June 3, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 22
EPA PROPOSES PESTICIDE LABEL RESTRICTIONS TO PROTECT POLLINATORS On May 29 the EPA published a proposed rule that would prohibit foliar application of pesticides that are acutely toxic to bees on fields where bee colonies are under contract for pollination services. The EPA is also making a proposal to rely on efforts made by states and tribes to reduce pesticide exposures through development of locally-based measures, specifically through managed pollinator protection plans. The proposed rule was developed at the president’s direction in response to ongoing declines in populations of honeybees and monarch butterflies. In its annual survey of colony losses, the Bee Informed Partnership indicated that beekeepers lost 42.1 percent of their managed honeybee colonies from April 2014 to April 2015. In June 2014, President Obama established the Pollinator Health Task Force, co-chaired by the EPA and the USDA, to examine challenges facing both managed pollinators, such as commercial honeybee operations, and native pollinators, such as Monarch butterflies. The task force report, released on May 19, establishes three primary goals, which include reducing overwintering losses for honeybees; increasing the population of Monarch butterflies and increased habitat for pollinators on federal lands. According to an EPA fact sheet, the proposed restrictions would apply to all pesticide products that have liquid or dust formulations as applied, are used through application to crop leaves (referred to as foliar use) and that have active ingredients that have been determined to have high toxicity for bees. As a part of the proposed rule the EPA has included a list of 76 registered active ingredients that meet the acute toxicity criteria. The American Farm Bureau Federation is reviewing the proposed rule and has yet to take a stance on it. Georgia Farm Bureau policy is to support coexistence of crops and pollinators while urging that pollinator risk assessments used for registration or regulation of crop-protection products be based on field-relevant, sound scientific data. GFB is currently working with the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and the Georgia Department of Agriculture to develop a state pollinator plan for Georgia. The EPA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule. The deadline to make comments is June 29. To view the proposed rule and associated documents or submit a comment, visit http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 GFB’S MURDOCK SELECTED FOR AGL PROGRAM Georgia Farm Bureau Member Services Director Jay Murdock is one of 25 professionals from across the state who have been chosen to participate in the Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry (AGL) 2015-2017 class, according to a University of Georgia press release. Organized by the UGA 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 agricultural and forestry industries. Murdock, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University and a master’s degree from Kennesaw State, joined GFB in 1997 as a field claims representative. He was promoted to district claims manager in 2001 Jay Murdock and named assistant director of member services in 2007. He has worked as director of member services since 2008. Murdock and his wife Kim have two children, Grayson and Anna, and live in Macon. Murdock is the latest of several GFB staffers who have been selected for the training. Current GFB staff who have gone through the program include GFB President Zippy Duvall (1996), 6th District Field Representative Don Giles (1994), Assistant Director of Field Services Dennis Black (1996), Assistant Legislative Director Jeffrey Harvey (2008), National Affairs Specialist Tas Smith (2009), Young Farmer Coordinator Jed Evans (2009) and Commodities Marketing Specialist Brandon Ashley (2014). Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=5475 for the complete list of participants. CONAGRA FINED $11 MILLION OVER 2007 SALMONELLA OUTBREAK ConAgra Grocery Products LLC agreed to plead guilty and pay $11.2 million in fines in connection with a salmonella outbreak stemming from the company’s manufacturing facility in Sylvester, according to a May 20 Department of Justice (DOJ) press release. The company agreed to pay an $8 million criminal fine and forfeit $3.2 million in assets. The criminal fine is the largest ever paid in a U.S. food safety case, the DOJ said. In February 2007 the FDA and the CDC announced that an ongoing outbreak of salmonella cases could be traced to Peter Pan and private label peanut butter produced and shipped from the Sylvester plant. The company voluntarily terminated production at the plant and recalled all peanut butter manufactured there since January 2004. The CDC eventually identified more than 700 cases of salmonellosis linked to the outbreak with illnesses beginning in August 2006. No deaths were attributed to the outbreak, though the CDC indicated many other cases went unreported. ConAgra pled guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The plea agreement is subject to court approval. According to a ConAgra release, the company reimbursed and compensated affected consumers and implemented food-safety upgrades to the Sylvester facility, part of company-wide $275 million in quality assurance infrastructure upgrades to enhance food safety practices.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 GA LAW REQUIRING TRAILER CHAINS GOES INTO EFFECT JULY 1 A new state law signed by Gov. Nathan Deal requires drivers to secure trailers to their vehicles with safety chains. The bill, which takes effect July 1, was prompted by the death of a young Fayette County mother who was killed last fall when a runaway trailer struck her vehicle. Rep. John Yates advanced the trailer safety chain bill (HB 123) after Tiphanie Fletcher’s mother visited him at the state Capitol. Fletcher was killed as a result of an unchained trailer slipping loose from the truck ball. The ball was later found to be the incorrect size for the trailer hitch. “This law will require that all registered trailers, those with a license plate, be adequately and safely attached to the vehicle while being towed,” said Frank Watson, the University of Georgia Extension coordinator in Wilkes County. Watson said trailer owners must ensure their trailer has a safety chain or cable as a safety backup to the primary hitch connection. A trailer can be retrofitted with safety chains for about $50, he said. “Commodity trailers, like peanut wagons or cotton wagons, are exempt,” he said. “For the most part, people will need to retrofit older or homemade trailers with safety chains if they do not have them.” Watson hopes trailer owners will see the necessity of the new regulations. “There is certainly a safety issue with trailers that don’t have safety chains,” he said. “I daresay that the attorney for an injured party would show no mercy to someone whose trailer caused an accident that could have been prevented by safety chains.” Violating the code can result in a misdemeanor. For more information on trailer safety, see the national Extension publication at www.extension.org/pages/64391/livestock-trailer-safety#.VV41MFlVhBc. NRCS UNVEILS ONLINE SERVICES PORTAL On May 27 the USDA launched its new online portal, allowing farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners to do business with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) without having to visit a USDA Service Center, according to a USDA press release. Producers will have the ability to work with conservation planners online to access farm bill programs, request assistance, and track payments for their conservation activities. Conservation Client Gateway enables farmers, ranchers and private landowners to securely request NRCS technical and financial assistance; review and sign conservation plans and practice schedules; complete and sign an application for a conservation program; review, sign and submit contracts and appendices for conservation programs; document completed practices and request certification of completed practices; request and track payments for conservation programs and store and retrieve technical and financial files, including documents and photographs. Conservation Client Gateway is entirely voluntary, giving producers a choice between conducting business online or traveling to a USDA service center. Conservation Client Gateway is available to individual landowners and will soon be extended to business entities, such as limited liability corporations. It is part of the agency’s ongoing Conservation Delivery Streamlining Initiative, which will feature additional capabilities in the future. For more information about Conservation Client Gateway, visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov/clientgateway
GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 USDA CHIEF VET: AVIAN INFLUENZA CASES DECLINING USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford says the number of cases of avian influenza in the U.S. is in decline, according to published reports. “We believe the worst is behind us, which doesn’t mean that we still won’t see additional cases but we know we will see a decline in cases,” Clifford told Reuters in a report published May 26. As of May 29, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported 201 detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) strains H5N2 and H5N8 since Dec. 19, 2014. The two strains have been detected in 15 states and have resulted in culling of more than 44 million birds. The affected flocks are all in the Mississippi, Central and Pacific flyways used by migratory wild birds. Georgia is in the Atlantic Flyway. While Clifford said the current outbreak will end this summer with warmer temperatures, some animal health experts think infections from the HPAI virus could re-emerge with southbound migrations this fall. “We’re better safe than sorry,” Georgia State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb told Reuters. “All the research I’ve been able to find is showing that this virus could likely stick around for years.” In response to the outbreak, numerous countries have banned imports of poultry and eggs produced in the United States. The CDC considers the risk to humans from these strains to be low. KUBOTA TO INCREASE PRODUCTION AT GAINESVILLE PLANT Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) and Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation (KMA) has announced plans to increase production capacity for Kubota equipment in the U.S. by building a new manufacturing plant and expanding its existing operations in Gainesville, Ga., according to a company press release. The company’s expansion plans come on the heels of KTC’s recent announcement that it will relocate its U.S. headquarters from California to Grapevine, Texas, in an effort to get closer to its major markets and customers. The new Georgia plant will be located on 180 acres at Gateway Industrial Centre in Hall County, three miles from KMA’s existing facilities. The new building will be an estimated 502,000 square feet. The existing KMA facility, which has been in operation since 1988 and employs approximately 1,300 people, will also undergo enhancements to increase its production capacity to support Kubota’s growing turf business. Both KTC and KMA are U.S. subsidiaries of Kubota Corporation, based in Osaka, Japan, and have been actively pursuing an aggressive growth strategy in the U.S. Construction of the new facility in Gainesville is expected to begin in September with a goal to begin mass production in spring of 2017. The new plant will manufacture Kubota’s RTV series utility vehicles, with the capacity to produce 50,000 units annually. Kubota has been operating in the state of Georgia for more than 40 years, with its first operations located in Norcross. In the mid-1980s, Kubota purchased its first office building in the state at the current KTC Southeast Division headquarters in Suwanee. Since that time, Kubota has further expanded its operation in Georgia to include KMA in Gainesville; its National Distribution Center in Jefferson; and Kubota Industrial Equipment, also in Jefferson, which produces Kubota implements, including loaders and backhoes.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 FARM BUREAU CHALLENGE OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS THROUGH JUNE 30 The American Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting applications for the 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. It is the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs working on food and agriculture businesses. Competitors must have an idea for a business that is related to food and agriculture. Businesses related to food and agriculture include farms or ranches, valueadded food processing, food hubs, community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs), farmto-table restaurants and farmers’ markets. Businesses indirectly related to food and agriculture include support services such as crop scouting, agritourism, ag advertising agencies and ag technology companies. Competitors must be based in a rural community as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Competitors’ primary residences or businesses must be located in a county with less than 50,000 residents or a town with less than 2,500 residents. 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. This includes six teams who will win $10,000 in startup funds and four finalist teams who will win $15,000 in startup funds and compete in a live “Shark Tank”-style competition at AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, in January. 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.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 See page 9 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! 6TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST KIKO GOAT ASSOCIATION ROUNDUP & SALE June 5 & 6 GA National Fairgrounds Perry This event kicks off on June 5 with registration at 8 a.m. and free seminars delivered by goat experts starting at 9 a.m. and running through 4:30 p.m. Topics to be covered are: Integrated Parasite Management; a forage seminar, Biosecurity in Meat Goat Operations; Differences in Genetic Management for Seedstock & Commercial Herds. The Southeast Kiko Goat Association (SEKGA) will have a business meeting at 5:30 p.m. on June 5 followed by a goat dinner at 6:30 p.m. An auction to benefit the association will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. attendees may view Kiko goats that will be sold in the breeding stock sale at noon along with visiting farm displays and other industry vendors. Attendees may register for sale buyer numbers from 8 a.m. to noon. 4-H and FFA members will compete in a Meat Goat Skill-A-Thon Competition from 9 a.m. -10:30 a.m. to win a donated doe. Two seminars will be offered Saturday morning: Brent Ballinger will discuss “Building A Meat Goat Business Plan” from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Dr. Nar Gurung will address “Year-Round Grazing & Browsing Management of Goats” from 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. For more information visit www.sekga.us or contact SEKGA President Marilyn Seleska at 229-263-7977 or springacres@windstream.net. 2015 GEORGIA-FLORIDA TOBACCO TOUR June 8-10 Waycross, Ga. -Live Oak, Fla. This annual tour provides up-to-date information on variety trials, control of tomato spotted wilt virus, insect controls and much more. The tour will begin with a kick-off supper in Waycross at 7 p.m. on June 8. For more information or to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/gftobaccotour or contact Dr. J. Michael Moore at 229-386-3006 or jmmoore@uga.edu. COTTON SCOUT SCHOOLS June 8 Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton June 16 Southeast Research and Education Center Midville These programs offer 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. Each 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.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 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. 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 See crop progress and new research tests on field plots. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. 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.
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. 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 June 6 – 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 June 6 – Oct. 31 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Tuesday June 9 – 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.