Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - March 2, 2016

March 2, 2016

www.gfb.org

Vol. 34 No. 9

GFB PRESENTS GRAND CHAMPION PRIZES AT STATE LIVESTOCK SHOW About 1,550 4-H and FFA members from across Georgia competed in the 2016 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show held Feb. 17-20 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry. The exhibitors showed about 2,420 head of livestock at the show. Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) sponsored the six grand champion prizes for all species.

“It’s very important that Georgia Farm Bureau support this show because these 4-Hers and FFA students exhibiting animals will be our future leaders tomorrow. It’s great the response and thanks we get for supporting this show,” GFB President Gerald Long said.

“It’s unbelievable the dedication and responsibility these young people have to show their animals. It [showing livestock] teaches them there’s no such thing as an eight to five job.”

Long also applauded state leaders for building the state-of-the-art Georgia Agricenter where the show has been held since the early 1990s.

“We have a facility here that’s as good as any in the nation,” Long said. “Georgia Farm Bureau worked with the late Rep. Henry Reeves to acquire the state funding to build this facility, and we’re still reaping the dividends of that investment.”

Jackson County 4-Her Morgan McDaniel won the Grand Champion Breeding Heifer award of $2,500 with her Percent Simmental heifer. McDaniel, a fifth-grader at Gum Springs Elementary School, is the daughter of Wil and Nichole McDaniel of Jefferson.

In January, McDaniel won Supreme Champion Heifer at the GFB 2nd District Young Farmer Steer & Heifer Show. Bella Chandler of Jackson County won the Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Heifer at the Ga. Jr. National, and she also won Reserve Supreme Champion Heifer at the GFB 2nd District Young Farmer Steer & Heifer Show.

Perry High School FFA member Abby Moore took home the Grand Champion Market Barrow prize of $1,500. Moore, a junior, is the daughter of Scott and Christy Moore of Houston County.

When asked why she would encourage other kids to show, Moore answered, “I think they would learn what hard work really is and that it does pay off.”

Colquitt County 4-Her Luke Mobley captured the $5,000 Grand Champion Market Steer award with his Chi, Charolais, Maine Anjou and Angus crossbred steer. A fourth-grader at R.B. Wright Elementary School, Mobley is the son of Mike and Torina Mobley of Moultrie. Mobley’s older brothers, Jonathan won the award in 2007 and Nicholas in 2011.

Coweta County 4-Her Brent Bohannon won the $1,500 Grand Champion Commercial Dairy -continued

GFB News Alert page 2 of 13 -continued from previous page Heifer prize. He won with a Holstein bred and raised at Windy Hill Dairy, owned by the Butcher family, who are Coweta County Farm Bureau members. Bohannon, a fifth-grade student at Moreland Elementary, is the son of Kate Bohannon.

When asked what he likes best about showing, Brent answered, "Getting to go places and meeting other people."

Toombs County 4-Her Britten Herndon took home the $1,500 Grand Champion Market Gilt award. Herndon, a fifth-grader at Toombs Central Elementary School, is the son of Jason and Elizabeth Herndon of Lyons.

Both of Herndon’s older sisters showed, which inspired him to show. When asked what he liked about showing, he answered, “It’s pretty good to get trophies, but it’s all about family and the time we spend together.”

Hart County 4-Her Jarrett Baldwin captured the $1,000 Grand Champion Breeding Ewe prize in his senior year. Baldwin, who has shown lambs for 15 years, encouraged young people to get involved in showing livestock saying, “I grew up in this program and there’s nothing I’d rather have done than shown livestock.”

Baldwin, who is a student at Shepherds Way Home School, is the son of Todd and Pam Baldwin of Hartwell.

GA DAIRYMEN TO VOTE ON CONTINUING MILK MARKETING ORDER Georgia dairy farmers have the opportunity to vote through March 30 on whether to extend the Georgia Milk Marketing Order for an additional three years. The current order was approved by producer vote in 2013, and will expire June 30, 2016.

Federal law requires U.S. dairy producers to pay $0.15 cents per hundredweight into the national Dairy Checkoff Program to drive increased sales as well as demand for dairy products and ingredients. With the current marketing order, $0.10 cents of the $0.15 cents per hundredweight producers invest remains at the state level. If the order is revoked, all of the $0.15 cents per hundredweight producers invest will be sent directly to the national Dairy Checkoff Program.

The Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Milk (ACCM) was created in 1969, and is recognized as a qualified program under the rules of the Federal Milk Marketing Order. The order allows the money collected to be used by the Georgia Milk Commission. The money is used in-state to promote milk consumption in addition to education about the benefits of dairy products and where milk originates. One of the more visible educational projects is the Mobile Dairy Classroom. This interactive exhibit travels throughout the state visiting many schools and events to demonstrate how cows are cared for and milked. In 2015, more than 100,000 people watched demonstrations by the mobile dairy classroom.

The ballot period for the market order is March 1-30. The back of ballots must be signed and they must be mailed no later than midnight on March 30 to be eligible. If a dairy producer is in need of a ballot please contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at: 404-586-1405.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 13 GFB LEADERS TAKE AG MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON A group of 19 Georgia Farm Bureau leaders participated in the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Advocacy Conference, held Feb. 22-25 in Washington, D.C. The event drew approximately 500 American Farm Bureau members from 43 states. The AFBF Advocacy Conference featured 16 breakout sessions including policy briefings, advocacy training and on-site practice and coaching. The main issues that were covered were technology, regulatory reform and trade.

GFB President Gerald Long and his wife Janice led the Georgia delegation, which included GFB 1st Vice President Robert Fountain Jr., GFB North Georgia Vice President Bernard Sims and GFB directors Ralph Adamson, Gary Bell, Ben Boyd, George Chambers, Nora Goodman, Bobby Gunter, David Lee, James Malone, Skeetter McCorkle, Scotty Raines, Marvin Ruark, Randy Ruff, Women’s Leadership Committee Chairperson Melanie Sanders, James Emory Tate and Don Wood.

Newly elected AFBF President Zippy Duvall emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement.

“The grassroots members of Farm Bureau develop our policy and then it is the grassroots members who engage with lawmakers to implement those policies,” Duvall said. “Nothing less than our nation’s security – our ability to feed ourselves – depends on our success. That success is rooted in our willingness, all of us, to get outside the fence rows of our farms and ranches and make our unified voice heard.”

In addition to the conference, meetings were held with Georgia’s U.S. Congressional delegation to discuss key issues impacting farmers. Topics included GMO labeling, obtaining an other oilseed designation for cottonseed, Waters of the U.S. and crop insurance.

The conference was held in conjunction with meetings of the AFBF Issue Advisory Committees (IACs). Georgia members attending IAC meetings were: John Mixon, Pike County, Federal Lands Committee; Mark Masters, Dougherty County, Environmental Regulations Committee; Andy Bell, Decatur County, Market Structures Committee; Tim McMillan, Berrien County, Farm Policy Committee; T.E. Moye, Baker County, Trade Committee, and Donald Chase, Macon County, serving as chairman of the Energy Committee. The primary goal of the conference was to help leaders become better advocates for agriculture.

AFBF replaced its commodity committees with Issue Advisory Committees last year. The committees are comprised of members with direct involvement on issues important to US. farmers and ranchers. The IACs are charged with developing policy recommendations for the AFBF president and board of directors. There are 15 IACs: Ag Labor, Animal Care, Budget and Economy, Energy, Environmental Regulations, Farm Policy, Federal Lands, Food Safety, Water Supply and Quality, Market Structures, Pest and Invasive Species, Public Infrastructure, Technology, Trade, and Organic and Direct Marketing.

“We are blessed with farmers who are willing to serve in this capacity and share their knowledge with the IACs,” Long said. “I believe our message was heard and hopefully that we made a difference with our congressional officials. I am grateful for such a great representation on the IACs from Georgia as well as a majority of the board members.”

GFB News Alert page 4 of 13 NRCS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2016 CSP FUNDS The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has allotted $4.8 million in funding for agricultural producers in Georgia through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). USDA’s largest conservation program, CSP helps producers voluntarily improve the health and productivity of private and Tribal working lands. The NRCS plans to add an estimated 10 million acres nationwide to the rolls of CSP during fiscal 2016.

The NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers should submit applications by March 31 to USDA service centers to ensure they are considered for enrollment in 2016. A directory of USDA service centers is available at http://tinyurl.com/usdasvcctrs.

NRCS also makes CSP available to producers as an additional opportunity to participate in regional landscape-level conservation efforts including the Longleaf Pine Initiative.

Funding is available for more than 100 kinds of enhancements in Georgia to help participants improve soil quality, use water wisely and improve water quality and restore habitat for wildlife and pollinators through the use of better grazing systems and improved plant management.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available at http://tinyurl.com/cspchecklist to help producers determine if the program is compatible with their operation. As part of the application process, applicants will work with NRCS field personnel to complete a resource inventory of their land to determine the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities. The applicant’s conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments.

For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.

OVERALL GEORGIA FIELD CROP VALUES DECLINED IN 2015 The overall value of field crops declined by $28.5 million from 2014 to 2015 according to the annual Crop Values Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Overall, Georgia’s field crops were valued at $2.03 billion in 2015, down from $2.06 billion in 2014. The 1.3 percent decline marked the third straight year of declining values for Georgia field crops.

Peanuts and cottonseed were the only crops counted in the values report that showed an increase from 2014 to 2015. The state’s peanut crop, valued at more than $656 million in 2015, grew by nearly 31 percent over 2014, when it was valued at $501 million. Cottonseed produced in Georgia in 2015 was valued at just over $132 million, up $1.5 million from 2014.

Georgia’s cotton crop value shrank by $112 million, from $806.8 million in 2014 to $694.4 million in 2014, a decline of nearly 14 percent.

The state’s corn crop for grain fell by 11.2 percent, from $219.8 million in 2014 to $195 million in 2015.

The state’s hay crop declined by 5.5 percent, from $136 million in 2014 to $132 million in 2015. The value of Georgia’s soybean crop declined slightly, from $121.8 million in 2014 to $121.2 million in 2015.

Georgia’s 2015 tobacco crop was valued at $61.2 million, down from $71.4 million in 2014, a decline of 18 percent. The state’s winter wheat crop was valued at $28.7 million in 2015, down from $60.3 million in 2014.

The value of Georgia oat production fell by 5.5 percent, from $4.86 million in 2014 to $4.6 million in 2015.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 13 SOUTH AFRICA ACCEPTING U.S. POULTRY FOR FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS The first U.S. poultry in more than 15 years has arrived in South Africa, according to a joint press release from U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Chris Koons (D-Del.). The arrival of the first shipments of U.S. poultry to South Africa is the outcome of a June 2015 agreement reached between the United States and South Africa that required South Africa to eliminate longstanding barriers to U.S. poultry imports.

Isakson and Coons, co-chairs of the Senate Chicken Caucus, have been pressuring the South African government for more than a year to end the anti-dumping duties and unfair food safety and health trade policies on U.S. poultry. The senators met on numerous occasions with South African President Jacob Zuma and other South African officials to discuss this issue over the last several years.

They also secured language in last year’s reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, known as AGOA, to require an out-of-cycle review of South Africa's benefits due to the persistence of these issues. The bipartisan amendment was introduced in the Senate Finance Committee by Isakson and co-sponsored by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) On June 8, 2015, a settlement was reached between the United States and South Africa after negotiations in Paris led by the United States Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard, and trade experts from the poultry industry.

Since the settlement was reached, South Africa repeatedly failed to fulfill the obligations agreed upon in Paris. In response to the delays, Isakson and Coons called on President Zuma in September to act quickly to address the unresolved issues in the agreement. In November 2015, President Obama issued a 60-day notice of his intent to suspend AGOA benefits for South Africa's agricultural products if South Africa continued to fail to eliminate trade barriers to U.S. poultry, beef, and pork as a result of the out-of-cycle review. That notice expired on Jan. 4, and shortly thereafter, South Africa announced it would comply with the terms of the settlement.

The poultry industry annually contributes more than $15.1 billion to Georgia’s economy.

MARCH 6-12 IS AGRICULTURAL SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAM WEEK Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Week will be observed March 6-12, 2016.

Each day a new farm safety topic will be highlighted through the American Farm Bureau Federation’s social media channels.

The daily safety topics are: Monday, ATV safety; Tuesday, child safety; Wednesday, tractor safety; Thursday, roadway safety and Friday, grain bin safety.

Follow https://www.facebook.com/AgSafety or #ASAPWeek on Twitter for updates as the week progresses.

For more information on Ag Safety Week, visit http://www.fb.org/programs/healthandsafety/home/ to view ASAP Week resources.

In addition to the ASAP Week observance, the American Red Cross and Monsanto have partnered to include rural safety content on the Red Cross first aid app. According to a Monsanto press release, the collaboration will help ensure that individuals and families have access to lifesaving information. The Red Cross first aid app features, videos, tips and other interactive content to promote topics like child safety and emergency preparedness on the farm, as well as safety content related to ATVs, grain bins, farm electrical safety and more. To download the app, visit www.redcross.org/apps.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 13 GEORGIA AG CHEMICAL DRIFT COMPLAINTS DECLINED IN 2015 Complaints over off-target movement of chemical applications went down 48 percent from 2014 to 2015, but Georgia farmers must better understand the factors that influence drift, according to a University of Georgia press release.

UGA weed scientist Stanley Culpepper, a world-renowned researcher based on the UGA campus in Tifton, attributes the reduction in pesticide drift complaints to slower wind speeds combined with an educational initiative by UGA Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Culpepper and UGA Extension agents across the state began classes to teach farmers how to reduce pesticide drift in late 2014. The educational campaign continued this winter with a series of training sessions between Feb. 22 and March 1.

“We need to further reduce drift complaints by 48 percent two or three more times. As an organization, we are truly committed to helping growers make on-target applications to protect themselves, their neighbors and our environment,” Culpepper said.

Keeping herbicides from moving off target and onto neighboring fields, gardens or other sensitive plants has been a growing concern since the end of 2014. Culpepper says that, to effectively manage off-target pesticide movement, up to 15 factors need to be considered, including wind speed, spray pressure, spray speed, height of the boom above the target, terrain and the herbicide product and formulation used.

The most important element, though, is the person making the herbicide application, Culpepper said.

“Arguably the most important factor in reducing off-target herbicide issues is an understanding of the sensitivity of the crops or plants that surround the applicator when the application is being made. If you apply a product and the plants in close proximity are extremely sensitive, then you’re much more vulnerable to a problem,” Culpepper said.

Georgia is known for its diverse agricultural production. No one crop dominates the agricultural landscape. Row crops such as cotton, corn and peanuts are high value commodities, as are produce like watermelon, tomatoes and bell peppers. This diversity forces farmers to be more aware of their surroundings when applying herbicides.

While UGA’s ramped-up educational initiative played a role in reduced drift complaints, so did environmental conditions. Two years ago, higher-than-optimal wind speeds created problems; this was not the case for the past year, according to Culpepper. The result was more on-target applications during 2015.

With the unpredictability of the weather this spring and summer, farmers can’t bank on optimal spraying conditions. However, they can count on making wise decisions based on sound science.

Culpepper hopes to see the number of off-target herbicide movement issues continue to decrease, but he says UGA Extension will not be discouraged if they increase.

The statewide training meetings, which reached 632 people, presented research-based pesticide application information with growers. Some 1,061 growers were trained in 2015.

Culpepper estimated the training has reached farmers who account for more than 90 percent of the state's cotton and soybean acreage.

The subject matter is not new to Georgia farmers, but growers can immediately put to use new research — conducted over the past few years by academics and the industry — to help improve on-target pesticide applications.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 13 MONSANTO SEARCHES FOR NEXT FARM MOM OF THE YEAR Farm moms are warm and caring, yet tough as nails. They’re dedicated, nurturing, gritty, loving, hard-working and fun go-getters who go above and beyond to care for and protect their farms, families, communities and the agriculture industry they love. Monsanto once again plans to recognize these inspiring women, and today announced it has officially opened up nominations for its 2016 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest.

Nominations are open through March 29, 2016. Anyone can enter their favorite farm mom, whether it’s their mom, sister, aunt, daughter, friend or community member. Just visit www.AmericasFarmers.com during the nomination period and submit a brief essay online or by mail that explains how the nominated farm mom contributes to each of four areas -- her family, farm, community and the agriculture industry.

A panel of judges from American Agri-Women will once again review nominations and help Monsanto select five regional winners. They will specifically look for nominations that include all four areas (farm, family, 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.

For more information on the program or for complete eligibility requirements and official contest rules visit www.AmericasFarmers.com. Interested parties may also send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America's Farmers Mom of the Year, Attn: Sue Dillon, 349 Marshall Ave., Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63119.

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON FMD PREPAREDNESS During a Feb. 11 hearing, witnesses cautioned the House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee that the United States needs to bolster its current ability to vaccinate for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the event of an outbreak.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that causes illness in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and other animals with cloven hooves.

The first goal is to keep FMD out of the United States through monitoring and surveillance activities. If an FMD outbreak were to occur, several strategies are available for responding to the outbreak including the use of vaccine. Currently, the amount of vaccine available at the North American FMD Vaccine Bank is below what would be required for an outbreak.

According to subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-N.C.), there have been no cases of FMD in the United States since 1929, though witnesses in the hearing noted that there are sobering lessons to be learned from outbreaks in other countries.

For instance, a 2001 outbreak in the United Kingdom resulted in losses totaling $6 billion.

“The number of livestock and the agriculture economy is much smaller in the UK than the U.S.,” said Dr. James A. Roth of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “We learned from their outbreak that we cannot depend on stamping out the disease by killing all infected and exposed animals.”

Roth said the nation’s FMD response plan should include immediately halting all transport of livestock and an extensive vaccination program.

“No country with a livestock industry comparable to that of the U.S. has had to deal with an outbreak of FMD and the impact would extend far beyond animal agriculture,” Roth said.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 13 SOUTHEAST HAY CONVENTION March 8-9 Sunbelt Ag Expo Grounds Moultrie This event, sponsored by Kubota, will focus on techniques for producing high yields of quality hay and baleage, with detailed information on weed competition, herbicide technology and resistance issues, proper handling of pesticide application equipment and much more.

Registration is $90 for the first person from a family or farm and $75 for each additional person from the same family or farm. Included in your registration fee is a 400-plus page Southeast Hay Convention notebook, a weed ID book, two lunches, refreshments, and other resources. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/sehayconv.

FARM LABOR FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES March 10 Central Square Complex, 200 Madison Ave. S 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Douglas This forum, presented by the Coffee County Extension, will feature speakers from the Wage & Hour Division, the Georgia Department of Labor, OSHA, the Coffee County Extension, Telamon Corporation and the Georgia Migrant Educational Program. Lunch will be provided.

For more information contact the Coffee County Extension office at 912-384-1402.

CHEROKEE COUNTY AG EXPO March 11 River Church, 2335 Sixes Road 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Canton Cherokee County Farm Bureau, along with the Cherokee County Cooperative Extension Office, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Woodstock, celebrates National Agriculture Month with this free annual event, which features 30 local ag exhibitors, many of which are affiliated with schools or student friendly. Food and drinks from locally produced commodities will be available. For more information, visit www.cherokeeagexpo.info.

AG AWARENESS DAY IN GEORGIA March 15 Georgia Depot Atlanta Gov. Nathan Deal and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black will host this event. Exhibits, food and entertainment will begin at 11 a.m. The program starts at 12:30 p.m. and includes the announcements of the Sunbelt Expo Georgia Farmer of the Year and winners in the Flavor of Georgia Food Contest. For more information contact Steven Meeks by phone at 912-207-0813 or by email at steven@fmrburchfarms.com or meekss@me.com.

AFBF SURVEY ON USDA PROGRAMS The American Farm Bureau Federation is conducting an online survey to collect feedback from farmers and ranchers on USDA programs. The survey is open to all U.S. farmers, ranchers, producers and growers. Farm Bureau membership is not requred to participate. All responses will be anonymous. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey closes March 15. To take the survey visit http://usdaprograms.questionpro.com.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 13 GEORGIA AG HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS March 15 nominations due The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association invites you to make nominations for induction to the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. 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. For more information or to download the nomination form, visit http://tinyurl.com/gaaghof.

2016 FVSU FARM, HOME AND MINISTERS CONFERENCE March 15 C.W. Pettigrew Center 9 a.m.

Fort Valley This annual conference features free workshops about farming, health, wellness and technology.

Breakout session topics include: Health; solar panel technology; drone technology; raised planting beds; dental health and managing credit. Representatives from the USDA, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit and a professor from Mercer University will teach the breakout sessions. The conference includes presentations from the FFA and FVSU ag students, announcement of the 2015 Farm Family of the Year and Humanitarian Awards, and industry updates. For more information about the 2016 FHM conference, contact Terralon Chaney at 478945-3391 or chaneyt01@fvsu.edu.

USDA PLANTING INTENTIONS SURVEY Through March 15 The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey the state’s farmers on the types of crops they intend to plant in 2016, how many acres they intend to plant and the amounts of grain and oilseed they store on their farms. Producers may respond online or by mail.

Those producers selected for the survey will receive a letter with the web address and their access code. This ensures that the responses are confidential and that only those producers selected for the survey have access. Information collected through the survey will be included in NASS’ annual Prospective Plantings Report and its quarterly Grain Stocks Report, both of which will be released on March 31. Information provided by respondents is confidential as required by federal law.

PB&J DAY AT THE CAPITOL March 16 Georgia State Capitol Atlanta The Georgia Peanut Commission hosts this annual event, which celebrates National Peanut Month in March. Throughout the day, visitors can sample roasted peanuts, grilled PB&Js, Hardy Farms' Boiled Peanuts and more.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 13 WEST GEORGIA BEEF MANAGEMENT TOUR March 23 UGA, multiple stops Athens/Watkinsville This tour, sponsored by the Carroll County Extension office, features stops at the J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center, the UGA Meat Science Technology Center and the UGA Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital. The bus leaves the Carroll County Ag Center at 700 Newnan Road in Carrollton at 6:45 a.m. Registration is $40 per person. Registration and payment are due by March 18, and there is a 53-person limit. For more information contact Richard Littleton or Paula Burke at 770-836-8546.

PEANUT PROUD FESTIVAL March 19 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, more than 100 vendors, a kids' zone and an obstacle course, and free entertainment. For more information or schedule of events, please visit www.peanutproudfestival.com or the Peanut Proud Festival Facebook page. Contact Marcie Justice Williams at marciejustice@yahoo.com or Mike Newberry at Hillside1007@yahoo.com or 229-254-1007.

2015 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL SEMINAR March 26 Gwinnett Technical College, Building 100 Lawrenceville Led by various university, government and industry experts, land owners will learn about sustainable farming techniques, available federal and state funding programs, marketing strategies and more. The meeting is hosted by the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation & Development Council. Early registration is available online at http://conta.cc/1jxi9Tr or by calling 678-375-9518.

GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION March 30 – April 2 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 discussion on feed directives led by Zoetis Livestock Production Specialist Jennie Schutte, 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 FORAGES CONFERENCE March 30 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Perry This annual event, held in conjunction with the Georgia Cattlemen’s Beef Expo, features presentations on warm season annual forage options, raising replacements and stockers on pasture, bermudagrass stem maggot and pest update and the Georgia Forages Producers Forum.

Registration for the Georgia Forages Confernce is $40 per person. For more information or to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/gaforageconf or call 478-474-6560.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 13 MONSANTO SCHOOL DISTRICT GRANTS April 1 deadline for nominations Farmers in 34 Georgia counties have until April 1 to nominate a public school district for grants of $10,000 or $25,000 from Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Fund.

Nominated school districts have until April 15 to submit applications. The grants are intended to help school districts fund math and science projects to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum and prepare students for technology-driven careers.

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 or call 1-877-267-3332 to submit a nomination.

‘GEE HAW WHOA BACK’ RODEO April 1-2 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Arena Tifton Spectators will be entertained with riveting competition during this Professional Cowboy Association-sanctioned rodeo, which begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Gates open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for children 6 – 12 years old and free to ABAC students and children five years old and under. Rodeo tickets will be sold in advance and at the gate on the two days of the event. Separate tickets must be purchased for each night. Events include bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, calf roping, and steer wrestling. Cowgirls will compete in break-away roping and barrel racing. The rodeo will also feature some audience participation events and family-friendly activities. The rodeo is a part of a week-long series of events on March 29-April 2 designed for students, alumni and the general public. For more information on rodeo tickets or the Homecoming Week, interested persons can contact the ABAC Office of College Advancement at 229-391-4900 or go to www.abac.edu/homecoming.

GA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEED MY SCHOOL FOR A WEEK April 3 deadline to apply The Department of Agriculture is now accepting new applications for school districts interested in participating in this year’s “Feed My School for a Week” program in Georgia. Feed My School first launched in 2011 with a goal to help bridge the gap in the nutritional value and quality of food served in Georgia schools, while providing more farm to cafeteria opportunities.

Applications can be found at www.feedmyschool.com and will be due by April 3. If you are interested in nominating your school for the program, please have your nutritional director apply online or contact Misty Friedman at Misty.Friedman@agr.georgia.gov.

FORT VALLEY STATE HAM & EGG BREAKFAST & GA AG SHOWCASE April 5 Fort Valley State University Pettigrew Center 8 a.m.

Fort Valley The public is invited to attend this annual event, during which legislators will interact with guests, describe their initiatives and explain their positions on current issues. Elected officials at the local, state and national levels have been invited to attend. Cost is $10. For more information, contact E. Jean Willis at 478-825-6268 or willise@fvsu.edu.

GFB News Alert page 12 of 13 FIBERMAX ONE TON CLUB April 6 deadline to qualify Cotton growers who plant FiberMax cotton seed are eligible to join the One Ton Club if they harvested 2,000 pounds per acre on at least 20 acres in 2015. The qualification deadline is April 6, 2016. Growers who qualify for membership receive FiberMax One Ton Club apparel and gifts, an invitation to the annual banquet on April 7 and the chance to win a two-year lease on a Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch truck in the FiberMax One Ton Club Sweepstakes.

Complete rules and the qualification form are available from your local Bayer sales representative or at www.FiberMax.com/OneTonClub.

GFB FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE GALA April 16 Crowne Plaza Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road Atlanta The 2nd Annual GFB Foundation for Agriculture Gala will be hosted by Dr. Roger C. “Bo” Ryles and will feature entertainment from Georgia 4-H’s performing arts group, Clovers and Company. All proceeds from the gala will benefit the GFB Foundation for Agriculture and its initiatives. Reception begins at 5:15 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $100 per person and $1,000 per table and can be purchased by contacting Marilyn Akers at 478474-0679, ext. 5231 or by mailing a check to: GFB Foundation for Agriculture, PO Box 7068, Macon, GA 31209. Tickets will be sent upon receipt of check. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today!

PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET April 21 – Oct. 28 Thursdays 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.

2016 GRASSFED EXCHANGE CONFERENCE April 27-29 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This event features more than a dozen speakers who will cover numerous topics pertaining to pasture-based farming such as building soil health and regenerating unhealthy soils. The event will include tours of three Georgia grassfed livestock operations and the UGA Center for Sustainable Grazing Systems in Watkinsville. The Taste of the South will allow attendees to sample grassfed meats, dairy and local foods. Entertainment will be provided by Teddy Gentry and the Rockit City Band. For more information visit www.grassfedexchange.com, email info@grassfedexchange.com or call 256-996-3142.

GFB News Alert page 13 of 13 GEORGIA FARM & EROSION CONTROL EXPO April 29 Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Rd. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Marietta This expo, sponsored in part by Cobb County Farm Bureau, provides a hands-on look at the latest in erosion and sedimentation control products. Former Gov. Roy Barnes will speak on the importance of agriculture and soil conservation to local and state economies. The event includes live demonstrations and exhibits detailing innovations in erosion control. For more information visitwww.cobbswcd.org or call 404-307-2925 or 770-235-5662.

GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM AWARD May 1 deadline for recognition in 2016 The Georgia Centennial Farm Program recognizes centennial farm owners through one of three distinguished awards. The Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Applications for the 2016 awards must be postmarked by May 1. If you are interested in nominating a farm for recognition in 2016, visit www.georgiacentennialfarms.org to download an application or contact Lynn Speno at 770-389-7842 or lynn.speno@dnr.ga.gov.