December 9, 2021
www.gfb.org
Vol. 3 No. 26
GFB MEMBERS RECONNECT AT ANNUAL CONVENTION Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Island Dec. 5-7 for the 84th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention. The three-day event included a trade show and educational sessions that briefed farmers on policy and production issues affecting Georgia’s major commodities. GFB President Tom McCall delivered his annual address during the general session on Dec. 5. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Dist. 1) and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black also addressed convention attendees. Georgia Farm Bureau resumed the organization’s traditional format for its 2021 annual convention after holding district meetings limited to voting delegates for its 2020 convention because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention’s “Reconnect” theme could not have been more appropriate as it was the first time in two years that many of the 1,336 convention attendees were seeing their farming friends from around the state. McCall: We need to amplify our voice While delivering his first annual address after being elected GFB president last December, McCall pledged to strengthen GFB’s legislative influence and to stabilize Farm Bureau membership. “With the strong support of the Board of Directors, and the diligent efforts of management and staff, we are earnestly pursuing these goals,” McCall said. “These goals are important because they are the heart and soul of who we are. Strengthening our voice is our basic purpose, and stabilizing our membership is key to our existence.” McCall noted challenges ahead, particularly as Georgia’s population trends toward greater urban concentration, which is reflected in less representation in the state legislature for farming areas. “From the very beginning, our members have expressed their belief in a strong legislative voice for farmers,” McCall said. “Farm Bureau is ‘The Voice of Georgia Farmers.’ If that is our mission – and I truly believe it is - then it is our responsibility to turn up the volume. We represent everything ag – from apples to zucchini and beyond.” McCall emphasized proper and accurate messaging directed to legislators who may not be familiar with agricultural business and practices. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 14 Continued from previous page “We have county Farm Bureaus in all metropolitan areas of Georgia, and volunteer county leaders from those offices do excellent work building relationships with our urban legislators,” McCall said. “I personally know urban legislators who have a sincere concern for farmers, but unfortunately, they often are not current with the issues. It is our job to educate them. If we do our job, we will accomplish our mission.” This, he said, includes working with candidates – regardless of party affiliation or geographical designation - prior to elections to they develop a strong understanding of and appreciation for agriculture. McCall urged GFB members to build and maintain connections with their elected representatives at all levels of government. Likewise, McCall encouraged members to reconnect with their friends and neighbors and work to expand GFB’s membership. “We need to reconnect and re-engage with our members,” he said. “Through the years, membership acquisition, which was originally a function of volunteers asking their friends and neighbors to join Farm Bureau, became something we relied on employees in our county offices to do. Today, we must renew our passion for the purpose of this organization, which is to represent and work for each of you. We must work together to find creative and effective ways to grow membership.” Kemp: Job growth, broadband and fighting regulations key for Georgia’s rural areas Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp discussed achievements his administration has made in bringing economic development projects to Georgia. “Since I took office, we’ve brought 1,000 projects to Georgia that have invested $23.5 billion in our state and created over 81,000 jobs, many of them in rural Georgia,” Kemp said. “During 2021, 75% of the projects brought to our state have been placed outside Metro Atlanta and will provide over 17,000 jobs for rural Georgia.” Kemp also discussed efforts being made to bring broadband to rural communities across the state. He said 19 EMCs are partnering with broadband providers to get highspeed internet access into 77 counties with 236,000 customers, many of whom are set to receive broadband access for the first time. Kemp praised the U.S. Supreme Court for earlier this year ruling in Georgia’s favor in the water lawsuit Florida brought against Georgia, saying that a different ruling from the court could have devastated Georgia agriculture. Kemp also acknowledged the U.S. Environmental Agency’s recent efforts to once again rewrite the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule to broaden the agency’s scope of authority over more waters than Congress originally intended. “I have been and I will continue to push back against federal regulations that impact Georgia farmers,” Kemp said. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 14 Continued from previous page Rep. Carter gives Washington update U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Dist.1) welcomed GFB members to his district where the convention was held and discussed issues our nation is facing such as inflation, disrupted supply chain and trade issues with Mexico. “Inflation is a tax on the working and middle classes – on those who can least afford it,” Carter said. “Inflation is a result of the policy of this Administration, such as stopping construction on the Keystone pipeline. I believe in climate change, but I’m a staunch advocate of using fossil fuels. We can’t let climate change policies ruin our economy causing the price of fuel to go up.” Carter also addressed the supply chain crisis affecting delivery of products across the country. “We’ve got ships waiting out at sea to get into our ports and a shortage of truck drivers,” Carter said. “I know many of you are struggling to get your products out. Hopefully we can get something figured out soon.” Georgia fruit and vegetable farmers, especially blueberry growers, have been feeling the affect of lower-priced imports from Mexico flooding the U.S. market and driving down prices. “Trade problems with Mexico is something we’re studying to make sure we have a level trading field. We know you need help because Mexico is implementing unfair trade practices and we’re working on it.” Black celebrates GATE, exhorts members to make their voice heard Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black expressed appreciation for his time in office and stressed to GFB members that they work to make their concerns known. “I’m grateful for the last 11 years and appreciate you letting me serve you in this role,” Black said. He summarized the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s major achievements during his time in office, which include implementing the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program and refining it through the years to ensure it isn't abused. Black said 36,000 Georgians currently qualify for a GATE card. Black said the Georgia Grown program has helped more than 2,500 cottage food industries across the state get off the ground with dozens of these startups developing into major businesses. He also noted the department’s work to administer relief funds for farms devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Black encouraged Georgia's ag community to speak on the political issues that affect farmers’ livelihoods and rural communities. “The voice of the ag community of the state of Georgia must be heard,” Black said. “It’s going to take you getting out of your comfort zone. We have to get up out of our seats and stand for the principles we believe in. There cannot be a deafening silence from our ag community.”
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 14 GEORGIA FARM BUREU ANNOUNCES 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) voting delegates elected the organization’s 2022 board of directors on Dec. 7 during the 84th Annual GFB Convention held on Jekyll Island. GFB President Tom McCall begins the second year of the two-year term GFB voting delegates elected him to last December. McCall and his family grow a variety of grain crops, sweet corn, hay and straw along with beef cattle, hogs and sheep on their farm in Fortsonia in Elbert County. He and his wife, Jane, have two adult children: Al (wife Rachel) and Katie M. Archer (husband Bristol) and two grandsons. McCall has been a Farm Bureau member since 1978. His first leadership role with Farm Bureau was serving as the chairman of the Elbert County Farm Bureau (ECFB)Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. He represented GFB’s 2nd District on the GFB YF&R Committee in 1981-82 and chaired the state committee in 1982. McCall represented GFB’s 2nd District on the GFB Board of Directors from 1984-1996. He also served as ECFB president for a number of years. McCall served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 26 years from Jan. 9, 1995, when he was sworn into office, until he retired from the legislature at the end of his 2020 term. As a state representative, McCall represented Georgia’s House Dist. 33, which at the time included Elbert and Lincoln counties and portions of Madison, Wilkes and Columbia counties. McCall chaired the Georgia House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee from January 2005-2020. GFB voting delegates redesignated Daniel Johnson of Pierce County as the organization’s 1st vice president. Johnson also represents GFB’s South Georgia Region, which includes 53 counties in the lower third of the state running from the Georgia coast to the Alabama line. Johnson is beginning the third year of his second term as GFB South Georgia vice president. Johnson, who grows tobacco, corn, cotton and peanuts, previously represented the organization’s 10th District on the GFB Board of Directors from 2006-2016. He is vice president of Pierce County Farm Bureau and previously served as PCFB president for 25 years. Johnson chairs the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Tobacco. He and his wife, Patricia, have four children and three grandchildren. GFB members in the organization’s Middle Georgia Region elected Ralph Caldwell of Heard County to a three-year term as GFB Middle Georgia vice president to represent their region on the GFB Board of Directors. The GFB Middle Georgia Region includes 56 county Farm Bureaus in the middle third of Georgia stretching from the Alabama line to Georgia’s coast. Caldwell and his wife, Kim, farm with his father, Gwen, and their son, Colton, and his wife Delayna, raising poultry and cattle while growing corn and soybeans. Caldwell has served as a Heard County Farm Bureau director since 1990 and as the HCFB president since 2013. He served on the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee from 1992-1994. He is a supervisor for the West Georgia Soil Conservation District and serves on U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson’s Agriculture Advisory Committee. Bernard Sims of Catoosa County continues to serve as the GFB North Georgia vice president. Sims begins the second year of his fifth three-year term. The GFB North Georgia Region includes 49 county Farm Bureaus in the northern third of Georgia. Sims serves as the Catoosa County Farm Bureau president, a position he has held since 1979. Sims and his wife, Janet, grow turf grass, small grains and hay. The family also raises cattle and strawberries sold to the public through a -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 14 Continued from previous page you-pick patch. GFB members in the organization’s 2nd District elected Gilbert Barrett of Habersham County to a two-year term on the GFB Board of Directors to represent their 14 counties in Northeast Georgia. Barrett and his family raise beef cattle and breeder poultry, which are the grandparents of the broiler chickens other Georgia farmers raise for consumers. He also grows hay used primarily on his farm. Barrett has been an active Farm Bureau member since the early 1990s, when he chaired the Habersham County Farm Bureau (HCFB) YF&R Committee, then served two years on the GFB YF&R Committee in 1993-1994. He has served as an HCFB director since the late 1990s, holding numerous offices through the years, including six years as president, several years as vice president and secretary. In addition to currently serving as an HCFB director, Barrett also chairs the HCFB Promotion & Education Committee. He and his wife, Donna, have three adult children: Johnathan, Will and Allison. GFB members in the organization’s 3rd District elected Brad Marks of Newton County to a two-year term on the GFB Board of Directors to represent the district’s 14 counties in the Metro Atlanta area. Marks and his wife, Terri, have three adult sons: B.J. (Kaci), Cody (Kristin), and Orry (Brandi). Marks and B.J. farm together, raising cattle and operating a custom hay and baleage business. Their cattle operation includes a commercial cow-calf herd and purebred registered cattle raised for livestock shows. Marks has been an active Farm Bureau member since 1981. He served on the Newton County Farm Bureau (NCFB) Board of Directors for several years in the 1980s as chairman of the county Young Farmer & Ranchers Committee. He served on the GFB YF&R Committee in 1991 and 1992, chairing the state committee in 1992. He was NCFB president from 1993 to 2000. He remained an active Farm Bureau member through the years and rejoined the NCFB Board about five years ago. He currently chairs the NCFB Legislative Committee. GFB members in the organization’s 4th District elected Russ Wilburn of Barrow County to a two-year term on the GFB Board of Directors to represent the 17-county district in Georgia’s eastern Piedmont region. Wilburn replaces Marvin Ruark, of Morgan County, who retired from the board after serving 48 years. Wilburn and his wife, Laura, raise beef cattle and hay. Russ also owns Russ Wilburn Landscapes, Inc., which offers landscaping services in the Winder and Athens area. Wilburn has been an active Farm Bureau member since 2004. The Wilburns served on the GFB YF&R Committee in 2016-2017 and were the committee vice chairs the second year. Russ has served on the Barrow County Farm Service Agency Committee for the past three years and is a member of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. The Wilburns have three children: Lawson, Margaret and Henry. The following were re-elected unopposed to serve two-year terms on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors: Bill Bryan of Chattooga County, 1st District; Leighton Cooley of Crawford County, 5th District; James Malone of Laurens County, 6th District; Gary Bell of Evans County, 7th District; Scotty Raines of Turner County, 8th District; Paul Shirah of Mitchell County, 9th District and David Lee of Bacon County, 10th District. GFB directors beginning the second year of the two-year terms they were elected to in 2020 are: Wesley Hall of Forsyth County, 1st District; Russ Moon of Madison County, 2nd District; Nora -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 14 Continued from previous page Goodman of Paulding County, 3rd District; Skeetter McCorkle of McDuffie County, 4th District; Matt Bottoms of Pike County, 5th District; James Emory Tate of Jeff Davis County, 6th District; Ben Boyd of Screven County, 7th District; Don Wood of Wilcox County, 8th District; Lucius Adkins of Baker County, 9th District; and Lamar Vickers of Berrien County, 10th District. Walt Pridgen of Coffee County was named chairman of the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. Melissa Mathis of Monroe County was selected chairwoman of the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee. Each will serve a one-year term as committee chair and will sit on the GFB Board of Directors. Appointed officers of the GFB Board of Directors include General Counsel Duke Groover, Corporate Secretary Jon Huffmaster, Chief Administrative Officer Jeffrey Harvey, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer David Jolley, Assistant Corporate Secretary & Senior Counsel Jeanna Fennell, and Assistant Corporate Treasurer & Senior Director of Accounting Rachel Mosely. GFB voting delegates voted to create a political action committee to support and educate candidates about legislation that affects Georgia agriculture and rural communities. Delegates also voted on policy that will direct the organization’s stance on legislative issues pertaining to agriculture in the coming year. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU PRESENTS STATE AWARDS AT CONVENTION Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) recognized the best of the organization’s volunteers and county chapters during its 84th annual convention on Jekyll Island. The state award winners were honored for the programs they completed this past year to promote agriculture. “We’re proud of the work all of our volunteer members do on our behalf, and we congratulate the individual award winners, county volunteers and staff who won state awards,” GFB President Tom McCall said. “Georgia Farm Bureau’s volunteer activities include reading to students in local schools, providing teachers with resources to implement farm-centered lesson plans and working with elected officials at all levels to make sure farmers’ contributions and needs are known.” GFB named a McKemie Award winner - the highest honor given to a county Farm Bureau in recognition of its overall member programs - from each of its three membership categories. Crawford County Farm Bureau, whose president is Wayne McInvale, received the McKemie Award for the small membership category. Decatur County Farm Bureau, whose president is Justin Long, won the McKemie Award for the medium membership category. Cherokee County Farm Bureau, whose president is William Grizzle, received the award in the large membership category. The McKemie Award is a memorial to former GFB President W.J. McKemie. Finalists for the McKemie competition, listed alphabetically, in the small membership category were: Bacon, Heard, Jasper, Johnson, Macon, Treutlen, Turner and Upson counties. Finalists in the medium membership category were: Banks, Berrien, Evans, Greene, Jeff Davis, Monroe, Morgan, Pike and Screven counties. Finalists in the large membership category were: Cobb, Franklin, North Fulton, Habersham, Henry, Madison, McDuffie, Newton and Stephens counties. Other state awards presented were the: Outstanding Promotion & Education Award received by McDuffie County Farm Bureau; Outstanding Women’s Leadership Committee Award received by -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 14 Continued from previous page Newton County Farm Bureau; Outstanding Legislative Committee Award received by Cherokee County Farm Bureau; and Outstanding Young Farmer Committee Award received by Franklin County Farm Bureau. Kim-Cora Kay, the McDuffie County Farm Bureau (MCFB) office manager, received the organization’s Outstanding Office Manager Award. Kay, who has worked as MCFB office manager since 2019, was recognized for the work she has done to promote agriculture and Farm Bureau in her local community. Kay is responsible for coordinating MCFB’s agricultural advocacy and Ag in the Classroom activities throughout the year. Natalie Murray, a teacher in Douglas County, received GFB’s Georgia Agriculture in the Classroom 2021 Teacher of the Year Award. Murray, who teaches music to kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Mirror Lake Elementary School, was recognized for incorporating information about agriculture into her lessons to teach her students how agriculture impacts their daily lives and guiding students through planting, tending and harvesting of the school’s raisedbed garden. She received a $500 award and an expense-paid trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Saratoga Springs, New York, Doyle Lamb of Turner County won the 2022 GFB Quality Hay Contest, which was open to any Georgia Farm Bureau member who produces Bermudagrass hay. Samples of hay entered in the contest were tested at the University of Georgia Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and the likeliness livestock will eat the hay. Lamb’s winning Russell hay had an RFQ rating of 151. He won the free use of a Vermeer 604R Baler for one year, courtesy of the Vermeer Manufacturing Company, with the option to purchase the mower at a reduced price at the end of the year. HARVEY NAMED NEXT GFB CAO; BRADFORD TO LEAD PUBLIC POLICY Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall announced on Dec. 7 that Jeffrey Harvey has been appointed by the GFB Board of Directors to serve as the organization’s new chief administrative officer and that Alex Bradford has been promoted to succeed Harvey as director of GFB’s Public Policy Department. Harvey is filling the position that is being vacated by the retirement GFB CAO Jon Huffmaster, which is effective Jan. 28, 2022. Harvey has led Georgia Farm Bureau’s legislative efforts as its public policy director since January 2017. “Georgia Farm Bureau needs members and the agriculture community have benefited greatly from Jeffrey’s leadership at the state and national levels,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “He has worked tirelessly to build relationships with state and federal policy makers since joining the Farm Bureau family in 2001.” Harvey began as a legislative specialist and then later served as assistant director and director of the organization’s former legislative department. Harvey has been instrumental in promoting agricultural causes at the Georgia and U.S. capitols. A native of Wilcox County, Harvey graduated with a general finance degree from Georgia Southern University and later received his MBA in business management from Georgia Southwestern State University. Harvey and his wife, Tiffany, live in Macon with their son Hudson. -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 14 Continued from previous page Alex Bradford has been named the director of the Georgia Farm Bureau Public Policy Department (PPD) effective immediately. “Alex has been a crucial member of the GFB Public Policy team in his role working with members of the Georgia General Assembly. That is where I got to know him when I served as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Alex’s proven leadership and extensive government knowledge has been essential in the success of our organization’s policy efforts and in supporting Georgia farmers in the legislative arena,” said GFB President Tom McCall. McCall added, “We’re in a strong position with Alex’s knowledge of agriculture’s vital needs. By focusing on coordinated strategies with our board we can best help solve the challenges facing farmers and rural Georgia.” Bradford joined the GFB PPD team in January 2015 as a legislative specialist and was named state affairs coordinator in 2017. Since joining the team, he has represented the GFB Federation in each General Assembly session in Atlanta. A native of Jefferson County, Alabama, Bradford attended the University of Georgia studying political science and international affairs. He graduated with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in 2010. Bradford was one of 60 students selected to participate in the Institute for Leadership Advancement through the Terry College of Business at UGA. Bradford is engaged to marry Ms. Miranda Williams in early 2022 and lives in Macon. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU YF&R WINNERS PREP FOR NATIONAL CONTESTS Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) competitive event winners Steven and Tara Green, Jessica Lance and Cleve Jackson are gearing up for national competitions to be held at the 2022 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention, to be held Jan. 7-12 in Atlanta. The YF&R program offers leadership development, networking and service opportunities to farmers between the ages of 18 and 35. The GFB YF&R competitive event winners were recognized during the 2021 GFB Convention on Jekyll Island. The Greens, of Spalding County, won the YF&R Achievement Award, which recognizes young farmers who derive their income from production agriculture. The GFB Achievement Award is sponsored by Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance and Farm Credit Associations of Georgia. As the state winners, the Greens received $500 and a metal farm sign courtesy of the Farm Credit Associations of Georgia and a 4-seater John Deere ATV courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. Lance, of Morgan County, won the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award, which recognizes outstanding young Farm Bureau leaders who do not derive the majority of their income from production agriculture but invest many hours into serving agriculture through their Farm Bureau participation. As the state winner, Lance received a $500 cash prize and a John Deere ATV. Jackson, of Floyd County, won the YF&R Discussion Meet, where contestants assemble committee style and talk about potential solutions to issues affecting agriculture. While vying for the national awards at the 103rd American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 14 Continued from previous page Atlanta in January, the Greens, Lance and Jackson will be competing for the following prizes: • Winner (first place) - A new Ford truck or vehicle valued at $35,000 courtesy of Ford Motor Company and paid registration to the Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, February 25 - 28, 2022; • Runner-up (second place) - A Case IH Farmall 50A tractor valued at $27,699 courtesy of Case IH; • Third place - A Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest valued at $3,035, a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of American Agricultural Insurance Company, $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise (PROTO, DeWalt, Stanley, Lenox & Irwin) and a $500 Case IH parts card courtesy of Case IH. • Fourth place - A Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest valued at $3,035 and a $500 Case IH parts card courtesy of Case IH. The national YF&R awards will be presented during the closing general session of the AFBF Convention on Jan. 10. GACD & GEORGIA AG EXPERIENCE STEM CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED Georgia elementary students put their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to work this fall as they competed in the second Georgia Ag Experience STEM Challenge coordinated by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. The Healthy Forests Healthy Communities STEM Challenge, sponsored by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), asked students to explore the role healthy forests play in creating healthy communities by protecting our air, soil and water resources. The STEM Challenge was open to third-grade through fifth-grade classes statewide with a winner picked for each grade. Almost 70 classes registered for the fall challenge. Congratulations to East Fannin Elementary’s third-grade class, taught by Christie Holtman, for winning the prize for their grade level. Ringgold Elementary School’s “Nepp-Tunes” team, taught by Alisa Nepp, took top honors in the fourth-grade division. Poole Elementary School’s fifth-grade class, taught by Hannah Atcheson, won their grade competition. Winners were announced Dec 1 in a Zoom presentation to the students. East Fannin Elementary in Fannin County won the third-grade division for the creative way the students showcased the many products made by trees, using a narrator depicted as a piece of paper, in a stop motion video format. Ringgold Elementary’s fourth-graders in Catoosa County demonstrated their strong acting ability by posing as forest creatures to show an important perspective of a healthy forest. Poole Elementary fifth-graders in Paulding County won their category with a creative newsstyle science report where one student acted as the reporter and other students posed as experts being interviewed to share what they learned about healthy forests. Teachers of each winning class received a $250 classroom supply grant and an educational resource kit donated by GACD. Each class that participated in the STEM Challenge was asked to answer the question, “What is the relationship between forests and our communities?” Each participating class is being asked to explore products we use every day that are made from trees and how tree farmers grow a -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 14 Continued from previous page sustainable crop. The challenge required participating classes to follow the provided resources to engage, explore, test and improve, share results and reflect. For the final presentation, the students were asked to create a video presentation including demonstrated knowledge of the relationship between communities and the need for tree resources, and include a discussion on sustainability and nonsustainability. The Georgia Ag Experience/Georgia Foundation for Agriculture STEM Challenge is designed to be a bi-annual competition with a spring and fall contest. The GACD is the 2021 challenge sponsor. Next year’s STEM Challenge will ask students to investigate pollinators. Look for challenge details to be announced in February at www.gfb.ag/stemchallenge. The purpose of the GAE STEM Challenge is to encourage elementary teachers and students in grades 3-5 to explore aspects of Georgia agriculture by applying their STEM skills to solve realworld problems that farmers face in producing our food and fiber. It is the only ag-focused STEM challenge for elementary students in Georgia. Visit www.gfb.ag/fall21GAESTEMwinners to see the ZOOM awards presentation and the three winning video presentations.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 14 U.S. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL ENROLLMENT WEBINARS 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. RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY SWEET CORN LISTENING SESSION 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”. 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.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 14 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 on 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/. 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/.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 14 WINTERGREEN 2022 Jan. 18-20 Gas South Convention Center Duluth Georgia’s premier multi-day trade show and conference for the green industry, Wintergreen boasts more than 250 exhibitors and thousands of attendees each year. The event offers three days of industry educational sessions and updates to keep producers ahead of the competition. The Gas South Convention Center is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. For more information, visit www.mywintergreen.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 COTTON COMMISSION 15TH ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 26, 2022 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 7:30 a.m. Tifton The annual meeting is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team. The UGA Cotton Production 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. There will also be an area for interested producers to ask questions and sign up for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, the Cotton Industry’s sustainability platform.The program speakers are National Cotton Council Chairman Kent Fountain, The Cotton Board Chairman Jimmy Webb; and Cotton Incorporated Senior Vice President for Consumer Marketing Kim Kitchings, Following the Annual Meeting speakers, the Commission will host lunch where sponsors will be recognized, door prizes will be given away, and the Georgia Quality Cotton Awards for the 2021 crop will be awarded. 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 view the agenda, click here. Register online at www.ugatiftonconference.caes.uga.edu or call (229) 386-3416. (https://georgiacottoncommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-GACottonConferenceAgenda.pdf) 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.