April 15, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 15
GFB SUBMITS COMMENTS ON DIETARY GUIDELINES REPORT Saying the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee goes beyond the committee’s designated scope of work, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall submitted comments on the committee’s scientific report on April 8. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the USDA released the scientific report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on Feb. 23. Public comments, originally scheduled to close on April 8, have been extended to May 8. In particular, Duvall expressed GFB’s concern over the inclusion of a section on sustainability in the report. “Due to the influential nature of the dietary guidelines, it is imperative that the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture base the guidelines on well-established, widely accepted scientific evidence,” Duvall wrote, noting that the report strongly suggests the committee would base dietary guidelines on more than health and nutrition considerations. Further, the sustainability section is based on the perspective of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), whose 2006 report “Livestock’s Long Shadow” has provided the basis for innumerable attacks against the livestock and poultry industries despite serious and welldocumented flaws in the FAO report. The report references other studies on sustainability that present negative views of U.S. commercial agriculture. Duvall also pointed out that past dietary guidelines have included lean meat as a part of a healthy diet, but the 2015 report has no such statement. “The committee’s focus on sustainability is inappropriate given the purpose and scope of the dietary guidelines,” Duvall wrote. “Based on the widely recognized role that meat and dairy can play in a healthy diet, we urge USDA and HHS to restore the positive statements about these products that have been common in dietary guidelines of the past.” On March 31 Rep. Vicky Hartzler wrote to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack expressing disappointment in the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report and asking that the agencies ensure that the final guidelines are based on sound nutritional science. The letter was signed by an additional 70 members of Congress, including Georgia Reps. Buddy Carter (R-1st District), Austin Scott (R-8th District) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-3rd District). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans was first published in 1980 and has been updated every five years since. It has been used as the basis for federal nutrition policy, education, outreach and food assistance programs used by consumers, industry, nutrition educators and health professionals.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 GA PECAN GROWERS GET UPDATE ON PROPOSED MARKETING ORDER Georgia pecan growers attending the Georgia Pecan Growers Association’s 50th Annual Conference held March 24-26 in Perry heard research, trade and marketing updates from numerous pecan experts. One of the hot topics was a progress report on efforts to establish a federal marketing order intended to increase consumer demand for pecans in the U.S. For about a year and a half, the American Pecan Board (APB) has been working to establish the marketing order in hopes it will increase consumer awareness of and demand for pecans. Living in Georgia, where the majority of U.S. pecans are produced, it’s hard to imagine anyone not having tasted a pecan or having several bags in the freezer. But, the reality is, a lot of work needs to be done to put pecans on the minds of consumers. Consumers living in the 15 states where pecans are commercially produced are familiar with the nut. However, many consumers aren’t aware of pecans or don’t buy them as often outside the commercial growing region that stretches along the U.S. southern border from North Carolina to California and includes Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. “Consumers outside the 15 production states don’t know about pecans. I can testify to this because I’m in Utah, and I didn’t know about fresh pecans until I started working on this project,” Melissa Schmaedick, a senior marketing specialist with the USDA Marketing Order Administration Division, told pecan growers attending a session about the proposed order. “You guys have a great story to tell.” The APB Board of Directors, a volunteer, unpaid board of growers and shellers representing the three growing regions – Southeast, Central and Western – of the U.S. pecan growing belt, has served as the steering committee for establishing the order. APB President Mike Adams, a grower from Caldwell, Texas, believes establishing a federal marketing order is essential to ensuring the future growth of the pecan industry. “As good as the folks are that work for us on the state and regional level, our industry doesn’t have any professional staff that works for the entire industry 12 months out of the year,” Adams said. “This is a self-help program for the pecan industry. This will give us an opportunity to exert some influence on what is going on in our industry. This is a way we as pecan stakeholders can influence our own future.” Adams and Schmaedick outlined the process of establishing a pecan marketing order and the work the APB has accomplished to hold a referendum in which pecan growers will vote to decide if they want to establish the order. The APB is aiming to submit a proposed draft of the marketing order to the USDA in May, Adams said. The next step will be to hold three public hearings in each of the U.S. pecan growing regions during which pecan industry stakeholders can give feedback. The hearings are tentatively set to be held in September, Schmaedick said, at locations that will allow as many stakeholders to attend as possible. The USDA is looking at holding a referendum in September 2016. For the marketing order to pass, either two-thirds of the qualified growers voting must vote in favor of the order or the number of favorable votes cast by growers must represent two-thirds of the production volume voting Schmaedick explained. According to the APB proposal, qualified growers would be defined as those producing a minimum of 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans during a production year or owning a minimum of 30 pecan acres as recognized by the Farm Service Agency, Schmaedick said. -continued, next page
GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 -continued While qualified growers will be the only segment of the industry to cast votes to determine if they want to implement a marketing order, both qualified growers and shellers would serve on the council that would oversee the order. If the referendum passes, qualified growers and shellers from each of the three growing regions would nominate their respective peers as potential council members. Small growers and shellers as well as large growers and shellers would be represented on the council. After receiving the industry nominations, the Secretary of Agriculture would appoint the council members. The first council would be seated in 2017, and then that council would propose assessment rates. After receiving public comments on proposed assessment rates and marketing order regulations, the final rules could be in place in time for the 2017 growing season. Pecan handlers – defined as industry members who receive, shell, crack, roast, accumulate, warehouse, pack, sell, consign, transport, export or ship or in any other way put inshell or shelled pecans into the current of commerce – would not vote to determine if the marketing order is passed, but they would hold seats on the order council and would be responsible for remitting the order assessment that will be used to fund the activities approved by the council. All assessment funds would be used to benefit the U.S. pecan industry. “The cost of the assessment that the handler remits may be reflected in the price he pays to the grower for his product, but as the demand for pecans increases as a result of the marketing order, then the higher price will enable the handler to pay the grower more,” Adams said. “It is simple economics – consumer demand goes up, shellers get more for their pecan kernels, and growers get more for their pecans.” While final assessment rates won’t be determined until after the referendum is passed and the council is seated, preliminary proposed rates for three categories of pecans are: 1-2 cents/inshell pound for native varieties; 1-2 cents/inshell pound for sub-standard pecans and 2-3 cents/inshell pound for improved varieties. “Catching the vision of what we can be is important. Sixty years ago the pecan industry was larger than the almond industry. Today, almonds are a 33 times larger industry than they were 60 years ago,” Adams said. “In these 60 years almonds have quadrupled their price – a real world example that marketing works.” To learn more about the proposed marketing order visit www.pecanboard.com.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 WOTUS RULE SENT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET FOR REVIEW The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule was sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on April 3 for review, the last step before the rule is released as a final rule. The review will be conducted by OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which is given 90 days to complete the review. That period can be extended indefinitely by the head of the rulemaking agency (in this case, the EPA and/or Corps of Engineers), and the OMB director is allowed a one-time extension of no more than 30 days. There is no minimum review period. Because of the controversial nature of the WOTUS rule, some observers think an extension is likely, though the EPA has indicated it plans to publish the final rule in the Federal Register this spring. The rule would take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has shared its concerns with OMB about the rule, and AFBF and Georgia Farm Bureau support legislation to block or reform the rule. According to the OMB website, the office is tasked with coordination and review of all significant federal regulations by executive agencies, to reflect presidential priorities and to ensure that economic and other impacts are assessed as part of regulatory decision-making, along with review and assessment of information collection requests. BAYER OPENS BREEDING/TRAIT DEVELOPMENT FACILITY IN N.C. Bayer CropScience celebrated the grand opening for its Breeding and Trait Development Station in Pikeville, N.C., on April 1. The $6.3 million state-of-the-art facility is part of the company’s commitment to extend its investment in research and development, in addition to efforts to expand production capacities and seed processing facilities. Situated on more than 150 acres, the facility will identify, test and develop new cotton and soybean varieties for the midAtlantic and Southern United States agriculture markets through modern breeding methods. The Breeding and Trait Development Station at Pikeville is the first of several Bayer CropScience breeding stations throughout North and South America and the first to combine work on two crops. The facility will support the development and testing of Bayer CropScience’s FiberMax and Stoneville cotton varieties and Credenz soybeans for the mid-Atlantic region, utilizing high-performing, smart technology genetics in a wide range of varieties, in order to offer growers a new, more advanced choice to maximize yields and quality. These efforts will also evaluate the quality and yield of cotton and soybeans. Yield improvement for cotton will be the primary focus at the Breeding and Development Station at Pikeville, while Bayer CropScience strives to deliver the improved fiber quality increasingly demanded by cotton merchants globally. The facility, with eight full-time and five to 10 contractors and seasonal staff, consists of four new buildings on a renovated former Bayer Healthcare site, including a 4,227-square-foot office building, a 13,057-square-foot processing building, a 13,904-square-foot equipment barn and an outdoor pavilion. Previous site buildings were removed to accommodate new construction, and 86 percent of all materials from the demolition were recycled. To add to site sustainability efforts, all lighting is strictly automated LED lights, with seed dryers that run on solar energy.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 FOOD LABELING BILL INTRODUCED IN U.S. HOUSE A bill introduced in the U.S. House on March 25 would set a science-based national standard for labeling of genetically engineered foods. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Reps. Mike Pompeo, (R-Kan.), and G. K. Butterfield, (D-N.C.) and has 20 cosponsors, including Georgia Rep. David Scott (D-13th District). The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (H.R. 1599) will ensure that America’s farmers will continue to be able to innovate and improve the quality and quantity of their crops and provide nutritious, affordable food on families’ tables both here and across the world, according to a joint press release from Pompeo and Butterfield. The bill mirrors H.R. 4432 introduced last year, with a modification that gives responsibility of voluntary labeling to the USDA, which would put the bill under the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture Committee. The bill aims to avoid a patchwork of state labeling laws for genetically modified organisms (GMO) that could mislead consumers and increase food prices for families. According to the Coalition for Safe, Affordable Food, of which the American Farm Bureau Federation is a member, mandatory labeling is likely to affect trade and result in higher costs for food production that would ultimately be passed on to consumers. According to the bill’s sponsors, the measure preserves the FDA’s role in food safety while respecting consumers’ desire to know what’s in their food. To that end, the bill includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so through a USDA-accredited certification process. TWO GEORGIA COMPANIES APPROVED FOR AGRICULTURAL DRONE USAGE Two Georgia companies have received clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for agricultural imaging and data collection services. Vision Services Group (VSG) of Norcross and Phoenix Aviation Unmanned of Cartersville were notified in late March that the FAA had granted their requests for exemptions under FAA rules governing UAS use. The exemptions are good for two years. VSG’s exemption request, submitted in August 2014 and granted on March 24, was for the purpose of collecting data for use by agronomists, crop consultants and forestry professionals. The company indicated it would operate only in unpopulated areas. Phoenix Air’s exemption request was submitted in September 2014 and granted on March 26. The company plans to operate UAS to conduct aerial services for a variety of industries and applications, including precision agriculture, wildlife and forestry monitoring and aerial surveying. In each case the FAA determined that the exemption is in the public interest, noting that UASgathered data helps agricultural operations improve efficiency in the use of farm inputs and reduce costs, as well as safety advantages UAS hold over much larger manned aircraft which carry larger quantities of flammable fuel.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Thursdays April 16-Nov. 20 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmers Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132. HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4-7 p.m. Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332. SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this monthly open-air market that will allow local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Each month’s market will have a different theme. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. The farm is unique for its collection of intact historic buildings that exist in their original location and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online. NEWTON COUNTY AG DAY ON THE SQUARE April 18 On the Square 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Covington This event, sponsored by the Newton County Farm Bureau Young Farmers, features a modern and antique tractor show and lots of family fun. For more information, contact NCFB Office Manager Crystal Powell at 770-786-7201. UGA HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE April 21 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center 2:30 p.m. Irwinville For more information contact Dr. Jacob Segers at 229-386-3214 or by email at jacobs@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or by email at ptcannon@uga.edu.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 USDA CONDUCTING SORGHUM REFERENDUM The USDA is conducting a referendum regarding the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff Program through April 21. Ballots may be obtained in person, by mail or facsimile at county FSA offices or via the Internet. Any eligible person engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014, is eligible to participate. Individuals are required to provide documentation such as a sales receipt or remittance form that shows they engaged in the production or importation of sorghum. The assessment is 0.006 cents per $100 of sorghum sold. Sorghum grown for on-farm use is not subject to the assessment. For more information, contact USDA Marketing Specialist Craig Shackelford at 3470-315-4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov. Procedures and additional information about the referendum can be found at: www.ams.usda.gov/SorghumReferendum. GRAFTING CLINIC FOR PECAN FARMERS Apr. 21 UGA Ponder Farm 10:00 AM – noon Tifton Georgia pecan farmers can learn the art of grafting during a free clinic, hosted by University of Georgia Extension horticulturist Lenny Wells. Two grafting types – bark and “banana” – will be covered. For more information, contact Wells at lwells@uga.edu. UGA EXTENSION, USDA GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOPS April 23 Fort Valley State University 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fort Valley The process of applying for federal grants can be daunting, but extra funding can help farmers diversify their farms or make them more sustainable or profitable. UGA Extension is working with the USDA to host this workshop to help farmers apply for grants through the USDA programs. The workshop is free to attend but there is a limit of 50 participants. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=5404 for more information. 38TH ANNUAL VIDALIA ONION FESTIVAL April 23-26 Various locations Vidalia This festival celebrating Georgia’s official state vegetable includes an air show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant, country band Lonestar in concert, the Golden Onion professional chef competition, the Vidalia Onion Recipe Contest and much more. For more information visit www.vidaliaonionfestival.com. 16TH ANNUAL PANHANDLE FARM MULE DAY April 25 Panhandle Farm 9 a.m. Reynolds The heritage of breaking farmland with mules comes to life for the whole family to enjoy at this free event. Various mule clubs and individuals will give live mule plowing demonstrations. Antique engines, tractors and implements will also be on display. A local church will sell lunch and refreshments. Event includes live entertainment. Take GA Hwy. 128 west out of Roberta to Hwy. 137, turn right onto Hwy. 137, then left onto Milton Lowe Road and follow signs to farm. For more information call Steve Montgomery at 478-837-1044.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 10 GA COTTON WOMEN TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR COTTON SCHOLARSHIPS May 1 Deadline to apply The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable onethird each quarter or one-half each semester. The Georgia Cotton Women Scholarship is presented annually to the child or grandchild of a Georgia cotton producer or a cotton industry employee. This $1,500 scholarship is also payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. The Georgia Cotton Women Scholarship is funded through the sales of the organization’s two cookbooks, Georgia Cotton Heritage Cookbook and the newly-released Cooking in High Cotton. Applicants for both scholarships must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average to receive the scholarship the following term. Applications are available at www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information email Nancy Coleman at georgiacottonwomen@gmail.com or call 229-941-2930. MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 2 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m. Forsyth This sale will feature about 85 bred heifers. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPDs, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily gain. All heifers will sell confirmed safe in calf to calving ease Angus bulls. For more information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email at uge2207@uga.edu. Information about the sale is also available at www.ugaextension.com/monroe. GEORGIA OLIVE PRODUCERS ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE May 14 The Threatte Center 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lakeland This meeting will provide a wide range of information to growers and potential new growers from researchers, support industries and government agencies working in the expansion of the olive oil industry in Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. Registration is $75 for members and $150 for non-members. Event includes a farm tour and a silent auction to support UGA olive research. A pre-conference supper will be held Wednesday night that is $50. To register, visit http://georgiaolivegrowers.com. For more information contact Vicki Hughes at 229-300-9931 or georgiaolivegrowers@gmail.com. 2015 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 14-16 Young Harris College 8 a.m. each day Young Harris This event, one of the most comprehensive beekeeping educational events in the Southeast, offers classes for beekeepers at all levels of experience and the annual honey show. May 14 is dedicated training and certification exams for journeymen and master beekeeper qualifications, as well as the Welsh honey judge training, the first licensing program for honey judges in North America. May 15 and 16 provide training and certification, including individual and colony biology, pathogens and parasites, and much more. Registration fee for ages 18 and older is $130 for May 15, $110 for May 16 and $220 for both days. For ages 17 and under, fees are $65 for May 15, $55 for May 16 and $110 for both days. Two-day registration and additional fees apply for advanced courses and exams on May 16. Space is limited and classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit www.ent.uga.edu/Bees/young-harris/index.html.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays May 16-Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS SEMINAR May 20 W.C. Bradley Company, 107 Front Ave. Columbus This one-day seminar, sponsored by the Chattahoochee Valley Land Trust, the Georgia Land trust and the Alabama Land Trust, includes sessions on the basics of conservation easements, the donation process, legal issues, tax credits, appraisals and more. Lunch is included with registration, which is $30 ($20 for Rotary members). Continuing forestry education credits are available with an additional fee of $100. To register, visit www.conservationeasements.eventzilla.net or contact Paige Swift at 706-718-3324 or pswift@galandtrust.org. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 26 NW GA Research & Education Center 6 p.m. Calhoun For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or via email at pworley@uga.edu. UGA HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 27 NW GA Research & Education Center 12:30 p.m. Calhoun For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or via email at jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or via email at pworley@uga.edu. 6TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST KIKO GOAT ASSOCIATION ROUNDUP & SALE June 5 & 6 GA National Fairgrounds Perry This event kicks off on June 5 with registration at 8 a.m. and free seminars delivered by goat experts starting at 9 a.m. and running through 4:30 p.m. Topics to be covered are: Integrated Parasite Management by Dr. Fred Brown that will include a hands-on training in the FAMACHA system of identifying and treating parasite infection in goats; a forage seminar by Richard Petcher; Biosecurity in Meat Goat Operations by Dr. Maria Browning; Differences in Genetic Management for Seedstock & Commercial Herds by Dr. Richard Browning. The Southeast Kiko Goat Association (SEKGA) will have a business meeting at 5:30 p.m. on June 5 followed by a goat dinner at 6:30 p.m. An auction to benefit the association will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, from 8 to 11 a.m., attendees may view Kiko goats that will be sold in the breeding stock sale at noon along with visiting farm displays and other industry vendors. Attendees may register for sale buyer numbers from 8 a.m. to noon. 4-H and FFA members will compete in a Meat Goat Skill-A-Thon Competition from 9-10:30 a.m. to win a donated doe. Two seminars will be offered Saturday morning: Brent Ballinger will discuss “Building A Meat Goat Business Plan” from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Dr. Nar Gurung will address “Year-Round Grazing & Browsing Management of Goats” from 9:45-10:45 a.m. For more information visit www.sekga.us or contact SEKGA President Marilyn Seleska at 229-263-7977 or springacres@windstream.net.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 10 ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Beginning June 6 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public. Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact RDCFB Office Manager Susanne Bell at shbell@gfb.org or call 770-922-3566. UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Every Saturday June 6 – Oct. 31 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Tuesday June 9 – Oct. 27 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com or 706-439-6043. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 7-11 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton The camp, for rising 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students with a desire to learn more about Georgia’s natural resources and the opportunities and responsibilities these resources provide, focuses on the value, protection and conservation of Georgia’s wildlife, forestry, soil and water resources. Tuition is $150 for students who register by May 1 and $175 for those who register after May 1. The deadline to register is May 28. Georgia natural resources experts in a variety of fields will lead classroom and field trip activities to help interested young people learn the basic principles and the responsible use of natural resources. For more information, visit www.abac.edu/nrcw or contact your local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division or UGA Cooperative Extension Service. 17TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 23-25 Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the numerous conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. For more information visit http://www.southernpeanutfarmers.org/spgc.asp. GEORGIA STATE TRAIL RIDE AND CHUCKWAGON COOK-OFF Aug. 8 Hard Labor Creek State Park Rutledge This inaugural event is sponsored by the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine, the Georgia State Parks, Georgia Grown and Georgia Farm Bureau. For more information contact John Clements at 478-298-0347 or tiejc@bellsouth.net.