agribusiness from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from the University of Georgia.

“We are proud to have Ken in this new role,” GFB President Tom McCall said. “For many years, he has demonstrated his passion for agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau, and we are happy to welcome him as the new associate director of our Field Services Department.”

Murphree succeeds Clay Talton, who was promoted to Field Services director in September following the retirement of Dennis Black.

Murphree served an internship with Delta and Pine Land Company before GFB hired him in 2001 as a commodities specialist in the Commodities & Marketing Department. In that role, he managed a statewide direct marketing program, provided professional service to GFB’s commodity committees and assisted in the marketing of small grains and feed ingredients.

Murphree became GFB’s 8th District Federation Manager in 2005, serving as a liaison between 17 county Farm Bureaus in Southwest Georgia and the GFB home office, overseeing agricultural advocacy activities and training county staff and volunteers.

Murphree and his wife, Lisa, live in Early County and have two children, Payne and Addie.

GOHS ASKS GA DRIVERS TO IMPROVE THEIR YIELD BEHIND THE WHEEL When it comes to fatal traffic accidents, they are all personal. The January death of Todd Bone shook his family and other farmers with whom he worked.

Bone was killed when the tractor he was driving on Georgia Highway 96 between Reynolds and Butler was struck by a truck. Bone had been farming land owned by Macon County Farm Bureau Director Donald Chase.

Chase recalled the experience during a Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) news conference during Sunbelt Ag Expo on Oct. 20.

“Todd was a young farmer who was just building his farming enterprise, and it really caused a lot of us a lot of grief, to see his passing and for a legacy like his to be lost. I just ask you to continue to be safe,” Chase said.

According to GOHS, there have been 2,300 road crashes involving farm equipment in Georgia since 2016, resulting in 866 injuries and 47 deaths. Some farmers injured in crashes operating tractors and other vehicles on the road are never physically able to work again, while others risk losing their farming operations from not being able to work during their recovery.

GOHS noted that most of these accidents are preventable.

“As farmers, we should do our part. The other thing that we need to be conscious of, is that when we find a place that’s safe for the cars behind us to pass, let’s make an opportunity,” Chase said. “Let’s give them that chance. No one wants to be held up. We don’t like to be held up, but sometimes we just don’t have an opportunity to get off the road and make it accessible for somebody to pass.”

GOHS Director Allen Poole and NASCAR driver Anthony Alfredo also spoke at the news conference. Poole urged Georgia drivers to take extra caution and patience on the state’s roads -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 8 of 15 Continued from previous page during harvest season.

“Rural roads may not have as many cars or traffic, as the interstate, but they’re going into the roadways between their fields and the marketplace each and every day,” Poole said. “If you’re traveling in a rural area, especially during harvest time, make sure you are ready to slow down if you come upon a slow-moving farm vehicle.”

Alfredo emphasized wearing seat belts and obeying speed limits.

“I think that’s what a lot of people forget on the roadways is you like to think you’re in control of your vehicle as you should be, but you never know what could be over the next hill, around the next turn or who could be around you on the roadways,” Alfredo said. “It’s always crucial. It’s not that uncomfortable. It’s actually very comfortable, today’s safety harnesses and seatbelts in your daily drives and even some of the heavy equipment you may be using on the farms, you hardly notice it’s even there.”

JOHN DEERE WORKERS’ STRIKE DISRUPTING SOME FARM OPERATIONS Farmers have reported difficulty accessing parts for repairs and sales of some new tractors have been halted as United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) remain on strike from John Deere.

The strike, involving more than 10,000 hourly workers at 14 John Deere plants, began on Oct. 14, as workers rejected Deere’s union contract offer. At issue are pay increases, health insurance and profit sharing. Among the plants is one in Grovetown, near Augusta.

According to a report in the Farm Journal workers at Deere’s parts and manufacturing plants anticipate remaining on strike for the rest of the year. (https://www.agweb.com/news/machinery/new-machinery/five-days-heres-how-john-deereworker-strike-already-impacting-farmers) In addition to the strike affecting the company’s assembly lines, one incident was reported where striking workers prevented a tractor-trailer driver from accessing a facility to pick up new farm equipment.

For farmers, finding parts for repairs as they work through harvest season has become a challenge and has compounded continuing supply-chain issues. Deere has stopped taking orders for its larger tractors in the 7000, 8000 and 9000 series, and the 7000 series is already sold out through 2022.

2021 GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR ATTENDANCE TOPS 485,000 The Show Goes On, and indeed it did at the 32nd Annual Georgia National Fair. After nearly two years of anticipation, Georgia’s biggest show returned to Perry in style.

For 11 days, The Georgia National Fair delighted audiences from across the state and country, bringing in 485,758 visitors. Although attendance was slightly down from 2019, the GNFA team is extremely pleased with the turnout and considers it a positive reflection of the future.

“The success of The 32nd Annual Georgia National Fair is a testament to the entire GNFA team, full-time and seasonal employees, our legislators, law enforcement, as well as all of our vendors and sponsors who work so hard to make this the best fair in the country,” said Stephen Shimp, -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 9 of 15 Continued from previous page executive director of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter.

The 32nd Annual Georgia National Fair provided $757,940 in free entertainment to fairgoers.

A nightly concert, petting zoos, magic shows, fireworks displays and more entertained visitors all 11 days of the fair. Reithoffer Shows continued its longstanding 32-year partnership with the Fairgrounds, providing more than 70 rides and eight armband nights to guests. Vendors were equally thrilled with the turnout and glad to once again be part of The Georgia National Fair, the largest annual event for many.

The Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority, organizers, and staff celebrated the phenomenal return to the fair and spoke proudly of their most recent show.

“Many families visit the fair every year. It is an event that adults and kids alike look forward to.

It was missed by so many in 2020 and it is clear from attendance and fairgoer feedback that they were very happy to return,” said GNFA Marketing Director Maggie Dimes.

The GNFA team is looking forward to next year and says plans for 2022 are already underway.

The 33rd Annual Georgia National Fair is scheduled for October 6th-16th, 2022 in Perry, GA. For more information, visit www.georgianationalfair.com.

HALL TO STEP DOWN AS GFVGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR After 25 years as the executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), Charles Hall will be stepping down to move into a semi-retirement role. Hall announced to association leadership earlier in the year his plans to carry the organization through their 25th anniversary celebration and step down later this year.

Chris Butts, currently the GFVGA director of public affairs, has been named the association’s next executive vice president effective Dec. 1. Butts joined the GFVGA team in 2020 as director of public affairs following 12 years of leadership with the Georgia Green Industry Association where he served as director of legislative affairs and executive director. His roots in agriculture run deep having been raised in a three-generation nursery operation in Athens. Butts is looking forward to his new role.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead GFVGA going forward while having the opportunity to celebrate the leadership and build on the legacy that Charles has provided to the industry over the last 25 years,” Butts said.

Hall will continue to serve the association in an advisory role and assist with special projects.

“Our association is extremely grateful for the work that Charles has done on behalf of Georgia growers,” said GFVGA President Drew Echols. “We look forward to continuing to work to better the industry for the next 25 years.”

Hall has been the executive eirector for GFVGA since the association was organized in August of 1996. At that time, one of the key objectives in GFVGA’s mission statement was for the new association to become the ‘Voice’ of Georgia’s produce industry. Hall took that mission as a personal challenge and, working with the GFVGA Board and industry leaders, the association has been successful in reaching that goal. Today, GFVGA hosts one of the premier regional trade shows in the U.S., boasts a membership of more than 600 growers and business leaders, operates a nationally recognized grower-focused food safety consulting service, and is continuously -continued on next page

GFB Field Notes page 10 of 15 Continued from previous page advocating for Georgia’s fruit and vegetable growers in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. “It has been an honor to serve GFVGA and this industry,” Hall wrote in a letter to the GFVGA membership. “It is our GFVGA members that have built the fruit and vegetable industry in Georgia and provided me and our staff the opportunity to serve you. Thank you.”

Service and contributions to agriculture have been a hallmark of Hall’s career. He was the second employee hired for the Georgia Agrirama, Georgia’s State Museum of Agriculture, in 1973, serving as director of the museum from 1977 to 1981. He worked in Field Services for Georgia Farm Bureau and later as chief operating officer of a public relations and communications company. In 1995, he founded Association Services Group, an association management company, that currently serves 17 different associations and membership organizations, eight of which are agricultural-related associations. In 1996, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association was one of the first clients for Hall’s new company.

Hall has been recognized for his industry and association leadership receiving the Glenn Bostrom Award in 2019 for outstanding career achievement from the Association Management Company Institute, a member of ‘The Packer 25’ in 2018 and the Clifford Clark Award in 2011, as the outstanding association executive in Georgia by the Georgia Society of Association Executives.

He is looking forward to having more family time to spend with his wife (Jan) of 49 years, two children (Emily/Wendell and Tamlin/Esti) and six grandchildren (Bethany, Hannah, Connor, Addison, Brock, Hendrix).

GFB Field Notes page 11 of 15 NRCS TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR FOUR CONSERVATION PROGRAMS The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for the Red Hills to the Coast, Connecting Land and Water project, the Georgia Sentinel Landscape Project, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. Nov. 5 is the deadline to apply for all four programs. For more information or to apply for The Red Hills to the Coast, Connecting Land and Water Project, click here. For the Georgia Sentinel Landscape Project, click here for more information or to apply for the ACEP, click here. For more information about EQIP or to apply, click here. Contact information for north Georgia USDA Service Centers can be accessed by clicking here. Contact information for south Georgia USDA Service Centers can be accessed by clicking here.

ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR Oct. 28 2 p.m. online The Georgia Department of Agriculture is partnering with the University of Georgia to host a webinar about the invasive Asian Longhorned Tick and its recent identification in Georgia. The one-hour presentation will cover basic information about the tick and discuss surveillance, prevention and treatment strategies. The presentation is geared towards livestock producers, ag inspectors, ag teachers, and Extension agents. Mark your calendars and invite other members of Georgia’s livestock community to watch the webinar. To participate in the webinar, click here. (https://zoom.us/j/95278190391?pwd=cjFRTEVMUTlmS2lMSFduc0d0bWV4QT09). If you wish to listen via your telephone, you may call one of the following numbers: 301-715-8592 (Washington DC); 312-626-6799 (Chicago); 929-205-6099 (New York); 253-215-8782 (Tacoma); 346-248-7799 (Houston); 669-900-6833 (San Jose).

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

GFB Field Notes page 12 of 15 GERL STALLION TO GELDING CLINICS November by appointment The Georgia Equine Rescue League (GERL) is sponsoring the 11th Annual Stallion to Gelding Clinics starting in November. Since the start of this important program, more than 1,212 stallions have been gelded which has significantly reduced the number of starved, abused and neglected horses in Georgia. For just $100 per equine, Georgia residents can have their horses, donkeys and minis castrated by certain licensed veterinarians who are hosting the clinics throughout the state on varying dates. In addition to the owners’ payments, participating veterinarians will receive $75 from GERL. A current Tetanus vaccination and negative Coggins test are required. These procedures can also be done at the Stallion to Gelding clinics at the owners’ cost. For more information, contact Marian Finco at 706-340-4368 or visit https://gerlltd.org/stallion-to-geldingprogram/ for a list of participating vets & their clinic dates.

FORESTRY MEETING AND FIELD DAY Nov. 2 Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Lyons This field day, which includes a boxed lunch, will feature tours of research pines and discussions on chemical site prep and more. The Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center is located at 8163 Georgia Highway 178 in Lyons. Master Timber Harvesters CLE and CFE (5 hrs) and Georgia Pesticide Credits are available Please register here or by calling the Tattnall County Extension Office at 912-557-6724.

U.S. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL ENROLLMENT WEBINARS Nov. 2 9 a.m.

Nov. 16 9 a.m.

Dec. 9 9 a.m.

Dec. 14 9 a.m.

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will present six live enrollment webinars focusing on how the program helps U.S. cotton producers meet the changing demands from their end customer while also better documenting/verifying their on-farm sustainability practices and advances. Enrollment for the 2021 crop is open. For producers not yet participating, the webinars will provide an opportunity to learn about program benefits and ask questions. Speakers include Trust Protocol representatives and producer members.

Producers can register at https://trustuscotton.org/enrollment-webinar-live-sessions/. For more information, visit www.TrustUSCotton.org.

WATER QUALITY LIVE ON-FARM DEMONSTRATION Nov. 3 Athens-Clarke County Extension 10 a.m. – noon Bogart This free event features a workshop and demonstration with soil and water quality experts.

Attendees will learn about the latest NRCS program updates, including 2501 Grant Program opportunities and farming best practices. To register, visit www.helpforfarmers.org. For more information, call 833-605-2674.

GFB Field Notes page 13 of 15 2021 AG LABOR RELATIONS FORUM Nov. 9-10 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association is hosting this event in partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Agribusiness Council. The forum will equip agricultural professionals dealing with agricultural labor relations to become compliant with new ag labor regulations in the new COVID world. Topics this year will include Political Outlook on Ag Labor Policies; Farm Labor Modernization Act; Wage Calculations and Audit Prep; Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation in the Workplace; What’s up with AEWR; H-2A Updates and H-2A Basics; and H-2B Updates. Presenters will include a who’s who of ag labor relations from both regulatory agencies and industry experts who know how to navigate the complex and often changing environment our growers face on a daily basis. Registration is $250. For more information on this event, visit, www.georgiaaglaborforum.com.

VIRTUAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY WORKSHOP Nov. 9 Noon online This free webinar is offered by Fort Valley State University Extension, UGA Cooperative Extension Service and the Georgia Residential Energy Efficiency Network. Topics include home energy audits, energy efficient lighting and appliances. Virtual door prizes will be given for an energy kit valued at $250. To register, click here. www.Bit.ly/fvsuag-green-workshop-112021.

2021 GA NATIONAL ANTIQUE AGRICULTURE SHOW Nov. 11-13 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Antique Agriculture Show is celebrating its third annual show. The event, which runs from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day, features agriculture tools and methods used throughout the early 1900’s and offers live demonstrations such as peanut thrashing, corn & cane grinding, mini-tractor pulling, and indoor and outdoor plowing. There will also be more than 200 exhibits displaying antique tractors, farm machinery, toys, and home goods. For information on the Antique Agriculture Show, click here. (www.gnfa.com/p/about/georgia-national-antique-agriculture-show) 2021 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL CONVENTION Dec. 5-7 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Georgia Farm Bureau members trek to the Georgia coast for this annual must-attend event featuring the always-popular trade show, finalization of GFB’s 2022 policy stances, board elections, renewal of long-time friendships and much more! For information, contact your local county Farm Bureau office. Visit www.gfb.org/about-us/contact-us.cms for a directory of our county offices.

GFB Field Notes page 14 of 15 GACD 2022 SCHOLARSHIPS Dec. 31 deadline to apply The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is now accepting scholarship and award applications. To encourage study and careers in soil and water conservation related fields, GACD administers one $1,000 scholarship each year. The scholarship is given to high school, undergraduate or graduate students majoring in, or intending to major in, a soil and water conservation related area. Applications are due Dec. 31. To apply, click here. (https://www.gacd.us/scholarships) 2022 SE REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 6-9 Savannah International Trade & Convention Center Savannah The South’s premier fruit and vegetable show celebrates 20 years with its collection of 15 commodity and agribusiness sessions, as well educational seminars and the always-popular trade show. Special sessions include Getting Started with Blackberries, Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training and Social Media Boot Camp. Georgia Farm Bureau is among the sponsors for the educational sessions. For more information or to register, click here. (https://seregionalconference.org/) 103rd AMERICAN FARM BUREAU CONVENTION Jan. 7-12, 2022 Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta If you want the inside scoop when it comes to policies and perspectives that will affect your farm or agribusiness in 2022, don’t miss the 103rd consecutive American Farm Bureau Convention.

This is your opportunity to help set the agenda for the leading voice of agriculture in Washington, D.C., and so much more. Participate in educational workshops to advance your leadership skills, expand your business acumen, and gain insight into the trends and realities impacting food production. Witness cutting-edge innovation in agriculture, hear from powerful speakers, and explore the trade show to build a stronger network, shop featured products, and idea-share with other state and county Farm Bureaus. For more information, visit https://annualconvention.fb.org/.

EXECUTIVE FARM MANAGEMENT TRAINING Jan. 18-21 Pawley’s Island, S.C. Jan. 31-Feb. 3 Raleigh, N.C. Feb. 20-23 Savannah The Executive Farm Management (EFM) program is offered by North Carolina State Cooperative Extension Service, Clemson Cooperative Extension, East Carolina University College of Business and UGA Cooperative Extension. The 2022 program will consist of 9 days of content and curriculum taught across 3 sessions in 3 states over the course of 6 weeks. EFM is designed to increase the management competencies and profitability of large farms by utilizing a holistic operation-focused curriculum. Primary farm owner early-bird registration for first-time participants is $6,000 until Nov. 15. Returning participant fee is $5,500. Discounts apply for extra participants from the same farm. For more information or to register, visit https://execfarmmgmt.ces.ncsu.edu/2022-program-info/, or contact EFM Director Blake Broan (919.515.4536 or abbbrown@ncsu.edu) or Margaret Huffman (919.515.4498 or mmhuffm2@ncsu.edu.

GFB Field Notes page 15 of 15 2022 GEORGIA DAIRY CONFERENCE Jan. 17-19, 2022 Savannah Marriott Riverfront Savannah Online registration is now open for the 2022 GA Dairy Conference! This event is a “must attend” for the Southeast dairy sector. It provides companies with the option to network with dairy producers and industry leaders, while extending a company’s brand with several sponsorship opportunities. Dairymen from Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia have attended this conference in the past. Registration is free for Georgia dairy farmers. For more information or to register, visit www.gadairyconference.com/.

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

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

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