Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - October 15, 2014

October 15, 2014

www.gfb.org

Vol. 32 No. 41

GRIMES NAMED SUNBELT EXPO SOUTHEASTERN FARMER OF THE YEAR Tift County farmer Philip Grimes was named the 2014 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the year during ceremonies Oct. 14, the opening day of the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie.

Grimes, a Tift County Farm Bureau member who has been farming for 37 years, grows peanuts, cotton, cantaloupes, broccoli, snap beans and corn under irrigation on 2,200 acres.

“I didn’t grow up on a farm,” said Grimes, the fourth winner from Georgia. “I married my wife and her daddy farmed. I started working with him. Got a little bigger and he retired and I took over. It got bigger and bigger from there. It took a pretty good size operation to start with just to get a good crop. At one point it was just paying the bills. Now it’s a little more than that.”

The award prizes include $15,000, a year’s use of a Massey Ferguson tractor, a $500 gift certificate from Southern States Cooperative, the choice of either $1,000 in PhytoGen cottonseed or $500 to a designated charity from PhytoGen cottonseed and a Columbia jacket from Ivey’s Outdoor and Farm Supply.

Sunbelt’s opening day was affected by severe weather. For the day, the Moutrie area was pelted with 1.3 inches of rain according to the Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network. Early morning storms forced event officials to delay opening the gates, and an opening-ceremony speech by Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden was moved to lunch.

“Ninety-nine percent of our population really doesn’t ‘get’ what you do,” Harden said. “The one percent of us who is growing food for everybody really has got to do a better job. This space should be filled with people who have no connection to agriculture. I’d like to challenge you next year to bring somebody with you, from the office, from the community, a relative who might be removed from the farm, with you to Expo. We’ve got to make sure that 99 percent that really doesn’t get what you do understands that the average age of the American farmer is 58, in Georgia it’s 60. Who’s next? We’ve got to make sure people want to come back to the farm and be involved in agriculture.”

The 2014 Sunbelt Expo featured the unveiling of the new Spotlight State Building, a permanent exhibit space providing shelter from the elements for the spotlight state. Georgia is the 2014 Sunbelt Expo Spotlight State, and is hosting an exhibit that includes a mural depicting a variety of Georgia agricultural commodities that runs the length of the building’s interior.

“This dream became a reality because of a lot of support from the state of Georgia on the grassroots level. I'm excited that the Georgia agriculture industry believes so strongly in our educational mission at Sunbelt Expo,” said Sunbelt Executive Director Chip Blalock.

Sunbelt also opened its new Rural Lifestyles Pavilion, which offers presentations and information about raising backyard chickens, keeping bees and gardening.

GFB News Alert page 2 of 6 GFB HARVEST FOR ALL CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY The Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee is holding its annual Harvest For All campaign to raise money for the regional food banks that make up the Georgia Food Bank Association network.

“During continued difficult economic times, many Georgians are faced with the challenge to just provide food for their families,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “Our organization understands the significance of providing food and fiber, and we also know what it means to help out our neighbor. One of the greatest areas we give back each year is through the annual Harvest for All campaign. Every year, our members demonstrate the strength of our organization and the way we care for people in Georgia through their donations.”

Funding continues to be the largest area of need for food banks. The Georgia Food Bank Association uses donations to buy high protein, low-cost foods such as chicken and peanut butter, which are among the most purchased items of food banks. Donated dollars are also used to defray costs of mobile pantries, Manna Drops, and backpack programs.

In 2013 the Harvest for All campaign raised more than $20,000. For every dollar donated, the regional food banks in Georgia were able to provide grocery products equating to four meals back into the community.

The GFB Young Farmer Committee continues to make Harvest for All a p riority. In July, the committee held a charity golf tournament to benefit Harvest for All. Young farmers from across the state participated. In addition, GFB representatives visited several of the regional food banks to offer support.

“Harvest for All is a tremendous way to make a difference to those who may not know where to get their next meal,” said GFB Young Farmer Committee Chairman Matthew London.

If you’d like to make a donation, drop it by your county Farm Bureau office by Nov. 5.

Checks should be made payable to GFB Inc. For more information visit http://www.gfb.org/programs/yf/harvest.html.

GA. NATIONAL FAIR ATTENDANCE SECOND HIGHEST EVER The 2014 Georgia National Fair will hit the record books as the second largest in the organization's history. Hosting 456,023 guests from October 2-12, total attendance grew 1.4 percent over the previous fair. The Georgia National Fair’s overall attendance record of 465,053 was set in 2010. The 2014 fair, which celebrated the event’s 25th anniversary, had record daily attendance on Oct. 7, 8 and 9.

Georgia legislators were in cowboy boots and jeans on Oct. 11 for the 4th Annual Legislative Livestock Showdown. The House team, led by Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Chairman Tom McCall and including House Appropriations Chairman Terry England, Rep. Mandi Ballinger, Rep. Amy Carter and Rep. Mike Glanton defeated the Senate team led by Senate Agriculture and Consumers Affairs Chairman John Wilkinson and including Sen. Renee Unterman, Sen. Nan Orrock, Sen. Don Balfour, Sen. Dean Burke and Sen. Jeff Mullis.

Moore said that fairgoers enjoyed more than $600,000 worth of free concerts, exhibits, and shows, including livestock competitions, the Georgia Living program, and traditional components like midway food and rides and other attractions.

The 26th Annual Georgia National Fair is scheduled for Oct. 8-18, 2015. For more information visit http://www.georgianationalfair.com.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 6 GROUPS CALL FOR WITHDRAWAL OF EPA WATER RULE The Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy and the Waters Advocacy Coalition (WAC) have each written to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and U.S. Army leaders calling for withdrawal of the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule, citing compliance issues with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

The WAC is a group of more than 60 organizations from a variety of sectors, including the American Farm Bureau Federation. The group’s Sept. 29 letter to McCarthy and Secretary of the Army John McHugh said that the agencies are “thwarting important requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act and frustrating the public’s opportunity for meaningful notice and comment by repeatedly issuing and revising, outside the APA process, ad hoc explanations and other documents critical to the rule.” These included EPA blog posts, new reports from the Corps of Engineers detailing challenges with defining “ordinary high water mark,” EPA Science Advisory Board comments about problems with its connectivity report and the proposed rule and a late invitation-only meeting between the agencies and small business entities.

“The APA does not allow the agencies to keep altering the regulatory landscape throughout the rulemaking process,” the WAC wrote. “Indeed, the public cannot be expected to provide meaningful comment on a moving target.” The WAC called for immediate withdrawal.

The Office of Advocacy, an independent office within the SBA, wrote in its Oct. 1 letter to McCarthy and Maj. Gen. John Peabody of the Corps of Engineers that the EPA and the Corps improperly certified the proposed rule under the RFA. The RFA requires certification that proposed rules will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In its letter, the Office of Advocacy said that the EPA and Corps used the wrong criteria in making its RFA certification, that the proposed rule will impose costs directly on small businesses and that it will have a significant economic impact on small businesses.

“The limited economic analysis which the agencies submitted with the rule provides ample evidence of a potentially significant economic impact,” the Office of Advocacy concluded, advising that the rule be withdrawn.

For more information about the proposed rule or to make a comment, visit http://www.gfb.org/ditchtherule.

AGREEMENT ALLOWS CONSTRUCTION BEGIN ON SAVANNAH PORT PROJECT The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) signed a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) on Oct. 8, allowing construction on the long-awaited Savannah Harbor Expansion Project to begin according to a press release from Gov. Nathan Deal’s office.

The Corps of Engineers estimates that the harbor deepening project will bring $174 million in annual net benefits to the U.S. and for the Post-Panamax II vessels, the extra five feet of depth will allow for an additional 3,600 cargo containers in each transit, an increase of 78 percent.

The project will cost approximately $706 million, including construction and environmental mitigation costs. As a part of this cost-sharing agreement, the Corps will be able to use the 40 percent share of state funds to begin construction while it awaits congressional appropriations for the remaining 60 percent of federal funding. The state has already set aside $266 million – the total state share for the project.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJZ_o5yjLZQ to view a video produced by the Georgia Ports Authority on how SHEP will benefit Georgia’s economy, including agriculture.

The video includes an interview with Georgia Farm Bureau 7th District Director Gary Bell discussing how the harbor expansion will benefit Georgia agriculture.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 6 LEMMON CATTLE ENTERPRISES ANGUS BULL SALE Oct. 17 Lemmon Cattle Enterprises Noon Woodbury The sale features 76 coming-two-year-old bulls with complete EPDs and 28 fall 2013 yearling bulls. Visit http://www.lemmoncattleenterprises.com/sale.html for more information.

NORTH GEORGIA FOREST LANDOWNER FIELD DAY Oct. 17 Arrowhead Lodge 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Elberton This field day features speakers from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the U.S. Forest Service and the NRCS. Sessions will cover wildlife management, selling timber, wildfire mitigation planning, cost sharing and the farm bill, and forest health. Cost is $5 per person. For more information, contact Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Executive Director Frank Riley at 706-897-1676 or frank.ccrcd@gmail.com.

FARM TO TABLE WORKSHOP FOR HOME SCHOOL EDUCATORS Oct. 18 Buckeye Creek Farm (2115 Jep Wheeler Road) Woodstock During this free workshop that runs from 9:30 a.m to 1 p.m., participants will review lesson plans and hands-on activities for students, harvest produce and prepare a meal in the farm’s kitchen. The workshop is sponsored by Cherokee County Farm Bureau and the Cherokee Farm to School Committee. To reserve a spot, contact Shirley Pahl via email at sfpahl@gfb.org or call 770-479-1481, Ext 0. Limit 10.

MARGIN PROTECTION PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS Oct. 20 Burke Co. Extension Office 6:30 p.m.

Waynesboro Oct. 29 Sumter Co. Ag Center 10 a.m.

Americus Oct. 30 The Hut 10 a.m.

Eatonton Georgia Milk Producers, Inc., UGA Extension and USDA-FSA will hold three educational session in Georgia this month for dairymen interested in learning more about the Margin Protection Program. The Margin Protection Program (MPP) for Dairy producers is a new risk management program established by the 2014 farm bill that replaces the MILC program. Please preregister for meals by contacting Georgia Milk Producers at 706-310-0020 or gamilkproducers@gmail.com. Producers attending the Waynesboro meeting will also receive one CE credit hour for waste operators.

SE REGIONAL FOREST RESOURCE OWNER & MANAGER CONFERENCE Oct. 28-29 Rainwater Conference Center Valdosta The International Forest Company (IFCO) and Dougherty & Dougherty Forestry Services in conjunction with the Forest Landowners Association is holding this conference for southeastern forest owners and managers. The conference will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 29. Conference topics will include: genetic potential of loblolly pine; effective site preparation and seedling deployment; timber stand maintenance, management and protection; and successful establishment of longleaf regeneration in Georgia and Florida.

Registration cost is $110 per attendee and includes a total of 12.5 hours of Continuing Forestry Education Credits and Continuing Logger Education Credits. For the complete schedule of events or to register, visit http://www.forestlandowners.com/event/AdvancingForestManagement or call the Forest Landowners Association at 800-633-4506 or email info@forestlandowners.com.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 6 GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES TO HAY CONTEST AND HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau is conducting its annual Bermuda grass Hay Contest and publishing the GFB Quality Hay Directory for buyers and sellers of Georgia grown hay. Checks for both should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau and mailed to the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodities/Marketing Department. The cost for the contest is $15 per sample. Anyone entering the contest receives a free listing in the hay directory. The directory will be distributed statewide. The cost for listing in the hay directory alone is $10. The deadline to submit entries for the contest and the directory is Oct. 31. For more information, please contact the GFB Commodities Department at 1-800-342-1196.

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET GRITS & GREENS DAY Nov. 1 Downtown/Market Street Woodstock This season’s corn crop will be served up as grits this day at the market. Yellow, white and speckled grits and seasonal greens will be served up by area restaurants and local cooks. Market goers will vote for the best grits and greens! Donations will be accepted to benefit the Woodstock Farmers Market Ag Scholarship Fund. To enter the grits or greens contests contact Liz Porter via email at lp1954@gmail.com or call 678-491-5843.

CHILD AG SAFETY GRANTS AVAILABLE Nov. 7 Deadline to apply The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety is offering three mini-grants of up to $20,000 each to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. Highest funding priority will be given to projects that: Address issues pertaining to barriers, motivators and interventions for keeping young children out of the farm worksite; address vulnerable populations (e.g., immigrant workers’ children, Anabaptists, African Americans, and Native Americans); test safety strategies with new partners (e.g., insurers, bankers, equipment dealers, media). Information on eligibility, priority topics and the application process is available at http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/nccrahs/minigrants.

CENTRAL GEORGIA FARMERS LUNCH AND LEARN Nov. 19 Bleckley County Extension Office 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Cochran This free event will feature discussions of issues affecting farmers. Speakers include Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Fort Valley State Vice President for Land Grant Affairs Dr. Mark Latimore, Sen. Ross Tolleson, James Mitchel of Chaney Bush Irrigation and Cartrell Watts of Georgia Power. RSVP by Nov. 12 to Rhonda Fulford at rbfulfor@southernco.com or 800-891-0958.

CROP MANAGEMENT SEMINAR & WORKSHOPS Nov. 12-13 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This free workshop, sponsored by Cotton Incorporated, offers continuing education units. Meals will be provided. To register, visit http://www.ugatiftonconference.org. For more information call 919-678-2392 or visit http://www.cottoninc.com.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 6 MID-ATLANTIC GRAZING CONFERENCE Nov. 12-13 Sunbelt Expo grounds Moultrie The program will include discussions on grazing management, genetic selection, branding and marketing, herd management, building soil organic matter, rainfall/runoff simulator, equipment demonstrations and incorporation of corn silage. For more information or to register visit http://www.georgiaforages.com.

EPA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON WATERS OF THE U.S. RULE The comment period for the “Waters of the United States� rule proposed by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been extended to Nov. 14. Farm Bureau is urging its members to submit comments calling for the rule to be withdrawn. For more information about the proposed rule and to submit comments, visit http://www.gfb.org/ditchtherule.

NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL FARM BILL INFORMATION WORKSHOPS Nov. 18 Bulloch County Ag Center 3 p.m.

Statesboro Nov. 19 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9 a.m.

Tifton The National Cotton Council (NCC) staff are conducting another round of information meetings regarding the implementation of the 2014 farm bill. This round of meetings will emphasize new crop insurance provisions, including sample STAX and SCO rates, county groupings and county yield information for upland cotton for 2015. Information will also be presented on additional 2015 crop insurance provisions and updated information on FSA program sign-up details. NCC staff will conduct subsequent regional webinars for those unable to make these regional meetings. The meetings are co-sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and Southern Cotton Growers. For more information contact the GCC at 478-988-4235 or visit http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org.

CALHOUN PERFORMANCE TEStED BULL SALE Dec. 5 NW Ga. Research & Education Center Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu.

AG SAFETY GROUP OFFERING GRANTS Jan. 7, 2015 Deadline to apply Grants of up to $10,000 are being offered by a national coalition of agribusinesses, producer organizations and safety professionals in order to foster new champions of agricultural safety and health. The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) has announced an application deadline of January 7, 2015. Information regarding eligibility, priorities, application instructions and frequently asked questions is available at http://www.ashca.org. The purpose of the ASHCA Safety Grants Program is to provide financial support to promote evidence-based safety/health strategies addressing farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers.