July 27, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 30
GFB HOLDS YOUNG FARMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Approximately 200 young farmers from across the state participated in the 2011 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Leadership Conference, held July 23 and 24 at Callaway Gardens. The event included the preliminary rounds of the GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet, the announcement of the Young Farmer Achievement Award finalists and the selection of the GFB photo contest winner. The conference featured workshops on social media, agritourism, direct marketing and agricultural finances. “All of our farmers are looking to their next crop, and this is our next crop of leaders here,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “They’re just trying to get their roots set in agriculture, and we need to be there to assist them in each and every way.” Kyle Dekle of Habersham County, Sara Ervin of Jackson County, Skye Gess of Oconee County and Troy Windham of Laurens County are the four finalists from a record 23 contestants in the discussion meet. They will compete in the final round in December at the annual GFB Convention on Jekyll Island. The finalists for the Young Farmer Achievement Award are Chad and Julie Carlton of Polk County, Cody and Lora Lord of Laurens County and Chris and Marilynn Hopkins of Toombs County. The state winner will be announced at the GFB Convention in December. The state winners in the Discussion Meet and the Achievement Award will receive a trip to the 2012 American Farm Bureau convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, to compete for national honors. Participants voted on the winner of the 2011 Picture Agriculture in Georgia photo contest, and the overall winner was Matthew London of White County for his picture “Heifers at the Mound.” The participants’ children had a chance to explore Callaway’s attractions, including Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden and the Cecil B. Day Butterfly House. GFB Young Farmer Committee members Dawn Hall of Forsyth County, Janie Tyre of Bacon County and Ashlee Wood of Wilcox County presented a seminar on social media, walking participants through their efforts to tell the story of agriculture online. Jake Carter of Henry County talked about his experiences in agritourism with Southern Belle Farm, where he and his family sell you-pick strawberries, blueberries and pumpkins and host farm tours for school children and families. Committee member Brian Ogletree presented a seminar on direct marketing, and Ricky Grice of Ag South presented a seminar on agricultural finances.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 U.S. DOT TAKING COMMENTS ON CDL RULES FOR FARM VEHICLES Under a proposed rule by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), some motorized farm equipment may be considered as commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), subjecting operators to requirements for commercial drivers licenses (CDLs). The DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is requesting comments on the applicability of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to farmers and ranchers. Specifically, the FMCSA is seeking input on how it should distinguish between intrastate and interstate commerce when a CMV is operated within the boundaries of a single state, whether it should treat farmers with crop-share lease agreements as “for hire” commercial carriers in new entrant safety audits and whether “implements of husbandry” (tractors, combines, etc.) should be considered CMVs. Defining farm vehicles as CMVs would result in farmers losing their exemptions to CDL rules, subjecting them to CDL license training and fees and in some cases prohibiting minor family members from operating the farm equipment. The deadline to submit comments is Aug. 1. American Farm Bureau is preparing comments, and FMCSA has requested that other agricultural stakeholders submit comments. Visit http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FMCSA-2011-0146-0001 To read the entire proposal or to submit a comment. PEANUT PRICES CLIMB, ACHIEVEMENT CLUB WINNERS NAMED While the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) has reported the lowest planted peanut acreage in decades, University of Georgia Extension Economist Dr. Nathan Smith said prices for peanuts are on the rise, a trend that could continue through next year. The state’s peanut growers planted 480,000 acres of peanuts, according to the NASS June 30 crop report. “If the peanut industry wanted to know what the bottom-floor was for peanut acreage in Georgia in modern time, we reached it this year,” Smith said. That acreage, coupled with drought conditions in the state’s prime peanut-growing region, will affect the supply of peanuts after they’re harvested later this year, and the prices are increasing. According to a UGA release, the 2010 crop now being pulled out of storage is selling for $750 per ton, up from $600 per ton earlier this year. Smith predicted that peanuts next year could reach their highest prices in 20 years and might exceed $900 per ton. Meanwhile, a group of 11 Georgia peanut producers were inducted into the Georgia Peanut Achievement Club during the Southern Peanut Growers Conference on Panama City Beach, Fla. The club, sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection and BASF, is administered by the University of Georgia. Kreg Freeman of Miller County won the statewide award for growers with between 100 and 300 acres, producing 6,626 pounds per acre. Al Sudderth of Calhoun County was the statewide winner for growers with more than 300 acres, producing 6,328 pounds per acre.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 GFB ASKS CONGRESSMEN TO OPPOSE TOBACCO BARRIER TO TRADE Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to Georgia’s Congressional delegation on July 20 urging them to oppose a “dear colleague” letter from Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). Sanchez’ letter asked United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and members of the House to remove tobacco leaf and tobacco products from negotiations of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement, exposing U.S. tobacco exports to tariffs imposed by countries participating in the TPP. Sanchez used the Doggett Amendment as the basis for her argument. The Doggett Amendment prohibits federal funding for promotional activities for tobacco. Under the terms outlined in the amendment, inclusion of tobacco in comprehensive trade agreements does not meet the definition of promotional activities. In his letter, Duvall points out that such a removal from a free trade agreement, called “carving out”, would set a precedent by retreating from the U.S. position that trade agreements should include all commodities. In a related action, the commissioners of agriculture in Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia sent a letter to Kirk on July 14 asking him to continue supporting comprehensive trade agreements with no carveouts. Both Duvall and the commissioners said that carving out tobacco from the TPP will do nothing to advance public health, since tobacco products would be available in many countries regardless of the terms of the free trade agreement. BILLS INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS GUEST WORKER PROGRAM Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) introduced the HARVEST Act (S.1384) on July 19, a bill to streamline the federal guest worker program. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary the same day it was introduced. Chambliss’ bill would move the administration of the H-2A program to the United States Department of Agriculture. The bill changes the definition of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate to 115 percent of the federal minimum wage and expands eligibility for participation in the H-2A program, to include dairy and horticulture producers as well as processors. The bill allows a one-time application for an H-2A work visa for undocumented agricultural workers at a U.S. Consulate outside the United States provided they pay a $500 fine. It also would eliminate the 50 percent rule. The HARVEST Act sets up a mediation process to settle disputes over H-2A violations and requires biometric identification cards and standardized processing by U.S. consulates. In the U.S. House, Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) has released draft legislation that would establish a new national agricultural guest worker program. Lungren hopes to offer the legislation as an amendment to H.R. 2164, the mandatory E-Verify bill introduced on June 14 in the U.S. House by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. H.R. 2164, titled the “Legal Workforce Act”, would repeal the I-9 system and replace it with a completely electronic work eligibility check.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 WEST GEORGIA WINEGRAPE SYMPOSIUM July 30 Carroll County Cooperative Extension AG Center Carrollton Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with event running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event speakers will address the following topics: vineyard site selection and design, vineyard management, commercial vineyard establishment cost and returns of operations, winegrape varieties resistant to Pierce’s Disease, winery co-op concept and an overview of the Vineyard & Winery Association of West Georgia. Fritz Westover, an Extension viticulture specialist from the Texas Gulf Coast Region will deliver the keynote speech. Cost is $75 per person or $125 per couple. Registration fee includes lunch and reception. For more information call 770-836-8546 or email vineyardwga@caarrollcountyga.com. DEADLINE TO SUBMIT GFB COMMODITY COMMISSION NOMINATIONS AUG. 1 Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting nominations for its state Commodity Committees until Monday, August 1. GFB’s 20 commodity committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Georgia Farm Bureau president, board of directors and state staff and make recommendations to the GFB Policy Development Committee. Every county Farm Bureau can nominate members to serve on a Commodity Advisory Committee. Each county Farm Bureau office has more information about the criteria for serving on a committee and a nomination form. For more information contact the GFB Commodity Department at 1-800-342-1196. FSA TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY COMMITTEES The nomination period for Farm Service Agency county committees runs through Aug. 1 To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate. For more information visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. DAIRY CALF RAISING WORKSHOP Aug. 3 Oglethorpe Courthouse Annex, 100 Sumter St. Montezuma Aug. 17 Morgan County Extension Office 440 Hancock St. Madison This hands-on training offered by the UGA-Animal and Diary Science Department will be offered simultaneously in English and Spanish. Both workshops will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is free and Shamrock Veterinary Services, Inc. will provide lunch. The workshops will cover numerous topics including: Five C’s of Calf Raising, Calf Disease Transmission and Feeding Programs after Colostrum. To register call: Macon County Extension Office: 478- 4727588 or Morgan County Extension Office 706-342-2214 by July 28 at 5 p.m. DEADLINE TO VOTE IN VIDALIA ONION JINGLE CONTEST IS AUG. 5 The Vidalia® Onion Committee (VOC) is seeking the most popular Vidalia jingle and you are encouraged to cast your vote at www.vidaliaonion.org. The most popular jingle will earn $1,000 cash, while another winner based on talent and creativity as chosen by a judging panel will win an Ultimate Nashville Getaway. Contest submissions have run the audio and visual gamut: a cappella lyrics, pre-produced videos with guitar and drum accompaniments, Southern drawls, thick New York accents, giggling girlfriends, family reunion attendees, wannabe rappers, ladies crooning in flowered hats, and more.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 RED ROSE CLASSIC GOAT SHOW Aug. 13 Entry deadline Aug. 19-20 Ga. National Fairgrounds Perry Show participants will check in and have their goats weighed between 2-10 p.m. on Aug. 19. The Junior Market Meat Goat Show (for kids pre-K to 12th grade) will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 20, followed by showmanship classes and the International Boer Goat Association Show. There is no limit to the number of goats an exhibitor may enter in any show. Entry fees of $15 per goat must accompany entry form along with $7 per pen needed. Current health certificates are required for all goats. Goats six months or older must be registered with the International Boer Goat Association, the American Boer Goat Association or the U.S. Boer Goat Association. Original registration papers must be shown at check in. The Junior Market Meat Goat Show is open to any breed or crossbred wether or market doe. No bucks are allowed. Goats entered in the Market show are not eligible to show in either of the Breeding Boer Goat Shows. All goats exhibited in the Market show must be carrying all of their milk teeth at time of weigh in. Goats showing either or both of the first pair of permanent incisors are not eligible. Exhibitors from both the Junior Market Meat Goat Show and the Open Boer Goat Show are eligible to compete in the showmanship classes. There is no entry fee as long as the animals exhibited are entered and qualified for either the Junior Market Show or the Open Boer Goat Show. If an animal is not entered in either show, a $7 entry feed will be charged. There will be four showmanship classes divided by age of exhibitors: Class 1 – 5 years and under; Class 2 – 610 years; Class 3 – 11-14 years; Class 4: 15-18 years. Contact Rusty or Rayna Lee at 678-410-7785 or 770-652-6030 or leefarmsboers@aol.com for entry forms or more information. SE RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER FIELD DAY Aug. 16 UGA Southeast Research and Education Center Midville Event will highlight UGA field crop variety tests for corn, soybean and peanuts. Contact Anthony Black at 478-589-7472 for information. LOGANBERRY HERITAGE FARM GARLIC FEST Aug. 27 LoganBerry Heritage Farm Cleveland Garlic is the center of attention at this free, fun, family event, which celebrates the farm’s garlic harvest and runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be food tastings and cooking demos with garlic dishes, live entertainment, artisans and animals all in a memorable setting on this Appalachian heritage farm. Visit www.loganberryheritagefarm.com or call Sharon Mauney at 706-348-6068 for more information. The farm is located at 2660 Adair Mill Road, Cleveland, Ga, 30528. NATIONAL ANGUS CONFERENCE & TOUR Sept. 6-8 The Classic Center Athens Sponsored by Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC, this tour includes two days of visits at ranches in central and northeast Georgia as well as presentations from industry representatives, researchers and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. Registration fee is $150 before Aug. 1 and $175 after. For more information, visit http://www.nationalangusconference.com, call 816-3835100 or email sstannard@angus.org.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 4TH ANNUAL UGA COTTON & PEANUT RESEARCH FIELD DAY Sept. 7 Tifton The tour will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude with lunch. The Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission are sponsoring the field day. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 8 UGA Tifton Campus 8 a.m. Tifton This free event will feature a review of the latest insect, disease, fertilizer, and breeding research by UGA pecan researchers including Jim Dutcher, Tim Brenneman, Lenny Wells, and Patrick Conner. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Janice Dees at georgiapecan@gmail.com. BROOKS COUNTY SKILLET FESTIVAL Sept. 17 Brooks County Courthouse Square Quitman This farm, food & arts festival will highlight the area’s abundant agriculture and fine southern cuisine. The one-day event will feature the “Cast-Iron Man,” a 5k road race and 1m fun run, vendors on the courthouse square, the “Cast-Iron Chef” cooking competition, a skillet throwing contest and an evening with local musicians. Visit www.skilletfestival.com for more information or contact Lauren Basford at 229-305-7822. AGRIBUSINESS WORKSHOP –RESOURCES TO MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL Sept. 21 Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro Workshop will cover new business models, social media, farm-to-table opportunities, risk management and agritourism. Interactive sessions will be led by panelists who have local, regional and national expertise including chefs, agribusiness/agritourism owners, loan and insurance experts, organic farmers and farm agency representatives. Registration is $65 per person and includes a hot lunch prepared with local food. Online registration begins July 29 at www.ogeecheetech.edu and www.georgiamicrobiz.com. For more information or to inquire about exhibitor opportunities call 912-688-6098. WILLIAM HARRIS HOMESTEAD HERITAGE DAY.....A CALL TO ARMS Sept. 24 3636 Ga. Hwy. 11 Monroe This event, which runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m, offers fun for the entire family. There will be reeneactments to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, tours of the 1825 log house and outbuildings, demonstrations of 1800's crafts, plowing with the Old Time Georgia Plow Club, antiques, children's 1800's games, petting zoo, agricultural displays, great food and entertainment all day. General admission is $10, $5 for children 5-12 and children under 5 are free. For more information contact Judy Hardegree at 770-867-2449 or judyhardegree@yahoo.com. SEPT. 30 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT GFB POLICY Georgia Farm Bureau’s annual policy development process is underway. Sept. 30 is the deadline for county Farm Bureaus to submit policy recommendations to the state policy development committee. The state committee will meet this fall to consider the recommendations submitted by county Farm Bureaus and GFB’s commodity advisory committees. Contact the GFB Legislative Department for more information.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 2011 ANNUAL PEANUT TOUR Sept. 27-29 Various locations Southwest Ga./Bainbridge The 2011 Peanut Bus Tour of South Georgia, sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission, begins in Bainbridge on Tuesday, Sept. 27, with an early-bird hot topics session at 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Bainbridge. Presentations will include economic and food issues by University of Georgia faculty and USDA scientists on U.S. peanut program and policy, processing, quality, nutrition and uniform peanut performance tests. A reception follows at 6 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Holiday Inn Express.Tour highlights include production research at the Attapulgus Research farm, on-farm demonstrations, equipment manufacturing, peanut handling, grading and shelling, and product processing facilities. Lunch will be at the Cloud Livestock Pavilion and a low country boil will be held at 7 p.m. at the Earle May Boat Basin. The agenda for Thursday, Sept. 29 includes lunch in Blakely, a 6 p.m. reception at Cotton Hall in Colquitt, with dinner and theater presentation of Swamp Gravy. Bus seats will be reserved on a first-come basis, with international visitors being given priority. For more information, contact Rebecca Whitehead at 229-386-3470 or email rebecca@gapeanuts.com WOMEN AND HISPANIC FARMERS CAN APPLY FOR A USDA CLAIMS PACKAGE USDA recently announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans. Those wishing to register to receive a claims package or to request more information can visit www.farmerclaims.gov or can call the Farmer and Rancher Call Center at 1-888-508-4429. USDA cannot provide legal advice to potential claimants. Persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider.