June 10, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 23
U.S. POULTRY INDUSTRY WINS INTERNATIONAL TRADE BATTLES In a ruling announced June 3, a WTO appeals panel upheld a 2014 ruling that a law enacted by India in 2007 prohibiting imports of U.S. poultry and eggs violates international trade agreements. According to a press release from the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), India’s ban on products such as poultry meat, eggs, and live pigs was allegedly maintained to protect India against avian influenza. The WTO panel and Appellate Body overwhelmingly agreed with U.S. claims India’s ban is not based on international standards or a risk assessment; India discriminates against U.S. products in favor of Indian products; India’s measures are more trade restrictive than necessary because it is safe to import U.S. products meeting international standards and India’s restrictions are not adapted to the characteristics of U.S. exporting regions. This victory will help address barriers to the Indian market for U.S. farmers, the USTR release said, including those in the U.S. poultry industry in particular, and also signals to other WTO members that they must ensure that any avian influenza restrictions they impose are grounded in science and are not simply a disguise for protectionism. U.S. poultry producers prevailed in another international trade market on June 5, when U.S. and South African negotiators announced an agreement that will end South Africa’s tariffs on American poultry. South Africa has been assessing tariffs on imports of U.S. poultry since the enactment of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2000. AGOA is scheduled to expire this year, and Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Chris Koons (D-Del.) led efforts in the Senate to block its renewal unless South Africa removed the tariffs. “Poultry farmers in Georgia, Delaware and across the country should be able to compete on a level playing field in markets around the world, but for too long, that hasn’t been the case in South Africa,” Isakson and Coons said in a joint press release. “This is a significant win today in our home states, and an important day for American agriculture.” AGOA was enacted to encourage development through trade with the U.S. in sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa has been by far the largest exporter of non-energy products to the U.S. under the AGOA program, selling luxury items like wine and cars to U.S. buyers. A bill to reauthorize AGOA passed the Senate in April. It included language requiring the USTR to conduct reviews of South Africa’s trade practices.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 GFB FEDERATION ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR PERRY RETIRES Wayne Perry has crunched lots of numbers for Georgia Farm Bureau during his 43-year, twomonth career with the organization, so it’s fitting that he retired in May with the longest tenure on record for a GFB Federation home office employee. Margaret Brown, former GFB corporate secretary, had 40 years of service when she retired in 1994. When Perry began his GFB career in 1972 as a mail clerk, GFB’s previous home office on Riverside Drive was just a year old, and he estimates there were only about 100 home office employees working for both the insurance company and federation. The secret of his long career with Farm Bureau was simple, Perry said - come to work every day, mind your own business and stay out of trouble. “Like your Daddy would have told you, ‘Keep your nose clean,’” Perry said. Perry worked full time at GFB while going to college at Macon State College and then Georgia College pursuing degrees in business and accounting. He climbed the ladder moving up from mail clerk to supply clerk, printer, computer operator and data processing shift Wayne Perry supervisor. After Perry received his accounting degree, former GFB Insurance Company General Manager Ken Miller offered him an accounting job with the insurance company. In 1990, the position of GFB Federation accounting manager became available, and Perry began overseeing the accounting duties for federation. In 1997 he was named director of federation accounting. In that role, Perry and his staff provided county Farm Bureau offices with bookkeeping services that included preparing financial statements, handling tax deposits for county payroll, preparing the W-2s and tax returns for county Farm Bureau offices and administering the retirement plan for county Farm Bureau office managers. “I’m just glad I made it to retirement. It’s been a great place to work, and I’ve formed a lot of good relationships,” Perry said. “I’ve had good staff.” Perry said he doesn’t have any specific plans for retirement other than tackling a list of “honey-do chores” for his wife, Rhonda, who is the chief financial officer for Navicent Health, and spending more time with his adult twin daughters Sarah and Ashby, who work as nurses in Atlanta. An avid UGA football fan, Perry says he hopes to attend more road games now that he’s retired. “I’m not too worried about what I’m going to do. I’ll get to enjoy a football season without having to worry about preparing Farm Bureau’s annual budget or year end.”
GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 KNOWLES NAMED GFB ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF FEDERATION ACCOUNTING Mike Knowles has been named Georgia Farm Bureau Associate Director of Federation Accounting. Knowles earned his bachelors’ degree in accounting from Georgia Southern in 1985. He began his career with Georgia Farm Bureau as a tax accountant in Farm Records Management in February 1993. For the past 17 years, Mike has been manager of Federation Accounting. In addition to his 22-year tenure with GFB, Mike brings to his new position experience with two Macon-area accounting firms. Mike has been married to his wife Tammie for 22 years and has two sons; Hunter and Tyler. Mike succeeds Wayne Perry. The Federation Accounting Department is responsible for all accounting functions of GFB Federation, GFB Incorporated, and the GFB Holding Company, providing recording of transactions within these companies, financial statement preparation and budget worksheet Mike Knowles for management use. The department also offers assistance to farmers in their records management, as well as offering services in bookkeeping, payroll forms printing, income tax preparation and tax planning. USDA OPTS NOT TO USE CURRENT VACCINES FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA The USDA will not pursue vaccination of poultry flocks with currently available vaccines but will continue pursuit of more effective vaccines, the department said in a June 3 press release. As part of USDA’s ongoing response, the department evaluated the efficacy of current vaccine options for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in addition to economic impacts of vaccination and has determined that, as it currently stands, additional criteria must be met before a vaccine can be approved for emergency use, the release said. Vaccines currently available are not well matched and do not meet a suitable level of efficacy. USDA also wants to be sure that the vaccine industry is in a position to produce enough doses to create an effective control measure. Finally, additional outreach with trading partners will be required to avoid significant market disruptions. The USDA indicated that it will continue to support efforts to develop a more effective vaccine, assist poultry producers with strong biosecurity measures, compensate producers for losses, and take aggressive action to maintain open markets for U.S. poultry based on international standards. USDA will continue to encourage development of vaccines for HPAI and will approve vaccines as they are developed and evaluated. Currently, there is lack of a well-matched, effective vaccine for HPAI from the public and private sectors. The vaccine currently available offers just 60 percent effectiveness in chickens, leaving 4 in 10 birds unprotected. The vaccine’s effectiveness in turkeys is still being studied. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will reevaluate its vaccination decision as more effective vaccines are developed and ready for use, carefully considering both the efficacy of the vaccine and the potential trade impacts. If used, vaccines will be targeted in the states and poultry sectors where they can be most effective. Areas where quarantine, depopulation, and enhanced biosecurity cannot stop the spread of HPAI would be prioritized. Additional information about HPAI can be found at www.usda.gov/avianinfluenza.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 STATE TO FUND WATER SUPPLY TEST PROJECTS The state of Georgia will drill three test wells at South Georgia sites to gauge the value of using underground aquifers to augment water supplies, according to published reports. The three projects will cost a combined $9 million, include one in Mitchell County in which a well will be drilled to the Claiborne Aquifer as an alternate source of water for the Stripling Irrigation Research Park, the Athens Banner-Herald reported. The well is projected to provide 500 gallons of water per minute. The Claiborne Aquifer lies between the Floridan and Clayton aquifers in Southwest Georgia Another project in Baker County will gauge the effectiveness of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) by drilling to the Floridan, Claiborne and Clayton aquifers, drawing water from one and placing it in the other two. The project includes testing for changes in water chemistry and the ability to recover water using ASR., the report said. The other project, to be implemented on Tybee Island, will involve drilling to the Cretaceous Aquifer as a source of drinking water for the island. SENATE BILL WOULD ELIMINATE REDUNDANT EPA PESTICIDE REGULATION A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on June 3 would prevent farmers from being subject to Clean Water Act (CWA) registration for pesticides already registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Sensible Environmental Protection Act (S. 1500) was introduced by Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) with 14 cosponsors. It was referred to the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works. FIFRA governs the sale, distribution and use of pesticides, with the goal of protecting human health and the environment. The statute requires pesticides to be evaluated (undergoing more than 100 tests) and registered with EPA, and for users to comply with agency-approved, uniform labeling standards. Despite this federal regulatory framework already in place, a 2009 court decision forced EPA to begin requiring Clean Water Act (CWA) permits for certain applications of pesticides in or near water. This duplicative regulatory requirement went into effect in 2011. According to a press release issued by, the bill clarifies that CWA permits are not required for pesticide applications in or near water. The bill also requires EPA to report back to Congress on whether the FIFRA process can be improved to better protect human health and the environment. Similar legislation, H.R. 897, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2015, was approved by the House Committee on Agriculture on March 19 and awaits consideration by the full House. Both Georgia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation support the bill.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 BRIM, CLIFTON NAMED TO FSA STATE COMMITTEE UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Professor Emeritus Dean Dr. Ivery Clifton and Tift County Farm Bureau member Bill Brim have been named to the Georgia Farm Service Agency State Committee, according to a May 21 press release from Rep. Sanford Bishop. Brim manages Lewis Taylor Farms in Tift County, one of the largest vegetable and greenhouse operations in the Southeast. Clifton served as interim Dean of UGA CAES from 1994 to 1995. Dr. Clifton also served a stint as UGA’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and taught agricultural economics. Members of the state committee are responsible for the general oversight and direction of FSA operations. They also play a key role in keeping farmers informed of programs and activities, in addition to resolving appeals from the agricultural community. AG GROUPS VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE RULE A collection of more than 40 agricultural stakeholder groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation voiced concerns about the USDA’s Interim Rule on Conservation Compliance. The conservation compliance rule amends the USDA regulations that specify the conservation compliance requirements that participants in USDA programs must meet to be eligible for certain USDA benefits, including marketing assistance loans, farm storage facility loans, and payments under commodity, disaster, and conservation programs. The conservation compliance requirements apply to land that is either highly erodible land (HEL) or wetlands. The rule also amends the regulations to implement the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 farm bill) provision that make the eligibility for federal crop insurance premium subsidy benefits subject to conservation compliance requirements. Among the issues the stakeholder groups expressed concern about were the lack of alignment of form AD-1026 records between the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the lack of clarity about which agency within USDA is the ultimate authority for communicating eligibility to producers and to the Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) responsible for the policies and the lack of direction on whether or not producers will be allowed to cancel or reduce their crop insurance coverage if they are informed of their ineligibility after the sales closing date for a crop insurance policy. To view the interim rule and its associated documents or to make a comment, visit http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=USDA-2015-0001.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 See page 9 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! COTTON SCOUT SCHOOL June 16 Southeast Research and Education Center Midville This program offers basic information on cotton insects and scouting procedures and will serve as an introduction to cotton insect monitoring for new scouts and as a review for experienced scouts and producers. Program topics include cotton growth and development, bug and larval insect pests, beneficial insects, scouting procedures, safety, and an in-field review. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m. For information about the Tifton program contact Debbie Rutland at 229-386-3424. For information on the Midville program contact Peyton Sapp at 706-554-2119. GEORGIA MARKET GOAT SHOW CAMP June 17-18 Franklin County Agriculture Center Carnesville Jamie Smith of Blue Team Wethers will lead this two-day camp on showmanship, feeding and caring for market goats and preparing for shows. A showmanship competition will be held at the end of the camp. Camp begins at 2 p.m. on June 17. Registration is $75, which includes lunch, snacks, supplies and prizes. To obtain an application, contact Owen Thomason at othom@franklin.k12.ga.us or 706-491-3095 or Raymond Fitzpatrick at rg@uga.edu or 706-3842843. COTTON INCORPORATED CONDUCTING NATURAL RESOURCES SURVEY Cotton Incorporated is surveying cotton growers through June 30 about their farming practices and conservation efforts as a part of Cotton Leads, a program founded by an alliance of cotton industry organizations in the U.S. and Australia. The survey is completely anonymous and should take about 20 minutes to complete and respondents are eligible to receive a free t-shirt. To take the survey visit www.cottoninc.com/agsurvey. For more information call 919-678-2220 or send an email to agsurvey@cottoninc.com. GEORGIA AG COMMISSIONS TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD SEATS June 30 Deadline for nominations The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions for apples, blueberries, cotton, milk, peaches, pecans, tobacco and vegetables are accepting nominations to fill positions on each commodity commission board. The length of each term is three years. In order to be nominated a person must be a Georgia producer of the mentioned commodity. Nominations can be made by producers of the applicable commodity by filling out a nominee information form available at Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, county Georgia Farm Bureau offices, and grower associations or on the Georgia Department of Agriculture commodities promotion web page at www.agr.georgia.gov/cpf. The completed form should be mailed to the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 19 MLK Jr. Drive S.W. Room 324, Atlanta, GA 30334; faxed to 404-656-9380 or emailed to andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov. Each nominee should be an active and qualified producer of the applicable commodity in Georgia. Geographic representation may be considered when making appointments. For more information contact Andy Harrison at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or 404-586-1405.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 AFBF CHALLENGE OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS THROUGH JUNE 30 The American Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting applications for the 2016 Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. Entrepreneurs will compete for $145,000 in startup funds. Applications must be submitted by June 30. The competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations being cultivated in rural regions of the United States. All applications, which include a business plan, video pitch and photo, must be submitted online by June 30. Judges will review the applications and provide feedback to the participants. The top 10 teams will be announced on Oct. 15. Finalists will compete for the grand prize title Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneur of the Year and $15,000 in additional startup funds to implement their ideas. One finalist will also be honored with the People’s Choice Award and $10,000 in additional startup funding. The competition timeline, detailed eligibility guidelines and profiles of the 2015 finalist teams are available at http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge. GEORGIA JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION FIELD DAY July 9 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Perry The field day is divided into tracks for ages 10 and under, 11 – 14 and 15 and over. Activities include a fitting demo, a hula hoop contest, coloring, a scavenger hunt and much more. Visit http://www.georgiacattlemen.org/fieldday.aspx for more information or to register. Register by June 30 and receive a t-shirt! STRIPLING IRRIGATION RESEARCH PARK FIELD DAY July 8 Stripling Irrigation Research Park Camilla Information from a variety of SIRP projects will be shared with visitors during this annual field day. For more information, call 229-522-3623. SUNBELT AG EXPO FIELD DAY July 9 Spence Field Shuttles begin at 9 a.m. Moultrie Farmers will get a chance to see the crops and research projects being conducted at Expo’s Darrell Williams Research Farm during this free event. Registration for door prizes begins at 7:15 a.m. followed by a free biscuit breakfast and welcome from Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Department of Agriculture representatives. Trams will depart for field tours at 8 a.m. sharp. University researchers and representatives from 30 of the top ag companies will provide the latest information on soil fertility, weed management, crop protection products, water management and irrigation and seed variety trials for cotton, peanut, corn and soybeans. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. YOUNG, BEGINNING, SMALL AND MINORITY FARMERS WORKSHOP July 17 UGA Tifton Campus Conf. Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tifton Aug. 28 University of West Georgia Coliseum 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Carrollton Sponsored by AGAware, this workshop is designed to assist young, beginning, small and minority farmers with developing a strong farm plan. Topics include income statements, applying for financing, preparing a business plan, risk management and federal government programs through the USDA, the Small Business Administration and other. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarewkshp.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 10 GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION SUMMER CONFERENCE July 23-25 Sea Palms Resort St. Simons Island Registration is now open for this key GCA event. Speakers include Kim Stackhouse, Director of Sustainability Research with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and NCBA President Philip Ellis, who will share their experiences with NCBA and cattle operations throughout the U.S. In addition to committee meetings, there is a tour of the Georgia Ports Authority, a golf tournament, Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association Games on the Beach, a low country boil at Bennie’s Red Barn and much more for the whole family. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/gcasumconf. 17TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 23-25 Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the numerous conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. For more information visit http://www.southernpeanutfarmers.org/spgc.asp. AM. PEANUT SHELLERS/PEANUT BUYING POINTS JOINT CONVENTION Aug. 4-5 Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club Cordele Shellers and buying point managers meet to talk peanut issues, host an auction, present awards and install officers. For hotel rooms, call 800-459-1230. For more information, call 229-8882508 or 229-386-1716 or visit www peanut-shellers.org. GEORGIA STATE TRAIL RIDE & CHUCKWAGON COOKOFF Aug. 8 Hard Labor Creek State Park 8 a.m. Rutledge This inaugural event is sponsored by the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine, the Georgia State Parks, Georgia Grown and Georgia Farm Bureau. Trail ride begins at 8 a.m. Georgia Dept. of Agriculture inspectors require all in-state horses to have a Coggins certificate and out-of-state horses must have a valid health and Coggins certificate. The park will charge a $5 parking fee and $12 to ride the trails. Event is limited to 125 horses. For more information or to register by July 31 contact John Clements at 478-298-0347 or tiejc@bellsouth.net. An authentic chuckwagon lunch will be served around noon. The public is welcome to watch the lunch being cooked that morning. A total of 500 meal tickets for lunch will be sold for $10 each while supplies last. Afternoon entertainment will include cowboy poets. SE GEORGIA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER FIELD DAY Aug. 12 Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center Midville Hear research specialists talk about crops, technology, and hear about research. For more information call 478-589-7472. 26TH ANNUAL BROOKLET PEANUT FESTIVAL Aug. 15 Brooklet Located just 45 minutes from Savannah in Bulloch County, the 25th Annual Peanut Festival includes a peanut run, a parade at 10 a.m., arts and crafts, exhibits and entertainment. Visit www.brookletpeanutfestival.com for more information.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132. HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332. MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com. ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Through Nov. 21 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public. Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact RDCFB Office Manager Susanne Bell at shbell@gfb.org or call 770-922-3566.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 10 UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Every Saturday through Oct. 31 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Tuesday through Oct. 27 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com or 706-439-6043. SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this monthly open-air market that will allow local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Each month’s market will have a different theme. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. The farm is unique for its collection of intact historic buildings that exist in their original location and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online.