November 20, 2019
www.gfb.org
Vol. 1 No. 10
MOBILE AG CLASSROOM PREPARING TO HIT THE ROAD The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, in partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau, is working to make members’ vision of having a Mobile Ag Classroom a reality. This innovative, technologybased mobile classroom will drive agriculture across Georgia while educating young people about the importance of Georgia agriculture. The mobile unit is under contract now in the design/building stage and is expected to be unveiled at the 2020 Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention. While we are excited to design and launch the mobile classroom, we need the support of Georgia’s agriculture community to fund the classroom’s ongoing operation. We want to keep the truck running across Georgia so we can reach elementary age children in their own communities. If you want to see the Mobile Ag Classroom travel across Georgia, consider supporting the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. Together we can educate and inspire young people to understand the importance of Georgia agriculture. Please visit www.gafoundationag.org/donate.html to make a donation. For more information, you may also contact Lily Baucom, executive director of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, at lrbaucom@gfb.org or 478-405-3461.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 10 USDA ANNOUNCES SECOND ROUND OF MFP PAYMENTS On Nov. 15, the USDA announced the second portion of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage from trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of MFP-eligible commodities will now be eligible to receive 25% of the total payment expected, in addition to the 50% they have already received from the 2019 MFP. MFP for 2019 is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The program is providing $14.5 billion in direct payments to producers. Additionally, CCC Charter Act authority is being used to implement a $1.4 billion Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP) through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to purchase surplus commodities affected by trade retaliation such as fruits, vegetables, some processed foods, beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and milk for distribution by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to food banks, schools, and other outlets serving low-income individuals. Finally, the CCC has used its Charter Act authority for $100 million to be issued through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) administered by the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) to assist in developing new export markets on behalf of producers. MFP signup at local FSA offices will run through Dec. 6. Payments will be made by the FSA under the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act to producers of alfalfa hay, barley, canola, corn, crambe, dried beans, dry peas, extra-long staple cotton, flaxseed, lentils, long grain and medium grain rice, millet, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, rapeseed, rye, safflower, sesame seed, small and large chickpeas, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower seed, temperate japonica rice, triticale, upland cotton, and wheat. MFP assistance for these non-specialty crops is based on a single county payment rate multiplied by a farm’s total plantings of MFP-eligible crops in aggregate in 2019. Those per-acre payments are not dependent on which of these crops are planted in 2019. A producer’s total payment-eligible plantings cannot exceed total 2018 plantings. County payment rates range from $15 to $150 per acre, depending on the impact of trade retaliation in that county. Dairy producers who were in business as of June 1, 2019, will receive a per hundredweight payment on Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) production history, and hog producers will receive a payment based on the number of live hogs owned on a day selected by the producer between April 1 and May 15, 2019. MFP payments will also be made to producers of almonds, cranberries, cultivated ginseng, fresh grapes, fresh sweet cherries, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts. Each specialty crop will receive a payment based on 2019 acres of fruit or nut bearing plants, or in the case of ginseng, based on harvested acres in 2019. Acreage of non-specialty crops and cover crops had to be planted by Aug. 1, 2019, to be considered eligible for MFP payments. Per-acre non-specialty crop county payment rates, specialty crop payment rates, and livestock payment rates are all currently available at www.farmers.gov. This is the second of up to three rounds of MFP payments. The third portion will be evaluated as market conditions and trade opportunities dictate. If conditions warrant, the third round will be announced in January 2020. Payment limitations apply. For more information on the MFP, visit www.farmers.gov/mfp or contact your local FSA office, which can be found at www.farmers.gov.
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 10 USDA/USTR: CHINA LIFTS BAN ON AMERICAN POULTRY IMPORTS China has lifted its ban on imports of poultry from the United States, according to a Nov. 14 joint statement from United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. China has banned all U.S. poultry since January 2015 due to an avian influenza outbreak in December 2014, even though the United States has been free of this disease since August 2017. The United States exported over $500 million worth of poultry products to China in 2013. “This is great news for both America’s farmers and China’s consumers,” said Lighthizer. “China is an important export market for America’s poultry farmers, and we estimate they will now be able to export more than $1 billion worth of poultry and poultry products each year to China. Reopening China to U.S. poultry will create new export opportunities for our poultry farmers and support thousands of workers employed by the U.S. poultry industry.” The United States is the world’s second largest poultry exporter, with global exports of poultry meat and products of $4.3 billion last year. The poultry industry annually contributes more than $25.5 billion to the Georgia economy, including farmers, processing, and allied industries. MORE GEORGIA COUNTIES RECEIVE DROUGHT DISASTER DECLARATION On Nov. 14 the USDA issued a disaster declaration for a total of 36 Georgia counties to help farmers mitigate their losses due to ongoing drought conditions. The 13 Georgia counties with the primary natural disaster designation are Barrow, Clarke, Dade, Greene, Hancock, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro, Walker, Walton and Warren. Producers in the Georgia counties of Baldwin, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Elbert, Floyd, Glascock, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, McDuffie, Madison, Murray Newton, Rockdale, Walker, Washington, Whitfield and Wilkes are also eligible to apply for emergency loans because they are contiguous to counties in Georgia and bordering states that received primary designations. Farmers in counties named either primary disaster areas or contiguous counties are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. The deadline is July 6, 2020, to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs in addition to the EM loan program to help eligible farmers recover from adversity. Other FSA programs that provide assistance, but do not require a disaster declaration, include the Emergency Conservation Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program, Operating and Farm Ownership Loans and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at www.farmers.gov/recover.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 10 COUNTY FSA COMMITTEE VOTING UNDERWAY The USDA began mailing ballots on Nov. 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections. To be counted, ballots must be returned to the local FSA county office or postmarked by December 2. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. Onethird of county committee seats are up for election each year. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2020. County committee members help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility. Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Producers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, also may be eligible to vote. Producers can find out if their local administrative area is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA county office. Eligible voters who did not receive a ballot in the mail can pick one up at their local FSA county office. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information. HOLLIFIELD, TORRANCE PRESENTED 2019 KING COTTON AWARDS Stephanie Hollifield of Brooks County and Ty Torrance of Grady County received the 2019 King Cotton Awards, presented at the 2019 Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting & Professional Improvement Conference held Nov. 4-6 in Dublin. The Georgia Cotton Commission sponsors the awards, which recognize outstanding contributions of county Extension agents to Georgia cotton producers. Hollifield received the Senior Award, which is given to agents with 10 or more years of experience. Torrance received the Junior Award, named the Allen B. Fulford Award, for those with fewer than 10 years of service. The Fulford Award honors the accomplishments and memory of Allen B. Fulford as a county Extension agent and state cotton agronomist. Hollifield serves as Brooks County Extension coordinator as well as agriculture & natural resources agent. She has worked for Extension for ten years, originally starting in 1994. In addition to holding producer education programs regarding agronomics and defoliation, Hollifield conducts county research on cotton. The priorities for her local research are made in collaboration with local growers. Recent trials have been on issues such as areolate mildew, planter downforce, defoliation tank mixes and many more. Torrance is an agricultural & natural resources agent in Grady County. Torrance started with Extension in 2015, and previously served producers in Decatur, Schley, and Marion Counties. He has been recognized nationally for his work regarding irrigation scheduling and serves as a member of the Georgia Cotton Commission’s Research Advisory Committee, which analyzes and makes recommendations on research programs funded by the commission. He also participates in the UGA Cotton Team’s on-farm variety trials, a program designed to inform producers on yield and fiber quality data from the numerous commercial cotton varieties available to farmers across the state.
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 10 NASS INCREASES GEORGIA PEANUT PRODUCTION FORECAST Georgia peanut producers’ yields are looking better than previously thought, according to the November Crop Production Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Georgia’s 2019 peanut crop is expected to reach 2.84 billion pounds, up 2% from the October forecast, which based its overall production prediction on a yield of 4,200 pounds per acre. The expected yield was increased to 4,300 pounds per acre in the November forecast. NASS still expects a historically small crop from Georgia soybean producers. The soybean crop is forecast at 2.47 million bushels, down 52% from 2018. This would represent the smallest Georgia soybean crop since 1963. NASS’ November forecast for 2019 Georgia production of corn (58 million bushels) and cotton (2.7 million bales) did not change from October. The state’s corn production would be 16% more than the 2018 crop (50.2 million bushels), while Georgia cotton production would be a 38% increase from 2018 (1.955 million bales). USDA ANNOUNCES 1890 NATIONAL SCHOLARS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY The 2020 scholarship application cycle is open for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. The program aims to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and other agriculture-related disciplines. The program is available through the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program was established in 1992 as part of the partnership between the USDA and the nineteen 1890 Land-Grant Universities, including Fort Valley State University. The program provides full tuition, fees, books, room and board to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. When the student has completed the academic and summer work requirements of the scholarship, USDA may convert the student to a permanent employee without further competition. Currently, USDA and 1890 Land Grant Universities are providing scholarships to 109 students. The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is available to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college and college sophomores. General requirements include U.S. citizenship, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a score of 1080 or more on the SAT or 21 or more on the ACT, and acceptance to, or currently attending an 1890 University to study agriculture, food, and natural resources. The scholarship is renewable each year and is contingent on satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward a bachelor’s degree. Additional requirements are listed in the application package. All application materials must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2020. Visit www.gfb.ag/1890hsapp for the 2020 high school application and www.gfb.ag/1890sophapp for the the 2020 college application. For other questions, email 1890init@usda.gov.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 10 GEORGIA BRINGS HOME 16 NATIONAL WINNERS FROM FFA CONVENTION The Georgia FFA Association’s trip to the 92nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis was highlighted by 16 national winners. Among Georgia’s national winners were the American Star in Agriscience, two Career Development Event (CDE) winners, five national proficiency award winners, seven national Agriscience Fair winners and the nation’s Outstanding Middle School chapter. More than 67,000 FFA members from across the nation attended the convention. Courtney Cameron, a member of the Lowndes County FFA Chapter in Valdosta, was named the 2019 American Star in Agrscience. More than 4,000 FFA members from across the nation received the American FFA Degree in 2019, including 177 from Georgia. From the class of 2019 recipients, the top four with Agriscience research-based Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs were named finalists for Star in Agriscience. Cameron, along with the three other finalists interviewed before a panel of judges in Indianapolis, discussing her SAE that focused on nearly eight years of plant-based research about the tobacco mosaic virus and its impact on various vegetables. Cameron is a student at the University of Georgia. She is the daughter of John and Mary Beth Cameron, and her agricultural education teachers are Dr. James Corbett, Quinton Hadsock and Anglia Crosby. Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs) are team and individual competitive events designed to test students’ technical knowledge and ability in a variety of agricultural and leadership areas. Georgia’s 2019 national CDE champions include the Cambridge FFA (Agricultural Communications) and the Pelham FFA (Floriculture). Sarah Beth Waller (1st place individual), Taleen Hannah, Sarabeth Goud and Harrison Phillips comprised the team from the Cambridge chapter that bested 34 other teams to win the National Agricultural Communications CDE. The team’s advisors and agricultural education teachers are Sarah Nerswick and Mrs. Ashley White. Jacob Harper (3rd place individual), Thalik Hudson (5th place individual), Madison Barrett (7th place individual) and Mary Walton made up the Floriculture team from Pelham that bested 44 other teams to take top honors. Their FFA advisor and agricultural education teacher is Mr. Justin Sealy. The Commerce Middle School FFA chapter was named the nation’s Outstanding Middle School chapter as part of the National Chapter Award program. Commerce Middle was one of five national finalists for the award, including Morgan County Middle, Northside Middle, West Laurens Middle and Youth Middle, all of Georgia. Each chapter had students make a presentation explaining their chapter’s activities in the Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture portions of the FFA Program of Activities. The agricultural education teacher and FFA Advisor at Commerce Middle is April Davis. Chloe Lynch of the Island FFA (Agricultural Education), Jessica Brogdon of Walnut Grove FFA (Agricultural Sales – Placement), Duncan Patton of Madison County FFA (Beef Production – Placement), Dawson Peek of Lowndes County FFA (Outdoor Recreation), and Dylan Dent of Wayne County FFA (Poultry Production) were each named National FFA Proficiency Award winners for the success they earned in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. Only four students from across the nation are named national finalists in each of the 47 proficiency areas. Georgia was third in the nation with 21 national proficiency award -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 10 Continued from previous page finalists and second in the nation with five proficiency winners. Georgia FFA’s seven winners in the national Agriscience Fair included Johnathan Rivers and Rylen Merce of Lowndes Middle FFA (Food Products & Processing – Division 2); Bethany Champion of Sonoraville FFA (Food Products & Processing – Division 3); Joseph Corbett and Cayden Mathews of Lowndes County FFA (Plant Systems – Division 4); Marin Lonnee of Oconee County FFA (Plant Systems – Division 5); Alexis Herring and Madison McDonald of Lowndes County FFA (Power, Structure & Technology – Division 6); Gracie Sutton and Jordan Brown of Lowndes County Middle FFA (Social Systems – Division 2); and Kaleb Bell of Berrien County FFA (Social Systems – Division 5). Georgia had a total of 32 national Agriscience Fair finalists who interviewed in Indianapolis. Georgia also earned six additional top-5 finishes in National FFA Career Development Events at the Convention, including Page Paschal of Perry FFA, who won the 1st place individual in the Nursery/Landscape CDE. Twenty-six Georgia FFA chapters received a national 3-Star ranking, the highest ranking offered in the National Chapter Award program. Eight Georgians were recognized for their support of agricultural education and the FFA as part of the convention. Martin Bius (Bainbridge), Sen. Ellis Black (Valdosta), Shawn Collins (Moultrie), Mike Giles (Gainesville), Luann Jones (LaGrange), Tim Lewis (Elko), Russell Segers (Jasper), and Jerry Taylor (Hull) each received the Honorary American FFA Degree for the contributions they have made to the agricultural education program and FFA. Georgia’s 177 American FFA Degree recipients are the most in the history of Georgia FFA. Less than 1% of FFA members nationwide receive the prestigious American FFA Degree. The Georgia FFA Association was recognized as a membership growth state for the 21st consecutive year. A complete set of results and a variety of highlights from the 92nd National FFA Convention can be found at www.georgiaffa.org/page.aspx?ID=47.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 10 FFA ALUMNI/DAWSON COUNTY FARM BUREAU TRACTOR SHOW & AG DAY Nov. 23 Tractor Supply 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dawsonville This event provides support for the Dawson High School FFA Chapter. Trophies will be awarded for Best in Show and FFA Favorite. All tractors and all vendor booths will need to be in place by 9 a.m. the day of the event. Contact Tammy Wood at Dawson County Farm Bureau for tractor reservations at 706-265-3350 or tewood@gfb.org. Drive-ups welcome, but advance reservations are preferred. To reserve vendor booths contact Kim Glaze at 706-265-6555, kim.glaze@newname.cc or kpankey@dawson.k12.ga.us. NOMINATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEANUT FARMER AWARD Dec. 2 deadline for nominations Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. The state winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Jan. 16, 2020, in Tifton. The award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF. The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award is based on the applicant's overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership, civic, church and community service activities. The award is open for any active Georgia peanut farmer who is 45 years old or younger as of Jan. 16, 2020. An individual may receive the award only once. There is no limit on the number of applicants from each county in Georgia. The award application is available online at www.gapeanuts.com or by contacting Joy Crosby at 229-386-3690 or joycrosby@gapeanuts.com. “GIVE TO GROW” ON GEORGIA GIVES DAY DEC. 3 Join the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture in helping Georgia public schools increase their efforts to educate students about agriculture and how their food is grown. The foundation is working to provide materials and support for agriculture-focused curriculum that provides interactive and hands-on STEM activities, Ag curriculum helps prepare students for the workforce and makes children more aware of how the world around them works. Sponsors receive promotion through Georgia Farm Bureau media, social media and email marketing. Sponsorships at the $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000 levels unlock increasing levels of promotion. For more information, contact Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Lily Baucom at 478-405-3461 or lrbaucom@gfb.org. Donate on Giving Tuesday to unlock corporate challenges. Visit www.gfb.ag/givetogrow. 2019 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL CONVENTION Dec. 8-10 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 2020 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 9 of 10 DOR SECOND TIMBER TAX CREDIT SIGN-UP FOR HURRICANE LOSSES A second timber tax credit application period has begun for forest landowners who missed the first sign-up that ended May 31. Landowners who applied and were preapproved in the first round need not reapply. The tax credit applies to landowners with timber damage from Hurricane Michael within the 28-county state-declared disaster area who plan to replant or restore acreage for the production of forest products or ecological services. The tax credit, which is refundable or transferrable, is designed to assist in offsetting up to $400 per acre of timber fair market value losses. Applications for the Hurricane Michael Georgia Timber Tax Credit are being taken online by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) at www.gfb.ag/timbertaxcredit through Dec. 31. 2020 GEORGIA/FLORIDA SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Jan. 8, 2020 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Soybean/Small Grain Expo will provide marketing projections and the newest production techniques, as well as remarks from University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences leaders. Attendees are invited to visit with exhibitors showcasing the latest in new varieties, pest control and more. To register for the Expo call 706-542-3793. Registration is $10 until Jan. 3 and $20 after. Attend and receive Pesticide Applicator Credits for commercial categories 21 (Agricultural Plant), 25 (Seed Treatment) and two hours for Private Applicators. 44TH ANNUAL GA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE Jan. 16, 2020 UGA-Tifton Campus Conference Center 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton Don't miss out on the 44th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference. Peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry will be able to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research at the show, which is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission. The event features the UGA Peanut Production Seminars and the industry-sponsored Peanut Seed Seminar, as well as the annual awards ceremony and door prizes for farmers. The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold a blood drive through OneBlood during the show. January is Blood Donor Month, so help save a life by donating during Farm Show. All donors receive a FREE gift and wellness screening including cholesterol, iron and blood pressure check. Give the gift of life donate blood! Donors can stop by the blood mobile bus any time during the show. For more information visit www.gfb.ag/20GAPnutFarmShow or contact Hannah Jones at 229-386-3470 or hannah@gapeanuts.com.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 10 GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION 12TH ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 30, 2020 UGA-Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton The Georgia Cotton Commission annual meeting is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team. The workshop will feature breakout sessions where attendees will learn the latest technical production strategies from the researchers whose projects are funded by the Commission’s research program. The Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting will follow the breakout sessions and feature speakers from several industry organizations. The program speakers are Southern Cotton Growers Vice President Lee Cromley, National Cotton Council Vice Chairman Michael Tate and Cotton Council International Executive Director Bruce Atherly. Following the program, the GCC will host lunch where sponsors will be recognized and door prizes will be given away. The meeting, production workshop, and lunch are open to not only cotton growers, but anyone interested in the cotton industry. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop breakout sessions will be repeated after lunch. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. To register, call (229) 386-3416.