May 7, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 18
CONGRESSMEN TO EPA AND CORPS OF ENGINEERS: BACK OFF WATER RULE A majority of the members of Congress signed onto a May 1 letter to the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking that the agencies withdraw their proposed rule that would redefine “waters of the U.S.” in the Clean Water Act (CWA) and greatly expand EPA jurisdiction. The letter, drafted jointly by Reps. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), was co-signed by 229 other Congressmen, representing a majority in the U.S. House. All but two of Georgia’s 14 representatives signed the letter. Reps. John Lewis (D-5th District) and Hank Johnson (D-4th District) did not sign the letter. “EPA’s overreach is already causing real harm for farmers and stalling business development across our country,” Chris Collins said in a press release. “When I visit with farmers in my district, the heavy burdens under the Clean Water Act come up each and every time. When the bureaucrats at the EPA decide to call a divot in the ground that fills with rain a ‘navigable waterway’ under the CWA, we know our federal government has run amuck. The fact that the EPA and USACE are now looking to formally broaden the definition of ‘navigable waters’ is an insult to hard working farmers all across this country.” The proposed rule, which was announced on March 25 and published in the Federal Register on April 21, would redefine the scope of federal power under the CWA, giving the EPA jurisdiction over almost all physical areas with a connection to downstream navigable waters. This would put features such as ditches, natural or man-made ponds and flood plains under federal control. The members say the new rule would directly contradict two prior U.S. Supreme Court decisions and is based on incomplete scientific and economic analyses. Georgia Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau oppose the rule, maintaining that it is an attempt to circumvent the will of Congress and the Supreme Court precedents. Farm Bureau is also seeking an extension of the original 90-day comment period to 180 days. While the EPA and Corps have communicated that the intent of the rule was to clarify the “waters of the U.S.” definition, the Congressmen wrote that it creates confusion with its reliance on “undefined or vague concepts like ‘riparian areas,’ ‘floodplain,’ ‘ordinary high water mark’ as defined by the agencies’ ‘best professional judgement’ and ‘aggregation.’” The letter also indicated the proposed rule would throw into confusion extensive state regulation of point sources under various CWA programs. For more information about the rule or to submit a public comment on it, visit http://ditchtherule.fb.org. The 90-day comment period ends July 21.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 PEANUT PRODUCERS VOTE TO CONTINUE NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD U.S. peanut producers voted to continue the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Program in a referendum conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) from April 7 - 18. In the referendum, 92 percent of those who voted favored continuing the program. Any current peanut producer who paid assessments during 2013 was eligible to vote. The National Peanut Board will continue to administer the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order under the supervision of AMS. The order, which became effective on July 30, 1999, authorizes the board to conduct a coordinated program of promotion, research and industry information to maintain and expand the market for peanuts. The program is funded by an assessment of one percent of the total value of all farmers stock peanuts sold. The board is composed of 12 producer members and their alternates who are appointed by the secretary of agriculture. USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the programs. AMS monitors the operations of the board. Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. For more information about research and promotion programs, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/FVResearchandPromotionPeanuts. OUTDOOR BURN BAN IN EFFECT FOR 54 GEORGIA COUNTIES The Georgia Forestry Commission has imposed its annual ban on outdoor burning in 54 counties in the northern half of the state. The affected counties are required by the state Environmental Protection Division to minimize high ozone levels. The ban is in effect until Sept. 30. Counties in which outdoor burning is prohibited from May 1 - September 30, 2014 are: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker and Walton. Residents in other parts of Georgia that are not included in the annual burn ban will continue to be required to secure a burn permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission before conducting any outside burning. Permits can be requested online at http://www.GaTrees.org, or by calling the local office of the Georgia Forestry Commission. If conditions are safe for burning, permits will be automatically granted. The GFC reports that escaped flames are Georgia’s leading cause of wildfire. The GFC responds to and contains more than 30,000 acres of wildfire across the state annually. The agency recommends having fire suppression tools such as water and rakes on hand anytime an outdoor fire is lit, along with a phone to call 911 if necessary.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 AG CENSUS: GA. FARM NUMBERS DOWN, INCOME AND EXPENSES UP IN 2012 The number of farms in Georgia declined by nearly 12 percent from 2007 to 2012 and the state’s total farm acreage dropped by five percent according to the final report of the 2012 Census of Agriculture. The report, released May 2, indicated 42, 257 farms in Georgia, down from 47,846 in the 2007 Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. According to the ag census, Georgia’s farmers sold $9.3 billion in agricultural products in 2012, up 30 percent over the $7.1 billion sold in 2007. Poultry and eggs contributed 51.6 percent of the total agricultural products sold in the state. Among notable trends indicated by the census data, harvested blueberry acres in Georgia more than doubled from 2007 to 2012, making Georgia the No. 2 blueberry-producing state. Average production expenses increased by 41.7 percent, from $125,031 in 2007 to $177,213 in 2012, but average net farm income also rose, from $32,747 in 2007 to $50,739 in 2012, an increase of 54.9 percent. The average age of principal farm operators in Georgia in 2012 was 59.9 years. Georgia had 90 organic farms in 2012 according to the census and they averaged $63,609 in sales. The top 18 organic farms accounted for 92 percent of all sales in the organic category. The complete results can be accessed at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov. GDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NPDES PERMITS The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is in the process of issuing new General Land Application System (LAS) permits for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The permit numbers are GAG920000 (for CAFOs with 301 to 1,000 animal units) and GAG940000 (for AFOs with more than 1,000 animal units). Once the new General LAS Permits are issued, GDA and Georgia EPD plan to draft a new General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to replace General NPDES permit, No. GAG930000. Producers who are currently permitted under the General LAS Permit, No. GAU700000 for AFOs must apply for coverage under a new permit to continue operating. A Notice of Termination (NOT) letter must be submitted for the current LAS permit and a Notice of Intent (NOI) to seek coverage under one of the new LAS permits corresponding to the size of their operation unless they apply for an individual permit. The application or NOI must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2014. Federal rules under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require NPDES permits for operations with more than 1000 animal units that have a discharge. The federal CAFO rule may be reviewed at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/cafofinalrule.cfm to determine the permit coverage needed. EPD will write individual NPDES permits. When applying for permit coverage under the new LAS General Permits, Nos. GAG920000 and GAG940000, producer must certify that their Nutrient Management Plan was approved after March 15, 2011 or update and submit their nutrient management plan for review and approval. To request an NPDES permit send a letter to Dan Duncan, Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 MLK Jr. Dr., Room 112, Atlanta, GA 30334. Mr. Duncan may also be contacted for assistance by phone at 404-656-3665 or by email at CAFO@agr.georgia.gov.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 IMPOUND HORSE AUCTION May 17 Mansfield Impound Barn 10 a.m. Mansfield The horses may be inspected at the facility beginning at 10 a.m., and the sale will start at approximately 11 a.m. A list with brief descriptions of the horses is on the department’s website at http://agr.georgia.gov/equine-health.aspx. Further information about the department’s impound program and auction process is available there as well. If you have any questions, contact the department’s Equine Health Office at 404-656-3713. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The auction is pursuant to Section 4-13-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (Humane Care for Equines Act). 2013 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 15-17 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 15 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 16 and 17 provide training and certification, including individual and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, safety and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $120 for May 16, $100 for May 17 and $199 for both days. For ages 11-17, fees are $59 for May 16, $49 for May 17 and $99 for both days. Two-day registration and additional fees apply for advanced courses and exams on May 15. Participation is capped at 175 people, and classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/young-harris/. NRCS TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR KEY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications from Georgia farmers and ranchers for specific initiatives under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are due by May 16. EQIP is a voluntary program that funds conservation practices based on state identified natural resource concerns. The specific initiatives being funded under this sign-up are on-farm energy, seasonal high tunnels, organic operations, working lands for wildlife and longleaf pine. Interested producers should visit their local NRCS office for information on this sign-up period. Applications are taken on a continuous basis but only those applications received by the cutoff will be considered for this sign-up. For more information about EQIP or other technical or financial assistance programs offered by NRCS, please contact your local service center: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs. NRCS WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE Eligible producers in four Southwest Georgia watersheds (Lower Deep Creek, in Turner County; Upper Piscola Creek, Middle Piscola Creek and Lower Piscola Creek, in both Brooks and Thomas Counties) must apply by May 16 for FY 2014 funding under the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s National Water Quality Initiative. The producers will invest in voluntary conservation actions to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS will provide funding and advice to producers to install conservation practices such as cover crops, filter strips and terraces in watersheds with impairments where the federal investment can make a difference to improve water quality. For more information about NRCS’ programs, initiatives and services in Georgia, visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 TEAM AG GEORGIA SPRING WORKSHOP May 29 Central Square Complex 8 a.m. Douglas This free one-day workshop, which includes a complimentary lunch, is for small, beginning and limited-resource farmers. Workshop sessions run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a farm tour. Topics include organic/naturally grown certification, small farm financing, olive production, an update on USDA programs, timber and wildlife management and much more. Registration is required and the deadline to register is May 19. To register online visit http://ww.teamaggeorgia.com. For more information contact Neal Leonard at neal.leonard@ga.usda.gov or 706-546-2207. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP DEADLINE Rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students have until May 24 to apply to attend a one-week residential camp the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission is offering June 8-12 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Natural resource experts will give lectures, guide field trips and lead hands-on activities to enhance students’ understanding of Georgia’s natural resources during the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW). More than $18,000 in college scholarships will be awarded during the event. Tuition is $150 per student but scholarships are available for students who have not previously attended the event. Visit http://abac.edu/nrcw to download the camp application and more information. Contact Luke Crosson at lcrosson@gaswcc.org or 229-995-6001 for more information. 2014 CORN SILAGE AND FORAGE FIELD DAY May 29 Univ. of Fla. Plant Science Unit 8 a.m. Citra, Fla. This free event, a collaborative event between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia, includes a sponsored lunch. Topics covered include agronomic issues, soil fertility and forage production and grazing management. Also included are tours of variety test plots. Visit http://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/CSFD/CSFD/ for more information or to register. GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR YOUNG FARMER CONTESTS Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting applications for its Young Farmer Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. . GFB members between the ages of 1835 may apply for these awards. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices. Finalists for each of the competitive events will be named at the GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference to be held July 10-13 on Jekyll Island. Applications for each contest and the leadership conference will be accepted through May 30 at 4:30 p.m. The preliminary rounds of the discussion meet will be held at the leadership conference. For more information on 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. 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 San Diego, Calif., Jan. 11-13, 2015. Details on state and national prizes will be available at a later date.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 GEORGIA GROWN FARMERS SHOWCASE May 31 Macon Farmers Market 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Macon June 14 Savannah Farmers Market 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Savannah June 28 Atlanta Farmers Market 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Atlanta Sept. 6 Moultrie Farmers Market 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Moultrie These family-friendly events feature numerous vendors from around the state, with a wide variety of products from Georgia farms. For more information about the Georgia Grown program, visit http://www.georgiagrown.com. UGA CAES ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS June 1 Deadline for submitting applications The CAES Alumni Association awards two non-renewable scholarships to the most outstanding transfer students from two- and four-year colleges who will be enrolling full-time at The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Selection is based on the student's ability to make significant contributions to the academic and co-curricular campus environment. Application forms may be accessed at http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/caa/scholarships.html#awards. EISENHOWER FELLOWS ACCEPTING AGRICULTURE APPLICATIONS Recruitment is currently open and will end on June 13 for Eisenhower Fellowships, the premier international leadership organization chaired by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret). Eisenhower Fellowships is seeking active farmers or ranchers to take part in a unique international opportunity. Since 1993, Eisenhower Fellowships has welcomed 23 farmers and ranchers into its international network of more than 2,000 leaders from all sectors across the globe. The successful applicants receive a custom-designed program overseas for five weeks in one or two countries where he or she will explore agricultural issues in order to enhance their own leadership capabilities in the field of agriculture. In addition to the overseas program, they will attend an orientation as well as a closing seminar in Philadelphia, with a group of 35 Eisenhower Fellows from the US. and throughout the world. If you are a leader in agriculture, and could benefit from international exposure and a world class network to enhance your leadership role, you are invited to apply for an Eisenhower Agriculture Fellowship. For more information, and application materials, visit: http://www.efworld.org/our-programs/usa.