November 20, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 47
GFB EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER CUTS TO TOBACCO PAYMENTS Saying that payments under the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP) should not be subject to sequestration cuts and that an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plan to do so could erode confidence in government-backed financial programs, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall wrote to government officials expressing opposition to the cuts. The OMB included the TTPP among federal programs to be cut under sequestration rules, a move that has drawn recent protests from tobacco interests because the funds are collected from tobacco companies rather than coming from tax dollars. Many Georgia tobacco growers took the TTPP buyout plans, under which the final payments are to be issued in 2014. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency administers the program. While some growers took annual payments, others opted for a lump-sum loan arrangement through their banks, and in those cases the federal government directed the payments to the banks. To reduce that amount under sequestration places unwarranted risks on both the banks and the farmers, and Duvall warned that it could have negative long-term consequences. In his letter to OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Duvall asked that the TTPP be removed from the list of programs facing cuts, noting that exposing them to sequestration cuts puts farmers and in some cases financial institutions at risk. “This sequester proposal will undermine faith in U.S. government financial instruments,” Duvall wrote. “When other programs are considered, whether agricultural or otherwise, participants will be dubious of the value of the investment. The end result would be less effective programs.” Duvall also sent the letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson and Georgia Reps. John Barrow (D-12th Dist.), Sanford Bishop (D-2nd Dist.), Jack Kingston (R-1st Dist.), Austin Scott (R-8th Dist.), and David Scott (D-13th Dist.). The TTPP was created through the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 to help tobacco farmers move to other crops and to compensate quota holders for their loss of quota, for which they paid. The law terminated tobacco price support and production controls after the 2004 crop year. Duvall emphasized that TTPP has been a success, allowing former quota holders under the federal tobacco programs to transition into producing other crops. In Georgia, many of them converted to blueberries, olives and other crops using TTPP. In part because of the TTPP, Georgia has become one of the top states in blueberry production. The state’s olive production, which had been nonexistent for more than a century, has been reintroduced in the past few years.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 FSA REMINDS FARMERS OF FY2014 SEQUESTRATION CUTS On Nov. 15 the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) gave a public reminder of sequestration cuts to programs it administers for Fiscal Year 2014. The cuts are required under the Budget Control Act of 2011, which mandated spending reductions for all federal agencies. The FY 2014 reduction rate is 7.2 percent and applies to the Dairy Indemnity Payment Program, Marketing Assistance Loans, Loan Deficiency Payments, Sugar Loans, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP), 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments, 2013 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program, 2011 and 2012 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, storage and handling, and Economic Adjustment Assistance for Upland Cotton. According to an FSA press release, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments are exempt by statute from sequestration and will not be reduced. The reduction in Marketing Assistance Loans for peanut producers will reduce the amount available to be borrowed by an average of $25.56 per ton according to the Peanut Farm Market News. The amount that can be borrowed by cotton growers will be reduced by approximately $18 per 480-pound bale. GFB’S TREPTOW RETIRES, WILDMAN PROMOTED After logging thousands of miles on the road covering Georgia agriculture for Georgia Farm Bureau’s “Georgia Farm Monitor” TV show and GFB’s Georgia Farm Radio Network (GFRN), Rick Treptow is retiring, effective Nov. 22. Treptow received numerous awards for his ag reports during his 28 years at GFB including the Georgia Peanut Commission Media Award in 2002, the 2000 Outstanding Single Interview Award from the International Association of Fairs & Exposition and the 1994 Piedmont Soil & Water Conservation District Distinguished Service Award. Prior to joining GFB in September 1985, Treptow did freelance media work, worked at Macon’s CBS affiliate WMAZ as a reporter for nine years, the University of Florida Department of Information/Public Treptow Relations and for a radio station in Milledgeville. Treptow and his wife Michele live in Macon. Congratulations may be sent to 106 Eastwick Court, Macon, Ga., 31210 or ricktreptow@cox.net. Mark Wildman has been named GFB’s new senior radio/TV specialist and news director for Georgia Farm Radio Network (GFRN), succeeding Treptow in both roles. Wildman, an 8-year GFB employee, will continue to do television stories each week for the Georgia Farm Monitor. In his role as GFRN news director, he will be responsible for overall content on the seven daily programs carried on GFB’s radio network, which is broadcast on 55 radio stations statewide via Clear Channel Broadcasting’s satellite service. Wildman Prior to joining the GFB staff in 2005, Wildman worked as a freelance cameraman and editor. He previously worked for the Georgia Department of Administrative Services in Atlanta as a video production specialist. He graduated from Mercer University in 1994 with a BA in Communications. Wildman and his wife, LeeAnn, have one daughter, Gracen, and they live in Macon.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 FARM BUREAU CELEBRATES FARM-CITY WEEK NOV. 22-28 During November, county Farm Bureaus have been celebrating Farm-City Week with activities designed to increase awareness of agriculture in their community. Although the week is officially Nov. 22-28, events have been held throughout the month as schedules allowed. Kiwanis International began the celebration in 1955 to recognize the partnership between farmers and their urban neighbors who help process, market and sell the food and fiber farmers grow. “I appreciate every county Farm Bureau that had a Farm-City event because these help us educate consumers about how we grow their food and fiber,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “County activities range from farm tours for school children to lunches and breakfasts for community leaders. Our county chapters do a great job of telling agriculture’s story.” Three counties in each Farm Bureau district with the most outstanding events will receive a $50 credit to buy ag promotion items from the GFB Field Services Department. Some of the events will be highlighted in the February/March issue of GFB News as well as on the GFB Facebook page. Duvall, joined by GFB 1st Vice President Gerald Long, GFB North Georgia Vice President Bernard Sims and GFB Middle Georgia Vice President Robert Fountain, signed a proclamation declaring Nov. 22-28 Farm- City Week in Georgia. EPA PROPOSES 2014 RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARDS On Nov. 15 the EPA proposed for public comment the levels of renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline and diesel as required by Congress under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Developed with input from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture, the proposal seeks public input on annual volume requirements for renewable fuels in all motor vehicle gasoline and diesel produced or imported by the United States in 2014. According to an EPA press release, the proposal seeks to put the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program on a steady path forward, ensuring the continued long-term growth of the renewable fuel industry, while seeking input on options to address the “E10 blend wall.” The proposal discusses a variety of approaches for setting the 2014 standards, and includes a number of production and consumption ranges for key categories of biofuel covered by the RFS program. The proposal seeks comment on a range of total renewable fuel volumes for 2014 and proposes a level within that range of 15.21 billion gallons. Nearly all gasoline sold in the U.S. is now “E10,” which is fuel with up to 10 percent ethanol. Production of renewable fuels has been growing rapidly in recent years. At the same time, advances in vehicle fuel economy and other economic factors have pushed gasoline consumption far lower than what was expected when Congress passed the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2007. As a result, we are now at the “E10 blend wall,” the point at which the E10 fuel pool is saturated with ethanol. If gasoline demand continues to decline, as currently forecast, continuing growth in the use of ethanol will require greater use of higher ethanol blends such as E15 and E85. Once the proposal is published in the Federal Register, it will be open to a 60-day public comment period. For more information on the standards and regulations visit http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/regulations.htm.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION FARMER APPRECIATION DAY Nov. 25 GPC Headquarters 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tifton Georgia's peanut farmers, along with other farmers throughout the state, are invited and encouraged to attend this event to celebrate the hard work of Georgia’s farmers, hosted by the Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with the National Peanut Buying Points Association and peanut food manufacturers. A brief program will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Country-fried peanuts, boiled peanuts, grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other refreshments will be on-site and available throughout the day. Attendees will be given the opportunity to meet with the GPC board of directors and staff, as well as tour the state-of-the-art Georgia Peanut Commission office. Anyone interested in attending the Farmer Appreciation Day is welcome to attend; an RSVP is not necessary. The Georgia Peanut Commission represents 3,500 peanut farmers in the state of Georgia and carries out programs in the areas of research, promotion and education. For additional information on the programs of the Georgia Peanut Commission, visit http://www.gapeanuts.com. SOUTHEAST QUALITY MILK INITIATIVE SURVEY The Southeast Quality Milk Initiative is conducting a survey with the goal of improving milk quality and developing strategies to control mastitis in the Southeast. The survey, collaborative effort between six land grant universities, including the University of Georgia, was sent to milk producers in mid-September and producers are requested to return them by Dec. 1. For more information, or if you are a milk producer who did not receive a survey and would like to participate, contact Dr. Steve Nickerson at scn@uga.edu or 706-542-0658. GEFA OFFERS SECOND ROUND OF IRRIGATION MOTOR REBATES The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) is offering a second round of the Georgia Agricultural Irrigation Motor (AIM) Program, an incentive program designed to help Georgia farmers become more energy-efficient, save money on fuel costs, and reduce emissions. The Georgia AIM Program will provide farmers with a rebate to replace inefficient diesel irrigation engines with energy-efficient electric irrigation motors. The rebates will cover 25 percent of eligible project costs, with a $10,000 maximum rebate available. The application period for the program opens online at http://www.gefa.org on Dec. 4 and ends Feb. 15, 2014. Available funding is limited and rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The first round of the program awarded 34 farmers throughout the state with rebates totaling $154,309. The new installations are projected to reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by 217,029 gallons. TECHNICAL LARGE ANIMAL EMERGENCY RESCUE TRAINING Dec. 5-7 TLAER Facility Gray This event is aimed at educating those who may respond in a disaster or emergency incident involving large animals, whether emergency responders or owners. The training will provide certification training in operations and awareness on large animal rescue topics. For more information visit http://www.tlaer.org/. CALHOUN PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE Dec. 6 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. Contact Dr. Ronnie Silcox at 706-542-9102 or rsilcox@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 2013 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL Meeting Dec. 8-10 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Dec. 8 events will include the annual trade show, the final round of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet and announcements of the 2013 GFB state award winners. Scheduled speakers for the Dec. 9 general session include Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, American Farm Bureau Federation staff members Kristi Boswell and Bob Young and GFB President Zippy Duvall, who will give his annual address. During the afternoon of Dec. 9, 39 speakers will address ag issues during commodity conferences for Georgia’s 20 major commodities. GFB voting delegates will adopt the organization’s policy for the next year on Dec. 10. For more information contact your county Farm Bureau office. GEORGIA GROWN CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE Dec. 14 Atlanta State Farmer’s Market 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Forest Park Join the Georgia Department of Agriculture for Christmas carolers, chef demonstrations and holiday cheer! Christmas trees, greenery, garlands and gifts for the entire family will be available at the first-time event. The Atlanta State Farmer’s Market is located off Interstate 75 at exit 237. BEYOND THE FARM GATE SOCIAL MEDIA SEMINAR Dec. 17 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tifton This free event, funded under a USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Grant, will help farmers gain the skills and knowledge they need to establish and maintain an effective online presence for their farm or ranch. The deadline to register is Dec. 10. To register or for more information, contact Chris Morgan at 706-542-7102 or acm@uga.edu, or visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/aged/beyondthefarmgate/events.html. GEORGIA BEEF REFERENDUM PROCESS UNDERWAY Georgia cattle producers have until Dec. 31 to sign up with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to receive a ballot to vote in a state referendum that will determine if an assessment of up to $1 per head is collected to fund the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef. The proposed assessment is separate from the National Beef Checkoff (NBC). For the referendum to be valid, at least 25 percent of the total number of producers who receive ballots must vote. For the referendum to pass, two-thirds of those who vote must vote in favor of the commission. To request a ballot, visit http://agr.georgia.gov/beef-commission.aspx. Those without access to the Internet may contact their county Farm Bureau office for assistance in signing up for a ballot. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ACCEPTING AG CDL EXEMPTION FORMS New federal highway funding legislation that went into effect on July 1 allows expanded exemptions for farmers transporting their own products, equipment or machinery, but a producer must carry a special tag or distinction on the vehicle to receive the exemption. The form may be accessed at http://gamccd.net/FarmVehicle.aspx. The form must be completed online, and the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the specific vehicle is required. Beginning January 1, 2014, no farm CDL exemptions are applicable without form TR0025 being in the vehicle. Additional information on the exemption for farm vehicles can be found at http://www.gfb.org/legislative/map21.html.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 METRO ATLANTA BEEKEEPING SHORT COURSE Jan. 18, 2014 Atlanta Botanical Garden 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Atlanta This complete beekeeping course includes presentations for beginning and experienced beekeepers, covering entomology and botany, as well as displays of beekeeping equipment. Educational materials will be included. To register, visit http://www.metroatlantabeekeepers.org/sc_register.php. The registration fee is $95, which includes lunch and a parking pass. For more information send an email to shortcourse2014@gmail.com or call 678-597-8443. AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 24, 2014 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon Jan. 27, 2014 Georgia Center for Continuing Education Athens Jan. 28, 2014 Toombs County Agri-Center Lyons Jan. 29, 2014 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Jan. 30, 2014 Cloud Livestock Facility Bainbridge Jan. 31, 2014 Clarence Brown Conference Center Cartersville Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Seminar runs from 10 a.m. to noon followed by a networking lunch, with the exception of the Tifton and Bainbridge meetings, which feature breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by the seminar from 8 to 9:30 a.m. UGA economists will give the annual ag economic outlook and guest speakers, including experts on farm succession planning. Registration fee is $30 per person for $200 for a table of eight. Advance registration is required by Jan. 22, 2014. For more information, visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com to register, call 706-583-0347 ro send an email to carlam@uga.edu. Follow the meetings on Twitter @GaAgForecast and join the conversation with #agforecast. AGCHAT, AFBF PARTNER TO HELP BLIZZARD VICTIMS In an effort to bring emergency relief to ranchers affected by the Winter Storm Atlas, AgChat Foundation is partnering in a fundraising effort with multiple organizations, including American Farm Bureau Federation. Contributions are 100 percent tax deductible and will be distributed to rancher-led organizations in South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. Funds will be equally distributed between the states. Contributions may be made online at http://tinyurl.com/kxarakd. Additional organizations are encouraged to join these efforts. For more information contact Executive Director Emily Zweber at 651-341-0430 or visit http://www.agchat.org.