November 15, 2017
www.gfb.org
Vol. 35 No. 23
GFB POLICY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETS Georgia Farm Bureau’s Policy Development Committee held the second of its two meetings at the GFB headquarters in Macon Nov. 6 to review the organization’s current position on ag issues and to consider resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureaus in September. “The policy development process is vital for our organization,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “It’s through these meetings that our volunteer leaders determine the organization’s legislative direction.” The first round of committee work took place in early October, and GFB's voting delegates will finalize the policy for 2018 during the 2017 GFB Convention in December on Jekyll Island. In its two meetings, the committee considered 197 policy submissions from 54 counties. The committee weighed whether to forward each submission to the voting delegates meeting. The committee considered numerous policy submissions pertaining to farmers’ access to water and water stewardship. The committee discussed recommendations on actions to take to deal with deer and feral hogs in detail. The committee reviewed numerous The next issue of recommendations addressing the desire to get a cotton commodity program GFB News Alert into the 2018 farm bill, as well as dealing with technology fees charged to comes out Georgia cotton growers by seed companies. November 29. The resolutions included multiple submissions concerning liability for livestock producers, local property taxes and disease-handling protocols for livestock producers. Among the policy submissions were a handful aimed at national issues, like rural communications, agricultural product labeling, agricultural credit and federal taxes. The committee was presented with recommendations on how GFB operates, with the options of deleting them or forwarding them to the GFB Board of Directors for consideration. The GFB Policy Development Committee consists of 30 county presidents (three from each district), the chairmen of each of the 20 GFB Commodity Advisory Committees and the GFB Board of Directors and Georgia members of the American Farm Bureau Issue Advisory Committees.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 AG LABOR FORUM PROVIDES KEY TRAINING FOR GA GROWERS Farmers who need access to labor for producing and harvesting their commodities were treated to a series of expert presentations during the 2017 Agricultural Labor Relations Forum held Nov. 7 and 8 at the UGA Tifton Campus. The event, hosted by Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and several other statewide agricultural stakeholder groups, addressed wage and hour investigations, OSHA audits, the I-9 process and the H-2A program. “We needed this conference to come together and understand all the issues we have on immigration,” said GFB President Gerald Long, who spoke during the Nov. 7 session. “There’s a lot of regulations. Immigration reform is a priority issue for Georgia Farm Bureau. At some point in time Congress is going to have to address this. Until that time, we’ve got to follow the requirements. It’s so easy to get out of compliance by not checking one box and doing one little thing that we’re supposed to do.” On Nov. 8, Drew Echols from Jaemor Farms and Ellen Hendley from AgWorks gave a joint presentation on the H-2A process. During Echols presentation, he discussed the basic things new H-2A employers should understand before they enter the program. First were the basic timelines for required aspects of the H-2A program. For instance, plans to provide housing for H-2A workers have to be in place, the housing must be inspected and the farmer needs to plan how to manage payroll early in the process. To view the presentation slides from all of the event’s presenters visit http://www.georgiaaglaborforum.com/presentations.html. COMMENTS NEEDED BY NOV. 30 TO PREVENT FEDERAL ELD MANDATE A federally imposed mandate requiring Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) for long-haul livestock carriers will go into effect on Dec. 18. The ELD enforcement date and existing hours of service regulations pose significant consequences for the livestock industry. To prevent this requirement, an application for exemption has been presented to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Comments will be needed to successfully obtain this exemption. Please voice your concerns before the Nov. 30 deadline by visiting http://gfb.ag/17DOTcomments. Current federal law limits on-duty time to 14 hours, with a maximum drive time of 11 consecutive hours. The driver must then rest for 10 consecutive hours before returning to duty. Most trips made by Georgia livestock haulers will not have enough drive time to accommodate hauling live animals across the country. Livestock is defined as poultry, aquaculture and insect producers, processors and transporters. The welfare and safety of the animals in transit, together with the safety of other drivers, are the industry's top priorities. Granting a waiver will allow for long-standing livestock transportation safety and training programs to be adjusted and provide the necessary time for training on the use of ELDs.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 TAS SMITH NAMED FSA STATE DIRECTOR On Nov. 3, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Tas Smith has been appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as Georgia Farm Service Agency state director. Smith has led Georgia Farm Bureau’s advocacy efforts at the national level since 2012. “Georgia’s farmers and Georgia Farm Bureau have benefited greatly from Tas’ work on their behalf at the state and national levels,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long. “He has worked tirelessly to build relationships with state and federal policy makers to make sure that farmers’ concerns were heard. We certainly hate to lose him, but we know he’ll do a fantastic job serving Georgia’s farmers with the FSA. We wish him well.” As a part of GFB’s Public Policy team, Smith, has worked to promote agricultural causes at the Georgia and U.S. capitols. A native of Taylor County, he came to Georgia Farm Bureau in 2005 as a legislative specialist. In 2012 he was named GFB national affairs specialist. Earlier this year he was promoted to assistant public policy pirector for legislative programs. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Valdosta Tas Smith State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Tiffin University. He and his wife Stephanie have two children. Smith worked as a volunteer on Perdue’s first campaign for governor and served as his county chairman in Taylor County. He also worked as an intern for then Rep. Johnny Isakson in 2000. USDA APPOINTS JOYCE WHITE GA RURAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR On Nov. 3 Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Joyce White has been appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as Georgia director of USDA Rural Development. White most recently has worked as state director for Sen. David Perdue, coordinating the senator’s activities in the state and working as the point of contact for constituent services, helping Georgians resolve issues with federal agencies. White served as Commissioner Gary Black’s chief of staff at the Georgia Department of Agriculture from 2012 to 2014, overseeing communications, constituent services and government affairs. She served as an executive assistant under Sonny Perdue for his entire term as Georgia’s governor. White grew up in Clayton County and has a degree from Clayton College and State University. She and her husband, Jeff, have two grown children, Emily and Rachel. According to the agency’s website, USDA Rural Development Joyce White promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. The agency offers technical assistance and information to help farmers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 GFB PUBLIC POLICY DEPARTMENT WELCOMES CHURCHWELL Raynor Churchwell has joined the Georgia Farm Bureau Public Policy Department as an agricultural programs specialist. Churchwell will work with the GFB Commodity Advisory Committees and as a liaison between GFB and the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions and other ag commodity associations to promote GFB programs and the organization’s policy on ag issues. Prior to joining GFB, Churchwell was a UGA Cooperative Extension Ag & Natural Resources Agent in Bleckley County for four years. He previously was employed with the Pulaski County Board of Health as an environmental health specialist. “Raynor’s experience as an extension agent will prove valuable as he works with the members of Georgia Farm Bureau’s Commodity Committees and represents our organization in projects with other ag Raynor organizations,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “We’re excited for Churchwell Raynor to join the Farm Bureau family.” A native of Cochran, Churchwell graduated from UGA in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and earned a Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management from UGA in August. He and his wife, Katie, live in Cochran and attend Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Cary. CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE NEARS FOR MULTIPLE GEORGIA CROPS Georgia forage, livestock and honey producers have until Nov. 15 to apply for crop insurance coverage or make changes to their existing coverage under the 2014 farm bill. Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils, such as drought or excessive moisture. Acreage intended for grazing and haying is insurable under the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program, and colonies of bees are insurable under the apiculture program. The PRF and apiculture programs for 2018 are under the Rainfall Index insurance plan. Georgia apple, blueberry and peach growers have until Nov. 20 to apply for crop insurance coverage. Coverage is available for apple producers in Fannin, Gilmer and Rabun counties. Coverage is available for blueberries in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Burke, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Long, Pierce, Ware and Wayne counties. Coverage is available for peaches in Bacon, Banks, Brooks, Crawford, Dooly, Hall, Henry, Macon, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Oconee, Peach, Pierce, Pike and Taylor counties. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2017 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers by visiting the RMA agent locator a www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. Growers can use the RMA cost estimator at bit.ly/rmacost to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION NOMINATION MEETINGS SET Nomination meetings to fill two positions on the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) Board of Directors will be held during simultaneous meetings on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. in Swainsboro and in Colquitt. The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation will conduct the meetings to fill terms, which expire Dec. 31, in the GPC’s Districts One and Three. The GPC District One nomination meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at the Miller County Farm Bureau Office at 314 East Bremond Street in Colquitt. Tim Burch of Baker County is the incumbent in this district. Counties in District One include: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell and Seminole. The District Three nomination meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at the Emanuel County Farm Bureau office at 320 Lambs Bridge Road in Swainsboro. Joe Boddiford of Screven County is the incumbent in this district. Counties in District Three include: Appling, Bacon, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Washington and Wayne. “Georgia Farm Bureau encourages peanut farmers in the Georgia Peanut Commission’s First and Third districts to attend their district meetings and participate in making nominations for these commission positions,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long said. “The peanut commission plays an important role in promoting Georgia peanuts, crop research and education and needs grower input to effectively represent them.” The Georgia peanut production area is divided into five districts based on acreage distribution and geographical location with one board member representing each district. Each nominee must produce peanuts and live within the district for which he is nominated. Any producer living in the district may be nominated or make nominations at the meeting. Incumbents are eligible for renomination. If more than one person is nominated, an election will be conducted by mail ballot. Commission by-laws state that a person must receive a majority of the votes cast for a position in order to be elected to the commission board. If only one person qualifies for the position, no election is required, and the nominated person automatically becomes a member of the commission board. Commission members serve terms of three years. If multiple people are nominated for a GPC seat, then the current director will continue to serve until the election is completed.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 GEORGIA PEANUT FARMERS ON PACE FOR RECORD CROP When the final tally on Georgia’s peanut crop is complete, Georgia’s peanut farmers are projected to have their most productive year ever. According to the November Crop Production Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the state’s peanut growers are forecast to produce 3.82 billion pounds of peanuts after increases in both acreage and yield. Georgia growers planted 120,000 more acres in peanuts in 2017 (840,000) than in 2016 (720,000), and their forecast yield of 4,600 pounds per acre in 2017 is 700 pounds per acre more than they harvested in 2016. According to the Peanut Farm Market News, the total production would be the highest on record. Despite extensive damage from Tropical Storm Irma, NASS’ forecast for the state’s cotton production was unchanged from October to November. Georgia cotton growers are projected to produce 2.4 million bales in 2017, up 10 percent from 2.18 million bales in 2016. Georgia growers planted 1.29 million acres of cotton this year compared to 1.18 million acres in 2016 and are expected to harvest 1.28 million acres compared to 1.165 million acres last year. NASS projected the state’s corn crop to finish at 44.75 million bushels, down from 46 million bushels in the agency’s October report, the result of a lower forecast yield – from 184 bushels per acre in October to 179 bushels per acre in November. The forecast Georgia soybean yield on NASS’ October report, 45 bushels per acre, was also adjusted downward, to 40 bushels per acre in the November report. The expected decline in yield is accompanied by a projected decline in production, from 6.53 million bushels in the October report to 5.8 million bushels in the November report. GA COUNTIES RECEIVE DISASTER DECLARATIONS DUE TO IRMA On Nov. 13 the USDA issued disaster declarations for 83 Georgia counties to help farmers mitigate their losses caused by Tropical Storm Irma, which moved through the state between Sept. 10 and Sept. 15. The following counties received primary disaster area designations: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge Dooly, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lamar, Lanier, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Macon, Marion, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth. An additional 25 counties qualify for USDA disaster assistance programs because they are contiguous to a primary county designation: Baldwin, Bryan, Bulloch, Calhoun, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clayton, Coweta, Dougherty, Early, Fayette, Greene, Henry, Jones, Laurens, McDuffie, Meriwether, Morgan, Newton, Quitman, Richmond, Talbot, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkinson. Farmers in counties named either primary disaster areas or contiguous counties are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 LOOK FOR 2017 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE SURVEYS BY END OF YEAR Every five years, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the Census of Agriculture to get a complete count of U.S. farms, ranches, and the people who operate them. And it’s that time again! Participation in the census is a producer’s opportunity to shape American agriculture – its policies, services, and assistance programs – for years to come. The census provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agricultural data for every state and county (or county equivalent) in the nation. As such, census data are valuable to those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, and many others. To localize this a bit, the Census of Agriculture complements NASS’ annual estimation program. The annual program captures production forecasts for cotton and peanuts, as well as livestock inventory items. The census provides demographic information and data on items that are not part of the annual program, such as citrus and agritourism in Georgia. In short, good data provide an understanding of current conditions as well as future trends and possibilities. Better data mean better decisions. Every response matters. Once producers receive their survey code in the mail, they’ll have the option to respond online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. Online reporting is fast, secure, and user-friendly. The online form, updated in 2017, can now be accessed by mobile phone, tablet, desk- or laptop. NASS is encouraging all producers to take a few minutes to complete the 2017 Census of Agriculture when it arrives later this year. Combined voices show the nation the value and importance of U.S. agriculture. Feb. 5, 2018, is the deadline to return census forms. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 253-4419. GEORGIA SOUTHERN HOLDS SECOND ANNUAL AG GAME Georgia Farm Bureau teamed up with Georgia Southern University to celebrate agriculture at the 2nd Annual Georgia Ag Game held Nov. 4 as the Georgia Southern Eagles played the Georgia State University Panthers at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro. GFB 1st Vice President Robert Fountain Jr. represented GFB as a presenting sponsor of the event during the game. Ga. Rep. Jan Tankersley (R-Dist. 160) was recognized for serving on the Georgia House Agriculture Committee, and Low Country Machinery President/CEO Chris Shea was recognized as an event sponsor. Special thanks to Bulloch and Effingham County Farm Bureaus for manning a booth to interact with fans and to local 4-H & FFA students for passing out GFB ag game rally rags. The Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee provided a corn sheller for kids to enjoy. At halftime, fans enjoyed a video featuring local farmers Speer Brannen, Will Ball and Blake Edenfield and their poultry, cattle and row crop farms. All three are Farm Bureau members and Georgia Southern graduates.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 11 REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2018 FLAVOR OF GEORGIA CONTEST The University of Georgia's Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest helps to highlight the state's burgeoning food product scene with its annual competition. Registration for the 2018 contest, which is coordinated each year by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is now open at www.flavorofga.com. Now well into its second decade, the competition serves both food entrepreneurs, assisting them in testing new products and reaching a larger audience, and established brands, helping them break into new markets and receive accolades for established product lines. To date, more than 1,200 food products have been entered in the contest. Many of these products are sold in regional and national markets. As a result of the contest, some have increased their wholesale distribution or internet sales or experienced better traffic at local farmers markets. Product categories include barbecue sauces, beverages, condiments and salsas, confections, dairy and related products, honey, jams and jellies, meats and seafood, meat-alternative products, sauces and seasonings, snack foods, and miscellaneous products. There is no limit to the number of products an individual business can submit. The early registration fee is $100 per entry and continues through Jan. 19, 2018. After that date, the price increases to $150 and remains open until Feb. 8, 2018. All entries are featured in the annual product directory, which is seen by leading food industry buyers and media outlets. Contest finalists will be invited to participate in the final round of judging in Atlanta on March 20, 2018, through a live pitch to judges, with an awards reception immediately following. The grand prize winner will be awarded exhibit space for up to two registrants at the Georgia Food Industry Association annual convention – a value of more than $1,500 – and three consultation sessions from the UGA Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center on product or process design, ingredient functionality, sensory testing and/or shelf life determination, a $1,500 value. All finalists receive a silver-level Georgia Grown membership, courtesy of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The contest is being held in conjunction with the department’s statewide Agricultural Awareness Week, which celebrates all aspects of the agricultural industry, from farmers to food businesses. For more information or to register, visit www.flavorofga.com or call 706-542-9809. Follow the contest @FlavorofGA on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flavorofga.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM Nov. 17 deadline to apply for FY 2018 The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2018 http://bit.ly/18EQIPsignup. While producers can apply year round, this application cutoff announcement is for all general EQIP, as well as some special initiatives like the Longleaf Pine, On-Farm Energy, Organic, Seasonal High tunnel, Working Lands for Wildlife and the North Georgia Irrigation Pilot projects. Farmers who wish to apply should visit their local USDA Service Center. EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water and other natural resource concerns on private lands. For more information on NRCS conservation programs visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab. FERAL SWINE WORKSHOPS Nov. 30 Partridge Pea Plantation Lodge, 9430 Doverel Hwy. 9 a.m. - noon Dawson Dec. 15 Berrien Co. Ag Center, 516A County Farm Rd. 9 a.m. - noon Nashville These workshops, which feature trapping demonstrations, are sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Agriculture, USDA, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Featured speakers are Dr. Mike Mengak from UGA, Matt Ondovchik of USDA Wildlife Services, Charlie Killmaster of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb. Register by Nov. 28 for the Albany workshop. Register by Dec. 13 for the Nashville workshop. To register or or more information, visit www.gacd.us/events/ or contact Casey Cox at 229-351-4728 or casey@gacd.us. UNION COUNTY KRIS KINGLE MARKET Dec. 2 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville Items sold at this event include both local produce and hand-made crafts. The market is located at 148 Old Smokey Road in Blairsville. The market includes vendors from Union, Fannin, Towns, White and Lumpkin counties in Georgia and Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina. The event will also include a visit from Santa, a Christmas Train ride for children and entertainment. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at 706-781-8802 or visit www.ucfarmersmarket.com. ABAC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECEPTION Dec. 2 Wee Pub Beach Restaurant 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Jekyll Island This drop-in reception with complimentary drinks and appetizers is in conjunction with the Georgia Farm Bureau Convention. Wee Pub Beach Restaurant is located at 20 Main St. No. 100 in the Jekyll Island shops. RSVP at www.abac.edu/alumni. 2017 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL CONVENTION Dec. 3-5 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Gov. Nathan Deal is slated to speak and GFB President Gerald Long will give his annual address during the Dec. 4 general sessions. Other events at the GFB Convention will include educational sessions covering political outlook, economic outlook, environmental issues and ag education on Dec. 4, announcements of the 2017 state award winners on Dec. 4 and the annual trade show Dec. 3-4. Voting delegates will adopt the organization’s policy for 2018 on Dec. 5 and elect the 2018 GFB Board. For more information contact your county Farm Bureau office.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 GFB FOUNDATION BREAKFAST Dec. 4 Jekyll Island Convention Center 6:45 a.m. Jekyll Island The Foundation Breakfast, which will be held during the 2017 GFB Convention, supports the GFB Foundation for Agriculture, which provides postsecondary scholarships, Ag in the Classroom programs, consumer awareness and adult learning opportunities, all aimed at advancing Georgia agriculture. Tickets are $25 per person. To reserve your seats contact Haley Darby at 478-4740679, ext. 5234 or at hadarby@gfb.org. DAIRY MARGIN PROTECTION PROGRAM ENROLLMENT Dec. 15 deadline for enrollment The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications from dairy producers for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPPDairy). The USDA has utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018. To opt out, a producer should not sign up during the annual registration period. By opting out, a producer would not receive any MPP-Dairy benefits if payments are triggered for 2018. Full details will be included in a subsequent Federal Register Notice. The decision would be for 2018 only and is not retroactive. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy producers when the margin - the difference between the price of milk and feed costs - falls below the coverage level selected by the producer. USDA has a web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the MPP-Dairy that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The online resource, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. For more information, visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the MPP-Dairy. To find a local FSA office in your area, visit http://offices.usda.gov. GFB TAKING LISTINGS FOR HAY DIRECTORY Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or offering custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list in the 2017/18 GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Because this directory is now offered exclusively online, hay can be listed or removed from the site as your inventory dictates. To participate, please complete a submission form available at your county Farm Bureau office or online at http://www.gfb.org/membership/hay.cms. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. 2018 GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE Jan. 18 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton Back for its 42nd year, the Peanut Farm Show features more than 100 exhibitors, production & seed seminars, pesticide applicator certification training and a free lunch. For more information visit www.gapeanuts.com or contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-386-3470 or info@gapeanuts.com.
GFB News Alert page 11 of 11 2018 AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 30 Toombs Co. Ag Center Lyons Feb. 1 Decatur Co. Ag Center Bainbridge Feb. 2 UGA Conference Center Tifton Feb. 5 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon Feb. 6 Clarence Brown Conference Center Cartersville Feb. 7 The Classic Center Athens The keynote topic for the Jan. 30, Feb. 1-5 meetings will be a farm bill update given by Bob Redding. The keynote topic for the Feb. 6 & 7 meetings will be demographic trends in rural Georgia and America given by Matthew Hauer of the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. for all meetings except Tifton, with seminars starting at 10 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. Check-in for the Tifton event starts at 7 a.m., breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., followed by the seminar from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cost is $35 per person or $240 for a table of eight. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.georgiaagforecast.com call 706-542-5046. Georgia Ag Forecast is an annual seminar series presented by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. GA COTTON COMMISSION 11th ANNUAL MEETING & UGA COTTON WORKSHOP Jan. 31, 2018 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This event begins at 8 a.m. For more information call 478-988-4235 or visit http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org . 2018 GEORGIA AGRITOURISM ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING March 5-6 Unicoi State Park Helen This conference is for farmers and ranchers who are currently or potentially agritourism entrepreneurs. The conference offers opportunities to learn and network. Early Bird Registration is $199 for GAA members and $229 for non-members until Feb. 5, 2018. To register visit http://bit.ly/GAA17conf.