November 11, 2020
www.gfb.org
Vol. 2 No. 22
GRADY COUNTY PAIR SWEEP GEORGIA JR. MARKET GOAT AND LAMB SHOWS First cousins Lily and Tanner Norton of Grady County are well known on Georgia’s goat and lamb show circuits. They’ve shown a cumulative 19 years – Tanner for 10 and Lily for nine. This year they made history by becoming the only first cousins to win all three species grand championship awards at the Georgia Jr. Market Goat Shows (Doe & Wether) and Georgia Jr. Market Lamb Show. The 2020 shows were held Oct. 9-11 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. To comply with COVID-19 health recommendations, shows were held as private events open only to exhibitors, their immediate families and project support staff. The shows were livestreamed on Walton Webcasting thanks to Georgia Farm Bureau’s sponsorship. Lily, a senior at Cairo High School, won both the Market Wether Grand Champion prize of $1,500 and the Market Doe Grand Champion prize of $1,500. Wethers are castrated male goats; does are mature female goats. Tanner, a sophomore at Cairo High, won the Market Lamb Grand Champion prize of $1,000. Both Lily and Tanner showed as Grady County 4-Hers. Market lambs are female and male lambs less than a year old. The double win was especially sweet for Lily who participated in these shows for the last time as a student. “I’m so thankful for the family and friends who have got me this far. It’s a great way to end my senior year,” Lily said. “When they canceled the fair, I was scared the shows might be canceled. I was very thankful to the fairgrounds and state of Georgia for letting us show since for a lot of us it is our senior year.” Tanner is no stranger to the winner’s circle. He won the grand champion market wether award in 2019 and grand champion market doe and lamb awards in 2018. “Picking good animals and working them every day,” is his secret for winning. GFB sponsored the grand champion prizes for the goat and lamb shows. GFB is also a premier livestock sponsor for the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter for the 2020/21 show season. The market goat show attracted 308 4-H and FFA members who showed 550 goats. The market lamb show drew 172 exhibitors who showed 342 lambs.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 11 CERTAIN TIMBER OWNERS CAN REQUEST BLOCK GRANT RECALCULATION The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is implementing a new “Timber Recalculation” under the Farm Recovery Block Grant program for farms that sustained damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018. The timber recalculation is for individuals who applied for assistance under the Farm Recovery Block Grant program under the third-party certification section of the timber program but who may have had all the necessary documentation to submit a comprehensive timber application instead. The Timber Recalculation option will be available to operations that were approved for ThirdParty Timber assistance. This recalculation will cover acreage and properties already included in the approved Third-Party Timber applications. For a limited time, GDA will allow these applicants to log into their application on the Farm Recovery application portal, upload their IRS 4684 Casualty Loss form and a timber loss letter from their forester, and input the fair market values before and after Hurricane Michael. Applicants who are able to provide all the required documentation and information will have their payment recalculated using the timber comprehensive formula. GDA will issue a revised contract or contract addendum to each of these applicants and will issue payment for the recalculated amount minus the initial payment received as part of the applicant’s Third-Party Timber payment. The GDA sent an email to eligible applicants outlining the timeline and the requirements. The Timber Recalculation period begins on Nov. 12 at 8 a.m.; all requests for recalculation must be submitted by 6 p.m. on Nov. 23. GDA also encourages applicants to not wait until the final days of the recalculation period to submit your information. The earlier GDA receives your information, the earlier the requests can be processed. For more information, send an email to farmrecovery@agr.geogria.gov. GA DEPT. OF AG TAKING GATE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS Annual renewal for the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program is now open. Eligible farmers can renew their GATE card for 2021 online by visiting www.forms.agr.georgia.gov/GATE/. GATE cardholders who are to renew in 2021 will automatically be placed on the new three-year renewal program and will receive their renewal invoice in 2024. All current cards will expire Dec. 31, 2020. Cardholders currently on two and three-year renewals will receive their 2021 cards with the new expiration date of Dec. 31, 2021, and do not need to renew or apply for the 2021 year. The GATE program was created through legislation to offer qualified agriculture producers a sales tax exemption on agricultural equipment and production inputs. Qualified farmers and agricultural producers can apply to receive a certificate showing that they are eligible for this exemption. Farmers are required to present the current year GATE card at the time of each purchase. Producers needing assistance can contact the GATE program team at 855-FARMTAX or farmtax@agr.georgia.gov.
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 11 USDA OFFERS HELP TO FARMERS APPLYING FOR CFAP2 The USDA’s Farm Service Agency staff can help guide producers through the process of applying for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2), including preparing and submitting required paperwork. There is no need to hire a paid preparer. The deadline to apply is Dec. 11. Additionally, translation services are available in all USDA Service Centers, so one-on-one assistance with a Service Center employee can be translated in real time. To find the nearest USDA Service Center, visit www.farmers.gov/service-locator. A call center is also available for producers who would like additional support with the CFAP 2 application process. Please call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. D. SCOTT SEEKS AG COMMITTEE CHAIR; 10 GA INCUMBENTS RE-ELECTED Georgia Rep. David Scott (D- Georgia 13th District) is seeking the chairmanship of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee for the 117th Congress, which runs from 2021 to 2022. Current Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) lost his bid for re-election in the Nov. 3 election, and with the Democratic Party keeping its House majority, another Democrat will succeed Peterson as chair. Rep. Jim Costa (D-California) has also announced his intention to pursue the chairmanship. Scott and Costa are both members of the current House Ag Committee. Election results are unofficial until they are certified by the state. Georgia has until Nov. 20 to certify election results. Pending final certification, both of Georgia’s seats in the U.S. Senate will be chosen in a Jan. 5 runoff election, 10 of the state’s 14 House members were re-elected, including Agriculture Committee Members Austin Scott (R-Georgia 8th District) and Rick Allen (R-Georgia 12th District). The four new representatives from Georgia all step into seats scheduled to be vacated following the end of the current session of Congress. Democrat Nikema Williams won the race for Georgia’s 5th District seat, previously held by the late John Lewis. Democrat Carolyn Bordeaux won the 7th District seat, previously held by Republican Rob Woodall, who opted not to seek re-election. Republican Andrew Clyde won the race for Georgia’s 9th District seat, previously held by Doug Collins, who stepped down to run for the U.S. Senate. Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene was elected to the 14th District seat previously held by Tom Graves, who opted not to seek re-election. Georgians have until Dec. 7 to register to vote in the Jan. 5 runoff for Georgia’s two senate seats. In one race, incumbent Republican David Perdue faces Democrat John Ossoff. In the other, incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler, a member of the Senate Ag Committee, faces Democrat Raphael Warnock. Early voting begins Dec. 14.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 11 GEORGIA WINE & GRAPES COMMISSION TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD Nominations are currently being accepted to fill five board positions of the newly created Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes. Persons nominated must be active producers of wine or grapes and reside in Georgia. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 27. Those interested may find a nominee information form at www.agr.georgia.gov/cpf and submit it to Andy Harrison at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or by fax at 404-656-9380. Forms may also be mailed to: The Georgia Department of Agriculture Attn: Andy Harrison 19 MLK Jr. Drive S.W. Room 320 Atlanta, GA 30334 The nominees will be vetted and certified to ensure they are active Georgia producers of grapes or wine in the appropriate geographic areas. Interested producers with questions may contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-586-1405. On Aug. 3, Gov. Brian Kemp amended the Georgia Agricultural Commodities Commissions Act by signing HB 1093 to establish an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes. The next step for the Georgia Wine and Grapes Commodity Commission is to seat a board of producers. The ex-officio members of the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions – Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black, Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long, Buddy Leger and Russ Moon will appoint the board from nominated producers. The Wine and Grapes Commission board will then oversee the process of developing a marketing order for the commission and holding a referendum during which Georgia wine/grape producers will vote to determine if the commission is ratified. Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions are created by the Georgia Legislature. Furthermore, a market order of each commission is passed by the growers of that respective commodity which allows for assessments on the commodity to be paid by each of the producers of such commodity. These funds are used for research, education and promotion of the commodity. Members of the commissions make decisions on how funds are spent and programs the commission supports. NEWTON COUNTY’S DOSTER HARPER ELECTED NATIONAL FFA PRESIDENT Doster Harper, a student at the University of Georgia and a member of the Newton College & Career Academy (NCCA) FFA chapter and a student at the University of Georgia (UGA), was elected as national FFA president during the 93rd National FFFA Convention, held in a virtual format Oct. 27-29. Harper, a junior agriscience and environmental systems major at UGA, was elected from a field of 38 candidates to serve as one of six National FFA Officers for 2020-21. He will take a one-year leave of absence from his studies at UGA to serve as an ambassador for the National FFA organization. The national officers were announced Oct. 29. Harper and his family participated in the proceedings with Georgia FFA delegates in a scaled-down, socially distanced event at the Georgia FFA/FCCLA Center in Covington. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 11 Continued from previous page “It was just a surreal moment. I’m incredibly overwhelmed with so much love and support right now,” Harper said. “I’m a firm believer that agriculture education and FFA bring out the best in people, and I saw that last night with my friends and family there to congratulate me. It was a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity that I’ll never forget.” Harper went through seven rounds of interviews in a virtual process. He is the fourth Georgian to be elected to serve as National FFA President. Harper is the son of Lance and Debbie Harper of Covington. His agricultural education teachers and FFA advisors are Dr. Marcus Pollard, Cecily Gunter and Andrew Pollard. As with the national convention, the FFA national officer team will operate under a unique set of circumstances arising from the coronavirus pandemic, with reduced travel and the likelihood of many more online interactions to come. Foster said the organization’s mission remains the same. “Why we do what we do hasn’t changed. What we do and how we do it may have changed, but there are still 760,113 students [nationwide] out there in agriculture education and FFA who have earned the right to be served,” Harper said. “I think I speak for all my teammates and myself when we say we’re here to serve these students and we’re here to do it in whatever way we get to do that.” The virtual format could even prove beneficial, he said, opening up time that otherwise might have been set aside for travel. “The coolest opportunity in this virtual format is that we get to reach more students than we would have normally,” Harper said. Previous Georgians to serve as national FFA president were Andy Paul of Oglethorpe County (2015), Hillary Smith of Houston County (1997) and Jim Thomas of Pierce County (1959). CHARLESTON AND CHURCH WINS FLAVOR OF GEORGIA GRAND PRIZE Charleston and Church won the grand prize in the University of Georgia’s 2020 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest for its savory Cheddar Rounds snacks. Warren and Jen Simmons, owners of the Atlanta company, developed the product in 2016 from a handwritten recipe by his grandmother, who was an avid hostess of friends and family at her home in Charleston, South Carolina. The couple topped the savory snack food with Georgia pecans to complete a “deliciously Southern” treat, as the package reads. The couple were among 30 finalists who gave virtual product pitches from their businesses and home kitchens to a panel of socially distant judges who sampled submitted products in Athens on Oct. 27. The final round of judging was postponed from the original judging and awards date of April 7. Flavor of Georgia, a signature event for UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has launched many market-ready and established products to success, often garnering increased sales and publicity for businesses. “Contestants represent the intersection of culinary skill and entrepreneurial spirit. Both ingredients are essential to bring a new food product into the marketplace and for the overall viability of the business,” said CAES Interim Dean Joe West during the virtual awards celebration. Entries are judged on aspects such as flavor, texture and ingredient profile. Judges also consider consumer appeal including packaging, innovation or uniqueness, and how well the product -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 11 Continued from previous page represents Georgia. The winners by category, product name, company and city: • Barbecue Sauces: Strawberry Balsamic & Rosemary Barbecue Sauce, Aubs Company, Decatur; • Beverages: Georgia Grey Black Tea, Thistle & Sprig Tea Company, Atlanta; • Condiments and Salsas: Georgia Peach Balsamic Vinegar, A&A Alta Cucina Italia, Johns Creek; • Confections: Georgia Fried Peanut Cluster – Vanilla, Georgia Fried Peanut Company, Edison; • Honey and Related Products: Wildflower Honey, White Oak Pastures, Bluffton; • Jams and Jellies: Apple Fig Pepper Jelly, Wisham Jellies, Tifton; • Meats and Seafood: 920 Pork Sausage, 920 Cattle & Co., Millen; • Miscellaneous: Lemon Cream Cheese, Bootleg Farm, Springfield; • Sauces and Seasonings: You Saucy Thing Soy Ginger Vidalia, Chinese Southern Belle, Smyrna; • Snack Foods: Cheddar Rounds, Charleston and Church, Atlanta. All winners and finalists earn the right to have their products stamped with the Flavor of Georgia logo and the signature contest apron. Since 2007, more than 1,600 products have been submitted to Flavor of Georgia. A total of 117 products were entered this year, all of which are featured in the annual directory on the contest website. “The phrase ‘culinary delights’ takes on a whole new depth this year,” said contest coordinator Sharon P. Kane, an agricultural economist for the college. “Many people turned to food and drink for nourishment and comfort this year, and it’s more important than ever that we support these local businesses.” Food and drink manufacturing businesses represent nearly 10% of employment in Georgia’s agricultural system and is the largest manufacturing sector in the state for employment, sales and value-added products, according to Kane’s research. AMERICAN FARM BUREAU’S 102ND CONVENTION GOES VIRTUAL The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention will be held online following the cancelation of all events through Jan. 31, 2021, at the San Diego Convention Center where the convention was scheduled to take place. “Our top priority at every Farm Bureau gathering is the safety of our attendees and staff,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “While we are saddened to not meet in person for this convention, we are eager to bring this event safely to farm and ranch homes across the country and excited to offer the same top-level content our members have come to expect from our in-person events.” The 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention, to be held Jan. 10-13, 2021, will bring together farmers, ranchers and industry experts to discuss the top issues facing agriculture, including the impact of COVID-19, sustainability and the future of the supply chain, and will feature keynote speakers who inspire and motivate grassroots action. This free online event will bring home American Farm Bureau Convention favorites from the Ag Innovation Challenge and YF&R competitions to the Ag Foundation Book of the Year and the anticipated Farm Dog of the -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 11 Continued from previous page Year. “Our convention theme this year is ‘Stronger Together,’” Duvall said. “I can think of nothing more fitting to spotlight how the agriculture community has come together to keep growing the products our nation depends on while supporting our friends and neighbors throughout this public health crisis.” Registration for the 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention will open later this year and will be free to all attendees. Further details on the event can be found at www.fb.org/events. In a related development, the Commodity Classic announced it will transition its annual conference and trade show, originally scheduled for March 4-6, 2021, in San Antonio, Tex., to an alternative digital format. The change was necessary due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 11 2020 AG LABOR RELATIONS FORUM Nov. 12, 17 and 19 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. each day online This annual event, sponsored in part by Georgia Farm Bureau, offers the latest labor updates for growers, shippers, processors and other agricultural professionals. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from industry experts as they help you comply with labor laws, all from the comfort and convenience of your home! Cost is $95 per participant includes access to all webinars and resources. Each webinar will be available for on-demand access and viewing for all registered attendees. To learn more about the event or register visit www.georgiaaglaborforum.com/. USDA LIVESTOCK RISK MANAGEMENT WEBINAR Nov. 12 2 pm. – 3 p.m. online The Extension Risk Management Education Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture are hosting a webinar on Nov. 12 for agricultural producers and professionals focused on livestock risk management. The webinar is free to attend and will provide information on livestock markets, price risk, and risk management options available through USDA. Producers can register at https://farm.unl.edu/webinars. GA DNR TOP CONSERVATION TEACHER GRANT Nov. 20 deadline to apply In response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is expanding eligibility for its Conservation Teacher of the Year grant. The $1,000 grant is now offered to a kindergarten through fifth-grade public or private school teacher in Georgia who demonstrates exceptional energy and innovation in teaching life sciences. Science specialists covering those grades can also apply. The Conservation Teacher of the Year grant is coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Section of DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division. Through education, research and management, the Wildlife Conservation Section works to safeguard Georgia's native diversity of wild animals, plants and their habitats, while also striving to increase public enjoyment of the outdoors. The deadline to apply is Nov. 20. For more information about the Conservation Teacher of the Year grant, please visit www.georgiawildlife.com/TeachingConservationGrant or contact Linda May (linda.may@dnr.ga.gov, 706-319-0211) or Anna Yellin (anna.yellin@dnr.ga.gov, 706-557-3283). STAY AT HOME BEEKEEPING SERIES 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.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 11 GEORGIA YOUNG PEANUT FARMER AWARD Deadline for nominations Dec. 1 Nominations are open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. The state winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Tifton. The award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) and BASF. The award is open for any active Georgia peanut farmer who is not over 45 years of age, as of Jan. 21, 2021. The award is based on: the applicant’s overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership, civic, church and community service activities. An individual may receive the award only once. There is no limit on the number of applicants from each county in Georgia. Applications are due to the GPC office by Dec. 1. The award application is available online at www.gapeanuts.com or by contacting the GPC office at 229-386-3470. 51ST ANNUAL UGA PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE Dec. 4 NW Ga. Livestock Pavilion 12:30 p.m. Calhoun UGA expects to catalog 86 bulls at this annual sale, including Angus (60), Charolais (1), Chiangus (2), Red Angus (2), Simangus (6) and Simmental (6). In addition to in-person bidding, the sale will be available on LiveAuctions.tv and via phone bidding. All bulls have been parentage tested and have genomic enhanced EPDs. Reports can be found at www.ugabeef.com/bulltest. GEORGIA FARM FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS Dec. 9&10 10 a.m-4p.m Anderson Conference Center (50 in-person seats) Macon (50 virtual slots) Zoom This free hybrid in-person/virtual event will include workshops that cover the following topics: USDA Farm Service Agency loan programs (qualifications & closing process); Ag Georgia Farm Credit loans & services; credit management; budgeting; farm recordkeeping; farm inventory; identity theft; insurance; business planning & crop insurance. The 50 available seats for the inperson workshops and the 50 available seats for the virtual option via Zoom will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register for both the in-person or Zoom option, visit www.bit.ly/fvsu-financial-literacy-2020. A discounted group hotel rate is available for conference attendees at the Comfort Inn & Suites Macon West at 5000 Harrison Road, Macon 31206 – 478-621-7977. This event has been organized by Fort Valley State University, FVSU Extension, Alcorn State University, USDA and the Southern Rural Development Center. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL WEBINAR Multiple dates through Dec. 10 The NCC encourages U.S. cotton producers to participate in any of several webinars to be held in November and December for the purpose of helping producers learn more about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and how to enroll. The voluntary program aims to give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need to source U.S. cotton. One webinar is scheduled especially for Georgia producers on Nov. 19 at 7:30 a.m. For a list of the other live webinar sessions or to register, visit www.trustuscotton.org/enrollment-webinar-live-sessions/. While the Trust Protocol sessions are divided by region, producers are free to join any upcoming session that fits their schedule. For more information, send an email to growers@trustuscotton.org or Ken Burton at kburton@cotton.org.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 11 DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE ENROLLMENT Dec. 11 deadline to apply The USDA is accepting applications for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2021 enrollment. DMC is a voluntary risk management program that offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. DMC payments triggered for seven months in 2019 and three months so far in 2020. More than 23,000 operations enrolled in DMC in 2019, and more than 13,000 enrolled in 2020. For more information or to sign up for coverage, visit www.gfb.ag/21DMC. GACD SCHOLARSHIP Dec. 31 deadline to apply The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is offering a $1,000 scholarship to high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students studying fields related to agriculture and natural resources. Acceptable areas of study include, but are not limited to, agricultural education, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology, and agricultural communications. The applicant may be a high school senior, or a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student from Georgia at any accredited college, school, or university in the United States. Applicants in their first semester of college should send their high school transcript and proof of college enrollment. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 and be in need of financial assistance. There will be no discrimination on basis of race, sex, or religion. An individual may not compete for a scholarship that he or she has won in past years. The scholarship payments are disbursed according to the fund. For more information or to apply, visit www.gacd.us/scholarships. 2021 SOUTHEASTERN FRUIT & VEGETABLE GROWERS VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Jan. 5-7 online The education, trade show, poster sessions and networking opportunities that traditionally take place in person in Savannah will take place through the Internet on a virtual platform that will be easy to use and navigate. The conference will have the latest in production and crop operational information that you have come to expect from the SE Regional Conference. All educational and exhibitor content will be available for on-demand viewing until April 30, 2021 to all registered attendees. All-Access Passes are $125 each and allow access to all education sessions, the virtual trade show, poster sessions and networking events until April 30, 2021. GFVGA members receive 15% off All Access Registration. Check your email for a discount code. Trade Show Passes are free, and the exhibits will be available until April 30, 2021. To register, visit https://gfb.ag/21SEFVGAConfreg.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 11 FARM BUREAU ART & ESSAY CONTESTS Feb. 26, 2021 deadline to submit entries to county offices County Farm Bureau chapters across the state are accepting entries to the 2021 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Middle School Essay and High School Art Contests. GFB’s Certified Farm Markets are the focus of both contests. Middle school students entering the essay contest are being asked to discuss how GFB Certified Farm Markets and agritourism in general benefit farmers and consumers. High schoolers entering the art contest should draw a scene depicting one of the almost 80 GFB Certified Farm Markets located across Georgia. Students may enter the contests in the county in which they live or attend school but not both. To enter either contest, students should contact their county Farm Bureau for an official entry form and complete contest rules. County Farm Bureau contest winners will be entered in GFB district competition. All entries must be officially submitted by a county Farm Bureau to the Georgia Farm Bureau home office. All entries must be received at local county Farm Bureau offices by Feb. 26, 2021; county Farm Bureaus must submit their county winners to GFB for state judging by March 12, 2021. Visit www.gfb.ag/21artcontest or www.gfb.ag/21essaycontest for contest details. 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.