Georgia Farm Bureau's Leadership Alert - April 20, 2011

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 NATIONAL BEEF COOK-OFF ENTRY DEADLINE April 30 is the deadline for entering the 29th National Beef Cook-Off. Submit your best beef recipes for a chance to win up to $25,000 in cash and a trip to the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington D.C., in November. The contest is open to legal United States residents who are 18 years of age or older as of February 1. Entries must be the original recipe of the entrant. The contest is a national search for extraordinary recipes that demonstrate the benefits and versatility of cooking with beef via four contest categories: the 5:30 p.m. dinner crunch, retro recipes, fuel up with beef and stir-crazy solutions.

Visit http://www.beefcookoff.org/aboutcontest.aspx to enter or for more information.

GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATION DEADLINE May 1 The Georgia Centennial Farm Program was created to draw attention to historic farms and to encourage their preservation. Nominees must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres actively involved in agricultural production or generate at least $1,000 in annual income. In addition, farms must be continuously farmed for at least 100 years and owned by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Centennial Farms are honored each October at a special award ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia. Since 1993, the program has recognized 379 farms around the state.

The Centennial Farm Program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia Forestry Commission; and the Georgia National Fair and Agricenter. Applications are available on HPD's Web site at http://hpd.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=119.For more information, contact Centennial Farm Awards Committee Chair, Steven Moffson at 404-651-5906 or steven.moffson@dnr.state.ga.us 3rd ANNUAL ST. JUDE BENEFIT TRACTOR RIDE May 7 Charles Hughes farm 10:30 a.m.

Macon County This 20-mile ride is a fundraiser for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Riders will pay a $25 entry fee per tractor. For more information contact Neil Skipper at 478-286-1940 or James Emory Tate at 912-375-8367.

GEORGIA CORN CHECKOFF UNDERWAY The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Corn is holding a reaffirmation vote on its corn checkoff until May 10. The funds collected from this checkoff are strictly for research, education and promotion of corn. Producers growing corn for grain commercially sold within the state pay a one cent per bushel assessment collected when the corn is sold. First handlers are responsible for deducting the checkoff and remitting it to the commission on behalf of the producers. Producers growing sweet or fresh corn, silage corn or corn for on-farm use are exempt from the checkoff. Only producers who grew corn in 2010 are eligible to vote. Producers who receive a ballot but did not grow corn last year should indicate this on the ballot and return it. Eligible producers who did not receive a ballot may contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-656-3678.

MONROE COUNTY H.E.R.D SALE May 12 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m.

Monroe County More than 60 bred heifers will be for sale during the event. 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. For more information call Monroe County’s Extension office at 478- 994-7014 or e-mail uge2207@uga.edu or visit http://www.ugaextension.com/monroe.