September 30, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 39
GFB SUBMITS COMMENTS ON EPA PROPOSED PESTICIDE RULE Georgia Farm Bureau recently submitted comments to the EPA regarding the agency’s “Proposal to Mitigate the Exposure to Bees from Acutely Toxic Pesticide Products.” On May 29 the EPA published a proposed rule that would prohibit foliar application of pesticides that are acutely toxic to bees on fields where bee colonies are under contract for pollination services. The proposed rule included a list of 76 pesticides that would be subject to additional label restrictions. In an Aug. 26 letter, GFB President Zippy Duvall urged the EPA to reevaluate the proposed rule that “limits the relationship between beekeepers and producers while doing little to prevent pollinator decline.” Duvall noted that an inordinate amount of blame is being placed on pesticide use for declines in bee populations, citing the 2012 Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honeybee Health. The report, which was written by a group of apiary researchers from across the country, concluded that while multiple factors have contributed to declining bee populations, the varroa mite is the single detrimental pest to honeybees. In proposing the rule, the EPA cited a directive from President Barack Obama to assess the effect of pesticides, singling out neonicotinoids. GFB supports the continued use of neonicotinoid pesticides for agricultural and horticultural crops. Duvall pointed out that neonicotinoids were developed in the mid-1990s in large part because they showed reduced toxicity to honeybees compared to previously used organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. Duvall also noted that arbitrarily assigning blame for bee decline to pesticides lacks scientific justification and will not reverse the decline of bee populations. The EPA also proposed that states and tribes work to reduce pesticide exposures through development of locally-based measures, specifically through managed pollinator protection plans, though the existence of a farmer/beekeeper contract would require additional label restrictions without regard to the individual state pollinator protection plans. Duvall also expressed concern about the “under contract” portion of the proposed rule, which does not define the term “contract,” and does not take into consideration the informal nature of many pollination agreements, or how the rule would affect those relationships. “We believe the cooperative agreement between the farmer and beekeeper on how to best produce the crop and protect bees is best left to the individuals involved,” Duvall wrote. The proposed rule makes vegetable production in Georgia extremely difficult by prohibiting the application of the specific pesticides during flowering periods. Many vegetables, Duvall said, have multiweek flowering periods that overlap with fruit production and harvest, making production of those crops impractical under the proposed rule.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 9 SENATORS INTRODUCE RESOLUTION TO NULLIFY EPA WOTUS RULE Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue were among 47 cosponsors on a Senate joint resolution to nullify the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule published in June by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The rule became effective Aug. 28 and is the subject of numerous lawsuits filed by states, including Georgia. “Georgia farmers and landowners are outraged that Washington is trying to regulate how they maintain streams, ditches, and runoff water on their land,” said Sen. Perdue, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “The EPA’s ‘Waters of the United States’ rule is a blatant government overreach that is causing confusion, uncertainty, and unnecessary red tape.” The resolution was introduced on Sept. 17 by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), using the Congressional Review Act as justification. “This is yet another step in our fight against the administration’s ‘Waters of the United States’ rule, which allows federal bureaucrats to assert control over thousands of streams, creeks, wetlands, ponds and ditches throughout the country,” Isakson said. “This latest overreach by the EPA will provide the administration, as well as environmental groups, with a powerful tool to delay and prevent development and land use activities on property owned by homeowners, farms, small businesses and municipalities. This rule harms not only landowners, but our entire agriculture industry in Georgia.” STATE, NATIONAL FFAS SET MEMBERSHIP RECORDS Georgia FFA finished the 2014-15 school year with a record 38,946 members, making it the third-largest state FFA. Georgia’s membership growth was part of record-setting national FFA membership growth. National FFA membership stands at 629,367 students, up from 610,240 in 2014, an increase of 3 percent. The number of chapters grew from 7,665 in 2014 to 7,757 in 2015. The top five membership states are Texas, California, Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri. Interest in FFA and agricultural education continues to grow, as membership has increased more than 20 percent since 2009-10. “FFA, through agricultural education, is preparing our youth to ensure the security of our country's food, fiber and natural resources for years to come,” said National FFA Organization CEO Dwight Armstrong, Ph.D. “Through real-world experiences, the nation’s agricultural educators are helping students develop the technical knowledge, skills and problem-solving capabilities to be the industry's leaders of tomorrow. FFA continues to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture.” National FFA Alumni membership also continued to grow, with 62,705 members this year, up from 57,832 in 2014. FFA alumni play an important role in keeping agricultural education and FFA programs in local schools by providing both volunteers and financial support to local teachers. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 9 USDA ANNOUNCES GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR NEW FARMER EDUCATION On Sept. 22 the USDA announced that $2.5 million in grants is available for projects to educate new and underserved farmers about more than 20 USDA Farm Service Agency programs that can provide financial, disaster or technical assistance to the agricultural community. The grants will be awarded to nonprofits and public higher education institutions that develop proposals to improve farmer education on topics such as financial training, value-added production, recordkeeping, property inheritance, and crop production practices. USDA will conduct four evaluation periods to review applications, with the deadlines of Nov. 20, 2015, Jan. 22, 2016, Mar. 18, 2016, and May 27, 2016. Awards between $20,000 and $100,000 per applicant will be available. To learn more about the funding solicitation and the related Farm Service Agency programs, visit www.grants.gov with the reference number USDAFSA-CA-2015-001. McDONALD’S COMMITS TO USING CAGE-FREE EGGS On Sept. 9 McDonald’s announced that it will fully transition to cage-free eggs for its nearly 16,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada over the next 10 years. “Our customers are increasingly interested in knowing more about their food and where it comes from,” said McDonald's USA President Mike Andres. “Our decision to source only cagefree eggs reinforces the focus we place on food quality and our menu to meet and exceed our customers' expectations.” On an annual basis, McDonald's USA purchases approximately two billion eggs and McDonald's Canada purchases 120 million eggs to serve on its breakfast menus, which includes popular breakfast sandwiches, such as the Egg McMuffin and Egg White Delight. Since 2011, McDonald's USA has been purchasing more than 13 million cage-free eggs annually. USDA, DOD TO PROVIDE AG ED TO TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS The USDA and the Department of Defense (DOD) plan to integrate agriculture into the career training and counseling programs service members receive as they transition out of the military. Information about USDA resources and programs will now reach 200,000 transitioning service members annually. Every year, approximately 200,000 service members complete the Transition Assistance Program as they prepare for civilian life. This partnership will help to ensure that returning Service members know about the incentives for military veterans in USDA programs, and the many ways USDA can support military veterans and their families, from farm loans to conservation programs to nutrition assistance to rural rental housing and homeownership opportunities. Veterans can also visit www.usda.gov/veterans, a website designed specifically to educate them about USDA programs. Since 2009, USDA has provided $438 million in farm loans to help more than 6,482 veterans purchase farmland, buy equipment and make repairs and upgrades. USDA microloans, which offer smaller amounts of support to meet the needs of small- or niche-type farm operations, have also grown in popularity among veterans. Since it was launched in January 2013, USDA's microloan program has provided more than $22.6 million in support to help 1,083 veterans grow their farming businesses.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 9 ERS RELEASES 2014 FOOD SECURITY REPORT The number of Georgia households experiencing low food security declined by 1.7 percent for the years 2012-2014 but the state’s rate of low food security still exceeds the national average, according to a Sept. 15 report released by the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). The report, Household Food Security in the United States in 2014, includes data from surveys of all 50 states. The ERS interviewed 128,957 households over three years, including 2,780 in Georgia. Nationally, low food security and very low food security were recorded in 14.3 percent of households surveyed. Very low food security (which is included in the overall low food security rate) was present in 5.6 percent of U.S. households surveyed. In Georgia, 15.7 percent of households reported experiencing low or very low food security. Statewide 15.7 percent translates to more than 618,000 households. Very low food security was reported in 6.2 percent of Georgia households surveyed. Statewide 6.2 percent translates to more than 244,000 households. The ERS defines food security as access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle. Low food security is indicated when a household reports reduced quality, variety of desirability of diet. Very low food security is indicated when there are reports of multiple indications of interrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. FEDERAL AGENCIES SET WASTED FOOD REDUCTION GOALS On Sept. 16 the EPA and USDA announced the United States’ first-ever national food waste reduction goal, calling for a 50-percent reduction by 2030, according to a joint press release. As part of the effort, the federal government will lead a new partnership with charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, the private sector and local, state and tribal governments to reduce food loss and waste in order to improve overall food security and conserve our nation’s natural resources. The announcement occurred just one week before world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to address sustainable development practices, including sustainable production and consumption. As the global population continues to grow, so does the need for food waste reduction. Food loss and waste in the United States accounts for approximately 31 percent—or 133 billion pounds—of the overall food supply available to retailers and consumers and has farreaching impacts on food security, resource conservation and climate change. Food loss and waste is the single largest component of disposed U.S. municipal solid waste, and accounts for a significant portion of U.S. methane emissions, which fuel climate change. This large volume of wasted food is a main contributor to the roughly 18 percent of total U.S. methane emissions that come from landfills. Landfills are the third largest source of methane in the United States. Experts have projected that reducing food losses by just 15 percent would provide enough food for more than 25 million Americans every year, helping to sharply reduce incidences of food insecurity for millions. It is estimated that at the retail and consumer levels in the U.S. food loss and waste totals $161 billion dollars. Ongoing federal initiatives are already building momentum for long-term success. In 2013, USDA and EPA launched the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, creating a platform for leaders and organizations across the food chain to share best practices on ways to reduce, recover, and recycle food loss and waste. In 2014, participants in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge diverted nearly 606,000 tons of wasted food, which included over 88,500 tons donated to people in need.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 9 See page 8 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Oct. 1 1st District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Calhoun Oct. 13 9th District Mitchell County Ag Center 7 p.m. Camilla Oct. 15 4th District Greene County High School 7 p.m. Greensboro Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and are not open to the general public. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Oct. 1-16 Signup dates Individuals in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin can enroll in the Regional Conservation Partnership Program from Oct. 1-16. The goal of the ACF project is to enhance water conservation and water quality in the basin. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial and technical assistance to producers and landowners in the ACF basin through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). For more information or to apply, visit a local NRCS office or contact the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District at 229-351-4728 or info@flintriverswcd.org. 4-H/FFA AG YOUTH HEALTH & FIELD DAY Oct. 3 Pettigrew Center 10 a.m.– 1p.m. Fort Valley Fort Valley State 4-H and FFA Central Region Ag Education, along with the FVSU College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, will host the 4-H/FFA Ag Youth Health & Field Day prior to the Fort Valley State vs. Alderson Broaddus University football game. Activities will include: healthy fun active video games, a quiz bowl, 4-H health living outdoor games, life on the farm exhibit and academic exhibits. For more information, contact: Leslie Weaver at weaverl@fvsu.edu or 478-825-6955 or E. Jean Willis at willise@fvsu.edu or 478-825-6269. 5TH NIAA ANTIBIOTICS SYMPOSIUM Nov. 3-5 Crowne Plaza Midtown Atlanta The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will be hosting this antibiotic symposium, focusing on antibiotic stewardship. This unique forum brings together leading researchers, government officials, retailers and industry professionals in animal and human health. Discounted registration is available before Oct. 1. For more information or to register online go to www.AnimalAgriculture.org/2015-Antibiotics-Symposium or contact the NIAA at 719538-8843 or niaa@animalagriculture.org. FORESTRY WORKSHOP AND FIELD DAY Oct. 6 Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center 9 a.m. Lyons UGA Extension and UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry are hosting this regional meeting for landowners, timber managers and foresters. This meeting will be a great opportunity for anyone who has interests in forestry. Topics include forest management plans, forestry herbicide use, pine straw production, pine seedling sources and more. There is no cost for this meeting, but registration is required since there is limited space available. A sponsored lunch will be provided. Call the Tattnall County Extension office at 912-557-6724 to reserve your seat or send an email to Chris Tyson at tysonc@uga.edu with the names of those attending.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 9 TRACTOR SUPPLY 4-H PAPER CLOVER CAMPAIGN Oct. 7-18 Tractor Supply, Del’s Feed and Farm Supply stores Tractor Supply Company and Del's Feed and Farm Supply customers have the opportunity to purchase paper clovers for $1 or more during checkout. At the end of the campaign, 70 percent of the funds raised will benefit state and local 4-H youth development program activities, such as local camps and after-school programs, and grant scholarships for 4-H youth in the communities where Tractor Supply and Del’s stores are located. The remaining 30 percent of the total funds are donated to National 4-H Council to help connect more young people across America to highquality 4-H youth development programs. For more information visit www.tractorsupply.com/content_landing-page_4H.html. 26th ANNUAL GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Oct. 8-18 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The award-winning Georgia National Fair features livestock and horse shows, youth exhibits, home and art competitions, family entertainment and Midway rides and games. Concerts include shows by Alabama and Rascal Flatts. Visit www.georgianationalfair.com for more information. YOUNG, BEGINNING, SMALL AND MINORITY FARMERS WORKSHOP Oct. 15 North Georgia Technical College 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Clarkesville Sponsored by AGAware, this workshop is designed to assist young, beginning, small and minority farmers with developing a strong farm plan. Topics include income statements, applying for financing, preparing a business plan, risk management and federal government programs through the USDA, the Small Business Administration and other agencies. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarewkshop. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION 5K RUN Oct. 17 Rock Creek Park, 445 Martin Rd. 8 a.m. Dawsonville Runners receive race t-shirts, awards to overall winners and age group winners in this event. The course is described as flat and fast and conducive to setting personal records. The proceeds will benefit the GFB Foundation for Agriculture for use in GFB’s Ag In The Classroom program, consumer awareness projects and adult learning opportunities. Register by Oct. 11 to guarantee your t-shirt and shirt size. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 the day of the race. On-site registration and packet pick-up begins at 7 a.m. For online registration visit http://fivestarntp.com/GA_Farm_Bureau_5K.html. 2015 SUNBELT AG EXPO Oct. 20-22 Spence Field Moultrie North America's largest farm show features field demonstrations, the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year and more than 1,200 exhibitors. Tickets are $10 per person per day or $20 for multi-day tickets. Children under 10 get in free with parent. For more information visit www.sunbeltexpo.com.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 9 FOREST INSIGHT CONFERENCE Oct. 27-29 Rainwater Conference Center Valdosta International Forest Company (IFCO), Dougherty & Dougherty Forestry Services, Inc. (DDFSI) and the Forest Landowners Association (FLA) will be hosting the second annual Forest inSight Conference, which seeks to connect forest resource owners and stakeholders with leading-edge updates on the sustainability, productivity and profitability of the forest management sector in the southeast. On the last day, each attendee will also have an opportunity to participate in a field tour of advanced pine plantation management on Superior Pines Forestland in Fargo, Georgia. Cost registration is $100 per attendee for the conference only, $120 for the conference and field tour and $50 for the field tour only. A total of 13.5 continuing education credits are pending approval for the conference and 4.5 credits are pending for the field tour. For more information or to register visit www.forestinsightconf.com. For more information, contact Sabra Rockwell at srockwell@progressiveforestry.com or 706-795-0055. GFB TAKING ENTRIES FOR HAY CONTEST, HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the GFB 2015 Quality Hay Contest. GFB is also accepting entries for its 2016 Quality Hay Directory. The deadline for submissions for both the contest and the directory is Oct. 30. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the UGA Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and likely animal intake of hay. There is a $15 entry fee for each sample entered in the contest to cover lab costs. Applications and instructions for submitting samples, as well as updated contest rules, are available at county Farm Bureau offices or may be downloaded at the GFB website http://www.gfb.org/commodities/hay_contest.html. SOUTH EFFINGHAM FFA ALUMNI GOAT SHOW Nov. 7 Effingham County Fair Grounds Springfield This show is open to youth from age four through 12th grade. Exhibitors may show only wethers or does that are dehorned or have tipped horns. All goats must have current Georgia health papers and must have an ear tag matching the number on the entry form. Entry fee is $20 per goat entered by Oct. 30 and $25 for late entries. Cash prizes will be given for first through fifth place. Goats will be weighed by show officials at check-in and divided into weight classes as equal in number as possible. Showmanship classes will be determined based on exhibitor’s age as follows: Class 1: age 4 years - 2nd grade; Class 2: 3rd – 5th grade; Class 3: 6th-8th grade; Class 4: 9th-12th grade. Check in for the show begins Nov. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. and continues Nov. 7 from 7 to 9 a.m. Pens are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Exhibitors are responsible for their own bedding in pens. To obtain an entry form or more information about the show, contact Diane Parks at mommyx3ms@yahoo.com or call 912-6313043. AFBF FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE BULLETIN BOARD CONTEST The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s ag-themed bulletin board contest for teachers is open for submissions through Oct. 31. The winner receives a copy of “Farm a Month,” the Foundation’s activities kit about agriculture across America, plus the 12 books that accompany it. To enter, visit http://www.agfoundation.org/projects/bulletin-board-contest.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 9 FSA TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR BCAP Enrollment is underway for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or bio-based products within designated project areas. The funds are available from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Biomass energy facilities or groups of producers may submit proposals for new BCAP project areas. Proposals will be accepted on www.grants.gov through Nov. 6. ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com. SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET Oct. 17 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this open-air market that allows local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online. UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Tuesdays through Oct. 27 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 31 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com
GFB News Alert page 9 of 9 PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132. HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332. ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Through Nov. 21 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public. Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact the RDCFB office at 770-922-3566.