Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016

www.gfb.org

Vol. 34 No. 16

GFB FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE HOLDS 2ND ANNUAL GALA Georgia Farm Bureau members and agribusiness stakeholders made their investment in the future of agriculture and witnessed some of it in action during the 2nd Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Gala.

The event, held April 16 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Hotel in Atlanta, raised money for the foundation, which supports GFB’s annual scholarship program and promotional grants for county Farm Bureaus across the state. More than 300 attended.

GFB Foundation Executive Director Katie Gazda welcomed the crowd, which featured guests from counties around the state.

GFB President Gerald Long thanked gala patrons.

“Let me say that your presence here this evening is a testimony to your dedication to Georgia Farm Bureau and now our foundation,” Long said. “For our organization, the foundation will allow us to expand our mission to support agriculture and our ag GFB President Gerald Long greets Levon communities. We have an opportunity to Redding of Walton County. utilize foundation resources to better tell our story and educate our children on the value and source of their food, fiber and fuel.”

Long recognized Candler County Farm Bureau for its $5,000 donation in memory of the late Bill Lanier, who served as GFB president from 1964 to 1970.

Gazda, who began work with the foundation in late January, provided an update on foundation activities, which included awarding scholarships to students pursuing college degrees in agricultural fields as well as technical college students in training to enter the ag workforce.

Included are scholarships for students planning to study food animal veterinary medicine at UGA. The foundation has hosted two education workshops in 2016 so far, with more scheduled, to help teachers bring agriculture into their classrooms, including publication of the Georgiaspecific Ag Mag. “When students at elementary schools are able to go home and tell their parents that they played a part in growing vegetables at their school and have an understanding that produce doesn’t grow on the shelves at the local grocery store, we know we are doing something right,” -continued

GFB News Alert page 2 of 12 Continued from previous page Gazda said.

In January, the GFB Foundation awarded 13 county Farm Bureaus with $350 grants in support of their agricultural literacy initiatives. One new project supported by the foundation is the GFB Speakers Bureau, a group of qualified people who make themselves available to talk about agriculture to local civic clubs, chambers of commerce and other organizations.

UGA Professor Bo Ryles, a member of the National 4-H Hall of Fame, served as Master of Ceremonies. Six members of Clovers & Co., Georgia 4-H’s performing arts group, provided the evening’s musical entertainment, wowing the crowd with hit songs by Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder and others.

Telfair County Farm Bureau President Neal Stanley conducting a charitable auction, selling off seven items, including a Big Green Egg grill, a Yeti cooler and a .22 rifle. The auction raised $3,775 for the foundation.

To make donations to the GFB Foundation visit http://www.gfbfoundation.org/.

GFB AG FOUNDATION AWARDS $53,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS A total of 26 students have been awarded scholarships for 2016 through the Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The scholarships recognize deserving and outstanding students pursuing college degrees in agricultural an environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or related fields.

The scholarship program was expanded this year to include more students. Previously only students preparing to enter college as freshmen were awarded scholarships. This year, awards were expanded to include students heading to technical colleges, rising college juniors and seniors and students preparing to enter the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus on food animals.

“We are excited that we were able to substantially increase our scholarship opportunities through the GFB Foundation for Agriculture,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “I am proud of the support our counties give to our young people. They are the future leaders in agriculture and they need the leadership from Farm Bureau to help prepare them for this role.”

Five students preparing to enter college as freshmen in the University System of Georgia or Berry College were awarded the Scholarship for Agriculture at $3, 000 each: Elizabeth Beacham of Colquitt County; Madison Marker of Johnson County; Jared Daniel of Oconee County; Savannah Austin of Butts County and Erin Ricks of Toombs County.

An additional seven students were awarded the Scholarship for Agriculture at $1,500 each: Justin Daniel, Oconee County; Sadie Lackey, Gilmer County; Morgan Hart, Colquitt County; Kassidy Griffin, Turner County; Seth Clary, Wayne County; Ron Johnson, Bacon County and Jacob Fowler, Glascock County.

Two students were awarded the Technical College Scholarship for Agriculture at $1,000 each: Dalton Keener and Jeffrey Crump, both of Rabun County.

The foundation awarded 10 $2,000 scholarships to college or university rising juniors and seniors: Ashley Smith, Clarke County; Bryan Tucker, Tift County; Casey Chastain, White County; Addie Tucker, Tift County; Samantha Strickland, Houston County; Jake Parker, Houston County; Mara McGurl, Clarke County; Brooke Helton, White County; Chris Crump, Banks County and Jarrett Williams, Appling County.

Two students were awarded the scholarship of $2,500 each for the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine: Seth Stowers of Dawson County and Rebekah Cochran of Worth County.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 12 UGA CAES WELCOMES DEAN PARDUE DURING G-DAY RECEPTION About 200 alumni, faculty, staff and students turned out in red and black to welcome Dr. Sam Pardue, the new dean and director of the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, during a tailgate reception held on the Athens campus before the G-Day Game April 16. Pardue started at UGA on March 14 after serving as associate dean and director of academic programs at North Carolina State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 2012 and chairing the North Carolina State poultry science department for seven years prior.

“Thank you for the privilege of being here, I do not take it lightly because so many good things have come out of this college,” Pardue said while addressing reception attendees.

“If you look at the impact this college has on not only our state but the world, whether it’s the new varieties of peanut cultivars being developed or the turf grass used for the Super Bowl or World Cup, this college is doing some truly impressive things.”

Pardue met with the CAES Alumni Board and committee Dr. Sam Pardue members during a morning meeting before the reception it sponsored. He shared that his wife, Stacy, who is a chaplain at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C., will join him in Athens at the end of her school year. The Pardues’ daughter, Caitlin, is about to graduate from Emory Law School, and their son, Taylor, works in finance in the San Francisco Bay area.

Pardue spent close to 30 years at North Carolina State where he earned his bachelor’s degree in poultry science and his master’s and doctoral degrees, both in physiology. During his time as a poultry researcher, he conducted research with $2.5 million in external funding and received three patents for his work.

“I would not have left that place for just any job and this is not just any job,” Pardue said. “I’m really impressed by the passion folks have for the college and for agriculture.”

Pardue, who grew up in a small town outside of Winston-Salem, N.C., shared how working on his uncles’ tobacco farm during the summer taught him important life lessons about hard work, faith and the importance of agriculture.

He asked CAES alumni to encourage 4-H and FFA students in their local communities to pursue careers in agriculture and attend the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to get their degree.

“If I do anything in my tenure here I want to provide a pathway to get students here who want to be here,” Pardue said. “For some students it will be money, for some students it will be helping them take SAT and ACT prep classes or it might be going two years to another institution and transferring in. I want to insure that a broad demographic of students have the opportunity to come to UGA.” Government regulations and restrictions on the use of new technology in agriculture are the two biggest challenges Pardue said he thinks agriculture faces.

“The way we can compete with countries overseas is due to our ability to develop and adopt new technology first, but if our technology pipeline dries up, there are folks in Brazil who will kick our behinds in terms of lower labor costs.”

GFB News Alert page 4 of 12 UGA VETERINARY TEACHING HOSPITAL SUPPORTS LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS The cattle industry in Georgia is a significant contributor to the state’s economy. This includes the production of nearly 1.7 billion pounds of milk a year and the management of 1 million beef cattle. According to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ 2014 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, the dairy and beef industries combined have the second highest commodity value in Georgia (behind poultry) with total farm gate values exceeding $1.5 billion.

Helping to safeguard these important commodities is the goal of the production medicine team at the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Members of the hospital’s production medicine team travel to dairy and beef operations throughout the state and work closely with producers and their veterinarians to improve herd health.

They also offer consulting services throughout the Southeast.

“Herd health is an essential component to the success of any dairy or beef cattle operation,” said one of the service’s veterinarians, Dr. Brent C. Credille, who specializes in large animal internal medicine and beef production medicine. “This ranges from any obvious illnesses in the herd to how well they are performing as a group. You can’t just look at one cow. You have to know how to evaluate the whole herd and make recommendations for improvement based on that.”

These recommendations not only help the owner’s operation to be more profitable in the long run, but they also help ensure the quality and safety of the final product—our food.

“We tend to take a fairly holistic approach,” Credille said. “We look at management practices, nutrition, the environment and genetics when trying to improve the quality of a herd rather than just relying on medical options.”

The production medicine team offers services including bull breeding soundness exams, evaluating herd management practices, reproductive evaluations, herd outbreak investigations, milk quality testing and herd improvement strategies.

The UGA Vet Teaching Hospital also has three other ambulatory services that can be of assistance when it comes to treating individual animals on the farm. The farm practice service, equine ambulatory and sports medicine service, and theriogenology (reproduction) service assist with horses, cattle, goats, alpaca and other farm animals, including smaller beef and dairy operations. These groups tend to service clients and farms more locally around the hospital and focus more on the individual animal and smaller herd health concerns in addition to providing 24/7 emergency care for their immediate practice area.

For more information, including cost of services, contact the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 706-542-3223.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 12 DUVALL: FARMS FACE INCREASED FINANCIAL PRESSURE In April 14 testimony before the House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said farmers are feeling the pain of the continued slump in commodity prices. Lower prices will affect income for all farmers and ranchers, Duvall said, but will have an even greater impact on new and young farmers who have not built up equity, are renting a significant portion of their land or are paying off equipment.

“The bottom line is that farmers and ranchers are being forced to tighten their belts and pay much closer attention to their financial situation,” Duvall told the subcommittee. “They will be in greater need of safety net and risk management programs than has been the case for some time— for some, since they started farming.”

Duvall pointed out some key commodity prices contributing to farmers’ struggles. For instance, cotton, which sold for 80 cents a pound just a few years ago, now brings prices in the 50-cent range. Likewise, milk that was selling for $20 or more per hundred pounds a couple years back now fetches $15 or $16.

Net farm income, which includes other factors like depreciation, inventory change and other non-cash costs, declined from $123 billion in 2013 to $56 billion in 2015 and is projected at $55 billion for 2016. Longer-term projections by the USDA leave net cash income averaging less than $80 billion for the coming decade and net farm income at less than $70 billion over the same period.

Duvall told lawmakers there were numerous things they could do to help the farm economy, including: approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership to raise overall farm income without adding to government spending; stopping the Waters of the U.S. rule, which places additional costs and burdens on farming; reversing spill prevention and control requirements that add costs without clear environmental benefit; and establishing a voluntary nation-wide labeling standard for genetically modified food to avoid a patchwork of state laws.

Duvall’s complete testimony is available online at http://tinyurl.com/duvalltestimony.

ORTHO TO ELIMINATE NEONICS FROM HOME & GARDEN PRODUCTS Ortho announced on April 12 that it would immediately begin to transition away from the use of neonicotinoid-based pesticides for outdoor use and announced a new partnership with the Pollinator Stewardship Council to help educate homeowners on the safe and appropriate use of pesticides.

Earlier this spring, Ortho expanded its selection of non-neonic based garden solutions.

Building on this process, the brand will eliminate the use of neonic active ingredients imidacloprid, clothianidin and dinotefuran by 2017.

Ortho and its parent company, ScottsMiracle-Gro, also announced a multi-year partnership with the Pollinator Stewardship Council, one of the nation's leading pollinator advocacy organizations and supporter of more than 550 beekeepers throughout the United States. The company has previously collaborated with the council to promote pollinator habitat, and the expanded partnership will develop homeowner education related to the responsible use of pesticides where pollinators can be found. That effort will use web, social media and other platforms to reach consumers. In January, ScottsMiracle-Gro also announced the Pollinator Promise, a program that will result in the creation of 75 pollinator gardens in cities throughout the U.S. this year. The program is part of the company's highly recognized GRO1000 Initiative, which has resulted in the creation of 790 community gardens thus far.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 12 USDA ADDS NEXT-GENERATION FAMILY MEMBERS TO DAIRY MPP The USDA announced on April 12 that dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program (MPP) can now update their production history when an eligible family member joins the operation, according to a USDA press release.

The voluntary program, established by the 2014 farm bill, protects participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below levels of protection selected by the applicant.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) published a final rule, which makes these changes effective on April 13. Any dairy operation already enrolled in the Margin Protection Program that had an intergenerational transfer occur will have an opportunity to increase the dairy operations production history during the 2017 registration and annual coverage election period.

The next election period begins on July 1, and ends on Sept. 30. For intergenerational transfers occurring on or after July 1, notification must be made to the FSA within 60 days of purchasing the additional cows. Each participating dairy operation is authorized one intergenerational transfer at any time of its choosing until 2018.

For $100 a year, dairy producers can receive basic catastrophic protection that covers 90 percent of milk production at a $4 margin coverage level. For additional premiums, operations can protect 25 to 90 percent of production history with margin coverage levels from $4.50 to $8, in 50-cent increments. Annual enrollment in the program is required in order to receive margin protection. The final rule also provides improved risk protection for dairy farmers that pay premiums to “buy-up” higher levels of coverage by clarifying that 90 percent of production is covered below the $4 level even if a lower percentage was selected above the $4 margin.

Earlier this year, FSA gave producers the opportunity to pay their premium through additional options including via their milk cooperative or handler. This rule facilitates those options and clarifies that the catastrophic level protection at $4 will always cover 90 percent of the production history, even if a producer selected a less than a 90 percent percentage for the buy-up coverage.

Assuming current participation, had the Margin Protection Program existed from 2009 to 2014, premiums and fees would have totaled $500 million while providing producers with $2.5 billion in financial assistance, nearly $1 billion more than provided by the old Milk Income Loss Contract program during the same period.

For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or stop by a local FSA office.

USDA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS The USDA making up to $44 million available to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new bio-based products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program.

Value-Added Producer Grants may be used to develop new products and create additional uses for existing ones. Priority for these grants is given to veterans, members of socially disadvantaged groups, beginning farmers and ranchers, and operators of small- and mediumsized family farms and ranches. Additional priority is given to applicants who seek funding for projects that will create or increase marketing opportunities for these types of operators.

More information on how to apply is on page 20607 of the April 8 Federal Register. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 1. Electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due June 24.

For more information about the Value-Added Producer Grants or to submit an application, visit http://tinyurl.com/VAPGrants.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 12 70TH ANNUAL SOUTHEASTERN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE April 26 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tifton Sod farmers, landscape professionals and sports turf managers interested in learning more about the turfgrass industry’s latest innovations are invited to attend this event, which will highlight recent turfgrass research on the UGA Tifton Campus, including, improving drought-resistant turfgrass and ways to reduce the amount of fertilizer needed to grow turfgrass, Industry experts and UGA faculty will provide updates on the progress made through the UGA turfgrass breeding program, discuss different pesticide and fungicide management tactics and share best management practices for turfgrass. The cost to attend is $100 for the full conference or $50 for the morning session only. Those interested can register at ugatiftonconference.org/events. For more questions about the conference, contact Brian Schwartz at 229-386-3272.

CHEORKEE COUNTY CANDIDATE FORUM May 3 Cagle’s Family Farm, 362 Stringer Road 6:30 p.m.

Canton This free forum, open to the general public, includes presentations from local, state and national candidates running for office in 2016. Each candidate running with opposition will have two minutes to speak if they have opposition. Those candidates with no opposition will be introduced. Questions from the audience will follow. Current elected officials will also be introduced. Everyone will have time to meet and greet before and after the event. Homemade ice cream will be served by Boy Scout Troup # 465. Soft drinks, water and peanuts will be provided

by Cherokee County Farm Bureau. Please RSVP by April 27 to the Cherokee County Farm Bureau Office sfpahl@gfb.org or 770-479-1481 ext. 0. The forum is sponsored by Cherokee County Farm Bureau, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and Cagle’s Family Farm.

2016 GRASSFED EXCHANGE CONFERENCE April 27-29 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This event features more than a dozen speakers who will cover numerous topics pertaining to pasture-based farming such as building soil health and regenerating unhealthy soils. The event will include tours of three Georgia grassfed livestock operations and the UGA Center for Sustainable Grazing Systems in Watkinsville. The Taste of the South will allow attendees to sample grassfed meats, dairy and local foods. Entertainment will be provided by Teddy Gentry and the Rockit City Band. For more information visit www.grassfedexchange.com, email info@grassfedexchange.com or call 256-996-3142.

GEORGIA FARM & EROSION CONTROL EXPO April 29 Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Rd. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Marietta This expo, sponsored in part by Cobb County Farm Bureau, provides a hands-on look at the latest in erosion and sedimentation control products. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall is scheduled to speak about the national ag outlook. Former Gov. Roy Barnes will speak on the importance of agriculture and soil conservation to local and state economies. The event includes live demonstrations and exhibits detailing innovations in erosion control. For more information visitwww.cobbswcd.org or call 404-307-2925 or 770-235-5662.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 12 GEORGIA 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 and who is the child or grandchild of a GCW member. This $1,500 scholarship is also payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. In the event there is no child or grandchild of a GCW member eligible for the GCW scholarship, the scholarship committee has the discretion to present the award to another qualified candidate. This scholarship is funded through the sales of the organization’s two cookbooks, Georgia Cotton Heritage Cookbook and the newly released Cooking in High Cotton. Applications are available at www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information, email Nancy Coleman at georgiacottonwomen@gmail.com or call 229-941-2930.

APRES SEEKING AWARD NOMINEES May 1 Deadline for nominations The American Peanut Research and Education Society is seeking nominees for special awards including service to the peanut industry, service to APRES, outstanding papers, outstanding research projects, education projects and outstanding graduate students. Awards will be presented at the organization’s annual meeting, to be held July12-14 in Clearwater, Florida.

Rules and nomination forms are available at www.apresinc.com under the member tab.

GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM AWARD May 1 deadline for recognition in 2016 The Georgia Centennial Farm Program recognizes centennial farm owners through one of three distinguished awards. The Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Applications for the 2016 awards must be postmarked by May 1. If you are interested in nominating a farm for recognition in 2016, visit www.georgiacentennialfarms.org to download an application or contact Lynn Speno at 770-389-7842 or lynn.speno@dnr.ga.gov.

NURSERY GROWERS’ CROP INSURANCE May 1 sales closing date The final date to apply for crop insurance coverage or to make changes to existing coverage is May 1 for nursery operators in Georgia. Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils such as wind, hurricane, and freeze. More information on nursery crop insurance is available at http://tinyurl.com/nurseryins. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2017 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 12 U.S. DISTRICT 3 CONGRESSIONAL FORUM May 2 Pike County School Auditorium 6:30 p.m.

Zebulon Co-Sponsored by Pike, Upson, Lamar, Spalding and Meriwether Farm Bureaus, this free forum is open to the general public. All candidates for the upcoming general election for U.S. Representative, Georgia District 3, have been invited to participate. Each candidate will be allowed a two-minute opening statement. There will be a question and answer period with time for a one-minute response. Each candidate will be allowed to make a two-minute closing statement. Everyone will have time to meet the candidates before and after the event. Soft drinks, water and peanuts will be provided.

PIKE COUNTY LOCAL CANDIDATES FORUM May 12 Pike County Assembly 6:30 p.m.

Zebulon This free forum is open to the general public. All candidates for the upcoming local election in Pike County have been invited to participate. Each Candidate will be allowed a two-minute opening statement. There will be a question and answer period with time for a one-minute response. Each candidate will be allowed to make a two-minute closing statement. Everyone will have time to meet the candidates before and after the event. Soft drinks, water and peanuts will be provided.

GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT CANDIDATES FORUM May 16 Pike County Assembly 6:30 p.m.

Zebulon Co-Sponsored by Pike, Upson and Spalding Farm Bureaus, this free forum is open to the general public. All candidates for the upcoming judicial election for the positions of superior court judge and district attorney have been invited to participate. Each candidate will be allowed a twominute opening statement. There will be a question and answer period with time for a oneminute response. Each candidate will be allowed to make a two-minute closing statement.

Everyone will have time to meet the candidates and after the event. Soft drinks, water and peanuts will be provided.

ABAC NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 12-16 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton More than $18,000 in college scholarships, back-to-nature field trips, and a true taste of college life will be on the line for students who attend this workshop, which targets students with a desire to learn more about Georgia’s natural resources and the opportunities and responsibilities these resources provide. !Experts will provide students with lectures and hands-on activities! to enhance their understanding of Georgia’s vital natural resources, including soil, water, air, plants, minerals, and animals. Tuition is $150 per student before May 2 and $175 afterward.

The final deadline for all applications is June 1. Tuition is often provided to the students by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), local businesses, and individuals. The workshop application and information is now available online at www.abac.edu/nrcw.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 12 2016 PICTURE AGRICULTURE IN GEORGIA PHOTO CONTEST May 4 Deadline for entries This contest is open to any Georgia Farm Bureau member who is an amateur photographer (receives no income from photography). GFB employees may enter as long as they have a current membership. Cash awards will be presented. The grand prize is $150 and 11 honorable mention winners will receive $75 each. The grand prize winning photograph will be featured on the cover of the 2017 GFB Young Farmer Calendar. Only digital photos that are a minimum of 1 megabyte (MB) in file size may be submitted with a limit of four photos per person. All photos must have been shot in Georgia during 2015 or 2016, and may not have been entered in any other contest. Photos altered in any way will not be judged. All photos become the property of GFB. Digital photos must be sent as a JPEG file attachment via email to yf@gfb.org by 4:30 p.m. on May 4. If children or people are included in photos, you must complete a Model Release Entry Form that must be received by GFB at the time of the deadline. Visit your county Farm Bureau office for contest rules, entry instructions and the Model Release Form, or visit the GFB website at www.gfb.org/photo.

JARRELL PLANTATION FIREWISE DAY May 7 Jarrell Plantation Historic Site 10:30am-3:30pm Juliette In celebration of National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, Jarrell Plantation will be partnering with local fire and safety organizations to share the importance of being prepared for wildfires. It’s never too late to learn about the risks of wildfires and how you can help.

Admission to Jarrell Plantation, located at 711 Jarrell Plantation Road is $6.50 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 62 and older, $4 children ages 6-17 and free for children younger than 6. For more information call 478-986-5172 or visit www.gastateparks.org/jarrellplantation.

2016 GFB YOUNG FARMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE July 13-16 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Registration is open for this conference, an annual highlight for young farmers from around the state. The conference is open to GFB members ages 18-35 and features educational workshops, competitive events and networking. The deadline to register is 4:30 p.m. on May 27. For more information contact GFB Young Farmer Coordinator Taylor Sills at 478-474-0679, ext. 5232 or trsills@gfb.org.

2016 GFB YOUNG FARMER COMPETITIVE EVENTS May 27 deadline to enter The GFB Young Farmer Committee is now accepting applications for the Young Farmer Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. Contest entries will be accepted through May 27 at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices. Finalists and winners for each of the competitive events will be named at the Young Farmer Leadership Conference. GFB members between the ages of 18-35 may apply for these awards. To be eligible to compete, the member must not turn 36 before Jan. 31, 2017. All rounds of the discussion meet will be held at the leadership conference. For more information on any of these awards or the conference, please visit http://www.gfb.org/yf or stop by your county Farm Bureau. The winner of each contest will compete on the national level at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, in January 2017.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 12 JARRELL PLANTATION FAMILY FARM DAY May 28 Jarrell Plantation Historic Site 10:30am-3:30pm Juliette The farm comes to life with volunteers demonstrating crafts and chores of the past. See the skills from long ago, such as sewing, blacksmithing, woodstove cooking, gardening, woodworking and many other farm activities. Admission to Jarrell Plantation, located at 711 Jarrell Plantation Road is $6.50 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 62 and older, $4 children ages 6-17 and free for children younger than 6.

For more information call 478-986-5172 or visit www.gastateparks.org/jarrellplantation.

18th ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 21-23 Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Miramar Beach, Fla. This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the conference sessions, the event offers a ladies program and a golf tournament. For information on registration and accommodations, visit http://tinyurl.com/16sopnutconf.

ONGOING FARM BUREAU-SPONSORED FARMERS MARKETS SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19 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 opening day on April 16 will feature an heirloom seed and plant swap. Market will be held rain or shine. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. 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.

COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays beginning May 24 Lost Mountain Park 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Powder Springs Cobb County Farm Bureau in cooperation with Cobb County Parks and Recreation will host this farmers market. CCFB Cobb County is offering vendor space to farmers, growers, and producers in Cobb and surrounding counties, with the goal of offering locally grown produce and food to the community and to engage the community about where their food comes from as well as support Cobb County farmers. Each vendor must be a member of Cobb County Farm Bureau or Georgia Farm Bureau. Vendor fees will be waived in lieu of this membership. Only direct growers and their agents will be approved – no resellers. Farm visits will be conducted and all licensing and state compliance will be required. The vendor application may be found at www.facebook.com/CobbCountyFarmBureau. For more information contact emailing Market Manager Sonia Lopez at twobytwofarms.@comcast.net or 770-608-1119 or Debbie Payne at dmpayne@gfb.org or 770-943-3531.

GFB News Alert page 12 of 12 PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Through Oct. 28 Thursdays 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 21 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org.

Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132.

DODGE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays Dodge County Courthouse 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Eastman This open-air market, sponsored in part by Dodge County Farm Bureau, features locally produced meats, vegetables, eggs and artisanal crafts. For more information contact market manager T.I. Papel at 478-374-5895 or tipapel@bellsouth.net, or visit www.facebook.com/dodgecountyfarmersmarket.