Georgia Farm Bureau's Leadership Alert - January 12, 2011

January 12, 2011

www.gfb.org

Vol. 29 No. 2

GFB MEMBERS ATTEND 92ND AFBF CONVENTION About 690 Georgia Farm Bureau members registered to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation 92nd Annual Convention Jan. 9-12 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Unfortunately, the city’s biggest snowstorm in years prevented all from attending.

“The weather presented us with a challenge but as farmers we’re no strangers to overcoming challenges,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “Serving as host for the AFBF convention was an important chance for us to showcase Georgia agriculture.”

GFB won awards of excellence in Agriculture Education and Promotion, Leadership Development, Member Services and Public Relations & Information.

Bleckley County Farm Bureau member Jonathan Fordham competed in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion meet, won by Colin Johnson of Iowa. Turner County Farm Bureau members Steven and Tiffany Metcalf represented Georgia in the Young Farmer Achievement contest, which was won by Paul and Monica Minzenmayer of Texas.

Fordham discussed the prospect of fostering other organizations as allies for agriculture. “I have a focus on agriculture, but there are people, even in rural counties like the one I live in, who don’t necessarily look at things through the lens of agriculture,” he said. “We’ve got to find other groups that have common interests and look for ways to work with them.”

Members heard AFBF President Bob Stallman speak about producing results, celebrating 50 consecutive years of national membership growth. He pointed out that AFBF membership had reached 6,279,813 families.

At the closing session, “Dirty Jobs” star Mike Rowe challenged Farm Bureau members to continue working to get their own message out, saying, “I do believe in my heart of hearts that you are your own best spokesmen.”

GFB members heard Pro Farmer News Editor Roger Bernard discuss the 2012 farm bill, which he said would be shaped in large part by efforts in Congress to reduce the federal deficit.

Officials from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discussed food safety oversight. Mike Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods, said that the agency has been directed by Congress to develop a set of standards that guide farm practices in terms of food safety. Taylor’s comments were echoed by USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen.

Duvall was re-elected to the AFBF Board of Directors on Jan. 11, representing the organization’s southern region.

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GFB SETS 2011 PRIORITY ISSUES The Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors has set the organization's priority issues for the 2011 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly. The board voted on Jan. 8 to continue GFB’s emphasis on water, taxes and budget, and the defense of animal agriculture, all issues that GFB focused on in 2010.

With the state continuing to look for ways to manage its water resources while negotiating a water-sharing agreement with Alabama and Florida, the board opted to continue GFB’s active involvement with the state’s 10 regional water councils as they finalize water use plans. In addition, GFB will work closely with the Metro Water District to represent and protect agricultural water users, be involved in the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ rule-making process on interbasin transfers, support reasonable means to conserve water while working to supplement water supplies and work to make sure agricultural water rights are protected.

The board voted to continue GFB’s work toward protecting current agricultural sales tax exemptions and broaden the scope of exemptions to cover all farm input costs. GFB will also work to protect the integrity of the Conservation Use Value Assessment program. GFB will pursue the preservation of funding for agricultural institutions in the state, including the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Extension and research divisions, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation Commission and other ag-related state agencies, Future Farmers of America and 4-H. The board also resolved to work to obtain funding for the Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center.

GFB will continue its work to block efforts to regulate animal agriculture at the farm level, defend against attacks from groups opposed to animal ag, provide positive reinforcement to consumers about animal ag, work cooperatively with other animal agriculture groups, look for opportunities to increase support for food animal veterinary services in the state and seek new ways to control feral hogs.

OBAMA SIGNS FOOD SAFETY BILL INTO LAW President Barack Obama signed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act into law on Jan. 4, giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authority to order recalls; the FDA currently could only recommend recalls.

The $1.4 billion bill (S. 510) likely faces funding challenges in the new Republicancontrolled House. The price tag includes the hiring of an additional 2,000 FDA inspectors.

“There's a high possibility of trimming this whole package back,” Rep. Jack Kingston (RGa.), who chairs the subcommittee that oversees FDA funding, told Bloomberg News.

“While it’s a great re-election tool to terrify people into thinking that the food they’re eating is unsafe and unsanitary and if not for the nanny-state politicians we’d be getting sick after every meal, the system we have is doing a darn good job.”

In addition to recall authority, the law requires larger processors and manufacturers to register with the FDA and create detailed food safety plans, though it contains an exemption for small facilities and small farms, including those that sell food through farmers’ markets, bake sales, roadside stands, public events, community-supported agriculture and organizational fund-raisers.

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TAX COUNCIL SAYS AG SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS SHOULD CONTINUE A recommendation to continue sales tax exemptions on inputs used to produce agricultural products is included in the 34-page report the Special Council for Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians released Jan. 7. The council also recommended a new business input exemption for energy used in manufacturing, mining and agriculture.

The council’s report is the culmination of a six-month analysis of the state tax structure, which included a statewide series of 11 public hearings attended faithfully by Georgia Farm Bureau members. In a letter introducing the report, Council Chairman A.D. Frazier commended Georgia Farm Bureau for voicing its concerns, saying, “I give kudos to the Georgia Farm Bureau who, through their members, was the most prepared and vocal at each of our meetings.”

According to the report, “taxing business inputs creates inefficiencies,” and “Overall, the current business input exemptions for manufacturing and agriculture have served the state relatively well.” The council noted that exemptions for ag inputs are inconsistent and should be modified and simplified into one clean exemption that enhances fairness and equity among agricultural producers.

The council recommended that a certification process be implemented for producers to qualify for the exemptions. Farmers must produce a minimum annual value of $2,500 of agricultural products to qualify for the exemption. The Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture will be responsible for certifying producers.

“The recommendation of the tax council to continue the sales tax exemptions on inputs used to produce agricultural products is a testimony to what Georgia Farm Bureau is capable of accomplishing when we put our grassroots system into action and our members step up to the microphone to voice their concerns,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “We appreciate the time and effort that the tax council put into writing their report and appreciate them hearing our concerns.”

The 11-member tax council consisted of economists and business leaders including McDuffie County Farm Bureau Vice President Skeetter McCorkle. The council presented its report to Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston as required by House Bill 1405, which created the council last year. Now, the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure, a 12-member body made up of Georgia House and Senate leaders as outlined by HB 1405, is charged with studying the report and taking legislative action on it with up or down votes in each chamber.

LUCAS NAMED HOUSE AG COMMITTEE CHAIR KINGSTON TO CHAIR HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AG APPROPRIATIONS Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) last week was elected chair of the House Agriculture Committee for the 112th Congress. Lucas succeeds Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), who lost the chairmanship when Democrats lost their majority in the House.

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) also assumed a key post, being named chairman of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations, which oversees budgets of the Farm Credit Administration, the Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 4 CORN SHORT COURSE AND GEORGIA CORN GROWERS MEETING Jan. 19 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Tifton This annual event will feature sessions on disease and pest prevention, nutrient needs, irrigation studies, a market outlook for corn and more. Registration is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. For information, contact your local Extension office or call 229-386-3416.

GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW Jan. 20 Albany Civic Center 8:30 a.m.

Albany More than 65 exhibitors will display the latest in peanut equipment and technology. Event includes production and seed seminars and numerous door prizes. For more information call Rebecca Whitehead at 229-386-3502 or e-mail at: Rebecca@gapeanuts.com.

METRO ATLANTA BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION SHORT COURSE Jan. 22 Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta Registration is underway online for this short course. The registration fee is $95 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, parking and presentations from educators and urban beekeepers. For the agenda or to register, visit http://www.beekeepingshortcourse.com.

GEORGIA/FLORIDA RENEWABLE ENERGY EXPO Jan. 24 Coastal College of Georgia Camden Center Woodbine Event begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 4:45 p.m. Speaker presentations will cover renewable energy incentives, emerging renewable technologies and practical application of solar energy. Registration for college and high school students is $6, $40 for full access to speakers, exhibits and lunch, $50 for exhibitors with full access to all events and $25 for access to exhibits only. For more information call 912-576-3219 or e-mail jrdalgo@uga.edu.

GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION 4TH ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 26 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m.

Tifton This meeting, which will be held in conjunction with the Georgia Cotton Production Workshop, provides a day of education for Georgia's cotton farmers with up-to-date technical production strategies and current industry information. Speakers will include: Southern Cotton Growers President Allen McLaurin, Cotton Council International Executive Director Allen Terhaar, National Cotton Council Senior Vice President John Maguire, Georgia Farm Bureau President & Georgia Cotton Commission Ex-Officio Member Zippy Duvall and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture & Georgia Cotton Commission Ex-Officio Member Gary Black.

A sponsored lunch is included.

For more information, visit http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org.

MASTERS EQUINE PROGRAM Feb. 1 - March 8 Habersham Aquatic Center Clarkesville This program of Tuesday night classes covers a wide range of equine industry topics, from horse nutrition to horse rescue and business plans. Classes run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The $125 registration fee includes meals, a master equine handbook, a CD of course presentations and more. For more information, contact the Habersham County Extension office at 706-754-2318. The deadline to register is Jan. 21.

9TH ANNUAL MISS COTTON SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT Applications are being taken for the 9th Annual Miss Cotton Scholarship Pageant until Jan. 31. The pageant will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Tift County High School Performing Arts Center. The age divisions, which range from six months to 23 years of age include: baby, teeny, tiny, little, petite, junior, teen and miss. For information or applications call Mary Walker at 229-388-8008 before 5 p.m. or 229-386-5567 after 6 p.m., or email mary@chickashaofgeorgia.com or missgacotton@bellsouth.net.