May 8, 2019
www.gfb.org
Vol. 37 No. 9
GFB LEADERS TO CONGRESS: FARMERS NEED DISASTER AID Georgia’s farmers are hurting and need help, a group of Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) leaders told federal lawmakers during the 2019 County Presidents’ Trip to D.C., making sure to express concerns about federal disaster aid, implementation of the 2018 farm bill, agricultural labor, international trade and regulatory reform. Almost 100 GFB members and staff made the trip, which took place April 30May 2. “In order to fulfill our mission, we need to go and meet with our legislators, find out the issues, carry our wishes and let our voices be heard,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “It’s still as true today as it was in 1937. We had great meetings. We’ve got a lot of issues facing us, but I guess the key thing was the disaster aid.” The GFB group also presented Friend of Farm Bureau awards to 11 members of the Georgia congressional delegation – both senators and nine of the state’s 14 members of the House of Representatives. The annual trip, planned by the GFB Public Policy Department, gave members a chance to meet with Georgia’s members of Congress and featured policy briefings with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) staff members, remarks from Sen. David Perdue and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and visits to Capitol Hill, where GFB members urged their representatives to pass disaster assistance funding legislation to help farmers recover from Hurricane Michael. The October storm left approximately $2.5 billion in farm damage in Georgia. Many farmers in the storm’s path are struggling, with Michael’s damage compounding the effects of years of low commodity prices. “Sometimes Mother Nature deals you a tough hand, and we had one last year,” Sen. David Perdue told the GFB group on May 1. “This is a generational issue. If somebody loses the farm, -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 2 of 14 Continued from previous page it’s hard for the next generation to come back and get it back.” Perdue and other members of the Georgia congressional delegation expressed frustration that bills to provide disaster assistance funding had failed to get through Congress. GFB members asked their congressmen to monitor the USDA’s implementation of the 2018 farm bill to ensure it is completed appropriately and in a timely manner. Immigration reform as it relates to agricultural labor was another key topic. GFB members asked Congress to develop a new ag guestworker program or enact reforms to the current H-2A program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) released a new definition of “Waters of the U.S.’ in December, and public comments were accepted from Feb. 14 to April 15. The GFB group asked members of Congress to evaluate the new rule and its potential impact on Georgia farmers. The GFB members also asked representatives to work toward a permanent solution on the Department of Transportation’s rules regarding the number of hours drives can be on the road and use of electronic devices to track hours driven. Transporters of livestock and insects were granted a temporary exemption from the rules, but farmers have an urgent need for a permanent solution that balances the need for road safety with the unique needs of agricultural transportation. GFB AMONG AG GROUPS REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ACTION ON DISASTER AID Georgia Farm Bureau, along with 140 other agricultural organizations, sent a letter to President Donald Trump and House and Senate leaders on April 19 requesting immediate action to address the dire situations impacting farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural communities across the nation. The letter addressed the difficult year farmers have faced in 2018 and 2019 due to challenging market prices and destructive weather. The letter noted that farms across the country endured an incredibly difficult year in 2018 and the trend continues in 2019 with challenging market prices and natural disasters. Historic Hurricanes Florence and Michael, along with unprecedented wildfires, droughts, flooding and other natural disasters, devastated agricultural regions throughout the nation. Estimated agriculture losses in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina alone total nearly $5.5 billion. The groups noted farm losses due to disasters in other areas of the country and pointed out that while many producers benefited from the Market Facilitation Program assistance provided by the administration last fall to offset lost trade markets, those producers who lost their crops due to natural disaster received no help. In the Southeast, farmers have been waiting more than six months for Congress and the Administration to enact disaster relief funding. Numerous farmers are unable to secure production financing to plant a crop this year due to the lack of federal agricultural disaster assistance. Without the supplemental assistance from a disaster bill, their lenders will be faced with tough lending decisions in 2019. “We cannot overstate how critical and time-sensitive it is to deliver on the commitments made last year to enact disaster relief for the farmers, ranchers and rural communities impacted by these catastrophic weather events,” the groups wrote. “We strongly urge you to make the compromises -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 3 of 14 Continued from previous page necessary to find a path forward to approve critically-needed disaster relief, without further delay, and as soon as Congress returns from its two-week recess. The livelihoods of farm families and the economic health of rural communities are at stake.” In a related move on May 6, Sens. David Perdue (R-Georgia) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) sent a “dear colleague” letter to Democratic senators from states impacted by natural disasters urging them to immediately pass disaster relief funding. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp joined governors of nine other states in writing a letter urging President Trump and Congress to support disaster relief legislation, according to published reports. Perdue and Scott pointed out that the Senate historically has supported states hit by natural disasters with supplemental funding bills, moving quickly and with bipartisan support. For instance, within 10 days of Hurricane Katrina, Congress passed supplemental disaster relief funding. After Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, it took 17 days. For Hurricane Andrew, the last Category 5 storm to strike the United States, it took 34 days. More than 200 days have passed since Hurricane Michael devastated Florida’s Panhandle and Southwest Georgia. Perdue and Scott pointed out that proposed disaster funding includes support for families affected by an earthquake in Alaska, volcanic activity in Hawaii, wildfires in California, hurricanes that hit North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and the central Northern Mariana Islands, the 2017 hurricanes in Puerto Rico, tornadoes in Alabama and Georgia, and recent flooding in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and South Dakota. LONG COUNTY’S CARLEE LYNN WINS GFB ESSAY CONTEST Students statewide pondered the question, “What would happen if there were no farmers or ranchers?” in almost 1,280 entries in the Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Essay Contest. “The Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Essay Contest gives students a chance to learn about Georgia agriculture as they develop their writing and research skills,” said GFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Nancy Kennedy. The 70 county Farm Bureaus that held local contests submitted their top winners to GFB from which 10 district winners were chosen. The contest was open to all sixth through eighth graders during the 2018-19 school year. Long County student Carlee Lynn won the state prize of $150 and an additional $100 for being the GFB 7th District winner. Lynn is a sixth-grader at Long County Middle School. Other district essay winners are: Julie Hermann, Pickens County, GFB 1st Dist.; Emma Lawrence, Jackson County, GFB 2nd Dist.; Venya Gunjal, Cobb County, GFB 3rd Dist.; Phillip Villagorda, Wilkes County, GFB 4th Dist.; Jake Pope, Jasper County, GFB 5th Dist.; Doris Warnock, Treutlen County, GFB 6th Dist.; Will Fore, Wilcox County, GFB 8th Dist.; Emily Womble, Grady County, GFB 9th Dist.; Gabe Brownell, Lanier County, GFB 10th Dist. Each of these students won a $100 prize. Students were encouraged to explore the many products, such as medicines, clothes, books, and cosmetics, made from raw materials that come from farms. Essays were judged on clarity of thought and writing skill. To read the other district winners’ essays visit www.gfb.ag/19essays.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 14 THE WINNING ESSAY ENTRY: NO FARMERS, NO RANCHERS, NO GOOD By Carlee Lynn What would happen if there were no farmers or ranchers? The most obvious answer would be no food to eat. Food does not come from the grocery store shelves automatically. Farmers and ranchers grow the world's food supply. There is more than just food provided by farmers and ranchers. Numerous important products are produced from agriculture products every day. Farmers and ranchers also provide jobs for many people. Agriculture is important to everyone living on this planet. Our food supply comes from farmers and ranchers, not the grocery store. It is easy to not think of farmers and ranchers when buying groceries because our lives are very busy. The fact is today, the average farmer feeds about 155 people (AFBF Farm Facts, 2016). Consumers should stop and think about where their food comes from. Not only does the farmer and rancher feed our nation, but they also help supply food to other countries. A good example of this fact would be U.S. farmers produce about 40 percent of the world's corn (AFBF Farm Facts, 2016). Every farmer or rancher needs help to care for their herds or crops. Farmers and ranchers put a lot of people to work to help them produce food and goods. In 2017, 21.6 million full- and parttime jobs were related to the agricultural and food sectors-11.0 percent of total U.S. employment (Ag & Food Sectors and the Economy, 2018). Farmers and ranchers make a major impact on our nation's economy in both food supply and employment. Not only do farmers and ranchers directly affect the agriculture industry, in 2016, the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector employed more than 1.5 million people, or just over 1 percent of all U.S. nonfarm employment (Ag and Food Sectors and the Economy, 2018). Agriculture is not just a rural American job. Not only do farmers and ranchers provide food and jobs to our nation, their products are part of our everyday lives. Most people realize agricultural products such as milk, meat (chicken, beef, pork), and vegetables come from farmers and ranchers. Most people do not associate other products such as biofuel, medicine, sweeteners for drinks, and soy/wheat byproducts come from farmers and ranchers (Top 9 Major Agricultural Products, 2015). We are surrounded by agriculture products every day. Other products produced by farmers and ranchers include clothing, crayons, bioplastics, and toothpaste. Agriculture products are all over the world and used every day. What would happen if there were no farmers or ranchers? The answer to that question is obvious. The world would be a sad and hungry place. No food for people to eat, no clothes for people to wear, and many people unemployed would be the result or no farmers or ranchers in this world. The agricultural industry is important for everyone regardless of where you live. Farmers and ranchers support the American way of life and help with clothing and feeding the rest of the world.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 14 GFB ART CONTEST BRINGS GEORGIA AGRICULTURE TO LIFE Some 671 high school students across the state illustrated the beauty of Georgia agriculture as they created entries for the 25th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau High School Art Contest. The 69 county Farm Bureaus that held local contests submitted their top winners to GFB from which 10 district winners were chosen. “Georgia Farm Bureau’s High School Art Contest encourages students to consider farming as a subject for their art projects and motivates them to learn about the variety of crops and livestock Georgia farmers raise as they do research for their drawings,” said GFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Nancy Kennedy. Manuel Rodriguez The winning drawing by Manuel Rodriguez of Elbert County. of Elbert County captured first place. Matthew Bryson of Gordon County and Raven Carpenter of Evans County were named the state runners-up. Rodriguez won $250 as the state winner and $100 as the GFB 2nd District winner. Bryson and Carpenter each won $150 for being runners-up and $100 each for being the GFB 1st and 7th District winners. Other district winners in the art contest were: Erika Nash, South Fulton County, GFB 3rd Dist.; Aniela Elorza, Barrow County, GFB 4th Dist.; Abbi Underwood, Crawford County, GFB 5th Dist.; Abbi McCarthy, Jeff Davis County, GFB 6th Dist.; Lauren Booth, Houston County, GFB 8th Dist.; Jack Green, Early County, GFB 9th Dist.; Brianna Lindsey, Brantley County, GFB 10th Dist. Contestants were instructed to create a black, white and gray drawing using graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, ballpoint pen or mixed media appropriate for printing. Drawings were judged on how well the artwork represents modern agriculture in the student’s county or Georgia and artistic merit. The winning artwork from each district will be featured in GFB’s 2020 Ag in the Classroom calendar along with the drawings of Alicia Mazzurra of Cherokee County and Brendalyn Welch of Rabun County who were selected as honorable mention winners. Visit www.gfb.ag/19artcontest to see the artwork of the district winners.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 14 GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION INCREASES FUNDING FOR RESEARCH The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) Board of Directors approved $653,901 in research project funding for the 2019-20 research budget year during the commission’s March board meeting. The approved research projects include 35 project proposals submitted from UGA, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. “We are proud of our partnership with research institutions in the state and are excited about the potential benefits of these projects for farmers in the state and the entire peanut industry,” GPC Research Committee Chairman Donald Chase said. “As a peanut grower, I’m proud to invest in the Georgia Peanut Commission and in the future of the peanut industry by supporting research that continues to demonstrate a return on our investment.” Georgia’s peanut growers invest $2 per ton annually toward GPC programs, which include research, promotion and education. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, pests, weed and disease management. GPC also manages funding for the Southeastern Peanut Research Initiative which includes research funding of $1,239,098 for projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. These projects are funded through National Peanut Board checkoff dollars from farmers. For more information and a list of the projects funded by the GPC, visit www.gapeanuts.com. NAVE WINS GA FFA DISCUSSION MEET SPONSORED BY GFB YF&R LaFayette High School FFA member Preston Nave won the state FFA Discussion Meet Career Development Event held April 26 at the 91st Annual Georgia FFA Convention in Macon. Nave bested 11 other competitors to win the $250 top prize. The Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee sponsored the event awarding Nave and the other competitors a total of $1,150. The three finalists were: Claire Coleman of Morgan County High School FFA; Cedric Montgomery of Lowndes County High School FFA; and Matthew Peaster of Perry High School FFA. GFB awarded each of the finalists $100. Two area winners from each of Georgia FFA’s six areas competed in the event modeled after Farm Bureau’s YF&R competition. The discussion meet is designed to teach contestants the three fundamental basics of discussion: constructive criticism, cooperation and communication. Contestants are instructed to exchange ideas and information to solve a problem. GFB awarded $50 to each of the 12 FFA area winners who advanced to the state competition. The other area winners were: Tyler Westbrook of Pickens County High School; Isabel Browning of East Hall High School; Avery Cook of Upson Lee High School; Phillip Babin of Effingham County High School; Jessi Strickland of Burke County High School; Harmon Smith of Irwin County High School; Gracie Lovett of Ben Hill County High School; and Cole Powell of the Bradwell Institute in Liberty County. The topics in Rounds 1 and 2 were: 1) Given that the rapid dissemination of information and opinion about agriculture and food technologies makes it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, how can Farm Bureau protect farmers’ and ranchers’ access to production technology options? and 2) Since technology is one of the driving forces for innovation in farming, how can agriculture attract the best and brightest Science, Technology, Engineering and Math students into ag careers? In the third round of the competition the final four contestants discussed how Farm Bureau can be more inclusive of diverse demographic groups and production practices.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 14 UGA-TIFTON CAMPUS CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY Georgia agriculture is observing a major milestone this year as the UGA-Tifton Campus turns 100. The campus held a day-long celebration May 3 to celebrate the innovative ag research the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) has conducted in Tifton since 1919. The UGA-Tifton Campus was originally known as the Coastal Plain Experiment Station. After the Georgia Experiment Station was established in 1888, farmers saw the need for a similar research farm in South Georgia that could address the warmer climate and sandier soils south of the “fall line.” The Georgia Legislature passed an act to create the Coastal Plain Experiment Station (CPES) in August 1918. In May 1919, the CPES Board of Trustees chose Tifton as the site for the experiment station over Baxley, Savannah, Sylvester and Waycross. UGA administrators, faculty, staff and members of Georgia’s ag community gathered at the UGA-Tifton Campus Conference Center the morning of May 3 for a formal program. “Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry and the UGA-Tifton Campus has played a vital role in helping our farmers build this industry and sustain its success,” UGA President Jere Morehead said. Other speakers included Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, UGA CAES Dean Sam Pardue, UGA-Tifton Assistant Dean Joe West and USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture Director Scott Angle. “Of all the things we do in Washington, nothing is more important than protecting our nation’s food supply. If a nation can’t feed itself it can’t defend itself,” Scott said. “The science and education that comes from this campus promotes food security and peace around the world.” Prior to heading home to Tifton for the celebration, Scott introduced a proclamation to the U.S. House of Representatives marking the centennial anniversary of the UGA-Tifton Campus. He presented a copy of the proclamation to UGA administrators. Burton (forages & grasses), W.T. Brightwell (blueberry variety breeder), Frank McGill (peanuts), Hanna (turf grasses) and Peggy Ozias-Akins (peanut genome mapper) are some of the world-renowned scientists who have worked at the UGA Tifton Campus. Angle, who served as CAES dean from 2005-2015, shared he has learned as he’s traveled the world that the UGA Tifton campus is known around the globe as the research home of Glenn Burton and Wayne Hanna. Burton is frequently referenced as one of three fathers of the Green Revolution, Angle said. Hanna is known for developing turf grass varieties used at many of the significant sports venues worldwide. “He [Burton] is known for the pearl millet and forage grasses he developed to feed animals. Burton’s research has probably saved hundreds of millions of lives,” Angle said. “One hundred years - you can get a lot of work done in that amount of time. The amount of work this campus has accomplished boggles the mind. That’s why the Tifton campus is known globally around the world and I know great things are yet to come.” UGA-Tifton graduated its first class of students in 2004. The campus offers undergraduate programs of study in agribusiness, ag education, agriscience and environmental systems and biological science. Master’s degrees are available in agricultural & environmental education and -continued on next page
GFB News Alert page 8 of 14 Continued from previous page plant protection & pest management. “The staff and faculty here at this campus get up each day to do research in cutting edge science that has been a tradition at this campus. Our scientists continue to lead the way with greater discoveries,” Pardue said. Celebration attendees had a chance to meet some of the campus’ future stars during a research poster competition held before the formal program. CAES students at the Tifton campus displayed posters summarizing research they are conducting to address current issues Georgia farmers are facing. The celebration continued during the afternoon of May 3 with the dedication of a formal garden planted behind the H.H. Tift Building using plant and shrub varieties developed by researchers at the UGA CAES. The garden beds are bordered with Georgia granite. The grass borders in and around the garden are planted in TifTuf, the latest UGA CAES commercial turf bermudagrass variety. The centennial garden is similar to the one that was located on the same spot in the early days of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station. The original garden was paved for parking years ago. CAES alumni enjoyed a barbecue and tours of the Future Homestead, which opened in 2015. This energy independent home/lab is dedicated to developing and demonstrating advanced technologies for net-zero energy homes and sustainable gardening. The farmstead highlights how an array of wireless internet control systems, cameras and other sensors can help farmers check on and manage livestock, distant fields, irrigation systems, locate equipment, and even people from nearly anywhere. The day-long centennial celebration ended with a concert and fireworks on the front lawn of the Tifton-Campus on Baldwin Drive in front of the campus’ historic H.H. Tift Building built in 1922. USDA EXTENDS DEADLINE TO CERTIFY CROP PRODUCTION FOR MFP The USDA extended the deadline from May 1 to May 17 for agricultural producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP). MFP helps producers who have been significantly affected by foreign tariffs, resulting in the loss of traditional exports. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) extended the deadline because heavy rainfall and snowfall delayed harvests in many parts of the country, preventing producers from certifying acres. Payments will be issued only if eligible producers certify before the updated May 17 deadline. The MFP provides payments to producers of corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, dairy, hogs, fresh sweet cherries and shelled almonds. FSA will issue payments based on the producer’s certified total production of the MFP commodity multiplied by the MFP rate for that commodity. “Trade issues, coupled with low commodity prices and recovery from natural disasters, have definitely impacted the bottom line for many agricultural producers,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “The MFP payments provide short-term relief from retaliatory tariffs to supplement the traditional farm safety net, helping agricultural producers through these difficult times. Weather conditions this fall, winter and early spring have blocked many producers from completing harvest of their crops, and we want to make sure producers who want to finalize their MFP application have an opportunity.” Producers can certify production by contacting their local FSA office or through https://www.farmers.gov/manage/mfp.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 14 THREAT OF ASIAN SOYBEAN RUST HEIGHTENED IN 2019 In the Georgia Soybean Commission’s spring newsletter, UGA Extension Plant Pathologist Dr. Bob Kemerait warned soybean growers that the risk for Asian soybean rust is worrisome in 2019 in part because of the mild winter weather. Kemerait said soybean rust was found on April 7 on kudzu that survived the winter in Tattnall County. Early detection is an indication the disease could be a problem for soybean growers this year and they should plan accordingly. From Kemerait’s article: Asian soybean rust is potentially one of the most damaging diseases to affect soybean production in Georgia and elsewhere in the southeastern United States. When environmental conditions are favorable and when the disease occurs by early-to-mid reproductive growth stages, significant damage can occur that will result in yield loss unless the crop is protected with fungicides. Though significant effort in breeding soybeans for resistance to this disease continues, our commercial varieties planted now are susceptible to rust. Unlike other diseases and nematodes affecting the soybean crop, the spores of the soybean rust pathogen often do not survive the winter months between cropping seasons. The fungus that causes soybean rust is an “obligate parasite” which means that the fungus must survive on a living host (plant). During most winters in Georgia, temperatures dip low enough, long enough, to kill the plants where the rust disease would survive, most typically kudzu and volunteer soybeans. Because of this, soybean rust will not be present in Georgia until A) kudzu or another susceptible host reemerges after the winter months and B) spores of the rust pathogen are reintroduced into Georgia, perhaps from southern Florida or the Caribbean. Through the UGA Soybean Rust Sentinel Plot Monitoring Program, funded by the Georgia’s soybean producers and the Georgia Commodity Commission for Soybeans, it has been found that soybean rust is typically not detected in the state until June and even into July in some years. Later introduction of soybean rust back into Georgia reduces the risk that growers face to this disease. Temperatures during the winter of 2018-2019 were fairly mild and there were no prolonged periods of freezing weather or “hard freezes”. Primarily, mild conditions last winter allowed kudzu to survive where normally it would have been killed back. As early as February, soybean rust had been detected on kudzu growing in Gainesville, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama. By April 7, soybean rust was found on kudzu that survived the winter in Tattnall County. This was earliest post-frost period detection of soybean rust in Georgia since 2004. Early detection of soybean rust in Georgia does not guarantee that the disease will be a significant problem in the coming season. However, it is a strong indication that it could be a problem and that soybean producers should plan accordingly. The most significant yield loss and damage occurs when infection of the crop occurs earlier, rather than later in the season. Given that the disease is already known in the state, growers should carefully follow further reports from the UGA Sentinel Plot program of the development and spread of the disease in the state. Depending on weather during the season (wetter or drier), rust may develop quickly or very slowly. As a minimum, growers should be prepared to make a fungicide application to their crop as early as the R1 (bloom stage). The crop remains susceptible until the R6 (full seed size) stage. Your local UGA Extension agent can provide information both on the spread of the disease and on fungicides programs that can best protect your soybean crop.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 14 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY COMMISSIONS TAKING BOARD NOMINATIONS The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions for beef, cotton, equine, soybeans and tobacco are accepting nominations to fill term-expiring board positions. Eligible candidates must be active producers of the commodity and commit to attending commodity commission meetings. Term-expiring board members are also eligible for reappointment. Nominations can be submitted using the Nominee Information Form found at commoditypromotion-forms.aspx and mailing them to: Andy Harrison, Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 MLK Jr. Drive S.W., Room 320, Atlanta, GA 30334 Nomination forms may also be faxed to 404-656-9380 or emailed to Andy.Harrison@agr.georgia.gov. The deadline for submissions is May 30. The nominees will be certified by the Georgia Department of Agriculture to ensure they are active Georgia producers of the commodity. Geographic representation is considered during the appointment process. Final appointments will be made by the Agriculture Commodity Commission Ex Officio Committee in July. Producers may contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-586-1405 with questions. Georgia’s agricultural commodity commissions are farmer-funded programs to enhance research, promotion and education for specific commodities. Commissions are authorized by Georgia law under the Commodity Promotions Act. USDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR RURAL BROADBAND PROGRAM The USDA is accepting online applications for funding through the new ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program. These funds are a partnership between the federal government and the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second download and 1 megabit per second upload. ReConnect funding applications can be submitted at https://www.usda.gov/reconnect. In this first round of funding, USDA is making available at least $600 million in rural broadband projects, through $200 million in grants, $200 million in loan and grant combinations, and $200 million in low-interest loans. The application deadlines for each of these funding packages are: May 31 for projects seeking federal funds from the grants-only package; June 21 for projects seeking a combination of federal loans and grants and July 12 for projects seeking low-interest federal loans. Congress first appropriated funds for the new Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program, known as ReConnect, in 2018. The program will be a proof-of-concept, enabling USDA to create and implement innovative options for rural connectivity by providing various financial packages to our customers. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 11 of 14 GFB YF&R CONFERENCE, COMPETITIONS June 1 deadline to register/enter Registration is underway for the 2019 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Summer Leadership Conference, July 17-20 on Jekyll Island. GFB is also taking applications for its YF&R competitive events and the Picture Agriculture photo contest. All applications, photo submissions and conference registration should be completed online and are due by June 1 at 5 p.m. To register for the competitive events - YF&R Achievement in Ag Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award, YF&R Member of the Year, and Discussion Meet – visit www.gfb.ag/yfrcompete. Also new in 2019, GFB will recognize a YF&R Member of the Year. To learn more about this award, visit www.gfb.ag/yfrcompete. The GFB YF&R Committee is sponsoring the annual Picture Agriculture photo contest. The contest rules, minor release form, and submission information can be found at www.gfb.ag/yfrphoto. The GFB YF&R Committee encourages every county to send a YF&R representative to the conference. Each county Farm Bureau will have two free registrations for first-time attendees. To register YF&R members visit www.gfb.ag/yfrslc. Fees are waved for collegiate members. For more information contact GFB YF&R Coordinator Erin Nessmith at ennessmith@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5232. CLINCH COUNTY FARMERS MARKET First Saturday each month 8 a.m. – noon Empire Plaza Homerville This monthly farmers market co-hosted by Clinch County Farm Bureau and Homerville Main Street features a variety of locally produced treats, arts and crafts. Empire Plaza is located at the water fountain behind Heritage Bank on U.S. Highway 84. COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays through September 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Lost Mountain Park Powder Springs The public is invited to check out a variety of vendors with locally grown produce, baked goods, strawberries, peaches, jams, jellies and much more. Lost Mountain Park is located at 4845 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/cobbcofarmbureau/ or call 770-943-3531. DAIRY PRODUCERS ENROLLED IN LGM ELIGIBLE FOR 2018 MPP Dairy producers who elected to participate in the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Program (LGM-Dairy) now have the opportunity to participate in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) for 2018 coverage. Sign-up will take place through May 10. This retroactive signup is only for dairy producers with 2018 LGM coverage who produced and commercially marketed milk in 2018 but did not obtain full-year MPP-Dairy coverage. FSA will notify eligible producers by postcard and provide a one-time payment for all of the months in 2018 that had margins triggering MPP-Dairy assistance. Eligible producers can enroll during the sign-up period at their local USDA service center. To locate your office, visit www.farmers.gov.
GFB News Alert page 12 of 14 WATER MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS May 13 Gordon County Extension Office Calhoun May 15 Cobb County Water Lab Marietta These free workshops will explain the efficiencies of impact sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, how to develop an Irrigation Water Management Plan and hands-on activities assembling basic irrigation systems. Each workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register online visit www.tinyurl.com/CRSSWater or contact Dr. Gary L. Hawkins at 706-310-3526 or 706-310-3464. ATTENTION! LATE MAY/EARLY JUNE VEHICLE TAG RENEWALS Beginning Tuesday, May 21, some Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) location hours may be reduced to prepare for a system upgrade. County tag offices statewide will not be able to process vehicle tag, registration or title transactions on May 24. All online motor vehicle related services, including online tag renewals, will not be available May 21 – May 27. Motor vehicle self-service kiosks will also be offline May 21-May 27. To avoid delays, the DOR is recommending that Georgians with May and June renewal dates renew their tags before May 20. Those who ordinarily renew online should be able to do so after May 27 and are not expected to experience delays. Visit www.georgiadrives.com for more information. 28TH ANNUAL YOUNG HARRIS BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 22-25 Young Harris College Young Harris This is the most comprehensive beekeeping educational event in the Southeast, offering a full plate of classes for anyone interested in beekeeping, from brand-new beginner to advanced. The Institute is home to the Georgia Master Beekeeper program and the Welsh honey judge training program. Speakers include experts from University of Sussex in England, NC State, and Emory - as well as more than 25 home-grown Georgia beekeeping educators. This is “the” event of the year for anyone interested in learning to keep bees and promote pollinators. For more information or to register visit www.bees.caes.uga.edu/yhc-uga-beekeeping-institute.html. GA DEPT. OF REVENUE ACCEPTING TIMBER TAX CREDIT APPLICATIONS Eligible taxpayers have until May 31 to apply for a Timber Tax Credit to assist in offsetting the substantial economic losses incurred during Hurricane Michael. Under House Bill 4EX, eligible timber properties must be located in the disaster area established in Executive Order 11.06.18.01, which includes the following counties: Baker, Bleckley, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Laurens, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pulaski, Randolph, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox, and Worth.To learn more about the submission process for the Timber Tax Credit applications, please visit the department’s website at https://dor.georgia.gov/.
GFB News Alert page 13 of 14 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS More than $17,000 in college scholarships, back-to-nature field trips, and a true taste of college life are available for high school students who attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) June 9-13 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Students participating in the workshop will attend lectures and hands-on activities to boost their knowledge of Georgia’s vital natural resources. Local, state, and federal natural resource agencies and specialists from universities will host these sessions. The workshop also provides students with a taste of college life while delivering valuable insight into careers through their counselors and instructors. Tuition is $200 per student to attend the workshop. The application deadline is June 1. Tuition is usually provided to the students by local conservation districts, local businesses, and individuals. The workshop application process is available online at www.abac.edu/nrcw. PRESCRIBED FIRE WORKSHOP June 6 Chattahoochee Technical College 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Jasper University of Tennessee Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Craig Harper will be a featured speaker at this one-day workshop, which will include sessions on the effects of wildlife, air quality and more. Registration fee of $35 includes a light breakfast and lunch plus handouts. Early registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, visit www.garxfire.com/events, or call Kim McCollom at 706-894-1591. 2019 CORN SILAGE AND FORAGE FIELD DAY June 20 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This field day presents an opportunity to tour corn and forage test plots and hear tips on best management practices for making silage, managing Bermudagrass stem maggot, using dairy wastes and other byproducts for growing forage, weed control and incorporating legumes into summer grasses. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the event starts at 8 a.m. www.ugatiftonconference.caes.uga.edu/events.html. COLBERT 50TH YEAR JULY 4 CELEBRATION FOCUSES ON AGRICULTURE Since July 4, 1970, the city of Colbert in Madison County has celebrated Independence Day with its “July 4th Homecoming.” This year the celebration will honor Colbert’s agricultural heritage and spotlight surrounding farming communities. A farmers market will be set up for anyone interested in selling fresh homegrown produce, fruits, and vegetables. Vendors may also reserve a space to display homemade and/or pre-fabricated items, as in the past years. Vendor registration forms are available at the Colbert city hall or on the city website www.colbertgeorgia.com. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Old Colbert Elementary School. Those interested in being in the parade should plan to be there by 7:30 a.m. Activities are planned for the entire day, including a “best home-made pie” contest. The pies should be homemade apple, blueberry, and/or peach. To enter the pie-baking contest, register at city hall. Call 706-788-2311 to receive more information.
GFB News Alert page 14 of 14 SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 18-20 Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort Panama City Beach, Florida The 21st Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference will provide farmers with information about peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions.In addition to the conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. For more information about the conference and sponsorship opportunities visit www.gfb.ag/19SPGconference. Resort reservations can be made by calling 1-855-512-3843 and ask for the “Southern Peanut Growers Conference Rate� or use the Booking ID: 10Z6G7. Visit www.resortcollection.com/resorts/edgewater/ to book rooms online. Rooms are available at the group rate until June 14.