November 6, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 45
FARMERS RALLY IN D.C. FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM Farm Bureau farmers and leaders from 14 states, including Georgia, gathered in Washington on Oct. 29 to advocate passage of a new farm labor program as part of comprehensive immigration reform. Joining more than 600 business leaders during the Americans for Reform immigration fly-in event, Farm Bureau members spent the day on Capitol Hill talking with their congressional representatives about their need for a reliable workforce. Georgia Farm Bureau staff accompanied Pike County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman Matt Bottoms and Decatur County Farm Bureau Director Greg Murray in visits to the offices of eight of Georgia’s 14 members of the House of Representatives. During these visits they emphasized the importance of legislation that ensures a workable, flexible and market-based solution that meets the needs of agricultural employers. “Farmers need access to a stable, legal work force in order to provide consistent delivery of high quality food products,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “We were happy to be represented in this effort to share that message in Washington, and we’re hopeful the dialogue will continue toward a solution to this issue that is so crucial, not only to Georgia’s farmers, but to all Georgians.” Georgia Farm Bureau maintains that immigration is an issue requiring national legislation to prevent variations in state laws that create competitive imbalance between states. GFB and American Farm Bureau are urging Congress to pass immigration reform this year. Bills have been introduced in the Senate (S.744, which the Senate passed in June) and the House (H.R. 1773). The GFB group urged House members to vote for H.R. 1773 so the bills go to conference and the process of enacting immigration reform could move forward. “Immigration reform is critical for the agricultural industry,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Many farmers rely on an immigrant labor force and without reform, growers will begin to plant less labor intensive crops or go off shore. Simply put, either we import our labor or we import our food.” Farm Bureau is urging Congress to pass an agriculture labor program with both short and long-term stability. Multiple states, including Georgia, have experienced significant economic losses in recent years because of shortages in agricultural labor resulting in many cases from immigration-related issues. Americans for Reform is comprised of conservative faith, law enforcement and business groups from around the nation.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 5 GEORGIA APPOINTS LAWYERS IN SUPREME COURT WATER CASE Saying Florida was playing politics instead of working to forge a water-sharing agreement, Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney General Sam Olens announced on Oct. 28 the appointment of special assistant attorneys general to defend Georgia in the new water-related lawsuit that Florida has filed in the U.S. Supreme Court. Seth Waxman of WilmerHale and Chris Landau and Craig Primis of Kirkland & Ellis LLP will lead the litigation team, which will also include longtime Georgia water litigators Bruce Brown, Todd Silliman and John Allen. “It is time for Florida to stop playing politics and start negotiating in good faith,” said Deal. “Scarcely one year has passed since the U.S. Supreme Court ended Florida’s last unsuccessful lawsuit, which lasted more than 20 years. That lawsuit cost all three states millions of dollars and obstructed meaningful natural resource planning for decades. I call on Florida to dismiss this lawsuit and return to the negotiating table.” Florida filed suit with the Supreme Court on Oct. 1, claiming that Georgia’s use of water from the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers has resulted in low water levels in the Apalachicola Bay and threatens the Northwest Florida oyster industry. Deal’s office countered at that time by pointing out Metro Atlanta’s water use has decreased despite population gains, and the state offered a framework water-sharing agreement but never got a response from Florida. “We did not seek this lawsuit, but we will defend Georgia vigorously,” said Olens. “I have great faith in every member of this excellent legal team, and Georgians should be confident that their interests are being well-represented.” TRAILER FOR DOCUMENTARY ABOUT FARMING RELEASED Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker James Moll has unveiled an advance trailer and website for his latest film, Farmland, which is now in post-production. The feature-length documentary follows the next generation of American farmers and ranchers, examining the lives of farmers and ranchers in their 20s, in various regions across the US. The advance trailer and information about the film is now available at http://www.farmlandfilm.com. “I make documentaries because it’s a thrill to explore new topics and meet people that I might not otherwise cross paths with,” said Moll. “While making Farmland, I found myself immersed in a community of some of the most hard-working, passionate people I’ve ever met. This film isn’t just about what it’s like to be a farmer, it’s about a way of life. It’s also about a subject that affects our lives daily.” The film website offers some general background information about the film, full color photographs from the making of the documentary and the theatrical trailer. The film, made with support from the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, gives viewers a firsthand glimpse into the lives of these young farmers and ranchers, their high-risk/high-reward jobs and their passion for a way of life that, more often than not, is passed down from generation to generation. Moll received an Academy Award for his film The Last Days. During his filmmaking career, Moll has directed and produced numerous documentaries covering topics from the Holocaust to an epic trek across the Sahara Desert. Farmland will premiere nationwide in spring 2014.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 5 JACKSON CO. PAIR TAKE TOP PRIZES AT GFB 2ND DISTRICT CATTLE SHOW Cindy Cooper and Bella Brooke Chandler of Jackson County won the top prizes in the 2013 GFB 2nd District Young Farmer Steer & Heifer Show, held Oct. 19 at the White County Agriculture Center. A total of 67 students competed and approximately 250 attended the 5th annual event, designed to help cattle exhibitors continue developing their showmanship skills between the Georgia National Fair and the December shows. Each of the students who competed received a GFB membership brochure, a GFB Young Farmer calendar and a souvenir t-shirt designed by Franklin County Young Farmer Heather Cabe. The prizes for the show awards were funded by donations from 2nd District county Farm Bureaus, county presidents and insurance agents. The district uses the show to promote Farm Bureau membership and the GFB Young Farmer program in hopes of encouraging students to get involved with their county Young Farmer Committees when they turn 18. Cooper won the $300 prize for Supreme Champion Heifer with her percent Simmental heifer. Chandler won the $300 prize for Grand Champion Steer with her Simmental-Angus crossbred commercial steer. Wyatt Chandler of Jackson County received the $200 prize for Supreme Reserve Champion Heifer with his Chi-influenced heifer. Brett Boling of Banks County won the $200 prize for Reserve Champion Steer. Habersham County’s Jimmy English won the 12th Grade Showmanship Award with his percent Simmental heifer. Other showmanship winners were: 11th Grade – James Bingham, Habersham County; 10th Grade – Cindy Cooper, Jackson County; 9th Grade – Tucker Carlan, Banks County; 8th Grade, Janna Anderson, Elbert County; 7th Grade – Wyatt Chandler, Jackson County; 6th Grade – Casadi Smith, Stephens County; 5th Grade – Payton Jackson, Banks County; 4th Grade and under – Bella Chandler, Jackson County. NRCS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR EQIP FUNDS UNTIL DEC. 6 The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia is accepting applications for the 2014 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) unti Dec. 6. Applications can be submitted at all NRCS offices and USDA Service Centers. EQIP is a voluntary program that funds conservation practices based on identified natural resource concerns affecting qualified land uses. EQIP conservation practices include, but are not limited to: pasture and hayland planting, heavy use areas, waste storage facilities, terracing, pest management, tree planting, organic crop assistance, and wildlife habitat management. This list will vary based on locally prioritized conservation practices. EQIP was originally established under the 1996 Farm Bill. It provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water and related natural resource concerns on private lands. Conservation plans must be developed for the entire area that will be included in the EQIP contract. NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment. More information on NRCS conservation programs can be found at http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 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. ADVANCED GRAZING SCHOOL Nov. 14 Comer Travel Museum 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Comer http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/events/misc/AGS/flyer2.pdfThe University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service will host this event, designed to provide more in-depth information about specific forage topics, including stockpileing tall fescue or Bermudagrass, new and alternative winter annuals, economics of extending the grazing season and much more. The afternoon session will be spent on two farms in the area, including demonstrations of growing alfalfa in Bermudagrass and using brassicas to extend the grazing season For details about the program, visit http://tinyurl.com/m5gocwl. Cost of the one day program is $15 which will be payable at the door. The registration fee will cover lunch and breaks, handouts, and other giveaways. Registration is accepted online at http://whoozin.com/Events/EventU.aspx. You may also register by phone or email by contacting the Madison Co. Extension Office (706-795-2281 or uge1191@uga.edu) or Dr. Dennis Hancock (706-542-1529; dhancock@uga.edu). Registration must be received by November 11. ESTATE PLANNING FOR LAND AND TIMBER RESOURCES Nov. 11-12 Georgia Center for Continuing Education Athens This course provides a working knowledge of federal estate and gift tax laws and regulations which enhance communications with estate planning advisors. Content includes addressing tax law changes to protect forestry assets. Registration fee is $345. Spouse fee is $145 and optional Georgia real estate and continuing legal education credits are available for additional fees. For more information contact Ingvar Elle at 706-583-0566 or jelle@warnell.uga.edu. 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 receiver a survey and would like to participate, contact Dr. Steve Nickerson at scn@uga.edu or 706-542-0658. 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.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 5 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. 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.