June 26, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 26
FARM BILL DEFEATED IN THE HOUSE The U.S. House voted down its version of the 2013 farm bill, H.R. 1947, by a 234-195 margin on June 20. Nine of Georgia’s 14 congressmen voted against it. Overall, 62 Republicans voted against the bill along with 172 Democrats. According to published reports, the Democrats objected to cuts in the nutrition portion of the bill while the Republicans who voted against it felt the bill didn’t make enough overall cuts. “We are very disappointed the House failed to pass a farm bill, but we appreciate the positive votes cast by Congressmen Jack Kingston, Lynn Westmoreland, Rob Woodall, Austin Scott, and John Barrow in support of the legislation,” Duvall said. “They understand the importance of agriculture in the state of Georgia and across this country. It is a national security issue and we want to make sure that we get this done and get it on its way to becoming a final bill.” The linchpin issue in the bill was the level of nutrition funding included in the farm bill, which called for more than $20 billion in cuts over 10 years to food stamps and other nutrition programs, which accounted for nearly 80 percent of the bill’s overall funding. By comparison, the farm bill passed by the Senate on June 10 would cut nutrition programs by $4 billion over 10 years. President Obama had indicated he would veto the House version because of the nutrition cuts. “The farm part of the farm bill was held hostage because of what Congress felt about the nutrition end of it, and that’s very unfortunate,” Duvall said. “Some people believed that there should have been deeper cuts in nutrition, and then there were congressmen who said we shouldn’t be cutting nutrition at all, so there’s a great divide there. We’re hoping they’re going to find some solution that they can agree on, so that we can go ahead and move forward with this bill.” The bill eliminated current direct payments and cut commodity programs by $18 billion over 10 years according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. The bulk of the commodity funding in the bill was in the form of crop insurance premium assistance. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), who sponsored the bill, said work to get a farm bill passed will continue. “I’m obviously disappointed, but the reforms in H.R. 1947 - $40 billion in deficit reduction, elimination of direct payments and the first reforms to SNAP since 1996 - are so important that we must continue to pursue them,” Lucas said. “We are assessing all of our options, but I have no doubt that we will finish our work in the near future and provide the certainty that our farmers, ranchers, and rural constituents need.” The 2008 farm bill expired on Sept. 30, 2012. Congress voted to extend it until Sept. 30, 2013.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 GFB FARM TOUR TRAVELS THROUGH 9TH DISTRICT Georgia Farm Bureau members got a close look at agriculture in the organization’s 9th District in Southwest Georgia during the annual GFB Farm Tour held June 22 and 23. International Forest Company (IFCO), in Moultrie, was the first tour stop. Owned by brothers Mike and Patrick Mobley, IFCO is the largest grower of container seedlings in the Southeast, raising 60 million pine seedlings a year. The seedlings are used to reforest about 100,000 acres across the Southeast each year. At the second stop, Courtney Hamilton welcomed the GFB group to Southern Valley, one of Georgia’s largest produce growers. The Hamilton family grows at least a dozen different crops each year, shipping its produce to grocery stores along the Eastern Coast, in the Midwest and Canada. During the third stop at the UGA Turfgrass Breeding Station on the UGA Tifton Campus, research coordinator Larry Baldree gave an overview of the various sod varieties developed at the Tifton facility such as TifSport, TifWay & TifEagle. UGA’s Sanford Stadium was recently resodded with TiftWay. At the UGA Lang-Rigdon Research Farm in Tifton, UGA researchers gave updates on research being done on cotton, peanuts and soybeans. UGA Extension Entomologist Phillip Roberts discussed work UGA is doing to control the kudzu bug, which has decreased soybean yields by an average of 20 percent statewide since first being discovered in Georgia in 2009. Roberts said soybeans planted later, behind wheat, have less infestation than soybeans planted earlier in the planting season. At Docia Farms in Tift County, the tour group watched just-harvested cantaloupes make their way through the cleaning, grading and packing process to be shipped to grocery stores. The farm ships about 300 semi-loads of melons during the six- to eight-week cantaloupe season that ends by mid-July. Georgia Rep. Sam Watson, who serves on the Ga. House Agriculture Committee, spoke during the Friday night dinner, giving GFB members an overview of ag legislation the General Assembly passed this year including legislation to establish a beef commission and a Georgia Grown commission. Watson and his wife, Emily, serve on the GFB Young Farmer Committee representing the GFB 9th District. The Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla was the first stop of the second tour day. UGA manages the 130-acre research facility where scientists study ways to help farmers use water more efficiently. Mark Glass welcomed the GFB tour to his Mitchell County alligator farm where he harvests about 55,000 alligators a year. Glass sells the hides to luxury watch strap and handbag makers. He sells about 450,000 pounds of alligator meat each year to grocery outlets. At Gin Creek Plantation, GFB members enjoyed walking through the vineyards and riding trams through what has been called the premier wedding destination of the South. Brothers Richie and Doug DeMott have developed two scenic wedding venues for outdoor weddings and raise wine grapes and muscadines that are bottled off-site for wine sold under their label. The Sunbelt Expo farm was the last stop of the tour. GFB members rode trams through the 600-acre Expo farm to view research being conducted by university & company scientists on seed varieties, crop protection products and growing methods for row crops & forages.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 NEW CDL RULES FOR FARMERS TAKE EFFECT JULY 1 New rules for farmers hauling agricultural commodities go into effect on July 1. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (MAP-21) was signed into law in July 2012, and it includes changes to the current exemption that farmers have for hauling agricultural commodities to and from market. The MAP-21 exemption broadens exemptions for hauling agricultural commodities by expanding the geographic area in which affected farm vehicles may be operated. The new law allows farmers to haul commodities anywhere within the state of Georgia and up to 150 miles from the producer’s farm outside the state. Farm vehicles eligible for the exemption are those that are operated by farm owners, employees or family members for the purpose of transporting agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to and from a farm or ranch. They must not be operated for hire or carry hazardous materials in quantities requiring the display of hazardous material warning signs. For more information please visit: http://gamccd.net/Documents/MAP_21.pdf. Under federal requirements, a producer must carry a special tag or distinction on the vehicle in order to take advantage of the MAP-21 CDL exemption. Georgia Farm Bureau has worked with the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) to make sure that acquiring this special designation is easy and free of charge. DPS has created a “Covered Farm Vehicle Designation” form (DPS TR0025), which can be accessed online at http://gamccd.net/FarmVehicle.aspx. The DPS TR0025 Form will require the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in order to complete. The completed form must be carried in the power unit of the covered farm vehicle during all operation and must be available for inspection by law enforcement personnel to obtain this exemption. MORRIS SELECTED AS GPC CHAIRMAN During its monthly meeting on June 13 the Georgia Peanut Commission board elected its officers, selecting Armond Morris of Irwin County as chairman. Morris has served on the GPC board for a total of 26 years, including nine as the chairman. GPC District 3 Director Joe Boddiford was elected as vice chairman and District 4 Director Rodney Dawson as treasurer. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PLANT BREEDERS HONORS BOERMA Dr. Roger Boerma, executive director of Georgia Seed Development, has been recognized by the National Association of Plant Breeders and the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee with one of the organizations’ most prestigious tributes, the 2013 NAPB Plant Breeding Impact Award. The award honors an individual who has made significant advancements in the field of plant breeding in the area of applied variety and/or technology development, causing a measurable impact on crop production. It also recognizes the individual’s exceptional Boerma accomplishments in teaching and collaboration with others. A nationally recognized soybean geneticist and professor emeritus at the University of Georgia, Boerma was instrumental in developing UGA’s Centers for Soybean Improvement and for Applied Genetic Technologies. Since 2011, Boerma has led Georgia Seed Development, an agency that produces foundation plant material and markets seed and plant materials designed to improve crop yields for growers in Georgia and across the United States.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 UGA ENTOMOLOGISTS WANT YOUR CICADAS University of Georgia entomologists are hoping to use the public's interest in this year's emergence of Brood II periodical cicadas as a chance to research and better map the range of the cicadas. UGA entomologists are asking Georgians to collect any intact cicada bodies they find on the ground and send them to the museum. The Georgia Museum of Natural History has an international collection of cicadas ranging in size from smaller than a pinkie fingernail to some Southeast Asian species that are the size of the palm of a hand, all in a rainbow of colors. They also have representatives of several of the broods of 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas, including specimens dating back to the 1930s, but they don't have any Brood II cicadas from Georgia. Having specimens from this brood would help document this emergence in Georgia, Members of the public who find cicada bodies should send them to Richard Hoebeke, Georgia Museum of Natural History, Natural History Building, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30602-7882. For more information on the museum, see http://naturalhistory.uga.edu/. AGSOUTH FARM CREDIT FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS July 27 Conner Hall, UGA Register by July 13 Athens These free workshops are designed for young, beginning, small and minority farmers. All workshops run from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and include a provided lunch. Topics will include: applying for financing, preparing a business plan, record keeping, credit scores, risk management and more. Workshops are certified for FSA Direct Borrower Training Credit. To register or for more information visit http://www.agsouthfc.com/AgSouthAgAwareProgram.html or email Christy Smith at csmith@agsouthfc.com. ORGANIC GRAIN AND OILSEED PRODUCTION WORKSHOP June 27 NESPAL Building 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tifton This free workshop, which includes classroom presentations and a field tour, will give participants an understanding of how to begin producing organic grains and oilseeds. National experts will discuss organic corn, soybean, wheat and oilseed production specific to Georgia's climate. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. This workshop is sponsored by Southern SARE, Georgia Center for Innovation - Agribusiness, Georgia Organics, Cooperative Extension and USDA ARS. Space is limited and registration is required! Contact Kate Munden-Dixon to reserve your space at 706-542-8084 or katemd@uga.edu. The NESPAL Building is located at 2360 Rainwater Road in Tifton. WEBINAR ON SELLING PRODUCE TO THE USDA June 27 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. online This free interactive webinar, “How to Sell Fruits and Vegetables to the USDA.” Will feature Sara Hernandez of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) discussing the USDA’s commodity procurement program, the types of products the USDA buys, the requirements for selling to the USDA and the process of soliciting USDA business. The webinar will also provide information about contracting opportunities for small, socially disadvantaged, women- and veteran-owned businesses. This informative webinar is designed for fruit and vegetable growers, processors and distributors of all size. Registration is required and space is limited. Visit http://bit.ly/145Arm2 to register.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 GEORGIA GROWN FARMER SHOWCASE June 29 Savannah State Farmers Market 9 a.m. - noon Savannah July 13 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta July 27 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Aug. 10 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Aug. 24 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Sept. 14 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Sept. 28 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta This family-friendly series features dozens of vendors from around the state, offering locally grown fresh Georgia produce and plant sales, meet and greets with local farmers and much more. For more information, visit http://www.georgiagrown.com or call 404-656-3689. GEORGIA BLUEBERRY COMMISSION HOLDING RECIPE CONTEST The Georgia Blueberry Commission is holding its first “Sweet Georgia Blues Recipe Contest” throughout the month of June in celebration of Georgia Blueberry Month. Georgia Blueberry fans are invited to create and photograph an original recipe using Georgia Blueberries. Submissions will be posted on the Georgia Blueberry Commission’s website and Facebook page for voting. Contestants are encouraged to share information about the contest with family and friends to gain more votes. Recipe submission and voting began June 1 and continues through June 30. Winners will be announced on July 8th.The recipe creator with the most votes will win $500. Contestants who receive the second and third most votes will receive a Sweet Georgia Blues Basket (includes blueberry jams, autographed cookbook, etc) and an autographed copy of Hugh Acheson’s A New Turn in the South Cookbook, respectively. For more information and contest rules, log onto http://www.GeorgiaBlueberries.org. SUNBELT EXPO FIELD DAY July 11 Sunbelt Agricultural Expo, Spence Field Moultrie This free preview of 36th Annual Sunbelt Expo is an opportunity for farmers to see the latest seed varieties, crop protection, irrigation technology and precision ag technology in an applied research setting. Company representatives and university researchers will make presentations on their equipment and research. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. followed by a free biscuit breakfast with Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau representatives. Trams will depart for the fields promptly at 8 a.m. Tours will last until noon. No lunch will be served. All breakfast attendees will receive a free Expo cap and may register for door prizes including: a Brown 472 six foot rotary cutter, farm tires and a shotgun. For more information, call 229-985-1968 or visit http://www.sunbeltexpo.com. 2nd ANNUAL UGA ORGANIC RESEARCH FARM TWILIGHT TOUR Jul. 11 UGA Durham Horticulture Farm Watkinsville From 6 p.m to 8 p.m., UGA organic and sustainable agriculture experts will discuss research being conducted on apple variety trials, squash diseases, summer vegetable production, cool season vegetable production, summer cover crops and the use of high tunnels. The Durham Horticulture Farm is located at 1221 Hog Mountain Road. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact UGA Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator Julia Gaskin at jgaskin@uga.edu or 706-542-1401.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 USDA SEEKS APPLICATIONS TO FUND RURAL BROADBAND PROJECTS The USDA is accepting applications for grants to finance broadband deployment in remote, rural areas. Through this notice, USDA Rural Development may award up to $21 million in grants through the Community Connect Grant program. It serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for citizens. For more information, see page 34979 of the June 11, 2013 Federal Register, or visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-06-11/pdf/2013-13827.pdf. The deadline for submitting applications is July 11. UGA TRIAL GARDENS ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE Jul. 13 UGA Campus Athens The public is invited to attend an open house from 8 a.m – 1 p.m. at the UGA Horticulture Department’s trial garden on the UGA Athens Campus located between Snelling Dining Hall and the UGA pharmacy building. Visitors will get an up-close look at a new class of vetted ornamentals including annuals, perennials, roses and hardy bulbs. Dr. Allen Armitage, who is retiring after 31 years at UGA, will give tours during the event and sign copies of his books. A short recognition ceremony will be held to honor Armitage at 11 a.m. Planters designed by the garden staff will be available for sale. A $5 donation will be accepted to help support the trial garden. Visit http://www.ugatrialgardens.com/ for more information or call 706-583-0285. INTERNATIONAL AGRIBUSINESS CONFERENCE AND EXPO Sept. 25-26 Savannah International Trade & Convention Center Savannah This inaugural event, sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, will help farmers and businesses learn how to capitalize on the growing export market. Participants will be provided with information on what markets are open to their products, how to export their goods and what exporting can do for their bottom lines. Participants will attend educational forums and workshops, learning from experts in agricultural importing and exporting and about the latest practices in processing valueadded agricultural products. They also will have a chance to meet with international trade representatives. The conference’s main sponsor is Georgia Farm Bureau. For more information about the conference’s schedule, see www.iace.us.com. Early registration is $170 and ends July 30. For more information visit http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/iace.html. FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees is now open. 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. Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2013 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1. Elections will take place this fall. Members serve three-year terms. FSA will mail ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 4. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 2. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office on Jan. 1, 2014.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 GA EQUINE COMMISSION SEEKS NOMINATIONS The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine (ACCE) is seeking nominations to fill the positions of three members whose terms expire later this year – Jim Gibby, Debbie Lanier Guy and Danny Hogan. The positions are for three-year terms. Nomination forms are available at the ACCE website http://www.gaequine.com or by contacting Nathan Wilson by phone at 404-656-3678 or via email at nathan.wilson@agr.georgia.gov. Nomination forms and a one-page resume must be submitted to Wilson by August 1 to be considered. NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR FSA COUNTY COMMITTEES The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees is now open and 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. Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. UGA CONDUCTING SURVEY ON MOBILE POULTRY PROCESSING As a part of its Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education program, UGA is conducting an online survey on the feasibility of establishing a Mobile Processing Unit. (MPU). This survey collects information on production costs and processing costs at a USDA inspected facility and on-farm processing. The information will aid in determining the cost-effectiveness and benefits of using MPUs. The results of the cost-benefit analysis and profitability of using MPUs will be shared with pasture poultry growers and other stakeholders. The 15-question survey should only take about 5 minutes and is anonymous. To participate, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NNXKFN7. GARLICFEST 2013 Aug. 24 LoganBerry Heritage Farm 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cleveland This free, family event celebrates the garlic harvest of LoganBerry Heritage Farm. Talented chefs will showcase 15 varieties of garlic from around the world in creative dishes, cooking demos, tastings and recipes. Live entertainment, animals, crafts, artisans and the ever-popular Garlic University round out this exciting festival located in a memorable Appalachian mountain setting. LoganBerry Farm is located at 2660 Adair Mill Rd, Cleveland, Ga. Call 706- 348-6068 for more information.