January 6, 2016
www.gfb.org
Vol. 34 No. 1
GFB BOARD APPROVES 2016 PRIORITY ISSUES On Dec. 18, 2015, the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors approved the organization’s priority issues for 2016. The issues include taxes and budget, natural resources and environment, animal agriculture and general agriculture issues. “We’ll maintain our involvement in any issue that affects agriculture,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “These issues have surfaced as having particular interest within our membership.” GFB’s aims regarding taxes and budget are to protect the integrity of the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA), preserve the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE), advocate for funding of agricultural institutions, agencies and youth programs and support equipment and machinery income deduction allowances. The board resolved to work with legislative and regulatory authorities to ensure the long-term availability of GATE while seeking ways to protect against the improper use of program exemptions. Also, it is GFB’s stance that the GATE program should remain under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. GFB’s goals for natural resources and the environment include working to ensure government policies do not adversely affect agricultural water rights, preserving private property rights when natural resources and species protection efforts are proposed, supporting reasonable water conservation measures while enhancing farmers’ access to water, and providing legislative assistance to agencies that provide water and other natural resource services to farmers. The board also agreed to continue GFB’s involvement in regional water councils and the Metro Water District. Regarding animal agriculture, the board resolved to work toward increasing the number of food animal veterinarians, to support and promote biosecurity practices to minimize threats to animal health, and to limit regulation of animal agriculture at the farm level. General agriculture issues include the pursuit of methods to control nuisance wildlife like feral hogs, ensure the availability of new technologies and promote their responsible use, and prevention of legislation requiring mandatory labeling requirements for genetically modified products.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 8 ELECTION, COMPETITIVE EVENTS TO HIGHLIGHT AFBF CONVENTION Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall will complete his candidacy for American Farm Bureau (AFBF) President and GFB members will compete in AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher events at the 97th AFBF Annual Convention Jan. 8-13 in Orlando, Florida, where attendees will have a chance to sample a variety of educational sessions to help them enhance their farm operations and advance the agriculture industry. Duvall is running against Oregon’s Barry Bushue, Arizona’s Kevin Rogers and Indiana’s Don Villwock in the race to succeed AFBF President Bob Stallman, who is stepping down after 16 years on the job. Georgia’s 16 voting delegates will participate in that election, as well as the finalization of AFBF policy on a variety of issues for 2016. GFB members will compete in three AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher competitive events. GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award winners Matt and Melissa Bottoms of Pike County will compete for the AFBF Achievement Award. Habersham County’s Kyle Dekle, who won the GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet last July, will vie for top honors in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet. Stephanie Butcher of Coweta County, who won the GFB Excellence in Agriculture Award, will compete for the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award. Paulding County Farm Bureau will be recognized in AFBF’s County Activities of Excellence program. PCFB partnered with Paulding County High School to run its farmers market in 2015, providing FFA students an opportunity to sell the crops they produced in the school’s ag program. Stallman makes his farewell address and entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran, one of the featured investors on the hit TV show Shark Tank, headlines the list of speakers. More than 20 educational workshops will be available to convention goers, covering topics to include transparency in farm operations, ag trade and the impacts of trade agreements, preserving America’s family farms and how an environmentalist changes his mind on GMOs. For a complete listing of convention activities, visit http://annualconvention.fb.org. GFB SUBMITS COMMENTS ON EPA CHLORPYRIFOS PROPOSAL On Jan. 5 Georgia Farm Bureau submitted comments opposing the EPA’s proposed rule that would revoke all tolerances for chlorpyrifos, a pesticide that has been widely used to protect crops against insect pests for five decades. In its comments, GFB maintained that chlorpyrifos is safe when used as directed, and has been particularly beneficial to farmers in controlling insects that cause damage to alfalfa, pecans, soybeans and nursery products, among others. If the pesticide is eliminated, the impact to farmers would be significant in terms of reduced effectiveness of pest management systems, costs associated with switching to more expensive and less effective alternatives and potentially substantial losses due to reduced crop yields, GFB said. The organization noted its belief that existing science supports the continued use of chlorpyrifos and urged the EPA not to pursue this proposed rule. The American Farm Bureau Federation also submitted comments, expressing concern that in proposing the revocation of chlorpyrifos, the EPA is retreating from its statutory obligation to balance the chemical’s risks against the benefits of its use. The EPA proposed the rule on Nov. 6, 2015, in response to a court order from the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 8 SAXON JOINS GFB LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT Jenna Saxon has joined the Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Department. An Oglethorpe County native, Saxon will work as a legislative specialist. In that role she will serve as an advocate for GFB’s policy positions with state elected officials and agencies. “Jenna will be a great addition to our legislative department,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “She has a history of involvement in agriculture and we’re happy to have her work with GFB on behalf of the state’s farmers.” Saxon graduated from UGA in 2012 with a degree in agricultural communications. She served an internship with the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and worked the past three years at the Georgia Department of agriculture, most recently as director of constituent services. “We are very excited about Jenna joining our staff and know she will be a valuable asset to the organization,” GFB Legislative Director Jeffrey Jenna Saxon Harvey said. Saxon was the 2011 Georgia Watermelon Queen and finished as first runner-up for National Watermelon Queen. In high school she showed livestock through 4-H and FFA and worked as a student assistant for Georgia 4-H while in college. “I’m looking forward to working as part of the GFB team and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to work in an industry that is near and dear to my heart,” Saxon said. UGA TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR VETCAMP 2016 High school students will have a weeklong opportunity to explore the field of veterinary medicine in the University of Georgia’s VetCAMP program. Run by the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, VetCAMP 2016 will be held June 19-25. Registration is open through Jan. 29. VetCAMP, or Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program, gives current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience veterinary medicine as a potential career path through the clinical and research services offered by the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center and the college’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. Attendees will learn about requirements for admission to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, research opportunities, study abroad opportunities, the college’s veterinary curriculum and underserved specialties in the field of veterinary medicine. Cost to attend the camp is $900. The fee includes lodging on the UGA campus, meals, instruction and social activities. Financial assistance is available to students with demonstrated need. Students who wish to be considered for the program must complete an application packet that includes an application form, a teacher/counselor recommendation form and an essay. They must also submit an official high school transcript. The packet is available for download at www.vet.uga.edu/GO/camp. For more information about the program, visit www.vet.uga.edu/GO/camp, email vetcamp@uga.edu or contact Parker Moore at 706-542-9975 or Khaliala Ward at 706-542-9386.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 8 CHASE, DAWSON, MORRIS RENOMINATED TO GPC SEATS In meetings conducted by Georgia Farm Bureau on Dec. 21 and 22, 2015, Donald Chase, Rodney Dawson and Armond Morris were renominated without opposition for their seats on the Georgia Peanut Commission. Chase, from Macon County, will maintain his seat representing GPC District 5. Dawson (Pulaski County) will continue as the District 4 representative. GPC Chairman Morris (Irwin County) will continue as the District 2 representative. APPLEGATE TO LEAD UGA POULTRY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Todd Applegate, associate head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University, has been selected to lead the University of Georgia’s Department of Poultry Science, according to a UGA press release. He begins on Jan. 8. Applegate, who has worked as a poultry researcher at Purdue since 2000, has a strong background in the Cooperative Extension System, research and instruction as well as a successful record of integrating the three. “Our century-old poultry science program is the largest and one of the most prestigious programs of its kind in the country,” said Josef Broder, interim dean and director of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, which houses the poultry science department. “We are glad to have someone with Todd’s breadth of understanding and experience leading the department.” Applegate received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from Iowa State University before pursuing his doctoral degree in animal Todd Applegate science from Ohio State University and graduating in 1999. He will replace Mike Lacy, current department head, who is retiring this year after 30 years at UGA. The UGA Department of Poultry Science is home to 17 full-time faculty members who are studying a range of topics, from nutrient management and chicken physiology to genetics and flock health. The department is seen as an international leader in poultry research, hosting hundreds of international visitors every year for workshops and collaborative projects. In addition, the department serves as a key resource for Georgia’s poultry producers. Georgia is the largest producer of broiler chickens in the nation. The state’s broiler and egg production is worth about $5.5 billion annually. Indiana is the third largest producer of turkeys and eggs in the nation, and its poultry industry is valued at about $4.25 billion annually, according to the Indiana State Poultry Association. At Purdue, Applegate led a dedicated team of poultry nutrition researchers and fostered an environment that promoted collaborative study among these researchers and scientists across the nation and in many other countries. As head of the UGA Department of Poultry Science, Applegate wants to focus on recruiting and building teams of researchers who will support Georgia’s poultry industry and the research that will help feed the world as the global population grows. To find out more about the Department of Poultry Science at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, visit poultry.uga.edu.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 8 TIME TO RENEW GATE CARDS The Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program is an agricultural sales tax exemption certificate issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture that identifies the card holder as an ag producer qualified for the tax exemption. All 2015 GATE cards expired Dec. 31. To renew your card visit http://forms.agr.georgia.gov/gate/ or call 1-855-FARMTAX (855-327-6829) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. There is a $20 fee for online applications and a $25 fee for applications made via mail or phone. Many county Farm Bureau offices will assist their members with online signups or renewals. The GATE card should only be used to purchase items that qualify under the program for the production of ag commodities. GGIA WINTERGREEN HORTICULTURAL TRADE SHOW, CONFERENCE Jan. 27-29 Infinite Energy Forum Duluth The Georgia Green Industry Association’s Wintergreen is the annual conference and trade show for the horticulture and landscaping industry, featuring education sessions and more than 200 exhibitors. The education sessions include classes on new plants and industry trends, business strategies, pest and disease treatments, irrigation technology, invasive plants and much more. Many classes offer CEUs for pesticide applicators, irrigation contractors and arborists. The trade show includes a “walkabout” to accompany Georgia’s horticultural icons Dr. Mike Dirr, Dr. Allan Armitage and legendary coach and plantsman Vince Dooley in a hunt for the high points of the show. For more information visit www.ggia.org or call GGIA at 888-GET-GGIA. GEORGIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION FORESTRY FORWARD SERIES Jan. 7 Oxbow Meadows Columbus Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) members and those who depend on Georgia’s working forests are encouraged to attend this reception-style event to learn more about the priorities of the GFA and the challenges facing working forest landowners and the forest industry. Space is limited. To RSVP visit www.eventbrite.com/o/georgia-forestry-association-7811066383. HOUSTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER SPROUTS Jan. 14-March 24 Perry Public Library Perry The Houston County Extension office and the Perry Public Library are offering Master Gardener SPROUTS for homeschooled youth ages 6-8 years. This six-session class will introduce youth to the wonder of gardening through a series of activities and books. The class will include hands-on activities, garden journals and reading to teach participants about “ugly vegetables,” Jack’s garden and plants gone wild. Classes will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Jan. 14, Jan. 21, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, Mar. 10 and Mar. 24. Registration is required for participation in MG SPROUTS. Contact the Houston County Extension office at 478-987-2028 for complete details. Registration forms are also available at the children’s desk at the Perry library and online at http://tinyurl.com/mgsprouts.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 8 GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW Jan. 21 UGA Tifton Conference Center Tifton This annual event organized by the Georgia Peanut Commission runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to view more than 100 exhibits in the trade show, attend educational sessions, earn pesticide application certification and win numerous door prizes. A free lunch will be provided. Call 229-386-3470 or visit www.gapeanuts.com for more information. AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 21 Carroll County Ag Center Carrollton Jan. 22 Unicoi State Park Cleveland Jan. 25 Cloud Livestock Facility Bainbridge Jan. 26 UGA Tifton Conference Center Tifton Jan. 27 Blueberry Warehouse Alma Jan. 29 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon This annual series is supported by an endowment from Georgia Farm Bureau with support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Agribusiness Council. The keynote topic will be a discussion of sales tax distribution patterns and how tax reform programs, such as the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) and the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT), have affected Georgia counties. A study released by UGA earlier this year shows GATE has had little impact on most counties. UGA economists will also provide an economic outlook for 2016. Check-in for all of the meetings, except Tifton, begins at 9 a.m. with seminars starting at 10 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. Check-in for the Tifton event starts at 7 a.m., breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. followed by the seminar from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cost is $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com, call 706-583-0347 or email carlam@uga.edu. Follow the meetings on Facebook.com/UGACAES or on Twitter @UGA_CollegeofAg and join the conversation with #AgForecast. GA COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING & UGA COTTON WORKSHOP Jan. 27 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This event begins at 8 a.m. and includes updates from state and national cotton organizations. The annual Georgia Quality Cotton Awards will be announced after lunch. For more information call 478-988-4235 or visit http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org. GAC MEMBERSHIP SUPPER & ANNUAL MEETING Feb. 2 Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Room Atlanta A reception will begin at 5 p.m. with the annual meeting taking place at 6 p.m., both preceding the supper and program at 7 p.m. Former Georgia Agribusiness Council Board Member and former Gov. Sonny Perdue will provide the keynote address. Individual tickets are $125 and include free parking at the aquarium. A block of rooms is available at the Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown (275 Baker Street, Atlanta, Georgia, 30313). To reserve a room by Jan. 15, call the hotel direct at 404-577-2001 and ask for the GAC block rate ($150 single or $160 triple). Please reserve tickets by Jan. 27. If tickets are ordered after Jan. 22, they will be available at will call. To order tickets call 706-336-6830 or e-mail Anna McIntyre at amcintyre@gaagribusiness.org.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 8 GAC STATE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST Feb. 3 Georgia Depot Atlanta Networking will begin at 6:45 a.m. with breakfast lines opening at 7:15 a.m. The program will conclude by 8:30 a.m. Table sponsorships are available for $400 (reserved table of eight) or individual tickets are available for $50 each. A block of rooms is available at the Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown (275 Baker Street, Atlanta, Georgia, 30313). To reserve a room by Jan. 15, call the hotel direct at 404-577-2001 and ask for the GAC block rate ($150. single or $160 triple). Group transportation will be provided from the hotel to the breakfast. Please reserve tickets to all events by Jan. 27. If tickets are ordered after Jan. 22, they will be available at will call. To order tickets call 706-336-6830 or e-mail Anna McIntyre at amcintyre@gaagribusiness.org. UGA SEEKING EXTENSION AGRONOMIST The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) is seeking an Extension agronomist to work in Southeast Georgia as part of the CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. The position will be primarily located at the Midville Research and Education Center. A master’s degree in agronomics is required to be hired at the level of public service assistant. A doctorate degree is required to be hired at the level of public service associate level. The deadline to apply is Jan. 30. For more information, contact Scott Monfort at smonfort@uga.edu or at 229-392-5457. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DAY AT THE CAPITOL Feb. 4 The Georgia Freight Depot Atlanta Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol is a chance for Farm Bureau members to meet with legislators and other government officials. Orientation begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Blue Room of the historic Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, located next to Underground Atlanta. Free parking at the Turner Field Gold Lot will be available with a shuttle service that runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information contact the GFB Legislative Department at 1-800-342-1192 or your local county Farm Bureau office. SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Feb. 4 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Expo will provide up-to-date marketing projections and the newest production techniques, as well as remarks from University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences leaders. Speakers include: UGA’s Dr. Nathan Smith, who will provide a world economic outlook for southern ag commodities; AFBF Deputy Chief Economist John Anderson, who will give a farm bill update; UGA’s Dr. Michael Toews, will speak about stored grain insects and North Carolina State University Plant Pathologist Dr. Christina Cowger, who will present information on fusarium head blight. To register visit www.georgiacrop.com/approvedplants/ or call 706-542-3793. Registration is $10 in advance and $20 at the door.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 8 UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN PRECISION AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE Feb. 3-4 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton The Atlanta and Coastal Plain chapters of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International are sponsoring this conference, which will update farmers, Cooperative Extension personnel, researchers, agricultural consultants and agricultural business professionals on the latest research regarding agricultural drone use and the proposed federal and state regulations. Registration for the conference is $125 for both days or $85 for one. Applications are being accepted for exhibitor space and sponsorships. For more information, please visit www.ugatiftonconference.org. GEORGIA PORK CONGRESS Feb. 16 Georgia Farm Bureau 2 p.m. Macon The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2017 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 2 p.m. in conjunction with a meeting of the Georgia Pork Producers Association. This meeting will immediately follow the 2016 Georgia Pork Congress that will start at 8 a.m. at the GFB Building. All Georgia pork producers are invited to attend. Any producer age 18 or older who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff was deducted. For more information, contact Georgia Pork Producers Association, P.O. Box 1566, Bainbridge, Ga. 39818 or call 229-246-8297. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Feb. 16 Holiday Inn Express, 1502 Sam Nunn Blvd. Meeting begins at 1 p.m. Call 229-469-4038 to RSVP or for more information.
Perry