Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - May 6, 2015

May 6, 2015

www.gfb.org

Vol. 33 No. 18

COUNTY FB PRESIDENTS TALK ISSUES, GIVE AWARDS IN WASHINGTON Georgia Farm Bureau county presidents presented Friend of Farm Bureau awards to six members of Congress and discussed issues important to Georgia agriculture during their annual trip to Washington, D.C. April 28-May 1.

Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-2nd District), Austin Scott (R8th District), David Scott (D-13th District), Lynn Westmoreland (R-3rd District) and Rob Woodall (R7th District) and Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson were given the Friend of Farm Bureau Award for the 113th Congress.

The award is presented to members of Congress whose votes agree with American Farm Bureau’s position on 66 Rep. David Scott, left, greets percent or more of selected bills. State Farm Bureau Henry County’s Ross and Carol McQueen. approval is also required.

“We wanted the members of Congress to see the examples of the issues we’re facing and how those examples affect farmers back on the farm,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “That’s what I hope the congressmen and senators heard from them and took away from their meetings. What I hope our volunteers took away from this is that these people want to hear from them.”

On April 29, the GFB group of 123, including members from 41 counties, visited the offices of all 14 Georgia representatives on Capitol Hill. The group presented the organization’s position on federal regulations that infringe on private property rights, GMO labeling, tax issues, trade promotion authority, immigration and federal risk management programs.

During breakfast that morning, the group heard from American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) staff on key issues being considered on Capitol Hill. AFBF President Bob Stallman outlined the organization’s position on immigration reform, a GMO labeling bill that has been introduced in Congress, regulations under the Endangered Species Act and the EPA/Corps of Engineers rule defining the Waters of the U.S. Stallman said the focus has shifted from persuading the EPA and Corps to withdraw the rule to legislative solutions through bills and funding authorization.

“We need to pass a bill that says, ‘EPA, you cannot use public funds to implement this rule,” Stallman said.

Sens. Isakson and David Perdue each spoke to the group during a breakfast on April 30, during which Isakson received his Friend of Farm Bureau award. Isakson said a bill that would give the president trade promotion authority will soon come up for a vote in the Senate (a similar bill is awaiting consideration in the House). Under both bills, trade agreements the president negotiates with foreign countries would be subject to Senate approval.

GFB News Alert page 2 of 9 GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION REAFFIRMED IN REFERENDUM VOTE Georgia peanut farmers reaffirmed the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC), with 92.41 percent voting to continue the GPC during a referendum held March 16 - April 15.

“I appreciate the farmers’ confidence in the commission and we are committed to continue earning that confidence,” said GPC Chairman Armond Morris. “The commission continues to work together as a partnership between Georgia’s peanut farmers, the commission board and staff, in funding research projects to assist with increasing yield, promoting peanuts and working on the farmers’ behalf in Washington, D.C.” As required by Georgia state law, the state’s peanut farmers vote on the commission every three years. The ballots were mailed to peanut growers the week of March 16 and the Certified Public Accounting firm of Allen, Pritchett and Bassett counted the ballots returned on April 28.

Georgia peanut farmers invest $2 per ton each year to the commission that is used in the program areas of research, education, promotion and communication. For additional information on the Georgia Peanut Commission visit www.gapeanuts.com.

AG COMMITTEES ASK FOR EMERGENCY AID FOR AVIAN FLU In an April 29 letter to White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan, U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership called for emergency assistance to be released to poultry and egg producers whose flocks have suffered losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N2 infections.

Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, DMinn., noted that migratory birds carrying this disease are flying north, through dense poultry producing regions of the country, and feed at bodies of water within very close proximity to commercial poultry farms. As migration continues through the spring and fall, the virus is expected to continue spreading, the letter said.

Governors in Minnesota and Iowa have declared states of emergency in those states due to the extent of losses resulting from H5N2 infections. In Iowa, the nation’s No. 1 egg-producing state, infections have been detected in flocks including more than 9 million birds at 21 sites in 10 counties. In Minnesota, which is the top turkey-producing state, H5N2 infections in turkey flocks have been detected in 80 farms spread across more than a dozen counties. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has authorized use of National Guard troops to assist in the H5N2 response. According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), H5N2 and H5N8 infections have been detected in 114 sites across 13 states, affecting more than 21 million animals. All of the detections to date have been in the Mississippi, Central and Pacific flyways – areas over which migratory birds fly during annual migrations. Georgia, which is the No. 1 broilerproducing state, is in the Atlantic Flyway, though it borders Alabama and Tennessee, which are both in the Mississippi Flyway.

In their letter, the Ag Committee leaders in both houses of Congress asked that the Secretary of Agriculture be approved “to utilize his emergency Commodity Credit Corporation transfer authority to help mitigate the spread of HPAI and limit the economic damages it causes to poultry farmers whose flocks become infected with the disease.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk of humans becoming infected by the H5 strains of HPAI to be low. According to a May 4 APHIS update, no human cases of these viruses have been detected in the U.S. or Canada.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 9 JUNE 1 IS DEADLINE TO CERTIFY CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE The 2014 farm bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA service center by June 1 in order to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support, according to a Farm Service Agency press release.

Most farmers already have a certification form on file since it’s required for participation in most USDA programs such as marketing assistance loans, farm storage facility loans and disaster assistance. Farmers who receive federal crop insurance premium support but may not participate in other USDA programs must now file a certification form to maintain their crop insurance premium support.

Producers should visit their local USDA service center and talk with their crop insurance agent before the June 1 deadline to ask questions, get additional information or learn more about conservation compliance procedures. Producers that file their form by the deadline will be eligible for federal crop insurance premium support during the 2016 reinsurance year, which begins July 1. USDA will publish a rule outlining the linkage of conservation compliance with federal crop insurance premium support. Go to http://go.usa.gov/3Wy5J to view a copy of the rule.

The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form is available at local USDA service centers or online at www.fsa.usda.gov/AD1026form. When a farmer completes this form, USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff will outline any additional actions that may be required for compliance with highly erodible land and wetland provisions. USDA’s Risk Management Agency, through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, manages the federal crop insurance program that provides the modern farm safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers.

TYSON TO ELIMINATE HUMAN ANTIBIOTICS IN CHICKEN FLOCKS BY 2017 Tyson Foods, Inc. has announced plans to to eliminate the use of human antibiotics from its U.S. broiler chicken flocks by the end of September 2017. According to an April 28 press release, the company will report annually on its progress, beginning with its fiscal 2015 Sustainability Report. The company has already stopped using all antibiotics in its 35 broiler hatcheries, requires a veterinary prescription for antibiotics used on broiler farms and has reduced human antibiotics used to treat broiler chickens by more than 80 percent since 2011, the release said.

“Antibiotic resistant infections are a global health concern,” said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We’re confident our meat and poultry products are safe, but want to do our part to responsibly reduce human antibiotics on the farm so these medicines can continue working when they’re needed to treat illness.”

Tyson is also forming working groups with independent farmers and others in the company’s beef, pork and turkey supply chains to discuss ways to reduce the use of human antibiotics on cattle, hog and turkey farms. Those groups will begin meeting this summer.

Tyson plans to work with food industry, government, veterinary, public health and academic communities, and provide funding, to accelerate research into disease prevention and antibiotic alternatives on the farm. The company is also getting input from its Animal Well-Being Advisory Panel, which is made up of independent advisors.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 9 WOTUS BILL INTRODUCED IN SENATE; HOUSE DELAYS VOTE Bills that would require the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule are being considered in both houses of Congress, and a measure to put a stop to the rule’s implementation was included in an appropriations bill.

On April 30, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act (S. 1140) was introduced in the Senate

by John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). The bill would require the withdrawal of the WOTUS rule, which is currently being evaluated by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). S. 1140 would require the EPA and Corps to develop a new rule to define “waters of the U.S.” through consultation with state and local officials and other stakeholders. The new proposal would have to be consistent with Supreme Court rulings, feedback from public comments and the recommendations of state and local officials and stakeholders.

In the House, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732) is scheduled for debate by the full membership after Congress returns from its May recess on May 12. H.R. 1732 would also require the agencies to withdraw the rule and repropose it in accordance with Supreme Court precedent. OMB has issued a policy statement indicating the president would veto the bill.

In a related development, the House Energy and Water Agencies FY 2016 appropriations bill includes language that would prohibit the Corps of Engineers from using public funds to implement the WOTUS rule.

GEORGIA NRCS EXTENDS SIGN-UP FOR STRIKEFORCE INITIATIVE The Georgia office of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering an additional signup for financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). While applications can be submitted year round, the initial fiscal year 2015 sign-up concluded in December 2014. However, anyone else who wishes to apply must do so by May 22, to compete in this year’s application pool.

This additional sign up for EQIP is only available to Georgia’s most rural and persistently impoverished counties. These 60 StrikeForce counties are: Appling, Atkinson, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bulloch, Calhoun, Candler, Charlton, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Early, Emanuel, Evans, Grady, Hancock, Irwin, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Peach, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkes.

According to an NRCS press release, 85 percent of U.S. persistent poverty counties are in rural America. More than one third of rural Americans, and one in four rural children live in poverty. Kids growing up in families earning twice the poverty threshold are nearly three times as likely as other children to have poor health, are more likely to finish two fewer years of school and are more likely to earn half as much money in their adult life. In 2010, the USDA established its StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity to address the specific challenges associated with rural poverty. Georgia was one of three pilot states. Since then, StrikeForce teams have collaborated with more than 500 community partners and public entities to bring targeted assistance to rural areas experiencing chronic poverty. Since 2010, these efforts have invested over $16.5 billion to create jobs, build homes, feed kids, assist farmers, and conserve the natural resources across 20 states. Now, USDA StrikeForce teams operate in 880 counties in 21 states and Puerto Rico.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 9 EDNA CHILDS, WIFE OF FORMER GFB VICE PRESIDENT, PASSES AWAY Edna Childs, wife of former Georgia Farm Bureau 1st Vice President Donald Childs, died on May 2. She was 82.

A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Childs was born October 23, 1932, the daughter of the late Doris L. and Ethel Pittman Seagraves. Mrs. Childs was preceded in death in 1953 by a daughter, Edna Carol; and sister, Blondine S. Massey.

She was a lifelong member of Erastus Christian Church of Commerce and dearly loved her church family. She worked within the family business and was a devoted wife for more than 64 years, beloved mother, and an accomplished homemaker. She also enjoyed traveling the world, singing in the church choir, crocheting, baking, cooking, and taking care of her family.

Edna Childs Survivors include her husband, Donald Childs, Commerce; sons, Steve (Linda) Childs and Jerry (Cindy) Childs, both of Commerce; grandchildren, Clint (Paula) Childs, Cassie Childs, Cody (Darea) Childs, and Jenny (Robbie) King; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Condolences may be sent to the Childs family at 5057 Highway 334, Commerce, GA 30530.

SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES AGOA EXTENSION BILL On April 22 the Senate Finance Committee passed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015. The bill would extend AGOA, which is scheduled to expire at the end of September, for 10 years.

The bill also includes language that allows the United States Trade Representative to withdraw benefits of the AGOA from countries that impose barriers to trade with the U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) introduced the language as a means to get South Africa to remove tariffs on imports of U.S. poultry.

“I believe passionately in AGOA’s value and support its long-term renewal, but I believe it unfair and inappropriate that the country that benefits from the law the most – South Africa – continues to maintain unreasonable tariffs on American poultry,” Isakson said in a release.

AGOA was enacted in 2000 to allow nations in Sub-Saharan Africa duty-free access to the U.S. market. Since AGOA’s enactment, South Africa has effectively banned imports of U.S. chicken by imposing anti-dumping duties while enjoying access to the U.S. market for luxury cars, wine and other items produced there.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 9 PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org.

Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132.

HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332.

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.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 9 MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays May 16-Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com.

SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET 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.

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANNING FIELD DAY May 19 Salem Baptist Church 8:30 a.m. – noon Cumming This free training session will feature presentations on litter spreader truck calibration demonstration, resource conservation and development programs for farmers and NRCS programs. Lunch will be provided. Please register in advance by May 15 to account for meals.

Salem Baptist Church is located at 6455 Westbrook Road in Cumming. For more information or to register, contact Jessica Bee at 706-624-1434 or jbee@gaswcc.org.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS SEMINAR May 20 W.C. Bradley Company, 107 Front Ave. Columbus This one-day seminar, sponsored by the Chattahoochee Valley Land Trust, the Georgia Land Trust and the Alabama Land Trust, includes sessions on the basics of conservation easements, the donation process, legal issues, tax credits, appraisals and more. Lunch is included with registration, which is $30 ($20 for Rotary members). Continuing forestry education credits are available with an additional fee of $100.

To register, visit www.conservationeasements.eventzilla.net or contact Paige Swift at 706-718-3324 or pswift@galandtrust.org.

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 .

GFB News Alert page 8 of 9 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.

GFB YOUNG FARMER COMPETITIVE EVENTS May 29 Deadline to enter The GFB Young Farmer Committee is now accepting applications for the Young Farmer Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices. Finalists for each of the competitive events will be named at the Young Farmer Leadership Conference in July. 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 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. 912, 2016.

2015 GFB YOUNG FARMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE July 15-18 Jekyll Island Conference Center Jekyll Island Registration is open for this annual event until May 29 at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices. The preliminary rounds of the discussion meet will be held and finalists for each of GFB’s Young Farmer competitive events will be named during the conference, which features social and networking opportunities, the annual golf tournament to raise money for the GFB Foundation for Agriculture and workshops tailored to the interests of young farmers. For information, please visit www.gfb.org/yf or visit your county Farm Bureau.

6TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST KIKO GOAT ASSOCIATION ROUNDUP & SALE June 5 & 6 GA National Fairgrounds Perry This event kicks off on June 5 with registration at 8 a.m. and free seminars delivered by goat experts starting at 9 a.m. and running through 4:30 p.m. Topics to be covered are integrated parasite management, a forage seminar, biosecurity in meat goat operations and differences in genetic management for seedstock & commercial herds. The event also includes the Southeast Kiko Goat Association business meeting, a goat dinner, an auction to benefit the association, a 4H and FFA Meat Goat Skill-A-Thon Competition and seminars on building a business plan and grazing management. For more information visit www.sekga.us or contact SEKGA President Marilyn Seleska at 229-263-7977 or springacres@windstream.net.

ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET June 6 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public.

Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact RDCFB Office Manager Susanne Bell at shbell@gfb.org or call 770-922-3566.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 9 UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Every Saturday June 6 – Oct. 31 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Tuesday June 9 – Oct. 27 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com or 706-439-6043.

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 7-11 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton This 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 $175. The deadline to register is May 28. For more information, visit www.abac.edu/nrcw or contact your local office of the NRCS, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division or UGA Cooperative Extension Service.

17TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 23-25 Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the numerous conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. For more information visit http://www.southernpeanutfarmers.org/spgc.asp.

GEORGIA STATE TRAIL RIDE & CHUCKWAGON COOKOFF Aug. 8 Hard Labor Creek State Park 8 a.m.

Rutledge This inaugural event is sponsored by the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine, the Georgia State Parks, Georgia Grown and Georgia Farm Bureau. Trail ride begins at 8 a.m. Georgia Dept. of Agriculture inspectors require all in-state horses to have a Coggins certificate and out-of-state horses must have a valid health and Coggins certificate. The park will charge a $5 parking fee and $12 to ride the trails. Event is limited to 125 horses. For more information or to register by July 31 contact John Clements at 478-298-0347 or tiejc@bellsouth.net. An authentic chuckwagon lunch will be served around noon. The public is welcome to watch the lunch being cooked that morning. Meal tickets for lunch will be sold for $10 each while supplies (500 tickets) last. Afternoon entertainment will include cowboy poets and demonstrations by a certified Parelli horse trainer.