June 28, 2017
www.gfb.org
Vol. 35 No. 13
GFB MARKS 80 YEARS WITH BARTOW COUNTY CEREMONY On June 17, 2017, Georgia Farm Bureau placed a monument on the grounds of the Bartow County courthouse in Cartersville to commemorate the initial meeting that led to the formation of the organization and on June 21 GFB celebrated its 80th anniversary with a reception and ceremony at the Clarence Brown Conference Center in Cartersville. The event drew approximately 150 people, many of them Farm Bureau members, who heard remarks from UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Dean Sam Pardue and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black. “I think our organization has stood the test of time,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “Through the years we’ve never strayed from our original mission – to serve as the voice of Georgia farmers. Not only have our farmer members benefitted from the work we’ve done to represent them, but so have consumers, who have access to healthy locally grown food, cotton for clothes and timber that provides wood for houses, clean air and wildlife habitat.” Pardue offered the keynote address, pointing out numerous facts about The next issue of both the history and strength of Georgia agriculture. “We have had a great partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau,” said GFB News Alert Pardue, who was invited as an acknowledgement of GFB’s long-standing comes out relationship with the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. “When those July 12. folks gathered and created this organization, I suspect they never thought it would be what it has become today. What we should strive for, for our legacy, is 80 years from now, people will look back and reflect on the things we did in this generation to position this organization to be successful.” Robert M. Stiles, a World War I veteran and farmer who lived in southwest Bartow County, met with farmers from Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gordon, Floyd, Polk and Paulding counties on June 17, 1937, at the Bartow County courthouse. They resolved to create the United Georgia Farmers, the forerunner of what is now Georgia Farm Bureau. Six weeks later, on July 31, 1937, a group of 50 farmers from 25 Georgia counties met at the Ansley Hotel in Atlanta and officially formed the United Georgia Farmers, which aimed to be involved in county, state and national affairs in the pursuit of equal opportunity for farmers and -continued
GFB News Alert page 2 of 13 Continued rom previous page raising their standard of living. Stiles was selected as the organization’s first president, heading a slate of officers that included W.D. McClure of Acworth, T.R. Breedlove of Monroe, T.B. Thornton of Hartwell and J.F. Alexander of Louisville. Seven members of Stiles’ family representing three generations attended the 80th anniversary celebration. Black, whose first job after college was with GFB, encouraged the organization’s members to cherish their inherited legacy while continuing to build on it. “We can have good memories, but we have to pay that forward and we have to remind ourselves what the future holds,” Black said. “We’ve got to pledge to ourselves today and remind each other that our work is not done.” United Georgia Farmers became affiliated with the American Farm Bureau Federation in 1939, and in 1941 the state organization adopted Georgia Farm Bureau as its name. From the original 50 farmers, GFB has grown to a statewide membership of more than 300,000 families. EPA, CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO RESCIND WOTUS RULE On June 27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Army (DOA), and Army Corps of Engineers announced they would propose a rule to rescind the Clean Water Rule and re-codify the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 defining "waters of the United States" or WOTUS, according to an EPA press release. This action would, when finalized, provide certainty in the interim, pending a second rulemaking in which the agencies will re-evaluate the definition of ‘waters of the United States,’ according to the release. The proposed rule would be implemented in accordance with Supreme Court decisions, agency guidance, and longstanding practice, the release said. Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) have opposed the WOTUS rule since it was first submitted and have campaigned extensively to have it overturned. This proposed rule to rescind WOTUS follows a Feb. 28 executive order from President Trump. According to the EPA release, the proposed rule would recodify the identical regulatory text that was in place prior to the 2015 Clean Water Rule and that is currently in place as a result of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit's stay of the 2015 rule. Therefore, this action, when final, will not change current practice with respect to how the definition applies. The EPA, DOA and the Corps of Engineers have also begun deliberations and outreach on the second step rulemaking involving a re-evaluation and revision of the definition of "waters of the United States" in accordance with the Executive Order. For the prepublication Federal Register notice and additional information visit http://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 13 LONG TESTIFIES AT HOUSE AG COMMITTEE FARM BILL HEARING Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long gave testimony during the U.S. House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Listening Session held June 24 in Gainesville, Florida. The hearing allowed southern farm stakeholders to provide input on the effectiveness of the current farm bill, which expires in September 2018, and what they’d like to see in the next farm bill. Long gave a brief overview of Georgia agriculture, noting its $74 billion economic impact in the state, that it provides one of every seven jobs in the state and that Georgia farmers rank nationally in the production of several commodities. “It is critical that the next farm bill continue to work for all GFB President Gerald Long segments of agriculture from all regions of the country,” Long told the committee. Long reviewed crop losses over the past year due to adverse weather conditions and emphasized the importance of continuing crop insurance programs. “Crop insurance will allow these growers to remain in business for at least another year,” Long said. “We urge you to maintain a sound crop insurance program and oppose any effort to undermine its effectiveness.” GFB opposes additional tightening of payment limits and eligibility requirements, Long said, and he noted the importance of continuing the farm bill’s conservation programs and the Livestock Forage Program (LFP). Long and Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick gave featured testimony at the hearing, which included comments from seven other Georgians. Screven County Farm Bureau President Joe Boddiford urged the committee to preserve the current farm bill’s protections for peanuts. Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association President Mike Bruorton emphasized the importance of funding for specialty crop research. Dooly County Farm Bureau member Matt Coley, a Georgia Cotton Commission board member, asked that the committee preserve the farm bill’s conservation programs. Ben Evans, manager of the Coffee County Gin Company, reviewed the economics of the cotton industry, which has been beset by continued low commodity prices while facing restrictions in government support programs as a result of the Brazil WTO case. Kent Fountain of Southeastern Gin and Peanut Company in Appling County urged the committee to find a way to get cotton back under the commodity title of the farm bill. Georgia Peanut Commission Executive Director Don Koehler told the committee that the crop insurance programs available to peanut growers have worked well and asked that they be continued. Carl Zimmer of Premium Peanuts in Coffee County, owned by a group of South Georgia farmers, said the business was made possible because of stability in farm bill programs.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 13 KELLOGGS NAMED TO GFB YOUNG FARMER COMMITTEE Cobb County Farm Bureau members Guill and Chy Kellogg have been named to the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee representing the GFB 3rd District. The Kelloggs, who moved to Georgia from Chicago in 2009, grow 18 different fruits and vegetables with plans to sell produce at farmers markets in the future. Chy runs a bakery, selling cookies, donuts, cupcakes and more. Guill has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Chicago State University. He works at Comcast as a business service quality analyst and is also a registered Georgia real estate appraiser. Chy studied at Kendall College School of Hospitality Management and Tourism. In addition to the bakery, she Chy and Guill Kellogg provides social media consulting for small businesses. The Kelloggs replace Ben and Rebecca Jacobses of Polk County on the committee to complete their term. The Jacobs stepped down when Rebecca was hired as the GFB 3rd District Field Representative in June. PERDUE, COUNTERPARTS FROM CANADA AND MEXICO MEET IN GA On June 19 and 20 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food Jose Calzada in Savannah, visiting the Port of Savannah and farms in Vidalia as part of trilateral trade talks. “Our three nations are connected not only geographically, but through our deeply integrated agricultural markets,” the three ministers said in a joint statement. “Our trading relationship is vital to the economies - and the people - of our respective countries. We are working together to support and create good jobs in all three countries. We share a commitment to keeping our markets open and transparent so that trade can continue to grow. That mutual commitment was reaffirmed in our discussions this week.” According to published reports, Canada’s dairy supply rules and an agreement on Mexico’s sugar exports were key topics of discussion. The Trump administration has vowed to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a 23-year-old trade deal between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. SYNGENTA ORDERED TO PAY FARMERS MORE THAN $217M IN CORN SUIT More than 7,000 Kansas farmers were awarded a total of $217.7 million in a federal lawsuit against Swiss seed manufacturer Syngenta in a verdict issued on June 23, according to published reports. Syngenta has indicated it will appeal the verdict, in which the federal jury in Kansas found the company marketed its genetically modified corn, Agrisure Viptera, in 2011. The Viptera seed was approved by the U.S. in 2010, but China, a key export market for U.S. corn growers, had not approved it and started refusing shipments of U.S. corn in 2013. The sweeping ban included corn from growers who did not use Viptera seed. With China’s ban in place, U.S. corn prices fell and according to the farmers’ attorneys, the farmers sustained more than $5 billion in economic losses. GFB News Alert page 5 of 13
FORMER GWINNETT COUNTY FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT CECIL GOBER DIES Former Gwinnett County Farm Bureau President Cecil Gober died on June 17. He was 89. Gober, of Sugar Hill, served as president of Gwinnett County Farm Bureau from 1988-2014. Gober is survived by his wife of 29 years, Gay Gober; daughter Connie and son-in-law Henry McDaniel, Jefferson; Jerry Gober, Buford; stepsons, Corban and wife, Jennifer, Cofer, Suwanee; and Randy Cofer, Oakwood, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Our condolences go out to the entire Gober family,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long. “We greatly appreciated his service to Georgia agriculture and to Farm Bureau. He will definitely be missed.” Gober was born April 14, 1928, in Sugar Hill. He was a 1947 graduate of Sugar Hill High School. In addition to his Farm Bureau leadership, he was retired from General Motors Assembly Plant with 30 years of service. Cecil Gober He served on the Gwinnett County Public School Board from 1964 to 1986, for which he was chairman seven times and was president of the Georgia School Board Association for 1983. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Young Life Southeast Region, 519 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite A 250, Marietta, GA 30068 in memory of Cecil Gober. FARRIS RETIRES FROM GFC; SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR SUCCESSOR Georgia Forestry Commissioner Director Robert Farris retired in May after 34 years of service to the commission. Farris has served as state forester since 2007. He led GFC through two of the worst fire seasons in our state's history and through a severe economic downturn, while working to ensure Georgia's forests are plentiful and well managed for future generations. A seven-person committee has launched a nationwide search for GFC's new director. Chaired by Dean Dale Green of the UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, the committee is made up of government, non-government and forest industry stakeholders. The application deadline is July 17, and finalist interviews will take place in August. The GFC Board of Directors will make a final decision on the person it recommends to the governor's office for appointment. For more information about the job, visit http://bit.ly/GFCdirector. GFC Chief of Forest Protection Frank Sorrells will serve as interim director. He can be reached at 478-751-3490, 478-751-3480 or fsorrells@gfc.state.ga.us.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 13 DEADLINE NEARS TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE 2017 AG CENSUS FORM New farmers and ranchers, and those not previously contacted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), have until June 30 to ensure they are represented in this year’s Census of Agriculture, according to a NASS press release. To receive a census questionnaire this December, these producers are asked to visit the Census of Agriculture website at www.agcensus.usda.gov and click on the ‘Make Sure You Are Counted’ button. While on the website, producers can watch the census introduction video, access frequently asked questions, explore past and current data, and try the improved online census questionnaire demo. The updated online questionnaire, which will go live late fall, is now accessible on any electronic device. New features save time by calculating totals automatically and skipping questions that do not pertain to the respondent’s operation. Producers who are uncertain whether they classify as a farm should note that the census definition is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year (2017). The Census of Agriculture provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation. The data are valuable to those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, even farmers and ranchers themselves. Census results help shape farm programs and boost services for communities and the industry. The Census of Agriculture is a farmer or rancher’s voice, future, and opportunity. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540. GEORGIA COUNTIES RECEIVE DROUGHT DISASTER DECLARATION On June 14 the USDA issued a disaster declaration for a total of 13 Georgia counties to help farmers mitigate their losses due to ongoing drought conditions. Baker, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell and Thomas counties received a primary disaster declaration. Brooks, Calhoun, Colquitt, Dougherty, Early, Miller, Seminole and Worth counties were named contiguous counties. Farmers in counties named either primary disaster areas or contiguous counties are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity. Other FSA programs that provide assistance, but do not require a disaster declaration, include the Emergency Conservation Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program, Honeybees and FarmRaised Fish Program and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 13 U.S. BANS IMPORTS OF FRESH BEEF FROM BRAZIL On June 22, the USDA announced the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil, citing concerns about the safety of the products intended for the American market, according to a USDA press release. The suspension of shipments will remain in place until the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture takes corrective action which the USDA finds satisfactory. “Ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply is one of our critical missions, and it’s one we undertake with great seriousness,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said in a prepared statement. “Although international trade is an important part of what we do at USDA, and Brazil has long been one of our partners, my first priority is to protect American consumers. That’s what we’ve done by halting the import of Brazilian fresh beef.” According to the release, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been inspecting 100 percent of all meat products arriving in the United States from Brazil since March. The FSIS has refused entry to 11 percent of Brazilian fresh beef products, a substantially higher rejection rate than the rejection rate of one percent of shipments from the rest of the world. Since implementation of the increased inspection, FSIS has refused entry to 106 lots (approximately 1.9 million pounds) of Brazilian beef products due to public health concerns, sanitary conditions, and animal health issues. It is important to note that none of the rejected lots made it into the U.S. market. The USDA indicated that the Brazilian government had pledged to address those concerns, including self-suspending five facilities from shipping beef to the United States. GFB’S GAZDA CHOSEN FOR AGL TRAINING PROGRAM Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Katie Gazda is one of 25 professionals from across the state chosen to participate in the Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry (AGL) 2017-2019 class. The group represents a broad cross section of ag corporations, businesses and organizations throughout Georgia. Organized by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the purpose of AGL is to educate and empower Georgia’s agricultural leaders to become effective advocates for the largest economic drivers in Georgia — the state’s agriculture and forestry industries. The AGL program is designed to bring together leaders from all segments of the state’s agriculture, forestry, natural resources and allied industries. Over Katie Gazda 22 months, they will help one another grow through personalized leadership development geared toward understanding themselves as leaders, analyzing issues facing their industries and strengthening connections to become catalysts for positive change. In 1991, community and state leaders started participating in the original, agriculture-based leadership development program known as “Agri-Leaders,” which was sponsored by the Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum Foundation. Since that time, 375 of Georgia’s business leaders, farmers, foresters, educators and other stakeholders completed the program and became more effective leaders and advocates. In AGL, participants will complete six in-state institutes, an advocacy institute in Washington, D.C., and an international experience in Costa Rica. This will be the third class of AGL participants to experience transformational leadership development through the UGA program. For more information about AGL visit www.agl.caes.uga.edu.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 13 FOUR GA PROJECTS TO GET MORE THAN $2 MILLION IN CIG FUNDING The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded funding to 33 projects selected nationwide to receive funding through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program to drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. Of those projects, four are in Georgia and will receive more than $2.4 million in funding. The four Georgia projects include a conservation fund to protect working farmlands in the metro Atlanta region, a precision irrigation technology project through the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, a Clemson University project to accelerate use of cover crops in Georgia and South Carolina and a Conservation Fund project to reduce barriers to sustained productivity by historically underserved and veteran farmers. The CIG program helps develop the tools, technologies and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop market-based solutions to resource challenges. CIG is funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The maximum grant is $2 million per project, and the length of time for project completion is three years. Public and private grantees - including non-governmental organizations, American Indian tribes, academic institutions and local government entities - will leverage the federal investment by at least matching it. For more information about EQIP visit http://bit.ly/EQIPinfo.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 13 GFB FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE GRANTS June 30 deadline to apply County Farm Bureaus, 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters have until June 30 to apply for grants of up to $500 the Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is offering to fund activities and projects that will improve students’ or consumers’ understanding of agriculture or offer leadership development for members of the ag community. The foundation is offering 10 grants to county Farm Bureaus in amounts up to $500. County Farm Bureaus should visit https://tinyurl.com/countygrantapplication to apply. Four grants of $500 each will be awarded to 4-H Clubs or FFA Chapters to support leadership development and ag literacy projects conducted by the student organizations. Visit https://tinyurl.com/4hffagrantapplication for the 4-H and FFA grant application. Visit http://www.gfbfoundation.org/aitc_grants.html for examples of projects that qualify for the grants and for complete guidelines. Contact Katie Gazda, executive director of the foundation, with questions regarding the application or selection process at kngazda@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5230. AFBF RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE June 30 deadline for entries The American Farm Bureau Federation is accepting online applications for its fourth Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. Entrepreneurs will compete for $145,000 in startup funds. The competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations that benefit rural regions of the United States. It is the first national rural business competition focused exclusively on innovative entrepreneurs working on food and agriculture businesses. Competitors are invited to submit for-profit business ideas related to food and agriculture online at www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge. The final four teams will compete in a live competition at AFBF’s 99th Annual Convention in Nashville on Jan. 7 for the Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year award and $30,000 (chosen by judges) People’s Choice award and $25,000 (chosen by public vote) first runner-up prize, $15,000 and second runner-up prize, $15,000 CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE NEARS FOR GA CABBAGE GROWERS July 1 deadline to apply Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the July 1 sales closing date to do so. Coverage for cabbage is available in Brooks, Colquitt, Tift, and Toombs counties. Crop insurance is a key component of the farm safety net as it provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils, such as drought or excessive moisture. The RMA provides policies for more than 100 crops as well as organic price elections for 78 crops. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent to learn specific details for the 2018 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at https://www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. Growers can use the RMA Cost Estimator at https://ewebapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/costestimator/ to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. For more information about the Risk Management Agency and crop insurance, visit www.rma.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 13 SUNBELT EXPO FIELD DAY July 13 Sunbelt Ag Expo/Spence Field 7:15 a.m. Moultrie World-renowned research by University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences scientists will be featured at this year’s Sunbelt Field Day in Moultrie. More than 600 acres of agricultural research conducted by various UGA commodity teams, as well as industry scientists, will be on display during the field day, which is set for July 13, at the Darrell Williams Research Farm, located at the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo site at Spence Field in Moultrie. The event is free and registration will begin at 7:15 a.m. Trams depart for the field tours at 8 a.m. and the event concludes at noon. For more information visit http://sunbeltexpo.com/2017-field-day/. CHEROKEE COUNTY CANDIDATE FORUM/MEET & GREET July 27 Cagle’s Family Farm, 5267 Conns Creek Rd. 6:30 p.m. Ball Ground All local, state and national candidates running for office in 2017 are invited to attend and each will have two minutes to speak if they have opposition. Those candidates with no opposition will be introduced. Questions from the audience will follow. Current elected officials will also be introduced. Everyone will have time to meet & greet the candidates before and after the event. Homemade ice cream will be served by Boy Scout Troop #465. Soft drinks, water and peanuts will be provided by Cherokee County Farm Bureau. RSVP by July 21 to Cherokee County Farm Bureau Office Manager Shirley Pahl at sfpahl@gfb.org or 770- 479-1481 ext. 0. NATIONAL CHILDREN’S CENTER OFFERING AG SAFETY GRANTS Aug. 16 deadline to apply Proposals are now being accepted for mini-grants up to $20,000 to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. The National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety plans to award three grants. Since 2002, 55 projects have been funded through the National Children's Center. Highest priority will be given to projects that: address persistent patterns of childhood injury in agriculture (e.g., extra riders, children and skid steers); address issues pertaining to barriers, motivators and interventions for keeping young children out of the farm worksite and address vulnerable populations, such as immigrant workers' children, Anabaptists, African Americans and Native Americans. For information on eligibility, how to improve your chances of being funded, submitting a proposal and frequently asked questions, go to: https://www.marshfieldresearch.org/nccrahs/mini-grants or contact Marsha Salzwedel, M.S., salzwedel.marsha@marshfieldresearch.edu or by phone at 715389-5226 or 1-800-662-6900 option 8. GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL HARVEST CELEBRATION Nov. 17 Cobb Galleria Center Atlanta Country music powerhouse Restless Heart will serve as entertainment for this annual event. The Harvest Celebration is key to the advocacy efforts of the Council. Early Bird ticket purchasers will be entered into a drawing for one of 12 great prizes! These include a one-night's stay on Nov. 17 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel; one of three Field of Dreams ticket books; or one of eight autographed items from Restless Heart. This Early Bird promotion ends Aug. 18. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.gaagribusiness.org/index.cfm?show=10&mid=29.
GFB News Alert page 11 of 13 2017 AGAWARE WORKSHOP Aug. 25 Burke County Office Park Waynesboro AgSouth Farm Credit and AgGeorgia Farm Credit are hosting this workshop to give farmers a better understanding of how to approach their finances. Topics covered in the program include: balance sheets; income statements; family finance & family budgeting; risk management; accrual income; applying for financing and preparing a business plan. Bonus videos on recordkeeping, marketing and technology will be available for continued education. To register visit http://bit.ly/agawaresignup. AFBF COUNTY ACTIVITIES OF EXCELLENCE Sept. 1 deadline to apply The AFBF County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards are designed to celebrate unique volunteer-driven programming at the local level. The program recognizes and shares successful county Farm Bureau programs and activities to help generate grassroots activity. The CAE program categorizes activities into the following areas: Education and Ag Promotion, Member Services, Public Relations and Information, Leadership Development and Policy Implementation. Up to 24 county Farm Bureau activities from across the nation will be selected to display in the IDEAg Trade Show January 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. Individual county activities and multicounty collaborative activities selected will receive $2,250 toward expenses incurred to participate in the CAE program at the AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show as well as four free convention registrations. For information about the program or to enter, visit http://bit.ly/AFBFCAE. 22nd ANNUAL LUMBER CITY FARM DAY FESTIVAL Sept. 9 & 10 Lumber City Saturday’s events include a Fun Run & 5K race, arts/crafts, food vendors, a parade and live entertainment. A community church service will be held Sept. 10. For more information or to register for the race visit www.lumbercityfarmday.org or call Jeanette Ban at 912-363-4643 or email jeaban2007@mac.com. GEORGIA FARM TO SCHOOL SUMMIT Oct. 5 & 6 Helms College Augusta The Farm to School Summit connects schools, early care centers, and local farms and distributors to serve and champion healthy, local meals in cafeterias, improve student nutrition, and increase farm and gardening educational opportunities. This year’s Summit welcomes farmers, teachers, early care educators and administrators, school nutrition staff, students, parents, and others interested in learning more about Georgia’s farm to school movement. Highlights include the opening keynote address from national farm to school leader Betti Wiggins of Detroit Public Schools, closing keynote address from Burke County School Nutrition Director and Presidentelect of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Donna Martin, workshops, educational sessions and networking. For more information visit http://bit.ly/farmtoschoolsummit.
GFB News Alert page 12 of 13 ASA DUPONT YOUNG LEADER PROGRAM Applications are being accepted for the ASA DuPont Young Leader program, a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase I of the 2017–18 program will take place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 28–30, 2017. The program continues Feb. 25–28, 2018 in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. Soybean grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply for the program which focuses on leadership and communication, the latest agricultural information and the development of a strong peer network. ASA, its 26 state affiliates, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario and DuPont, will work together to identify the top producers to represent their state as part of this program. To apply, visit https://soygrowers.com/learn/young-leader-programapplication/. FARM BUREAU-AFFILIATED FARMERS MARKETS CANTON FARMERS MARKET Through Oct. 28 Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Cannon Park Canton This market features 100 percent GA Grown produce and handcrafted items. Cherokee County Farm Bureau will hold an event once a month at the market promoting watermelon day, apple day, peach day etc. COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Lost Mountain Park Powder Springs Cobb County Farm Bureau (CCFB) in cooperation with Cobb County Parks & Recreation is hosting this farmers market. CCFB is offering vendor space to farmers, growers and producers in Cobb and surrounding counties, with the goal of offering locally grown food to the community. Each vendor must be a Farm Bureau member. Vendor fees are only $5 per week, with a discount for paying in full for the entire market season. For more information contact cobbcountyfarmbureau@gmail.com or Debbie Payne at dmpayne@gfb.org or 770-9433531. MONROE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays until Oct. 7 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street, Downtown Monroe This market, sponsored in part by Walton County Farm Bureau, features fresh produce and goods from local farmers, work from local artisans and family friendly activities. For more information visit www.monroedowntownfarmersmarket.com PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Thursdays through Oct. 26 3 p.m.-7 p.m., 549 Hardee St. Dallas Paulding County Farm Bureau (PCFB) is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market being held at the PCFB office. Visit the market’s Facebook page(http://bit.ly/PCFBmkt) for weekly updates. Vendors sell locally grown produce and other ag commodities or homemade crafts. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members. To participate in the market, contact Tracy Grice at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org.
GFB News Alert page 13 of 13 ROCKDALE/DEKALB FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays & Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, RDCFB office Conyers The Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau Farmers Market will be held at 1400 Parker Rd. SE in Conyers. The public is invited to stop by and shop for fresh, locally grown vegetables, dairy products, crafts and more. The market is expected to run into late summer or early fall when produce production ends. For more information contact the Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau office at 770-922-3566. SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS MARKET July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 & Oct. 21 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) sponsors this monthly open-air market that features local farmers and entrepreneurs selling products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. Market held rain or shine. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. 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. UNION COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville The public is welcome to shop for fresh, locally grown vegetables from local farmers. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at 706-781-8802 or visit www.ucfarmersmarket.com. Union County Farm Bureau will sponsor a tractor show at the market Labor Day weekend. WOODSTOCK FARM FRESH MARKET Saturdays through September 8:30 am to Noon. Woodstock Located on Market Street in Downtown Woodstock, the market features vendors who grow at least 85 percent of the products they sell. The Cherokee County Farm Bureau is partnering with the market to bring special events to the market throughout the 2017 season. For more information call 770-924-0406 or visit bit.ly/WoodstockFarmFreshMarket.