March 7, 2018
www.gfb.org
Vol. 36 No. 5
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR YF&R LEADERSHIP CONF., COMPETITIVE EVENTS Georgia Farm Bureau is now accepting registration for the 2018 Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference, to be held July 19-21 on Jekyll Island. GFB is also accepting entries for its 2018 Young Farmer and Rancher Competitive Events. The deadline is June 1 to register for the conference or enter the competitive events. The Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference will use the theme “Gaining Ground,” and will feature educational workshops on financial and estate planning, urban agriculture, sharing the farm message, social media advocacy, current industry trends and more. The event also features a chance to catch up with fellow young farmers and ranchers across the state and meet some new farm friends. Winners of the Young Farmer and Rancher Competitive Events – Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture Award – will be announced at the conference. Participants must be Farm Bureau members who will be less than 36 years old as of Jan. 31, 2019. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who earn the majority of their living from production agriculture. The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who earn the majority of their income from something other than production agriculture. The Discussion Meet is structured in a committee-style forum allowing agriculturalists to exchange ideas about issues important to farming. All four rounds of the Discussion Meet will be held at the Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference. The winners in all three contests will be honored at the GFB Convention in December and will qualify for national competition, to be held at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in New Orleans next January. For more information or to register for the Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference visit http://gfb.ag/18YFRconference. To enter the Discussion Meet, contact your county Farm Bureau office manager or GFB Young Farmer Coordinator Erin Nessmith at ennessmith@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5232.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 TAKE FARM SAFETY SERIOUSLY. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT Farming is one of the 10 most dangerous professions in the U.S. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Take a glance around any farm and you’ll see the potential for accidents with augers, PTO shafts, tractors, ATVs, agitated livestock, farm chemicals or grain bins – just to name a few. That’s why it’s important that farmers, their families and anyone employed in agriculture take time to review recommended farm safety practices that could reduce the chance of injury from farming. March 4-10 is Agricultural Safety Awareness Program Week. The American Farm Bureau Federation has joined forces with the U.S. Agricultural Safety & Health Centers to spotlight the hazards farmers face and the precautions that can be taken to avoid injury. A different aspect of farm safety is being highlighted each day this week. Monday looked at how ag workers can prevent hearing loss while around noisy tractors, conveyors and grain elevators. Visit the National Ag Safety Database http://bit.ly/NASDHearingProtection to learn more. Tuesday showed us how ag workers can protect themselves from respiratory hazards associated with agriculture. Penn State Extension – Agricultural Safety and Health has provided tips to reduce risks at http://bit.ly/PSUFarmRespHazards. Wednesday’s focus is preventing distracted and impaired driving. Transportation accidents, which include tractor overturns, were the leading cause of death for the 401 farmers and farm workers who died in 2015, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Accidents involving machinery, including tractors, accounted for 23 percent of fatal injuries to farm youth from 1995 to 2002, and accidents involving motor vehicles, including ATVs, accounted for 19 percent of farm youth fatalities, the NIOSH reports. If you’ve got a hardheaded teen who won’t listen to your warnings about driving the ATV slower or wearing a helmet, have them read “Don’t Rely on Guardian Angels to Stay Safe on the Farm” www.gfb.ag/FarmAngels - a personal account of lessons learned from surviving ATV wrecks. Fire is Thursday’s topic. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 20,000 ag-related fires cause $102 million in property losses and result in 25 fatalities on average each year. Visit the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety web page at http://bit.ly/StepsinReducingRisk to learn how to develop a plan to protect your farm. Friday’s topic is general health – making sure farmers and their employees know the proper safety precautions for working in agriculture and where to seek healthcare. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor – Agricultural Operations at http://bit.lyOSHAHealth for tips. Resources like AFBF Agricultural Safety Awareness Program, Cultivate Safety or U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers also offer great information on how to keep yourself and your kids safe on the farm. “No one can take your place” is the theme for this year’s Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. There couldn’t be a more appropriate theme. With farmers accounting for only one percent of the U.S. population, America is depending on every farmer we have to feed us. Take every safety precaution you know you should take and encourage your kids and employees to do the same. The future of American agriculture is depending on you.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 GEORGIANS INVITED TO CELEBRATE AGRICULTURE AWARENESS WEEK In celebration of farming, Georgia Agriculture Awareness Week is scheduled to take place March 19-23 with activities statewide, including the Hands-On School Garden Day on March 19, the final round of competition in the Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest on March 20, Ag Heroes Day on March 21, Ag Literacy Day on March 22 and Make My Plate Georgia Grown Day on March 23. For more information visit the Ag Awareness Week website. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Hands-On School Garden Day on March 20 is an opportunity to showcase the important work students, faculty and staff are doing in school gardens across the state. School garden students, teachers and volunteers are encouraged to brag about their school garden on social media, promote their school garden work to your administrators and community members, schedule a special workday, or find another way to creatively highlight school gardens. The Flavor of Georgia contest is organized annually by the UGA Center of Agribusiness and Economic Development. Many of the products entered in this contest are sold in regional and national markets. As a result of the contest, some have increased their wholesale distribution or internet sales or experienced better traffic at local farmers markets. On Ag Heroes Day March 21, Georgians are encouraged to celebrate agriculture heroes in their community by writing a note to farmers thanking them for the food and fiber they provide. Schools are encouraged to invite a local Ag Hero into classrooms to discuss the importance of agriculture and the impact farming has on the economy. Georgia Farm Bureau is providing guidance fo Ag Literacy Day In Georgia on March 22. Volunteers are encouraged to read a designated agriculture literacy book to a local school classroom. Contact Donna Rocker at dhrocker@gfb.org for classroom activities and more info. For Make my Plate Georgia Grown Day, March 23, the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Farm to School Program and the Georgia Department of Education's School Nutrition Program have partnered to create a Georgia Grown menu to feature local products in school cafeterias across the state. National Agriculture Day and Week is observed in March to coincide with the planting of spring crops. County Farm Bureaus and agriculture organizations will hold events in their local communities as schedules allow throughout the month of March to raise awareness of agriculture. National Ag Day is March 20. The top 10 agricultural commodities produced in Georgia are broilers, cotton, eggs, timber, peanuts, beef, greenhouse plants, dairy, pecans and blueberries according to the CAED Ag Snapshots report. In 2016, each of these commodities generated more than $283 million in farm gate value. American farmers have tackled many challenges in feeding a growing population. In the 1960s, the average American farmer produced enough food to feed 25 people. Today, the average American farmer feeds 165 people.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 USDA APPROVES COTTON GINNING COST SHARE ASSISTANCE The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the Cotton Ginning Cost Share (CGCS) program to expand and maintain the domestic marketing of cotton. The enrollment period for the CGCS program runs from March 12 to May 11. Under the program, which is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), cotton producers may receive a cost share payment, which is based on a producer’s 2016 cotton acres reported to FSA multiplied by 20 percent of the average ginning cost for each production region. The CGCS payment rate for the Southeast, which includes Georgia, is $23.21 per acre. CGCS payments are capped at $40,000 per producer. To qualify for the program, cotton producers must meet conservation compliance provisions, be actively engaged in farming and have adjusted gross incomes not exceeding $900,000. FSA will mail letters and pre-filled applications to all eligible cotton producers. The program was established under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act. To learn more about the CGCS program, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/cgcs or contact a local FSA county office. To find your local FSA county office, visit the USDA’s new website: https://www.farmers.gov/. SOUTHERN AG LOSES CHAMPION AS U.S. SEN. COCHRAN RESIGNS U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced March 5 he plans to retire April 1 due to health concerns. “I regret my health has become an ongoing challenge. I intend to fulfill my responsibilities and commitments to the people of Mississippi and the Senate through the completion of the 2018 appropriations cycle, after which I will formally retire from the U.S. Senate,” Cochran said in a released statement. The National Cotton Council (NCC) praised Cochran as being a highly effective legislator and true statesman who consistently supported the U.S. cotton industry and all of agriculture. “Senator Cochran was instrumental in securing seed cotton’s eligibility for support under the 2014 farm bill,” NCC Chairman Ron Craft said. “His insight on the challenges facing agriculture and his leadership in shepherding important farm policy through the Senate are greatly appreciated by the U.S. cotton industry.” Cochran chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee in 2003-2004 and is the second-ranking member of the committee behind Committee Chairman Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) Chairing the appropriations committee and serving on the agriculture committees gave Cochran large influence on farm and nutrition policy. In addition to supporting cotton, Cochran was also known for his support of rice, peanuts and federal nutrition programs. Besides Cochran, there are three other Southern senators on the 21-person committee: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, John Boozman of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is expected to appoint an interim senator and schedule a vote for Cochran’s permanent successor as part of the Nov. 6 general election. According to news reports, possible appointees to serve as interim senator include Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mississippi Sec. of State Delbert Hosemann.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR FARM MOM OF THE YEAR Monsanto once again plans to recognize inspiring farm moms, and is accepting nominations for its 2018 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest. This year, 10 outstanding women, each representing a different region in the U.S., will be recognized as Farm Mom of the Year. Each winner will select a non-profit in their local community to receive $1,000. Nominations are open through April 30. Entries will be accepted online or through the mail. Ten regional winners will be chosen and announced in May. Anyone can nominate his or her favorite eligible farm mom by submitting a short essay of 150 words or less, why their nominee should be named Farm Mom of the Year. Nominees will be evaluated based on her role in her farm’s success, her engaging the community, her advocacy for modern agriculture and of course, how she handles her responsibilities as a parent. For complete contest rules or to submit a nomination visit https://farmmom.americasfarmers.com/. MAY 1 IS DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR COTTON SCHOLARSHIPS College students who will be entering freshmen or rising sophomores at a Georgia college for the 2018-2019 academic year and are the child or grandchild of a Georgia cotton producer or a cotton industry employee have until May 1 to apply for two scholarships coordinated by the Georgia Cotton Women Inc. (GCW). The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. The Georgia Cotton Women Scholarship is presented annually to the child or grandchild of a Georgia cotton producer or a cotton industry employee and who is the child or grandchild of a GCW member. This $1,500 scholarship is also payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. In the event there is no child or grandchild of a GCW member eligible for the GCW scholarship, the scholarship committee has the discretion to present the award to another qualified candidate. This scholarship is funded through the sales of the organization’s two cookbooks, Georgia Cotton Heritage Cookbook and the recently-released Cooking in High Cotton. Applicants for both scholarships must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average to receive the scholarship the following term. Applications are available by emailing georgiacottonwomen@gmail.com. GCW is a nonprofit organization that educates the general public about cotton and promotes cotton through various activities.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 OTHER AG SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships: The American Agri-Women (AAW) Foundation is taking applications for Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships – the Jean Ibendahl Scholarship and the Sister Thomas More Bertels Scholarshiop. These two scholarships are available to any farm, ranch, or agribusiness woman or her daughter to pursue accredited courses in agriculture leadership, communications, rural sociology, medicine, or any other courses directly related to agriculture. The Ibendahl Scholarship is available to high school graduates and women ages 18 – 23. The Bertels Scholarship is available to women who are returning students in agriculture and are 24 years or older. Both scholarships are for $1,000. Applications must be postmarked by June 1. Applications are available at http://bit.ly/aawschollys. Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship: Syngenta invites eligible university students to apply to its annual Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship program. University students currently pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees in crop-related disciplines are eligible to compete for $20,000 in scholarship awards. Applicants must be U.S. residents enrolled as of spring 2018 in an accredited agriculture program at an eligible university. Syngenta will award scholarships to a bachelor’s and master’s level national winner, selected from a pool of 4 regional winners in each category. Scholarship recipients will be announced in the fall. For more information about the scholarship, including official rules, prize amounts, essay topic, eligible universities and application guidelines, please visit www.syngentaus.com/scholarships. The deadline to apply is May 25. GROWMARK Foundation Scholarships: The GROWMARK Foundation offers a $1,500 scholarship program for students in the United States and Ontario, Canada, pursing two- or fouryear degrees or trade school certification in an agriculture-related field. Applicants must complete an online application which includes academic information, community service and leadership activities and essay questions regarding agriculture and cooperatives. Applications will be judged by a panel of agribusiness professionals. High school seniors or students at any level of higher education may complete the application, which can be found at www.growmark.com/scholarship. Applications are due by midnight on April 13 and recipients will be notified by July 1. NASS STILL ACCEPTING RESPONSES IN 2017 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE Farmers and ranchers still have time to be counted in the 2017 Census of Agriculture, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Although the first deadline has just passed, NASS will continue to accept census information through the spring to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture that represents all farmers and ranchers. Federal law requires everyone who received the 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire to complete it and return it even if they are not currently farming. NASS will continue to follow up with producers through the spring with mailings, phone calls and personal visits. To avoid these additional contacts, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to complete their census online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail as soon as possible. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov. For questions or assistance filling out the census, call toll-free (888) 424-7828.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 NORTHEY SWORN IN TO USDA UNDERSECRETARY POST U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue administered the oath of office to Bill Northey as the Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service (FFAS) on March 6. Northey had served as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, a position he had held for more than 11 years. In addition to his long service as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Northey is a former president of the National Corn Growers Association and served in state and local roles for the Iowa Farm Bureau. A fourth-generation corn and soybean farmer, he and his wife Cindy have three daughters and five grandchildren. According to a USDA press release, as part of a reorganization of USDA, Secretary Perdue has created, President Trump appointed and the Senate confirmed a new Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, as directed by the 2014 farm bill. The creation of the new mission area prompted the realignment of several agencies under a newly-named Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), the position for which Northey is intended. FPAC encompasses the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Risk Management Agency. The USDA indicated it is working with Congress to formally change the name of the mission area to FPAC. STOUGAARD NAMED CAES ASSISTANT DEAN FOR RESEARCH Robert N. Stougaard has been named the assistant dean of research for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), according to a UGA press release. Stougaard is responsible for the overall supervision of the college’s seven research centers and farms and three major agricultural experiment stations across the state. “We are fortunate to have someone with Bob Stougaard’s depth of experience to manage our extensive network of research stations and farms throughout Georgia,” said Allen Moore, UGA CAES associate dean of research. “Our research network is vital to Georgia agriculture and allows us to conduct research that is climate-specific and soil-specific to the numerous growing conditions in a state this size.” The field and laboratory research conducted at the college’s experiment stations and research and education centers is used by UGA Cooperative Extension specialists to educate and train Georgia agriculturists. Stougaard received a bachelor’s degree in soil science from the University of Wisconsin in 1978 and a master's degree in weed science from Southern Illinois University in 1983. He earned his doctorate in weed science from the University of Nebraska, where he also minored in microbiology. He joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska in 1987 and his primary duties focused on weed science Extension efforts in agronomic crops. In 1991, Stougaard moved to Montana State University, where he rose to the position of professor with tenure. At Montana State, his areas of responsibility included weed science research and small-grain cultivar evaluations. His research focused on the biology and management of the wheat midge, management of stripe rust, the development of competitive cropping systems for the control of wild oat, and the effects of environmental and varietal factors on falling numbers in wheat. Stougaard started March 1.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 OVERALL VALUE OF GEORGIA FIELD CROPS INCREASED IN 2017 The total value of Georgia field crops was $2.15 billion in 2017, an increase of 14 percent over the state’s 2016 field crop value, according to the Crop Values report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report was based on marketing and monthly prices received during the period of August through December. Georgia’s field crop values in 2017 were the greatest since 2013 and followed a period of four straight years of declining values. Upland cotton, peanuts and hay drove the overall growth in value in 2017. The state’s cotton crop was valued at $794.9 million in 2017, up from $753.4 million in 2016, an increase of 5.5 percent. Georgia’s 2017 peanut crop was valued at $780.5 million, up from $512.1 million in 2016, an increase of 5.2 percent. The state’s 2017 hay crop was valued at $186.9 million, up from $138 million in 2016, an increase of 35.5 percent. While the overall field crop production values increased, the value declined of the state’s grain corn for grain, cotton seed, soybeans, tobacco and winter wheat crops declined. The value of Georgia’s grain corn crop was $178.9 million in 2017, down from $217.6 million in 2016, a decrease of 17.8 percent. Georgia’s 2017 cottonseed crop was $72.3 million, down from $102.9 million in 2016, a decline of 29.7 percent. The state’s soybean production was valued at $61.4 million in 2017, down from $72.7 million in 2016, a decline of 15.5 percent. Georgia’s 2017 tobacco production value fell by four percent, from $54.7 million in 2016 to $52.5 million in 2017. Winter wheat produced in Georgia was valued at $13.5 million in 2017, down from $20.5 million in 2016, a decline of 34 percent. USDA LAUNCHES OPIOID RESOURCE WEB PAGE The USDA has launched a new web page, www.usda.gov/topics/opioids, featuring resources to help rural communities respond to the opioid crisis, according to a USDA press release. USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett said the web page will help rural leaders build a response that is tailored to meet the needs of their community. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that more than 63,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016. More than half of those deaths involved opioids, including prescription drugs and heroin. The opioid resource web page includes information on grants available to communities to combat the misuse of opioids and other drugs. In April 2017, President Donald Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue presented the task force’s findings, including 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments. The task force recommended to modernize health care access. The report highlighted the importance of telemedicine in enhancing access to primary care and specialty providers. The task force also found that improved access to mental and behavioral health care, particularly prevention, treatment and recovery resources, is vital to addressing the opioid crisis and other substance misuse in rural communities. To view the report in its entirety, please visit http://bit.ly/taskforcerecs.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 11 GFB TAKING LISTINGS FOR HAY DIRECTORY Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or offering custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Because this directory is now offered online, hay can be listed or removed from the site as your inventory dictates. To participate, please complete a submission form available at your county Farm Bureau office or online at http://www.gfb.org/membership/hay.cms. 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. GEORGIA BLUEBERRY GROWERS VOTING ON COMMISSION Georgia blueberry farmers who grow and commercially market 2,000 pounds or more in a single season are eligible to vote on whether to continue the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Blueberries in a referendum being held March 1-30. Blueberry growers pay $5 per ton of marketed blueberries to fund research, education and promotion programs that advance the blueberry sector. Eligible growers who have not received a ballot via mail by should contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) at 404-586-1405. CHEROKEE COUNTY AG EXPO March 16 Hickory Flat Fellowship Church 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Canton This annual event, sponsored in part by Cherokee County Farm Bureau in celebration of National Agriculture Month, features children’s activities with planting and animals, gardening classes, and refreshments. For more information contact Shirley Pahl at 770-479-1481 or sfpahl@gfb.org or visit www.cherokeeagexpo.info. ANIMAL WASTE OPERATOR AND PLANNER CERTIFICATION TRAINING March 21-22 UGA Livestock Arena, 2600 S. Milledge Ave. Athens All permitted livestock operations (other than dry poultry operations) must have a certified animal waste systems operator and an implemented nutrient management plan written by a certified planner. Training will address topics for farm owners/employees to properly manage animal waste systems and for people who write nutrient management plans. Both certifications require completion of this course and passing the exam. This is the only operator/planner certification course of 2018. There is no registration fee for Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors, dairy producers or pork producers. For all others, registration is $150 per person for operators and $200 per person for planners. Checks should be made payable to UGA. Preregister by March 16. To access the event flier registration form visit http://aware.uga.edu/downloads/OperatorplannerFlyer2018.pdf. For more information contact Melony Wilson at 706-310-3466.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 4TH ANNUAL GFB FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE GALA March 17 Southern Bridle Farms Fort Valley Join us for a night at the farm as we highlight the work the foundation has done in the past year to increase ag literacy across Georgia. We’ll have an evening of laughter as country comedian Jerry Carroll entertains with his high-energy show about everyday farm life. Dress code is “Country Chic,” which means nothing dressier for ladies than what you’d wear to church & nice jeans or khakis for men. Boots are perfectly fine for all! Reception begins @ 5:30 p.m. Gala starts @ 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $100 & tables of 8 are $750. Visitwww.gfb.ag/18gala to buy tickets or contact Katie Duvall at 478-474-0679,ext. 5230 or kgduvall@gfb.org. WATER MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS April 3 Decatur County Extension Office Bainbridge April 4 Cook County Extension Office Adel April 5 Bulloch County Extension Office Statesboro April 23 Pierce County Extension Office Blackshear April 24 Terrell County Extension Office Dawson April 25 Turner County Extension Office Ashburn May 15 Appling County Extension Office Baxley May 16 Fort Valley State Ag Technology Center Fort Valley May 29 Ashantilly Center Darien This series of workshops will explain the efficiencies of impact sprinklers, drip irrigation systems and how to develop an irrigation water management plan. Registration is $15 per person to help cover instructional materials and a meal. To register online visit www.tinyurl.com/CRSSWater or contact your local UGA or Fort Valley State Extension agent or NRCS conservationist. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION MEETING & BEEF EXPO April 5-7 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry There is something for everyone at this annual event that presents all things beef! The GCA will award approximately $15,000 in scholarships. The theme of this year's Convention is “Georgia Grown.” There will be a session on marketing local beef on April 6 and Georgia Grown products will be showcased throughout the convention. Other events include the annual silent auction to support the Georgia Cattlemen's Foundation and the Cattlemen’s Ball. Visit http://bit.ly/18GCAConvention to register. For more information call 478-474-6560. GEORGIA FORAGES CONFERENCE April 5 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This annual event, held in conjunction with the Georgia Cattlemen’s Beef Expo, features presentations on cow/calf vs. stocker cattle on summer and winter pasture varieties, supplementation strategies in pasture-based systems, grazing alfalfa for profit and more. Registration for the Georgia Forages Conference is $40 per person, which covers the program, instructional materials and lunch. For more information or to register, visit www.georgiacattlement.org or call 478-474-6560.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS May 1 application deadline Applications are now open for the 2018 Georgia Centennial Farm awards. To qualify, a farm must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres actively involved in agricultural production, and produce $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. The farm also must retain at least 10 acres of the original farm purchase. The program recognizes farms in one of three categories: The Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. To apply for recognition in 2018, visit http://georgiashpo.org/centennialfarms to download an application or contact Sarah Love at 770389-7856 or sarah.love@dnr.ga.gov.