June 18, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 24
EPA RELEASES PROPOSED GHG RULE FOR POWER PLANTS The EPA released its “Clean Power Plan” proposed rule on June 2 in a move designed to set goals for the reduction of carbon emissions from existing power plants. Under the rule, the nation’s power plants would have to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The goals vary by state. According to EPA documents, power plants in Georgia emitted 1,500 pounds of carbon per megawatt hour in 2012. The EPA set a goal of cutting the emissions to 834 pounds per megawatt hour or 44 percent by 2030. Under the rule, states would have until 2016 to submit their plans for reducing carbon emissions. Georgia’s carbon emission in the 2012 numbers cited by the EPA were less than 24 other states. Only one of those, Arkansas, has an equal percentage reduction goal as Georgia under the proposed rule. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the EPA’s proposed rules about greenhouse gas emissions from power plants are part of a regulatory agenda that threatens to be among the most costly ever imposed on the U.S. economy. AFBF maintains that regulation of power plant emissions will likely expand to nearly every segment of the economy. “The greenhouse gas proposal is yet another expensive and expansive overreach by EPA into the daily lives of America’s farmers and ranchers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Our farmers and ranchers need a climate that fosters innovation, not unilateral regulations that cap our future.” The EPA has requested funding in its 2015 budget request for analysis to determine whether regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from other (non-power plant) sources is warranted, indicating specifically that the analyses would include animal feeding operations. The EPA proposed a companion rule earlier this year for new power plants coming online. Georgia Farm Bureau voiced opposition to that rule, maintaining that it would result in diminished supply of electricity, increased consumer costs and reduced profitability for farm operations. While the first proposed rule would prohibit the construction of new coal-fired plants without expensive carbon capture and sequestration equipment, the new rule would apply to plants already supplying electricity to the American public. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, the public will have 120 days to submit comments. The EPA is already accepting comments through its website. To submit a comment there, visit http://tinyurl.com/epaghgrule. The agency has also scheduled a series of four public hearings on the proposed rule, one of which is in Atlanta on July 29 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 HOUSE PASSES EXTENSION OF SECTION 179 EXPENSES The U.S. House passed America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act on June 12. The bill, H.R. 4457, would permanently extend IRS Section 179 expensing rules for small businesses for purchases costing up to $500,000. The bill passed by a 272-144 vote. Georgia’s congressional delegation voted for the bill except Hank Johnson (D-4th District), John Lewis (D-5th District) and David Scott (D-13th District). In 2013 the Section 179 small business expensing limitations were raised to $500,000, allowing small businesses, including farmers, to claim all or parts of purchases of new or used business property rather than depreciating the cost over time. Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall wrote to members of the Georgia delegation in mid-May asking for support, noting that farmers use Section 179 for things like single-purpose livestock or horticulture structures, storage tanks and facilities, livestock, machinery and equipment. “Regular changes to important business tax provisions make it difficult for farmers and small businesses to plan,” Duvall wrote. A similar bill (S. 2260, called the Expiring Provisions Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency or EXPIRE Act) is awaiting consideration in the Senate. The Senate bill would extend the Section 179 rules for two years. GFB supports both bills, but prefers the permanent extension provided by the House version. CONGRESS CONSIDERING AG APPROPRIATIONS BILLS The U.S. House and Senate each is considering fiscal year 2015 agriculture appropriations bills. The House could debate H.R. 4800, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies FY 15 Appropriations Bill, the week of June 23. Deliberations began on June 11 and the House voted on 19 amendments, about half of the amendments submitted so far. One amendment under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), submitted by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) would prohibit meat packers and poultry processing companies from retaliating against livestock and poultry farmers for voicing complaints about the processing companies, or from joining together in producer associations to speak about problems encountered with processing companies. Pingree’s amendment would also prohibit meat packers and poultry companies from withholding information from farmers about how their pay is calculated, if the farmer requests that information. The Senate was to begin consideration of S. 2389, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, on June 17. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) wrote to members of the House on June 11 voicing opposition to any amendment that would undermine the 2014 farm bill, noting that funding reductions through appropriations would negatively impact farmers who are making business decisions based on provisions in the farm bill. AFBF asked that the 2014 farm bill be allowed to take full effect.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 NEW STATE LAW PROTECTS FARMERS WHO USE BROKERS A new Georgia law will help reduce the risks farmers face in doing business with brokers. Georgia House Bill 268 took effect on Jan. 1. Authored by Rep. Buddy Harden and supported by Georgia Farm Bureau during the 2013 legislative session, HB 268 strengthens the existing “Dealer in Agricultural Products” law, providing an update to existing laws and more clarity. Any broker doing business in Georgia must comply with the law. This applies to brokers of fruits, vegetables, cotton and pecans. Brokers handling dairy products, tobacco, grains and eggs are excluded. There are two main functions of HB 268. The first is a requirement that anyone who buys a product and does not pay in full with cash, must register annually with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and pay a small licensing fee each year. The fees for this annual license are as low as $50. Under the previous law, a broker could get a lifetime license once with no further review. This gave the GDA no recourse as they work to protect the farmer. The law also provides clear amounts for how much a broker has to be bonded. The minimum bonded amount is $10,000 and the maximum is $230,000, except in the case of pecans, which has a maximum of $500,000. “Last year in the 2013 crop year, over $4 million was reported in crops not paid for,” said Jack Spruill, Georgia Department of Agriculture marketing division director. “Farmers shouldn’t have that kind of exposure.” The “Dealer in Agricultural Products” law does not cover disputes regarding discrepancies in altered prices due to a change in grade. Spruill suggested that farmers have the Georgia Federal State Inspection Service provide quality assurance before the commodity is shipped. Farmers using brokers should ask if they are licensed with the GDA. “If you are dealing with someone who isn’t licensed, the Georgia Department of Agriculture can legally offer no assistance,” Spruill said. Contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture Bonding Division and manager Johnny Hurst with any questions regarding how to become licensed or to verify if the person you are doing business with is licensed. The website is http://agr.georgia.gov/bonding.aspx and the phone number is 404-656-3725. OBAMA SIGNS WRRDA INTO LAW The required legislative process for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) was completed on June 10 when President Barack Obama signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) into law. The bill includes funding for SHEP, which will deepen the Savannah River and extend its channel an additional seven miles into the Atlantic Ocean. When complete, the project will make the Port of Savannah available to larger vessels coming through the Panama Canal, which is also in the process of being expanded. The WRRDA includes $421 million in federal funding and the state of Georgia has set aside $266 million for SHEP. A project partnership agreement between Georgia and the federal government is expected by September. The agreement will define how costs of the project will be shared. Georgia Farm Bureau supported the bill. SHEP is expected to increase export opportunities for Georgia farmers.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 NRCS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SIGNUP FOR N. GA. IRRIGATION PILOT Farmers and landowners, who wish to conserve and preserve water through the North Georgia Irrigation Pilot Program (NGIPP) have until June 20 to apply. The two areas of improvement are water conservation and water quantity. The NGIPP provides both technical and financial assistance to farmers interested in improving the water quality and quantity of their operation. Applicable counties are; Banks, Barrow, Butts, Carroll, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Elbert, Fayette, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Hart, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pike, Putnam, Rockdale, Spalding, Stephens, Troup, Upson, Walton, White and Wilkes. For more information about NRCS’ programs, initiatives and services in Georgia, visit us online at http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov or visit your local NRCS office. Applications are due by June 20. GEORGIA GROWN FARMERS SHOWCASE June 28 Atlanta Farmers Market 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Atlanta This family-friendly event features numerous vendors from around the state, with a wide variety of products from Georgia farms. For more information about the Georgia Grown program, visit http://www.georgiagrown.com. 16TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 24-26 Edgewater Beach Resort Panama City Beach, Fla. This event brings peanut farmers and industry representatives to Florida for a three-day conference, which features opportunities to relax at the beach, live entertainment from magician Joshua Lozoff and humorist Lyndy Phillips. Sessions cover long-term peanut markets and creating new demand. In addition to the conference sessions, the event offers a ladies program and a golf tournament. Registration is $125 per person through June 30. For more information or to register, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229386-3470 or visit http://www.southernpeanutfarmers.org/spff/spgc.asp. GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL HARVEST CELEBRATION Nov. 21 Cobb Galleria Center Atlanta Early bird tickets are available at discounted prices until July 1. Early bird ticket purchasers will be entered into a drawing for one of 12 great prizes including a one night stay on November 21 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel; one of three Field of Dreams ticket books; or one of eight autographed CDs. For more information about Harvest Celebration, visit http://www.gaagribusiness.org, or contact GAC’s Christy Page at cpage@ga-agribusiness.org or 800-726-2474. SUNBELT EXPO FIELD DAY JULY 10 Sunbelt Ag Expo Farm, Spence Field Moultrie This free event gives farmers a chance to see the crops and research projects being conducted at the Expo farm on seed varieties, irrigation, crop protection, precision ag technology, soil fertility and organic farming. Researchers and ag company representatives conducting the trials will give presentations on their research. Registration for door prizes begins at 7:15 a.m. followed by a free biscuit breakfast and welcome from Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Dept. of Agriculture representatives. Trams will depart for field tours at 8 a.m. sharp. Tours will end by noon. Attendees will receive a grab & go BBQ lunch courtesy of Ameris Bank.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 GEORGIA JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION FIELD DAY July 10 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 9 a.m. Perry This one-day event features tracks for ages 10 & under, 11-14 and 15 & over. Registration is $15 until July 1 and $20 onsite for GJCA members. Non-members are required to join the GJCA; annual dues are $15. Field day stations include Beef Quality Assurance certification, stockman’s quiz, scholarship tips & tricks, careers in ag, a hula hoop contest, photo booth and more. For more information call 478-474-6560. MASTER GOAT FARMER CERTIFICATION TRAINING Aug. 5 – Sept. 9 Camp Fulton Truitt College Park This six-week course, sponsored by the UGA Cooperative Extension in Fulton County, provides training for goat producers on topics related to managing and producing goats for meat. Topics include nutrition, body condition scoring, goat selection, breeds, reproduction & kidding, hoof trimming, health & diseases, pasture management, basic dairy goat management, goat handling equipment, fencing displays, parasitology and business & marketing. Classes meet on Tuesday, with refreshments served at 6 p.m. followed by class from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Class size is limited to 75 participants. Registration deadline is July 11. Cost is $100, which includes study materials, refreshments, a t-shirt and graduation certificate. Camp Fulton Truitt is located at 4300 Herschel Rd. in College Park. To register, contact the Fulton County Extension office at 404-762-4077. GEORGIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE July 19-21 Westin Resort Hilton Head Island, S.C. Duncan Davies, president and CEO of International Forest Products Inc., will provide the keynote address at this annual event, which offers educational and networking opportunities for forest landowners, forest industry professionals and forest-based businesses. Continuing education credits are available, and session topics include a post-recession outlook, succession and estate planning, and forest advocacy. For more information or to register, visit http://www.gfagrow.org/annualconference. NUT HACCP FOOD SAFETY COURSE July 29-31 UGA Food Science Building Athens The UGA Food Science Extension Outreach Program and the American Peanut Council (APC) are co-sponsoring this program specifically designed for the nut industry to teach safe handling and processing practices for nut product manufacturers. Registration is $800 per person, and the deadline to register is July 18. APC Members receive a discount. Space is limited. For more information and to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/nuthaccp. FSA ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY COMMITTEES The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting nominations for its county committees through Aug. 1. Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers. Elections will take place in November and newly elected county committee members take office on Jan. 1, 2015. Nomination forms may be requested from the local USDA Service Center or obtained online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 ASA DUPONT YOUNG LEADER PROGRAM The American Soybean Association (ASA) and DuPont are seeking applicants for the 2015 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1. The program is a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase 1 will take place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 18-21, 2014. The program continues Feb. 24-28, 2015, in Phoenix, Ariz., with training held in conjunction with the 20th annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. The ASA DuPont Young Leader Program offers the opportunity for participants to strengthen their natural leadership skills, expand their agricultural knowledge and develop strong peer relationships with other soybean growers from across the country. To apply visit http://soygrowers.com/learn/young-leader-program/. One couple or individual per state will be selected to participate. For information, contact Christine Luelf at 314-754-1291 or cluelf@soy.org. NORTHWEST GEORGIA MASTER CATTLEMEN’S PROGRAM Sept. 8 – Oct. 27 Carroll County Ag Center Carrollton This eight-week course will meet on Mondays from 6:30 pm. to 8:30 p.m. Each week’s class focuses on a single aspect of beef cattle production, including nutrition, forages, reproduction, herd health, economics and marketing, Beef Quality Assurance, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, livestock facilities sire selection and record keeping. Participants who attend six of the eight classes will receive a certificate of completion and a UGA Master Cattlemen’s cap. Registration is $60 per person and includes a dinner on the final night. Advance registration deadline is Aug. 25. For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Paula Burke at 770-836-8546 or pjburke@uga.edu.