September 11 , 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 37
DUVALL PARTICIPATES IN TRADE TRIP TO ASIA Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall was part of a group of Georgia stakeholders who visited China and Japan during a trip to Asia Aug. 22-30 with the goal of strengthening trade ties in those countries and increasing the awareness of the Georgia brand. The trip, headed by Gov. Nathan Deal, included representatives from several of the state’s key sectors, including higher education, transportation and tourism. Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and representatives of the Georgia Farm Bureau, Columbia Farms, Patten Seed Co., Russell Landscape Group, and R.W. Griffin Feed, Seed & Fertilizer marketed Georgia as a source of agricultural products to meet various needs in China. “I was there to speak for Georgia farmers. In international trade, especially in the Asian area, relationships are very important,” Duvall said. “They like to be able to look in the eyes of people they’re going to be dealing with. So I think building those relationships was important.” Duvall said he also wanted to discover what role GFB can play in the state’s efforts to develop markets overseas, particularly in light of the expansions of both the Panama Canal and the Port of Savannah. “We can introduce farmers into what might be a potential market for them in the future,” Duvall said, noting that expanding overseas markets will be a primary focus of the International Agribusiness Conference & Expo to be held in Savannah Sept. 25-27. “A part of our policy is to promote Georgia products, not just in our country but internationally.” The Georgia agricultural delegation met with companies already buying Georgia poultry products and pecans and talked with others about the possibility of importing Georgia blueberries. “Their concerns are our concerns,” Duvall said. “They prefer an uninterrupted supply of products that are of good quality.” As the world’s fastest-growing large economy, China represents a significant growth market for the state of Georgia. The country is the second-largest export destination for Georgia businesses. With more than $3.6 billion in exports to China annually, Georgia leads the United States in exports of carpets, poultry, aircraft and wood products to China. Duvall praised Deal for leading the trip to Asia, noting that when international business partnerships are formed, the benefits extend to Georgia’s farmers and consumers. “We’re very fortunate to have a governor who has the vision to develop those partnerships and works hard at doing that,” Duvall said. “He represents us well, and the friendships he’s built in both of those countries has been very healthy for all of us.”
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 EPA PROPOSES CHANGES TO FEDERAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to the federal water quality standards (WQS) regulation that could significantly affect how the WQS program impacts state programs and the regulated community. Water Quality Standards are what defines water quality goals for a water body by designating its uses, establishing criteria based on sound science that protect those uses and setting anti-degradation requirements that prevent deterioration of existing water quality. The proposed changes in several areas may have implications on agriculture and economic growth in general. The changes include a proposal that would allow EPA flexibility and clarify when EPA is obligated to propose and promulgate a new or revised standard. The EPA is proposing to amend its regulations to require states or tribes to adopt the highest attainable use (HAU) when adopting a new or revised water quality standards or when a change is made to the standard based on a use attainability analysis (UAA). The proposed changes would amend the triennial review requirements to require that states or tribes re-examine their water quality criteria during the review to determine if any criteria should be revised (upward). EPA is proposing to amend its regulations for states and tribes to identify high quality tier 2 waters, which are bodies of water where existing conditions are better than necessary to allow fishing and swimming. Before degradation of these waters takes place, states and tribes would be required to search for alternatives. The EPA is also proposing to grant itself the authority to review and approve or disapprove state-adopted or tribal-adopted antidegradation policies. For comprehensive information on WQS, visit http://tinyurl.com/d3edked. FIRE DESTROYS ELBERT LIVESTOCK FACILITY The Elbert County Livestock Facility was struck by lightning and burned to the ground on Aug. 31. There were 14 heifers at the facility, but all of them were on pasture and were unharmed. There were no students or other people present. The contents of the barn are a total loss. The Elbert County show team has been busy preparing for fall shows at the White County, Gwinnett County and Georgia National fairs. All of the team’s show equipment was destroyed, including six trim chutes. The school hopes to replace most of the equipment through insurance but needs equipment to use until receiving the insurance payment. If you would like to offer support to the Elbert County FFA chapter, please contact Michael Bilow, Elbert County High School at 706-213-4100 or by email at mbilow@elbert.k12.ga.us. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S RAISING MONEY FOR BUILDING UPGRADES The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association is raising funds to renovate its offices in Macon. The project includes a redesign of office and storage areas as well as an overhaul of the organization’s kitchen, which will be turned into a state-of-the-art beef culinary center. To donate, visit http://www.gabeef.org/store/misc.html or send your donation to Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 27990, Macon, GA 31221.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 MONSANTO TAKING CHARITY PROGRAM ENTRIES, GIVES SCHOOL GRANTS The school systems in Terrell and Worth counties were named winners in Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program in early September. Each system was awarded a $10,000 grant. Nominated by local farmers, the school systems submitted grant applications. The Terrell County School System’s proposal was titled “Entrance to College Begins wiht Primary School Science and Math through Technology.” The Worth County project was titled “Increasing Student Use of Technology in Math Classrooms.” The Grow Rural Education program is a separate program from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities charity program, for which Monsanto is now accepting registration. Farmers in 33 Georgia counties have until Nov. 30 to register to win $2,500 for a charity of their choice. Suggested charities include local 4-H or FFA programs, fire departments, hospitals, libraries or schools. No purchase is necessary to win. Eligible counties are: Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. Each of these counties planted at least 30,000 acres of corn, soybeans, cotton and/or vegetables in 2012. The program is open to farmers, age 21 and over in eligible counties, actively farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton or 40 acres of open field vegetables or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture. Community non-profits that wish to encourage farmers to support their cause may do so at http://www.growcommunities.com. Charities must be recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) or as a unit of government under Section 170 (c) (1). One winner will be drawn from each eligible county provided at least one entry is received from the county. Monsanto will announce winning farmers and their recipient charities in January 2014. Visit the website or call 1-877-267-3332 to apply. USDA SEEKS INPUT ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Saying it hopes to collect data that could be used to establish guidelines for farmers, ranchers and forest owners to participate in voluntary state and regional greenhouse gas (GHG) registries, the USDA recently published a notice in the Federal Register requesting public input on its draft report, “Science-Based Methods for Entity-Scale Quantification of Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks from Agriculture and Forestry Practices.” The draft report contains methods farmers and forest owners may practice to quantify GHG emissions and removals from farm and forestry operations. They include agroforestry, field residue burning, fertilizer and manure management and several others. According to a USDA fact sheet, the development of these methods is required under the 2008 farm bill. American Farm Bureau supports voluntary market-based carbon credit trading systems along with compensation to farmers for planting crops or adopting farming practices that keep carbon in the soil. To view the report, visit http://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/estimation.htm. To submit a comment, visit http://tinyurl.com/qzr2825.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 12 2nd District North Georgia Technical Coll. 7 p.m. Avalon Sept. 16 5th District Thomaston Civic Center 7 p.m. Thomaston Sept. 19 10th District Jamestown Baptist Church 7 p.m. Waycross th Sept. 24 7 District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Statesboro Oct. 8 9th District Mitchell County Ag Center 7 p.m. Camilla st Oct. 10 1 District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Calhoun Oct. 17 8th District South Georgia Technical Coll. 7 p.m. Americus 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. GEORGIA MILK PRODUCERS FALL MEETINGS Sept. 12 Krystals Taste of Kountry noon Millen Sept. 12 Burke County Extension Office 7 p.m. Waynesboro Sept. 13 McGill/Woodruff Ag Building noon Washington Sept. 16 Bonner's Restaurant 7 p.m. Buckhead Sept. 17 Barnstormer's Grill 7 p.m. Williamson Sept. 19 Western Sizzlin' 7 p.m. Dalton Sept. 20 Ryan's noon Commerce Meetings will include election of officers, reports on industry issues and promotional efforts and upcoming events. Meals will be served at each meeting. To preregister, contact the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association at 1-800-343-4693. For directions to meeting locations contact Farrah Newberry at 706-310-0020 or visit http://www.gamilk.org. CAES UGA STUDENT RECRUITMENT EVENTS Sept. 19 Toombs County Agricultural Center 5 p .m. Lyons Sept. 24 UGA Tifton Campus Conf. Center 5 p.m. Tifton These events are for high school students in grades 10 -12 who are interested in learning more about the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES). Parents are welcome, and a meal will be provided. Pre-registration deadlines are Sept. 12 for the Lyons event and Sept. 17 for the Tifton event. To register, contact the Office of Academic Programs at 229-386-3528 or ugatift@uga.edu. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 12 Friendship Pecans 8:30 a.m. Albany This annual field day will cover hedge pruning, fruit thinning, fertilizer management, pecan cultivars, management of young trees and inter-planting nursery trees in existing orchards. No registration is required and there will be a sponsored lunch. Friendship Pecans is located at 1807 Williamsburg Road. For more information call 229-382-2187 or email Janice Dees at janice@georgiapecan.org. EGG CANDLING CLASS Sept. 12 Harris County Extension Clubhouse Hamilton Upon completion of this class, you will be mailed an egg candling certificate which enables you to sell eggs to individuals or at a farmer's market. There will be a 30-minute break for lunch. Light snacks will be provided. Pre-registration is required for this class. To register or for more information call 706-628-4824, email uge2145@uga.edu or visit http://extension.uga.edu/calendar/event.cfm?pk_id=2484.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 GEORGIA GROWN FARMER SHOWCASE Sept. 14 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Sept. 28 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta This family-friendly series features dozens of vendors from around the state, offering locally grown fresh Georgia produce and plant sales, meet and greets with local farmers and much more. For more information, visit http://www.georgiagrown.com or call 404-656-3689. DEADLINE TO ENROLL IN DCP PROGRAM IS SEPT. 16 Producers who have either not yet enrolled in direct and countercyclical paymens (DCP) or have not yet signed their DCP contracts must do so by close of business Sept.16. Contracts filed after this date will be elevated from the county office to the state office and will require State Committee action. Also, any succession-in-interest changes made to an operation that affect interest in base acres since the current DCP contract on file was signed, must be reported to the local FSA office by close of business on Sept. 30. Changes that qualify as a succession-ininterest include: Sale of land; change of operator or producer, including an increase or decrease in the number of partners; foreclosure, bankruptcy or involuntary loss of the farm; or change in producer shares to reflect changes in the producer's share of the crop(s) that were originally approved on the contract. DCP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA). Regulations covering the provisions for DCP appear at 7 CFR Part 1412. Further information on DCP is available at local FSA offices or on FSA's DCP website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp. GEORGIA MULTICULTURAL SUSTAINABLE AG CONFERENCE Sept. 17 Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway 8 a.m. – 4 pm. Duluth This conference for beginning and established multicultural farmers features sessions on small scale organic farming and marketing, building diverse urban farm enterprises, aquaculture, mushroom production, pasture management and many more. Registration is $20, which includes lunch and instructional materials. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/mecjba8. For more information contact the Upper Ocmulgee River RC&D Council at 678-376-9518 or the NRCS Lawrenceville Service Center at 770-963-9288. 27TH GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR Sept. 17-19 Varous locations around Valdosta This tour spotlights South Georgia’s peanut production area, giving participants a variety of field conditions, peanut harvest clinics, production research, handling and grading, and on-farm demonstrations. Stops include the UGA Tifton Campus and the Georgia Department of Agriculture lab in Tifton. For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/nye84yl or call 229-3863470.
BEYOND THE FARM GATE SOCIAL MEDIA SEMINAR Sept. 24 UGA CAES Activity Center 8:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. Athens This free event, funded under a USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Grant, will help farmers gain the skills and knowledge they need to establish and maintain an effective online presence for their farm or ranch. To register, contact Chris Morgan at 706-542-7102 or acm@uga.edu. visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/aged/beyondthefarmgate/events.html. Registration deadline is Sept. 17.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 17th ANNUAL INMAN FARM HERITAGE DAYS Sept. 20-22 Minter’s Farm Inman See hundreds of antique tractors and engines and displays of almost-forgotten arts including threshing, pea shelling, sawmilling, cotton ginning, syrup making, quilting, weaving, broom making, printing, blacksmithing, moonshining, storytelling and more! Admission is free, though donations are appreciated. For info visit http://www.inmanfarm.com or call 770-461-2840. 2013 TRI-STATE PEANUT DISEASE TOUR Sept. 24-26 Multiple locations Tour stops include research plots in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The tour includes a stop at the UGA-Tifton Lang-Rigdon Farm on Sept. 25. Other stops include the University of Florida Citra Research Center on Sept. 24 and the Wiregrass Experiment Station in Headland, Ala., on Sept. 25. Meals will be served at the Georgia and Alabama stops. For information contact Albert Culbreath at spotwilt@uga.edu or call 229-386-3156. INTERNATIONAL AGRIBUSINESS CONFERENCE AND EXPO Sept. 25-26 Savannah International Trade & Convention Center Savannah This inaugural event will help farmers and businesses learn how to capitalize on the growing export market. Participants will be provided with information on the markets open to their products, how to export their goods and what exporting can do for their bottom lines. They also will have a chance to meet with international trade representatives. The conference’s main sponsor is Georgia Farm Bureau. For more information about the conference’s schedule, see http://www.iace.us.com. Registration is $190 in advance and $210 onsite. VIDALIA ONION REFERENDUM UNDERWAY A referendum to determine whether Vidalia onion producers favor the continuation of the Vidalia onion marketing order will be held through Sept. 27. To be eligible to vote, producers must have produced Vidalia onions within the designated production area during the period from Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2012. For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/jw9jd66 or contact Corey E. Elliott or Christian D. Nissen in the Agricultural Marketing Service Southeast Marketing Field Office by phone at 863-324-3375 or by email at Corey.Elliott@ams.usda.gov or Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov. 5TH ANNUAL LUKE BRYAN FARM TOUR Oct. 2 Perry’s Field Claxton Oct. 3 Wild Wind Farm Athens Oct. 4 Culler Farms Gaston, S.C. Oct. 5 Midway at Central City Park Macon Oct. 9 V-Plex Villa Rica Oct. 10 Ingram Farms Opelika, Ala. Oct. 11 Tallahassee Automobile Museum Tallahassee, Fla. Oct. 12 Valdosta Wake Compound Valdosta Country music artist and Lee County Farm Bureau member Luke Bryan embarks on his 2013 Farm Tour a series of concerts to benefit students from farm families. Each venue is near a university, and Bryan’s organization is sponsoring a college scholarship at each of them for a student from a farm family. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will fund the scholarships. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 26. For more information, visit http://www.lukebryan.com/farmtour.