Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - April 5, 2017

GFB News Alert page 11 of 14 2017 FORAGE FIELD DAY April 17 Camp Twin Lakes 4 p.m.

Rutledge This field day, hosted by the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association, will cover weed identification, fencing systems and pasture management, grazing management and more. One hour of pesticide credit will be available. Registration is $5 at the door and includes dinner. RSVP by noon on April 7 by calling the Morgan County Extension office at 706-342-2214.

‘GEE HAW WHOA BACK’ RODEO April 7-8 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Arena Tifton Spectators will be entertained with riveting competition during this Professional Cowboy Association-sanctioned rodeo, which begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Gates open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for children 6 – 12 years old and free to ABAC students and children five years old and under. Rodeo tickets will be sold in advance and at the gate on the two days of the event. The rodeo is a part of a week-long series of events on April 3 - 9 designed for students, alumni and the general public. For more information on rodeo tickets or the Homecoming Week, interested persons can contact the ABAC Office of College Advancement at 229-391-4900 or go to www.abac.edu/homecoming.

USDA VALUE ADDED GRANT WORKSHOP April 10 Georgia Farm Bureau 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Macon This free workshop is presented by USDA Rural Development, The University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, and The Center of Innovation for Agribusiness with support from Georgia Farm Bureau. The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of biobased, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of this program. Independent producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and producer-owned business ventures, including non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. The workshop will cover tips from successful grant writers, feasibility studies and services provided by the Center of Innovation for Agribusiness. While there is no cost to attend, pre-registration by April 5 is required to guarantee lunch. To register visit http://tinyurl.com/2017VAPG. FORT VALLEY STATE HAM & EGG BREAKFAST & GA AG SHOWCASE April 12 Fort Valley State University Pettigrew Center 8 a.m.

Fort Valley The public is invited to attend this annual event, during which legislators will interact with guests, describe their initiatives and explain their positions on current issues. Elected officials at the local, state and national levels have been invited to attend. Cost is $10. For more information, contact Joy-Moten-Thomas at 478-825-6954 or thomasb@fvsu.edu.

56th ANNUAL PEANUT SEED SHORT COURSE April 20 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton The Georgia Crop Improvement Association (GCIA) is hosting this event. Attendees may receive 3 hours of pesticide credit in Category 21/plant agriculture or 1 hour of pesticide credit in Category 10/private applicator from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Speakers will discuss the following topics: peanut market forecast, the GCIA field inspection process, peanut sustainability initiatives, peanut production update, the Georgia Federal State Inspection Service, the state seed lab and peanut disease management. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Friday, April 14 via email at joy.cooper@georgiacrop.com or call 706-542-2351.