GEORGIA AG WEEK TO CELEBRATE ALL THINGS AGRICULTURE
In the coming weeks, Georgia farmers will begin harvesting their spring crops of strawberries, Vidalia onions and blueberries. Many farmers are beginning to plant corn, and in May and June, they will plant their peanut, cotton and soybean crops.
To celebrate, Georgia Farm Bureau and other ag organizations across the state, including the Georgia Department of Agriculture, will observe Georgia Agriculture Week March 17-23. National Ag Day will be celebrated on March 18. For 52 years, National Ag Day has been celebrated on the Tuesday closest to the first day of spring, which arrives March 20 this year.
“The last U.S. Census of Agriculture showed us that Georgia is blessed with about 39,200 farms that grow everything from apples to zucchinis. Celebrating Georgia Ag Week is a fantastic way to honor the farmers who are growing our food, cotton to clothe us and timber to house us,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall said. “If you see a farmer in the coming weeks, please take a moment to thank them for what they do for us.”
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics show that Georgia farmers play a big role in feeding us. According to USDA statistics for 2023, Georgia farmers are the top peanut producers in the United States, growing half the peanuts grown in our country, with most used to make peanut butter and snacks. Georgia farmers lead the nation in growing broilers, the chickens used to make our favorite chicken sandwiches, tenders and wings. In 2023, Georgia pecan growers ranked first in the U.S. in pecan production.
Georgia ranked second nationally in production of cotton and watermelons in 2023. Georgia ranked third in the U.S. for production of blueberries and bell peppers in 2023, and fourth for cabbage production, according to USDA data.
We can also thank Georgia farmers for growing timber to house us. Georgia consistently ranks as the top forestry state in the nation.
Most Georgians are multiple generations removed from the farm, so Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has prepared several videos that provide insight into Georgia agriculture. If you are interested in learning more about the crops and livestock grown in Georgia visit https://gfb.ag/gaagvideo.
Visit https://gfb.ag/agweek2025 to access the new 2025 Ag Week resources Georgia Farm -continued on next page March 5, 2025
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Bureau has curated about gardening and taking soil samples geared for students. Visit https://www.gfb.org/learn/about-georgia-ag to download ag resources about a variety of ag topics including activity sheets, educational videos about numerous ag topics, easy craft ideas and much more.
Not only does Georgia agriculture feed and clothe us, but it also benefits our state economy. Agriculture and related industries contributed $91.4 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2023, according to the University of Georgia’s 2023 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report.
The Top 10 commodities Georgia farmers produced in 2023 were: broilers ($5.8 billion); eggs ($988 million); beef ($981.7 million); cotton ($938.6 million); peanuts ($915 million); timber ($885.8 million); greenhouse nurseries ($585 million); blueberries ($526.6 million); corn ($514 million); and dairy ($456.1 million) according to the report compiled by UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental economists from data collected by UGA Extension agents.
Food and fiber production and the process of getting the raw materials to consumers contributed more than 381,200 jobs for Georgians in 2023, the UGA report shows. Agricultural careers include crop and livestock research, engineering, precision ag specialists, software and IT work, agribusiness management, marketing, food product development and safety, processing, retailing, ag teachers, banking, bioenergy, livestock veterinarians and others.
Besides providing our basic needs and driving Georgia’s economy, farmers also protect the environment. Farmers prevent soil erosion and water runoff by planting cover crops and using minimum tillage methods like no-till or strip-till to plant their crops. These conservation tillage methods reduce the amount of fuel farmers use and sequester carbon in the soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Farmers use about 50% less fertilizer to produce a bushel of corn, wheat or soybeans than they did in 1980, the USDA reports. Farmers can do this by using GPS, sensors, field mapping software and tractors equipped with precision ag technology. These practices allow farmers to apply only the fertilizer and crop protectants that they absolutely need to grow a healthy crop.
USDA ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS FOR ECONOMIC AND DISASTER RELIEF
On March 3, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the USDA’s plan to distribute economic assistance and disaster aid passed by Congress late last year. Speaking at the Commodity Classic in Denver, Rollins also provided an update on the ongoing review of funds authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act.
Rollins also announced the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (E-CAP), the $10 billion economic aid program authorized by Congress in December.
“The state of the Ag economy especially for row crop producers is perhaps the worst it’s been in one hundred years,” Rollins said.
Rollins said the department had completed its review and released funds for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Other USDA programs are still being -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page evaluated.
Congress gave the USDA 90 days to start distributing the first $10 billion in E-CAP funding, and Rollins said the USDA is on track to start taking applications by March 20.
“I have asked my team to think creatively about how to develop a streamlined application process. We don’t want to be your bottleneck. In cases where we have information already on file, a pre-filled application will be sent to you. FSA will use the 2024 acreage reporting data you previously filed to initiate the application process,” Rollins said. “There will also be an opportunity for you to provide this information if you missed the window. You will be asked to review the information, sign and return the completed application back to your local FSA service center. We are also developing tools to provide fair and transparent standards for calculating payments.”
The secretary noted that the USDA is also working to streamline delivery of $20 million in disaster assistance for losses resulting from weather factors outside farmers’ control.
USDA ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CURB HPAI
On Feb. 26, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a $1 billion comprehensive strategy to curb highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices, according to a USDA press release. This is in addition to funding already being provided to indemnify growers for depopulated flocks.
In mid-January, HPAI infections were confirmed in two Elbert County poultry operations, where both flocks were euthanized. These were the first confirmed infections on Georgia commercial poultry farms since the current HPAI outbreak began in 2022.
The USDA’s HPAI strategy has five components; it includes an additional $500 million for biosecurity measures, $400 million in financial relief for affected farmers, and $100 million for vaccine research, action to reduce regulatory burdens, and explore temporary import options.
The five components of the USDA’s HPAI strategy:
• Invest in gold-standard biosecurity measures for U.S. poultry producers
USDA will expand the wildlife biosecurity assessments to producers across the nation, beginning with egg-layer facilities, to safeguard farms from the cause of 83% of HPAI cases: transmission from wild birds. These additional safety measures have proven to minimize flu cases; the approximately 150 facilities that follow these protocols have had only one outbreak.
Biosecurity audits will be expanded. Free biosecurity audits will continue for all HPAI-affected farms. Shortcomings for HPAI-affected farms must be addressed to remain eligible for indemnification for future infections within this outbreak. Biosecurity audits will be encouraged and made available to surrounding, non-affected farms.
USDA will deploy 20 trained epidemiologists as part of its increased biosecurity audits and Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments to provide actionable and timely advice to producers on how to reduce HPAI risk at their facilities. These experts will help improve current biosecurity measures to focus on protecting against spread through wild birds in addition to lateral spread.
USDA will share up to 75% of the costs to fix the highest risk biosecurity concerns identified -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page by the assessments and audits, with a total available investment of up to $500 million.
• Increase Relief to Aid Farmers and Accelerate Repopulation
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will continue to indemnify producers whose flocks must be depopulated to control the further spread of HPAI.
New programs are being explored to aid farmers to accelerate the rate of repopulation, including ways to simplify the approval process to speed recovery.
Up to $400 million will be available to support these costs for the remainder of the fiscal year.
• Remove Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on the Chicken and Egg Industry to Further Innovation and Reduce Consumer Prices
USDA is working alongside our partners at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to examine strategies to safely expand supply in the commercial market for eggs.
USDA will minimize burdens on individual farmers and consumers who harvest homegrown eggs.
USDA will work with farmers and scientists to develop innovative strategies to limit the extent of depopulations in HPAI outbreaks.
USDA will educate consumers and Congress on the need to fix the problem of geographical price differences for eggs, such as in California, where recent regulatory burdens, in addition to avian flu, have resulted in the price of eggs being 60% higher than other regions of the country.
• Explore pathways toward vaccines, therapeutics, and other strategies for protecting egglaying chickens to reduce instances of depopulation
USDA will be hyper-focused on a targeted and thoughtful strategy for potential new-generation vaccines, therapeutics, and other innovative solutions to minimize depopulation of egg laying chickens along with increased bio-surveillance and other innovative solutions targeted at egg laying chickens in and around outbreaks. The USDA will make up to $100 million available for innovation in this area.
Importantly, USDA will work with trading partners to limit impacts to export trade markets from potential vaccination. Additionally, USDA will work alongside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the public health and safety of any such approaches include considerations of tradeoffs between public health and infectious disease strategy.
USDA will solicit public input on solutions, and will involve Governors, State Departments of Agriculture, state veterinarians, and poultry and dairy farmers on vaccine and therapeutics strategy, logistics, and surveillance. USDA will immediately begin holding biweekly discussions on this and will also brief the public on its progress biweekly until further notice.
• Consider Temporary Import-Export Options to Reduce Costs on Consumers and Evaluate International Best Practices
USDA will explore options for temporarily increasing egg imports and decreasing exports, if applicable, to supplement the domestic supply, subject to safety reviews.
USDA will evaluate international best practices in egg production and safety to determine any opportunities to increase domestic supply.
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GFC FIREFIGHTERS ON HEIGHTENED ALERT AFTER WEEKEND FIRES
Wildland firefighters at the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) are keeping a very close eye on the weather. Low humidity, combined with gusty winds, made for a busy weekend for firefighters across the state. Just in the past week, the commission reported that nearly 500 fires burned more than 6,000 acres.
“The number one cause of these fires is escaped debris burning,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo. “Fortunately, our crews have been able to respond aggressively to keep individual fire sizes small. However, we need the public’s vigilance for preventing wildfire in the days ahead.”
Statistics reported by the GFC show the number of wildfires and acreage burned in Georgia has risen over the state’s five-year average. Recent fires have led to the death of one person, and to a number of losses to structures and vehicles.
Georgia is also “in the red” for March, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Significant wildfire potential has been predicted for this month, indicating a greater than usual likelihood that significant wildfires will occur.
“Any spark that takes hold outdoors is capable of igniting a large wildfire,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Protection Chief Thomas Barrett. “That means one ember from a backyard leaf pile, grill, or campfire can spark a dangerous fire. Also hot machinery on dry grasses or a tossed cigarette. Human involvement is the reason behind these fires and the answer to preventing them as well.”
Real-time fire updates can be viewed here: fiResponse - Public Viewer, which is also linked on GFC’s website, GaTrees.org
USAID RESTORES CONTRACTS WITH MANA NUTRITION
Fitzgerald-based MANA Nutrition, which on Feb. 26 was notified that its contracts and funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were canceled by the federal government, had those contracts restored on March 2, according to published reports.
MANA manufactures and distributes ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) for treatment of malnourished children around the world. The organization estimates that a every 10 seconds from severe malnutrition, and that 45% of deaths in children under the age of 5 are caused by malnutrition.
RUTF is a specialized peanut paste that does not require refrigeration. MANA had halted use of USAID-labeled packaging and had approximately 400,000 boxes, valued at approximately $10 million) of it ready to be shipped. MANA founder Mark Moore told CNN that the organization resumed using USAID packaging at midnight on March 2.
MANA purchases 2 million pounds of Georgia-grown peanuts per month. Based on Fall 2024 value estimates from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), that is the equivalent of $5.76 million worth of peanuts annually. MANA converts them to the life-saving paste, then sells them to customers like USAID and the United National International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). According to the MANA website, the non-profit has provided aid to more than 8 million children in 45 countries.
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2025 GEORGIA GROWN EXECUTIVE CHEFS ANNOUNCED
On Feb. 12, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) President and CEO Stephanie Fischer announced seven new Georgia Grown Executive Chefs at the 2025 Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception in Atlanta. The Georgia Grown Executive Chef program is a statewide program designed to promote and foster relationships between chefs and farmers while spreading awareness about the quality of locally sourced and grown products in Georgia’s restaurant scene.
The 2025 Executive Chefs include:
Joey Ward, Georgia Boy & Southern Belle
Carlos Granderson, Southern National
Alan Byers, The Deer and the Dove
Jamie Keating, EPIC Restaurants
Woolery “Woody” Back, Table & Main
Chelsia Ogletree, Her Majesty Kitchen + Catering
Joshua Swinney, Sincere Fare
“We are excited to introduce the outstanding chefs selected as the 2025 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs,” Harper said. “These talented chefs from across Georgia have showcased their dedication to supporting our state’s agricultural community and earned the honor of wearing the Georgia Grown chef’s coat. By sourcing fresh, locally grown ingredients and forging meaningful connections between farmers, suppliers, and the culinary world, they are strengthening Georgia's No. 1 industry and bringing the farm closer to the fork. We couldn’t do this without the invaluable support of the Georgia Restaurant Association, and I want to thank GRA and President Fischer for their continued partnership in promoting Georgia's thriving agriculture industry."
“I’m thrilled to congratulate and recognize our 2025 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs for this remarkable achievement,” Fischer. “By engaging in this program, chefs contribute to a greater awareness of the importance of buying and eating locally, supporting Georgia’s agricultural community, and enhancing the state’s culinary landscape. Our 2025 Executive Chefs have demonstrated excellence in their field and a commitment to service. By participating in this program, they inspire the next generation of culinary professionals to make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
In its 16th year, the Georgia Grown Executive Chef program continues strengthening awareness of Georgia Grown products around the state while acknowledging a diverse group of culinary professionals prioritizing Georgia Grown in their restaurants, schools, and communities.
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2025 GFB MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTESTS
March 7 deadline for county Farm Bureaus to submit entries
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is now accepting entries for the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark and High School Art Contests. The GFB Middle School Bookmark Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students statewide. The 10 GFB district winners of the bookmark contest will receive $100 each and compete for the state prize of $150. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. The GFB High School Art Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled students in ninth through twelfth grades. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will receive a cash prize of $100. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will compete for the state prize of $250 cash. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. Students may enter either contest in the county in which they live or attend school but not both counties. To enter either contest, students or teachers should contact their county Farm Bureau for an official entry form and complete contest rules and to learn the county’s February deadline for entering the contests. Middle school students will be given a blank bookmark and asked to draw a picture that depicts some aspect of Georgia agriculture. Students may use crayons, markers or colored pencils to create their bookmark that illustrates agriculture. High schoolers entering the art contest should draw a scene depicting Georgia agriculture. Artwork submitted in the high school art contest must be on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper and should be created in the colors black, white and gray. Contestants may use a variety of media to create their artwork including graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, pen-and-ink, ballpoint pen or mixed media appropriate for printing. Artwork entered in both contests will be judged on 1) how well the artwork represents modern agriculture found in the artist’s county or Georgia and 2) artistic merit. Entries are limited to one per person in both contests. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Previous state winners are not eligible for either contest. All artwork submitted in both contests must be original and becomes the property of Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) once submitted. GFB may use artwork from both contests on various products distributed or sold by the organization to promote agriculture. For more information about the contests contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit www.gfb.ag/contests. Students and teachers may visit https://gfb.ag/video to view a video about Georgia agriculture, https://www.gfb.org/connect/farm-markets to find a farm near you or https://gfb.ag/UGA24agsnapshots to access info about Georgia agriculture.
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GFB DAY AT THE BRAVES
April 5 Truist Park 7:15 p.m. Atlanta
Deadline to purchase tickets is March 7
GFB is bringing the heart of Georgia agriculture to Truist Park for an evening of baseball, fellowship, and a celebration of the farmers who make it all possible. From the fields to the stands, this night is all about showing support for the people and industry that keep our state growing strong. Tickets are $25 general admission seats in sections 439-444. GFB recommends arriving early to secure seats together! GFB will offer Magnolia Loom GFB Braves t-shirts and Ag is #1 foam fingers ($6) for purchase to enhance the gameday experience. A portion of the t-shirt sales, foam finger sales and $8-$10 from each ticket sale will go to support the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. Have fun while raising funds for a good cause! We are all Farm Bureau! For more information or to by tickets and merchandise, click here.
63rd ANNUAL GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
March 12-14 Augusta Marriott Convention Center Augusta GCA’s Annual Convention is the place to be to find the best program for education and networking in the cattle industry around Georgia! The convention features a phenomenal tradeshow, educational sessions, social opportunities and much more! There is sure to be something for everyone! For more information or to register, click here.
GEORGIA BOOT 4-H TRAILBLAZERS CONTEST
March 16
Application deadline
Are you a 4-H member with a passion for your 4-H projects? Do you enjoy making an impact in your club and community? If yes, apply to be a Georgia Boot 4-H Trailblazer today! The Georgia Boot Trailblazer contest provides an opportunity for 4-H members to share their project journey with the Georgia Boot audience! Winners will receive a prize package valued at $800 that includes: 2 Pairs of Georgia Boots, a $350 gift card to a qualifying farm & ranch or hardware store, & Georgia Boot & 4-H Merchandise. To apply visit https://www.georgiaboot.com/4-h-trailblazers/. Applications must be submitted by March 16.
19TH ANNUAL CHEROKEE COUNTY AG EXPO
March 22 River Church, 2335 Sixes Rd. 10 a.m. – 2 p..m. Canton
This free event features a tractor and petting zoo, display booths from more than 20 agricultural organizations and lots of door prizes. The Ag Expo is open to the public. For more information, contact Denise Forward at 770-479-1481 or dbforward@gfbco.org.
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CROP AND DAIRY SAFETY NET PROGRAMS
March 31
April 15
DMC application deadline
ARC/PLC application deadline
The USDA Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for key safety-net programs –Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) as well as Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms. Meanwhile, DMC provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences. Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for more information on these programs.
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
April 12, May 17, Sept. 20 & Oct. 25
Morgan Co. Ag Center Madison
These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, ranch riding, ranch reining, dressage on the rail, halter/showmanship, “small fry” and more. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Trail classes are from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Western Classes not to start before lunch. Riders must be members of Kel-Mac to accrue points towards year-end awards. Age divisions for competition are as follows: Small Fry: 10 and under; Junior: under 14 years of age; Senior: 14 years and over. Novice: Rider is in 1st or 2nd year of showing Green Horse: Horse is in 1st or 2nd year of showing Entry fee per class is $12. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook page, or www.kel-mac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. Signup for shows on the website. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy. (441), north of Madison. These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $170,250 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 49 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, and the equestrian facilities of state & county parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, and Heritage Park.
2025 GEORGIA FARM DOG CONTEST
May 1 Entry deadline
Do you have a special farm dog that herds or guards your livestock? Maybe it keeps you company as you do your daily chores and provides stress relief. Maybe it has done something heroic. Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting entries for its 2025 Georgia Farm Dog Contest until 10:59 p.m. on May 1 or until 200 entries are accepted. Contest is open to GFB members ages 18 and over. The grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift card and be recognized at the 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo. For contest rules and the criteria dogs will be judged by, visit https://gfb.ag/25farmdogcontest. Special thanks to GFB Insurance and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture for helping GFB sponsor the contest!
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GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATIONS
May 1 deadline to apply
Centennial Farm applications are open to all qualifying candidates. Farms play a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of our state, serving as the bedrock for economic, cultural, and familial traditions for generations of Georgians. Several farms boast a legacy spanning more than a century, and Georgia recognizes their historical significance through the Georgia Centennial Farm program. Nominees must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase, actively involved in agricultural production, and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farmgenerated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Georgia Centennial Farms are honored each October at an awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The Georgia Centennial Farm program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia EMC; Georgia National Fair and Agricenter; and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information, please contact Rose Mayo, Historic Preservation Division Outreach Coordinator, at 770-855-2586 or rose.mayo@dca.ga.gov The postmark deadline for applications is May 1, 2025. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centennialfarmsapply (https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division/historicresources/centennialfarms)
GEORGIA PIVOT SURVEY
A research team from the University of Georgia, University of Nebraska, University of Florida, Fort Valley State University, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is conducting a survey to understand the recovery of farms following windstorms. Farmers are asked to participate. This survey asks about your farm, damage inflicted by recent hurricanes, and recovery since the hurricane. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete, depending on the types of structures on your farm and the damage the farm experienced. Questions 11-15 are voluntary, answer if you would like. Your participation is completely voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. To participate, visit https://forms.office.com/r/JZGAxfKfRG. For more information, contact Wes Porter at wporter@uga.edu, or Joshua Dawson at dawsonj01@fvsu.edu, or call 229-386-7328.
UGA WARNELL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY BOBWHITE QUAIL SURVEY
The Martin GAME Lab at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at UGA is looking for private landowners in Georgia to take part in a brief survey about their opinions on bobwhite quail management for a study titled "Bobwhite Restoration, Incentives, and Research". The purpose of the study is to better understand landowners’ opinions on bobwhite quail management and cost-share programs landowners would enroll in to manage their properties for bobwhite quail. Visit https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_3aRgLcUioS8uy0u to take the study. Thank you in advance for helping with in this study.
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UGA CITRUS ORCHARD NUTRITIONAL SURVEY
For the past three growing seasons, the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs (AESL) has been conducting a foliar nutrient survey of Georgia's citrus industry with funding from the USDA and Georgia Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. One of the conditions of the project’s grant funding is that researchers seek stakeholder feedback on the effectiveness of the program, and how this work may influence future grower decisions. The project researchers ask that you please complete this short (7 questions, 3-5 minutes) Citrus Nutrition Questionnaire here. These results will help UGA researchers demonstrate the importance of this work to their sponsors, which increases the likelihood of future funding in this area. If you would like to learn more about this project and the results of the study, visit the project website.
PIEDMONT CONSERVATION DISTRICT FERAL SWINE CONTROL SERVICES
Ongoing
The Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has acquired a trapping system to provide control services throughout Piedmont SWCD which includes Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Putnam, Hancock, Baldwin, and Jones Counties. If you are interested in feral swine control services, please contact the District’s Hog Control Custodian, Kris Pope at kmpope@bellsouth.net or 404-402-2207. More information can be found at www.gacd.us/piedmont.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER FERAL HOG CONTROL SERVICES
For a list of feral hog control services available in each GACD Conservation District, visit https://gfb.ag/feralhoggacdresources.
GFB HAY DIRECTORY
GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. 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. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2024 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE OFFERS SUPPORT
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or chatting on 988lifeline.org. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. You don’t have to be suicidal to reach out. 988 trained crisis counselors can help you through whatever mental health challenges you are experiencing.