March 11, 2026
www.gfb.org
Vol. 8 No. 5
HURRICANE HELENE BLOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS TO OPEN MARCH 16 From Monday, March 16 to midnight on April 27, Georgia farmers, ranchers and foresters in eligible counties hit by Hurricane Helene with eligible losses not covered under pre-existing USDA programs, may apply for relief funds under the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper announced March 2. Georgia producers who suffered losses in timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk loss, dairy feed loss, pecans, blueberries, citrus, nursery, plasticulture and bare ground practices due to Hurricane Helene may apply for assistance through the Georgia Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program until midnight on April 27. Visit www.farmrecovery.com for the application, eligibility requirements and more information. “I’m incredibly proud to announce that Georgia farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for relief beginning on March 16,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “While this relief will not make impacted producers 100% whole, it will go a long way to help farm families get back on their feet after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. We invested thousands of hours into this process to ensure we brought the maximum amount of funding to Georgia while covering as many commodities and loss types as possible, and I want to thank the Trump administration and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins for understanding the critical need for financial relief following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.” In September 2025, Secretary Rollins announced the USDA was allocating $531,236,000 million to Georgia to provide relief for commodities and losses not covered under pre-existing USDA programs. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), which is administering the program, Georgia is covering more commodities and loss types than any other state. According to GDA, timber payments will be based on pre-hurricane values of damaged timber stands; infrastructure losses will cover on-farm physical structures needed for ag production; poultry losses will be based on lost production cycles; beef and dairy cattle losses cover drops in conception rates; milk losses are for lower milk production; pecan, blueberry and citrus losses are for future production losses due to destroyed bushes and trees; nursery losses cover future production losses due to destruction of nursery crops. Compensation will be provided to reestablish
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 20 plasticulture and bare-ground practices damaged by Helene. Minimum loss requirements for all above categories will apply. Producers in the following counties are eligible for loss repayment from the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Marion, McDuffie, McIntosh, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Oglethorpe, Pierce, Pulaski, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson, and Worth. In addition to visiting www.farmrecovery.com for the latest information on the block grant program, questions may be asked via phone at 404-656-3630 or by email at hbg@agr.georgia.gov. Documents: General HBG Flyer Frequently Asked Questions Info Sheet: Blueberry Bushes Info Sheet: Citrus Trees Info Sheet: Dairy – Milk Info Sheet: Dairy – Structures Info Sheet: General Infrastructure Info Sheet: Green House Structures Info Sheet: Irrigation Info Sheet: Pecans Info Sheet: Plastic Mulch Info Sheet: Poultry Houses Info Sheet: Timber Info Sheet: Beef Conception Losses HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE PASSES FARM BILL On March 4, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) by a 34-17 vote, sending it to the House floor for consideration. The 802-page bill, referred to as “Farm Bill 2.0,” addresses farm bill programs that were not included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). That legislation (“Farm Bill 1.0”), which President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, included provisions for farm bill commodity programs with updated reference prices. “Getting this bill through the House Ag Committee is an important step,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “Georgia’s farmers need the stability of a five-year farm bill, and we hope Congress can push through a new farm bill this year.” Farm Bill 2.0 reauthorizes the farm bill through 2031 and includes additional provisions for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 20 credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance, livestock and other animals, and foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land. Included in the committee-passed farm bill were 181 “marker bills,” bills addressing specific issues that are submitted to gauge interest rather than to pass as stand-alone bills. According to a committee summary, 149 of the marker bills in the farm bill had bipartisan support. Two marker bills submitted by Georgia congressmen carry significance for Georgia farmers still working to recover from Hurricane Helene and market disruptions that harm businesses in the timber sector. The Farmers AID Relief Act, introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga. 1st District), would direct the secretary of agriculture to use an alternate data set when assessing eligibility for Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) indemnity payments beginning with the 2027 crop year. Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga. 12th District) submitted the “Timber Harvesters, Haulers, and Landowners Market Disruptions Relief Act,” which would establish a relief program for timber businesses affected by market events like sawmill closures, trade barriers and price declines. Click here to review the House farm bill in its entirety. GFB MEMBERS CARRY STORIES OF STRUGGLE TO D.C. The annual Georgia Farm Bureau Presidents’ trip to Washington, D.C. provided GFB members with an important opportunity to interact directly with members of the Georgia congressional delegation, as it does every year. This time around, they carried a particularly weighty burden. A group of 28 GFB leaders from county chapters and the state board visited Washington March 3-5, carrying stories of the different ways they’re running into barriers to success, from rising input costs to international trade challenges and a variety of things in between. The elevator speech version was this: Farming that is not profitable is not sustainable, and farmers and ranchers need help. On March 3, the GFB group heard presentations from American Farm Bureau Federation staff during an after-lunch briefing covering, trade, labor costs, the farm bill, water and more. The meeting included an impromptu visit from Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, who was in town for an AFBF board meeting also attended by GFB President Tom McCall. On March 4, GFB leaders took to Capitol Hill to visit members of the Georgia congressional delegation. The group met with Reps. Barry Loudermilk, Austin Scott, Buddy Carter, Rick Allen, Brian Jack and Mike Collins, Sen. Jon Ossoff and staff for Rep. Andrew Clyde and Sen. Raphael Warnock, as well as staff aides for the Senate Agriculture Committee. The GFB group shared messages about the farm bill, disaster assistance, farm labor and trade, with the overriding mission of focusing attention on farmers’ need for profitability. Discussions included recent developments related to U.S. military operations in the Middle East. GFB members pointed out that diesel prices jumped by 85 cents per gallon virtually overnight, compounding already dire financial conditions for farmers.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 20 By coincidence, Morgan County Farm Bureau Director Rachel Kinsaul visited D.C. at the same time. Kinsaul, the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year and a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year, was in D.C. for an interview as part of the national award process. While there, she visited with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The National Teacher of the Year will be announced this spring. GFB President Tom McCall and his wife, Jane, and AFBF President Zippy Duvall and his wife, Jennifer, joined Kinsaul in her meeting with Rollins. AFBF Briefings Farm Bill AFBF Government Affairs Director Brian Glenn gave the farm bill briefing. Coincidentally on March 3, the House Agriculture Committee began markup on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. Markup is where the committee considers changes to the bill before passing it on to the full House. The bill addresses farm bill titles that were not addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “This is everything that was not updated. They weren’t able to get everything done in the One Big Beautiful Bill because [the] reconciliation [process] has some guardrails on what you can actually do in that process,” Glenn said. Glenn said AFBF has several priorities for a modernized five-year farm bill, including federal loan programs, rural development, research and Extension, forestry and energy. He also mentioned policy-related provisions, noting the example of California’s Proposition 12, which bans pork produced using certain animal welfare practices from being sold in the state. “China outspends us on ag research two to one,” Glenn said. “We need smart policy that moves us forward, gets us that technology, that innovation that moves us forward. So, this bill really focuses a lot on that.” Trade AFBF Senior Director of Government Affairs Dave Salmonsen discussed trade and tariffs. While the United States has reached trade agreements with a number of nations over the past year, Salmonsen emphasized that China’s influence over agricultural trade cannot be overstated. In October 2025, the U.S. and China agreed to delay additional tariffs for one year. The U.S. tariffs on imported goods from China were reduced from 59% to 49%, while the China tariffs on imports from the U.S. were reduced to 21.9%. Port fees were delayed, and China committed to buying 12 million metric tons of soybeans in 2025 and 25 million metric tons annually moving forward. Salmonsen pointed out that tariffs are the Trump administration’s tool of choice to generate revenue, create leverage to achieve economic and non-economic objectives and reindustrialize the U.S. economy. The administration has faced legal challenges and on multiple points has been rebuffed by U.S. courts. The U.S. last had an ag trade surplus in 2021, though Salmonsen said the deficits since then are based more on value than on volume. “Up to that time, we always sold more than we imported,” Salmonsen said. “But we know our prices have been the last several years. So when you measure things by value, the value of our
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 20 exports has gone down. Not really the volumes. Other than China, the world's pretty much buying what they've always bought from us.” Labor AFBF Director of Government of Affairs John Walt Boatright discussed agricultural labor and farmers' costs associated with it. Movement in Congress on migrant labor has been slow to materialize, with some in Congress saying they wouldn’t address it until the border was secure. Boatright reviewed a series of federal rules related to immigration and labor and where they stood: • The methodology the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) used to determine the Adverse Effect Wage Rate is under a nationwide injunction. • The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s fee schedule and changes to certain other immigration benefit request requirements is still in effect. • The DOL Overtime Pay Rule is on hold. • The OSHA Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process is still in place. • The DOL Independent Contractor Rule is no longer being enforced. • Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States that took effect June 28, 2024, is under a proposal to be rescinded following court decisions. • The rule that took effect Jan. 17, 2025, modernizing H-2A program requirements, oversight, and worker protections is still in place. • The OSHA proposed heat standard is still pending. Waters of the United States AFBF Senior Director of Government Affairs Courtney Briggs reviewed the latest developments on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Notably, the definition of WOTUS is significantly narrowed under an EPA Interim Final Rule currently undergoing the regulatory review process. The new definition takes into consideration the seasonal moisture variations by geographic area. MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS RAISE SPRING PLANTING CONCERNS IN U.S. The following is excerpted from a March 9 installment of American Farm Bureau’s Market Intel by AFBF economist Faith Parum. American farmers are entering the 2026 spring planting season amid geopolitical tensions involving Iran and nearby Persian Gulf countries, which adds uncertainty to global energy and fertilizer markets. This timing matters because fertilizer purchasing, field preparation and early season fertilizer applications are already underway, limiting farmers’ ability to adjust if input prices spike suddenly. Farmers are already considering reducing corn acres planted in exchange for crops like soybeans that require less fertilizer. Many farmers are already facing significant cost pressures as production expenses remain elevated, reducing working capital that would normally help absorb unexpected shocks. In this environment, disruptions in global energy markets can quickly translate into higher input costs for farmers. One reason these geopolitical developments matter for agriculture is the region’s role in global energy and fertilizer markets, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 20 The Strait of Hormuz is central to energy and fertilizer trade. Oil flowing through the Strait averaged about 20 million barrels per day in 2024, roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. Because energy is a major input to fertilizer production and transportation, disruptions or heightened risk in the region can amplify volatility across agricultural input markets. Iran holds some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, and natural gas is the key feedstock used to produce ammonia, a key ingredient for most nitrogen fertilizers. Urea, which contains about 46% nitrogen, is the most widely used solid nitrogen fertilizer globally and plays a central role in crop production systems. The Middle East’s Role in Global Fertilizer Supply The Middle East is an important hub for nitrogen fertilizer production and exports. Countries exposed to disruption in the region account for nearly 49% of global urea exports and about 30% of global ammonia exports, reflecting the concentration of fertilizer production and export capacity in and near the Persian Gulf. Major exporters include Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The potential disruption extends beyond Iran’s own fertilizer production. Large volumes of urea, ammonia, phosphates, sulfur and petroleum produced in Gulf countries move through the Strait of Hormuz each year. Egypt also represents a vulnerability in nitrogen markets because fertilizer production there depends heavily on natural gas supplies, which can affect output when gas availability is disrupted. Taken together, the concentration of fertilizer production, fertilizer inputs and shipping routes in the Persian Gulf means disruptions in the region can influence a substantial share of globally traded nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilizer Is a Global Market Fertilizer markets are globally integrated, so supply disruptions in one region can influence prices and availability elsewhere. The United States relies on both domestic production and imports to meet fertilizer demand, and import exposure varies by nutrient. Roughly 97% of potassium is imported, 18% of nitrogen and 13% of phosphate. This import exposure increases sensitivity to global trade disruptions, particularly during seasonal demand peaks. Even though the United States does not directly import large quantities of fertilizer from the Middle East, domestic fertilizer markets still respond to price movements in the region. For instance, if countries that rely more heavily on Persian Gulf fertilizer supplies, such as India or Brazil, are forced to seek alternative sources, their demand may shift toward other global suppliers, increasing competition for available product and driving prices higher for U.S. farmers. Impacts on Energy Markets Fuel prices also influence farm operations more broadly. Diesel powers many aspects of agricultural production, including field preparation, planting, fertilizer application and crop transportation. Rising energy prices therefore affect both fertilizer production costs and on-farm operating expenses.
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 20 Pressure Compounded by Planting These developments come just as fertilizer and fuel demand rises ahead of spring planting. In the South, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and the Carolinas, corn planting can begin as early as late January and continues into April, with cotton planting beginning as early as February and continuing through June. Winter wheat planted last fall is also breaking dormancy across the Southern Plains and requires nitrogen applications during early spring growth. In total, about 50% of nitrogen applied to corn, 28% applied to cotton and 42% applied to spring wheat is typically applied in the spring. As a result, disruptions to fertilizer supply chains during this early period could have outsized effects on input availability and prices, potentially affecting crop yields and farm operational schedules during the most critical months of the planting season. Bottom Line Markets remain uncertain, and the duration of disruptions in the Middle East will ultimately determine how much fertilizer and fuel prices move in the months ahead. While the United States is the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas, fuel and fertilizer markets remain globally interconnected. Countries exposed to instability in the Persian Gulf account for nearly half of globally traded urea exports and roughly 30% of ammonia exports. Because these products are essential for crop production, disruptions in the region can influence fertilizer availability and prices well beyond the Middle East. As farmers prepare to plant the 2026 crop and finalize fertilizer purchases, developments in global energy and fertilizer markets will be an important factor shaping input costs and farm budgets in the coming months. The administration has announced plans to help ensure the safe passage of fuel shipments through key global shipping lanes. Expanding these protections to include agricultural input supplies such as fertilizer should also be a priority given their importance to food production and national security. To read the March 9 Market Intel in its entirety, click here. USING PESTICIDES WISELY TRAINING SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED In early February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced updated federal protections for over-the-top (OTT) dicamba applications on dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans for the next two growing seasons. These changes include additional application requirements and safeguards to address off-target movement and environmental concerns. To comply with these federal label changes, Georgia applicators who plan to apply these products are required to complete state-specific dicamba training, conducted in collaboration with the University of Georgia Extension and GDA, before they make any OTT dicamba applications in 2026. The training sessions began on March 4. The remaining schedule and further details for the required Georgia dicamba training are provided below. Georgia State Specific Dicamba Training As mandated by federal labels, all applicators must hold a private or commercial pesticide applicator license to purchase and apply the restricted-use herbicides Engenia, Stryax, and Tavium.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 20 Prior to applying these products in Georgia during 2026, applicators must complete the statespecific 2026 UPW classroom training with locations provided below. Online training WILL NOT be available. Some key points about the training: • Those needing pesticide credits but not applying Engenia, Stryax, or Tavium are welcome to attend. • Bring your pesticide license; 2 hours of pesticide credits for private or commercial will be provided. • The meeting will last about 1.5 hours; NO beverages or meals will be provided. • Attendees’ names will be placed on a list posted to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s auxin website at https://agr.georgia.gov/dicamba. Topics discussed will include: Pesticide applicator safety, new dicamba label changes, required recordkeeping/ documentation when applying these herbicides, and fulfilling the new Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements, along with other valuable information. The remaining training sessions: March 16, 9 a.m. – Mitchell County. RSVP: 229-336-2066. Location: Mitchell Co. Ag Center, 4590 GA Hwy 37 East, Camilla, GA 31730. March 17, 9 a.m. – Terrell County. RSVP: 229-995-2165. Location: Main Street Theater, 152 N Main Street, Dawson, GA 39842. March 18, 9 a.m. – Brooks County. RSVP: 229-263-4103. Location: Brooks Co. Ex. Office, 400 E Courtland Avenue, Quitman, GA 31643. March 18, 1:30 p.m. – Pierce County. RSVP: 912-449-2034. Location: Pierce County Ext. Office, 705 College Ave., Blackshear, GA 31516. March 19, 9 a.m. – Bulloch County. RSVP: 912-871-6130. Location: Nessmith-Lane Conference Center, 847 Plant Dr., Statesboro, GA 30458. March 20, 9 a.m. – Toombs County. RSVP: 912-526-3101. Location: Southeastern Technical College, 3001 E. First St., Vidalia, GA 30474. March 23, 9 a.m. – Tift County. RSVP: 229-386-7274. Location: Tifton Campus Conf. Center, 15 RDC Road, Tifton, GA 31793. March 24, 9 a.m. – Coffee County. RSVP: Not necessary. Location: Coffee High School, 159 Trojan Way, Douglas, GA 31533. March 25, 9 a.m. – Burke County. RSVP: 706-554-2119. Location: Burke Co. Office Park, 715 West Sixth St., Waynesboro, GA 30830. March 25, 1:30 p.m. – Emanuel County. RSVP: 478-237-1226. Location: Varner 4-H Center, 220 S Circle Drive, Swainsboro, GA 30401. March 26, 1:30 p.m. – Madison County. RSVP: 706-795-2281. Location: Madison County School System Agricultural Facility, 175 Hope Thompson Lane, Danielsville, GA 30633. March 31, 9 am – Laurens County. RSVP: 478-272-2277. Location: The Dubose Porter Conf. Center at Oconee Fall Line Tech College, Dublin Campus, 560 Pinehill Road, Dublin, GA 31021.
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 20 NATIONAL & GEORGIA AG WEEKS CELEBRATE FARMERS From March through June, Georgia farmers will harvest strawberries, Vidalia onions and blueberries. First cuttings of hay for livestock will be harvested. Many farmers are beginning to plant corn, and in May and June, they will plant their peanut, cotton and soybean crops. Dairy cows are being milked multiple times a day, table eggs are being picked up daily and cattle and chickens are being raised. Georgia’s agricultural community have two weeks to celebrate all things agriculture. National Agriculture Week is March 15-21, and Georgia Ag Awareness Week is March 23-29. National Ag Day is March 24. “With spring beginning and the earth coming back to life, March is the perfect time for Georgia’s agricultural community to celebrate and promote agriculture to consumers and students. Farmers keep us fed, clothed and housed. Farmers protect the natural resources of soil, water and wildlife on their farms. American farmers growing our food is a matter of national security,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall said. “As a society, we depend on farmers every day. Hopefully, the many activities our county Farm Bureaus will carry out in their communities these next two weeks will make a positive impression about the importance of agriculture that lasts a lifetime.” United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics show that Georgia farmers play a big role in feeding us. According to USDA statistics for 2024, 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 2024, Georgia pecan growers also ranked first in the U.S. in pecan production. Georgia ranked second nationally in production of cotton, cottonseed and watermelons in 2024. Georgia ranked third in the U.S. for production of blueberries, peaches and bell peppers in 2024, and fifth for cucumber 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) offers a video that highlights Georgia agriculture. If you are interested in learning more about the crops and livestock grown in Georgia visit https://gfb.ag/gaagvideo . Visit www.gfb.ag/agweek2026 for a variety of free 2026 Ag Week resources about blueberries Georgia Farm Bureau offers for students. Visit https://www.gfb.org/learn/about-georgia-ag to download ag resources including coloring sheets, educational videos, no-bake recipes and more that explore other Georgia ag crops and livestock. Georgia agriculture feeds and clothes us, but it also benefits our state economy. Agriculture and related industries contributed $100.4 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2024, according to the University of Georgia’s 2024 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report (FGV). The Top 10 commodities Georgia farmers produced in 2024 were: broilers ($6.1 billion); beef ($1.2 billion); eggs ($1 billion); peanuts ($877.9 million); greenhouse nurseries ($863.2 million); cotton ($770.4 million); timber ($655.6 million); dairy ($469.3 million); corn ($382.8 million) and
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 20 blueberries ($382.7 million), according to the 2024 FGV 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 370,400 jobs for Georgians in 2024, 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. GEORGIA’S KATELYN LINDSAY CROWNED NATIONAL WATERMELON QUEEN The Georgia Watermelon Association (GWA) is proud to announce that 2025 Georgia Watermelon Ambassador Katelyn Lindsay was crowned the 2026 National Watermelon Queen on Feb. 21 during the National Watermelon Association (NWA) Convention in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Lindsay earned the title of GWA Brand Ambassador in January 2025, after competing in GWA’s annual scholarship competition. The competition takes place at the GWA Convention, where applicants are interviewed by industry members, and give a two-to-three-minute speech to a crowd of over 200 people. After being named the GWA ambassador, Lindsay served as a dedicated advocate for Georgia’s watermelon industry, completing nearly 60 promotional events throughout the southeast. She also traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators on behalf of the watermelon industry. From community events and school visits to retail promotions and industry outreach, she has represented Georgia growers with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for agriculture. To compete at the national level, the Georgia Ambassador spent the week in St. Pete Beach at the National Watermelon Convention along with six other state title holders representing their respective state watermelon associations. The applicants competed in a three-part interview, answered an on-stage question, and addressed a convention crowd of more than 400 people with a four-minute speech on why she believed she would be the best candidate for the job. As the newly crowned National Watermelon Queen, Lindsay will now represent the watermelon industry on a national and international level, traveling across the United States and Canada to promote watermelon and share the story of Georgia’s hardworking farmers. “I am incredibly honored and excited to represent our industry on a national level and to advocate for the growers who make it all possible. Thank you to the Georgia Watermelon Association and its members for trusting me to represent you in 2025. Being crowned the 2026
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 20 National Watermelon Queen is more than a title — it reflects the heart, dedication, and hard work that fuel our entire industry. I can’t wait for the year ahead!” said Lindsay. The Georgia Watermelon Association celebrates Lindsay’s accomplishment and looks forward to supporting her as she steps into this prestigious role with the National Watermelon Association. “Congratulations to the 2025 Georgia Watermelon Ambassador, Katelyn Lindsay, on being crowned the 2026 National Watermelon Queen,” said GWA President Lee Wroten. “We are so proud of her and are excited about getting to share her enthusiasm for watermelons and our industry with the rest of the country.” FARE, NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD BOOST ALLERGY RESEARCH On Feb. 26, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), the leading charity that supports the food allergy community through advocacy, research, and education, announced a $2.5 million investment from the National Peanut Board (NPB) in support of FARE’s ongoing work to accelerate a cure for food allergy. The funding will support FARE’s Mind Meld initiative, a proven, collaborative research model designed to accelerate progress against disease. This approach was developed during the tenure of FARE CEO Dr. Sung Poblete in her prior role leading Stand Up To Cancer for more than a decade. Its application in food allergy aims to accelerate the translation of research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients. “Food allergy is a serious, life-threatening disease of the immune system that impacts more than 33 million people in the United States,” said Dr. Poblete. “By bringing together the leading scientists in immunology, Mind Meld is designed to identify pathways to retrain the immune system, so it no longer attacks food proteins and carbohydrates, recognizing them for what they are. In many ways, this work builds on and reverse engineers advances made in cancer research, and we believe it will lead to a cure for food allergy.” The National Peanut Board’s investment builds on a long-standing commitment to addressing peanut allergy. Over the past two decades, NPB has invested more than $43 million in research and education related to eradicating peanut allergy. This new investment supports a larger collaborative approach intended to accelerate progress toward a cure. “We have already seen the impact we can have on big breakthroughs such as evidence-based early introduction practices,” said NPB President and CEO Ryan Lepicier. “Now we see an opportunity to advance the level of breakthroughs in food allergy. Joining a larger collaborative model with FARE’s Mind Meld initiative, we hope that other commodity organizations and partners across the food system will share this vision and join us in advancing this important work.” FARE expects to release a request for proposals (RFP) later this year to support the next phase of research funded through this initiative.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 20 USDA LAUNCHES ‘ONE FARMER, ONE FILE’ INITIATIVE On Feb. 26 at the Commodity Classic Convention in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the “One Farmer, One File” modernization, a set of sweeping technological improvements at the USDA, with the goal of creating a single, streamlined record that follows the farmer — no matter where they go in the USDA system. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) work with agricultural producers on a wide range of programs and services, from establishing a farm number to reporting acres planted, and from getting capital to recovering from disasters. The goal of “One Farmer, One File” is to reduce the administrative burden for farmers. The department says this effort will make program delivery more efficient, save time for USDA staff, and decrease spending on disparate information technology systems. USDA began work on this system in 2025 and plans to greatly advance the effort in 2026. USDA anticipates completing the project in 2028.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 20 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/. SCHOOL CHOICE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GEORGIA AG FAMILIES March 15 deadline to apply Learning to Serve (LTS), a Georgia Student Scholarship Organization (SSO), is offering scholarships to increase school choice opportunities for children of Georgia farmers and Georgia families whose income depends on agricultural businesses. These families can apply for K-12 private school scholarships through LTS if their students are serving in the community and meet the state’s SSO eligibility requirements. The application for the 2026-27 school year is open through March 15. For more information about LTS and how to donate your tax credits to help farming families, visit www.learningtoserve.org or email mandy@learningtoserve.org. To apply for a scholarship visit https://www.learningtoserve.org/scholarships/. Learning to Serve is a Georgia Student Scholarship Organization that leverages Georgia income tax credits to help students earn a scholarship to attend an accredited K-12 private school. Founded in 2009, Learning to Serve has awarded nearly $10 million in scholarships to 4,000 Georgia students who have served more than 30,000 hours in their communities. UGA NEW WORLD SCREWWORM PREPAREDNESS WEBINAR March 19 7 p.m. Register at www.tinyurl.com/screwwormUGA The UGA Extension Beef Team is hosting this free, educational webinar that will cover how to recognize signs your herd is infested with NWSW, practical prevention and response strategies to implement with your herd, and an update from the Ga. Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary office. For more information or questions, please email Jason Duggin at jduggin@uga.edu. USDA CONTINUOUS CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM SIGNUP March 20 enrollment deadline On Feb. 10 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the enrollment periods for agricultural producers and landowners to submit offers for the Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for Continuous CRP starting Feb. 12, through March 20. FSA will announce dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future. CRP is USDA’s flagship conservation program, providing financial and technical support to agricultural producers and landowners who place unproductive or marginal cropland under contract for 10-15 years and who agree to voluntarily convert the land to beneficial vegetative cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife habitat. The Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 20 and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, extends FSA’s authority to administer CRP through Sept. 30, 2026. Continuous CRP (Signup 65) FSA will batch Continuous CRP offers submitted by interested agricultural producers and landowners. Offers to re-enroll expiring CRP continuous acreage will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. New acreage offered in continuous CRP practices will be considered for acceptance on a first-come, first-serve basis if they support USDA conservation priorities including but not limited to practices that address water quality, such as filter strips and grass waterways, and practices that restore native ecosystems or target specific resource concerns. The first Continuous CRP batching period ends on March 20, 2026. Offers submitted after this date will be considered for acceptance in subsequent batching periods if acreage remains available. Continuous CRP participants voluntarily offer environmentally sensitive lands, typically smaller parcels than offered through General CRP including wetlands, riparian buffers, and varying wildlife habitats. In return, they receive annual rental payments and costshare assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative cover. Continuous CRP enrollment options include: • Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative: Prioritizes water quality practices on the land that, if enrolled, will help reduce sediment loadings, nutrient loadings, and harmful algal blooms. The vegetative covers also contribute to increased wildlife populations. • CLEAR30 (a component of the CLEAR Initiative): Offers additional incentives for water quality practice adoption and can be accessed in 30-year contracts. • Highly Erodible Land Initiative (HELI): Producers and landowners can enroll in CRP to establish long-term cover on highly erodible cropland that has a weighted erodibility index greater than or equal to 20. • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): Addresses high priority conservation objectives of states and Tribal governments on agricultural lands in specific geographic areas. • State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative (SAFE): Restores vital habitat in order to meet high-priority state wildlife conservation goals. Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office.
GFB Field Notes page 15 of 20 KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION March 22 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Farmington Community Center Watkinsville The Kel-Mac Saddle Club cordially invites current and past members to attend its 50th anniversary party to celebrate the club’s legacy of horses, horsemanship & community. Anyone with old photos of Kel-Mac events or Kel-Mac show memorabilia who is willing to display it at the celebration, is encouraged to contact Valerie at vpuryear@gmail.com. In 1976, the late Norm and Faye Grayson were inspired to create a local horse show for the Athens/Watkinsville/Madison area. Initially, the horse shows were held on land in north Oconee County loaned by Dr. Paul Keller and Dr. James MacDonald. The shows were so successful that a group of horse enthusiasts established a riding club, named the Kel-Mac Saddle Club for the two doctors. Today, Kel-Mac Saddle Club is the longest-running saddle club in Georgia that annually features four family and beginner-friendly horse shows, monthly trail rides, camping trips, equine educational meetings, workshops and scholarships. Over the past 50 years, the club, which now has nearly 100 individual and family memberships, has raised more than $170,000 for local charitable causes and scholarships. All contributions are raised from the club’s horse show proceeds and generous donations. Recipients have included equine and animal rescue groups, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund and the equestrian facilities of state and county parks such as A.H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, Watson Mill Bridge and Heritage Park. Members, sponsors, family and friends all contribute to the success of the club as it takes teamwork to host all of the events. GFB, ABAC TO WEBINAR EXPLORING AG CAREERS March 27 Zoom Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) are partnering to host a virtual educational event to highlight emerging trends and career opportunities in Georgia’s top economic sector - agriculture. “Fields of Opportunity: Exploring Careers in Agriculture.” Participants will discuss the importance of developing the next generation of agricultural leaders and how organizations are fostering meaningful career pathways that ensure the long-term success of Georgia’s farm and forestry communities. Topics will include the role of precision agriculture tools in improving planting, crop management, and livestock efficiency, as well as the expanding opportunities for growth across Georgia’s diverse agricultural landscape. The webinar is open to students, teachers, agribusiness professionals, farmers and community leaders who are interested in helping to develop the future of Georgia agriculture. Register online at https://link.abac.edu/fieldsweb.
GFB Field Notes page 16 of 20 NATIONAL WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE SURVEY March 31 deadline to submit AFBF’s Women’s Leadership program has partnered with a team of researchers, CoBank and JBS to launch this study that will be live through March 31. This nationwide initiative will explore women’s leadership and involvement in agriculture, identify barriers and opportunities, and provide actionable insights to strengthen engagement and support systems across the U.S. agricultural sector—from production and agribusiness to advocacy, education and entrepreneurship. This survey is open to individuals age 18 and older in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who have an interest or involvement in agriculture, including those who work in production agriculture, agribusiness, education, advocacy or related fields. This includes perspectives of both men and women. The survey takes 12-18 minutes to complete. After completing the survey, participants may choose to sign up for a follow-up focus group or key informant interview. The survey and focus groups will be available in English and Spanish. Results from the study will be shared at the International Year of the Woman Farmer ACE Summit, to be held June 1-3 in Washington, D.C, and a public summary of results will be shared. For more information or to take the survey, visit www.gfb.ag/women-in-ag-study. 61ST ANNUAL GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW March 31-April 1 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry Returning this year by its high demand is Dr. Lenny Wells’s Beginners in Pecan Production Course. This is a separate registration from regular conference registration. This course will take place on March 31st beginning at 9:00 AM in the Miller Murphy Howard Building at the Fairgrounds. For registration information and updates to the sessions and speakers, stay tuned through GPGA’s social media channels, email newsletter, and website www.georgiapecan.org. For any questions regarding GPGA’s Conference please reach out to our office at 229-382-2187 or via email at scout@georgiapecan.org. FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP AND TRAPPING DEMONSTRATION April 2 Warren Co. Extension Office, 48 Warren St. 5 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Warrenton This free workshop includes dinner and is sponsored by the Warren County Conservation District, Central Savannah River RC&D Council, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Warren County Farm Bureau, and Smith Farm Supply, and will be hosted by the Warren County Extension. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question-and-answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration. Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Space is limited and preregistration is required. More details and registration information are available at www.GACD.us/events.
GFB Field Notes page 17 of 20 UGA COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE OPEN HOUSE April 3 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Athens This free, family friendly event allows guests to learn more about veterinary medicine and the services the college’s teaching hospital offers through interactive exhibits and animal displays. Attendees from 6th grade and older may tour the college’s teaching hospital. There will be an option for kids to participate in the Teddy Bear Surgery where kids will step into the roles of surgeons and anesthesiologists for a hands-on experience of treating their stuffed animals. Some events are ticketed. Visit https://vet.uga.edu/event/open-house-2026/ to sign up for these events and to learn more. USDA GENERAL CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM SIGNUP April 17 enrollment deadline On Feb. 10 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the enrollment period for the General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP Signup 66). Enrollment for General CRP will run from March 9 through April 17. FSA will announce dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future. General CRP offers are submitted through a competitive bid process. After the enrollment period closes, General CRP offers are ranked and scored by FSA, using nationally established environmental benefits criteria. USDA will announce accepted offers once ranking and scoring for all offers is completed. In addition to annual rental payments, approved General CRP participants may also be eligible for cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative cover. Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office. KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS April 18, May 9, Sept. 19 & Oct. 24 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 $10. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. Each horse show is an “an all-breed show” which means there are a wide variety of disciplines offered in the more than 50 classes. The focus of the Kel-Mac shows is to include everyone and help participants become more comfortable with showing. For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook or Instagram pages 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.
GFB Field Notes page 18 of 20 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 50 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. 64TH ANNUAL GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S CONVENTION April 23-25 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry “King of the Swamp” Troy Landry from the tv show Swamp People will be the keynote speaker for the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention. Previously announced speaker Temple Grandin will be unable to attend the event as planned. The event features a 35,000-squarefoot trade show, Cattlemen’s College sessions on current industry topics, youth speaking contests, junior cattlemen’s stockman’s quiz, photography contest and Cattlemen’s Ball. To register, visit https://gfb.ag/26GCAConvregistration. 2026 GFB SPRING SHOOTOUT April 29 deadline to buy tickets May 15 Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Griffin The 4th Annual GFB Spring Shootout brings together friendly competition, supporting a good cause and enjoying the outdoors for an event you won’t want to miss! It’s perfect for colleagues looking to get out of the office, families making memories, friends catching up, and youth teams gaining real-world tournament experience. VIP team tickets are available for $750, which include a larger tax-deductible amount, regular ticket perks PLUS t-shirts, preferred parking, priority access to the course, and complimentary post-event beverages. General admission team tickets for four are available for $575, which includes the 100-disc event, golf cart rental, eye and ear protection for each shooter, light breakfast, and lunch. Individual entry tickets are $155. Individual entrant will be grouped with other individual participants to form a team for the tournament. Includes the 100-disc event, golf cart rental, eye and ear protection for each shooter, light breakfast, and lunch. This is a great option for those who don’t have a full team but still want to join the fun! All proceeds support the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. To register, visit https://gfb.ag/26SpringShootout. The deadline to register is April 29. There are also opportunities for businesses interested in sponsoring the event to gain valuable brand exposure through the shootout. Sponsorships ranging from $250 to $5,000 include benefits such as team entries, branding on event materials, social media promotion, acknowledgement in post-event publicity and more. April 18 is the deadline to become an event sponsor.
GFB Field Notes page 19 of 20 SDRP SECOND STAGE, MILK AND ON-FARM STORAGE PAYMENTS 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 to apply for both Stage One and Stage Two assistance. Information and a fact sheet are available online at https://fsa.usda.gov/ofsclp. GFB EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD April 30 deadline to apply The Georgia Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award honors Young Farmers & Ranchers members who earn most of their income off the farm but are active in Farm Bureau and are ag advocates in their community. Contact your GFB district federation manager or your county Farm Bureau office manager for information to apply for this award. GFB district winners and three state finalists will be selected from the written applications. The three state finalists will be contacted by June 5 so they may prepare a presentation to be given the afternoon of July 15 at the GFB YF&R Summer Leadership Conference to be held July 15-18. The state winner will be announced at the summer conference. The state winner will receive an expense-paid trip to the 2027 American Farm Bureau Convention next January in Charlotte, N.C., to represent Georgia. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 and should not turn 36 before Jan. 12, 2027. Visit www.gfb.org/connect/excellence-in-ag for more information. 2026 GEORGIA FARM DOG OF THE YEAR 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 2026 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 www.gfb.ag/26farmdogcontest.
GFB Field Notes page 20 of 20 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 family traditions for generations of Georgians. Georgia recognizes farms with a legacy spanning more than a century for 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 farm-generated 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, 2026. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centuryfarmsapply . GA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DAVID SKINNER SCHOLARSHIP May 4 Application deadline High school seniors or college freshmen who are Georgia residents, live in a rural county and are pursuing a degree directly related to agriculture are encouraged to apply. Six scholarships in the amount of $2,400 will be awarded. Visit https://www.gdaonline.com/scholarships/ to apply. SOUTHEASTERN SPECIALTY CROP TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE May 5 & 6 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This conference and show aims to serve as a platform to accelerate knowledge and adoption of emerging technologies in specialty crop production in the Southeast U.S. Researchers and company representatives will discuss and demonstrate robotics, artificial intelligence and digital agriculture. Open to fruit, vegetable and nut growers, industry professionals, students and Extension professionals. Event runs from 8 a.m. to 5p.m. both days. For more information and to register, visit https://specialtycroptech.uga.edu/.
GFB Field Notes page 21 of 20 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. 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.