March 25, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 12
HOUSE AG COMMITTEE PASSES REDUCING REGULATORY BURDENS ACT On March 19 the U.S. House Agriculture Committee on Agriculture approved by voice vote the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2015 (H.R. 897), intended to protect producers from duplicate regulations and permit requirements, according to a committee press release. The bill would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) to clarify congressional intent and eliminate the requirement of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the use of pesticides already approved for use under FIFRA. Both Georgia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation support H.R. 897, introduced on Feb. 11 by Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio). The bill addresses a 2009 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, which erroneously applied the provisions of the NPDES permitting process under the CWA to pesticide applications that were already fully regulated under FIFRA. As a result of the ruling, many farmers, ranchers, water resource boards and public health professionals involved in mosquito control are subject to costly and duplicative burdens providing no quantifiable public health or environmental benefit. “Costly and duplicative regulations and permitting requirements on farmers weaken the economy in rural America,” said Committee Chairman Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-Texas). “The money and time that farmers have to spend fulfilling redundant, unnecessary requirements is time and money that can be put to better, more productive use. Making pesticides readily accessible for use is crucial to efficiently protect our nation's food supply and natural resources. Correcting the erroneous court decision that created this duplicative process has been a priority for public health, water resources, and agricultural stakeholders.” H.R. 897 has passed the U.S. House as stand-alone bills in two previous sessions but failed in the Senate. According to Conaway’s opening statement during committee markup proceedings, the language in the bill was written at the committee’s request by the EPA Office of General Counsel. The 2009 court ruling invalidated a 2006 EPA regulation exempting pesticide applications that are in compliance with FIFRA from a requirement to also comply with NPDES permits.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 8 STATE INCREASES CAPITAL PURCHASE TAX EXEMPTION TO $500,000 In December 2014 the U.S. Congress passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 reinstating more than 50 tax provisions that expired at the end of 2013 for tax year 2014. Federal Tax Section 179, which allows farmers and small businesses to expense capital purchases in the first year instead of depreciating them over several years, was among the extended tax provisions. Under Section 179, farmers may immediately expense a maximum of $500,000 worth of business assets, such as new equipment, instead of depreciating them over time. Georgia tax law has recognized the exemption up to $250,000 in recent years. The exemption was set to revert back to $25,000 for the 2014 tax year until Georgia Farm Bureau began working with members of the Georgia General Assembly to get the state exemption reinstated to $250,000 for 2014. Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin) and Rep. Jay Powell (R-Camilla) introduced House Bill 292 to extend the state’s $250,000 asset exemption for the 2014 tax year and the Georgia House passed the bill in mid-February. The Senate passed the bill the first week of March, increasing the 2014 state exemption to $500,000 to mirror the federal law. Gov. Deal signed it into law on March 6. Because there was uncertainty about what the Georgia business asset deduction would be for 2014, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) issued a statement Feb. 25 giving farmers and fishermen until April 15 to file and pay estimated tax payments that would have been due March 2. According to the DOR, affected taxpayers should check the underpayment of estimated tax penalty exception box on Form 500 and attach a completed Form 500-UET, following the instructions for a farmer or fisherman as if the tax was paid and the return was filed by March 2. Any farmer or fisherman who is assessed a penalty and believes he did not receive due consideration regarding the intended penalty relief, needs help with the form or has questions should call the DOR at 1-877-423-6711. MARCH 31 IS DEADLINE TO UPDATE ACRES & YIELDS, PICK CROP INSURANCE The final day to update yield history or reallocate base acres for crop insurance programs under the 2014 farm bill is March 31, which is also the final day for farm owners and producers to choose Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC). If no changes are made to yield history or base acres by March 31, the farm's current yield and base will be used. Without a program choice between ARC or PLC coverage there will be no 2014 payments for the farm and the farm will default to PLC coverage through the 2018 crop year. Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity. To learn more, farmers can contact their local Farm Service Agency county office. To find your local office visit http://offices.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 8 YF COMMITTEE TAKING CONTEST ENTRIES, CONFERENCE REGISTRATION The GFB Young Farmer Committee is now accepting applications for the Young Farmer Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. Registration is also open for the GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference, which will be held July 15-18 on Jekyll Island. Applications will be accepted through May 29 at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices. Finalists for each of the competitive events will be named at the Young Farmer Leadership Conference. GFB members between the ages of 18-35 may apply for these awards. The preliminary rounds of the discussion meet will be held at the leadership conference. For more information on any of these awards or the conference, please visit http://www.gfb.org/yf or stop by your county Farm Bureau. The GFB Achievement Award will recognize an outstanding young farmer or couple whose primary income is derived from farming. The GFB Excellence in Agriculture Award will recognize an outstanding individual or couple whose primary income is not derived from farming. Extension agents, FFA advisors and ag lenders are examples of individuals who may apply for this award. The GFB Discussion Meet is a competitive event designed to simulate a committee meeting where young farmers discuss topics relevant to agriculture today and explore solutions to issues facing them as agriculturalists. The state winner of each award will be announced during the GFB convention in December. The winner of each contest will compete on the national level at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 9-12, 2016. Details on state and national prizes will be available at a later date. USDA CONDUCTING SORGHUM REFERENDUM The USDA is conducting a referendum regarding the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff Program through April 21. The Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order requires that a referendum be conducted no later than seven years after the start of assessments, which began on July 1, 2008. For the program to continue, a majority of those voting must favor the continuation of the order. The referendum is being conducted at county USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for producers and the Agricultural Marketing Service office for importers. Ballots may be obtained in person, by mail or facsimile at county FSA offices, or via the Internet. Any eligible person engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014, is eligible to participate. Individuals are required to provide documentation such as a sales receipt or remittance form that shows they engaged in the production or importation of sorghum. The assessment is 0.006 cent per $100 of sorghum sold, and sorghum grown for on-farm use is not subject to the assessment. For more information, contact Craig Shackelford, Marketing Specialist, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184; Telephone: 470-315-4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov. Procedures and additional information about the referendum can be found at: www.ams.usda.gov/SorghumReferendum.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 8 FORMER GFB DIRECTOR QUINON ROBINSON DIES Quinon F. Robinson of Carroll County, who served as a Georgia Farm Bureau director from 1984 to 2001, died on March 19. He was 78. A lifelong farmer, Robinson served as president of Carroll County Farm Bureau from 1974 to 1976. He is survived by his wife Patricia; sons Mark, Robbie, and Dennis and daughter Kristi Cummings; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Condolences may be sent to the family at 774 High Point Road, Bowdon, GA 30108. Memorial contributions may be sent to Mountain View Baptist Church Building Fund: P.O. Box 70 Bowdon, Ga. 30108. HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS ESTATE TAX HEARING On March 18 the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures heard testimony on the federal estate tax during a hearing exploring the burdens the tax places on small businesses and farms. Ways and Means Committee Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015 (H.R. 1105) on Feb. 26. Farm Bureau supports a permanent repeal of the federal estate tax, and Tennessee farmer Brandon Whitt and Texas rancher Bobby McKnight were among those who testified. “Agriculture looks different on farms from state to state but we all face the same reality that an uncertain tomorrow can bring,” Whitt said, pointing out that while facing unpredictable weather and fluctuating markets, farmers and ranchers make decisions to expand their businesses and remain competitive. “Why should uncertainties over estate taxes be added to these others? Our job is hard enough as it is.” McKnight testified representing the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, pointing out that many farm and ranch families are asset rich but cash poor. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, approximately 90 percent of farm and ranch assets are things other than cash, like land, buildings and equipment. Consequently when a farmer or rancher dies, his or her heirs frequently have to sell assets to pay the estate tax bill. “As someone who has been on the negative end of the death tax, I would like to know what, if any, are the positive benefits of the death tax?” McKnight said. “When faced with the death tax I am no longer thinking about how I can grow my business and hire more employees. No, I am focused on whether I need to liquidate assets to control loss. I would rather focus on expanding my herd and re-investing in my community by creating jobs. I would like to know if the government of the United States is more interested in farmers and ranchers spending time and money on complying with the death tax or creating more jobs.” The current estate tax, set by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, has a top rate of 40 percent, with a $5 million exemption ($10 million per couple).
GFB News Alert page 5 of 8 GA VEGETABLE COMMISSION REFERENDUM A referendum is being held through March 31 to decide whether to re-establish a marketing order authorizing an assessment to fund activities of the Georgia Vegetable Commission. The referendum, which will be conducted by mail ballot, will allow vegetable producers to determine if they will pay to fund research, promotion & education activities coordinated by the commission. The commission is proposing to establish a marketing order for bell peppers, specialty peppers, beans, broccoli, beets, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, greens, squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Growers, who produce 50 acres or more of the vegetables listed above, would pay an assessment of not more than 1 cent per marketing unit for each vegetable. For more information about the referendum contact Andy Harrison of the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-586-1405 or andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov. PEANUT PROUD FESTIVAL March 28 Town Square Blakely This all day event kicks off with a 5k and Fun Run and ends with a street dance. In-between is a parade, over 100 vendors, a kids' zone and an obstacle course, and free entertainment. For more information or schedule of events, please visit peanutproudfestival.com or the Peanut Proud Festival Facebook page. 2015 AMERICA’S FARMERS MOM OF THE YEAR CONTEST March 31 deadline to apply Anyone can nominate their favorite farm mom, whether it’s their mom, sister, aunt, daughter, friend or community member. Just visit www.americasfarmers.com by March 31 and submit a brief essay online or by mail that explains how the nominated farm mom contributes to her family, farm, community and agriculture. The five regional winners will be announced at the end of April, and each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize. Profiles of the winners will then be posted to www.americasfarmers.com, where the public can vote for one national farm mom winner. Announced just prior to Mother’s Day, the national winner will receive an additional $5,000 cash prize above and beyond her regional prize, for a total of $10,000. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION 54TH ANNUAL CONVENTION April 1-4 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This jam-packed four-day event covers all things beef, including a forage conference led by UGA’s Dr. Dennis Hancock, Zoetis Cattlemen’s College seminars on a variety of topics, a livestock marketing seminar led by National Institute for Animal Agriculture Board Member Dr. Nevil Speer; the annual awards banquet; the GCA general membership meeting; Angus and Hereford sales; the annual Cattlemen’s Ball; and a junior awards luncheon. Visit www.georgiacattlemen.org for more information or to register. GEORGIA FORAGE CONFERENCE April 1 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 9 a.m. Perry Held in conjunction with the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Convention for the fourth straight year, this conference features presentations on selecting and establishing new forage, selecting new hay equipment, preventing mold and heat damage and understanding and improving quality. Registration is $40, which covers the program, lunch, a notebook and other resources available as handouts. To register, visit www.georgiacattlemen.org/conventionregistration.aspx.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 8 MONSANTO OFFERS GRANTS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 34 GA COUNTIES April 1 deadline to apply Farmers in 34 Georgia counties may nominate a public school district for grants of up to $25,000 from Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Fund. Eligible counties are Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. Visit www.growruraleducation.com and click the “Farmers Nominate Now” button or call 1-877-267-3332 to submit a nomination. Complete rules and eligibility requirements are posted on the aforementioned website. BAYER SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR BEEKEEPING AWARD Bayer CropScience is seeking nominations for its third annual Bee Care Community Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual who uses their interest in and commitment to honey bees to benefit their community. The award, an initiative of Bayer’s North American Bee Care Program, provides a $5,000 grant to the winner to be used in support of a community beekeeping project. The winner will also receive an all-expense paid trip to a reception in Washington, D.C., during National Pollinator Week June 15-21. Individuals interested in applying for the award can obtain an application at www.pollinatorweek.bayer.com. The deadline to apply is April 3. UGA EXTENSION, USDA GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOPS April 15 Gwinnett Technical College 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lawrenceville April 23 Fort Valley State University 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fort Valley The process of applying for federal grants can be daunting, but extra funding can help farmers diversify their farms or make them more sustainable or profitable. UGA Extension is currently working with the USDA to host two workshops to help farmers apply for grants through the USDA’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion programs. The workshops are free to attend but there is a limit of 50 participants per workshop. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=5404 for more information. SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET April 18, May 16, 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.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 8 NEWTON COUNTY AG DAY ON THE SQUARE April 18 On the Square 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Covington This event, sponsored by the Newton County Farm Bureau Young Farmers, features a modern and antique tractor show and lots of family fun. For more information, contact NCFB Office Manager Crystal Powell at 770-786-7201. UGA HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE April 21 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center 2:20 p.m. Irwinville For more information contact Dr. Jacob Segers at 229-386-3214 or by email at jacobs@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or by email at ptcannon@uga.edu. 38th ANNUAL VIDALIA ONION FESTIVAL April 23-26 Various locations Vidalia This festival celebrating Georgia’s official state vegetable includes an air show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant, country band Lonestar in concert, the Golden Onion professional chef competition, the Vidalia Onion Recipe Contest and much more. For more information visit www.vidaliaonionfestival.com. 16th ANNUAL PANHANDLE FARM MULE DAY April 25 Panhandle Farm 9 a.m. Reynolds The heritage of breaking farmland with mules comes to life for the whole family to enjoy at this free event. Various mule clubs and individuals will give live mule plowing demonstrations. Antique engines, tractors and implements will also be on display. A local church will sell lunch and refreshments. Event includes live entertainment. Take GA Hwy. 128 west out of Roberta to Hwy. 137, turn right onto Hwy. 137, then left onto Milton Lowe Road and follow signs to farm. For more information call Steve Montgomery at 478-837-1044. GCW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR COTTON SCHOLARSHIPS May 1 Deadline to apply The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable onethird each quarter or one-half each semester. The Georgia Cotton Women Scholarship is presented annually to the child or grandchild of a Georgia cotton producer or a cotton industry employee. This $1,500 scholarship is also payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. The Georgia Cotton Women Scholarship is funded through the sales of the organization’s two cookbooks, Georgia Cotton Heritage Cookbook and the newly-released Cooking in High Cotton. Applicants for both scholarships must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average to receive the scholarship the following term. Applications are available at www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information email Nancy Coleman at georgiacottonwomen@gmail.com or call 229-941-2930.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 8 GEORGIA OLIVE PRODUCERS ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE May 14 The Threatte Center 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lakeland This meeting will provide a wide range of information to growers and potential new growers from researchers, support industries and government agencies working in the expansion of the olive oil industry in Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. Registration is $75 for members and $150 for non-members. Event includes a farm tour and a silent auction to support UGA olive research. A pre-conference supper will be held Wednesday night that is $50. To register, visit http://georgiaolivegrowers.com. For more information contact Vicki Hughes at 229-300-9931 or georgiaolivegrowers@gmail.com. 2015 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 14-16 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 14 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 15 and 16 provide training and certification, including individual and colony biology, pathogens and parasites, and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $130 for May 15, $110 for May 16 and $220 for both days. For ages 17 and under, fees are $65 for May 15, $55 for May 16 and $110 for both days. Two-day registration and additional fees apply for advanced courses and exams on May 16. There is limited and classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit www.ent.uga.edu/Bees/young-harris/index.html. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 26 NW GA Research & Education Center 6 p.m. Calhoun For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or via email at pworley@uga.edu . UGA HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 27 NW GA Research & Education Center 12:30 p.m. Calhoun For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or via email at jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or via email at pworley@uga.edu . NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 7-11 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton The camp, for rising 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students with a desire to learn more about Georgia’s natural resources and the opportunities and responsibilities these resources provide, focuses on the value, protection and conservation of Georgia’s wildlife, forestry, soil and water resources. Tuition is $150 per students who register by May 1 and $175 for those who register after May 1. The deadline to register is May 28. Georgia natural resources experts in a variety of fields will lead classroom and field trip activities to help interested young people learn the basic principles and the responsible use of natural resources. For more information, visit www.abac.edu/nrcw or contact your local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division or UGA Cooperative Extension Service.