USDA LAYS OUT $21 BILLION IN DISASTER ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TIMELINE
On May 7, the USDA announced plans to expedite $21 billion in disaster assistance to farmers who suffered ag-related losses from recent natural disasters. The USDA launched a web page detailing the projected timeline for supplemental disaster assistance.
The Disaster Assistance Program Timeline:
Emergency Livestock Relief Program – Drought/Wildfire
May 23 – Release to Federal Register for publication
May 28 – Final rule on public display
May 29 – Payment processing on Thursday night
May 30 – County offices sign and certify payments
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program – Previously Indemnified Loss
June 30 – Release to Federal Register for Publication
July 3 – Final rule on public display
July 7 – SDRP sign-up begins
General Block Grant Authority
USDA is using general block grant authority to pay on losses due to adverse weather events for 2023 and 2024. General block grants will not duplicate assistance for which USDA covers a similar loss. As of May 15, USDA has received general block grant requests from Georgia, Alabama, California, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. These are agreements between the states and USDA.\
June 13 - Fully executed agreement complete (for states with a final negotiated agreement by 5/28/25)
June 30 - Fully executed agreement complete (for states with a final negotiated agreement by 6/13/25)
Emergency Livestock Relief Program – Flooding includes Commodity Loss Assistance Program, Milk Loss Program – Combined Final Rule
Aug. 13 – Sent to Federal Register for Publication
Aug. 15 – Final Rule on public display
Aug. 18 – ELRP flooding, Commodity Loss Assistance and Milk Loss – sign up begins -continued on next page
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Supplemental Disaster Relief Program – Uncovered Loss
Sept. 10 – Sent to Federal Register for Publication
Sept. 12 – Final Rule on public display
Sept. 15 – SDRP sign up targeted.
According to a USDA spokesperson, the Disaster Assistance Fund provides USDA with the flexibility to expedite recovery efforts by allowing funds to be allocated to specific programs based on community needs.
Funds allocated to Georgia through USDA Rural Development that were announced April 22 include:
$3 million for Single Family Housing Disaster Home Repair Grants
$250,000 for Predevelopment Planning Grants
$250,000 for Assistance for Rural Communities and Households
$5 million for Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants
The funding will be available until expended and can be used for loans, grants, loan guarantees, or cooperative agreements across authorized Rural Development programs. For information on funding available in certain areas in Georgia, residents can contact the state office at https://www.rd.usda.gov/find-your-local-area-office?state=GA.
In December, the Senate passed legislation to avert government shutdown and authorized nearly $31 billion for agricultural aid, including the $21 billion for Emergency Relief Program for agricultural losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
KEMP SIGNS BILLS TO AID HELENE RECOVERY, UPGRADE WATER METERING
By Jay Stone
On May 8, during a ceremony at the Georgia Forestry Association headquarters in Forsyth, Gov. Brian Kemp signed three bills into law, two of which were specifically designed to provide financial relief for Georgia’s farmers.
The legislation included House Bill 223, which addressed a variety of challenges facing farmers in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Senate Bill 201, which addressed predatory actors attempting to take advantage of victims in the aftermath of disasters, and House Bill 143, which addresses the cost of installing water meters on farm irrigation systems.
“It took a lot of good hard work this legislative session and certainly before that, and I know that these are going to be meaningful steps for our farmers and foresters and all those that were impacted by the hurricane,” Kemp said in his pre-signing remarks.
Kemp took the opportunity to thank a variety of state departments and private organizations involved in the recovery process, including Georgia Farm Bureau.
Overall, the legislature approved more than $1 billion to aid in hurricane recovery.
“It was incredible to see that damage and it’s not often in a hurricane where the storm touches your state for the first time, but it also looks the same when it’s leaving your state on the other side -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page of the state, and that’s what happened with this storm. It never lost any of its strength,” Kemp said.
HB 223 passed in the Georgia House of Representatives by a 153-0 vote and the Senate by a 50-1 vote. Its lead sponsor was Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross). The law exempts federal crop insurance payments received in 2025 and agricultural disaster relief payments from state taxes. It establishes a reforestation tax credit to help producers who grow trees used for food or wood production recover from the storm and encourages them to replant.
The law allows local governments to temporarily suspend collection of harvest taxes on timber producers to help in post-storm cleanup in exchange for a grant to assist with lost revenue from harvest tax. The law also temporarily extends the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) for building materials purchased for repairing or rebuilding of poultry houses, livestock facilities, greenhouses and other farm structures until the end of the year.
The law also temporarily extends the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption for building materials purchased for repairs or rebuilds of poultry houses, livestock facilities, greenhouses and other farm structures.
“These bills were sorely needed,” said Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella), chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee “The hurricane relief was something that everybody came together with this year to help those affected in those areas. It was terrible, and I wish we could do more and there are still going to be long-term consequences of that hurricane, but this is a great first step.”
HB 143, introduced by Dickey, places the burden of installing agricultural irrigation water meters on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division (EPD), relieving farmers of that cost. Dickey said the bill would save the state’s farmers $9 million over time.
“You’ve got to do what you can to take the guesswork out of it,” Dickey said. “EPD is really working with farmers and agriculture to open up some more irrigation areas. That’s part of this, to get more water for our farmers.”
EPA RELEASES FINAL VERSION OF ITS INSECTICIDE STRATEGY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working to comply with a court order to find a more efficient way to meet its obligations for pesticide registration under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), released the final document of its Insecticide Strategy on April 29.
The strategy is part of the EPA’s attempt to better meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) when it acts on the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
According to the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC), the final version is similar to a draft the agency released in Summer 2024, as well as the final Herbicide Strategy released in September 2024. The American Farm Bureau Federation anticipates the EPA will release strategies for fungicide and rodenticides.
“It could impact farmers and ranchers as chemistries are being reviewed by EPA,” said AFBF -continued on next page
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Director of Government Affairs John Walt Boatright during a May 1 episode of AFBF Newsline. “They will pull from this strategy, this document, to potentially apply new mitigation measures to pesticide applications based on their chemistry. The good news is that we won't see these new requirements immediately.”
The final Insecticide Strategy includes some key updates, including additional practices farmers can use to reduce pesticide spray drift and runoff. The document indicates that the EPA is working to identify USDA conservation programs farmers can participate in to meet the strategy’s requirements.
The EPA is developing a certification program for third-party individuals who can advise farmers on how to achieve compliance with both the herbicide and insecticide strategies.
The full Insecticide Strategy is available here. More information on the final Herbicide Strategy can be found here The two strategies will only be used when new pesticide products come to EPA for approval or when existing products come up for registration review. This year, only a handful of pesticide labels are expected to be amended by the final Herbicide Strategy, according to Boatright.
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-04/insecticide-strategy-final_0.pdf
https://nationalaglawcenter.org/epa-publishes-highly-anticipated-final-herbicide-strategy/
AGRICULTURAL BURNS ALLOWED UNDER NORTH GEORGIA BURN BAN
Note: This is an updated version of a story published on April 30 to include details about burns for agricultural purposes.
Summer air quality precautions will be in place for north Georgians. From May 1 to Sept. 30, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division restricts residents in 54 counties from burning yard and land clearing debris because smoke may affect ozone levels in urban areas.
The 54 Georgia counties affected are: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, and Walton. Outside of the 54 counties with restrictions, prescribed burning and some outdoor burns are still permitted when weather conditions are suitable.
Agricultural burns, classified as Burn Types 2 & 3, are allowed in the 54 counties with restrictions as well as the rest of Georgia, though Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Protection Chief Thomas Barrett said burners are required to notify the GFC prior to burning.
“Our farmers recognize the importance of maintaining clean air,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall said. “At the same time, carefully managed fires can provide significant -continued on next page
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 23
Continued from previous page benefits, including reduced wildfire risk, maintaining ecosystem health and improved wildlife habitat.”
The following agricultural burns are exempt from the burn ban:
• Burn Type 2 to carry out recognized agricultural procedures necessary for production or harvesting of crops on land tracts that are five acres or smaller.
• Burn Type 3 to burn vegetative material for agricultural operations (if land tract is greater than 5 acres). Allows open burning over any agricultural tract, lot, or parcel greater than five acres for purposes of any existing, expanded, or new agricultural operations as such term is defined by O.C.G.A. Section 1-3-3, provided that such burning is consistent with the requirements of the Federal Act and is limited to vegetative material.
For more information about the 13 burn types recognized by the EPD & GFC, visit https://gfb.ag/GAburnbanrules
Notably, prescribed burns (also referred to as controlled burns) are not permitted in the 19 metro Atlanta counties (Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton), but Burn Types 2,3,5,6,10 and 12 are allowed.
In the rest of the burn ban counties, prescribed burns are allowed unless an air quality alert of code orange or higher is issued. Those counties are Banks, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Catoosa, Chattooga, Clarke, Columbia, Crawford, Dawson, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Heard, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Oconee, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, and Walker. Burn Types 2, 3, 4,5,6,10 and 12 are also allowed in these counties.
Landowners in Georgia counties not included in the annual burn restrictions must continue to follow specific fire safety guidelines and any local ordinances governing debris burning. The five safety precautions now mandated by law include: set spacing between fires and woodlands and structures, burn times from sunrise to sunset, burner attendance at the fire, and reasonable precautions such as weather awareness and suppression tools.
“The number of wildfires in Georgia has been elevated this spring,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo. “As summer outdoor recreation season begins, all Georgians can play a role in lowering the risk of wildfire by paying close attention to weather conditions and safety precautions.”
For more information about annual summer burn restrictions, burn permits, and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit https://GaTrees.org
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UGA GRAND FARM TO SERVE AS PRECISION AG RESEARCH HUB
By Jennifer Whittaker
The future of farming was on display May 2 at a groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Georgia (UGA) Grand Farm in Perry. The 250-acre innovation farm, located east of the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter on Elko Road, is owned and managed by the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES)
CAES is working with Grand Farm in North Dakota to arrange research partnerships with companies and inventors developing precision ag technology equipment and software designed to address labor issues and help farmers grow crops more efficiently.
During the ceremony, more than 200 attendees heard from UGA President Jere Morehead, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Sen. Larry Walker, UGA CAES Dean & Director Nick Place, and Grand Farm Ecosystems Director Andrew Jason from North Dakota.
“Today is an exciting moment for the University of Georgia and a milestone for the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. It’s through the efforts of a collective group of state leaders who really care about precision agriculture that we’ve reached this point. Thank you for believing in this institution and supporting precision agriculture,” Morehead said. “The UGA Grand Farm serves as a wonderful opportunity to build on what we’ve already been doing in precision agriculture at UGA in recent years. The UGA Grand Farm will serve as the hub for precision agriculture. It will host research aimed at decreasing inputs for farmers and getting young people excited about careers in precision agriculture.”
Fort Valley State University officials, UGA and CAES officials, Perry and Houston County leaders, Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter representatives, and others had a chance to shovel dirt during the ceremony.
Roots of the farm
Sen. Larry Walker III of Perry recalled that a group of state leaders attending the 2021 Sunbelt Ag Expo visited with CAES Dean Nick Place while looking at precision ag equipment and learning about UGA precision ag research projects.
“It came up in conversation that we needed a larger scale property to be able to test new equipment, and I knew we had this 250-acre farm here in Perry across the street from the Agricenter,” said Walker, who was chairman of the Georgia Senate Agriculture Committee in 2021.
Walker talked to University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, who attended the launch ceremony for the original Grand Farm in North Dakota, while serving as U.S. secretary of agriculture. The two then discussed UGA’s need for a farm dedicated to precision ag research with Gov. Brian Kemp, who gave his support, Walker said. Georgia House and Senate leaders worked with Perry and Houston County leaders along with UGA officials to make the UGA Grand Farm a reality.
“Agriculture wouldn’t be our state’s No. 1 industry without innovation. Farmers have always been innovators and learned to do more with less,” Walker said. “My grandfather started a tractor company in the 1940s when the latest innovation was trading in mules for tractors. Agriculture has -continued on next page
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continued to innovate and improve through the years with improved peanut and cotton varieties. The farm economy is really tough right now, and we have an aging farm population. I’m excited about this farm because it will help develop new technology that can help farmers.”
According to UGA CAES, its Grand Farm will be a hub for research, education and sustainable agriculture practices, harnessing the power of precision agriculture, robotics and data analytics to increase farm productivity, conserve resources and ensure food security for future generations.
“In agriculture we’re asked to do more with less every day – less feed, less seed, less fertilizer, water and land,” Harper said. “That’s not possible without research and new precision ag technology.”
Robotic technology hits the field
“Grand Farm in Fargo, North Dakota, expanded from a single tent in 2019 to a 600-acre innovation campus today,” said Andrew Jason, Grand Farm ecosystems director. “The goal is to turn this farm [in Perry] into a hub for precision ag research to draw in groups and companies from all over the world. If the research that is done here stays here it will have failed its purpose. It needs to get into the hands of farmers to make sure it is solving real problems on real sites.”
UGA CAES says the UGA Grand Farm will develop and demonstrate new ag technology and automation focused on Georgia’s specialty crops and Southeast agriculture. The first field projects will begin this year.
“Today we’re taking a bold step to ensure that Georgia agriculture continues to remain the No. 1 industry in our state,” Place said. “We intend for this farm to be where research meets real world applications ”
After the ceremony, researchers demonstrated precision ag and autonomous ag technology they are testing and discussed their research. These include drones, self-driving tractors, solar-powered robotic weeders and advanced field sprayers.
Dr. Luan Oliveria, a UGA CAES assistant professor and precision ag specialist, discussed the Solinftec Solix – a fully autonomous robot that uses artificial intelligence models to instruct the 20-30 nozzle sprayer system to spot-apply herbicides where needed amongst a crop.
The robot’s six, 3-D cameras can also scout fields and collect real-time data on plant health, height and stand counts. The robot is solar powered by day and runs on a battery at night. The Solinftec Solix runs on four wheels, and Oliveria says it can cover about 4.5 acres per hour.
“This robotic sprayer could be used to spray pre-emergent herbicides to kill weeds in winter and spot spray post-emergent herbicides. All types of chemicals can be applied through the sprayer,” Oliveria said. “This year we’re training the robot on a bell pepper crop to recognize what bell peppers are and the stages of the crop.”
Oliveria said UGA Extension researcher Wesley Porter is using the robot to study its potential for applying cotton growth regulator that keep cotton plants the same height.
UGA doctoral student Regimar Dos Santos demonstrated the Ecorobotix ARA Field Sprayer. This equipment from Switzerland is an advanced precision sprayer designed for the ultra-targeted application of crop protection products and fertilizers. It is equipped with six cameras that are -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page programed to identify weeds and 156 nozzles. Dos Santos said the sprayer can be programmed to only open nozzles that are right over weeds. Its system allows minimal chemical or fertilizer use to reduce inputs.
The Ecorobotix ARA Field Sprayer can cover about 8 acres an hour, Dos Santos said. Its cameras can operate during the day or at night. Farmers will connect the system to wi-fi and operate the system via their mobile phones or a tablet.
Kenny Lee, CEO & founder of AIGEN, demonstrated his solar-powered autonomous robotic weeder that he has tested in sugar beets in North Dakota and is testing in Pima cotton in California. He hopes to bring the technology to Georgia to test in upland cotton.
The AIGEN robotic weeder has three cameras in the front that identify the weeds a farmer wants pulled. An additional two cameras navigate the weeder. Three hoe implements on the back of the weeder can move side to side or vertically to remove weeds.
“This can help farmers remove herbicide resistant weeds or in cases where removing weeds is very manual labor intensive,” Lee said.
UGA Grand Farm partners & contacts
Founding UGA Grand Farm partners are national and global. Partners include AquaSpy, Earnest Ag, Georgia Center of Innovation, Sabanto, Sentinel, Setatech, CroBio, EF Polymer, iCrop, Sentera, AgGeorgia Farm Credit and Wild Genomics.
Grand Farm has employed Kaytlyn Cobb to serve as its UGA Grand Farm regional assistant director. Cobb is overseeing operations, projects and partnership development at the UGA farm. Developing communication between emerging industry partners and UGA Extension agents statewide is another part of Cobb’s responsibilities.
The UGA Institute of Integrative Precision Agriculture (IIPA), which consists of 70 plus member faculty and 80 plus graduate students from seven University of Georgia schools and colleges, will utilize the new farm for its research.
“This farm will provide IIPA the opportunity to work with companies that are commercializing technology that will improve farm efficiency, and it means there is an opportunity for the work we do to reach the commercial market faster. This will allow our graduate students to work with companies that may employ them in the future,” said IIPA Director & CAES Professor George Vellidis. “This is going to be a great stage for us to demonstrate these new technologies to our farmers on a farm-size scale in big fields so the farmers who might be interested in investing in this technology can see how it really works.”
The IIPA was established in 2022 to foster interdisciplinary research, education, extension, and outreach on next-generation technologies in agriculture, food, and forestry – both within the university and with external partners.
Field Notes page 9 of 23
GFB ANNOUNCES ART & BOOKMARK CONTEST WINNERS
Georgia students tapped into their artistic talents to create colorful bookmarks and draw scenes depicting agriculture for the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark and High School Art Contests.
Kelly Baker, of Gwinnett County, won the GFB High School Art Contest with her drawing of a mom and her daughter feeding their chickens as dairy cattle stand in a pasture. Baker won $250 as the state high school art contest winner and $100 as the GFB 3rd District winner. She was a junior at SKA Academy at the time she entered the contest this winter.
Haley Bolin, of Forsyth County, won state honors in the middle school bookmark contest for her vibrant bookmark highlighting Georgia peaches, blueberries, cotton, peanuts, pecans and Vidalia onions. She received $150 for winning the state bookmark contest and $100 as the GFB District winner. She was an eighth-grade student at South Forsyth Middle School when she entered the contest.
Visit https://gfb.ag/25artwinners to see all the district winners’ artwork for the 2025 GFB High School Art Contest. Visit https://gfb.ag/25bookmarkwinners to see all of the district winners’ creations in the 2025 GFB Middle School Bookmark Contest.
This marks the 31st year GFB held its annual art contest for ninth through twelfth-grade students. This is the fourth year GFB coordinated a contest for sixth through eighth graders to design a bookmark.
“Georgia Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Art Contests encourage students to create a piece of art inspired by what they learn about Georgia agriculture after watching a video, doing research, or visiting a farm,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “Students who might not otherwise think about agriculture learn about the variety of crops and livestock Georgia farmers raise as they create their drawings.”
GFB received entries for its high school art contest from 75 county Farm Bureaus and entries from 81 county Farm Bureaus for its middle school bookmark contest. A panel of judges selected GFB district winners for each contest from all county entries submitted from each district. Once the district winners were selected, all GFB home office employees were invited to vote for their favorite piece of artwork in each contest without knowing the names of the artists nor counties that submitted the sketches and bookmarks.
Contestants in the high school contest were instructed to create a black, white and gray drawing using graphite, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, ballpoint pen or mixed media appropriate for printing. Drawings were judged on how well the artwork represents agriculture in the student’s county or Georgia and for artistic merit.
The middle school contestants were given a blank bookmark and asked to create a design illustrating Georgia agriculture.
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District winners in the GFB High School Art Contest were:
GFB 1st Dist.
GFB 2nd Dist.
GFB 3rd Dist.
GFB 4th Dist.
GFB 5th Dist.
GFB 6th Dist.
GFB 7th Dist.
GFB 8th Dist.
GFB 9th Dist.
GFB 10th Dist.
Eeshal Gupta Forsyth County
Abrianna Gaiti Hall County
Kelly Baker Gwinnett County
Leah Miller Morgan County
Megan Milliken Monroe County
Mara Delgado Dodge County
Addison Swart Long County
Janae King Lee County
Betsaida Hernandez Dougherty County
Bella Cabrera Glynn Co.
District winners in the GFB Middle School Bookmark Contest were:
GFB 1st Dist.
GFB 2nd Dist.
Haley Bolin Forsyth County
Tetiana Kuziaieva Jackson County
GFB 3rd Dist. Joy Yang Gwinnett County
GFB 4th Dist.
GFB 5th Dist.
GFB 6th Dist.
GFB 7th Dist.
GFB 8th Dist.
GFB 9th Dist.
GFB 10th Dist.
Aeran Patel McDuffie County
Aubrey Berton Spalding County
Madelynn Valencia Bibb County
Melanie Burgos Bulloch County
Harper Knight Wilcox County
Emmy Rados Brooks County
Holly Gibbs Pierce County
SCREWWORM SPREAD PROMPTS BAN OF MEXICAN LIVESTOCK IMPORTS
On May 11, the USDA announced it is suspending the import of live cattle, horse, and bison through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border due to the continued and rapid northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, effective immediately. NWS has been recently detected in remote farms with minimal cattle movement as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away from the U.S. border.
The United States and Mexico continue efforts to prevent the further spread of and eradicate NWS in Mexico and work in good faith. However, despite these efforts and the economic impact on both countries due to this action, there has been unacceptable northward advancement of NWS and additional action must be taken to slow the northern progression of this deadly parasitic fly.
This import suspension will persist on a month-by-month basis, until a significant window of containment is achieved. USDA will continue constant collaboration with Mexico, including a review of latest data and metrics in two weeks. Any livestock currently in holding for entry into the United States will be processed normally; this includes an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) port Veterinary Medical Officer inspection exam and treatment to ensure they -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page are not carrying NWS.
“The protection of our animals and safety of our nation’s food supply is a national security issue of the utmost importance,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Once we see increased surveillance and eradication efforts, and the positive results of those actions, we remain committed to opening the border for livestock trade. This is not about politics or punishment of Mexico, rather it is about food and animal safety.”
Effective eradication requires a three-pronged approach: robust active field surveillance with education and outreach to ensure prevention, treatment, and early detection; controlled animal movement to limit spread; and sustained sterile insect dispersal.
Suspending livestock transport through southern ports of entry will assist in the effort to limit northbound transport of NWS through livestock commerce, and will allow the U.S. to reassess whether current mitigation standards remain sufficient.
It is important to note the northward spread of NWS is possible through natural wildlife movements, including wildlife that transit the border region without impediment.
USDA is taking all possible actions to monitor for, and limit, the northward movement of NWS, including the utilization of the USDA Tick Riders to monitor livestock and wildlife along the southern border region, between the ports of entry, for the presence of NWS.
The U.S. previously and successfully led the eradication of NWS in the U.S. and Mexico, however this cost billions of dollars and took decades. Unfortunately, these recent detections in Mexico show that this dangerous pest is back and remains a serious threat to the health of U.S. animals, its food supply, and security.
The first case of NWS in Mexico was reported to the U.S. in November 2024. When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.
In November 2024, after a positive detection of NWS in southern Mexico, USDA shut down the border for live animal trade.
In February 2025, USDA resumed imports after APHIS and Mexico agreed to and implemented a comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol to ensure safe movement and steps to mitigate the threat of NWS.
Over the last two years, screwworm has spread north throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and now Mexico.
APHIS is releasing sterile flies through aerial and ground release at strategic locations, focusing on Southern Mexico and other areas throughout Central America. A complete list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by NWS as well as more detailed information on trade restrictions can be found on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website.
U.S. REACHES TRADE DEAL WITH THE U.K., PAUSES TARIFFS ON CHINA
In two major developments for U.S. international trade, the White House announced a trade deal with the United Kingdom and a pause on reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China.
On May 8, President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a trade deal the White House said will allow American companies “unprecedented access” to U.K. markets
According to a White House press release, the U.S.-U.K.-Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal will create $5 billion in opportunities for new exports for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers.
The deal calls for U.S. exports of more than $700 million worth of ethanol and $250 million in other ag products, including beef. The nations agreed to work together to enhance industrial and agricultural market access, the White House said.
“Farm Bureau appreciates the work between the administration and the United Kingdom to secure a new trade agreement,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “We have long advocated for new trade deals, and this is an important first step in expanding markets in the four countries. More work is needed, however, to remove the arbitrary barriers that have excluded American-grown food from grocery stores in the U.K ”
On May 12 following trade talks in Switzerland, the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day suspension of tariffs levied against one another since April 2. According to a White House fact sheet, each side was to begin lowering duties on imports from the other by 115%. U.S. tariffs on imports from China will drop from 145% to 30%, while Chinese duties on imports from the U.S. drop from 125% to 10%. The actions lowering the tariffs were to begin on May 14. The agreement calls for continued trade negotiations during the suspension period.
Soybeans are the U.S.’ top ag export to China, where the commodity is the key component in feed for China’s pork producers. In a May 12 statement, the American Soybean Association (ASA) expressed appreciation for the deal but noted that there are no Chinese tariffs on imports of soybeans from Brazil, and that the 90-day pause will expire in August, just prior to harvest season for soybeans.
“Farmers want to play their part in supporting broad-based, long-term solutions to the administration’s concerns and help our fellow U.S. citizens when possible; but we cannot sustain tariffs that are exponentially higher than those of the first China trade war, which knocked out our largest export market overnight, if they linger into our fall harvest season,” ASA President Caleb Ragland. “We hope that a deal can be reached in which China commits to robust purchases of U.S. soybeans and other products very soon.”
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MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
May is Mental Health Month, and it’s an important opportunity to connect with those around us and share our stories. Farm Bureau encourages farmers and ranchers to take “just one step” toward supporting their own mental health or someone who is struggling.
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health, visit the Farm State of Mind website at http://FarmStateOfMind.Org where you can find crisis hotlines, treatment locators, tips for helping someone in emotional pain, ways to start a conversation and resources for managing stress, anxiety or depression.
During February, the 988 Suicide & Crisis lifeline fielded 508,295 calls, online chats and texts, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). Since its launch in July 2022, it has received more than 14.5 million contacts.
May as National Mental Health Month, then, calls attention to a clear area of need. Mental health professionals and advocates often use the term “triggers,” referring to occurrences or circumstances that prompt emotional responses. As any farmer will tell you, there is no shortage of challenges.
At the same time, there is no shortage of help. Last year, the American Farm Bureau Federation unveiled the Farm Family Wellness Alliance, which offers Togetherall, a safe, clinically moderated peer-to-peer community, where members around the world are there to listen, support and give members’ mental wellbeing a boost. Through an anonymous profile, users can access a global network of peers, backed by the safeguarding of licensed clinicians overseeing the community around-the-clock. Access to the platform is available to members of a farm family aged 16 and older.
In addition to Togetherall’s global community, farmers and their families will have access to an agricultural sector sub-group to share or read others’ experiences in a safe, judgement-free zone.
Farming is a stressful occupation that is associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression. Multiple studies show that farmer suicide rates are 2-5x higher than the national average. American Farm Bureau’s Farm State of Mind features an extensive collection of resources to connect struggling farmers and ranchers with potentially life-saving help.
Among these are:
• The 988 crisis line (www.988lifeline.org);
• Rural Georgia: Growing Stronger, a program through the UGA Cooperative Extension Service to assist farmers an rural families with issues from maintaining good mental and physical health to juggling economic, educational or lifestyle concerns;
Farm State of Mind also offer tips to recognize warning signs for someone who might be struggling:
• Change in routines or social activities;
• Decline in the care of domestic animals;
• Increase in illness or other chronic conditions;
• Increase in farm accidents;
• Decline in appearance of the farmstead;
• Decreased interest in activities or events;
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 23
• Signs of stress in children including struggles with school
Learn more about recognizing the signs of chronic stress, depression or suicidal intent and what you can do to help at NY FarmNet.
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GEORGIA AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY COMMISION NOMINATIONS
May 23 deadline for nominations
Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions for beef, cotton, equine, tobacco and soybeans are seeking nominations from producers to serve on their respective commissions. Nomination forms are available on the department website and will be accepted until May 23. Administered by the GDA, these commissions oversee farmer-funded programs dedicated to strengthening Georgia’s #1 industry through research, education, and promotion for 14 Georgia grown commodities. Producers can nominate themselves, be nominated by others, or receive a nomination from an affiliated organization for their commodity. Their role involves attending periodic meetings and making decisions on behalf of their peers. Commission members serve a three-year term, with the possibility of reappointment. They represent the interests of the commodity’s producers. The Commodity Commission Ex Officio Committee makes appointments to the commissions in July. Nomination forms are available on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s dedicated commodity commission webpage or can be requested via email. Completed forms should be submitted by email or mail to:
Georgia Dept of Agriculture, ATTN: Fred Rayfield, 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW. Suite 324, Atlanta, GA 30334
For more information, please contact Rayfield at 404-727-7899 or fred.rayfield@agr.georgia.gov.
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
May 17, Sept. 20 & Oct. 25 Morgan Co. Ag Center Madison
These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, ranch riding, ranch reining, dressage on the rail, halter/showmanship, “small fry” and more. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Trail classes are from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Western Classes not to start before lunch. Riders must be members of Kel-Mac to accrue points towards year-end awards. Age divisions for competition are as follows: Small Fry: 10 and under; Junior: under 14 years of age; Senior: 14 years and over. Novice: Rider is in 1st or 2nd year of showing Green Horse: Horse is in 1st or 2nd year of showing Entry fee per class is $12. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook page, or www.kel-mac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. Signup for shows on the website. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy (441), north of Madison. These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $170,250 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 49 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, and the equestrian facilities of state & county parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, and Heritage Park.
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USDA GENERAL & CONTINUOUS CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM SIGNUP
June 6
enrollment deadline
USDA announced May 12 that its Farm Service Agency is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program through June 6. CRP, USDA’s flagship conservation program, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. CRP provides financial and technical support to farmers 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. Landowners with acres enrolled in CRP set to expire Sept. 30, 2025, can offer acres for re-enrollment. A producer can offer to enroll new acres into CRP and also offer to re-enroll any acres expiring Sept. 30, 2025. For more information on CRP participant and land eligibility, approved conservation practices and detailed program fact sheets, visit FSA’s CRP webpage. Interested producers should apply through the FSA at their local USDA Service Center
General CRP (Signup 64)
Agricultural producers and landowners submit offers for General CRP through a competitive bid process. 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.
Continuous CRP (Signup 63)
Unlike General CRP, Continuous CRP offers are not subject to a competitive bid process. To ensure enrolled acres do not exceed the current statutory cap of 27 million acres, FSA is accepting Continuous CRP offers on a first-come, first-served basis through June 6. However, should allotted CRP acreage remain available following the June 6 deadline, FSA will accept continuous CRP offers from interested landowners through July 31, 2025, and may be subsequently considered for acceptance, in batches, if it’s determined that the offered acres support USDA’s conservation priorities. 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 cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative cover. Continuous CRP enrollment options:
• State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative: Restores vital habitat in order to meet high-priority state wildlife conservation goals.
• Highly Erodible Land Initiative: 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.
• 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.
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• CLEAR30 (a component of the CLEAR Initiative): Offers additional incentives for water quality practice adoption and can be accessed in 30-year contracts.
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program: Addresses high priority conservation objectives of states and Tribal governments on agricultural lands in specific geographic areas.
GEORGIA-FLORIDA TOBACCO TOUR
June 16-18
Various locations
This is a car caravan tour with individuals driving their own vehicle with tour stops at GeorgiaFlorida tobacco farms and on-farm demonstrations. Meals will be provided. The tour begins with a kick-off supper at the Brown Lantern in Live Oak, Florida, on June 16, at 7 p.m. Tour participants will spend the night in Live Oak. Tour resumes at 7:30 a.m. on June 17 and ends the day in Tifton. On June 18, the tour will leave Tifton at 7:30 a.m. and end with lunch at H&H Farms in Cobbtown, Georgia. Please register on the website https://tobacco.caes.uga.edu/tours/2025-ga-fl-tobaccotour.html. More information on the tour schedule, including instructions for booking hotel reservations is available at the website. Participants should make their own hotel reservations using the telephone numbers or links provided by May 23 with reference to the “Tobacco Tour” block of rooms. Additional details of the schedule and driving directions will be added the week before the tour Contact J. Michael Moore at jmmoore@uga.edu or 229-392-6424 for more info.
GFB YF&R SUMMER CONFERENCE
June 1 registration deadline
July 16-19 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Registration is open for the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Summer Leadership Conference. Please share the following information with anyone who may be interested in attending This conference is open to any GFB member ages 18-35. A children’s program will be provided for kids 4th grade and younger as a convenience for attendees competing or participating in sessions. Visit https://gfb.ag/yfrslc for complete conference details, including tentative agenda, information about the children’s program and lodging information, or to register. Registration Fee is $150 per attendee Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Room blocks have been secured at the Hampton Inn and Suite (912-635-3733, reservation deadline is June 16), Home2Suite (912-319-6019, reservation deadline is June 16), Villas by the Sea (912-635-2521, reservation deadline is June 16) and the Westin (912-635-4545, reservation deadline is June 13) on Jekyll Island. Note: These room blocks tend to fill up quickly.
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GFB
YF&R DISCUSSION
MEET
June 1 deadline to enter Discussion Meet
Registration is open for the YF&R Discussion Meet. The entry form should be completed and submitted online at https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete by June 1. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in competing. Any Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers member between the ages of 18 and 35 is eligible to compete. Discussion Meet Orientation (for all competitors) will be on July 16 and the competition will be in person at the GFB YF&R Summer Leadership Conference. The Discussion Meet consists of two (2) preliminary rounds, a Sweet Sixteen round, and a Final Four round, which will determine the state winner. A collegiate winner will also be recognized. Competitors can visit https://www.gfb.org/educationand-outreach/discussion-meet.cms for additional resources that may be helpful when preparing for the Discussion Meet. For questions regarding the Summer Leadership Conference or the competitive events, contact your county Farm Bureau office manager, GFB district federation manager or GFB YF&R Coordinator Levi Davis at ledavis@gfb.org.
AFBF AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE
June 9 deadline to enter
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will receive $10,000. Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition. After the application period closes, 10 semi-finalist teams will be selected and announced on Aug. 4. Next, the 10 semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four round of the contest. The final four teams will be awarded $10,000 each and participate in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2026 in Anaheim, California. Top prize is a total of $100,000. Runner-up prize is a total of $25,000. Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Visit www.fb.org/challenge for more information & to apply. Applicants in Georgia who are not Farm Bureau members can visit https://www.gfb.org/join/join-today to learn about becoming a member. Residents of other states should visit https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 9. Visit www.fb.org/challenge for more information & to apply.
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GFB WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP DISTRICT MEETINGS
June 10
GFB District 3 Meeting
Alo Farms Peachtree City Registration deadline is June 3. Contact your county Farm Bureau office manager to register
June 11
GFB District 5 Meeting
Fitzerald Fruit Farms Woodbury Registration deadline is June 3. Contact your county Farm Bureau office manager to register.
July 29 GFB District 6 Meeting
Rocking A Farm Sandersville Registration deadline is July 18. Contact your county Farm Bureau office manager to register.
Sept. 18
GFB District 2 Meeting
Strickland Mercantile Danielsville Registration deadline to be determined. Contact your county Farm Bureau office manager to register. Each Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee district chairwoman will host a district event from June into the fall. These meetings will feature a leadership development component while providing the opportunity to network with other women in agriculture from your GFB district in a special setting. If your GFB district meeting isn’t listed above, and you are interested in attending it, reach out to your county Farm Bureau office manager to ask them to share program details when they receive them and look for announcements on the Friends of Georgia Farm Bureau Facebook group page. For more information contact GFB Women’s Leadership Programs Coordinator Heather King at hcking@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5232.
AFBF WHITE-REINHARDT AG LITERACY GRANTS
June 13 deadline to apply
The American Farm Bureau Foundation is accepting applications until June 13 for the 2025-2026 White-Reinhardt School Year Project Grants https://www.agfoundation.org/grants-awards/whitereinhardt-grants These grants fund projects that will increase agricultural literacy. County and state Farm Bureaus may apply for $1,000 grants for education programs for grades K-12 to initiate new ag literacy programs or expand existing programs. Organizations and individual schools can work with their county Farm Bureaus to apply. Grants are available on a competitive basis. The WhiteReinhardt Grant Program awards grants once a year. Please note that grant funds cannot be used for consumable items like food or paper, transportation, wages or safety programs. Grant payments can only be made to a state or county Farm Bureau. If you have any questions, please contact foundation@fb.org.
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GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATIONS
June 16 extended 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 June 16, 2025. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centennialfarmsapply (https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division/historicresources/centennialfarms)
SMALL SCALE FARMS CONSERVATION CONFERENCE
June 27 UGA Griffin Campus 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Griffin Producers who may be operating on fewer acres than traditional farmers, or even on a square footage basis are invited to participate in this event covering a wide variety of topics to help make efficient use of the farm's natural resources and overall operation. Key topics include product innovation, food safety, pollinators, controlled environment agriculture, irrigation reservoirs and many more. One hour of pesticide credit is available for those need it. Click here to register. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5zZb7e4BvE6GfuA8g1Glx4rxwT54R9Pk3lnVF1CA8FUM0dTQjlYWFE1REJGSVpLUExWWUxZWjFDUC4u&origin=lprLink& route=shorturl
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COLUMBIA
COUNTY POND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
July 7 registration deadline
July 14 Jerome Jones Far, 1456 Clary Cut Rd. 10:30 a.m.. – 2 p.m. Harlem Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC), Columbia County Farm Bureau, and the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering to present a free informational workshop for local homeowners, property owners, and anyone who wants to learn more about managing pond health and care and the correct steps to care for them. Participate to learn more about pond management practices such as fish health, weed control, pond designs, and healthy fish management. In addition, information on farm programs will be presented. Partnering agencies for this event include Georgia DNR and USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Lunch will be served. This is a free event, but registration is required online at www.gacd.us/events.
GA COTTON COMMISSION MID-YEAR MEETING/PREHARVEST WORKSHOP
July 23 Nesmith-Lane Conference Center Statesboro
The Georgia Cotton Commission is pleased to announce the guest speakers at the Commission’s 2024 Mid-Year Meeting scheduled for July 23 at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro. The inaugural Mid-Year Meeting is held in conjunction with a UGA Cotton PreHarvest Workshop conducted by members of the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team. The UGA Cotton Pre-Harvest Workshop will feature sessions where attendees will receive a 2025 crop update and defoliation considerations along with discussions regarding late season irrigation and pest management strategies. The program speakers are Akiko Inui, Board Chair of The Cotton Board, and Tas Smith, Vice President of Producer Affairs for the National Cotton Council. During the lunch program the Georgia Quality Cotton Awards for the 2025 crop will be presented. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at www.georgiacottoncommission.org.
LALLEMAND ANIMAL NUTRITION SCHOLARSHIPS
Oct. 3
deadline to apply
Applications for the 2025 Lallemand Scholarship are open through Oct. 3. Interested students must be full-time students enrolled in agriculture-related programs at accredited institutions in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. Applications will be evaluated based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, commitment to the agricultural industry and an essay submission that highlights creativity, originality, and forward-thinking perspectives. There are five scholarship categories: Two $2,500 scholarships for undergraduate students; one $3,000 scholarship for a master’s student; one $3,000 scholarship for a doctoral candidate; and one $3,000 scholarship for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) student. Learn more about eligibility and to apply by visiting the Lallemand Animal Nutrition website.
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UGA WARNELL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY BOBWHITE QUAIL SURVEY
The Martin GAME Lab at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at UGA is looking for private landowners in Georgia to take part in a brief survey about their opinions on bobwhite quail management for a study titled “Bobwhite Restoration, Incentives, and Research.” The purpose of the study is to better understand landowners’ opinions on bobwhite quail management and cost-share programs landowners would enroll in to manage their properties for bobwhite quail. Visit https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_3aRgLcUioS8uy0u to take the study. Thank you in advance for helping with in this study.
GEORGIA PIVOT SURVEY
A research team from the University of Georgia, University of Nebraska, University of Florida, Fort Valley State University, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is conducting a survey to understand the recovery of farms following windstorms. Farmers are asked to participate. This survey asks about your farm, damage inflicted by recent hurricanes, and recovery since the hurricane. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete, depending on the types of structures on your farm and the damage the farm experienced. Questions 11-15 are voluntary, answer if you would like. Your participation is completely voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. To participate, visit https://forms.office.com/r/JZGAxfKfRG For more information, contact Wes Porter at wporter@uga.edu, or Joshua Dawson at dawsonj01@fvsu.edu, or call 229-386-7328.
UGA 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.
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.
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GFB HAY DIRECTORY
GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2024 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
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.