Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - February 7, 2018

February 7, 2018

www.gfb.org

Vol. 36 No. 3

AG FORECAST SERIES: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR FARMERS The overall takeaway from the 2018 Georgia Ag Forecast series is that the state’s economic outlook for farmers presents a mixed bag. University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences economists expect rising prices for some farm commodities, declines in others. And the national political landscape leaves funding for farm programs – both in the short term and the long term – in limbo.

“There is a lot of good news out there,” said UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development Director Kent Wolfe during the Feb. 5 installment at Georgia Farm Bureau in Macon. “Unemployment is down. Wages are growing. There is increasing per capita income, and the consumer segment of our economy really drives the economy as a whole going forward.”

Wolfe, who presented the forecast for livestock producers, said consumers are buying more beef, pork and broilers, but more is available.

“We’re going to see an increase of protein on the market of Kent Wolfe about 3.8 percent,” Wolfe said. “When we think about supplies going up like that, it’s going to have a negative, or downward pressure on the price of those commodities. We are looking forward to continued domestic consumption growth and exports are expected to continue as well, but we need to make sure that our production doesn’t outstrip our demand, or we’ll see prices stall.”

Wolfe said demand for dairy products is declining, and with growing production could result in declining prices received by dairymen.

UGA Extension Economist Don Shurley presented the outlook for field crops Notably, the 2017 cotton crop ended up better than expected after hurricanes ravaged key cotton-producing states, including Georgia. Exports are growing, and China is approaching the point at which the difference between what it produces and what its textile manufacturers need dictates either an increase in that country’s cotton acreage or relaxing its cap on imported cotton.

“When that happens, if we have a good crop here and have good available supply, we’ll be able -continued on next page

GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 Continued from previous page to meet that demand,” Shurley said.

Shurley also discussed a developing situation with federal farm programs, specifically the ramifications of cotton provisions in the Supplemental Disaster Assistance bill the U.S. House passed in December. The bill includes a provision that would allow seed cotton (harvested cotton that has yet to be ginned) to be a covered commodity and eligible for farm bill commodity support programs effective for the 2018 crop.

The measure is intended to provide short-term relief for cotton farmers, who have struggled with long-term low lint prices. As proposed, the bill would require farmers to convert generic base acres, which are pre-2014 farm bill cotton base acres, to exclusively seed cotton base or a combination of seed cotton and other crop base depending on a farm’s planting history. Under the 2014 farm bill, famers were given the flexibility to plant other covered commodities, like peanuts, on generic base acres. If the disaster bill ends up being signed into law, farmers will have less flexibility and will need to decide which of the two options will work best the 2018 crop year.

“If we do away with generic base, there will be no more of that,” Shurley said. “So farmers will be back to planting for just the market. You’re not going to go out and plant thinking you’re going to get an ARC (Agricultural Risk Coverage) or PLC (Price Loss Coverage) payment on those acres, because you won’t.”

The Supplemental Disaster Assistance is waiting consideration in the Senate. If that continues much longer, Shurley said, it could leave farmers to make planting decisions without knowing whether it passed, and not knowing how they should use acreage designated as generic base under the 2014 farm bill.

“I think the seed cotton program is a good program, and well thought out,” Shurley said. “The uncertainty is for timing and when it will take place.”

EPA, ARMY FINALIZE WOTUS DELAY RULE On Jan. 31, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army finalized a rule adding an applicability date to the 2015 Clean Water Rule (the 2015 Rule), according to a join press release from the two agencies. This rule provides clarity and certainty about which definition of “Waters of the United States” is applicable nationwide in response to judicial actions that could result in confusion. The new applicability date is Feb. 6, 2020, until which time both agencies will continue the process of reconsidering the 2015 Rule.

The 2015 Rule, which redefined the scope of where the Clean Water Act applies, had an effective date of Aug. 28, 2015. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit’s nationwide stay halted implementation of the 2015 Rule. On Jan. 22, the Supreme Court determined the U.S. Courts of Appeals do not have original jurisdiction to review these challenges, and therefore, the Sixth Circuit lacked authority to issue a stay.

The final date of applicability rule is separate from the two-step process the agencies are currently taking to reconsider the 2015 Rule. The public comment period for the Step 1 rule proposing to rescind the 2015 Rule closed in September 2017, and those comments are currently under review by the agencies. EPA and the Army are also in the process of reviewing input from state, local, and tribal governments and other stakeholders as they work to develop a proposed Step 2 rule that would revise the definition of “waters of the United States.”

GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 GA VEGETABLE GROWERS TO VOTE ON CONTINUATION OF ASSESSMENT Georgia vegetable growers have the opportunity to vote on renewing the grower assessment, which funds the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Vegetables. The Commission is charged by law with providing programs of research, promotion and education on behalf of the state’s vegetable growers.

Most of the funds received by the commission are committed to research projects on topics related to vegetable cultivation to provide growers with the latest information and production techniques. Some of the funded research projects include fumigant studies, weed, disease and nematode control, whitefly control, cultivar evaluation and irrigation management. The commission also funds projects for promotion of Georgia vegetables in various markets.

Voting by eligible vegetable growers with 50 or more acres in total annual production of the following crops - beans, bell pepper, specialty pepper, broccoli, beets, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, greens (including collards, turnip greens, mustard and kale), squash (including yellow, zucchini and winter squash), sweet potato and tomato - will take place through March 2. Growers should receive a ballot in the mail. If a grower does not receive a ballot, contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-586-1405. All ballots must be postmarked prior to midnight, March 2 to be counted.

DOUG BAILEY NAMED CAES ASSISTANT DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS On Jan. 1, Doug Bailey became the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences’ assistant dean for academic affairs. As part of his new role, Bailey will lead academic program development, student recruitment and retention. He’ll also develop learning assessment programs for the college.

“The college is pleased to have a faculty member with Dr. Bailey’s experience and commitment to students join our academic affairs team,” said Josef Broder, CAES associate dean for academic affairs.

Bailey has served as head of the CAES horticulture department since 1999, when he came to Athens from North Carolina State University’s horticulture department.

Prior to receiving his master’s and doctoral degrees in horticulture at Purdue University, Bailey received his bachelor’s degree in horticulture Doug Bailey from UGA in 1980.

Before turning his attention toward administration, Bailey conducted research focused on greenhouse production of ornamental plants and floriculture.

“This is a wonderful opportunity,” Bailey said. “Our college has excellent academic programs and the faculty and staff involved with teaching are outstanding.”

Bailey will continue to serve as head of the horticulture department until a new permanent department head is named.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 2ND DISTRICT CATTLE SHOW PREPARES EXHIBITORS, PROMOTES GFB Brandon Boling of Banks County and Madyson McDaniel of Jackson County won the top prizes in the 9th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau 2nd District Young Farmer Steer & Heifer Show Jan. 20 at the White County Agriculture Center. About 300 people attended and watched 83 students compete in the event, held to help cattle exhibitors in the district continue developing their showmanship skills between the Georgia National Fair in October and the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show in February.

The district uses the show to introduce exhibitors to Farm Bureau membership and the GFB Young Farmer program in hopes of encouraging students to get involved with their county Young Farmer Committees when they turn 18.

Boling won the $300 prize for Grand Champion Steer with his Shorthorn steer. McDaniel won the $300 prize for Supreme Champion Heifer with her Percentage Simmental heifer.

Jolie Nicholson of Stephens County received the $200 prize for Reserve Champion Steer with her Limousin steer. Jesse Cronic of Jackson County won the $200 prize for Supreme Reserve Champion Heifer with his Angus heifer.

Each of the students who competed received a GFB membership brochure, a GFB Young Farmer calendar and a souvenir t-shirt designed by Franklin County Young Farmer Heather Cabe.

The prizes for the show awards were funded by donations from 2nd District county Farm Bureaus, county presidents and insurance agents. The cutting boards were donated by Lew’s Personalized Cutting Board’s owned by GFB 2nd District Young Farmer Chair Kyle Lewallen.

Logan Stovall of Stephens County won the $250 Academic Scholarship given by the GFB 2nd District Young Farmer Steer and Heifer Show Committee. This was the second year the scholarship has been offered to 12th Grade show participants. Two $200 academic scholarships were given to William Barrett of Habersham County & Zack Murray of Stephens County. Jackson County’s Taylor Davis won the 12th Grade Showmanship and a $250 prize. Other showmanship winners were: 11th Grade – Hunter Spear, Jackson County; 10th Grade – Ellie Clark, Hall County; 9th Grade – Madyson McDaniel, Jackson County; 8th Grade, Bella Chandler, Jackson County; 7th Grade – Morgan McDaniel, Jackson County; 6th Grade – Trey Chafin, Hart County; 5th Grade – Allen Bridges, Madison County; 4th Grade- Sara Talton, Union County.

In breed heifer classes, winners were: High Percent Simmental Champion – Madyson McDaniel, Jackson County; High Percent Simmental Reserve Champion – Morgan McDaniel, Jackson County; Low Percent Simmental Champion- Trey Chafin, Hart County; Low Percent Simmental Reserve Champion- Ellie Clark, Hall County; Angus Champion & Angus Reserve Champion – Jesse Cronic, Jackson County; Black Hereford Grand Champion- Anna Grace Jones, White County; Black Hereford Reserve Champion- Abigail Ausburn, White County; Charolais Record Champion– Ethan Dalton, Banks County; Charolais Record Reserve Champion – Janna Anderson, Elbert County; Shorthorn Champion – Jared Sheriff, Stephens County; Shorthorn Reserve Champion – Luke Fulcher, Jackson County; Simmental Champion – Grace McClain, Habersham; Simmental Reserve Champion – Peyton Rucker, Jackson County; Other Breeds Champion- Trey Chafin, Hart County; Other Breeds Reserve Champion – Maverick Martin, Jackson County; Commercial Heifer Champion – Keely Shultz, Jackson County; Commercial Heifer Reserve Champion – Chloe Boling, Banks County.

Visit http://bit.ly/18GFBDist2cattleshow to see photos of the top prize winners.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 FEDERAL BUDGET DEBATE COULD DELAY ADVANCEMENT OF FARM BILL With Congress wrangling over funding the federal government, other issues like a pending disaster bill and negotiations over the next farm bill, may be forced to wait for attention in Washington, according to National Cotton Council (NCC) Vice President for Washington Operations Reece Langley.

“Really the big thing that’s hanging over Congress and their ability to get anything else done right now is figuring a way out of this funding situation that they find themselves in,” Langley said. “So until they figure out how to come together, both parties, House and Senate, and pass a comprehensive funding bill for the remainder of this year, this issue is going to continue to take up most of the oxygen in Congress and not much else will get done.”

Langley, who addressed growers at the 11th Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Annual Meeting on Jan. 31 in Tifton, told growers the sentiment in Washington seems favorable to getting cotton back in the commodity title of the next farm bill. He noted the Supplemental Disaster Assistance Bill, which the House passed in December, makes seed cotton a covered commodity and eligible for commodity programs under the 2014 farm bill. Meanwhile, the Senate Ag Appropriations package passed last summer, would increase the baseline funding for cotton in the next farm bill.

“We’re very optimistic that one of these two is going to make it into that final package in February and March. If we have that in place, it positions us very well moving into the farm bill debate going forward,” said Langley, who said he expects both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to have farm bills written by the end of March.

Langley was one of five speakers in the general session. GCC Executive Director Richey Seaton reviewed activities funded by the commission in the past year.

Stacey Gorman, communications director for The Cotton Board, detailed the organization’s efforts to increase demand for and profitability of cotton. She demonstrated a new ad campaign with the theme “Leave Comfort to Clothes,” emphasizing that consumers don’t have to worry about being comfortable when wearing cotton.

Cotton Incorporated Vice President of Agricultural & Environmental Research Kater Hake detailed competition cotton faces from synthetic fibers. Hake said there is growing demand for filament polyester, which cannot be blended with cotton, and diminishing demand for staple polyester, which can be blended with cotton. Hake also highlighted a study on the health benefits of cottonseed oil, which has been shown to improve levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

National Cotton Council President Ronnie Lee talked about market factors and production issues facing cotton, particularly contamination in cotton lint.

“We’ve got to do everything we can to maintain our reputation of being contamination free,” Lee said.

The meeting also featured the UGA Cotton Production Workshop, where university experts shared the latest on economics and marketing, fertility, plant pathology, plant technologies, physiology, irrigation and precision ag and insect pest management.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 2017 GEORGIA QUALITY COTTON WINNERS ANNOUNCED The GCC presented the 2017 Georgia Quality Cotton Awards, which recognize producers and ginners of high-quality cotton fiber and their Extension agents for their general management practices. Robert Rawlins of Turner County won the overall Best Cotton Award.

Other award winners were: Region 1 (west and northwest Georgia): Less than 500 acres –Rawlins of Turner County, Sconyers Gin and Warehouse with agent Will Gay. 500 to1,000 acres – Lee Mays of Wilcox County, Sconyers Gin and Warehouse, with agent Andrew Sawyer.

Greater than 1,000 acres – Donnie Keene of Wilcox County, Sconyers Gin and Warehouse, with agent Andrew Sawyer.

Region 2 (east and northeast Georgia): Less than 500 acres – Van Hiebert of Jefferson County, Midville Warehouse, with agent Pam Sapp. 500 to 1,000 acres – Buckhead Creek Farms of Jenkins County, Midville Warehouse, with agent Jason Mallard. Greater than 1,000 acres – Sandeford Farms of Burke County, Midville Warehouse, with agent Peyton Sapp.

Region 3 (southeast Georgia): Less than 500 acres – Charles Sumner of Tift County, Omega Gin Company, with agent Scott Carlson. 500 to 1,000 acres – G.A. Farms of Tifton County, Omega Gin Company, with agent Scott Carlson. Greater than 1,000 Robert Rawlins acres – Ken and Brian Ponder of Tift County, Omega Gin Company, with agent Scott Carlson.

Region 4 (southwest Georgia): Less than 500 acres – Walter Powell of Colquitt County, The Cotton Gin, with agent Jeremy Kichler. Ken Hall Farms of Worth County, Omega Gin Company, with agent Blake Crabtree. 500 to 1,000 acres – Creek Bank Farms of Miller County, Clover Leaf Gin, with agent Brian Creswell. Greater than 1,000 acres – Ken Hall Farms of Worth County, Omega Gin Company, with agent Blake Crabtree.

DEAL APPOINTS THREE TO GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION On Jan. 26, Gov. Nathan Deal appointed James L. “Jimmy” Allen, Sandie Sparks and Larry Spillers to the Georgia Forestry Commission Allen, who was reappointed, is a former professional golfer and a founder of Allen Pritchett & Bassett LLP. He is also a co-owner of Pike Creek Turf, a turfgrass production and installation company and is a member of the Georgia Forestry Association. Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Valdosta State University.

Sparks is the sales manager for Sparks Lumber Company and oversees log procurement. She is a former chair of the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association. Sparks is also a member of the Georgia Forestry Association and the Forest Landowners Association.

Spillers, who was reappointed, is the Georgia operations manager of Jordan Forest Products. He sits on the board of directors for the Georgia Forestry Association. Spillers is a former chairman of the Georgia Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 STATE AG OFFICIALS MEET WITH TRUMP CABINET MEMBERS Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black joined other members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) at the White House for the White House Conference on Rural Prosperity on Jan. 30. Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and other administration officials addressed the important opportunities for the federal government and states to work together to advance Rural America.

During the conference, Perdue and Gottlieb signed a formal agreement to bolster coordination and collaboration between the two agencies on a number of issues including Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) implementation and the Coordinated Framework for Biotechnology.

NASDA members are gathered in Washington, D.C. for one of two annual meetings where the association’s policy positions and priorities are determined. During the opening plenary session members passed a number of action items for 2018, including: Calling on Congress to pass a unified, fully-funded farm bill before authorization expires on Sept. 30; urging Congress and the Trump administration to invest in broadband infrastructure and expand broadband service; calling for meaningful investments in any infrastructure package developed by Congress and the Trump administration; requesting the U.S. Department of Labor to expand work-based training to include apprenticeships and microcredentials.

NASDA represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government, and stakeholders.

HENSLEY NAMED U.S. POULTRY & EGG ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN Tom Hensley, president of Fieldale Farms in Baldwin, Ga., was elected chairman of the board of directors of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) on Jan. 29, according to an organization press release.

The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2018 International Production & Processing Expo. Hensley previously served as vice chairman. Hensley was presented with the time-honored “working man’s gavel” by Jerry Moye, 2017 chairman.

A native of West Virginia, Hensley graduated with a degree in business from Marshall University. Before joining Fieldale Farms, Hensley was a tax manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. he worked for 40 years with Fieldale Farms where he has worked for 40 years, as well as a member of Fieldale Farms Corporation board of directors. He is past chairman of the National Chicken Council and a life member of the Georgia Poultry Federation. He actively serves on various charitable organization boards.

John Prestage of Prestage Farms in Clinton, North Carolina, was named vice chairman. Greg Hinton of Rose Acre Farms in Seymour, Indiana, was named treasurer. Mike Levengood of Perdue Foods in Salisbury, Maryland, was named secretary.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 11 GFB TAKING LISTINGS FOR HAY DIRECTORY Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or offering custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website.

Because this directory is now offered online, hay can be listed or removed from the site as your inventory dictates. To participate, please complete a submission form available at your county Farm Bureau office or online at http://www.gfb.org/membership/hay.cms. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed.

2018 FLAVOR OF GEORGIA CONTEST Feb. 8 deadline to enter The University of Georgia's Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest helps to highlight the state's burgeoning food product scene with its annual competition. Registration for the 2018 contest, which is coordinated each year by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is now open at www.flavorofga.com. The registration fee is $100 per entry. All entries are featured in the annual product directory, which is seen by leading food industry buyers and media outlets. For more information or to register, visit www.flavorofga.com or call 706-542-9809.

Follow the contest @FlavorofGA on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flavorofga.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE Feb. 9-10 Oconee County Civic Center Watkinsville The goal of this conference is to help new, beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and otherwise underserved producers network and develop key resources to ensure economic stability.

Following a panel discussion regarding the state of Georgia’s small farm economy, participants will have a choice of taking one of four tracks: Conservation and Land Ownership, Composting and Farm Safety Certification, Farm Business Development, and Sustainable Agriculture. Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided. For more information or to register, visit www.athenslandtrust.org.

HAY & BALEAGE SHORT COURSE Feb. 22 Carroll County Extension office Carrollton March 8-9 Burke County Extension office Waynesboro This course offered by the UGA Cooperative Extension Service and the Georgia Beef Commission includes sessions on cutting, curing and storing high-quality hay, managing forage quality, pest management, baled silage, hands-on activities and equipment review. Registration is $65. Please preregister by Feb. 16 for Carrollton installment and March 1 for Waynesboro installment; For more information or to register over the phone call 770-836.8546.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 GEORGIA PORK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MEETING & NPP ELECTION The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2019 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate body will take place on Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. in the auditorium at Georgia Farm Bureau in Macon. The election will be held in conjunction with the board of directors meeting of the Georgia Pork Producers Association. All Georgia pork producers are invited to attend. Any producer age 18 or older who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the elect. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information contact Georgia Pork Producers Association, P.O. Box 1566, Bainbridge, Ga., or call 229-246-8297.

WATER TESTING AND EMPLOYEE TRAINING WORKSHOP Feb. 20 Healthy Living Farm 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Albany This free workshop offers training for irrigation water testing, Food Safety Modernization Act/Good Agricultural Practices templates, NRCS irrigation cost share and produce storage.

Healthy Living Farm is located at 3810 Gillionville Road in Albany. Coffee and lunch will be provided For more information or to RSVP visit http://bit.ly/h2otestwkshp or send an email to billy@globalgrowers.org.

GA DEPARTMENT OF AG TAKING PROPOSALS FOR SPECIALTY CROP GRANTS Feb. 21 concept proposals due at noon The Georgia Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, nursery and greenhouse crops, including floriculture.

Please see the specific listing of all eligible crops at www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp. Only grower associations, commodity commissions, colleges, universities, local governments, and IRS-designated non-profits (preferably in partnership with a Georgia college or university) may apply for this grant. Grant funding comes from the USDA’s, Agricultural Marketing Service. Georgia’s share anticipated to be approximately $1.2 million this year. Please refer to the links available on the GDA grants webpage located at www.agr.georgia.gov/grants.aspx for the official Request for Applications (RFA) and the Concept Proposal/pre-application form and additional information. For additional questions please contact Jen Erdmann at Jen.Erdmann@agr.georgia.gov.

FARM LABOR SEMINAR Feb. 22 Omega Clubhouse, 5471 Alabama Ave. 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Omega This seminar will feature presentations from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Georgia Department about H-2A and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (commonly referred to as MSPA). Registration is required. To register online visit http://bit.ly/2FsMOgS. For more information contact Rachel Mast-Matos at mastmatos.rachel@dol.gov or 678-237-0540.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE NEARS FOR GEORGIA ROW CROPS Georgia corn, cotton, flue-cured tobacco, grain sorghum, peanut, and soybean growers have until Feb. 28 to purchase or make changes to their crop insurance policies according to a Risk Management Agency (RMA) press release. Federal crop insurance helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for corn, cotton, flue-cured tobacco, grain sorghum, peanuts, and soybeans in select Georgia counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA agent locator website, http://www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. For more information about crop insurance visit www.rma.usda.gov.

GFB FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS March 2 application deadline The Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for agriculture is offering $58,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in ag or a closely related field. Scholarship are available for college, technical college and UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Visit www.gfb.ag/18scholarships for complete details and to apply.

SOYBEAN SHORT COURSE March 5 Nessmith-Lane Conference Center 9 a.m.

Statesboro Featured presentations include soybean agronomy, entomology, weed control and others.

Admission is free and lunch will be provided. Private and commercial pesticide hours will be available. For catering purposes please RSVP to Debbie Miracle at 912-681-5693 or dmiracle@uga.edu.

2018 GEORGIA AGRITOURISM ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING March 5-6 Unicoi State Park The conference offers opportunities to learn and network. To http://bit.ly/GAA17conf.

register

Helen visit

CONSERVATION PRODUCTION SYSTEMS TRAINING CONFERENCE March 15-16 Augusta Technical College Waynesboro This 18th annual event, conducted by the Seven Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council, offers pesticide recertification credits for both private and commercial applicators. Fee is $25 per person, which will cover lunch, registration and other items. Registration deadline is March 5. For more information contact Eugene Dyal at Eugene.dyal@bellsouth.net or by phone at 912-367-7679 or 912-367-1432.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 11 4TH ANNUAL GFB FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE GALA March 17 Southern Bridle Farms Fort Valley Join us for a night at the farm as we highlight the work the foundation has done in the past year to increase ag literacy across Georgia. We’ll have an evening of laughter as country comedian Jerry Carroll entertains with his high-energy show about everyday farm life. Dress code is “Country Chic,” which means nothing dressier for ladies than what you’d wear to church & nice jeans or khakis for men. Boots are perfectly fine for all! Reception begins @ 5:30 p.m. Gala starts @ 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $100 & tables of 8 are $750. Visitwww.gfb.ag/18gala to buy tickets or contact Katie Duvall at 478-474-0679,ext. 5230 or kgduvall@gfb.org.