Georgia Farm Bureau's Leadership Alert - March 2, 2011

March 2, 2011

www.gfb.org

Vol. 29 No. 9

BISHOP, BLACK MEET TO DISCUSS PROPOSED FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) met last week with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black in Atlanta to review how proposed budget cuts passed by the U.S. House last week might affect Georgia agriculture.

According to published reports, Black and Bishop prioritized federal funding for the University of Georgia and maintaining payments to agricultural producers when commodity prices drop, but Black believes it’s unrealistic to expect federal funding for those and other ag programs to continue at current levels.

“The paradigm that we’re currently in in regards to spending more than we’re bringing in is a paradigm that must shift,” Black said.

Bishop emphasized the importance of maintaining funding for programs used by Georgia’s agricultural producers.

“We both recognize that the budgetary constraints facing our country will require the country to make strategic choices about our priorities, but we are committed to working across party lines to defend those programs that are absolutely essential to Georgia agriculture,” Bishop said in a press release.

On Feb. 19, the House passed a continuing resolution, H.R. 1, to fund the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2011. Bishop, who sits on the agriculture subcommittee to the House Appropriations Committee, voted against the measure, which would reduce funding to agriculture programs by 22 percent from FY 2010 levels. A total of $5.2 billion was slashed from ag programs, the second-largest reduction behind transportation/infrastructure programs. Among the ag cuts were research programs at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the USDA’s National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson.

The bill was read in the Senate this week. Without the passage of a funding resolution, the federal government could shut down as early as March 4. Bishop’s press release indicated that H.R. 1 could be a hint of what is to come with the FY 2012 budget and the 2012 farm bill.

“Given the constraints on our federal budget, our nation has to make strategic choices about what we can and cannot afford,” Bishop said. “We both believe that the government must act in a fiscally responsible way and find efficiencies where it can. We must do everything necessary to ensure that our country establishes the right priorities and maintains the programs that Georgia’s farmers need to continue leading America’s agriculture sector.”

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GFB PEANUT PACKETS AVAILABLE As Georgia Farm Bureau continues its yearlong promotion of the state’s peanut industry, the organization has resumed production of its 3/4 oz. peanut packets. GFB has teamed up with Hardy Farms in Pulaski County to package the roasted, salted peanuts.

GFB ceased production of its peanut packets in 2009 when its last processor went out of business.

“Georgia produces more peanuts than any other state in the country, so it’s a natural fit for the state’s largest general farm organization to offer consumers a taste of one of our state’s most well-known crops,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “These packets are a great way for county Farm Bureaus to promote Georgia agriculture and Farm Bureau in their local communities.”

The peanuts are still packaged in a multi-layered gold foil designed to extend the shelf life of the nuts. The design now features “Georgia Peanuts” written in green lettering instead of blue.

The packet advertises that peanuts are a great source of protein with no cholesterol and that agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry. The GFB logo and contact information are also included on the packet.

The peanuts are available for purchase in cases of 200 packets for $27, which is only 13.5 cents per bag. Sales and inquiries are handled through the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department. Orders should be in writing via letter or e-mail two weeks prior to the time you wish to receive them. Orders should be sent to Cindy Arnold at cwarnold@gfb.org. Please order in case quantities and allow 2 weeks for delivery.

Farm Bureau members interested in purchasing the packets may purchase them through their county Farm Bureau office.

USDA REPORT INDICATES CONTINUED GROWTH IN GA. CROP VALUES The total value of principal crops produced in Georgia increased by more than $200 million from 2009 to 2010, according to a report recently released by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS).

The report showed a decline in the value of commercial vegetables, from $535.9 million in 2009 to $483.8 million in 2010 but Georgia’s field crops and fruit and nut crops gained in value. Georgia’s field and miscellaneous crops were valued at $1.88 billion in 2010, up from $1.65 billion in 2009. The state’s fruit and nut crops were valued at $241.6 million in 2010, up from $217 million in 2009. Similar national trends occurred in all three categories.

Included in the survey was an increase of almost 53 percent in the value of upland cotton grown in Georgia, from $606 million in 2009 to $927 million in 2010, offsetting declines in most of the state’s other principal crops. The value of the state’s peanut harvest grew from $372 million in 2009 to $401 million in 2010. The value of the corn grown for grain in the state declined from $212 million to $176 million. The state’s soybean crop value declined from $155 million in 2009 to $76 million in 2010.

Though the number of farms declined slightly in Georgia, the total farm acreage and average farm size remained the same. The number of farms in the state decreased from 47,600 in 2009 to 47,400 in 2010, but the total acreage remained the same at 10.3 million.

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BLAND, DOWDY HONORED AT VIDALIA ONION INDUSTRY BANQUET Tattnall County farmer Delbert Bland was named Grower of the Year and the late Delwin Dowdy was inducted into the Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame at the 2011 Vidalia Onion industry banquet, held in February.

Bland, of Bland Farms LLC in Glennville, began growing onions with his father Raymond D. Bland in 1982 on five acres. They co-founded Bland Farms, which has grown to over 1,700 acres. With 92 employees, Bland Farms is the largest grower, packer, and shipper of Vidalia onions and has the largest controlled-environment storage capacity in the sweet onion industry.

Bland was honored in 2008 by the Georgia Senate with a resolution in recognition of his commitment of time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community and state. In 2009, Bland Farms was named one of the fastest growing privately held companies in America by Inc. Magazine. The company supplies 4,000 pounds of sweet onions a week to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Food Bank, sponsors St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the fight against breast cancer and is a corporate sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Dowdy, of Dowdy Farms in Reidsville, died in January 2009. He was remembered for his willingness to share his knowledge with other growers. He assisted many growers getting their start growing onions, giving tips on managing resources, packing quality product and developing infrastructure. Dowdy was known not only as a good grower and for packing the very best quality product, but also was revered as a strategic marketer and a wizard of financial management. Because of Dowdy’s expertise and commitment to detail, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension service often utilized his farm for research projects and field days.

GEORGIA PEACH COUNCIL OPENS FLORIDA MARKETING CAMPAIGN The Georgia Peach Council (GPC) this summer will conduct an aggressive marketing campaign in Florida markets, with key events in Tampa and Orlando timed to coincide with the July 4 holiday, which falls in the peak of peach harvest season.

The campaign, titled “Always Ask for Sweet Georgia Peaches,” will be conducted by Sahlman Williams Public Relations and Marketing, which in 2006 studied consumer preference for peaches. The study revealed that 80 percent of consumers prefer Georgia peaches. The Georgia Peach Council introduced its products into Florida in 2010.

“After a 2006 study revealed consumers overwhelmingly preferred Georgia peaches, reaching out to our neighbors in Florida was an obvious next step,” said Duke Lane III, president of the Georgia Peach Council. “We are excited to share our peaches with the state of Florida.”

The campaign will feature the GPC’s new spokesperson, cookbook author Gena Knox, and mascot Big Fuzzy, a 7-foot-2-inch giant peach. Knox, who wrote cookbooks “Southern My Way” and “Gourmet Made Simple,” will make appearances and appear in cooking demonstrations throughout the campaign, which will include an intense media outreach program.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NRCS HIGH TUNNEL PILOT STUDY IS MARCH 4 The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for the 2011 High Tunnel Pilot Study thru March 4. Georgia has designated $100,000 for this initiative. NRCS will fund one high tunnel per farm/applicant. The maximum size of high tunnels erected for the study is 2,178 sq. ft.

Reimbursement will be made after the structure is completely constructed and inspected by NRCS personnel. The applicant must agree to maintain the structure and a record system for three years. High tunnels must be constructed after the application has been approved and must comply with the standards and specifications in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG).

High tunnels, sometimes known as hoop houses, help small farmers extend their growing season allowing them to generate income as the temperature gets colder in the fall and winter. Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move.

Cost-share rates are 75 percent for general applicants and 90 percent for historically underserved applicants. To sign up or learn more about the project, contact your local NRCS office. Visit http:// www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov to download an application.

NRCS PIGWEED CONTROL PROGRAM SIGNUP DEADLINE IS MARCH 4 The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide $150,000 in financial incentives for a project in the Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District (Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Taylor and Wilcox counties) to control pigweed, funded under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and targeted to cotton farmers. Participants will work with NRCS to design a conservation plan and agree to implement pigweed control practices. The payment rate will be up to $75 per acre for two years. Interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for additional information.Visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov for more information.

SOUTHEAST CATTLE ADVISOR WORKSHOP March 8 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena Athens This workshop will cover economic factors and choices cattle producers can make to enhance their profitability. Cattle producers may also participate in the workshop via satellite at some local Extension offices or online. Visit http://secattleadvisor.com/webinar.html for more information or contact Lawton Stewart at lawtons@uga.edu or 706-542-1852, Curt Lacy via e-mail at clacy@uga.edu or 229-386-3512 or 1-800-ASK-UGA-1.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE March 11 is the deadline to register for this annual conference to be held March 26 at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center. The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. Workshops will cover the organization’s commodity promotion for 2011-2012, building a membership program and being a more effective leader. Registration is $45 per person. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information.

CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER AREA FARM TOURS March 16 Tilmanstone Farms: Practicing Conservation Tillage Jenkins Co. March 17 Dendera Farms: Wildlife & longleaf pine mgmt.

Jenkins Co. March 23 Moore Cattle Company: NRCS benefits for beef farms Wilkes Co. March 24 Steed’s Dairy Farm: Agritourism, NRCS Programs Columbia Co. Registration deadline is March 10. A variety of professional speakers will discuss issues including forest management, beef cattle and dairy grazing, conservation tillage, wildlife management, government conservation programs for landowners and more. Cost is $15 for one farm tour, $20 for two, $25 for three tours and $30 for all four tours. Lunch will be provided at each event and transportation will be available.

Contact Gregg Jameson at 706-547-4045 or gregg.jameson@ga.usda.gov to register or for more information.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 5 OCHLOCKONEE WATER CONSERVATION FIELD DAY March 10 Gene Willis Farm, Highway 111 9 a.m.

Meigs This field day, hosted by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, will include a tour of the Ochlockonee River Basin Total Maximum Daily Load Project. The tour will review improvements to heavy use areas and includes a fencing demonstration. For more information, call Jonathan Hall at 912384-4811, ext. 123.

4TH ANNUAL GEORGIA FFA BLUE & GOLD GALA March 11 200 Peachtree Atlanta This is a fundraising event hosted by the Georgia FFA Foundation. All proceeds support the activities of Georgia FFA. The Gala includes cocktails, dinner, and silent and live auctions, as well as the raffle of a John Deere CX Gator. The silent auction includes a wide range of items: Georgia agricultural products, overnight trips, accessories and farm-related toys. Information about the gala can be found on the Georgia FFA Foundation website, www.georgiaffafoundation.org or by calling the foundation at 1-800-323-0124.

GEORGIA AG HALL OF FAME NOMINATION DEADLINE March 15 The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is seeking nominations for the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. This hall of fame recognizes individuals who have made unusual and extraordinary contributions to Georgia’s agriculture and agribusiness industries. Guidelines and a nomination form can be found at the following link: http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/fame/nominate.html or by calling the UGA CAES Alumni office at 706542-3390.

BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION OF GA, INC. ANNUAL MEETING March 16 2 p.m.

Ramada Conference Center Call 229-263-9366 for more information.

Perry

3rd ANNUAL PEANUT PROUD FESTIVAL March 26 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Courthouse Square Blakely The theme for this year’s event is Proud-N-Peanut Country. Join the fun with a 5K Run, peanut parade, food vendors, recipe contest, educational exhibits, antique farm equipment display, arts and crafts and a street dance featuring the Fabulous Expressions from 6-10 p.m. A beauty pageant will be held March 19.

Applications to participate in the pageant, parade or to be a vendor are available at www.peanutproud.com along with more information about the event or call 229-723-2802.

2011 Southeast Hay Convention March 29-30 GA Farm Bureau Building Macon Formerly known a the Hay Production School, this event will begin at 8 a.m. on March 29 and will include two days of learning and interacting with fellow hay producers and University specialists. The registration fee is $125 per person and $50 for each extra person from the same farm. Registration fee covers the convention notebook, a weed identification guide and many other reference materials. Lunch for both days is included in the fee. Conference is limited to 100 participants. Early registration is recommended. Visit http://www.georgiaforages.com for more information or to register or contact your local Extension office at 1-800-ASK-UGA1.

GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE March 30 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry Event begins at 8 a.m. and runs to 5 p.m. Will include a trade show and research presentations from pecan specialists and promotion updates from the Ga. Pecan Commission. For additional information or to register visit http://www.georgiapecan.org or contact Janice Dees at 229-382-2187.