March 13 , 2024
DISCOVER GEORGIA AGRICULTURE WITH GFB FARM PASSPORT
Looking for more adventure in your life? Discovery is made simple with the 2024 Georgia Farm Bureaau Farm Passport. All you need is an open road and a tank of gas to discover where your food comes from and the people who grow it. See towns not yet visited. Explore your next favorite trail. Stop at a new restaurant.
For the sixth year, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is offering its farm passport program. Chances are you’re within an hour of a GFB Certified Farm Market (CFM) and straight-from-the-farm goodness, whether it’s strawberries or peaches in the spring, fresh vegetables in the summer, apples in the fall or Christmas trees at year’s end.
The farm passport guides travelers across Georgia to farms that offer food items for virtually any taste. Travel with the passport to live out your love of discovering Georgia, supporting local farmers and experiencing fresh food. Passport holders will learn about Georgia’s agricultural diversity firsthand as they get their passport stamped at each farm visited.
“It was something we thoroughly enjoyed. It was an inspirational trip. We love the farmers. That’s the main thing. Their trials, tribulations, hope and faith they showed. They were all so willing to share their farm lives with us,” said Anne Gauthier, who traveled with her husband, Mark, to all 93 CFMs in 2023 Anne said they drove approximately 5,500 miles for the CFM visits. Last April, the Gauthiers visited seven CFMs in one day and 25 over a five-day span.
At Hillcrest Dairy in McDuffie County, they met Caitlin Rodgers, whose family owns and operates the dairy.
“We pulled up and there was no one else there,” Anne Gauthier said. “She came riding up on her tractor and she got off of her tractor to see if she could help us. She stopped everything. She was in the middle of delivering hay to the cattle. She stopped and she gave us a 35-45 minute tour. She told us all about it, how it worked. She demonstrated it. She was wonderful.”
The Gauthiers, of McDonough were one of 10 participant pairs who visited all 93 markets across the state, earning them elite Travelers Jackets. The others were Ken & Nicki Ross of Newnan, Robert & Mary Rockwood of McDonough, Mike & Gaby Martin of Phenix City, Alabama, and -continued on next page
Photo by Logan ThomasGFB Field Notes page 2 of 16
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Marcia Benford & Linda Futch of Fitzgerald.
In 2023, farm passport travelers made more than 8,000 visits to GFB CFMs. That’s up from 2,400 farm visits in the program’s first year, 2019.
“One of our favorite memories we had was at Berry Good Farms,” said Mike Martin, noting that as he and Gaby interacted with farm owner Bob Welker, a big brown dog wet from the neck down approached, and Welker explained that the dog jumped into the farm pod when he got hot. “The dog came and greeted us and went about his day. It was a very homey experience for us and one of the reasons we do this every year.”
Farm Passport travelers have a total of 100 farm markets to visit this year, with 15 of these being new to the program.
Turn in your passport with stamps from five or more CFMs to get a limited-edition t-shirt. Passports stamped from 10 or more farms earn participants the t-shirt and assorted ag swag items like a cutting board and additional surprises. Get 20 or more stamps and receive a farm-to-table dinner and farm tour along with all the other prizes. Travelers who get stamps from 30 or more CFMs get all that plus their choice of selected CFM products.
The Georgia Farm Passport is available at county Farm Bureau offices and at the 100 farms that are GFB CFMs. To find participating farms, visit www.gfb.ag/farmpassport. The deadline to submit your passport for prizes is Jan. 6, 2025.
The GFB Farm Passport is a collection of GFB Certified Farm Markets. These markets sell directly on the farm or offer farm tours and a majority of goods sold are grown on their farm. Each farm is unique. Some farms offer a pick-your-own option, corn mazes, farm games, educational opportunities or host special events as specified in the Farm Passport.
One passport allowed per person. One stamp allowed per person per farm. Must be present to get your passport stamped. As you visit, share your journey on social media with #farmpassport #gafarmbureau. Please be kind and make a purchase since these farms are their owners’ livelihoods. For potential travel routes, optimized to help you discover Georgia, visit www.gfb.ag/passport or email cfm@gfb.org for questions.
GEORGIA AG WEEK A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE FARMERS
Spring is coming, which means Georgia farmers are gearing up to harvest strawberries, Vidalia onions, blueberries and wheat. In May and June, they will plant their summer crops of peanuts, cotton and soybeans.
That’s why Georgia Farm Bureau and other ag organizations across the state will observe Georgia Ag Week March 18-23 and celebrate National Ag Day on March 19. National Ag Day, which has been celebrated for 51 years, is traditionally celebrated on the first day of spring.
“Georgia’s farmers and ranchers are hard at work producing our food and materials used to make our clothing and build our homes,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “Farmers are worth celebrating, and I’d ask all Georgians to take a moment to recognize the critical role agriculture plays in our state. They also work to preserve wildlife habitat and natural resources for future generations.”
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics show that Georgia farmers play a -continued on next page
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big role in feeding us. They are the top peanut producers in the United States growing almost 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 2022, Georgia pecan growers led the U.S. in production of pecans.
Georgia ranked second in production of cantaloupes, watermelons and cotton. Georgia ranked third in the U.S. for production of peaches and bell peppers, and fourth for blueberry and cucumber production, according to USDA data.
We can also thank Georgia farmers for growing cotton to clothe us and timber to house us. Georgia cotton farmers placed second in the U.S. in 2021 for both the quantity and cash value of lint and seed produced. Georgia consistently ranks as the top forestry state in the nation.
Most Georgians are multiple generations removed from the farm, so Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has prepared several videos that provide insight into Georgia agriculture. If you are interested in learning more about the crops and livestock grown in Georgia, visit https://gfb.ag/gaagvideo. If you would like to meet a Georgia pecan farmer and hear him discuss how he maintains his pecan orchard year-round visit https://gfb.ag/meetapecanfarmer. Visit https://gfb.ag/pecanhistorytoharvest to see True Food TV host Nicole Jolly explore America’s only native tree nut and explain how the different pronunciations of pecan evolved from the Native Algonquin word for the nut – pakan – with the influence of French and English settlers. Learn about pecans’ nutritional benefits and the many varieties. You’ll also see how pecans are produced from planting seedlings to harvest and how they are cracked and sorted at the processing plant. Visit https://gfb.ag/AgWeek2024 to download free activity sheets, no-cook pecan recipes, easy craft ideas and much more.
Not only does Georgia agriculture feed and clothe us, but it also benefits our state economy. Agriculture and related industries contributed $83.6 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2022, according to the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED).
Georgia’s Top 10 commodities for 2022 were: broilers ($6.7 billion); cotton ($1.3 billion); eggs ($960.2 million); peanuts ($790.8 million); timber ($780.8 million); beef ($730 million); greenhouse nurseries ($611.2 million); corn ($522.7 million); blueberries ($449.4 million) and pecans ($400.8 million) according to UGA CAED reports.
Food and fiber production and the process of getting the raw materials to consumers contributed 323,300 jobs for Georgians in 2022, the CAED reports. 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 -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page 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. They’re able to 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.
HOUSE AG LABOR WORKING GROUP RELEASES FINAL REPORT
The House Committee on Agriculture laid out a roadmap on March 7 to relieve labor shortages that have seriously impacted America’s farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Labor Working Group (ALWG) released its final report on how to improve the H-2A guest worker program. It includes more than 20 recommendations to streamline the program and make labor more affordable for farmers.
“We are losing farms in America at a rapid pace and there is no question that our broken workforce system is partly to blame,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “This report makes it clear, once again, that there is bipartisan agreement on the need to improve the H-2A program to better serve America’s agriculture sector. This working group of the House Agriculture Committee spent months studying and discussing this issue and now delivers important bipartisan solutions for America’s struggling agricultural labor force.
Georgia Rep. David Scott, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, is part of the ALWG.
“I am grateful to committee leaders for making this a priority when they could have looked the other way. That’s what leadership is all about and I hope this work is followed by action. America’s farmers and ranchers are counting on Congress to address this issue before more farms go under.”
The ALWG consisted of Democrats and Republicans, with 15 recommendations receiving unanimous approval. While the recommendations from the ALWG do not address all the labor challenges facing farmers, they do offer needed solutions, including:
Streamlining the recruiting and hiring of H-2A employees;
Expanding the H-2A program to meet year-round needs;
Paying employees based on duties performed for the majority of their day; and Reforming wage calculation standards to provide stability in farmworker pay rates.
Out of control wage rate increases have taken a toll on America’s farms. A recent Market Intel shows that the mandatory base wage rates for H-2A workers increased almost 41% from 2018 to 2024. This growth in the Department of Labor-calculated agricultural wage rate is almost 60% higher than the growth in the overall U.S. Employment Cost Index.
The report includes several weather-related worker protection recommendations. Farmers and ranchers are committed to ensuring the health and safety of their employees, and Farm Bureau looks forward to working with policymakers to ensure that any heat-related labor regulations do so while also accounting for the diversity of weather conditions and labor duties.
Read the full ALWG report here.
https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/alwg_final_report_-_3.7.23.pdf
CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
On March 1, a federal judge ruled the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) of 2021 unconstitutional, blocking the federal government from enforcing the regulation that went into effect Jan. 1.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed its appeal of the decision on March 11.
Judge Liles Burke of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama found the CTA is not justified under powers the U.S. Constitution gives Congress.
Burke noted, “It would be a ‘substantial expansion of federal authority’ to permit Congress to bring its taxing power to bear just by collecting ‘useful’ data and allowing tax-enforcement officials access to that data.”
The National Small Business Association (NSBA), which brought the suit against the U.S. Treasury Department, said the CTA database is “ripe for data security issues and confusion which could saddle small-business owners with hefty penalties or even jail time.”
It is likely that the district judge’s ruling will be appealed but for the time being small businesses do not have to comply with the CTA.
“The CTA has from the very beginning been poor policy that unfairly targets America’s small businesses,” said NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. “This ruling justifies the concerns of millions of American businesses about how the CTA is not only a bureaucratic overreach, but a Constitutional infringement.”
The ruling can be read here
CTA explained
The CTA would have required small businesses, including many farmers, to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report identifying anyone with a 25% or greater ownership stake in the business or anyone who has decision-making or operational control over the business.
There would have been exemptions for business entities already under extensive regulatory requirements, but many farms may not have qualified, National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) Staff Attorney Micah Brown said.
“A lot of the small businesses and ag entities are likely not going to meet any exceptions, so they would be required to report this,” Brown said.
An ag business would be exempt from the BOI reporting requirement if it qualifies as a “large operating company.”
The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) defines a large operating company as one that meets all of the following criteria: Employs more than 20 people full time in the U.S.; has a physical operating location in the U.S.; filed a federal income tax return or information return in the U. S. for the previous year; $5 million in gross receipts or sales was reported on IRS Form 1120, consolidated IRS Form 1120, IRS Form 1120-S, IRS Form 1065, or other applicable IRS form; and its gross receipts or sales from sources outside the U.S., as determined under Federal income tax principle, are excluded from the entity’s amount of gross receipts or sales and the amount remains greater than $5 million.
An ag business would have qualified for an exemption if it is a subsidiary of an exempt entity.
The National Agriculture Law Center is hosting a webinar about CTA March 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Visit https://gfb.ag/ctawebinar to register or see presentation slides.
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GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION REFERENDUM RUNS THROUGH APRIL 8
The Georgia Peanut Commission is holding a referendum through April 8, giving peanut producers an opportunity to vote on reaffirming the commission. State law mandates a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs.
The last referendum in 2021 passed with a 94.43 percent reaffirmation.
“I urge all peanut producers to vote in this referendum. Research, education, and promotion continue to be the core focus of the commission,” said Joe Boddiford, GPC chairman. “It is extremely important for growers to continue to focus their efforts on supporting research and promotional efforts through their checkoff dollars. One way for farmers to do that is by continuing their support of the Georgia Peanut Commission.”
Contact GPC Executive Director Don Koehler by email at don@gapeanuts.com or by phone 229-386-3470 if they have any questions about the commission’s activities or the referendum.
Peanut producers who do not receive a ballot may obtain one by calling the commission. The commission requests that anyone who receives a ballot but is no longer farming to write, “no longer producing” on the certification envelope and return it to the commission. This will assist the commission in updating its mailing list. The commission’s address is P.O. Box 967, Tifton, Georgia 31793.
The Certified Public Accounting Firm of Allen, Pritchett, and Bassett will count the votes.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CELEBRATES 150 YEARS
It may be difficult to fathom now, but in 1874, the establishment of the Georgia Department of Agriculture was controversial. So much so that, on Feb. 28 of that year, the Georgia House of Representatives produced a tie vote on the bill to establish the department, leaving it up to thenHouse Speaker Augustus Bacon to cast the deciding vote.
Bacon, for whom Bacon County is named, voted to establish the department, and Georgia became the first state to have a department of agriculture.
On Feb. 28, 2024, many of the department’s employees gathered in the state capitol rotunda with current members of the agriculture committees in the Georgia House and Senate, and agricultural stakeholders from across the state to mark 150 years.
A bound copy of the 1874 law was on display. The official birthday cake was a seven-tiered creation emblazoned with key documents noting the GDA’s history. Pieces of another cake were served by the UGA Hospitality and Food Industry Management students.
“Today we’re not only here to celebrate the department’s 150 years of service to the people of this state, but we’re here to celebrate the vital role that agriculture has played and continues to play in the success of our state,” Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The story of agriculture in our state is rich with tradition and history, and it’s a story that’s wroth telling.”
Current House Speaker Jon Burns assured the crowd that the department is here to stay.
“If that vote were to come around again now, the result would be the same,” Burns said.
Not that there was any question, but Gov. Brian Kemp, a staunch supporter of Georgia’s largest -continued on next page
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“At 150 years old, our department of agriculture has been an institution that Georgians have depended on for generations,” Kemp said. “Obviously its functions have changed with the times, but it's my belief that the institution's importance in our state has never been higher.”
Kemp noted that the state budget includes funding for the GDA’s consumer protection program and a state agriculture lab in Tifton.
“The truth is that no matter how many industries grow across our state, we will always need agriculture as our foundation on which our economy is built,” Kemp said.
The event included recognitions of the state’s oldest and youngest farmers, as well as the 2024 Georgia Farmer of the Year. Proclamations were made recognizing St. Elmo Harrison of Whigham as the state's oldest farmer and 2024 Georgia Farmer of the Year Bruce Redmond of Springfield. Neither Harrison nor Redmond was able to attend, leaving a brief spotlight for seven-year-old Kendall Rae Johnson of aGROWKulture Farm in Atlanta, as the state’s youngest farmer.
SEC: FARMS EXEMPT FROM GHG EMISSIONS REPORTING REQUIREMENT
On March 6, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) affirmed that regulations intended for Wall Street should not extend to America’s family farms. The SEC voted on its final climate disclosure rule and removed the Scope 3 reporting requirement, which would have required public companies to report the greenhouse gas emissions of their supply chain.
Since the rule was first proposed two years ago, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) led the charge for the removal of Scope 3. Farm Bureau members sent almost 20,000 messages to the SEC and Capitol Hill, sharing their perspectives of how Scope 3 reporting would affect their farms.
“AFBF thanks SEC Chair Gary Gensler and his staff for their diligence in researching the unintended consequences of an overreaching Scope 3 requirement,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers are committed to protecting the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with, and they continue to advance climate-smart agriculture, but they cannot afford to hire compliance officers just to handle SEC reporting requirements. This is especially true for small farms that would have likely been squeezed out of the supply chain.”
Farm Bureau recognizes the value of data collection and has actively contributed to responsible approaches to such efforts, such as being a founding member of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium and a leader in Field to Market. Both organizations work to empower farmers when it comes to on-farm data collection.
The proposed Scope 3 requirement, however, would have imposed additional burdens on farmers, who provide almost every raw product that goes into the food supply chain. The onerous reporting requirements could have disqualified small, family-owned farms from doing business with public companies, putting those farms at risk of going out of business.
California has a similar reporting requirement for any company doing business in the state.
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EPA LAUNCHES OFFICE OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS
On March 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is establishing a new office to expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities.
“Farmers and ranchers are crucial partners as we work together to deliver clean air, clear water, and climate solutions, all while playing the critical role of ensuring an abundant fiber, fuel and food supply,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the launch of this new office, we are ensuring agricultural and rural stakeholders will continue to have a seat at the table for many years to come.”
Regan announced the creation of the new office alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack during the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, the largest farmer-led annual convention in the country. He is the first EPA Administrator in history to attend the seminal event.
The new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will be led by Rod Snyder, who has served as Administrator Regan’s senior advisor for agriculture since October 2021. The new office will expand on the work of the Ag Advisor and increase coordination with a network of existing agriculture policy advisors located in all ten EPA regional offices across the country.
“AFBF appreciates Administrator Michael Regan for creating a new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in EPA,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “Mr. Regan recognizes the important role farmers and ranchers play in preserving the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with. We look forward to working with Rod Snyder as he directs the new office, and we encourage him to collaborate with families in rural America to ensure their voices are heard and they are treated as partners.”
In close coordination with EPA’s program offices and regions, the office will forge practical, science-based solutions that protect the environment while ensuring a vibrant and productive agricultural system. The new office will also collaborate with small, underserved towns and rural communities that are seeking federal investments in infrastructure upgrades and other community improvement opportunities.
Additionally, the new office will facilitate closer coordination with relevant federal and state partners such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and state departments of agriculture. The office will also house EPA’s existing Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The committee provides independent policy recommendations to Administrator Regan on a range of policies that impact agriculture and rural communities.
Visit the Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs website for more information.
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TEXAS FARM BUREAU SETS UP WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) established the Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund to assist farmers and ranchers impacted by the devastating fires burning through the Panhandle.
“Although we don’t know the full extent of the damage caused by the fires, we do know the losses will be staggering,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Farm Bureau is about helping our neighbors and agriculture, and this relief fund is set up to do just that.”
The Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund will collect tax-deductible donations to meet the needs in affected areas.
More than 1 million acres have burned in the panhandle, the northernmost block of the state bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east. It’s a devastating situation for Panhandle towns, families and agriculture. According to published reports, an estimated 400-500 structures have burned and thousands of head of livestock have been lost to the blazes.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the panhandle is home to approximately 85% of the state’s cattle herd.
Fires devoured pastureland, as well as livestock, homes, barns and equipment. Farmers and ranchers sprang into action moving cattle, packing up families and building fire breaks. They continue to work alongside state agencies to try to contain the fires.
How to donate: Credit card donations may be made via PayPal on the TFB website at https://texasfarmbureau.org/panhandle-wildfire-relief-fund
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2024 USING PESICIDES WISELY TRAINING
March 14, Nessmith-Lane Conference Center, 847 Plant Dr. 9 a.m. Statesboro
RSVP to: 912-871-6130 (376 maximum attendance)
March 14 East Ga, State College Auditorium, 131 College Circle 1:30 p.m. Swainsboro
RSVP to: NA
March 18
Burke Co. Office Park, 715 West Sixth St. 10 a.m. Waynesboro
RSVP to: 706-554-2119 (250 maximum attendance)
March 19
RSVP to: NA
Kirbo Center, 2500 East Shotwell Street 9 a.m. Bainbridge
March 20 Gordon Co. Ext. Office, 1282 Hwy. 53 SPUR SW 2 p.m. Calhoun
RSVP to: 706-629-8685 (80 maximum attendance)
March 21
Jackson EMC, 85 Spratlin Mill Rd. 10 a.m. Hull
RSVP to: 706-384-4476 (100 maximum attendance)
March 22 SW GA Research & Ed Center, 108 Experiment Station Rd. 9 a.m. Plains
RSVP to: 229-924-4476, (140 maximum attendance)
March 25 Southeastern Technical College, 3001 E. First St. 9 a.m. Vidalia
RSVP to: 912-526-3101 (250 maximum attendance)
March 26 Flint Energies, 3 South Macon Street 9 a.m. Reynolds
RSVP to: 478-862-5496 (250 maximum attendance)
March 26 Oconee Fall Line Tech College* 560 Pinehill Road 1:30 p.m. Dublin
RSVP to: 478-272-2277 (120 maximum attendance) * DuBose Porter Center
April 3 UGA Tifton Campus Conf. Center, 15 RDC Road 9 a.m. Tifton
RSVP to: 229-386-7274 (300 maximum attendance)
April 4 Main Street Theater, 152 N Main Street 9 a.m. Dawson
RSVP to: 229-995-2165 (150 maximum attendance)
This training is mandated by federal labels, in order to hold a private or commercial pesticide applicator license to purchase and use the restricted use herbicides Engenia, XtendiMax, and Tavium. Use is limited to only those persons holding a private or commercial applicator certification. It is no longer permissible for non-certified applicators to apply these products under the direct supervision of the certified applicator. Prior to applying these products in 2024, all applicators must be trained according to the federal labels. In Georgia, applicators must complete the 2024 UPW classroom training with locations provided above. On-line training sessions will not be available. Those needing pesticide credit but not applying Engenia, XtendiMax, or Tavium are welcome to attend. Attendees should bring their pesticide license; two hours of pesticide credit for private or commercial will be offered. 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
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GA BLUEBERRY GROWERS TO VOTE ON CONTINUATION OF ASSESSMENT
March 1-30 balloting period
Georgia blueberry growers will have the opportunity to vote on continuation of the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Blueberries Marketing Order, which allows for an assessment on blueberries produced in Georgia. Growers who annually produce, and market 2,000 pounds or more of blueberries are eligible to vote. The current assessment amount is set at $5 per ton. Balloting for the continuation of the market order is set for March 1-30. When growers receive the ballot, they should vote and return it in the addressed envelope by March 30. They must also sign and fill out the back of the envelope to certify they are a qualified Georgia blueberry producer for the ballot to be counted. A favorable vote of 66 2/3 % of the returned eligible ballots is required for continuation of the market order. The Georgia Blueberry Commission was created by the Georgia legislature at the request of Georgia blueberry growers in 2008. Funds received by the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries are used for research, education, and promotion of Georgia blueberries. Research projects supported by GBC funs include emerging insect pests, fruit quality, nutrition traits of varieties, support of variety development by new blueberry breeders, disease management, and federal trade import studies. Growers who do not receive a ballot should contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or 404 586 1405.
2024 CROP YEAR ARC & PLC ENROLLMENT
March 15
deadline to enroll
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting enrollment in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year, and the deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15. For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact their local USDA Service Center.
GFB COOKBOOK TO SUPPORT IMPACT FUND
March 18
deadline to submit recipes or order a book
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is extremely excited to announce the GFB Cookbook. Anyone is welcome to submit their favorite recipes. Those who submit recipes will receive credit next to their recipe, so be sure to include all the requested information. The process is simple and convenient. To submit your recipe today, click the link here and/or pre-order your GFB Cookbook. (https://georgiafarmbureau.regfox.com/2023-pac-cookbook-). Cookbooks will be printed and delivered in June. All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will directly benefit the Georgia Farm Bureau Federal ImPACt Fund. To purchase a cookbook, you must be a current GFB member, though membership is not required to submit a recipe. If you would like to purchase a cookbook and aren’t yet a Georgia Farm Bureau Member, we invite you to join today. You can become a member HERE, and once completed, you can pre-purchase your book from the link provided. (https://www.gfb.org/join/join-today) For more information, contact Keaton Walker at kgwalker@gfb.org.
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2024 FARM STRESS SUMMIT
March 20 Chattahoochee Tech, 100 Campus Dr. 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Jasper
From healthcare providers and nonprofits to county officials and faith leaders, the 2024 Farm Stress Summit welcomes all who combat farm stress in their communities. The goal is to learn from each other, connect communities with existing resources and establish partnerships across organizations. Attendance of this event offers up to 2.5 CEU contact hours for social workers. Commissioner Kevin Tanner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) will provide the keynote address. Click here for more details and to register
79th ANNUAL GEORGIA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION MEETING
March 21
The Georgia Center 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Athens
The GCIA’s annual meeting features an update from the American Seed Trade Association, as well as information on precision agriculture, ag policy changes and UGA research. The Georgia Center is located at 1197 Lumpkin St. on the UGA campus. For more information, call 706-5422351 or visit www.georgiacrop.com
GFB AG IN THE CLASSROOM EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS
March 22 (Registration deadline March 8) UGArden Athens
April 12 (Registration deadline March 29) Ga. Museum of Agriculture Tifton Georgia Farm Bureau is hosting Ag in the Classroom Educator Workshops & Tours in 2024 to introduce teachers to resources and teaching strategies to incorporate agriculture into their classrooms using curriculum that meets required teaching standards for STEM and STEAM. All workshops are open to any Georgia teacher. Teachers can choose from any of the three dates/locations. Each workshop will begin at 8 a.m. and end by 3:30 p.m. The cost to attend the workshop is $35, which includes lunch. Each workshop has a capacity of 30 teachers. Workshops are for teachers who have not previously attended a GFB Educator Workshop in the past two years. Teachers interested in attending may register at www.gfb.ag/Spring24Workshop by the deadline or until the 30 slots for each class or filled. County Farm Bureaus are encouraged to recruit a local teacher who hasn’t previously attended a GFB Educator workshop to attend and to consider paying the teacher’s registration fee, reimbursing the teacher’s mileage to/from the workshop &/or covering the hotel cost for the night before the workshop if the teacher is traveling a long distance. Teachers or county Farm Bureaus with questions should contact Lauren Goble at ldgoble@gfb.org or 478.474.8411, ext. 5135.
16TH ANNUAL PEANUT PROUD FESTIVAL
March 23 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Downtown Square Blakely
Early County’s day-long celebration of Georgia peanuts begins with a 5k and Fun Run. It includes a parade, over 100 vendors, a kids’ peanut butter obstacle course, free entertainment, and much more. Free specialty products such as fried peanuts and grilled PB&J sandwiches will be served. Visit www.peanutproudfestival.com or the Peanut Proud Festival Facebook page for all the details. Call 229-724-7322 for more information.
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MICRO FARM CROP INSURANCE
March 31 deadline to apply/renew USDA’s Risk Management Agency) reminds Georgia growers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their Micro Farm Program policy for the 2024 crop year is March 31. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Growers may select from several coverage options, including yield coverage, revenue protection, and area risk plans of insurance. Additional information can be found on the Actuarial Information Browser page on the RMA website. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered and to learn specific details for the 2024 crop year. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company contracts with three companies - Rain & Hail, Sompo, and Crop Risk Services to offer crop insurance. GFB has more than 70 experienced crop insurance agents (and growing) across the state to help their members protect their investment. Find your local agent and learn more at www.GFBInsurance.com or email crops@gfbinsurance.com for more details. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
5TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON COUNTY AG CENTER RODEO
April 5-6 Washington County Ag Center, 882 Grady Mertz Rd. Tennille
The rodeo is the Ag Center’s major annual fundraiser. Gates open at 5 p.m. and rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Sanctioned contest events are bareback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping, bull riding and break away roping. Admission at gate: Adults 18 and older $18, Youth 7 - 17 $12. Children under 6 get in free. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Smith Farm Supply. Advanced tickets are $12 Adults, 18 and older and $8 Youth, 717. Children 6 and under are free. There will be food and western wear vendors, rides and attractions for children. The event is family oriented and suitable for all ages. The rodeo brings professional competition sanctioned by IPRA and SRA. The contractor is Hedrick Rodeo Company from Madisonville, Tennessee. Washington County Ag center is a 501C5 corporation owned by Washington County Farm Bureau. The Ag Center’s mission is to support Ag in the community and Ag in the classrooms.
GA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES DEER SURVEY
April 7
deadline to complete survey
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input from Georgians regarding white-tailed deer as it prepares to write the State Deer Management Plan for the next six years. It's important for farmers and landowners to participate and submit their input about deer ag damage and deer population as this policy will be in place for multiple years. Visit https://georgiawildlife.com/deer-info to take the survey. The current & past deer management plans are posted along with other deer-related info. You may also call 770-918-6416 for more information.
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USDA VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS
April 11 deadline for electronic applications
April 16 deadline for paper applications
The USDA is accepting applications for grants to help agricultural producers maximize the value of their products and venture into new and better markets. USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help farmers and ranchers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities Eligible applicants include independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures. USDA may award up to $75,000 for planning activities or up to $250,000 for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product Planning activities may include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans. Working capital expenses may include costs associated with processing, marketing, advertising, inventory and salaries. To learn more, read the full Grant Opportunity Announcement. (https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-sa-vappg-foa-01172024.pdf)
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
April 13, May 18, Sept. 7 & Oct. 5 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. Show participants will enjoy an exciting jumping course and pattern changes, re-themed jumps and online registration/payment. Entry fee per class is $10 regular class and $12 for championship classes. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook page, or www.kelmac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy (441), north of Madison. These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $167,500 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 48 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, the Barbara Cumming Scholarship, 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.
VIDALIA ONION PACK DATE
April 17
first date Vidalia onions can be packed and shipped Vidalia sweet onions are set to ship to grocery stores nationwide beginning April 17. Vidalia onions are available for a limited time each year between April through early September. he pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season, contributing to high quality Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel voted to recommend April 17 as the 2024 pack date to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
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KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB TRAIL RIDE & LUNCH
April 27 10 a.m. South Oconee Co. Hwy. 441 Watkinsville
The Kel-Mac Club invites riders to bring their horses to enjoy a meet & greet trail ride and lunch at Heritage Park. The park, located at 2543 Athens Hwy (441) south of Watkinsville, has easy and beautiful trails. Contact Sharon Wood at bullet2525@aol.com to reserve your lunch and for more details about this event.
U.S. CLIMATE SMART COTTON & U.S. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL PROGRAMS
April 30
Deadline to enroll in ’24 U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Climate Smart Programs
Launched in 2020, the Trust Protocol was designed to set a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. Producers enrolled in the voluntary Trust Protocol are eligible to participate in the Climate Smart Cotton Program, which will provide technical and financial assistance to 1,650 U.S. cotton farmers with acres available for Climate Smart practice changes. Growers also receive personalized data that can be used to help improve their sustainability efforts and yield, as well as gain closer communication with their end customer. Data growers provide is secure and remains confidential. It is used only in aggregate form. Crop consultants can be authorized to enter information on the grower’s behalf. Additionally, the John Deere Operations Center can prepopulate up to 40% of the data needed to complete the fieldprint analysis for those who utilize the platform. Growers can enroll and complete their data entry at TrustUSCotton.org. Enrollment for the 2024 crop is open. For help enrolling, contact info@trustuscotton.org.
GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATIONS
May 1 deadline to apply
Centennial Farm applications are open to all qualifying candidates. Farms play a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of our state, serving as the bedrock for economic, cultural, and familial traditions for generations of Georgians. Several farms boast a legacy spanning more than a century, and Georgia recognizes their historical significance through the Georgia Centennial Farm program. Nominees must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase, actively involved in agricultural production, and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farmgenerated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Georgia Centennial Farms are honored each October at an awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The Georgia Centennial Farm program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia EMC; Georgia National Fair and Agricenter; and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information, please contact Rose Mayo, Historic Preservation Division Outreach Coordinator, at 770-855-2586 or rose.mayo@dca.ga.gov. The postmark deadline for applications is May 1, 2024. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centennialfarmsapply.
(https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division/historicresources/centennialfarms)
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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 2021 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.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER NO-TILL EQUIPMENT FOR RENT
Ongoing
Local Conservation Districts and their partners help farmers try a number of conservation practices by purchasing equipment and making it available to rent. Some districts offer no-till drills, PVC pond pipe systems and repair parts, as well as geotextile fabric for agricultural and road use. To see what equipment is available in your conservation district, click here.
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.