March 14, 2012
www.gfb.org
Vol. 30 No. 11
AG DAY GIVES SAMPLING OF GEORGIA PRODUCTS, FEATURES AWARDS The 2012 Celebrating Agriculture in Georgia Ag Day event at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta on March 13 gave visitors a taste of the many products grown and processed in Georgia. The event featured the presentation of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards for Agriculture and the announcement of the winners of the final round of the Flavor of Georgia Contest. The event was hosted by Gov. Nathan Deal and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. It drew visitors from across the state, including many 4Hers and FFA students, along with members of the Georgia General Assembly and representatives from many of the state’s agricultural organizations. “This is truly a magnificent time to see so many Chris and Marilynn Hopkins young people and so many of you who are involved not only in agriculture directly but also agribusiness,” Deal said. “It’s a good time to see what our products are, see what services are available and, I hope, to continue to have the optimism about what agriculture means in our state.” Approximately 50 ag organizations, including Georgia Farm Bureau, had exhibits at the event, and many of them brought samples of food products fashioned from Georgia commodities. Deal and Black recognized Toombs County Farm Bureau Director Chris Hopkins as the state winner of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award. Hopkins and his wife Marilynn, who also won the 5th District award, operate Hopkins Farm, growing cotton, peanuts, corn, wheat, timber, watermelons, rye and pecans on 600 acres of leased and owned land. Their conservation efforts include installing parallel terraces and grass waterways, using conservation tillage and removing highly erodible land from production. “For us, this means our conservation efforts are being recognized,” said Chris. “As farmers it is our responsibility to conserve the land that we make a living from.” Other district winners were James Burton of Walker County, Dr. Carl Jordan of Clarke County, Glenn and Rabun Waller from Washington County and Adam Graft of Sumter County. High Road Craft Ice Cream, represented by Nicki Schroeder of Atlanta, won the Grand Prize in the 2012 Flavor of Georgia Contest with its Brown Butter Praline Ice Cream, which also won the dairy category. The Three Generations of Georgia, represented by Cindy Fulghum, won the People’s Choice Award with its Chicken Log. The contest, designed to promote Georgia entrepreneurs producing food products made with Georgia-grown commodities, drew 75 entries, from which 26 finalists were chosen. The finalists’ products were offered for final judging and sampling during the Ag Day celebration.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 9 GEORGIA YOUNG FARMERS VISIT WASHINGTON A group of 31 young farmers from all ten GFB Districts descended on Washington, D.C., March 6-9 as part of the annual trip hosted by the GFB Young Farmer Committee. After AFBF and GFB legislative staff gave the group a briefing of the issues, the young farmers discussed a number of key issues with Georgia's congressional delegation including the 2012 farm bill, federal estate taxes, attacks on animal agriculture, immigration policy and proposed child labor laws. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson met with the group in a meeting in the Russell Senate Office Building on March 7. Following the meeting with the senators, the young farmers went to Capitol Hill to visit with their congressmen. Rep. Jack Kingston joined the group for breakfast on March 8. GFB President Zippy Duvall also addressed the group, encouraging young farmers to share their passion for agriculture with their elected officials. In addition to visiting Capitol Hill, young farmers had the chance to tour Washington, D.C., many seeing this historic city for the first time. “This is a tremendous opportunity for young farmers to visit Washington and discuss important issues facing us as producers,” said GFB Young Farmer Committee Chairman Jake Carter from Henry County. This year marked the 27th annual Young Farmers to Washington trip. The GFB Young Farmer Committee hosts the annual trip with assistance from the GFB Legislative Department. GEORGIA HOUSE PASSES METAL THEFT BILL The Georgia House of Representatives has passed HB 872, a bill intended to curtail metal theft. HB 872, sponsored by Rep. Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland), would set up a statewide database of scrap metal sales for use by law enforcement. It would require sellers to have a valid driver’s license along with other information about the metal and the person selling it. HB 872 would prohibit cash payments for metal. Unlike SB 321, which recently passed the Georgia Senate, the House bill would not require a waiting period for payment. Without proof of legal ownership, only licensed contractors would be able to sell air conditioner coils under HB 872, which also would empower law enforcement to confiscate vehicles and tools used in the process of stealing metal. Meanwhile, SB 321 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. U.S. INITIATES TRADE DISPUTE AGAINST INDIA OVER POULTRY BAN The United States requested consultations with the government of India under the World Trade Organization (WTO ) dispute settlement provisions concerning India’s prohibition on certain American agricultural exports, including poultry meat and chicken eggs. United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced the move in a March 6 press release, noting that India is claiming the purpose of the ban is to prevent the spread of avian influenza without providing scientific evidence in line with international standards on avian influenza control. The ban has been in place since February 2007.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 9 CRP GENERAL SIGN-UP RUNS THROUGH APRIL 6 Producers who want to enroll their land in the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) have until April 6 to submit their applications for CRP sign-up 43. The CRP is a voluntary program that helps farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to protect their environmentally sensitive land. Producers who enroll in CRP agree to plant longterm, resource-conserving covers to control soil erosion, improve water and air quality and develop wildlife habitat. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments, cost sharing and technical assistance. The contract duration for CRP is between 10 and 15 years, and accepted CRP contracts will begin on Oct. 1. The FSA will rank offers for sign-up 43 according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). The FSA collects data about the land based on location, soils, conservation practices and other factors to determine the EBI for the land being offered. To enroll, contact your local FSA service center or visit the FSA website at http:/www.fsa.usda.gov/crp. UPLAND COTTON LOAN RATE DIFFERENTIAL SCHEDULES REVISED The USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has announced revised loan rate ranges and base-quality ranges for upland cotton strength and length uniformity, and changes to the staple lengths for which distinct color and leaf loan rate differentials are provided. The CCC uses measures of strength and length uniformity in determining the price support value of a bale of upland cotton. The base-quality ranges for these factors are those for which loan rate premiums and discounts do not apply. Effective with the loan schedule for 2012 crop upland cotton, the value ranges for strength and length uniformity loan rate adjustments will be denoted in whole units, consistent with the price reporting of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). For example, the 2011-crop loan adjustments were provided for ranges such as 25.5 - 26.4 grams per tex for strength and 79.5 82.4 percent for length uniformity. Effective for the 2012 crop, whole-unit ranges are established such as 25.0 - 25.9 grams per tex for strength and 80.0 - 80.9 percent for length uniformity. Effective with the 2012 crop loan schedule, the base quality range for strength is established at 26.0 - 28.9 grams per tex and for length uniformity at 80.0 - 81.9 percent. These new ranges are consistent with AMS price reporting and the objectives of the marketing assistance loan program. The CCC is also revising the upland cotton staple lengths for which distinct differentials are provided. All upland cotton having staple lengths of 31/32-inch and shorter will be subject to one distinct schedule of color grade and leaf differentials. Additionally, upland cotton of staple length 37/32-inch will be subject to color grade and leaf differentials separate from those applicable to all upland cotton of staple lengths of 38/32-inch and longer. To inquire about these revisions to loan rate base-quality ranges, please contact Gene Rosera, Economic and Policy Analysis Staff at 202-720-8837 or by e-mail at Gene.Rosera@wdc.usda.gov.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 9 GA. PEANUT COMMISSION HOLDING REAFFIRMATION REFERENDUM The Georgia Peanut Commission is holding its reaffirmation referendum through April 15. State law mandates that a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs. The last referendum in 2009 passed with 87.4 percent of the voters in favor of reaffirmation. Peanut producers who do not receive a ballot may obtain one by calling the commission at 229-386-3470 or writing to the commission at P.O. Box 967, Tifton, GA, 31793. Individuals who receive ballots but no longer farmer are asked to write “no longer producing� on the certification envelope and return it to the commission. FARM BILL FORUMS WITH SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS March 16 Altamaha Technical College 9 a.m. Jesup March 16 UGA Tifton Campus 2 p.m. Tifton Sen. Saxby Chambliss will hold these to forums to discuss topics relating to the development of the 2012 farm bill. The public is invited to attend. Participants at the Jesup installment will include Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall, Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Charles Hall, National Cotton Council Senior Vice President John Maguire and Robert Redding, who represents the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. Participants in the Tifton installment will be Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Hall, Maguire and Redding. UGA CONDUCTING FERAL HOG SURVEY The Warnell School of Forestry at the University of Georgia is conducting a survey of randomly selected landowners in Southwest Georgia to gauge the true extent and economic impact of feral hogs. The survey is being conducted by Dr. Mike Mengak, a UGA professor of wildlife ecology and wildlife outreach specialist. Responses are anonymous and will be kept confidential. Landowners who received the survey are urged to fill it out and return it as soon as possible. Wildlife students from the Warnell School will compile the results and issue a report on their findings by late spring. For more information about feral hogs, contact your UGA Cooperative Extension office or Dr. Mengak at 706-583-8096 or mmengak@uga.edu. NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD NOMINATION MEETING March 15 Georgia Peanut Commission headquarters 1:30 p.m. Tifton During this meeting, the Georgia Peanut Commission will select two nominees each for member and alternate to the National Peanut Board (NPB). All eligible peanut producers are encouraged to participate. Eligible producers are those who are engaged in the production and sale of peanuts and who own or share the ownership and risk of loss of the crop. John Harrell of Whigham is the current Georgia National Peanut Board member and Andy Bell of Climax serves as the alternate. The term for the current Georgia board member and alternate expires December 3. NPB encourages all persons who qualify as peanut producers to attend the meeting and run for nomination. It is USDA's policy that membership on industry-government boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the programs. For more information on the nomination meeting, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-3863470 or via email at info@gapeanuts.com.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 9 UGA CAES ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS DEADLINE IS MARCH 15 The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association invites you to make nominations for its Young Alumni Achievement Award, Alumni Award of Excellence and the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. The Young Alumni Achievement Award is for alumni who are 35 years old or younger and who have achieved excellence in their chosen field and/or in their community. The CAES Alumni Award of Excellence recognizes extraordinary CAES alumni 35 years or older. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals making unusual and extraordinary contributions to agriculture and agribusiness industries in Georgia. Hall of Fame nominations must be postmarked by March 15. The Young Alumni Achievement and Alumni Excellence awards must be received by March 15. For more information or to make nominations for these awards, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/CAA/scholarships.html. GEORGIA DOL AG PRACTICES SURVEY DEADLINE IS MARCH 16 The Georgia Department of Labor is conducting a voluntary survey of the state’s fruit and vegetable growers to determine the “valid prevailing and common agricultural practices in Georgia.” The results of the survey will be used by the U.S. Department of Labor to determine employee benefits and working conditions to be provided by Georgia agricultural employers who use the H-2A program. The survey can be filled out online at http://www.research.net/s/AGSurvey2012. Georgia Fruit & Vegetable growers who did not receive a survey should contact the Georgia DOL Agricultural Services Unit at 404-232-3500. RAY CITY OLD FASHION PLOW DAY March 17 Ray City This event features an antique tractor show and plowing demonstration with antique tractors and mules and horses plowing in the field just like they did 100 years ago. Parade begins at 11 am and plowing to follow. Arts & Craft vendors, Food vendors, fun and games for kids, bluegrass gospel concerts featuring the bluegrass gospel band, the Wauka Mountain Boys, a baking contest with prizes, frying pan toss contest, and much more. Free admission. Join us for a day of agricultural history. For more info contact Greg Harrell 229-237-3223. CHEROKEE COUNTY AG EXPO March 22 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce 4:30 – 6:30 Canton This event, cosponsored by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, is part of Cherokee County Farm Bureau’s Agriculture Week celebration, features 20 different booths along with food and drinks. For more information, contact CCFB at 770-479-1481, ext. 0. PEANUT PROUD CELEBRATION March 24 Downtown square 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. Blakely This fourth annual event begins with a 5K fun run and ends with an evening street dance. In between, visitors will enjoy annual Peanut Proud parade, live music from the Blakely Mass Choir, country artists Daryle Singletary and John Berry and others, a wrecking ball, train rides, trampoline jump, recipe contests and much more. For more information, visit http://www.peanutproud.com.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 9 OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP March - May Old South Farm Museum & Ag Learning Center Woodland Each of this series of three-day camps begins at 7 p.m. on the first day with supper and orientation and ends by 11 a.m. on the third day. It includes six or more classes on a variety of topics ranging from milking a cow to lye soap making and more. Fee is $200 per person, including meals, housing, transportation and class materials. Pre-registration is required. For registration information and specific camp dates call Paul Bulloch 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com. 29th ANNUAL GEORGIA EGG COMMISSION RECIPE CONTEST May 16 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The theme for this year’s contest is “Your Supreme Pizza with Eggs.” Recipes must be original, include a minimum of four whole eggs (which can be incorporated in the crust or toppings), serve at least four people and be prepared in 60 minutes or less. Entries must be postmarked or received by email or fax no later than April 1. Each recipe will be prejudged, and the top 10 will prepare them in a competitive cook-off on May 16. Judges will be chefs from the Mellow Mushroom, and the winning recipe will be featured on the Mellow Mushroom menu in select restaurants. Prizes are $2,000 for first place, $850 for second and $650 for third. To enter, send your recipe to Pizza Contest, Georgia Egg Commission, P.O. Box 2929, Suwanee, GA 30024. Emailed submissions should be sent to goodeggs@bellsouth.net; faxed submissions should be sent to 770-932-4625. For complete contest rules, visit http://www.georgiaeggs.org/pages/special.html. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION 51ST ANNUAL CONVENTION April 4-7 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This jam-packed four-day event covers all things beef, including a forage conference conducted by UGA’s Dr. Dennis Hancock; a herbicide calibration clinic offering CEU credit hours; Pfizer Cattlemen’s College seminars on the topics of political/regulatory issues, risk management, nutrition and road safety; a livestock marketing seminar conducted by UGA’s Dr. Curt Lacy; the annual awards banquet; a “Beef Rocks” seminar hosted by the Georgia Cattlewomen’s Association; the GCA general membership meeting; angus, hereford, commercial heifer and club calf sales; the annual Cattlemen’s Ball; coffee and donuts with new Georgia State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb and a new products and junior awards luncheon. For more information or to register, visit http://www.gabeef.org/gca/conventionregistration.htm. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM GENERAL SIGN-UP The USDA will conduct general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through April 6. CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant longterm, resource conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Producers with expiring contracts and producers with environmentally sensitive land are encourased to evaluate their options under CRP. For more information on CRP or other FSA programs, visit your nearest FSA service center or http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 9 2012 OTTAWA FARMS STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL April 14-15 Ottawa Farms Bloomingdale This annual event is filled with family fun, including cloggers, hayrides, cow train rids, a wild west show, the Mobile Dairy Classroom, Corn Cannon, pig races at the Ottawa Speedway and much more. The strawberry field will be open for visitors to pick their own strawberries and a variety of farm products at the Ottawa Farms General Store. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 14 and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 15. Admission is free for children under age 6 and $5 for everyone age 6 and up. For more information call 912-748-3035. MOUNTAIN BEEF CATTLE FIELD DAY April 18 Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center Blairsville Georgia cattle farmers will gain useful research-based information at this free event, which is sponsored by AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Pasture Management Systems and Resaca Sun Feeds. The field day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes lunch and refreshments, Topics include pasture ecology, soil and fertilizer management, beef cattle efficiency, weed control in pastures and hay field and fly control. For more information, call 706-745-2655. USDA SUSTAINABLE AG & CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS April 21 Dillwood Farms Loganville May 17 Camp Westminster Conyers June 14 Love is Love Farm and Oakleaf Mennonite Farm Atlanta These three workshops, offered by the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Council, will give participants the opportunity to observe organically grown crops in various stages of development along with a variety of production practices. Local chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations utilizing Georgia-grown produce. Information about how to become eligible for USDA programs will be shared, and the even at Camp Westminster will include a special pasture management and equine field day. Regstration is free but must be done in advance. To register, visit http://tiny.cc/LBdf2b. For more information, call the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service at 770-963-9288 or contact Willie Torrey at 678-376-9518 or visit http://www.ebtfarmersmarket.com. INAUGURAL GOLDEN ONION COOKING COMPETITION April 22 Vidalia Community Center 12:30 p.m. Vidalia This competition, presented by the Vidalia Onion Committee, will serve as the official kick-off of the 35th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival. This professional competition will feature chefs from across Georgia preparing dishes featuring Vidalia onions. Prizes are $500 for first place, $250 for second and $100 for third. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information, visit http://www.vidaliaonionfestival.com. 35th ANNUAL VIDALIA ONION FESTIVAL April 26-29 Vidalia This four-day event offers the Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant, a children’s parade, outdoor music concerts, arts and crafts festival, street dance, car show, the Kiwanis Onion Run, the Vidalia Onion Festival Rodeo and the famous onion-eating contest. For more information visit http://www.vidaliaonionfestival.com.
Leadership Alert page 8 of 9 2012 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 10-12 Young Harris College 8 a.m. each day Young Harris This event, one of the most comprehensive beekeeping educational events in the Southeast, offers classes for beekeepers at all levels of experience and the annual honey show. May 10 is dedicated training and certification exams for journeymen and master beekeeper qualifications, as well as the Welsh honey judge training, the first licensing program for honey judges in North America. May 11 and 12 provide entry-level training and certification, including individual and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, equipment construction and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $96 for one day and $152 for two days. For ages 11-18, fees are $44 for one day and $70 for two days. Participants are urged to preregister by April 30. On-site registration is allowed on a space-available basis, but classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/young-harris/index.html or contact Samantha Holland at YHCbees@uga.edu or 706-769-1736. GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1 Applications are being accepted for the Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes farms continuously operated by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia EMC and the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. Application forms are available online at http://www.georgiashpo.org/historic/centennial_farms. For more information, contact Steven Moffson at 404-651-5906 or steven.moffson@dnr.state.ga.us. TURKEY CREEK FESTIVAL May 5 Ga. Highway 23, west off I-75 exit 122 Byromville This annual festival features family-oriented fun for everyone. Events, include a 10 a.m. parade, exhibits, the local museum, game, rides, food, entertainment and much more. For more information visit http://www.turkeycreekfestival.com or contact Mary Jo Jeter at mjojeter@yahoo.com or 478-244-1318. EARLY DAYS OF YESTERYEAR May 11-12 Copeland Hall, Bowdon-Tyus Road Bowdon This free event will feature antique farm equipment and engines, tools, antique cars, entertainment, activities for children, vendors and food. For more information, contact Gearald Fielder at 770-228-9502 or GFIELDER@aol.com. MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 12 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m. Forsyth More than 80 bred heifers will be fore sale during the event. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPD’s, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily gain. For more information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email at uge2207@uga.edu. Information about the sale may also be found online at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/monroe/HERDProgram/herd.html.
Leadership Alert page 9 of 9 GEORGIA COTTON WOMEN SCHOL. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15 The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented annually by the Georgia Cotton Women to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer with priority given to children of Georgia Cotton Women members. In the event there is no child or grandchild of a GCW member eligible for the scholarship, the GCW Scholarship Committee has the discretion to present the award to another qualified candidate. This scholarship was established by the late John M. Mobley. It was continued by his wife Connie and is now carried on by their family. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. Scholarship applications may be downloaded at http//:www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information contact Charlotte Wingate at 229985-1435 or Nancy Coleman at 229-941-2930 or rosehillfarms@windstream.net. The deadline for application is May 15. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 29 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 6 p.m. Contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706/624-1398 - pworley@uga.edu for more information. HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 30 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu CAES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS June 1 Deadline to apply for Transfer Scholarship The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association is accepting applications for its Transfer Scholarship for students considering transferring into a CAES program in fall 2012. For more information or to download the application form, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/CAA/scholarships.html. GEORGIA EGG ASSOCIATION 51st ANNUAL MEETING June 20-22 King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort St. Simons Island The Georgia Egg Association meeting offers educational sessions, reports from the American Egg Board, United Egg Producers and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. The association will also hold its awards banquet, a spouse’s breakfast and much more. For more information, call 770-932-4622.