July 14, 2010
www.gfb.org
Vol. 28 No. 28
USDA PUBLISHES GUIDE FOR FARMERS MARKETS ACCEPTING EBT CARDS
With the use of food stamp benefits at a historic high, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a handbook on how farmers markets can accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments through the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. The guide, “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets: A How-To Handbook,” was published jointly by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) along with Project for Public Spaces, Inc. It makes the case for farmers markets accepting SNAP benefits, outlines how to install EBT systems and how to use paper scrip and token projects, how to become a FNS SNAP retailer, what equipment is required and how to make the use of the EBT machines successful. “It is important for people throughout the country to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and by promoting SNAP EBTs at farmer’s markets, we are accomplishing that goal while providing more economic opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Edward M. Avalos, Agriculture Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “This new handbook provides critical information to farmer’s market managers and spurs economic opportunities for local producers, and I encourage more markets to take advantage of using EBT machines.” According to the handbook, the total value of SNAP redemptions at farmers markets and farm stands doubled from $2 million in 2008 to $4 million in 2009. More than 1,100 farmers markets and farm stands nationwide already accept SNAP benefits. The program allows them access to an expanded customer base. In December 2009, almost 39 million Americans were utilizing the SNAP benefits. A total of $50 billion in SNAP benefit redemptions were paid in FY 2009 through more than 193,000 retailers. The EBT machines, which operate in similar fashion to credit/debit payment machines used at many retail checkout counters, are available free through the state’s EBT contractor. The standard machines require access to power and a phone line and can be used in conjunction with a paper scrip or token program where the customer’s EBT card is swiped and paper vouchers or tokens are issued prior to shopping. Wireless point-ofsale EBT machines are available for lease or purchase at the expense of the market operator. To download the handbook, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/marketingservicespublications.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 4 GA GETS PASTURE, RANGELAND & FORAGE CROP INSURANCE FOR 2011 The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently announced that the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index (PRF RI) Pilot Insurance Program will be offered in Georgia for the 2011 crop year. Georgia farmers interested in purchasing the insurance coverage have until Sept. 30, 2010, to sign up for the program said RMA Valdosta Regional Office Deputy Director Robert Ibarra. This program will be administered through crop insurance agents and offers coverage for loss of production due to lack of rain only. It does not cover losses due to other circumstances, such as armyworm damage. PRF RI payments will be determined by a RI that will be based on the deviation from normal precipitation within a 12x12 mile grid area for a specific time period selected by the producer. Producers will be asked to select at least two, 2-month time periods when rain is important to their operation. The RI uses National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center data going back to 1948. Coverage will not be based on rainfall received at a producer’s individual farm or specific weather stations located in the grid. Losses are calculated based on the deviation from normal precipitation for the grid and index intervals. Official rainfall records a producer may keep for a local weather station will not be used to determine payment eligibility. According to the RMA, it is possible for policyholders to have low production or low precipitation on their insured acreage and not receive a payment for lost production. When enrolling in the PRF RI program, your crop insurance agent will ask you to select a coverage level, the time periods you want to cover your crop and a protection factor, which can range from 60 to 150. The PRF RI program was designed to give producers maximum flexibility in selecting coverage, Ibarra said. Producers are not required to insure all of their acreage and may insure only those acres that are important to their grazing program or hay operation. Producers may choose to insure grazing land, hay land or both. The crop type and number of insured acres can vary from year to year based on a producer’s intended use of the land. Producers should contact their crop insurance agent prior to the acreage reporting date each year to make the appropriate changes to the policy regarding crop types, intended use and insured acreage. Although the program doesn’t allow producers to insure acreage that is annually planted, there are provisions that allow producers to overseed established perennial pastures. Acreage enrolled in other types of USDA programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program, is not eligible. The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company is teaming up with crop insurance company Rain & Hail to offer PRF coverage. GFB agents who wish to sell this insurance will be undergoing training through mid-August. GFB members interested in purchasing this product through a GFB agent should contact their county Farm Bureau office. If your county does not have an agent licensed to sell crop insurance you may purchase a PRF policy through a licensed GFB agent in another county. Call Rain & Hail’s GFB contact Michael Smith at 229-468-3153 to locate an agent nearest you. For more information, visit http://www.rma.usda.gov or contact your local crop insurance agent.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 4
LUCAS, EVANS MOVE INTO NEW POSITIONS AT GFB Andy Lucas has been promoted to the position of associate director in the Georgia Farm Bureau Field Services Department, while Jed Evans moves into the role of state young farmer coordinator. Lucas, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Organization Behavior from Mercer University, has served as the GFB young farmer coordinator for the past three years. In his new position, he’ll be responsible for leadership development and training. He started in 2005 with Farm Bureau in the Commodities Department as a commodity specialist working with the Certified Farm Market Program and for the last three years has worked as the young farmer coordinator. Lucas grew up on his family’s farm in Bleckley County. Prior to beginning his career with Farm Bureau, he worked in retail with a focus in training along with marketing and advertising. Andy and his wife Kandace, a first-grade teacher at Bleckley County Primary School, have a 5-year-old daughter, Lacy Kate, and are members of Salem Baptist Church in Cochran. Evans, who has worked as a commodity specialist in the GFB Commodities Department since September 2007, holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications from the University of Georgia. He will be directly responsible for working with the GFB State Young Farmer Committee and coordinating GFB Young Farmer programs. A native of Cochran, Evans is engaged to Shanna Oliver, also of Cochran, who is pursuing a career in occupational therapy. They are members of First Baptist Church in Cochran. ROBERT DASHER NAMED GEORGIA FARMER OF THE YEAR Tattnall County onion producer Robert Dasher has been named the 2010 Georgia Farmer of the Year. He joins nine other state winners as finalists for the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year, which will be announced Oct. 19 at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie. Dasher has been farming full time more than 40 years. He started with 130 acres and now owns more than 4,000 acres and farms a total of 4,800. Dasher is part of a family partnership that owns G&R Farms in Glennville, which grows sweet onions on 700 acres in addition to producing corn, soybeans, peanuts, hay, wheat, rye and pecans. Dasher also owns a 1,500head beef-cattle heard. Dasher’s controlled-atmosphere storage facility can hold 220,000 bushels of onions and this year he installed a new onion dryer to prevent bacterial growth in wet conditions. G&R was one of the first farms to ship onions in cardboard boxes to reduce bruising. As the state winner, he receives a $2,500 cash award and an expense-paid trip to the Sunbelt Expo, a jacket and a $200 gift certificate from Williamson-Dickie Company and a $500 gift certificate from Southern States. The Southeastern winner will receive a $15,000 cash prize, the use of a Massey Ferguson tractor for a year, a Canvasback gun safe, another $500 Southern States gift certificate and another jacket from Williamson-Dickie, which will also provide a $500 gift certificate and $500 in cash.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 4 UPCOMING EVENTS
GFB YOUNG FARMER FAMILY CONFERENCE & DISCUSSION MEET July 24-25 Lake Blackshear Cordele Registration is full but be sure to wish any young farmers from your county competing in the discussion meet good luck! GA FARM BUREAU COMMODITIES CONFERENCE July 29 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This is the annual kick-off of Georgia Farm Bureau’s policy development process. Members of the GFB Commodity Advisory Committees will discuss policy issues affecting their commodities. They will also tour research sites at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station and UGA research farms. For more information call the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department at 1-800-342-1196. SOUTHEAST BIO-ENERGY & RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE Aug. 3-5 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This 5th annual event includes sessions on the topics of rising gas prices, development of energy market jobs, wood pellet production and many other topics. For information visit www.sebioenergy.org or contact Evelyn Folds at 229-386-7274 or efolds@uga.edu. UGA TURFGRASS FIELD DAY Aug. 4 UGA Griffin Campus 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Griffin This event will present the latest research information on management of turfgrass varieties grown in Georgia. The morning sessions will also be offered in Spanish. Participants can earn four hours of Georgia Pesticide License Credit in category 24 and four hours in category 21. Registration fee is $50 until July 21 and $65 after July 21. For information or to register, visit www.GeorgiaTurf.com or call 770-229-3477. UGA SOUTHEAST RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER FIELD DAY August 18 UGA Southeast Research and Education Center Midville Event will highlight UGA field crop variety tests for corn, soybean and peanuts, trials to test peanut fungicides and control cotton stinkbugs and biofuel projects. Event starts at 9 a.m. followed by a provided lunch at 12:30 p.m. Call 706-542-1060 for more information. COTTON, PEANUTS AND SOYBEAN FIELD DAY August 26 Southwest Georgia Research and Educational Center Plains Event begins at 8:30 am. Lunch will be provided. Call 229-824-4375 for more information. PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE SAFETY DAY Aug. 28 Habersham County Fairgrounds Clarkesville This event, which lasts from 8 a.m. to 5p.m., is open to children ages 5 – 13 and utilizes interactive activities to teach kids about farm and rural safety. Topics include snake and wildlife safety, ATV safety, chemical safety, meth awareness, and tractor/PTO safety. Children ages 9 and under must be supervised by an adult. For information or to register please contact the Habersham County Farm Bureau at 706-776-6739 or jhcanup@gfb.org.