May 29, 2025
HOUSE-PASSED RECONCILIATION BILL COULD BENEFIT FARMERS
On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping bill that focuses on tax reform, border security and a variety of other policy changes.
The bill passed by a 215-214 margin, with one member voting present and two others not voting. All nine of Georgia’s Republican representatives voted for passage. The bill awaits consideration in the Senate.
The bill includes what the American Farm Bureau Federation is calling a modernization of the 2018 farm bill, extending and improving tax provisions that benefit small farmers and ranchers.
Among the tax provisions are the Section 199A small business tax deductions, which the bill would make permanent, and an extension of the current estate tax exemption. The bill also continues Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and the Dairy Margin Program (DMP) until 2031 and updates crop insurance reference prices.
“Updated reference prices will provide more certainty for farmers struggling through tough economic times,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Making business tax deductions permanent and continuing current estate tax exemptions will ensure thousands of families will be able to pass their farms to the next generation.”
According to the National Agricultural Law Center, the reference price increases in the bill fall between 10% and 20% and vary by commodity. In 2031, the reference prices would begin increasing by 0.5% annually to offset future inflation. The bill would cut spending in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $290 billion and require states to pay between 5% and 25% of SNAP benefit costs beginning in 2028. The SNAP eligibility standards would be updated with new work requirements for able-bodied adults with children aged 7 or older. Current rules call for parents with children 18 or older to work 20 hours per week to remain eligible for SNAP benefits.
The bill would also require states to pay at least 5% possibly up to 25% of SNAP benefit costs starting in 2028.
A summary of the bill is available here
MAHA REPORT DRAWS CRITICISM FROM AG GROUPS
On May 22, the Trump administration released the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Report, the report exposes a range of contributing factors to what it called childhood chronic disease crisis. Among these, the report references poor diet, accumulation of environmental toxins, insufficient physical activity, chronic stress, and overmedicalization.
The commission is tasked with creating a strategy to present to the White House by Aug.12.
The report drew widespread criticism from agricultural groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), the American Soybean Association (ASA), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and leadership from the House and Senate agriculture committees.
“It is deeply troubling for the White House to endorse a report that sows seeds of doubt and fear about our food system and farming practices, then attempts to celebrate farmers and the critical role they play in producing the safest food supply in the world,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Farmers are identified as ‘critical partners,’ yet were excluded from development of the report, despite many requests for a seat at the table. The report also expresses a desire to ensure farmers continue to thrive, but undermining confidence in our food system directly contradicts that noble goal. The report spotlights outlier studies and presents unproven theories that feed a false narrative and only then does it acknowledge a mountain of evidence about the safety of our food system.”
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) and Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Arkansas) issued a joint statement in which they emphasized the importance of moving “forward in a manner that avoids undermining the very systems that allow American farmers to produce the safest, most abundant, and affordable food in the world. It is imperative that we do not stray from the risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress.”
NAWG President Pat Clements issued a statement expressing concerns that the report would negatively affect public sentiment toward farmers.
“Unfortunately, the report contains misleading claims that could undermine public trust in our nation’s food system,” Clements said.
The ASA decried the MAHA report, calling it unscientific and saying it would ultimately make Americans less healthy.
“Both farmers and members of Congress tried to warn the administration that activist groups were trying to hijack the MAHA Commission to advance their longstanding goal of harming U.S. farmers. Reading this report, it appears that is exactly what has happened,” ASA Director Alan Meadows said.
The NCGA issued a statement in which it took the administration to task for issuing “fear-based rather than science-based information about pesticides. We are deeply troubled that claims of this magnitude are being made without any scientific basis or regard for a long history of EPA expert evaluations of these products.
The MAHA report can be read in its entirety here.
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DUNCAN JOHNSON JR. TABBED AS STATE FSA DIRECTOR
The Trump administration recently appointed Duncan Johnson, Jr. as the new state executive director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia. Johnson joined the Georgia FSA team on May 5.
“FSA State Executive Directors serve in a critical role carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level ensuring that our focus is on meeting the needs of local agricultural producers by putting farmers and ranchers first,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Rural communities need our support now more than ever. Our newly appointed state leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their position as SED and they will play an integral role in shaping the future of agriculture in their state.”
Johnson most recently served as president of Johnson Consulting and Mediation, located in Augusta. He previously spent 11 years as a board member of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and has served as a trustee for Leadership Georgia and the Georgia Board of Physicians Workforce.
As SED, Johnson is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Georgia. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans.
FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.
FARMERS SHARE STRUGGLES WITH COLLINS DURING FARM VISIT
On May 23, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA 10th District) visited the Greene County farm of AFBF President Zippy Duvall, who took him on a brief tour around the farm and then hosted a group question and answer session area farmers.
Collins gave updates on the budget reconciliation bill recently passed in the House, tariffs, energy independence, the Waters of the U.S. rule, the farm bill and farm labor.
The farmers took the chance to share their challenges with the congressman.
“I understand that these people are hurting. This is not something that's just happened in the last year or two. This has been decades building on it because farming is generational,” Collins said. “These are second, third, fourth generations of people that are in farming and they've seen the changes that have gradually just put them in a position where they're no longer competitive, especially on the world market. And that's where we need to, as a federal government, make sure that we're not interfering to the point to where they cannot make a living.”
Collins encouraged constituents to continue communicating with their elected representatives in Washington.
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Collins discussed farm-related provisions in H.R. 1, the “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” noting that it makes business tax deductions permanent and extends current estate tax exemptions. Collins was one of nine Georgia Republicans to vote for passage.
“We got a lot of things in there,” Collins said. “[Crop] insurance is in there. Section 199 A for income tax deduction on small businesses is in there. The death tax was addressed to make sure … how many farms do you know out there that they have to sell the farm when someone dies just to pay the estate tax? And so we’ve addressed that.”
The bill extends Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and the Dairy Margin Program (AMP) through 2031, according to a summary of the bill on Congress.gov.
Collins said a freeze has been placed on wages for farm labor, set through the Adverse Effective Wage Rate, and he noted that Congress needs to take wage classifications.
“That is something I've heard from every farmer that has visited has talked to us on labor issues the past four years, especially with the changing of how they're classified,” Collins said. “We need to address that. There's no reason that we should be paying farm labor people that are picking crops that are trying to get paid as a truck driver.”
Collins told the area farmers that he’s received assurances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin that the agency is setting new definition for “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to only include navigable waters. He said Congress plans to put a permanent definition in statute in 2026.
GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIRGROUNDS BREAKS GROUND ON NEW ARENA
By Natalie Wisekal
On May 14 the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new arena and barn for small species of livestock such as pigs, goats and sheep.
The arena is to be named for former state representative and Perry local Larry Walker Jr. Walker was instrumental in the establishment of the GNFA and getting it placed in Perry during his time in the Georgia General Assembly.
Construction is set to be finished fall of 2026.
“The barn will ensure that no child will ever not be able to show with the Georgia National Fairground due to lack of space, and that's something that we run into,” said GNFA Executive Director Stephen Shimp.
The Larry Walker Arena will have a climate-controlled show ring with a minimum of 400 chairback seats, and the barn will have 400 pens to house small livestock, Shimp said. There will also be covered walkways connecting the new facilities to the current ones.
“I never thought anything like this would happen. I mean, I never could have thought it. And I'm so glad to see you all here,” Walker told the crowd.
Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority Chairman Foster Rhodes shared that the annual economic impact of the GNFA on the state of Georgia is $133 million, according to a recent study done by the University of Georgia. The annual Georgia National Fair generates more than $900,000 in state sales tax during its 11-day run each October. The authority also provides around -continued on next page
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$2.6 million worth of services to 4-H and FFA exhibitors throughout the year.
The Georgia National Fair Livestock Show and the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show are two of the fairground’s main youth events. Around 8,000 4-H and FFA members exhibit livestock in these shows alone.
“Mr. Walker, the future looks bright for the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. I can assure you this place and our staff have got our foot on the gas pedal. It will always be the greatest place in the nation for the youth coming to show equine and livestock,” said Shimp.
Shimp says the need for the building has been felt. There has been rapid growth in the number of youths showing livestock, along with a sharp increase in the number of small species being exhibited.
There are several factors behind these rising numbers. Families that are starting to show usually begin with pigs, goats, and sheep. More kids are beginning their show careers at a younger age and need a smaller animal they can better handle. Shimp said the smaller animals can be cheaper to purchase compared to beef cattle. Most of the smaller species are also herd animals and do better when raised in a group, so families aren’t buying just one.
The Larry Walker Arena will sit in part of what is currently the New South Arena Parking lot. The new barn will be beside the existing Sheep and Swine Barn #2, in what is currently a grassy area alongside Exhibitor Drive.
The 83-year-old Walker has a strong connection to his heritage and growing up in Perry. He comes from an ag family, grew up exhibiting cattle and was a member of the FFA. His father, the late L. Cohen Walker was the first ag teacher and FFA advisor in Houston County, who began teaching at Perry High School in 1937.
Walker graduated from Perry High School and went on to attend the University of Georgia where he received his undergraduate and J.D. from the UGA School of Law. In addition to practicing law for many years, Walker served in the Georgia General Assembly for 32 years.
Walker says his position in politics and the friends he made along the way allowed him to help what he loves the most and that’s Houston County. He has been a longtime supporter of Georgia youth. He said today’s youth in agriculture are fine people and that he’s proud to be a part of that.
“I'm glad to see these 4-H and FFA members here with those blue coats on. I was a member for four years,” Walker said. “I'm so proud of them, I'm so proud of being here. I never dreamed of anything like this [having an arena named for him].”
In related news, the new hotel currently under construction at the fairgrounds is expected to open this fall, hopefully before the Georgia National Fair in October, Shimp said.
Natalie Wisekal is an intern in the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Information/Public Relations Department. She is a senior at ABAC and a GFB ambassador.
GFB ENCOURAGING GEORGIANS TO VOTE IN PSC ELECTIONS
Georgia Farm Bureau’s I Farm. I Vote. campaign is encouraging members across the state to get out and vote in the 2025 Public Service Commission (PSC) elections. This year, there will be a statewide special election for the Georgia Public Service Commission District 2 and District 3. All Georgia voters are eligible to cast a ballot for both PSC seats, but the candidates for the two contested seats are required to live in their districts that cover metro Atlanta and east Georgia
The PSC is responsible for regulating telecommunications, electric, and natural gas utilities. This includes overseeing rates and infrastructure projects such as the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion. The commission is tasked to plan for future demands and manage energy resources statewide appropriately.
The two seats up for election are from District 2 and District 3. District 2 consists of a large portion of East and Southeast Georgia, including Athens, Augusta, and Savannah, and is currently held by Commissioner Tim Echols. Running against Echols in the Republican primary is Tim Muns, and Alicia Johnson is running uncontested for the Democratic ticket. District 3, made up of Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties, is currently held by Commissioner Fitz Johnson who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill a vacant seat. Johnson is uncontested in the Republican primary, and Daniel Blackman, Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones, and Keisha Waites are running in the Democratic primary race.
Important dates for the election: Early voting runs through June 13. Primary absentee voting applications are being accepted through June 6, and absentee voting by mail is available until June 6. Election Day for the primaries is June 17. The general election is on Nov. 4.
USDA OFFERS $23 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR MOVING DEAD OR DOWNED TREES
On May 6, the USDA announced $23 million in grants to support transporting hazardous fuels – such as dead or downed trees – from national forests to processing facilities. Through the USDA Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program, these grants will reduce the hazardous fuels that pose wildfire threats to communities, critical infrastructure and recreation areas.
This work directly supports President Trump’s Executive Order on increasing domestic timber production as well as Secretary Rollins’ direction to have the Forest Service (PDF, 2.9 MB) ramp up active forest management on national forests to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural prosperity.
Unlike high-value wood, which is typically used in construction and furniture manufacturing, low-value wood has more limited applications, with fewer facilities able to process it into useful products like soil-enriching materials, renewable energy sources like electricity and heat, and sustainable construction solutions such as cross-laminated timber. The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program aims to help businesses, non-profits, and state, local and tribal governments make use of the dead trees, fallen branches, and dense undergrowth which would go to waste or fuel catastrophic wildfires.
The Forest Service will accept applications through June 20. Information about webinars will be available soon on the Forest Service Timber Transportation website. To expedite wildfire -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page mitigation and forest restoration efforts, projects in areas covered by Emergency Situation Determinations (ESDs) will be prioritized in the selection process. These authorities allow the Forest Service to act swiftly in high-risk firesheds by expediting project approvals and reducing administrative delays, ensuring that hazardous fuel reduction efforts reach the most vulnerable communities and landscapes.
USDA TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR MEAT & POULTRY INSPECTIONS
On May 27, the USDA announced it will exercise its authority to provide a funding increase of $14.5 million in reimbursements to states for meat and poultry inspection programs. Without this funding, states may not have the resources to continue their own inspection programs which ensure products are safe. This funding increase ensures American-produced meat and poultry can make it to market and onto the tables of families across the country, the USDA said
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the funding will ensure services that meat and poultry processors and producers rely on will continue to operate on a normal basis. She also noted that the shortfall in funding for inspectors is addressed in President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget proposal.
“State meat and poultry inspection programs are vital to maintaining a safe and resilient food system, especially for small and medium-sized producers and processors. On behalf of the state departments of agriculture, NASDA applauds Secretary Rollins and USDA-FSIS for providing an additional $14.54 million to increase the reimbursement rate for this critical state cooperative agreement in this fiscal year,” said CEO Ted McKinney of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. “In recent years, USDA has been providing states with significantly less funding, challenging states’ ability to provide inspection services. Increasing the reimbursement rate for states participating in this cooperative agreement ensures that more efficient processing options for local livestock producers remain in operation, especially for smaller farms. We were also encouraged that the President's budget included a similar funding request for state meat and poultry inspection programs. We will continue to advocate for Congress to appropriate this essential funding. This investment helps safeguard consumers, supports farmers, and ensures that state-inspected meat and poultry continue to reach American dinner tables efficiently and safely.”
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper applauded the move.
“I’m grateful for Secretary Rollins’ commitment and decisive actions to ensure America’s food supply remains the safest, most abundant, and most affordable in the world. Our Georgia Meat Inspection Section staff work tirelessly to protect Georgia consumers and our state’s food supply, and after steep cuts to state-level inspection services under the Biden Administration, this additional funding will help ensure we can continue to effectively protect Georgia’s food supply,” Harper said.
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MORGAN COUNTY’S KINSAUL HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE IN AG EDUCATION
Morgan County Farm Bureau President Rachel Kinsaul, a two-time graduate of the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), has been named a 2024–25 Milken Educator Award recipient an honor widely recognized as the nation’s preeminent award for K–12 teachers.
Kinsaul is one of 10 finalists for the 2026 State Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced by the Georgia Department of Education on May 30.
A leader in agricultural education, Kinsaul teaches agricultural science at Morgan County High School in Madison, where her innovative, hands-on programs have redefined how students experience the agricultural sciences.
As Georgia’s sole recipient this year, Kinsaul joins a prestigious national network of more than 3,000 educators and receives an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. She is the first-ever recipient from Morgan County Charter Schools and the 87th in Georgia since the state joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1990.
Kinsaul earned her bachelor's degree in animal science in 2009, followed by a master's degree in agricultural leadership in 2011.
“CAES is incredibly proud of our alumni who continue to excel and make a difference in their communities. Rachel's receipt of the Milken Educator Award is a testament to her hard work, dedication and innovation as an educator,” said Laura Bayne, CAES director of alumni relations. “The achievements of alumni like Rachel inspire our current students and reinforce our commitment to fostering excellence in education and community service.”
Kinsaul and her husband, Jason, served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee in 2020-2021. The Kinsauls won the 2019 GFB YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award and were Top 10 finalists for the 2020 American Farm Bureau award.
Agricultural education gives students hands-on experience
Drawing on her own experience growing up on a beef cattle farm and competing in high school rodeo, Kinsaul has created authentic learning experiences that prepare her students for academic success as well as meaningful careers in agriculture.
“Rachel’s personal experience and professional expertise translate into dynamic, real-world instruction that deeply resonates with students,” said Stephanie Bishop, vice president of the Milken Educator Awards and a 2001 Milken Educator. “From tending livestock to designing floral arrangements and visiting local farms, her students are gaining the tools to become tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.”
At Morgan County High School, Kinsaul significantly expanded student engagement in agriculture, including the launch of a popular floral design course, which encouraged more girls to enroll in agriculture classes. Her “Floral Arrangement of the Month” subscription program, managed in partnership with the school’s special education department, raises funds while giving students hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
She also initiated the school’s Sophomore Service Day to connect students with community service opportunities and led a successful $501,059 fundraising effort to construct the Morgan -continued on next page
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County Agricultural Learning Lab a state-of-the-art agriculture barn on campus where students raise livestock and deepen their agricultural knowledge through experiential livestock education. She also serves as the school’s FFA advisor, leading students to success in state and national competitions.
CAES education shaped her career
“Rachel Kinsaul is the definition of a dedicated educator someone who goes above and beyond to provide real-world, hands-on learning experiences,” said Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “Her commitment to agricultural education and student leadership has a lasting impact not just in the classroom, but across the community and industry.”
Kinsaul also mentors student teachers and presents teaching strategies to educators across Georgia, contributing to the broader advancement of agricultural education in the state.
"My experience in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is what expanded my passion for agriculture and pushed me to want to share that love with students,” Kinsaul said. “The hands-on classes and labs gave me the experience to tackle anything teaching agriculture has thrown at me. And serving as the chair of the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo taught me how to interact with sponsors, make connections and coordinate large events all of the things I am asked to do on a daily basis.”
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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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AGGEORGIA FARM CREDIT COMMUNITY MISSION FUND GRANTS
June 30 application deadline
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is accepting applications for $50,000 in grants to support non-profits that are furthering the future of agriculture in Georgia. The funding is offered as part of the cooperative’s Community Mission Fund, with awards of up to $5,000 per organization per year. The Fund's mission is to build strong partnerships and alliances, leveraging resources to preserve and promote farmers, families, and Georgia’s rural communities. The program has two main objectives: to invest in the future of agriculture and to enhance and impact the quality of life in rural Georgia. As part of the application, organizations should submit a detailed proposal for a project the grant will fund. Organizations' values and proposed project purpose must align with the Fund's mission to be considered for funding. To qualify for a grant, organizations must be located within the 79-county area where AgGeorgia Farm Credit conducts business. For more information and to apply, visit the AgGeorgia Farm Credit Community Mission Fund page at www.aggeorgia.com/community-mission-fund . Past grants have been awarded to veteran focused ag programs, to volunteer fire departments for off-road firefighting equipment, and been used to build instructional raised garden beds and chicken coops. The Fund has disbursed more than $108,000 since it was created in 2023. For more information, please contact Jessica Bassett at Marketing@aggeorgia.com or by phone at 800-768-3276 x 630.
GFB CULTIVATE & EDUCATE AG IN THE CLASSROOM GRANTS
July 1 application deadline
Georgia Farm Bureau will award 12 grants of $500 each to certified teachers employed by a school district or private school who teach at the pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade level to fund projects that will educate their students about the importance of agriculture and expand agricultural literacy. Teachers will provide a one-page narrative that explains the purpose of the project, need for the project, educational goals, project budget and a recommendation letter from the county Farm Bureau. Priority will be given to teachers who are Georgia Farm Bureau members. Projects are to be completed during the 2025-2026 school year. Grant money can be used for classroom materials and resources, including ag-accurate books. Grant money cannot be used for mileage, field trips nor one-time consumable products such as copying, paper or meals. GFB will issue grant funds to the recipient’s county Farm Bureau, which will distribute the money to the grant recipient. Grant applications must be submitted online at https://gfb.ag/AITCgrant
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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.
SUNBELT AG EXPO INNOVATION AWARDS
July 15 application deadline
Do you have a new product or service that is innovative, timesaving, labor-saving or that will change the agricultural world? If so, enter it in Sunbelt Ag Expo’s Top 10 New Products competition. Entries must be for products released between Oct. 17, 2024-Oct. 16, 2025. Products or services will be judged for originality, innovativeness, practicality, affordability and overall appeal. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of farmers, ranchers, agricultural business professionals and university representatives. Applications open June 1 at https://sunbeltexpo.com/innovation-award/ . Winners will be contacted by August 5. The 10 winners must exhibit at the 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo to be held Oct. 14-16 in Moultrie, Ga. If you have questions, email mandy@sunbeltexpo.com or call 229-985-1968.
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.
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SOUTHEAST CITRUS UPDATE
July 14
Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center 9:30 a.m. Lyons
This free seminar will feature discussions on disease control, horticultural practices and citrus greening. Speakers include UGA Extension Citrus Specialist Dr. Mary Sutton, UGA Small Fruit Pathologist Dr. Jonathan Oliver, University of Florida Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Breeding Scientist Dr. Manjul Dutt and UGA Extension Citrus Agent Jake Price. Pesticide credits will be offered and lunch will be served. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Tattnall County Extension office at 912-557-6724 or the Evans County Extension office at 912-739-1292.
HEREFORDS IN THE COVE
Aug. 2 Walker County Civic Center Rock Springs
Hereford producers are invited to attend this one-day event, which begins with registration at 1:30 p.m. Speakers will discuss the pending farm bill and its impact on where the cattle industry is in the cow cycle, the My Herd Record System, and using social media and webpages to promote your farm. The event will also include a junior program for young producers. Call Cody Cleveland at 229-402-0399 to register. The cost is $25/person and $10 for those under 10 years of age. For more information contact Wes Smith at 706-601-9527 or Charles Woodward at 678-725-2292. Contact Shelly McQuaig at 229-402-7232 for information about the junior program. The Walker County Civic Center is located at 10052 N Hwy. 27, Rock Springs, Ga. 30707. A room block has been arranged at the Hampton Inn Ringgold Fort Oglethorpe 6875 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, Ga. 30736. Call 706-935-4800 to make reservations by July 15 for the rate of $119/night plus tax.
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
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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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.
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.
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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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.
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.