gfbfieldnotes052026 issuu

May 20, 2026

www.gfb.org

Vol. 8 No. 10

KEMP SIGNS AG, FORESTRY BILLS INTO STATE LAW In a ceremony on May 6 at the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) headquarters in Forsyth, Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law 10 bills related to agriculture and forestry.

Kemp lauded farmers and forest producers for their perseverance in the face of difficult times.

“Our people are resilient, especially our forest and farm families,” Kemp said. “They’re just resilient, tough people. You can’t make it if you’re not. I always like to say that tough times don’t last, but tough people do, and that’s exactly what we’re going through right now. Our farmers and foresters and forest family, they’re certainly tough people.”

A brief review of the bills Kemp signed at the ceremony is below.

“I know that together we will continue to keep our state’s number one industry [agriculture] strong for years to come. Not only the agriculture side, but also on the timber forestry side,” Kemp said in remarks before signing the bills.

Among the bills were House Bill 1159, which exempts Farmer Bridge Assistance payments from the federal government from state tax liability. The Farmer Bridge Assistance payments were authorized by the federal government earlier this year to help farmers overcome a wide array of financial challenges.

“The goal of it is to make sure that the farmers keep all of it,” said Sen. Sam Watson. “We need every penny we can get our hands on right now with the way things are and all of our input costs being up. We need to make sure the farmers retain all of that money. The farmers are going to take that and they’re going to put it right back into the economy, and the state’s going to benefit from it overall.”

Another key measure was House Bill 134, titled the Keep Georgia Forested Act, which expands tax credits to manufacturing companies that use products and materials generated by the state’s forestry industry, which has been beset with declining demand for paper products and the closure of multiple paper mills in recent years.

“We believe this bill will position Georgia at the top of the list for companies or people that are placing capital, businesses that are placing capital in forestry manufacturing,” said GFA President and CEO Tim Lowrimore. “We believe that it is a policy that will accelerate investment into manufacturing facilities here in our state, specifically forest manufacturers.”

GFB Field Notes page 2 of 23 A review of other bills signed during the ceremony: House Resolution 1008: Updates the State Water Plan to revise the Regional Water Planning Councils (RWPC), decreasing the number of members and extending the lengths of some appointees' terms to alleviate situations in which councils have struggled to function due to low participation. Additionally, it specifies that Memorandum of Agreements between RWPC, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will be renewed as-needed instead of the previously held three-year term.

House bill (HB) 117: Requires all food service establishments serving shrimp imported from foreign countries to notify customers on their menu or through other signage.

HB 956: Expands the use of Solid Waste Trust Fund to include permitting, monitoring, regulation, or guidance development, inspections, and enforcement.

HB 983: Protects prescribed burning by preventing counties and municipalities from imposing additional barriers on landowners who perform this site preparation in accordance with current state law.

HB 1310: Designates cotton as the official state fabric of Georgia.

Senate Bill (SB) 306: Helps streamline the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) process to help protect Georgia's farmers and farmland. Changes made clarify that a landowner can trade carbon credits while enrolled in a covenant, allow notification by email and certified mail of an expiring covenant, provide an option to merge covenants on a singular timeline, and create a 180-day grace period for the conversion of CUVA to the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) at the time of acquisition.

SB 435: Renames the Georgia Development Authority as the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority.

SB 551: Removes the egg candling code section from Georgia law, which requires individuals to candle eggs from backyard flocks before selling them. This does not remove any food safety regulations, which remain intact.

USDA EXPANDS HURRICANE INSURANCE PROTECTION On April 30, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a significant expansion of the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement and the Tropical Storm Option (TS), making them available to producers whose crops are insured through the Written Agreement process. This change is effective for the 2027 and succeeding crop years.

Written Agreements are a critical tool that allow producers to obtain federal crop insurance for crops or practices not yet covered in a given county. By enabling HIP-WI access on Written Agreement policies, RMA is ensuring that these producers, who often grow the nation’s most diverse and economically significant specialty crops, can access the same level of catastrophic weather protection as their neighbors.

“This is a revolutionary step forward for producers who depend on Written Agreements to protect their crops,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “We heard directly from farmers and agents, and we moved rapidly to close this gap. Producers should have access to the full range of

GFB Field Notes page 3 of 23 risk management tools available to their area, regardless of how their underlying policy is established.”

Prior to this change, producers in counties where a crop, type or practice was only insurable by Written Agreement could not attach HIP-WI to their policies. Under the updated policy language, producers with a Written Agreement can add HIP-WI coverage, providing them with the same hurricane and tropical storm deductible protection available to other producers in the area.

HIP-WI covers a portion of the deductible of the underlying crop insurance policy when a county, or adjacent county, is within the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. The coverage provided by HIP-WI can be combined with the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) when acreage is also insured by a companion policy. TS is an option to the HIP-WI endorsement that provides coverage for tropical storm weather events as defined by the Hurricane Data Provisions (HDP).

The HIP-WI endorsement is available for more than 70 different crops in select counties of Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia that are in the vicinity of the Atlantic, Gulf of America/Mexico or Hawaii.

HIP-WI coverage must be purchased by the sales closing date (SCD) of a producer’s underlying policy. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location. Therefore, producers should contact an agent to verify the SCD for a crop and county. More information about HIP-WI, including available counties and crops, can be found on RMA website.

If HIP-WI is available in a county, it will be available for all crops in that county insured under the Basic Provisions. Crops include: All Other Citrus Trees, Apples, Avocado Trees, Avocados, Banana Trees, Bananas, Barley, Blueberries, Burley Tobacco, Cabbage, Canola, Carambola Trees, Cigar Binder Tobacco, Cigar Filler Tobacco, Cigar Wrapper Tobacco, Clams, Clary Sage, Coffee, Coffee Trees, Corn, Cotton, Cotton Ex Long Staple, Cranberries, Cucumbers, Dark Air Tobacco, Dry beans, Fire Cured Tobacco, Flue Cured Tobacco, Forage Production, Forage Seeding, Fresh Market Beans, Fresh Market Sweet Corn, Fresh Market Tomatoes, Grain Sorghum, Grapefruit, Grapefruit Trees, Grapes, Grapevine, Green Peas, Hemp, Hybrid Corn Seed, Hybrid Seed Rice, Lemon Trees, Lemons, Lime Trees, Limes, Macadamia Nuts, Macadamia Trees, Mandarins/Tangerines, Mango Trees, Maryland Tobacco, Nursery Value Select (NVS), Oats, Onions, Orange Trees, Oranges, Papaya Trees, Papayas, Peaches, Peanuts, Pears, Pecan Trees, Pecans, Peppers, Popcorn, Potatoes, Processing Beans, Rice, Rye, Sesame, Shellfish (Oysters), Soybeans, Strawberries, Sugarcane, Sunflowers, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Tangelos, Tangerine Trees, Tangors, Tomatoes, Triticale, and Wheat.

IRS, GA DOR EXTEND TAX FILING DEADLINES FOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS On May 8, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that certain return and payment deadlines for taxpayers have been extended for

GFB Field Notes page 4 of 23 Georgians impacted by the Georgia Highway 82 Wildfire and the Pineland Road Wildfire in Clinch, Echols, and Brantley counties.

"We are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to helping those impacted by the unprecedented drought conditions that led to the South Georgia wildfires," said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

“Our priority is making sure impacted Georgians have one less thing to worry about as they recover from these wildfires,” said State Revenue Commissioner David Burge. “These extensions provide additional time and flexibility for affected individuals and businesses to meet their tax obligations.”

On April 22, Kemp declared a State of Emergency for 91 counties, including Clinch, Echols, and Brantley, where exceptional drought conditions and ample dry fuel posed a significant threat to the general safety and welfare of our citizens. The return and payment extensions for taxpayers referenced in this release only apply to taxpayers in Clinch, Echols and Brantley.

The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Southeast Georgia that were affected by wildfires and straight-line winds that began on April 18, 2026. These taxpayers now have until Aug. 20, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Following the disaster declaration issued by the State of Georgia, individuals and households that reside or have a business in Clinch, Echols, and Brantley counties qualify for tax relief. The same relief will be available to any other counties added later to the disaster area. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the Tax relief in disaster situations page on IRS.gov.

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after April 18, 2026, and before Aug. 20, 2026, are granted additional time to file. Affected individuals and businesses will have until Aug. 20, 2026, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

According to the IRS, the Aug. 20 deadline applies to individual income tax returns and payments normally due on or after April 18. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after April 18 and before May 4, will be abated as long as the tax deposits were made by May 4, 2026.

The Aug. 20, 2026, deadline also applies to affected quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on April 30, and July 31.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

For state sales and use taxes, April sales and use tax returns and payments normally due May 20 have been extended to June 22. This extension also applies to monthly excise tax returns.

For income taxes, certain return and payment deadlines for taxpayers have been extended by up to 120 days. Specifically, affected taxpayers who had a valid extension on their individual or business income tax return until October 15 to file their 2025 return will now have until February

GFB Field Notes page 5 of 23 12, 2027, to file their return. Because tax payments related to these 2025 returns were due on April 15, 2026, however, those overdue payments are not eligible for this relief.

Additionally, the 120-day extension applies to (i) quarterly estimated income tax payments due on June 15, (now due Oct. 13); (ii) quarterly payroll returns due on June 30 (now due Oct. 28); (iii) calendar-year partnerships and S corporations whose 2025 extensions expire on Oct. 15, (now due Feb. 12, 2027); (iv) calendar-year corporations whose 2025 extensions expire on Nov. 16 (now due March 16, 2027); and (v) calendar-year tax-exempt organizations whose extensions expire on Nov. 16 (now due March 16, 2027).

The extended deadlines for filing and payments do not apply to information returns in the W-2 and 1099 series; or to Forms 1042-S; or to employment and excise tax deposits. It also does not apply to International Fuel Tax Agreement Interest or scheduled payments, which are the result of a taxpayer entering into an Installment Payment Agreement since those liabilities were due prior to the disaster relief.

Affected taxpayers filing paper returns should write: “Georgia Wildfires – Clinch, Echols, Brantley” across the top of any forms submitted to the DOR. The relief also applies to taxpayers not in the disaster area, but whose records are located in the disaster area. In addition, all relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in relief activities in the covered disaster area are eligible for the relief, as well as any individual visiting the covered disaster area who was injured or killed as a result of the disaster.

Any taxpayer, whether filing paper or electronic returns, who is assessed a penalty and believes they did not receive due consideration regarding the relief, needs assistance, or has questions should contact DOR Headquarters at 1-877-423-6711.

RYAN PHILLIPS NAMED LEAD FOR GFC MARKETS AND INNOVATION On May 12, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) announced Ryan Phillips as associate chief of markets and innovation for GFC, effective June 1.

“This is a newly established position, and Ryan is the ideal person to take on the assignment. As a 13-year veteran of our agency, he has worked in a number of leadership roles that uniquely prepare him for this important time in our industry,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo.

Phillips will lead the Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative (GFII) funded by the Georgia General Assembly in the amended state budget for FY2026. He will also play a central role in advancing Georgia’s forest economy by strengthening existing markets, developing new utilization opportunities, and fostering innovation across the forest sector.

Phillips started his career with GFC in the Coosa District as a management forester. He has served in a variety of roles, including District Water Quality Coordinator, state lead for America's Longleaf Restoration Initiative, and Georgia Champion Tree Program coordinator. Since 2018, he has been the cost share coordinator, overseeing GFC’s forestry incentive programs and technical service agreements with partner agencies. Most recently, he served as the associate chief of forest management, supporting forest management operations.

GFB Field Notes page 6 of 23 Phillips has a bachelor’s degree in forest resources from the UGA and is a graduate of UGA's Advancing Georgia Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry Program (AGL). He also attended graduate school at Auburn University, completing a graduate certificate in forest finance and investment.

“My vision is to be someone who connects the key sectors,” said Phillips. “Academia, research, state leaders at the capitol and economic development, and private industry; to be the conduit to spark innovation and develop new markets for forestry.”

Phillips and his wife, Laura, have been married for 10 years. They live on 60 rural acres in Carrollton with their two daughters and an assortment of goats and chickens.

For more information about the GFC, visit GaTrees.org.

FARMER MENTAL HEALTH: RESILIENCE NOT SAME AS INVINCIBILITY

By Jennifer Whittaker Members of Georgia’s agricultural community and mental health advocates gathered March 12 for the fifth Georgia Farm Stress Summit to discuss how they can help farmers navigate the stress of their livelihood.

UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Associate Dean for Extension Michael Toews noted that last year Georgia ranked No. 2 in the country for bankruptcy proceedings.

“Georgia farmers are facing a severe mental health crisis. First-generation farmers have higher stats for stress,” Toews said. “Resilience doesn’t mean invincibility. We need to offer listening without judging and remind farmers they’re not alone.”

Keynote speaker Tara Haskins, who holds a doctor of nursing practice degree and is the health director of the nonprofit AgriSafe, outlined ways the agriculture community nationwide can continue to reduce the stigma of talking about mental stress and improve farmers’, loggers’, and commercial fishers’ mental well-being.

“Sometimes the resilience we celebrate can mask exhaustion,” Haskins said. “It’s easy to understand why. Farmers are responsible for their employees. They’re dealing with concerns about the weather, supply chain, labor shortages, public scrutiny and policy uncertainty.”

She advocates mental health training be normalized and included with farm safety training. “Ag leaders need to have the courage to say mental health sustains workers in agriculture. We need permanent funding, research and policy advocacy on the state and federal level. We can either treat mental health as a crisis response or embed it and improve on how we help people. History will judge us by whether we were able to reduce the suicide rate and the stigma of mental issues in agriculture.”

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kevin Tanner and Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall discussed what their organizations are doing to help.

Tanner urged anyone having a mental health crisis in their family to call the DHDD hotline at 988. Trained clinicians are available to talk 24 hours, seven days a week.

GFB Field Notes page 7 of 23 “The Georgia Crisis Access Line gets about 1,000 calls or texts a day,” Tanner said. “The top 20 counties that have used 988 in Georgia are rural.”

McCall urged members of the ag community to reach out to friends they see struggling.

“Don’t wait for them to come and talk to you,” McCall said. “If you have friends going through issues, ask them if they are okay and if they want to talk.”

Tanner said a good way to get people to share their struggles is to share your own.

“Give that person the opportunity to open up by saying, ‘Let me tell you what I’m dealing with or let me tell you about my struggles,’” Tanner said. “When we allow people to see our vulnerability, it allows others to open up.”

McCall said addressing farmer mental health is a priority of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, which was instrumental in creating the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance in collaboration with Mercer University.

Farm & rural mental health resources If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org. https://agr.georgia.gov/mental-health-agriculture https://site.extension.uga.edu/thriving/ https://www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind https://gafarmstress.org/healthy-mindset/ https://www.agrisafe.org https://www.fcs.uga.edu/extension/opioids-resources-toolkit-for-rural-georgia GCC, GPC APPROVE MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION IN RESEARCH FUNDING The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) have approved funding for multiple research projects.

In March, the GPC Board of Directors approved $789,776 for the 2026-27 research budget year.

The research projects approved include 40 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Separately, the GCC Board of directors at its March meeting agreed to provide $725,875 in research for the 2027 crop year for 17 projects to be conducted by UGA and UGA Extension.

The peanut research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, as well as pests, weed and disease management. One new project is looking at development of a quick, non-destructive seed vigor and germination test.

The GPC board of directors approved additional projects focusing on non-food uses of peanuts.

The projects aim to provide a new opportunity for growth within the peanut industry. The new

GFB Field Notes page 8 of 23 projects are looking at the utilization of whole-in-shell peanuts in poultry rations and other innovative non-food uses of peanut oil and shells.

Additionally, GPC manages funding for the Southeastern Peanut Research Initiative which includes research funding of $1,705,907 for projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. These projects are funded through the National Peanut Board checkoff dollars from farmers.

GCC’s funding will support projects including research in cotton on resistant weeds, soil management practices, evaluating the economics of conservation production, irrigation management and many more. The goal of this producer-funded research is to help cotton producers by conducting research that can either raise yields, promote efficiency or open new markets.

All projects are vetted by both the GCC Board of Directors and State Support Committee, made up of cotton producers from across the state, and the GCC’s research review committee, which consists of researchers, crop consultants and local UGA Extension Agriculture/Natural Resource agents.

For more information about the Georgia Cotton Commission, call (478) 988-4235 or visit www.georgiacottoncommission.org. For additional information and a complete list of the research projects funded by the Georgia Peanut Commission visit www.gapeanuts.com.

U.S. REPS URGE USTR TO ENSURE FAIR TRADE FOR U.S. SPECIALTY CROPS On May 12 a bipartisan group of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer to emphasize the importance of fair-trade measures for the U.S. specialty crop industry.

“America’s growers and producers are the best in the world. Current Mexican trade practices have flooded our markets with products that are held to a lower production standard than those produced here by American farmers,” said Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA 8th District). “The USMCA review process gives us an opportunity to reaffirm and recommit our support for domestic agriculture and the American farmer by forcing Mexico to play by the same rules if they want to import to the United States.”

Scott was joined as signatories on the letter by Reps. Buddy Carter, Lucy McBath, Rich McCormick, Mike Collins, Andrew Clyde, Sanford Bishop, Rick Allen, Barry Loudermilk, Clay Fuller and Brian Jack.

Georgia Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau were among 25 agricultural organizations that endorsed the letter.

The letter urges the Trump administration to address the urgent crisis as unfairly traded imports from Mexico undercut U.S. growers and creates a significant competitive disadvantage for American producers. The letter calls for improved trade measures, as part of the 2026 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review process, that protect the long-term viability of America’s fruit, vegetable, and certain tree nut industries, and ensure continued access to domestically grown food.

The congressmen pointed out that fresh fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico have increased by more than 550 percent since 2001, driven by fundamental cost and regulatory advantages.

Mexican producers operate with significantly lower labor and production expenses—agricultural

GFB Field Notes page 9 of 23 wages are about one-tenth of U.S. levels—while U.S. growers depend heavily on the higher-cost H-2A program for seasonal labor.

In the letter, the Members write: "Without measures to restore competitive balance, specialty crop production will increasingly move to foreign countries. We urge you to evaluate trade actions that can safeguard U.S. growers from unfair pressures from Mexico. This work is essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the specialty crop sector and to ensuring Americans continue to have access to high-quality, domestically grown food—an issue fundamental to our national security.”

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

BILL WOULD REMOVE CERTAIN TARIFFS ON MOROCCAN PHOSPHATES A bill that would remove countervailing duties from phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco was introduced in the U.S. Senate on April 28 and the U.S. House on April 29.

The Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act (S. 4419, HR 8583) was introduced in the Senate by Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and in the House by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (RIowa).

Phosphate fertilizer is an essential input for modern crop production, used predominantly for growing corn, soybeans, cotton, and other agricultural commodities. In the last five years, corn farmers have paid record and near-record highs to purchase phosphate following government action that cut off imported supplies.

“Corn farmers have been consistently vocal about the negative impact of duties on imported fertilizers,” said Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower in a statement. “We applaud these members of Congress – long-time farmer allies – for taking action to address one of the issues that is causing a hike in fertilizer costs.”

In 2020, the Commerce Department, acting on a petition filed by phosphate and potash mining and processing company Mosaic, imposed duties on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco and Russia. Mosaic claimed at the time that unfairly subsidized foreign companies were flooding the U.S. market with fertilizers and selling the products at extremely low prices. The petition was supported by J.R. Simplot.

Corn growers have been critical of the process used to determine the duties, which led to inaccurate calculations. Further, the outsized impact of restricting phosphate imports has negatively affected farmers across the United States. This year, the duties are being examined under a sunset review process that will determine if the duties should continue.

The duties have had major effects on the phosphate fertilizer market. At least one Moroccan company halted shipments of phosphate fertilizers into the U.S., which led to price hikes and shortages, saddling farmers with a hardship that has only worsened with conflict in the Middle East.

IMPORTED BEEF THREATENS FRAGILE RECOVERY FOR U.S. RANCHERS As the Trump administration considers an executive order that would allow more beef imports at lower tariff rates, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) maintains that increasing

GFB Field Notes page 10 of 23 imports could have long-term impacts and fails to address the underlying issues facing America’s ranchers. AFBF economists analyzed the issue in the May 12 edition of its Market Intel.

“The United States cattle industry is navigating one of the tightest supply environments in decades,” the Market Intel states. “The domestic cattle herd remains near multi-decade lows following years of drought, elevated feed and operating costs, herd liquidation and ongoing disruptions tied to New World screwworm restrictions along the southern border. At the same time, beef imports have already climbed sharply. During the first quarter of 2026, the U.S. imported 562,000 metric tons of beef and beef products valued at nearly $4.5 billion, up 18% from the same period last year and 122% higher than five years ago.”

The administration is reportedly considering a 200-day suspension of quantitative limits under the U.S. beef tariff-rate quota system, allowing several countries to temporarily ship unlimited volumes of beef into the U.S. market at lower tariff rates. The policy may increase beef supplies in the short-term, but it would weaken incentives for ranchers to rebuild domestic herds.

“It’s no secret that America’s farmers are suffering,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

“Despite a historic drought limiting the supply of water and feed, the lone bright spot in farm country has been the cattle business. Ranchers are finally starting to recover from years of losses.

Any plans to increase beef imports are extremely worrisome and could undermine the fragile recovery ranchers are experiencing.

“We appreciated the president’s efforts to enhance the farm economy earlier this year. We now urge him to consider the economic impact an executive order would have on rural America.

Increased imports put at risk the economic sustainability of the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on.”

Creating a reliance on imported beef and adding unnecessary uncertainty could discourage longterm domestic investments in home-grown protein.

Read the Market Intel here.

Mainstream media reported May 12 and May 13 that Trump has delayed signing an executive order to cut tariffs on imported beef.

GFB Field Notes page 11 of 23 UGA/GCA GEORGIA HERD PROGRAM CALHOUN SALE May 27 NW GA Livestock Pavilion 12:30 p.m.

Calhoun Sale features 65 bred heifers bred to sires Mead Magnitude, Raven Republic 1564, or Basin True Grit 1021. Sale includes registered heifers with GE EPDs and commercial heifers/Igenity Beef. To view the catalog and for more sale information visit https://indd.adobe.com/view/885d04fb9142-40b6-88a0-0ad7d3b5d6ae LiveAuctions.TV will conduct the auction. NW GA Livestock Pavilion is located at 1286 Hwy. 53 Spur SW Calhoun, Ga. Call Jason Duggin at 706-728-4354 or Katie Hammond at 706-624-1398 for more info. Potential buyers are welcome to come look at the heifers at the NW GA Livestock Pavilion in Calhoun any time after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26.

UGA Beef Team will hold a reproduction focused meeting May 26, starting at 6:30 p.m. with a meal. Please register by contacting Jason Duggin at jduggin@uga.edu or by visting www.ugabeef.com/calhoun . Cost of dinner is $15.

GACD FERAL HOG WORKSHOPS May 28 Traditions Venue, 410 Ga. 87 Business 5 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Cochran https://www.gacd.us/events/2026/5/28/central-georgia-feral-swine-workshop June 2 Stonecrest City Hall3120 Stonecrest Blvd. 5:30 p.m. – 8;30 p.m. Stonecrest https://www.gacd.us/events/2026/6/2/dekalb-county-feral-hog-workshop-amp-trap-demo July 9 Sumter County Ag Center 5 p.m.

Americus https://www.gacd.us/events/2026/7/9/feral-hog-workshop-with-golden-triangle-rcampd A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together in this series of educational workshops for farmers and landowners.

Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question and answer panel of experts. There will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration. Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

AMERICAN FARM BUREAU SUMMER COOKOUT SURVEY June 1-7 American Farm Bureau is asking Farm Bureau members nationwide to participate June 1-7 in its Summer Cookout Survey of retail food prices commonly used to prepare a cookout meal for 10 people. The survey tracks prices on commonly found foods including ground beef, American cheese, hamburger buns, chicken breasts, pork chops, potatoes, onions, celery, eggs, canned pork & beans, strawberries, lemons, sugar, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. Survey results will be used for a July Fourth national publicity campaign on the retail cost of food that emphasizes its relatively small increase in price over time compared to other consumer goods, as well as the contribution of U.S. food, fiber and fuel production to national security. Between June 1-7,

GFB Field Notes page 12 of 23 complete a mobile-friendly web survey, available at FB.Org/CookoutSurvey. Please note: this link will not be active for the survey until June 1 and closes June 7 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Participants may visit a grocery store in person or check prices using a grocery store app or website.

GFB YF&R DISCUSSION MEET June 1 deadline for entries 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. Also attached to this email are the questions that will be used in the 2026 Discussion Meet and a scoring rubric that can be used in preparation for the competition. Any Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers member is eligible to compete. Discussion Meet Orientation (for all competitors) will be on Wednesday afternoon, July 16 and the competition will be in person at the 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/education-and-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 district federation manager.

GFB YF&R SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE July 15-18 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island June 1 Final registration deadline Registration is open for the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Summer Leadership Conference and competitive events. Please share the following information with anyone who may be interested in attending or competing. This conference is open to any GFB member involved with Young Farmers & Ranchers, 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 by one of these deadlines: Registration – Deadline: June 1. Registration Fee: $150 per attendee. Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Room blocks have been secured at the Courtyard/Residence Inn (912635-2416, reservation deadline is June 150; Hampton Inn and Suites (912-635-3733, reservation deadline is June 15), Holiday Inn Resort (912-319-0037, reservation deadline is June 15), Villas by the Sea (912-635-2521, reservation deadline is June 15) and the Westin (912-6354545, reservation deadline is June 15) on Jekyll Island. Note: These room blocks tend to fill up quickly. For more information about the conference, contact Levi Davis at ledavis@gfb.org or 478-230-6767.

GFB Field Notes page 13 of 23 AGGEORGIA COMMUNITY MISSION FUND June 1 application deadline Through the Community Mission Fund, AgGeorgia invests in organizations dedicated to preserving and advancing the future of agriculture in the communities we serve. AgGeorgia has allocated $50,000 for the 2026 funding cycle, providing grants of up to $5,000 per eligible nonprofit organization. These grants are designed to fund projects that promote agriculture, enhance rural quality of life, and build strong community partnerships throughout our service area. While all eligible projects aligned with AgGeorgia’s mission will be considered, priority may be given to initiatives that: Promote agricultural education and awareness; support veteran and underserved farmers; and strengthen rural communities. The maximum award is $5,000 per organization per year. Organizations must be non-profit entities. Individuals and private farms are not eligible.

Projects must serve communities within the 79 counties where AgGeorgia Farm Credit conducts business. To apply, submit a completed online application. Visit www.aggeorgia.com/communitymission-fund and find the application at the bottom of the page. Applications will be reviewed and awards announced during the third quarter of 2026. For questions regarding the Community Mission Fund or application process, please contact Jessica Bassett, Marketing Specialist, at Marketing@aggeorgia.com or by phone at 800-768-3276 x 630.

AFBF AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE June 5 application deadline The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting online applications from entrepreneurs for the 2027 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge through June 5. Now in its 13th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. 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 on June 5, 10 semifinalist teams will be selected and announced on Sept. 2. Next, the 10 semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four round of the contest. Examples of successful Ag Innovation Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines and the competition timeline, can be found at fb.org/challenge. Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit www.fb.org/about/get-involved to learn about becoming a member. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 5.

GFB Field Notes page 14 of 23 WOMEN IN AG EXPO “IN THE TRENCHES” June 8-9 Oakhurst Farm Harris County This conference will offer hands-on, out-in-the field sessions covering beekeeping basics, soil & tractor basics, livestock management, food safety & preservation, income diversification & more.

Harris County Ag & Natural Resources Consultant Steve Morgan will provide the training.

Registration will be from 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. on June 8 with sessions beginning promptly at 9 a.m.

Registration is $100, which includes lunch & dinner on Monday. The Whistlin’ Pig will provide a BBQ lunch. The Harris County Cattlemen’s Association will serve a steak dinner. The Pachitla Creek Pickers will provide entertainment Monday night. Tuesday sessions will begin at 9 a.m. and end around lunch. Light snacks & water will be provided both days. Accomodations are available at the Hampton Inn in LaGrange & the Callaway Lodge in Pine Mountain. Participants must book their own rooms. Visit www.oakhurstfarms.com for more info & to register. For questions or more information, contact Steve Morgan at 706-628-7724 or smorgan@harriscountyga.gov.

IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS June 9 Fulton Couty Extension Office Atlanta N Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road NE, Room 248, Atlanta, GA 30350.

Phone: 404-613-5733.

July 14 Pickens County Extension Office Jasper 68 D.B. Carroll St., Jasper GA 30143. Phone: 706-253-8840 Aug. 26 Bacon County Extension Office Alma 203 South Dixon Street Ag Complex, Suite 3 Alma, GA 31510.

Aug. 27 Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center Lyons 8163 Highway 178, Lyons, GA 30436.

Online registration can be accessed at: https://tinyurl.com/cpycec3s. The workshops will explain the efficiencies of impact sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, how to develop an Irrigation Water Management Plan, and hands-on activities assembling basic irrigation systems. If you need an accommodation, please contact Gary Hawkins, at ghawkins@uga.edu or 706-542-7167. Please contact by 21 days prior to workshop date.

GA/FL IRRIGATION EXPO June 10 Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Lyons The University of Georgia and the University of Florida Extension Services are partnering with Pine Country RC&D to host a new biannual agriculture expo focused on irrigation. This workshop will be geared toward small farmers and discuss how to develop irrigation plans and hands-on for basic irrigation systems. Topics will include landscape irrigation, drip irrigation, solid set irrigation and center pivots. Experience live demonstrations, including blue-dye tests, pivot uniformity, and micro-irrigation for freeze protection! More than 25 irrigation exhibitors will also be on-site, showcasing a wide range of irrigation products and knowledge. The Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center is located at 8163 HWY 178, Lyons, GA 30436. To register, visit

GFB Field Notes page 15 of 23 https://uga.questionpro.com/t/AdAoDZ8g81. For more information, contact Jason Mallard at irrigationexpo2026@gmail.com.

ENTER GEORGIA FARM BUREAU PHOTO CONTEST June 12 photo contest entry deadline The 2026 Georgia Farm Bureau Photo Contest is sponsored by the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. The contest is an opportunity for all GFB members to showcase agriculture and to encourage an appreciation of rural Georgia. This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our state’s key industry. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture and Farm Bureau in Georgia. The grand prize winner will receive $150 and have their photo featured on the cover of the 2027 YF&R calendar. Eleven honorable mention winners will each receive $75 and have their photos featured inside the 2027 YFR calendar. All photos must highlight Georgia agriculture and must have been taken in 2025 or 2026.

An individual may enter up to three photos. Only photos of highest quality will be considered. All digital photos must be in a .jpeg format, must be horizontal and preferably be at least 1 MB in size.

For complete rules and to enter the contest, visit https://gfb.ag/yfrphoto. The deadline for entries is June 12. For more information, contact Haley Darby at hadarby@gfb.org.

AFBF WHITE-REINHARDT FUND FOR EDUCATION GRANTS June 12 application deadline The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education is a special funding opportunity from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (AFBFA) in cooperation with the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. It was established to honor two former chairs of that committee (Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, leaders in the national effort to improve agricultural literacy) by enlarging agricultural literacy efforts across the United States. The project grant is one of two components of the fund. Visit https://www.agfoundation.org/grants-awards/white-reinhardtgrants to apply.

2026 AGAWARE® FARM FINANCE TRAINING WORKSHOPS June 12 Southeastern Technical College Swainsboro Register: AgSouthFC.com/AGAware June 25 Athens-Clarke County Extension Office Athens Register: AgGeorgia.com/AGAware All classes will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. A free lunch will be provided.

AgSouth Farm Credit and AgGeorgia Farm Credit are hosting these workshops designed to equip farmers with essential business and financial management skills needed to succeed. The training is open to anyone who wishes to develop a better understanding of how to run a successful farming operation of any type or size. The AGAware Workshops introduce farmers to a variety of financial related topics critical to running an operation. These topics include: balance sheets, income statements, family finance & family budgeting, risk management, accrual income,

GFB Field Notes page 16 of 23 applying for financing, preparing a business plan, technology & record keeping, Farm Service Agency/Small Business Administration and other programs. AGAware is certified for participants to receive FSA Direct Borrower Training Credits in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

AgSouth Farm Credit created the national award-winning AGAware program in 2011 to ensure future farmers will be prepared and strong financially so they may continue doing what they love.

More than 1,000 farmers in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have graduated from the program. For other 2026 AGAware workshop opportunities in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina visit AgGeorgia.com and AgSouthFC.com For more information about AGAware, contact Heather Brannen at Heather.Brannen@AgSouthFC.com or Jessica Bassett at JBassett@AgGeorgia.com.

BLUEBERRY BOOST ACCELERATOR SEEKS BLUEBERRY INNOVATORS June 12 application deadline The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and VentureFuel are teaming up to support startup businesses that use blueberries as a key ingredient. The Blueberry Boost Accelerator is seeking startups of CPG products across a wide range of categories, including but not limited to: snacks, frozen, beverages (including alcoholic options), confectionery, personal care items (e.g., skincare, cosmetics), wellness/performance, ready-to-eat meals, sauces & dressings & pet products. Visit https://info.venturefuel.net/blueberryboostaccelerator to learn more about the program. The eight-week hybrid accelerator will connect early-stage, revenue-generating companies of products innovating with blueberries to leaders in the blueberry, food, food retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries. The goal of the program is to fast-track growth of potential products through expert mentorship, tailored commercialization support and strategic guidance. Participants will receive professional brand assets like video commercials and sales materials, media exposure, and connect with buyers, investors and innovation leaders. Startups will refine their pitch with 1:1 support and showcase their product at The Blueberry Convention, Sept. 22-25 in Monterey, Calif., where the grand prize winner will receive $20,000 and the runnerup will win $10,000. For more information or to apply, visit BlueberryBoostAccelerator.com.

For more resources on using blueberries as an ingredient, visit Blueberry.org/foodservice.

GEORGIA-FLORIDA TOBACCO TOUR June 15-17 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. Visit https://tobacco.caes.uga.edu/tours.html to see the initial tour schedule and to register. Please return to the site prior to the tour for more detailed information on the tour schedule and directions.

Participants should make their own hotel reservations using the telephone numbers or links provided by June 1 with reference to the “GA-FL Tobacco Tour” block of rooms. Contact J. Michael Moore at jmmoore@uga.edu or 229-392-6424 for more info.

GFB Field Notes page 17 of 23 GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATIONS June 16 application deadline extended Centennial Farm applications are open to all qualifying candidates. Farms play a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of our state, serving as the bedrock for economic, cultural, and family traditions for generations of Georgians. Georgia recognizes farms with a legacy spanning more than a century for their historical significance through the Georgia Centennial Farm program. Nominees must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase, actively involved in agricultural production, and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Georgia Centennial Farms are honored each October at an awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The Georgia Centennial Farm program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia EMC; Georgia National Fair and Agricenter; and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information, please contact Rose Mayo, Historic Preservation Division Outreach Coordinator, at 770-855-2586 or rose.mayo@dca.ga.gov. The postmark deadline for applications is June 16. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centuryfarmsapply.

CROP INSURANCE SALES CLOSING DATES Cabbage 2027 Crop July 1 deadline to enroll/renew Coverage is available in Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Mitchell, Tift and Toombs counties Fresh Market Sweet Corn 2027 Crop July 31 deadline to enroll/renew Coverage is available in Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Tift and Worth counties.

Peppers 2027 crop July 31 deadline to enroll/renew Coverage is available in Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Ware and Worth counties.

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia producers of these sale closing dates for the 2027 crop year. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2027 crop year.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at https://rma.usda.gov. The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company contracts with three companies - Rain & Hail, Sompo, and Crop Risk Services

GFB Field Notes page 18 of 23 to offer crop insurance. GFB has more than 70 (and growing) experienced crop insurance agents 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.

SUNBELT EXPO AG INNOVATION AWARD July 1 application deadline The 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo brings back its Innovation Award for a second year, continuing to highlight new ideas and innovations in agriculture. Discover how to participate and showcase your agricultural innovation at the 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo. If your new product or service is innovative, time-saving, labor-saving, or will change the agricultural world, enter it in the Sunbelt Ag Expo’s Top-10 New Products Competition. Entries are evaluated by a panel of farmers, ranchers, agricultural business professionals, and university representatives to ensure that each product is new for 2026 and is innovative in its field.Key Dates: Application Closes: July 1; judging the week of: July 13; winners will be contacted by Aug. 5. Judging Criteria: Originality; innovation; practicalty; economy/affordability; overall quality. Additional information: There will be 10 winners. Only products released anywhere in the world between Oct. 17, 2025, and Oct. 16, 2026, are eligible for the competition. The company applying for an Innovation Award must be an exhibitor at the 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo. For competition details or to apply, visit https://sunbeltexpo.com/innovation-award/. For questions, contact the Sunbelt Ag Expo team at 229.958.1968 or email mandy@sunbeltexpo.com.

SOUTHEAST CATTLE CONFERENCE Aug. 1 Georgia FFA Camp Old Dining Hall Covington July 18 RSVP deadline The Southeast Cattle Conference, sponsored by the Georgia Hereford Association & formerly called Herefords in the Cove, will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, in Covington, Ga. at the FFA Camp in the old dining hall. Cost to attend is $25 for adults and $10 for kids under 10. Registration starts at 1:30 p.m. ET. Program starts at 2 p.m. ET. For more info call Wes Smith at 706-601-9527.

Please RSVP to the Georgia Hereford Association Facebook page or call Smith by July 18.

Program topics will include: Managing income tax in good & bad years presented by Kevin Burkett, Clemson University; Using Hereford genetics to increase profitability presented by Peyton Pruett of the American Hereford Assc. There will also be a panel discussion between the following cattle producers regarding how they decide to cull cows & the factors they use to choose a cow for their donor herd: Tommy Maples, Maples Stock Farm, Elkmont, Al; Steve Morgan, Oakhurst Farm, West Point, Ga.; & Breck Debnam, Innisfail Farm, Madison, Ga. Jenna Paulette of Texas will provide entertainment. There will also be a benefit auction and a dinner. Hotels to choose from in the Covington/Conyers area: Hampton Inn 678-212-2500 Courtyard by Marriott 470-444-1470 Holiday Inn Express 866-245-4286

GFB Field Notes page 19 of 23 FFA Camp

770-786-6926

GA COTTON COMMISSION MID-YEAR MEETING/PREHARVEST WORKSHOP July 29 Nesmith-Lane Conference Center Statesboro The Georgia Cotton Commission is pleased to announce the guest speakers at the Commission’s 2026 Mid-Year Meeting scheduled for July 29 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 2026 crop update and defoliation considerations along with discussions regarding late season irrigation and pest management strategies. The program speakers are Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney at the National Agricultural Law Center, and Bev Sylvester, chief marketing officer at Cotton Incorporated. 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.

USDA SDRP PAYMENTS Aug. 12 application deadline The USDA is issuing a second Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) payment to eligible producers who have approved program applications for losses due to natural disasters in calendar years 2023 and 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already provided $6.7 billion in SDRP payments to eligible producers. The original April 30 deadline has been extended to Aug. 12 for SDRP Stage 1 and Stage 2. The first stage, announced in July 2025, remains available to producers who received an indemnity under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for eligible crop losses due to qualifying 2023 and 2024 natural disaster events. Stage 2 of SDRP covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses that were not covered under Stage 1 program provisions, including non-indemnified (shallow loss), uncovered and quality losses. Eligible losses must be the result of natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and/or 2024. These disasters include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions. To qualify for drought-related losses, the loss must have occurred in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks, D3 (extreme drought), or greater intensity level during the applicable calendar year. For more information on SDRP, please visit fsa.usda.gov/sdrp.

GFB Field Notes page 20 of 23 KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS Sept. 19 & Oct. 24 Morgan Co. Ag Center Madison These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, ranch riding, ranch reining, dressage on the rail, halter/showmanship, “small fry” and more. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Trail classes are from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Western Classes not to start before lunch. Riders must be members of Kel-Mac to accrue points towards year-end awards. Age divisions for competition are as follows: Small Fry: 10 and under; Junior: under 14 years of age; Senior: 14 years and over. Novice: Rider is in 1st or 2nd year of showing. Green Horse: Horse is in 1st or 2nd year of showing. Entry fee per class is $10. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. Each horse show is an “an all-breed show” which means there are a wide variety of disciplines offered in the more than 50 classes. The focus of the Kel-Mac shows is to include everyone and help participants become more comfortable with showing.

For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook or Instagram pages or www.kel-mac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. Signup for shows on the website. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy. (441), north of Madison.

These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $170,250 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 50 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, and the equestrian facilities of state & county parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, and Heritage Park.

LALLEMAND ANIMAL NUTRITION SCHOLARSHIPS Sept. 30 deadline to apply Applications for the 2026 Lallemand Scholarship are open through Sept. 30. 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. Lallemand Animal Nutrition is a global company that offers microbial solutions for animal health and performance.

GFB Field Notes page 21 of 23 GFB HAY DIRECTORY GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2024 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER FERAL HOG CONTROL SERVICES For a list of feral hog control services available in each GACD Conservation District, visit https://gfb.ag/feralhoggacdresources.

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 is 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.