Georgia Ag News May 2014 edition by The Times

Georgia

AG News

Inside Growing hostas Page 3 Family farms Page 5 Flavor of Georgia Page 8 Georgia forests Page 13

MAY 2014

North Georgia’s Agricultural Newspaper

Georgia provides diverse species for ‘birding’ By Barbara Olejnik Georgia Ag News staff bolejnik@poultrytimes.net

GAINESVILLE — Flocks of robins have landed on front lawns, bluejays are screaming and brown thrashers are rustling in left-over leaves. A sure sign that spring has finally arrived is the return of all the birds that fill the air with a symphony of song. In Georgia there are numerous species that are found in the state. These range from songbirds like the Eastern bluebird and Baltimore oriole to birds of prey like the redtailed hawk and peregrine falcon. The Georgia Omithological So-

ciety Checklist and Records Committee lists 414 species of birds on its Georgia state checklist. These, according to the society, are species that occur regularly in Georgia as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors or migrants. One bird that makes Georgia its home is America’s symbol — the Bald Eagle. A recent webcam at Berry College in Rome showed a nesting pair of Bald Eagles and allowed viewers to follow the progress of the pair without interfering. Georgia’s special bird — its state bird — is the Brown Thrasher. The Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is a bird in the family Mimi-

Ted Parker of Louisiana who could identify more than 4,000 species by ear. Becoming a birder by identifying birds in a backyard can be an interesting and exciting pastime. In fact, many beginning birders are surprised to discover they are already

dae, which also includes the New World catbirds and mockingbirds. The Brown Thrasher is noted for having more than 1,000 song types, and the largest song repertoire of birds. However, each note is usually repeated in two or three phrases. Birds sing, or communicate, for several reasons, including to impress and attract a mate, declare territorial boundaries, identify family members, announce the presence of a predator or to convey information about food. Recognizing birds by their coloring and/or their song is an enjoyment shared by many people — generally termed “birders.” The most legendary birder was the late

See Birds, Page 13 Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org

Eastern bluebird: An example of an Eastern bluebird photographed in Ware County, Ga. These small birds can be found from forests and farms to the suburbs. The males can be recognized by their bright blue top feathers and reddish brown throat and chest.

All things agriculture celebrated at annual awards breakfast By David B. Strickland Georgia Ag News Staff

dstrickland@poultrytimes.net

Photo by David B. Strickland

Agriculture awards: Among those recognized at the recent 2014 Hall County Agribusiness Awards Presentation & Breakfast were, left to right, Chris Millman and Jorge Cimadevilla, with the Atlanta Falcons community relations department, Friend of Agriculture; Buddy Belflower, recently retired Natural Resource Conservation Service district conservationist, Agriculture Hall of Fame; Todd Clark, Clark Farms, Farmer of the Year; and Lori Armour and Sheila Chapman, with United Community Bank, Outstanding Agribusiness. The annual awards are sponsored by the Hall County Cooperative Extension and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.

GAINESVILLE — Agriculture and agribusiness encompasses and enriches so many aspects of life; and recently, several people and businesses were recognized for their contributions and life’s work. “Agriculture affects and touches many aspects of different businesses (in our area) — from vaccines with the poultry industry and poultry equipment; all the way to feed and seed and garden centers to commercial landscapers,” said Michael Wheeler, Hall County Extension coordinator. “It’s very diverse and wide-ranging and broad reaching.”

The recent 19th annual Hall County Agribusiness Awards Presentation & Breakfast, sponsored by the Hall County Cooperative Extension and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, placed the spotlight on some of those who have excelled in the field. This year’s award recipients included: yy Farmer of the Year — Todd Clark, Clark Farms. Clark has 200 acres and approximately 140 mother cows that comprise his cow/calf operation in Hall County. He markets all of his calves on the Internet. Clark noted that he was surprised and grateful for his recognition as

See Awards, Page 10

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

•Awards (Continued from page 1)

Farmer of the Year. “I’ve had cattle since I was 5 years old,” he said. “My parents had a cattle and chicken farm. And now my three children are growing up on the farm. They show cattle through the 4-H, and we are really involved with it and love it.” “Farming has just been a good way of life for my family,” Clark added. In announcing the Farmer of the Year award winner, Gene Anderson, retired Hall County Extension agent, said, “Some of you in agriculture know this guy, but some of you probably don’t; and that’s what makes our community so great. We have folks who are involved in agriculture and agribusiness from all walks of life. But when it really comes right down to it — it’s about the farmer.”

Anderson added that Clark is someone who knows and enjoys doing his job. “He goes about life doing his job,” Anderson said. “He’s not looking for any glory. He would probably prefer us not to award him this, but that’s OK, we’re going to do it anyway.” Clark also does a lot of work programs with soil and water conservation with the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service), through a combination of financial aid and his own money. As an example, Clark said, “we’ve built feeder barns where the cows are not standing in the mud; they are standing on concrete when they eat.” “Todd has been making our county a better place to be,” Anderson said. “He has been very involved on his pasture field with the assistance of the Soil & Water Conservation District. His work is

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not only making his farm a better place; it is making our community and the environment better.” yy Friend of Agriculture — Atlanta Falcons. “Since the Atlanta Falcons arrived in Flowery Branch, they have shown a commitment to our community here in Hall County,” said Dixie Truelove, Truelove Dairy, in announcing the award. She noted the team’s youth foundation and how it is taking on the issue of childhood obesity. “For more than five years the Falcons have partnered with the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association to help fight childhood obesity,” she added. “And through the Fuel Up to Play 60 childhood program, the Falcons have involved their players in the Hall County and Gainesville schools.” She noted that the team’s players visit schools and discuss with children why it is important to stay active, exercise and eat healthy and nutritious foods. “From milk to chicken to peaches, the Falcons discuss that all agriculture products are important and emphasize the need for nutritious products in your body and the need to also exercise to help combat childhood obesity,” Truelove said, adding that, “We are very happy they are a part of our community. They certainly take part in as many things as possible and they truly are a friend of agriculture.” Also awarded were: yy Outstanding Agribusiness — United Community Bank. yy Agriculture Hall of Fame — Buddy Belflower, who is a recently retired district conservationist with

Photo by David B. Strickland

Farmer of the Year: Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, left, congratulates Todd Clark, Clark Farms, with his winning the Farmer of the Year award at the recent Hall County Agribusiness Awards Presentation & Breakfast.

the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). In his acceptance, Belflower noted the importance of spreading the word about all the good work being done with our area’s agriculture. “Hall County has a very rich and diverse agricultural history,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t do as good a job as we should about telling people that don’t know, and we need to work on this.”

He also shared his spotlight with those who have worked with him. “If I do have any reason of receiving this award, it is because of the people that helped me,” Belflower said. “First, my wife, Suzanne, she’s my partner in everything that we do.” He also asked those who worked with him on the NRCS staff to stand and be recognized. “If I have had a part of doing any good work, it is because of these folks,” he added.

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GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Scientists develop butter-like extract from rice bran oil By Marcia Wood

Special to Georgia Ag News

BELTSVILLE, Md. — Some of today’s popular baked goods might tomorrow contain a butter-like extract, derived from rice bran oil, as a partial replacement for margarine, butter or shortening. USDA chemist Erica L. Bakota and her colleagues with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Peoria, Ill., developed a process for making the extract, which somewhat resembles a nut butter. The product’s texture and composition are apparently unique, according to Bakota. In preliminary experiments at the ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Bakota and her colleagues used the extract in place of some of the butter called for in standard recipes for granola and for white bread. Feedback from taste testers who participated in these preliminary

experiments indicated that the substitutions did not detract from the taste or texture of either the granola or the bread. Unlike some shortening and margarines, the extract is free of trans fats, which contribute to increased risk of heart disease. Another plus: The product is shelf-stable and resists oxidation that could otherwise result in off-flavors and unpleasant odors. The extract consists primarily of unrefined rice bran oil and rice bran’s natural wax, which is used in confections. It also contains minor amounts of vitamin E; plant sterols, including some that are of interest to medical and nutrition researchers because of their potentially healthimparting properties; and gammaoryzanol, shown to lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol in humans. The Peoria team’s extraction procedure evidently differs from other approaches for making a butter-like product from rice bran oil in that it

uses very low temperatures. ARS, the USDA’s chief intramural scientific research agency, is seeking a patent for the procedure. Bakota is looking for collaborators interested in developing new uses for the product. A staple at Asian food markets or other specialty or gourmet grocery stores, rice bran oil has a mild flavor and is high in vitamin E, an advantage that many other well-known cooking oils don’t offer. The oil comes from the outer layers that are removed when rice grains are milled and polished to produce white rice. Bakota and teammates Michael J. Bowman, Hong-Sik Hwang, Sean X. Liu, Debra L. Palmquist and Jill K. Winkler-Moser, all with ARS at Peoria, described the research in a 2013 article published in the European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, and in a new article accepted for publication

Erica Bakota/USDA Agricultural Research Service

Rice bran oil extract: Taste testers report that a new, butter-like extract from rice bran oil — used as a partial butter replacement in a standard recipe for bread — didn’t detract from bread taste or texture.

in that journal. The studies are also highlighted in the April 2014 issue of the ARS’s Agricultural Research magazine.

Marcia Wood is a public affairs specialist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Md.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Georgia Grown Test Kitchen initiative announced ATLANTA — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black has announced a new initiative aimed at increasing awareness about the importance of proper nutrition and healthy eating. The “Georgia Grown Test Kitchen” program will promote local and healthy eating in schools across the state through supplying school nutrition directors with healthy recipes using Georgia Grown commodities, the Georgia Department of Agriculture noted. The Georgia Grown Test

Kitchen, along with the Feed My School for a Week Program, will help bridge the gap in the nutritional value and quality of food served in Georgia schools, while providing more farm to cafeteria opportunities. The end result will be healthier Georgia students, decreased barriers in farm to school efforts and increased awareness as students learn and experience, both educationally and nutritionally, where their food comes from, the department added. “Through programs such as the Georgia Grown Test Kitchen and

Georgia Egg Association votes to disband the statewide organization By Barbara Olejnik Georgia Ag News Staff bolejnik@poultrytimes.net

GILLSVILLE — Members of the Georgia Egg Association have voted to disband the Georgia Egg Association which served for years as a vehicle for grower support and education. Brent Booker, president of Country Charm Eggs in Gillsville and GEA president, said that “ever since the Georgia Egg Commission closed down, there has been no staffing to help” with the association and it has been “in a state of limbo” since then. Egg producers voted in April 2013 to discontinue the Georgia Egg Commission. The GEC staff had also managed the the operation of the association.

Feed My School for a Week, we are influencing the buying habits of nutritional directors across the state,” Black said. “We are showing the ease that comes with purchasing local products for school systems, while improving the nutritional value for students.” Ten schools across the state will be selected to taste test recipes using Georgia Grown Commodities. These recipes will contain information on how to source the product, nutritional information and the students’ opinions on the recipes.

The selected schools will also participate in other Georgia Grown activities throughout the year. Applications were released on April 4, and will be due on May 9. If you are interested in nominating your school for the program, please have your nutritional director contact Misty Friedman at Misty.Friedman@agr.georgia.gov. Applications can be found at http://agr.georgia.gov/test-kitchenapplication.aspx or at www.georgiagrown.com.

Wienermobile makes stop in Gainesville

While a Georgia organization of egg producers is no longer, Booker noted that there will be a Southeastern Egg Conference in June. Individual egg producers from Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have the opportunity to meet in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Booker pointed out that each state use to have its own association and meetings, but with consolidation in the industry, “this will be better for everyone,” including individual producers and vendors. “This is the first time for everyone in the Southeast to get together; time to talk about the future,” Booker said. “It’s a first step to see what the region wants to do.” Photo by David B. Strickland

Wienermobile: A rolling piece of Americana made its way to Gainesville on March 19. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile stopped by the new Kroger store on Jesse Jewell Parkway. There are a fleet of six Wienermobiles traveling across the U.S. The hot-dog-in-bun vehicle design has changed slightly through the years, but is based on the original 1936 mobile, which was created by Oscar Mayer’s nephew, Carl G. Mayer. The fleet is driven by 12 college seniors who are called “Hotdoggers.” Their travel stories can be seen at their online blog — www.HotdoggerBlog.com.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Report shows Georgia forests remain sustainable DRY BRANCH — A new report shows Georgia’s forests continue to be healthy and abundant, providing jobs, ecosystem services and nearly $29 billion to the state’s economy. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission’s updated “Forest Sustainability Report,” the state’s 24 million acres of forestland have remained stable for the past 50 years. The majority of that acreage is privately owned and forest growth exceeds removals by 41 percent annually. The report also shows Georgia’s timber supply is plentiful for global and local markets. “Every five years the Georgia Forestry Commission submits a forest sustainability report to the Georgia legislature,” said Robert Farris, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. “The report submitted during the 2014 Georgia General Assembly shows that Georgia’s forests are sustainable for the present, while future actions are needed to ensure their sustainability long-term.” The report states that urbanization continues to be a threat to forest sustainability, with increases in

population and changing land-use patterns making ongoing forest management more challenging in some areas of the state. Other trends noted in the report that merit attention are smaller parcel sizes, property tax systems, and the transfer of forest industry-owned lands. “Georgia’s thriving forests are delivering significant economic, environmental and social benefits,” Farris said. “Our state’s forestry industry contributes almost $29 billion to the state’s economy and provides an estimated $37 billion in ecosystem services, including clean air and clean water, recreation and wildlife.” Farris noted in 2012, that more than 135,000 jobs were maintained by forestry. In addition, wildlifeassociated recreation, which is in great part supported by healthy forest ecosystems, annually supports 40,000 jobs and generates $5.5 billion. “It will take the focused efforts of lawmakers and citizens alike to ensure the threats identified in this report are met head on,” Farris said. “Our children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren are depending on us today to keep Georgia forests

sustainable for tomorrow.” Other findings of the “2014 Georgia Forest Sustainability Report” include:  Urbanization places more lives and property at risk from wildfire and complicates the management of those fires and the use of prescribed fire.  Several issues, such as federal, state and local tax structures and the strength of forest product markets, affect the economic viability of owning and managing forestland.  Continued support of public and private conservation strategies is needed to aid forest and wildlife sustainability. The report concluded that with the wise use of knowledge and resources, Georgia can keep its forests sustainable for present and future generations, providing tangible benefits to landowners, local economies and forest industry, while continuing to provide vital ecosystem services from which all Georgians benefit, the commission noted. More information from the Georgia Forestry Commission can be obtained at www.GaTrees.org.

make sure it is high enough or in the middle of an open area to deter predatory cats and other animals. While backyard birding is enough for some people, others embark on what is termed the “Big Day,” “Big Week,” “Big Month” or even the “BigYear.” All have the same objective: to see as many unique bird species as possible within a designated geographic area within the allotted time period. While there is no formal big year competition, the American Birding Association recognizes big year achievements within North America, defined as the continental United States and Canada, Alaska and offshore areas up to 200 miles from the coast or halfway to another country, whichever is less. Bermuda, the Bahamas, Hawaii and

Greenland are excluded. Many birders will travel hundreds of miles to achieve a Big Year total during the Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 time period. In 1998, Sandy Komito reached a record for the big year with a recorded sighting of 745 species. His exploits were detailed in a book later made into the movie “The Big Year” starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. An area in Hall County recommended for all birders is the Chicopee Lake/Elachee Nature Science Center. During the April to May and August through mid-October periods, interesting species of migrating birds can be spotted. More information of birds is available on the Georgia Ornithological Society website at www. gos.org/index.html.

Photo by David B. Strickland

Georgia forests: In a recent report from the Georgia Forestry Commission, the group notes the state’s forests as sustainable, “healthy and abundant,” as well as providing $29 billion to Georgia’s economy.

•Birds (Continued from page 1)

familiar with a dozen or more bird species. But in order to attract birds to the yard, the birder should provide (1) food, (2) shelter/nesting areas and (3) water. Ornamental trees and shrubs can supply the necessary cover (shelter) and nesting areas. And as much as possible, trees and shrubs should provide birds a year-round food source with appropriate fruits and berries. This can be supplemented with commercial bird seed mixes to help keep birds in the vicinity of the yard. A mix of deciduous and evergreen plants and trees will provide year-round cover. Running water, such as a shallow fountain, will provide a source of fresh water — just

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GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Breakfast items, like bacon and coffee, are getting pricier The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Breakfast is now being served with a side of sticker shock. The price of bacon is surging and the cost of other morning staples, like coffee and orange juice, is set to rise because of global supply problems, from drought in Brazil to disease on U.S. pig farms. And it’s not just the first meal of the day that’s being affected. The cost of meats, fish and eggs led the biggest increase in U.S. food prices in nearly 2 1/2 years last month, according to government data. An index that tracks those foods rose 1.2 percent in February and has climbed 4 percent over the last 12 months. While overall inflation remains low, the increases in food prices are forcing shoppers to search out deals and cut back. Denise Gauthier, 54, a screenwriter in North Hollywood, Calif., calls the rising prices “shocking and outrageous.” To cope, she has become more frugal, hunting for discounts and buying less food overall. “I will look for things that are on sale and adjust my menu for that,” says Gunthier, who now stocks up on her favorite coffee when it goes on sale for $4.99. Even though food companies use a range of cost-cutting methods to limit the effect of higher food costs, consumers will likely feel the “ripple effects” of rising commodity prices, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, a trade organization for more than 300 food, beverage and consumer product companies. Here’s a rundown of why breakfast food costs are rising, and why they could keep going up.

Bacon Bringing home the bacon is costing more. The price of lean pork in the futures market is at record levels and is up 52 percent since the start of the year, to $1.31 a pound. Traders are concerned about a deadly virus in the U.S. hog population.

That could further boost bacon prices, which were already rising after farmers cut pig production because of higher feed costs. Those cost climbed after a drought in 2012. The average price of a pound of sliced bacon in U.S. cities was $5.46 in February, up from $4.83 a year earlier and $3.62 five years ago, government data shows. The retail price of pork is projected to climb by 2.5 percent to 3 percent this year, according to government forecasts. “You should expect to see very high prices for your ground beef, your other meat cuts, all the pork cuts will be higher this year,” Donnie Smith, CEO of Tyson Foods, said in an interview with CNBC on March 12. U.S. pig herds have been hit by a virus called porcine epidemic diarrhea, or PED, which causes vomiting and diarrhea in the animals. After the first case in the U.S. was confirmed in May, the virus spread through hog herds during the cold winter. While the disease doesn’t affect people and is not a food safety concern, it can lead to mortality rates of between 80 percent and 100 percent in newborn piglets. That’s raising concerns of thinner herds as the U.S. heads toward the summer grilling season, when demand typically picks up. Traders don’t know exactly how badly the virus will impact pork production because it’s the first time that PED has been detected in U.S. herds, says Dennis Smith, a commodity broker at Chicagobased Archer Financial Services. “It’s become a hysterical market,” Smith says. Gus Kasimis, 60, manager of the Green Kitchen Restaurant, a New York diner, says that increases in food prices had already become more frequent and that he had been forced to pass on the higher costs to customers. But he’s not worried that people will stop coming. Instead, they will cut down in other areas, perhaps spending less at more expensive restaurants, if they feel the squeeze.

AP Photo/Journal & Courier, Brent Drinkut

Breakfast prices: Breakfast is now being served with a side of sticker shock. The cost of morning staples like bacon, coffee and orange juice is surging on a host of global supply problems, from drought in Brazil to disease on U.S. pig farms.

“They still need to get a decent breakfast,” he says.

Coffee You need your morning brew, and you’ll likely pay more for it, at least at the supermarket. Coffee futures have surged 57 percent this year and this month rose above $2 a pound for the first time in two years. Coffee growing regions of southern Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, have been hit by drought. Analysts are forecasting that Brazil’s crop could shrink by about 20 percent this year. Shoppers should be prepared to pay more at grocery stores, if the current trend continues for more than a month, says Dan Cox, the president of Coffee Analysts, a company that tests coffee quality for retailers. “Whether it’s by the can or the bag, consumers should probably expect to pay 50 cents per pound more, fairly soon,” Cox says. The average price of coffee for U.S. cities was $5 a pound in February, although that was little changed from a month earlier, according to government data. Caroline Krajewski, a spokeswoman for Kraft, which owns the Maxwell House coffee brand, declined to comment on the company’s pricing plans.

The price impact will be less noticeable at coffee stores. That’s because the cost of beans makes up only a fraction of the final price, compared to other costs like rent and staff wages, says Alon Kazdan, 40, the owner of Cafe Noi, a small chain of coffee shops in New York. Espressos at the cafe cost $2.40; Americanos are $3; lattes go for $3.60. He says prices should also remain in check because of competition between the companies that roast the beans into the coffee. As for rising commodity prices, he puts that down to speculation. “People like to make panic for nothing, in order to make money,” he says. Of course, people who need to get their caffeine fix won’t be put off. Plus, coffee prices were at their lowest level in about seven years before they started climbing. Starbucks customers also shouldn’t worry. They won’t be paying higher prices even if the cost of the beans keeps going up, says CEO Howard Schultz. The company has locked in its coffee bean prices for the next year using futures contracts.

Orange juice Say squeeze when you pass the OJ. Orange juice futures are up 12

percent this year, and climbed as high as $1.57 a pound March 6, their highest price in two years. To be sure, moves in retail food prices won’t match the wild jumps in commodities markets, says David Garfield, a consultant at AlixPartners who advises food-makers. The reason: food companies worry about losing market share and will absorb some of the higher costs rather than risk losing customers. “People would be up in arms, if every time they went to the grocery store the prices of their preferred items were jumping up and down,” says Garfield. The price of a 12-ounce can of frozen orange juice edged up in February to $2.43 from $2.41 in January, according to government data. A series of problems are driving the increases. Florida’s orange crop is forecast to be the worst in almost a quarter of a century. A citrus greening disease, which is transmitted by tiny insects that feed on the leaves of oranges, is damaging the harvest. Infected trees start to produce bitter green fruit. The problem was first detected in the U.S. in September 2005 and the Florida orange juice crop is down by almost a quarter since then. No cure is known, and the only solution is to cut down the tree. Add weather to the orange juice problem. A dry spell last year stunted the growth of orange trees in Florida and is hurting production this year, says Michael Smith, president of T&K Futures and Options, based in Port St. Lucie, Fla. In South America, drought is raising concerns about the size of the crop in Brazil. “There’s a confluence of events ... but the citrus greening has probably been the worst problem we’ve seen over the last few years,” Smith says. The orange crop in Florida, one of the world’s biggest orange-growing regions, could fall this year by about 15 percent to 114 million boxes, according to government forecasts. That would be the smallest crop since 1990.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Make it at Home recipe Bacon & Cheddar Deviled Eggs American Egg Board Servings: 24 Prep time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 14 hard-boiled eggs 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon 1/4 cup finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz.) 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives or green onion tops Directions: Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Remove yolks to medium bowl. Reserve 24 white halves. Finely chop

remaining 4 white halves. Mash yolks with fork. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice and pepper; mix well. Add chopped egg whites, bacon, cheese and chives; mix well. Spoon 1 heaping tbsp. of yolk mixture into each reserved egg white half. Refrigerate, covered, to blend flavors. Tips: yy Deviled eggs can be made up to 12 hours ahead. Refrigerate, covered. yy Very fresh eggs can be difficult to peel. To ensure easily peeled eggs, buy and refrigerate them a week to 10 days in advance of cooking. This brief “breather” allows the eggs time to take in air, which helps separate the membranes from the shell. yy Hard-boiled eggs are easiest to peel right after cooling. Cooling causes the egg to contract slightly in the shell.

yy To peel a hard-boiled egg — Gently tap egg on countertop until shell is finely crackled all over. Roll egg between hands to loosen shell. Start peeling at large end, holding egg under cold running water to help ease the shell off. yy Hard-boiled storage time — In the shell, hard-boiled eggs can be refrigerated safely up to one week. Refrigerate in their original carton to prevent odor absorption. Once peeled, eggs should be eaten that day. yy No-mess method — Combine filling ingredients in 1-quart plastic food storage bag. Press out air and seal bag. Press and roll bag with hand until mixture is well blended. Push filling toward bottom corner of bag. Snip off about 1/2-inch of corner. Squeeze filling from bag into egg whites. yy Picnic or tailgate tip: Prepare filling in plastic bag as above. Carry whites and yolk mixture separately

in cooler. Fill eggs on the spot, pressing filling out of snipped corner of bag.

More egg recipes can be obtained from the American Egg Board at www.incredibleegg.org.

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GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Archery Tournament: 36 Georgia schools qualify for Nationals SOCIAL CIRCLE — Georgia’s young archers keep getting better and the scores keep going up. That was never more evident than at the recent eighth annual National Archery in the Schools Georgia State Tournament as 857 NASP archers from 44 schools competed at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. After more than 34,000 arrows were shot, Bagley Middle School from Chatsworth scored a state tournament record 3,348 team score and was crowned the overall highest scoring champion. Thirty-six Georgia schools posted scores that may qualify for the NASP National Tournament scheduled to take place May 9-10 in Louisville, Ky. The National Tournament will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center with an expected nearly 11,000 archers from more than 40 states competing, making it the largest archery tournament in the

world. NASP Nationals will register qualifying teams and individual archers until the two-day tournament is filled to capacity. Winners at the 2014 NASPGeorgia State Tournament include: Bagley Middle out of Chatsworth shot a 3,348 to lead a field of 44 archery teams and more than 850 shooters from state-qualifying elementary, middle and high schools. Bagley Middle featured middle school female division champion Sarah Parker, who arrowed a score of 291 (out of a perfect 300) to capture the overall high scoring trophy. Bagley was also home to Brady Talent, who shot a 285 to win the middle school male crown. North Murray High School in Chatworth won the high school division championship with a score of 3,332, also a high school division record score at state. North Murray was led by high school male division winner Hunter Jennings and high school female division winner

Haley Bagley. Both shot a 288. Bay Creek Elementary School in Loganville, which finished third in the national last year, won the elementary division title with a score of 3,158. Parker McGaughey led Bay Creek with a 277. Lake Park (Albany) Elementary’s Nathan Masters won the elementary male division with a score of 281, while Liberty (Toccoa) Elementary’s Skylar McFarlin fired a 284 to win the elementary female division. All division winning teams automatically qualify for nationals, while several other schools met qualifying scores to reach this year’s National Tournament in May. A “team” consists of 12 to 24 shooters with at least four members of the opposite gender. Over 43 percent of the state tournament field was female. Individuals finishing in the top 10 at state automatically qualify for the national tournament. Archery teams that competed in the recent Georgia NASP state tour-

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nament had to win their division at one of seven regional tournaments in February and March of this year or shoot a regional score high enough to be selected as a wildcard team. More than 1,500 student archers competed in the regional tourna-

ments Complete team and individual results are available online at www.nasptournaments.com. More information on NASP, which is available to all schools, 4th to12th grade, that become certified in the program can be obtained at www.georgiawildlife.com/NASP.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Summertime and fresh produce at the farmers market By Steven Thomas

Special to Georgia Ag News

GAINESVILLE — Summertime is a wonderful time of year when it comes to buying farm-fresh foods, taking them home and cooking up some great meals for family and friends. Just knowing that the food you are going to eat Thomas was picked or produced within days makes each meal a special occasion. This is what makes shopping at farmers markets so much fun. Of

course, sometimes our eyes get so big and our heads full of ideas of what to do with all that food that we can go a little crazy and buy too much. There is nothing worse than having to throw out wilted lettuce and limp squash — especially when the farmer worked so hard to grow it.

Market tips Which brings us to a few tips for better and smarter shopping at the market. So first up, grab an iced drink and walk around to see what each vendor has to offer. Most people see that deep red pile of tomatoes and immediately head straight for the table; but not all farmers grow the same tomatoes and each tomato has its own use, whether for salad, cooking or sauce.

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Take your time, ask questions and be choosy. Make a list of the meals you like to make and bring a copy, either written out on old-fashioned paper or on your phone. A lot of recipes allow for switching out ingredients that are similar and you can make your choice from knowing what you’re going to be doing instead of looking in the fridge and trying to figure out later in the week how leeks and eggplants go together. Ask the farmers about the best way to store their produce to make it last. Lettuce likes to be washed and put to bed on a nice layer of damp paper towels in the fridge. Herbs can be put in a vase of water.

Prep yy Which brings us to prepping produce — When you get home, instead of just shoving everything in the fridge, put on some music and put everything out on the counter. Divide your purchases and place them into their own bags. You might even do some washing and spinning in a salad spinner before putting them away. You’re more likely to use what you can see and even more likely to use what is all ready to go. If you plan on using produce for canning or for pies and desserts, ask the farmer if they have any “seconds” available. These are the not-quite perfect items that look great on the table. Usually, the farmer will take these home and use them, but will offer you a deal on them, which can save you money. There are also better prices that may be available for larger quantities for canning. Ask the farmer a week ahead, if possible. Bring a bag, basket or wheeled cart. By doing so, we can reduce

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the amount of plastic bags. Most plastic bags are used once and thrown away. By bringing your own reusable bags, we can cut down on waste.

Planning yy Think ahead — Do you have a grandchild’s birthday coming up? The market craftspeople may have a wonderful, unique gift that can’t be found at the mall. Shopping at a farmers market should be a social occasion. Take your time, talk to the vendors and mingle with friends, and then shop for the best local produce, food products and crafts.

Come on by The Downtown Gainesville Market On The Square. The website will let you know what is available and introduce you to the vendors — and follow us on Facebook for news, events and updates. yy Website: www.hallfarmers. org yy Facebook: www.facebook. com/hallfarmers Steven Thomas is market manager of the Historic Downtown Gainesville Market on the Square. He can be reached at 678-943-4442; by email at steve@hallfarmers.org; or the website www.hallfarmers.org.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Tips for successfully growing hardy hostas By Michael Wheeler

Special to Georgia Ag News

GAINESVILLE — Growing hostas in this part of the world is as common as growing fescue grass or azaleas. Hostas are hardy, shade loving perennials that provide mounds of foliage during the growing season. They are generally arranged in Wheeler a spiral pattern of broad leaves, which come in a variety of colors, like gold or green. Any of these may be variegated with white or yellow. They grow by underground stems called rhizomes. They grow

best in well-drained soils that have plenty of organic matter, such as compost. Plant hosta in a hole that is as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide as its diameter. Space them out according to their spread at maturity. Planting, transplanting, or dividing should be done in early spring when the leaves just begin to emerge. Dividing can be done by digging up the entire plant and dividing it by hand, or by cutting away a section of a clump with a sharp shovel. Hosta is not a heavy feeder. They will do very well with just a 1/2 pound of 10-10-10 per 100 square feet at planting or in the spring when they begin to emerge. Place mulch around hosta to help conserve moisture. For best results get a soil test performed through the office. Pests with hostas are not too much of a problem, but on occasion slugs and snails will eat on them freely.

Also, when food is scarce, deer will eat your hostas to the ground. Deer repellents may give temporary control, however fencing and a watchful eye may be the best way to keep them a bay. If you use a repellent, apply it early enough in the season so the deer do not associate your hosta as an easy meal. Otherwise, once they realize the plants are there, it will be hard to convince them to stop them from making them lunch for the rest of the summer. A couple of good varieties are “Antioch” and August Moon.” Antioch has leaves of light gray-green with a creamy white border. Mature clumps measure 18 inches tall and 30-36 inches across. This variety emerges later in the spring, thus avoiding damage by late frosts. “August Moon” is a gold hosta that forms a 20-inch tall and 30-inch

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wide clump. The leaves are rich gold in color and crinkled in texture. For more information about hostas, go to the Georgia Hosta Society website at www.gahosta.org. Their annual host show is in Tucker this year on May 10 and is always a good way to see new varieties and to visit with growers from

across the state. Michael Wheeler is the Hall County Extension Coordinator and agricultural Extension agent. He can be reached at 770-535-8293; e-mail at wheelerm@uga.edu; or www.hallcounty.org/extension.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

AG News

VIEWPOINT

Quest to feed a hungry world continues By J. Scott Angle

area in which we have traditionally been leaders is plant breeding and genomics. Glen Burton, a world-renowned forage breeder in Tifton and a contemporary of Borlaug’s, helped turn our forage and turfgrass breeding program into a world powerhouse. Today, among our faculty, we have some of the finest plant breeders in the world improving the yield and productivity of everything from soybean and sorghum to peanuts and blueberries. Each understands the consequence of failing to meet the growing demand for food with dwindling resources. In a recent interview with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, he reflected on the Carter Center’s work with Borlaug to improve the food supply and farm income in developing nations around the world. They found, especially in Africa, most of

Special to Georgia Ag News

ATHENS — Agricultural scientist Norman Borlaug was known as many things during his lifetime: Nobel Peace Prize winner, father of the Green Revolution, a persistent pioneer in the battle to end hunger. Few can dispute that during his 95 years, he was responsible for saving more human lives than anyone in history. On March 25, he would have turned 100. “You can’t build a peaceful world on Angle empty stomachs and human misery,” Bourlaug once said. Today, we are reminded he was a living example of the power of science to improve the world. He was the picture of practicing what you preach. He certainly did his part to fill empty stomachs and end human misery. Borlaug developed dozens of cereal grain varieties that grew well in Asia, Mexico and Africa — areas of the world that had spent years facing mass famine and starvation. Scholars say he prevented as many as 1 billion deaths. “There can be no permanent progress in the battle against hunger until the agencies that fight for increased food production and those that fight for population control unite in a common effort,” he said during his 1970 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Today, we again face a growing population that will outpace food production if we don’t find a way to

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Agriculture innovator: Dr. Norman Borlaug, a pioneer in work to end world hunger, would have been 100 on March 25. His agricultural research is noted to have prevented a billion deaths from starvation. After a lifetime of research, his last years were spent teaching and conducting further research at Texas A&M University.

double our yields — this time with less land and less water. Borlaug was fast to point out that meeting the challenges that led to the Green Revolution took many scientists, farmers, agencies and organizations working together. The same will be true of the grand challenge before us now. And the solutions will be more complicated than before. It will take plant breeders and engineers, farmers and processors, transportation and cooperation to feed a hungry world. Technology will drive the future of agriculture and help to curb world hunger. Ag-

riculture may be the sector of our economy where new technology can have the greatest impact in the shortest period of time. On the 30th anniversary of winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Borlaug said in a speech in Ohio, “The world has the technology — either available or well advanced in the research pipeline — to feed on a sustainable basis a population of 10 billion people.” Our college has a long history of excellence in developing the next generation of technology to provide food for the world. One

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their work was with female farmers since the women generally tend the crops. By providing plant varieties better suited to African climates, they were able to put more food on the dinner table and more income in the family budget. The work these scientists are doing today will ensure that effort continues. Someone like Norman Borlaug may only come along every 100 years, but our students, our scientists, our engineers, our teachers and our farmers share his drive, determination and curiosity. Those qualities will help usher in the next great revolution in agriculture. The vision for that quest is Borlaug’s lasting legacy to the world. J. Scott Angle is dean and director of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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The opinions expressed in this publication by authors other than Georgia Ag News staff are those of the respective author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Georgia Ag News. Georgia Ag News assumes responsibliity for error in first run of an in-house designed ad only. Advertisers have ten (10) days from publication date to dispute such an advertisement. After ten (10) days, ad will be deemed correct and advertiser will be charged accordingly. Proofs approved by advertiser will always be regarded as correct.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Statistics on family farming in the United States By James MacDonald

Special to Georgia Ag News

WASHINGTON — The United Nations has designated 2014 as the “International Year of Family Farming” to highlight the potential family farmers have to help eradicate hunger and preserve natural resources. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the lead UN agency on the topic, “the International Year aims to raise the profile of family and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on its significant role in alleviating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas.” The FAO’s primary focus is on smallholder farms — usually of 5 acres or less — in rural areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Near East, but the International Year emphasizes all family farms. The UN defines family farms as those managed and operated by a family, with the family providing most of the farm’s labor. The UN estimates that there are 500 million family farms around the world, representing up to 80 percent of all farms in many countries. Farms in the United States tend to be much larger and are operated differently than smallholder family James MacDonald is chief of the Agricultural Structure and Productivity branch of USDA’s Economic Research Service. This article is drawn from “Exploring Alternative Farm Definitions: Implications for Agricultural Statistics and Program Eligibility,” by Erik O’Donoghue, Robert Hoppe, David Banker and Penni Korb, USDA, Economic Research Service, March 2009; and “Million-Dollar Farms in the New Century,” by Robert Hoppe, Penni Korb and David Banker, USDA, Economic Research Service, December 2008.

farms in developing countries. Large U.S. farms are frequently run by extended families, with multiple owner-managers specializing in different parts of the farm business. Many large farms produce only a few commodities and often specialize in particular stages of commodity production. They often purchase the services of outside companies to handle some farm tasks (such as field preparation, chemical application, or harvest), relying on those providers for expertise, labor and equipment. They may also rely on hired and contract labor in addition to the labor provided by the operators and their families. Nevertheless, most U.S. farms still rely primarily on labor provided by the farm family, and most large farms, which rely heavily on non-family labor, are still organized as family businesses. Family organization remains an essential feature of agriculture in the United States, just as it does throughout much of the rest of the world.

Family farms in the U.S. Family-run businesses dominate U.S. agricultural production. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) defines family farms as those whose principal operator and people related to the principal operator by blood or marriage own most of the farm business. The principal operator is the person who is responsible for the on-site, day-to-day decisions of the farm or ranch business. The ERS definition focuses on ownership and control of the farm business by the family operating the farm and not on farm size or the labor provided by the farm family. Under the ERS definition, family farms represent 97.6 percent of all U.S. farms and are responsible for 85 percent of U.S. farm production. Most, but not all, of these farms also rely primarily on family labor. To more closely approximate the FAO’s concept of a family farm, researchers used two approaches to measure the share of labor provided

by U.S. farm families. The first measures the share of the farm’s employed labor provided by the principal operator and his or her spouse. Using this approach, 87.1 percent of U.S. farms (accounting for 57.6 percent of U.S. farm production) are family farms which rely primarily on the principal operator and spouse. Other farm labor is provided by hired labor and by other farm operators and their families; many large farms have multiple operators, some of whom may not be related to the principal operator. The second approach to measuring the share of labor provided by U.S. farm families requires the principal operator and his or her spouse to provide most of the labor used on the farm, including that provided by contract labor firms. Farms can

contract with other businesses that provide workers to perform specific tasks — often harvesting — over a specified time period. These service companies hire workers themselves and provide contract labor services to the farm sector with workers who are not employees of the farm. The USDA farm survey that underlies this analysis does not collect contract labor hours; instead, researchers estimated hours by dividing the reported contract labor expenses by the average wage rate for hired farm labor in the farm’s locality. Using this approach, which most closely matches the FAO definition, 86.1 percent of U.S. farms (accounting for 47.4 percent of U.S. farm production) are family farms. Some family-owned and -oper-

ated farms are quite large: 42,400 had sales of at least $1 million in 2011, and more than 3,800 had sales of at least $5 million. Businesses of this size are not unusual in the U.S. economy, where 1.37 million U.S. businesses, or one for every 225 people, had sales of at least $1 million in 2010, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Large U.S. family farms are, not surprisingly, more likely to rely on partners and on hired and contract labor than smaller farms, so that the share of labor provided by the principal operator and spouse falls as farms get larger. Nevertheless, the share of hours contributed by the principal operator and spouse remains above 50 percent, on average, until farm sales

See Farms, Page 6

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

•Farms (Continued from page 5)

reach $1 million or more. That share remains at an average of 42 percent for farms with $1-$5 million in sales, but falls to 21 percent among farms with at least $5 million in sales. Even in the United States, farms with most labor provided by the farm family account for the majority of farms and nearly half of farm production.

Field crops Farms that are owned and operated by families account for most production in all major commodity groups, however, their relative production within those groups varies. Family farms accounted for 96 percent of production in major field crops (corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat) and in hogs, poultry and eggs; however, they contributed a lower share in high-value crops (fruits, vegetables and nurseries) where they accounted for 62 percent of production, and in dairy, with 75 percent of production. Production in each of those categories is concentrated in very large farms, where nonfamily partnerships and corporations are more common. Not surprisingly, family farm production shares fall in every major commodity category when focusing on the share of farms where the principal operator and spouse provide most of the labor used on the farm (the FAO standard). The share of family farms using the FAO concept falls the most in commodity categories in which production is dominated by very large farms that rely heavily on hired and contract labor — again, high-value crops and dairy. For example, 48 percent of dairy production occurs on familyowned and -operated farms that rely primarily on labor contributed by people other than the principal operator and spouse. Nonfamily farms Most U.S. farms are family farms under the FAO definition — 86.1

percent of farms, accounting for 47.4 percent of U.S. farm production, are owned and operated by a family, with the principal operator and spouse providing most of the labor. Another 11.5 percent of U.S. farms, with 38.4 percent of production, are owned and operated by a family, but rely extensively on labor provided by hired workers, contract workers and other operators and their families — meaning they are family farms under the ERS but not the FAO definition. The remaining U.S. farms — those that are not family owned and operated — number about 53,000, or 2.4 percent of all U.S. farms, and account for 15 percent of U.S. farm production. These are nonfamily farms under the ERS definition. There are many kinds of nonfamily farms. Few are large corporations with dispersed ownership and multiple levels of management — that organizational form, so common in the broader U.S. economy, is rare in agriculture. Like family farms, most nonfamily farms are small — half have less than $35,000 in sales — but most nonfamily farm production comes from the 10 percent that have annual sales of at least $1 million. Those farms collectively accounted for $42 billion in agricultural production in 2011, or 93 percent of all U.S. nonfamily farm production. These large nonfamily farms are also a diverse group. Partnerships, with small numbers of unrelated partners, account for 28 percent of large nonfamily farm production, while another 10 percent is from farms organized as sole proprietorships (one owner, who did not operate the farm). Just under half of large nonfamily farm production — $20 billion — came from nonfamily farms organized as corporations. However, most of these corporate farms have no more than 10 shareholders, and are thus likely to be tightly held partnerships that have incorporated for tax and management purposes. Some large corporations with

dispersed stockholdings are active in farming, but not many. Most large diversified corporations that exercise influence in agriculture do so through their role as input suppliers, commodity purchasers and coordinators of production. Not only is U.S. agriculture dominated by family farms, but production by nonfamily farms is dominated by organizations with a small and tightly knit group of owners.

Dominate agriculture Family farms account for most production in most agricultural commodities in developing countries. In the United States and in other industrialized countries, where farms are much larger than the smallholder farms so common in developing countries, family farms still dominate agriculture, even as large and diversified corporations dominate many other industries. Most nonfamily farms in the United States, even the very large ones, look like family businesses in the sense that decision-making is áconcentrated in a small group of people with long ties to one another. What is it about agriculture that lends itself to family businesses? Technology provides one part of the answer. Most agricultural production is not subject to extensive economies of scale. For many crop and livestock commodities, costs of production decline as herd size or acreage increases, but the potential cost reductions are fully realized at still-modest sizes. Even in the United States, where farms can be capital-intensive businesses with significant investments in equipment and structures, farms can realize available scale economies with several million dollars in assets and not with the hundreds of millions that might be required in other industries. The lack of extensive scale economies favors family organization. Agricultural production also usually requires localized knowledge, flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to changes in the produc-

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tion environment, and those are all strengths of family businesses. Agricultural production also is highly seasonal work, and families have been able to adjust their labor to the seasonality of farm production and to reallocate their labor to other tasks on and off the farm to accommodate unexpected variability in agricultural production needs. Finally, most agricultural production still requires an intimate knowledge of local soil and nutrient, pest and weather conditions to effectively manage cropping operations. Similarly, effective animal husbandry decisions still depend on close observation of animals and knowledge of animal behavior in the specific environment of the farm. Farmers have to be able to adapt quickly as sudden changes in weather, pest populations and commodity markets demand quick and informed decisions. Farm families have localized onfarm expertise, often passed down through generations, and they have

the incentives, as business owners, to make those decisions more effectively than can generally be done by salaried managers. Such factors have undermined previous attempts to introduce large complex organizations to U.S. agriculture, and in the United States and elsewhere, favor the localized knowledge, quick responsiveness and incentives for effort and responsibility built into family farms. The International Year of Family Farming highlights the role that family farmers can play in helping to eradicate hunger and preserve natural resources. Family farming is not, however, unique to small farms in less-developed countries, nor is it a technologically backward sector. Most large commercial farms — in the United States and in many other countries — are organized as family farms because the flexibility and ability to adapt to changed circumstances that is characteristic of family organizations make them into low-cost and efficient producers and innovators.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Lawncare can be simpler, if you get to know your grass By Merritt Melancon

Special to Georgia Ag News

ATHENS — What type of plant makes up most of the lawns in Georgia? If you shrugged and answered “grass,” you’re not alone. Homeowners spend hours mowing and treating their lawns, but many don’t know much about the plant that makes up the green expanse between their driveways and front doors. If everything is going well — a lawn remains green and relatively free of weeds — homeowners may not worry much about the type of turfgrass they have.

Not all the same But if that grass starts to turn brown, or if weeds start to become unsightly, the type of grass in that lawn suddenly becomes very important. “Not all turfgrass species have the same mowing and fertilizer needs,” said Clint Waltz, a University of Georgia Extension turf scientist in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Also, some are more susceptible to certain pests. Therefore, knowing what grass you have is important for proper maintenance.”

Types The most common warm-season lawn grasses in Georgia are Bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass. The typical cool-season species used on lawns is tall fescue. yy Bermudagrass is made up of short, 1/8 inch-wide blades with rough sides and pointy tips. It can also be identified by the presence of both above ground runners, called stolons, and underground runners, called rhizomes. It is hardy across Georgia. yy Centipedegrass has a wider blade than Bermudagrass, but is still less than 1/4 inch wide, and a strong center vein. The blade appears to fold along the center vein. Healthy centipedegrass will be a Granny Smith apple green. Centipedegrass is a low-growing grass that is suited for lawns across much of Georgia but used extensively from Macon southward. The cultivar TifBlair is adapted for Georgia, as it is cold hardy for the area from Atlanta to the northern part of the state. It spreads by stolons only, and doesn’t have underground rhizomes. yy The leaves of St. Augustinegrass are also folded along a strong

center vein, but they have a broader blade of at least 1/4 inch, with a boat-shaped tip. St. Augustinegrass has aggressive stolons and no rhizomes. It is a dense, blue-green turf best suited to the coastal plain although it will survive in Atlanta. yy Zoysiagrass has short, sharp blades that form a medium to fine textured lawn. It spreads by both rhizomes and stolons and needs minimal fertility. Many zoysiagrasses can tolerate partial shade, as well as full sun. It can be successfully planted throughout Georgia. yy Tall fescue is a cool-season species with a fine leaf texture and a dark green color. Because tall fescue is a cool-season species, it looks its best in fall, winter and spring. When temperatures get hot, tall fescue’s canopy thins-out — a natural defense mechanism to survive environmental stresses. When conditions become favorable, tall fescue typically rebounds and resumes growth. It grows best on lawns in northern Georgia. Each type of turfgrass grown in Georgia requires different care — different mowing heights and fertility schedules. By selecting a turfgrass based on its characteristics, homeowners can get a great looking lawn with barely any extra effort. Also, when disease or weed problems do arise, finding solutions can be easier if you know the species growing in your landscape. More information on Georgia turfgrass, and species-specific lawn care calendars, can be obtained at the UGA Extension turfgrass site — www.GeorgiaTurf.com, or call your local UGA Extension agent at 800-275-8421. Merritt Melancon is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

University of Georgia

St. Augustinegrass: Shown are seedheads of St. Augustinegrass.

Whelchel’s Barber Shop The best little barber shop in Georgia

Go back to the past

Come in for a great cut & great stories

Harold Whelchel started trend by owning 1st Barber College in Gainesville. (photo left) Son Buddy Whelchel continues the trend by opening the Thompson Bridge shop in 1970.

Celebrating 50 years in business

Walk-ins welcome

770-536-4939

Wilard Burke, Clyde Dacus Thompson Bridge Road, Robert Columbo & Kathy Gainesville, GA 30506 Stone are among the other Hours: Mon. Wed. Thurs. Fri. 8AM-5PM; barbers in the shop. Saturday 8AM-12PM Closed on Tuesday

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Elberton cheese maker wins 2014 Flavor of Georgia By Merritt Melancon

Special to Georgia Ag News

ATLANTA — Elberton farmer, cheese maker and local food advocate Tim Young took home the grand prize from the 2014 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest on March 18. The annual contest, conducted by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is a chance for food businesses to showcase their new products. Young owns Nature’s Harmony Farm, and his grand-prize-winning Georgia Gold Clothbound Cheddar Cheese is made from milk produced by the farm’s herd of Jersey dairy cows. The cheese is hand crafted and aged for six to 12 months in the farm’s cheese cave. The cheese was one of 35 Georgia products selected as finalists in the 2014 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. The products were selected from more than 125 entries from across the state — one of the largest contest fields in the competition’s history. In addition to the grand prize, Nature’s Harmony Georgia Gold Cheddar took first place in the competition’s dairy category. Gov. Nathan Deal and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black announced the category and grand prize winners as part of Georgia Agriculture Awareness Day at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta. “We had so many great contestants this year,” said Sharon P. Kane, Flavor of Georgia contest coordinator. “It really highlighted the high caliber of the food products created by Georgians.” Young hopes that his Flavor of Georgia win will bring attention to Georgia’s burgeoning artisan cheese industry. Georgia Gold Clothbound Cheddar Cheese is one of a handful of artisan cheeses Young makes on his farm. A marketing professional turned farmer, Young has spent the past seven years refining his farm

business. He and his wife, Liz, decided to focus exclusively on cheese production shortly after the birth of their son in 2013. Nature’s Harmony cheeses are available at restaurants and artisan food shops across metro Atlanta and at the Young’s on-farm store in Elberton. More information about Nature’s Harmony Farm and its cheeses can be obtained at www.naturesharmonyfarm.com. In addition to the grand prize, judges awarded prizes in each food product category. A people’s choice award was given based on votes cast during a public tasting. The awards are listed below by prize name, product name, company name, company representatives and town: yy People’s Choice Award — Raspberry-Jalapeno Jam, Leoci’s, Roberto and Lacie Leoci, Savannah. yy Adult Beverages — Richland Rum, Richland Distilling Company, Karin and Erik Vonk, Richland. yy Barbecue Sauces — Causey’s Sweet N’Smokey BBQ Sauce, Causey Foods Inc., Wynn Causey Bakke, Smyrna. (The sauce was created in Vienna where the Causeys still operate a restaurant.) yy Beverages — Organic Blueberry Juice, Byne Blueberry Farms, Richard Byne, Waynesboro. yy Confections — Peachy Keen Pecan Praline, Loose Sugar, Lindsey Beckworth and her father Mike Beckworth, Harrison. yy Dairy Products — Georgia

Merritt Melancon/UGA

Flavor of Georgia winner: Tim Young, center, received this year’s Flavor of Georgia grand prize for his Georgia Gold Clothbound Cheddar cheese. Presenting Young with his award are, left to right, Gov. Nathan Deal and state Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black.

Gold Clothbound Cheddar Cheese, Nature’s Harmony, Tim Young, Elberton. yy Jams and Jellies — Cinnamon Honey Spread, Weeks Honey Farm, Sonja Crosby and Michele Rosario, Omega. yy Marinades and Sauces — GA Mustard Marinade, Q Sauce LLC, Jennifer and Chris Adams, Dacula. yy Meat and Seafood — Pork Vidalia Onion Sausage, Ogeechee Meat Market, Matthew and Andrew McClune, Savannah. yy Miscellaneous — Southern Sriracha Boiled Peanut Rub, Hardy Farms Peanuts, Robert Fisher and Brad Hardy, Hawkinsville. yy Salsas, Chutneys and Condiments — Sweet Onion Confit, Preserving Place, Martha McMillin and Virginia Willis, Atlanta.

yy Snack Foods — Georgia Blues Blueberry & Peach Bar, M Chocolat, Maritza Pichon and Marlena Snyder, Alpharetta. Food industry experts — including chefs, grocery buyers, foodservice personnel and agricultural marketing executives — rated Nature’s Harmony cheddar and the other products based on qualities like innovation, use of Georgia theme, market potential and flavor, said James Daniels, a UGA food business development specialist. Showcase events like the 2014 Flavor of Georgia competition help entrepreneurs spread the word about their products, organizers noted. Many have landed spots in regional and national grocery chains like Whole Foods, Fresh

Market, Earth Fare, Kroger and Harvey’s. The contest is sponsored by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in partnership with the Center of Innovation for Agribusiness, Office of Governor Nathan Deal, Walton EMC, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Agribusiness Council and the UGA Department of Food Science and Technology. More information about these products can be obtained at www. flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu. Merritt Melancon is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

GEORGIA AG NEWS, May 2014

Ga. judge won’t stop new Vidalia onion rule The Associated Press

REIDSVILLE — A Georgia judge on April 15, refused to intervene in a legal battle between a prominent Vidalia onion farmer and the state’s agriculture commissioner over a new regulation aimed at keeping unripe onions from reaching store shelves. Following a hearing in rural Tattnall County, part of the 20-county region where the famously sweet onions are grown, Superior Court Judge Jay Stewart denied a request by farmer Delbert Bland to stop the commissioner from enforcing the new rule prohibiting Vidalia onions from being packed for shipping before the last full week of April. An Atlanta judge struck down the regulation in March, but Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black says it’s still in effect while state attorneys file an appeal. The court fight has pit Bland, who has roughly 3,000 acres invested in Vidalia onions, against Black as well as fellow farmers who fear onions being rushed to market are hurting the brand’s reputation. Vidalia onion sales are estimated to be worth $150 million a year.

Black warned growers not to ship onions before April 21, but Bland had already begun having his crop packed in boxes and graded by federal inspectors. Despite the judge’s ruling, Bland said he planned to start shipping onions to supermarkets on Wednesday, April 16. “I’m shipping the onions because they’re mature and they’re excellent quality and they’re ready to be shipped,” Bland said. “We don’t feel like it’s fair that the government dictates what day we can ship the onions.” A spokeswoman for the agriculture commissioner, Mary Kathryn Yearta, praised the judge’s decision and said, “we look forward to continuing the discussions regarding the Vidalia onion pack date in appellate court.” The judge, on April 15, said if Bland wants to stop the agriculture commissioner, the proper legal route would be to return to the Atlanta court and ask the previous judge to find Black in contempt of court. Bland’s attorneys said they were also encouraged by language in Stewart’s decision that seemed to acknowledge the Atlanta judge had already granted an injunction in the case.

“We didn’t get exactly what we wanted, but given the language of the judge’s order I’m not displeased at all,” said Mike Bowers, the former Georgia attorney general who represented Bland. “It means the state had best be careful trying to enforce this invalid rule against my client.” In prior years, Vidalia onion farmers have been allowed to ship onions earlier than the official start date if federal inspectors gave them a U.S. 1 grade. The new packing rule essentially ends that practice. If the commissioner is allowed to enforce it, Bland could face fines of up to $5,000 per box or bag of onions and lose his license to label his crops as Vidalia onions, a trademark owned by the state of Georgia. Walt Dasher was among about two dozen Vidalia onion farmers who attended the court hearing Tuesday. He said early shipments of unripe onions last year was such a problem that supermarkets complained of customers returning them for refunds. “When somebody purchases our onions in a store, it’s got to be the quality we’re known for,” Dasher said. “We’ve got a good thing and we don’t want to mess it up.”

Nath Morris joins USPOULTRY as expo sales director TUCKER — The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has announced the appointment of Nathaniel (Nath) Morris as IPE sales director. He will be responsible for developing and implementing effective sales and marketing plans to ensure the continued Morris success of the International Poultry Expo (IPE), part of the International Production & Processing Expo.

Morris joins USPOULTRY from Perdue Farms/Heritage Breeders where he served as U.S. sales manager. His experience included serving as territory manager for Arbor Acres Farms/Aviagen and for Meyn USA, as well as QA supervisor, sales production coordinator and production manager for Seaboard Farms of Athens Inc. Morris has also served on the Hall County Board of Education since 2001 and is currently the chairman. He is incoming president of the Georgia School Board Association. Morris holds a bachelor of science degree in poultry science from the University of Georgia. “While I am thankful to have

spent the last 12 years with a firstclass food company in Perdue Farms, I am excited about the opportunity to join the USPOULTRY team,” Morris said. “The International Production & Processing Expo has grown in size and scope, and I look forward to being a part of continuing the successes of this global event to benefit our industries.” “We are very pleased that Nath will be joining our team at USPOULTRY. His extensive background, knowledge and experience in the poultry industry will serve well to help us continue to grow and enhance the IPPE,” said John Starkey, USPOULTRY president.

AP Photo/David Goldman/File

Vidalia onion packing: In this May 10, 2011, file photo, a fieldworker snips onion bulbs on a Vidalia onion farm in Lyons, Ga. Delbert Bland, who grows Vidalia onions on about 3,000 acres in Southeast Georgia, won the first round of a court battle with Georgia Commissioner Gary Black when a Fulton County judge ruled March 19, 2014, the commissioner overstepped his authority by ordering that no Vidalia onions could be packed for shipping before April 21. Black is telling growers he still plans to enforce the restriction while the state appeals.

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