November 22, 2021
www.gfb.org
Vol. 3 No. 24
AFBF SURVEY SHOWS THANKSGIVING DINNER COST UP 14% Enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends is a priority for many Americans, but paying attention to how the meal will impact the budget is also important. Farm Bureau’s 36th annual survey indicates the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $53.31 or less than $5.51 per person. The cost for a meal for 10 is a $6.41 increase (14%) from last year’s average of $46.90. The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs more than last year, at $23.99 for a 16-pound bird. That’s roughly $1.50 per pound, up 24% from last year, but there are several mitigating factors. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, about two weeks before most grocery store chains began featuring whole frozen turkeys at sharply lower prices. Although the survey timeline is consistent with past AFBF Thanksgiving surveys, 2021 brought some unique differences. According to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data, grocery stores began advertising lower feature prices later than usual this year. Also, the average per-pound feature price for whole frozen turkeys was $1.07 the week of Nov. 5-11 and 88 cents the week of Nov. 12-18, a decline of 18% in just one week. This means consumers who have not yet purchased a turkey should be able to find one at a lower cost than the Farm Bureau average. “Several factors contributed to the increase in average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner,” said AFBF Senior Economist Veronica Nigh. “These include dramatic disruptions to the U.S. economy and supply chains over the last 20 months; inflationary pressure throughout the economy; difficulty in predicting demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and high global demand for food, particularly meat,” she explained. Further, “The trend of consumers cooking and eating at home more often due to the pandemic led to increased supermarket demand and higher retail food prices in 2020 and 2021, compared to pre-pandemic prices in 2019.” The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers. “Taking turkey out of the basket of foods reveals a 6.6% price increase compared to last year, which tracks closely with the Consumer Price Index for food and general inflation across the economy,” said Nigh. In recognition of changes in Thanksgiving dinner traditions, the Farm Bureau price survey also -continued from previous page
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 14 Continued from previous page includes ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans, in an expanded holiday menu. Adding these foods to the classic Thanksgiving menu increased the overall cost by $15.41, to $68.72. This expanded basket of foods increased in price by14% from 2020. This year’s national average cost was calculated using 218 surveys completed with pricing data from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices in person and online using grocery store apps and websites. They looked for the best possible prices without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals. The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted in 1986. The informal survey provides a record of comparative holiday meal costs over the years. Farm Bureau’s classic survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons. Individual Prices • 16-pound turkey: $23.99 or approximately $1.50 per pound (up 24%) • 2 frozen pie crusts: $2.91 (up 20%) • 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $3.64 (up 7%) • Half pint of whipping cream: $1.78 (up 2%) • 1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.05 (up 15%) • 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.98 (up 11%) • 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.30 (up 7%) • 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.54 (up 6%) • 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.56 (up 4%) • 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): 82 cents (up 12%) • Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.45 (up 12%) • 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix: $2.29 (down 19%) JON HUFFMASTER TO RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY Jon Huffmaster, who retires at the end of January 2022, has had numerous roles in his 40-year career with Georgia Farm Bureau: field representative, lobbyist and corporate secretary/chief administrative officer. At times he’s performed other duties, like proofreader, ag teacher and protocol arbiter, to name a few. Whatever the task, he did it in the name of serving the state’s farmers. “Farm Bureau was a good fit for me from the beginning. I have been involved in agriculture all my life. Growing up, the vast majority of all my work experience was farm work,” Huffmaster said. “I knew for a fact – I never doubted it – that Farm Bureau was accomplishing great things for farmers, and to be a part of that is what kept me at Farm Bureau.” He grew up on his family’s farm in south Fulton County where the Huffmasters raised hogs, cattle, corn, soybeans and hay. A prominent memory from his youth is of his father, Hall, expertly plowing the family garden with a mule, which he kept until Jon left for college. Huffmaster started at GFB in 1982 as the field representative in the organization's current 10th District and switched to GFB's 5th District in 1986. In 2001, he became GFB’s Legislative Department director, a position he held until October 2015 when he was promoted to corporate secretary and chief administrative officer. “Jon not only has years of outstanding service to the Georgia Farm Bureau community but has -continued from previous page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 14 Continued from previous page provided strategic leadership through the important role of building relationships in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and has continued to provide valuable counsel to the GFB Board and staff through complex times,” said GFB President Tom McCall. During his time as legislative director, GFB led the charge to defend farmers’ sales tax exemptions on farm inputs. In 2012 the state legislature maintained those exemptions and expanded them under the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program, leading to enormous savings for the state’s farmers. “The state tax reform overhaul that resulted in the GATE program was a great achievement for us,” Huffmaster said. “At that time, there was a very real possibility that agriculture sales tax exemptions were going to be lost because of dropping state revenue. We worked very hard to explain why the exemption was needed, and we had some great volunteers who spoke at the various meetings in favor of retaining the exemptions for agriculture inputs.” Huffmaster thinks the need for this sort of advocacy, the reason GFB was started in 1937, will continue. Jon and Beverly, his wife of 39 years, live in Taylor County close to their children: Jon Davis, his wife, Kayla, and their three children; and daughter Rebekah Huffmaster Gay, her husband, Kevin, and their son. Huffmaster said he plans to remain in Taylor County, help on the farm and spend time with his grandchildren. CONSIDER DONATING TO GA FOUNDATION FOR AG ON #GIVINGTUESDAY After the holiday shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a day dedicated to giving to the charitable organizations that mean the most to you. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is seeking donations on Nov. 30 to help strengthen programming, such as farmer mental health research. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of people with mental illness say the holidays make their conditions worse. The GFA is committed to finding answers and effective solutions for farmers who are struggling. Early next year, GFA will distribute a statewide mental well-being survey to collect detailed information as part of its efforts to better assist farmers and farm workers. This is a follow-up to the eye-opening pilot survey GFA conducted this spring in partnership with the Mercer University Rural Health Innovation Center. The 2021 Georgia Farmer’s Well-Being Pilot Survey found that feelings of loneliness were experienced by about half of the farmers (48.3%), sadness or depression by 49.2%, and feelings of hopelessness by 31.6%. When asked if they had suicidal thoughts, 32.1% had thought about it at least once in the past year, with 11.8% of farmers thinking about it more than once a month, 8.4% at least weekly, and 1.7% daily. The GFA is committed to addressing the stigma surrounding mental health in agricultural communities and encourages open conversations about the mental health challenges many farmers face. A gift to the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture this #GivingTuesday can go toward programs that aim to make an impact in the lives of farmers who are struggling. To donate, visit www.gafoundationag.org/gt2021.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 14 NEWTON CO. FARMER’S CHRISTMAS TREES ADORN VICE PRESIDENT’S HOUSE For Chuck Berry, Christmas came on Aug. 6 when he won reserve champion in the 2021 National Christmas Tree Association’s Christmas Tree Contest. This earned his family the honor of providing a Christmas tree for Vice President Kamala Harris’ official residence. Berry won with a seven-foot Leyland Cypress planted at his tree farm in 2015. Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm is a long-time member of Georgia Farm Bureau’s Certified Farm Market program. “It was truly an honor and somewhat of a surprise,” Berry said. “I was surprised I won with a Leyland Cypress because this type of tree is more popular in the South than other parts of the country.” Although Berry won the contest with a Leyland Cypress, he is providing an 11-foot Murray Cypress to accommodate the size tree the VP’s staff requested. At press time, Berry and his wife, Lori, were scheduled to deliver this tree and six others of varying sizes that the VP’s staff ordered, on Nov. 24. “We are scheduled to meet with Vice President Harris and the Second Gentleman when we deliver the trees,” Berry said. “We’ve been asked to actually take the trees inside the residence.” In past years, trees from the Berry farm have decorated the Georgia Capitol, Governor’s mansion and Stone Mountain Park. Berry’s dad, Charles, planted the farm’s first Christmas trees in 1977. The first trees were sold in 1983. “We have been selling Christmas trees for almost 40 years and it’s a very fun job,” Chuck said. “We all really love to see everyone at Christmas as they come with their families to pick out their perfect tree.” Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm, a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market (CFM), is one of several Georgia farms that serve as pickup locations for the Trees for Troops program, which provides fresh-cut Christmas trees to military members and families. Other CFMs participating in the Trees for Troops program include Yule Forest in Henry County and Spring Brook Farm in Carroll County. Sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation, Trees for Troops has delivered a total of 262,265 trees to military families over the past 16 years. Individuals and organizations are invited to participate and show their own appreciation to these families by visiting www.treesfortroops.org. GFB SEEKS ENTRIES FOR ’22 MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTESTS Georgia Farm Bureau is now accepting entries for the 2022 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark and High School Art Contests. Students who submit their artwork have the chance to win some great cash prizes! The Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Middle School Bookmark Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students statewide. The 10 GFB district winners of the bookmark contest will receive $100 each and compete for the state prize of $150. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. The GFB High School Art Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled students in 9th through 12th grades. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will receive a cash prize of $100. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will compete for the state prize of $250 cash. One state -continued from previous page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 14 Continued from previous page runner-up in the art contest will receive $150 cash. Middle school students will be given a blank bookmark and asked to draw a picture that depicts some aspect of Georgia agriculture. Students may use crayons, markers or colored pencils to create their bookmark that illustrates agriculture. High schoolers entering the art contest should draw a scene depicting Georgia agriculture. Artwork submitted in the high school art contest must be on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper and should be created in the colors black, white and gray. Contestants may use a variety of media to create their artwork including graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, pen-and-ink, ballpoint pen or mixed media appropriate for printing. Artwork entered in both contests will be judged on 1) how well the artwork represents modern agriculture found in the artist’s county or Georgia and 2) artistic merit. Students may enter either contest in the county in which they live or attend school but not both counties. To enter either contest, students should contact their county Farm Bureau for an official entry form and complete contest rules. Contact your county Farm Bureau to learn its deadline for entering the contests. County Farm Bureaus must submit their entries to Georgia Farm Bureau for the state contest by March 11. Entries are limited to one per person in both contests. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Previous state winners are not eligible for either contest. All artwork submitted in both contests must be original and becomes the property of Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) once submitted. GFB may use artwork from both contests on various products distributed or sold by the organization to promote agriculture. Between the crops Georgia farmers grow and the jobs agriculture creates to harvest, process and transport these crops, agriculture contributed $70.1 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2019, according to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. For more information about the contests contact your county Farm Bureau office at your office phone number here or visit www.gfb.ag/22artcontest and www.gfb.ag/22bookmarkcontest. Students and teachers may visit https://gfb.ag/video to view a video about Georgia agriculture and https://gfb.ag/UGA21agsnapshots to access info about Georgia agriculture. AFBF APPLAUDS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, CRITICIZES BUILD BACK BETTER As bills establishing two of President Joe Biden’s major policy initiatives draw attention in Washington, D.C., the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) voiced the organization’s positions on the Bipartisian Infrastructure Framework (BIF) and the Build Back Better Act (BBB). BIF, officially titled the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” was passed by Congress and Biden signed it into law on Nov. 15. It is a $1.2 trillion spending package with provisions to improve roads, bridges and railroads, modernize water supply systems and build out broadband internet networks. AFBF supported the bill. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented Nov. 5 on the bipartisan infrastructure package. “While AFBF was disappointed with the unnecessary delays in the House of Representatives, we appreciate Congress finally passing crucial bipartisan infrastructure legislation,” Duvall said. “We cannot afford to ignore the millions of miles of roadways, waterways and railways rural -continued from previous page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 14 Continued from previous page America relies on to keep our country fed, especially as we see widespread supply chain challenges. Extending broadband to rural communities is just as much a priority. A quarter of America’s farm families have no high-speed internet access while working to meet the needs of a growing world. Investments in physical infrastructure like broadband will be critical to bridging the digital divide.” BIF includes $550 billion in new spending. Of that, $284 billion is for surface transportation projects, while $266 billion is designated for projects termed “core infrastructure,” including broadband and electrical grids. “Bipartisan efforts such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provide commonsense solutions to our nation’s infrastructure challenges, and we look forward to seeing the bill signed into law,” Duvall said. The law includes an exemption for livestock and insect haulers from hours of service regulations within a 150 air-mile radius from their final destination. Click here for AFBF’s analysis of the bill. (https://www.fb.org/market-intel/digging-into-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-framework-whatsimportant-for-ag) It is important to note BIF is separate from BBB, which was passed Nov. 19 by the House and awaits consideration in the Senate. AFBF opposes BBA (also referred to as the reconciliation bill) because, as Duvall noted in a Nov. 16 letter to House lawmakers, the massive amount of spending and tax increases required to pay for the plan outweigh the gains for rural America. “While some elements of the reconciliation package would benefit agriculture, the massive amount of spending and tax increases required to pay for the plan outweigh the gains we would see in rural America,” Duvall wrote. “We appreciate House efforts to protect farmers and ranchers by leaving key tax provisions untouched. Thousands of small businesses, however, would still be affected by tax increases, forcing them to pass increased costs to families across the nation.” Click here to read the letter. (https://www.fb.org/files/Taxes__Recon._BBB._LTR_to_HOUSE.AFBFLTR.FINAL.21.1116_KB_(003)_(003).pdf) USDA ISSUING PAYMENTS TO PRODUCERS ENROLLED IN ARC OR PLC On Nov. 1, USDA announced it is issuing $1.8 billion in payments to agricultural producers who enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2020 crop year. Peanuts, seed cotton, wheat and grain sorghum are among the crops that payments will be issued for through both programs. These payments provide critical support to help mitigate fluctuations in either revenue or prices for certain crops. These two USDA safety net programs help producers of certain crops recover after facing the impacts of COVID-19 and other challenges. In addition, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is encouraging producers to contact their local USDA Service Centers to make or change elections and to enroll for 2022 ARC or PLC, providing future protections against market fluctuations. The election and enrollment period -continued from previous page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 14 Continued from previous page opened on Oct. 18, and runs through March 15, 2022. ARC and PLC payments for a given crop year are paid out the following fall to allow actual county yields and the Market Year Average prices to be finalized. This month, FSA processed payments to producers enrolled in 2020 ARC-County (ARC-CO), ARC-Individual (ARC-IC) and PLC for covered commodities that triggered for the crop year. For ARC-CO, view the 2020 ARC-CO Benchmark Yields and Revenues online database here for payment rates applicable to their county and each covered commodity. (https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/arcplc_program/arcplc-program-data/) For PLC, payments have triggered for barley, canola, chickpeas (large and small), dry peas, flaxseed, lentils, peanuts, seed cotton and wheat. More information on rice payments will be announced later this fall and in early 2022. For ARC-IC, producers should contact their local FSA office for additional information pertaining to 2020 payment information, which relies on producer-specific yields for the crop and farm to determine benchmark yields and actual year yields when calculating revenues. Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-CO or PLC, which are both crop-by-crop, or ARC-IC, which is for the entire farm. Although election changes for 2022 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm and makes an election change for 2022, it will be necessary to sign a new contract. If an election is not submitted by the deadline of March 15, 2022, the election remains the same as the 2021 election for crops on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the farm. Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed, and wheat. In partnership with USDA, the University of Illinois and Texas A&M University offer webbased decision tools to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations. Tools include: • Gardner-farmdoc Payment Calculator, a tool available through the University of Illinois allows producers to estimate payments for farms and counties for ARC-CO and PLC. (https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2019/08/introducing-the-gardner-farmdoc-paymentcalculator.html) • ARC and PLC Decision Tool, a tool available through Texas A&M, allows producers to estimate payments and yield updates and expected payments for 2022. (https://www.afpc.tamu.edu/) ARC and PLC are part of a broader safety net provided by USDA, which also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans. Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products. Producers on farms with a PLC election have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider; however, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm. Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by an ARC election. -continued from previous page
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 14 Continued from previous page Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election. Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm. For more information on ARC and PLC, visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact your local USDA Service Center. (https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/arcplc_program/index) PEANUT CONSUMPTION REACHES RECORD HIGH Per-capita peanut consumption reached record levels for the second straight year, according to the National Peanut Board (NPB). Calculated based on USDA and U.S. Census data, per capita peanut consumption has risen to an all-time high of 7.9 pounds in 2021. This tops the previous record of 7.6 pounds in 2020 and reflects an increase of 3%. “People may be surprised to learn that peanut consumption was at an all-time high during the pandemic, but after more thought, it makes sense,” said NPB President and CEO Bob Parker. “We would never wish for business growth under these circumstances; however, we take pride that peanuts have helped people meet their nutritional, convenience, financial and even emotional needs during stressful and hectic times.” The NPB indicated that the record-level consumption is made possible through continued collaboration and efforts across the peanut industry. Farmers, buying points, shellers and manufacturers strive to supply quality products to consumers and many industry organizations work together to contribute to these accomplishments. Driving awareness of peanuts and consumption through consumer marketing is an NPB priority. For the past several years, NPB focused on reaching the millennial generation, who can have the largest impact on peanut consumption. However, the 2021 campaign, Grow It Yourself, invited Gen Z to the table by introducing them to the wonderful world of growing their own food. Over the past year, NPB has successfully tapped into what millennials and Gen Z love. The first activation allowed for consumers to receive a greeting card with a real peanut in it that they could grow themselves. For those who wanted a little less commitment, consumers were able to adopt their own virtual peanut plant on TikTok. Targeting a younger demographic, TikTok users were able to get a taste of what it feels like to plant, nurture and grow peanuts virtually. “Part of the Board’s objective is to increase consumption of peanuts through promotions,” said Andy Bell, Georgia peanut farmer and 2021 NPB chairman. “That can be a challenge when peanuts are already the most popular and preferred nut. But through creative promotions, exports and new products, things are good in the peanut industry and we keep reaching new heights.” Although only 1-2% of the population is estimated to have a peanut allergy, NPB has continued to invest heavily in this area to find solutions for peanut allergy. Since 2001, NPB has allocated more than $35 million to food allergy research, education and outreach. At the end of 2020, the USDA and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released their Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which for the first time included a section on infants and young children. The guidelines recommend that introducing peanut foods as early as 4-6 months helps prevent -continued from previous page
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 14 Continued from previous page potential peanut allergies. NPB continues to advocate for awareness and adherence to the guidelines with pediatricians and other influential health professionals, including support of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ continuing education course on early introduction of peanut foods. “Peanut consumption at an all-time high, brands creating new associations for the consumer, manufacturers developing interesting and innovative new products and momentum on early introduction from the new DGAs will all help drive the incremental sales needed to continue growing peanut consumption,” said Ryan Lepicier, NPB senior vice president and CMO. “While these factors are all very different, they point back to why so many of us fell in love with peanuts and peanut butter again over the past 18 months. They meet some of our most basic nutritional needs. They provide safety in knowing we can help prevent a baby from developing a peanut allergy. And something as delicious as a PB&J can provide the comfort we need to get through challenging times.” JOHN DEERE EMPLOYEES RATIFY AGREEMENT, END STRIKE On Nov. 17, John Deere production and maintenance workers under the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) ended their month-long strike over wages and benefits by ratifying a new six-year collective bargaining agreement. According to the UAW, 61% of its workers at 14 U.S. John Deere manufacturing facilities voted in favor of the new agreement, which includes an $8,500 signing bonus a 20% increase in wages over the lifetime of the contract with 10% this year; return of cost of living adjustments; three 3% lump sum payments; enhanced options for retirement and enhanced performance benefits. Healthcare remains the same for the life of the agreement. The agreement covers more than 10,000 workers at 14 John Deere plants. The strike caused shortages of new equipment and replacement parts, and Deere had stopped taking orders for some of its tractor models. According to published reports, replacement part shortage resulted in on-farm delays for producers needing repairs on their equipment. For more information about the agreement, visit https://one.deere.com/Pages/home.aspx.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 14 RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY SWEET CORN LISTENING SESSIONS Nov. 30 Charles Kirbo Regional Center 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Bainbridge Dec. 1 Stripling Irrigation Research Park 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Camilla Dec. 17 Virtual session via Zoom Corn producers are invited to participate in a listening session with Agralytica, which is working under contract for USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Agralytica wants feedback about a potential production and revenue history (PRH) policy for fresh market sweet corn. The sessions are for fresh market sweet corn growers in areas covered by the Fresh Market Sweet Corn Dollar Plan of Insurance, as well as industry members and regional insurance representatives. For more information contact Andre Williamson, President of Agralytica, with any questions regarding the content of this invitation or to provide additional feedback regarding production and revenue history coverage for fresh market sweet corn. Williamson may be reached at 240-432-0308 or awilliamson@agralytica.com. If you email, please include “Sweet corn PRH insurance” as your subject line. Public comments will be accepted by phone or email until Dec. 31. To participate in the Zoom session, visit https://bit.ly/3n0E1Li. If prompted for a passcode, enter “corn”. CROP INSURANCE FOR FORAGE, LIVESTOCK & HONEY Dec. 1 deadline to apply for 2022 coverage The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia forage, livestock, and honey producers that Dec. 1 is the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2022 crop year. This is also the deadline for current policyholders to make changes to their existing coverage. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Acreage intended for grazing and haying is insurable under the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program, and colonies of bees are insurable under the Apiculture program. The PRF and Apiculture programs for 2022 are under the Rainfall Index insurance plan. (https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Policy-and-Procedure/InsurancePlans/Rainfall-Index) Coverage is available for PRF and Apiculture in all Georgia counties. For more information regarding coverage, producers can access RMA Apiculture Grid ID Locator (http://maps.agforceusa.com/api/ri/) and the PRF Support Tool (https://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/prf) online. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. (https://www.rma.usda.gov/informationtools/agentlocator) Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator (https://ewebapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/costestimator/) to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. 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 11 of 14 U.S. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL ENROLLMENT WEBINARS 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. GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION NOMINATION MEETINGS Dec. 20 District 5 Sumter County Farm Bureau 9 a.m. Americus Dec. 21 District 2 Irwin County Farm Bureau 9 a.m. Ocilla Dec. 21 District 4 Bleckley County Farm Bureau 9 a.m Cochran Nomination meetings to fill three positions on the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) Board of Directors will be held Dec. 20 and 21 in Ocilla, Cochran and Americus. The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation will conduct the meetings during which peanut producers will nominate peers to represent the Peanut Commission’s Districts 2, 4 and 5. The terms of the commission members who currently represent these districts expire Dec. 31, 2021. The Georgia peanut production area is divided into five districts based on acreage distribution and geographical location with one board member representing each district. Each nominee must produce peanuts and live within the district for which he or she is nominated. The GPC District 5 nomination meeting will be held at the Sumter County Farm Bureau Office located at 141 Highway 27 East, Americus, Georgia, at 9 a.m. on Dec. 20. Donald Chase of Macon County is the district incumbent. Counties in District 5 include Chattahoochee, Clay, Lee, Macon, Marion, Peach, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Terrell and Webster. The GPC District 2 nomination meeting will be held at the Irwin County Farm Bureau office located at 495 Lax Highway, Ocilla, Georgia, at 9 a.m. on Dec. 21. Armond Morris is the incumbent in the district. Counties in District 2 include Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth. The GPC District 4 nomination meeting will be held at the Bleckley County Farm Bureau Office located at 157 West Dykes St., Cochran, Georgia, at 9 a.m. on Dec. 21. Rodney Dawson of Pulaski County is the District 4 incumbent. Counties in District 4 include Bleckley, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Laurens, Pulaski, Telfair, Twiggs, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkinson. Any peanut producer may be nominated or make nominations at the meeting for the peanut district in which he or she lives. Incumbents are eligible for renomination. If more than one person is nominated, an election will be conducted by mail ballot at a date to be announced. Commission by-laws state that a person must receive a majority of the votes cast for a position in order to be elected to the board. If only one person qualifies for the position, no election is required and the nominated person automatically becomes a member of the Georgia Peanut Commission Board. Commission members serve terms of three years.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 14 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 SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Jan. 5, 2022 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Georgia/Florida Soybean Association and The Georgia Soybean Commodity Commission invites soybean and small grain producers, users and buyers to this event, which will provide upto-date 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 our exhibitors who will showcase the latest in new varieties, pest control, and products. To register, call 706-542-3793. The registration is $20 at the door and $10 in advance. 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/.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 14 CLIMATE ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY SURVEY If you are a cattle or cotton farmer in Georgia, please consider completing a survey being conducted by a University of Georgia graduate student regarding farmers’ willingness to adopt various technology for your farm as well as your perceptions on climate change. It should take just 20 minutes to complete, and the information collected goes to help the graduate student \complete her degree. To participate in the survey, please visit https://gfb.ag/UGAclimatetechsurvey. For more information on the survey contact Julian Worley at julian.worley@uga.edu. Participants are asked to respond by Jan. 15, 2022. 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 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/. 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. 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. 2022 GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE Jan. 19-20, 2022 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton To better accommodate social distancing, this always-popular show will be open for two days. 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. For more information on the show, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission office at 229-386-3470 or visit www.gapeanuts.com. Potential exhibitors can click here for the exhibitor packet.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 14 GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE OFFERS $65K IN SCHOLARSHIPS The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is committed to investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture or a related field. For 2022, the foundation is offering scholarships for graduating high school seniors, rising college juniors and seniors, technical college students and UGA College of Veterinary Medicine students specializing in large/food animals. Visit https://www.gafoundationag.org/scholarships for a list of eligible majors/schools, application instructions, and to apply. Applications must be submitted online only by March 1, 2022. Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted online with the application. 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.