AFBF CONVENTION CELEBRATES WINS, INSPIRES FARMERS & RANCHERS
Following the theme, “Imagine, Grow, Lead,” the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) convention featured addresses from AFBF President Zippy Duvall, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow. The event, held in Anaheim, California, included national Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) competitions, featured a wide variety of farm seminars, celebrated Farm Bureau achievements at the state and national levels and much more. Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) had members elected to leadership roles on the AFBF YF&R and Women’s Leadership Committees (WLC).
Hardy, Jackson, on AFBF committees
Cleve Jackson of Floyd County was named vice chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee for 2026, and Julie Hardy of Thomas County was elected to a two-year term on the AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC).
Hardy ran against ladies from North Carolina and Virginia to be elected as the Southern Region representative on the AFBF WLC during the annual meeting of American Farm Bureau Women on Jan. 10. Hardy completed her one-year term as chairwoman of the GFB WLC Committee in December and is serving as an ex officio member of the GFB committee
Hardy is the first Georgian on the AFBF WLC since 2001when Peggy Smith of Turner County, who chaired the GFB WLC in 1993 and 2001, served a one-year term on the AFBF Women’s Committee in 2001 as the AFBF Southern Region representative. Bertie Mae McDonald of Washington County, who chaired the GFB Women’s Committee from 1981-1986, became the first GFB member to serve on the AFBF Women’s Committee in 1984. McDonald represented AFBF’s Southern Region on the national committee through the 1990 AFBF convention.
Hardy farms in partnership with her father, Bobby Hurst, and her brother, Bert Hurst. The family grows cotton, peanuts, soybeans and wheat and run a small herd of beef cattle. She and her husband, Robby Hardy, have one daughter, Kate.
Hardy is an active member of the Thomas County Farm Bureau and is the TCFB vice president. She is a 2023 graduate of the American Farm Bureau Federation Communications Boot Camp. January 16, 2026
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She is a member of the 2025-2026 UGA Advancing Georgia Leaders in Agriculture & Forestry program.
Jackson, who chaired the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) YF&R Committee in 2024, is in his second year on the AFBF committee. He and his wife, Emilia, raise beef cattle and grow fresh-cut flowers for farm visitors to cut themselves or buy through a subscription service. Cleve serves as president of the Floyd County Farm Bureau. The Jacksons have two daughters.
Duvall talks up policy work, young leaders, farmers’ mental health
In his annual address, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall emphasized the AFBF Convention theme, "Inspire, Grow, Lead," noting the organization's efforts to support farmers and ranchers. Duvall talked of key pieces of legislation and federal rulemaking, AFBF leadership development, farmers' mental health and more.
“We are facing tough times across agriculture this year, and there's no sugar coating that,” Duvall said. “It's real, and I know that has been difficult for many people. But every farmer has a seed of optimism that we plant to look forward to the future. And we make it from one season to the next because of optimism. It's part of our day to day.”
Duvall emphasized that even with major challenges, America’s farmers need to continue imagining ways to overcome the complexities of modern farming.
After celebrating county presidents in 2025, Duvall said he wanted to shine the spotlight on Farm Bureau’s young leaders in 2026.
“Thank you for making agriculture in your communities a priority in your life,” Duvall said. “You may be just starting out on your leadership journey in one of youth or professional development programs. But wherever you are in that journey, I want you to know that the Farm Bureau family is here for you, cheering you on. I challenge you to unleash your imagination. Here, today, imagine how you could make your community better.”
Key policy victories Duvall noted included successful advocacy for tax provisions protecting farm families, modernized farm programs representing a historic $70 billion investment by the USDA, and a $12 billion bridge support program announced by the Trump administration to help farmers hurt by a challenging economic landscape. Duvall highlighted progress on labor issues, including changes to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate and new regulations protecting water sources while respecting conservation efforts.
Rollins: Help is on the way
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins addressed Farm Bureau members during the closing session on Jan. 12, lauding farmers’ role in the development of American society and celebrating increases in ag exports in 2025 over 2024.
“Our farmers not only feed and fuel and clothe us, you all bear and sustain a set of values and principles that is essential to the continuation of our republic,” Rollins said. “More than mere producers of commodities and economic actors, you are the bearers of a way of life and custodians of the great American experiment, like the pioneers who settled this great nation, our farmers and ranchers build civilization from wilderness and fulfill our amazing God's plan to till the earth, renewing our national inheritance of liberty for the next generation. That is why all America is under threat when American agriculture is under threat.”
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Rollins noted increased exports of tree nuts (up 11% in 2025), ethanol (11%), dairy (15%) and corn (29%).
She pointed out key farm provisions in the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which was signed into law last summer. Among them were an increase in commodity reference prices, enhanced crop insurance coverage and expanded premium benefits for new and beginning farmers from five years to 10 years
Rollins said the OBBB also makes the death tax exemption permanent for almost two million family farms, with the rate indexed to inflation, and makes permanent the 20% qualified bonus, income deduction, full bonus depreciation and the $15 million per individual estate tax exemption. The bill also included 100% immediate expensing, allowing farmers and ranchers to deduct their capital-intensive business investments, as well as extending the 405c biofuel tax credit through 2029.
Rollins noted actions to ease regulatory burdens that hurt farmers and drive up labor costs. Key among these was an interim final rule to change the methodology to establish the adverse effect wage rate for the H-2A program.
“This change will save our farmers over $2 billion in labor costs alone every single year,” Rollins said. She noted that another final rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, allows concurrent H-2A applications with both the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Tebow shares thoughts on leadership, faith
Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow gave the keynote address at the closing general session on Jan. 11, sharing his experiences growing up in Florida, his recruitment to play college football and why he ended up choosing the University of Florida, his observations on leadership and his faith.
Tebow, who played in the NFL, pursued a career in professional baseball and competed in mixed martial arts, now works as a TV football analyst and motivational speaker.
He expanded on the convention theme, “Imagine, Grow, Lead,” saying that those three ideas shouldn’t be separated.
“I think sometimes we look at those and we compartmentalize them like they're actually different things and in certain categories they can be, but also we have to do them simultaneously,” Tebow said. “We have to imagine why we're actually convincing people to buy into that to grow and we have to lead in all of those. It's not one that happens before the other.”
He said great leaders have great ideas but it’s their passion that allows them to draw others in and achieve great things. He pointed to his recruitment as a football player said his experience in making his college decision came down to passion and people.
His decision as a high school senior to play football with the University of Florida went down to the last minute, he said, but the thing that ultimately stood out for Florida was how then-coach Urban Meyer presented him with a detailed strategic vision on how things would play out once he got there.
"You see, hope wasn't his strategy,” he said. “Listen, hope is a really good thing when it's a biblical thing, but if hope’s your strategy … you're going to fail.”
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Tebow delved into passion, noting the word’s meaning from its origin from the 12th century was to suffer. Passion, Tebow said, identifies what a person is willing to suffer for.
“I think one of the most disappointing things about my life is that my greatest form of suffering has been for a game,” Tebow said. “To make a team. To score a touchdown. To win a championship. And if my life ends or my greatest passion was for a game, oh, how my life missed the mark.”
He expressed a hope that at the end of his life his passion would be for greater things – Christ, family, community, and the most vulnerable people.
“I hope we could say at the end of my life that my greatest form of passion and suffering was for something that has eternal value and meaning,” he said.
“Four Corners” ag leaders make tare joint appearance
On Jan. 11 during the mid general session of the 107th AFBF Convention, the four leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees made a rare joint appearance to discuss issues important to rural America. The chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Ranking Member Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) along with the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (RPa.), and Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) covered priority issues including passing a new five-year farm bill, developing domestic and international markets for agricultural products, providing access to a stable workforce for farmers and ranchers, as well as the importance of grassroots involvement in advocacy.
GFB recognized for advocacy efforts
On Jan. 11 during the opening session Georgia Farm Bureau was recognized for earning four AFBF State Awards of Excellence for its programs in the categories of Advocacy, Coalitions & Partnerships, Engagement & Outreach, and Leadership & Business Development. GFB received an award for each of the four categories AFBF offers. During the AFBF Foundation for Agriculture Flapjack Breakfast, GFB was recognized for having members/leaders who donated the most money to the foundation last year in AFBF’s 5th Membership Group.
Georgia competitors put best foot forward
GFB’s Walt Pridgen, Haley Scruggs and Kylie Sizemore represented the state well during the national YF&R competitive events during the AFBF Convention.
Pridgen, of Coffee County, competed in the Achievement Award competition and Scruggs, from Bibb County, made hers in the Excellence in Agriculture competition.
Kylie Sizemore of Franklin County advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 AFBF Discussion Meet.
USDA ANNOUNCES COMMODITY PAYMENT RATES FOR BRIDGE ASSISTANCE
On Dec. 31, 2025, the USDA announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. The program calls for $12 billion to be paid to American farmers in 2026. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments.
Eligible row crop commodities and per-acre payment rates:
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Barley: $20.5, canola: $23.57, chickpeas (large): $26.46, chickpeas (small): $33.36, corn: $44.36, cotton: $117.35, flax: $8.05, lentils: $23.98, mustard: $23.21, oats: $81.75, peanuts: $55.65, peas: $19.60, rice: $132.89, safflower: $24.86, sesame: $13.68, sorghum: $48.11, soybeans: $30.88, sunflower: $17.32, and wheat: $39.35
Eligibility, Program Applications, and Crop Insurance Linkage
FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report. Double crop acres, including all initial and subsequently planted crops, are eligible. Prevented planting acres are not eligible.
All intended row crop uses are eligible for FBA except grazing, volunteer stands, experimental, green manure, crops left standing and abandoned or cover crops.
Crop insurance linkage is not required; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new risk management tools provided for in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The OBBBA federal crop insurance improvements include expanding benefits for beginning farmers and ranchers, increasing coverage options, and making crop insurance more affordable.
Specialty Crop Assistance
Of the $12 billion being provided by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, up to $11 billion is being directed to eligible row crop producers. The remaining $1 billion is reserved for specialty crops and sugar. Timelines for payments to producers of these crops are still under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and economic needs. Producers, including specialty crop producers and stakeholder groups, can submit questions to farmerbridge@usda.gov
More information FBA is available online at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/fba or by contacting the local USDA FSA county office.
HPAI CONFIRMED IN WALKER COUNTY COMMERCIAL POULTRY FLOCK
On Jan. 14, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA - APHIS), confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry operation in Walker County. This marks the first confirmed HPAI case in 2026 and the fourth case at a commercial poultry operation in Georgia since the ongoing, nationwide outbreak began in February 2022.
“For the first time this year, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation here in Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “Avian influenza poses a serious threat to Georgia’s number one industry and to the thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production. GDA deployed immediately, and our staff is working around the clock to prevent any further spread, protect our state’s poultry flock, and ensure minimal impact to other producers and Georgia consumers.”
On Jan.11, the producer noticed signs of increased mortality in their flock and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN). Samples were collected and transported to the GPLN for testing on Jan. 12. A positive HPAI detection was confirmed by GPLN on Monday
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evening and further confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
The GDA’s Emergency Management Team immediately deployed to the affected premises to conduct depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection on Jan. 13. The affected premises housed approximately 71,264 broiler breeders.
All commercial poultry operations within a 6.2-mile radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks. To prevent any further spread, the affected premises have been secured by GDA Law Enforcement, and only authorized personnel may enter.
Good biosecurity practices are the best defense against AI infection and poultry producers must take the following measures to protect their flocks:
Move poultry with outside access indoors.
Continue strict biosecurity practices, including a clear line of separation on the farm.
Monitor flocks for clinical signs of HPAI.
Birds may become quiet, not eat or drink, have discolored combs and feet, or die suddenly with no signs of disease.
Report unexplained mortality in your birds immediately.
Avian Influenza (AI) is a reportable disease in Georgia. If you have concerns about AI in birds, call the Georgia Avian Influenza hotline at 770-766-6850 or visit https://www.gapoultrylab.org/avian-influenza-hotline/
Anyone who sees unusually high numbers of dead wild birds in a single location should report this to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Call 1-800-366-2661 or report online at https://georgiawildlife.com/report-dead-birds.
For more information about HPAI & biosecurity tips visit:
Protect Your Flock (Georgia Dept. of Ag)
Avian Influenza FAQ (Georgia Dept. of Ag)
Defend the Flock - Resource Center (USDA APHIS)
AI Information for Hunters (USDA)
GARY WILLIS NAMED GFB INSURANCE GENERAL MANAGER
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) announced on Jan. 8 that Gary Willis will be the general manager for the organization’s insurance company.
Willis, who has most recently served as GFB’s executive director of insurance operations, is assuming his new role after GFB Insurance General Manager George Monk retired Jan. 2. Willis has been with the Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company for 26 years.
“Gary brings a wealth of experience at Georgia Farm Bureau to this new appointment. In addition to his operations role, he’s served as former senior director of our claims department, as well as managing various other responsibilities in the claims department. Gary takes this important position at a critical juncture as we pursue our long-term strategic goals,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “Gary’s vast knowledge of the insurance industry and our products continue to serve our members, volunteers, and staff well.”
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A native of Lowndes County, Willis graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in business. He maintains board positions with the Georgia Underwriting Association (GUA), Georgia Insurers Insolvency Pool (GIIP) and Georgia Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies (GAPCIC).
Willis lives in Warner Robins, is a member of Southside Pleasant Hill Church and has two sons, Coleman and Brooks.
GFB SEEKS ENTRIES FOR ’26 MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTESTS
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is now accepting entries for the 2026 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark and High School Art contests. Students who submit their artwork have the chance to win some great cash prizes!
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 12th 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. County Farm Bureaus must submit their entries to Georgia Farm Bureau for the state contest by March 6.
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.
The finished artwork must be on 8.5x11-inch white paper. It can be created entirely in black/white or color in a variety of media including graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, pen-and-ink, ballpoint pen, and mixed media appropriate for printing. Art must be handdrawn. Digital Art is not accepted.
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.
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Between the crops Georgia farmers grow and the jobs agriculture creates to harvest, process and transport these crops, agriculture contributed $100.4 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2024, according to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
For more information about the contests contact your county Farm Bureau office.
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/25caesagimpactreport to access info about Georgia agriculture.
NEW FEDERAL LAW RESTORES SCHOOLS’ ACCESS TO WHOLE MILK
Enrollment underway for Dairy Margin Coverage
On Jan. 14 President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to restore access to whole milk in schools and strengthen support for American dairy producers. On Jan. 13 at the American Farm Bureau Convention, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced expanded enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, released on Jan. 14, which reintroduced full-fat dairy as part of a healthy dietary pattern. The bill, S. 222, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Nov. 20, 2025 and the House by a voice vote on Dec. 15.
USDA implementation begins immediately. Following the announcement USDA issued guidance to school nutrition officials to implement the bill. The department said proposed rulemaking will soon commence to ensure schools and nutrition programs can begin offering whole milk as quickly as possible.
The USDA also indicated it would rewrite federal child nutrition programs to ensure school meals are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030.
Meanwhile, Rollins announced the expanded enrollment for the 2026 DMC program, as well as new commodity purchases
The DMC program provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences. Starting Jan. 12, dairy producers could enroll in DMC. The enrollment period ends Feb. 26. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reauthorized DMC for calendar years 2026 through 2031 and provided substantial program improvements, including establishing new production history and increasing Tier 1 coverage.
DMC’s Tier 1 coverage level increased from five million pounds to six million pounds. All dairy operations that elect to enroll in DMC for 2026 will establish a new production history. Existing dairy operations that started marketing milk on or before Jan. 1, 2023, will use the higher of milk marketings for the years of 2021, 2022, or 2023. New dairy operations that started after Jan. 1, 2023, will use their first year of monthly milk marketings, even for a partial year. Milk marketing statements or production evidence are required to establish a production history.
Dairy operations also have the option to lock-in coverage levels for six years (2026-2031) with premium fees discounted by 25%.
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DMC offers different levels of coverage, including an option that is free to producers, minus a $100 administrative fee. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool
For more information, visit the DMC webpage or contact your local USDA Service Center.
Agricultural Marketing Service Section 32 Purchases
Rollins also announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $80 million in specialty crops –almonds, grape juice, pistachios and raisins - from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) continuously purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
2026 GEORGIA DAIRY CONFERENCE
Jan. 19-21 Marriott Savannah Riverfront Savannah
Hosted by Georgia Milk Producers Inc., the Georgia Dairy Conference is an opportunity for Georgia dairy producers to gather and discuss recent trends in the dairy industry. Registration is free for GMP members. Event seminar topics include analyzing market trends, a Southeast dairy outlook, milk quality, a focus on milk yield, preventing embryonic loss and much more. For more information or to register, visit www.gadairyconference.com.
2026 GEORGIA AG FORECAST
Jan. 23 UGA Tifton Conference Center
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tifton
This annual seminar, hosted by the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, includes the announcement of the 2026 Georgia Sunbelt Farmer of the Year and shares the latest research and information from UGA faculty to help farmers and agribusinesses in Georgia's No. 1 industry. The 2026 Georgia Ag Forecast report will give a detailed overview of more than a dozen agricultural sectors, published by UGA economists and collaborators. Registration is $25 per person and includes lunch. Registration to watch the livestream is $10. Visit https://agforecast.caes.uga.edu/ to register.
[https://estore.uga.edu/C27063_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=530&SINGLESTORE=t rue]
2026 FLAVOR OF GEORGIA FOOD PRODUCT CONTEST
Jan. 23 deadline to enter
Feb. 23-25 First round judging UGA Griffin Campus
March 3
March 27
Finalists notified by email
Final judging at Savor the State Market Athens
The Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest has helped launch small, startup food companies while garnering recognition in new markets for established Georgia brands since 2007. Your product could be the next winner! Registration is $100 per product. The product submission deadline is January 23. Enter three or more products and get an additional product entry free. Firstround judging will take place at the UGA Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center (FoodPIC) on the UGA Griffin Campus, with three days of in-person sample drop off. All contestants will receive feedback from first-round judges Contestants who advance to the final round of the competition will be able to sell their products during the reception and awards ceremony at the Classic Center in Athens. Visit https://flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu/ for complete details or email flavorofga@uga.edu. To register, click here.
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FIELD DAY FOR SOIL HEALTH ON GRAZED CROPLAND
Jan. 27 Bleckley County Extension Office, 165 East Peacock St. Cochran
Come out to the Bleckley County Extension Office and Lucas Farm for a field day all about soil health and grazing cropland. Covered topics include soil health practices, irrigation management, drone seeding, cover crops, and grazing techniques. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. For more information or to register click here [https://rollinghillsrcd.net/georgia-forage-and-grassland-council-eventspage]
SDRP SECOND STAGE, MILK AND ON-FARM STORAGE PAYMENTS
Jan. 23 deadline to apply for milk & on-farm stored commodity losses April 30 deadline to apply for SDRP Stage One and Stage Two assistance Stage Two of SDRP covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses that were not covered under Stage One program provisions, including non-indemnified (shallow loss), uncovered and quality losses. For Stage Two program details, including fact sheets, please visit https://fsa.usda.gov/sdrp. The first stage, announced in July, remains available to producers who received an indemnity under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for eligible crop losses due to qualifying 2023 and 2024 natural disaster events. FSA county offices will begin accepting SDRP Stage Two applications on Nov. 24. Producers have until April 30, 2026, to apply for both Stage One and Stage Two assistance. The Milk Loss Program provides up to $1.65 million in payments to eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed without compensation from the commercial milk market because of a qualifying natural disaster event in 2023 and/or 2024. Producers who suffered losses of eligible harvested commodities while stored in on-farm structures in 2023 and/or 2024 due to a qualifying natural disaster event may be eligible for assistance through the On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program, which provides for up to $5 million to impacted producers. The enrollment period to apply for milk and on-farm stored commodity losses is Nov. 24, 2025, through Jan. 23, 2026. Information and fact sheets for both programs are available online at https://fsa.usda.gov/mlp for milk loss and https://fsa.usda.gov/ofsclp for on-farm stored commodity losses.
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GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING
Jan. 28 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. into afternoon Tifton
This one-day annual meeting of the Georgia Cotton Commission is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop will feature breakout sessions where attendees will learn the latest technical production strategies from the researchers whose projects are funded by the Commission’s research program. The Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting will follow the breakout sessions and feature speakers from several industry organizations. The program speakers are University of Georgia Extension Entomologist Dr. Phillip Roberts; USDA Farm Service Agency Chief of Staff Mary Catherine Cromley; and National Cotton Council of America Vice President of Operations Marjory Walker. Following the morning speakers, the Commission will host lunch where individuals will hear from Rachel Kinsaul, Georgia’s 2025 Teacher of the Year; sponsors will be recognized; door prizes will be given away; and awards will be presented. The meeting, production workshops, and lunch are open to not only cotton growers, but anyone interested in the cotton industry. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop breakout sessions will be repeated after lunch. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online here or call (229) 386-3416.
2026 GFB WOMEN IN AG SUMMIT
March 19-20 Marriott Savannah Riverfront Savannah
Feb. 5 registration deadline
This conference, a time of fun, fellowship and personal and professional development, is open to any woman with an interest in the agriculture industry – female farmers, agriculture industry professionals, Farm Bureau volunteers, and others. Registration is $100 per person and a preconference tour of the UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium is available on a limited space basis for $30 per person. To register for the summit, visit https://georgiafarmbureau.regfox.com/2026-women-in-ag-summit. Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Conference includes a tour of the UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium in Savannah. A block of rooms has been secured at The Marriott Savannah Riverfront for $289/night + taxes and hotel fees. To make hotel reservations, please call using the following number, 1-800-228-9290, and mention GFB Women in Ag Summit. For more information, contact Heather King at hcking@gfb.org
33rd ANNUAL UGA FOCUS ON GENOMIC ENHANCED EPDS BULL SALE
Feb. 12 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena Noon Athens
This sale will include 35 Angus Bulls, three registered Angus open heifers, and 30 Angus-Cross commercial open heifers. For more information, contact Carroll T. Cannon at 229/881-0721 or 229/881-2705 or email CannonMarketingCompany@gmail.com.
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GEORGIA FORAGE & GRASSLAND COUNCIL GRAZING SUMMIT
Feb. 27-28 City Station Conference Center Carrollton
Join the Georgia Forage & Grassland Council Grazing Summit to learn practical tips for better forage and grazing. Listen to experienced graziers and experts and take part in panel talks. Whether you want to improve grazing, boost soil health, or raise more productive livestock, the Grazing Summit 2026 offers valuable resources. For more information click here [https://rollinghillsrcd.net/georgia-forage-and-grassland-council-grazingschool]
GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS
March 1 deadline to apply
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is offering $66,000 worth of scholarships in 2026 in support of students planning to or already engaged in studies to prepare them for careers in agriculture and ag-related fields. There are five scholarship classifications: The Scholarship for Agriculture for graduating high school seniors who plan to enter college for Fall 2026 semester and pursue a career focusing on agriculture; the Rising Junior/Senior Scholarship for agriculture for current college students who are at least two semesters away from completing their undergraduate degree; the Back to Farm Scholarship for rising junior/senior college students who have shown a clear commitment to returning to the farm to build a career in production agriculture; the Technical College Scholarship for Agriculture for students enrolled at a school in the Technical College System of Georgia and majoring in an ag or ag-related field of study; and the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship is for current veterinary medicine students specializing in large animal/food animal practice. The deadline to apply for all of these scholarships is March 1, 2026. For more information or to apply, visit www.gafoundationag.org/scholarships.
2026 GEORGIA FARM STRESS SUMMIT
March 12
Pettigrew Center, Fort Valley State University 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fort Valley The 2026 Georgia Farm Stress Summit will bring together farmers, farm families, health care providers, government leaders, agricultural advocates, agribusinesses, nonprofits and others committed to addressing farm stress in their rural communities. The summit will focus on connecting communities with resources and building strong cross-sector partnerships. For more information, visit https://gafarmstress.org/stress-summit2026/.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.