gfbfieldnotes100925 by Georgia Farm Bureau

USDA ALLOCATES $531 MILLION TO GEORGIA FOR HELENE BLOCK GRANTS

On Sept. 30, just after the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the State of Georgia will receive approximately $531,236,000 in federal funds for the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program. The State of Georgia’s Block Grant Program will cover future economic losses, infrastructure losses, and timber losses caused by Hurricane Helene.

“I am incredibly proud to announce the State of Georgia will receive $531,236,000 in federal funding to provide much-needed relief to impacted farmers and producers through Georgia’s Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program,” Harper said. “This funding is absolutely essential to help our farm families bounce back from Hurricane Helene, and our team invested hundreds of hours into the negotiation process to secure the maximum possible amount of federal funding for our state and our producers.”

“Farmers and ranchers in Georgia have been hit hard and suffered significant economic losses during 2024. USDA is working closely with the State of Georgia to ensure those impacted have the relief they need,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.

GDA continues to work with USDA to finalize administrative details in the state’s block grant agreement and corresponding work plan. The GDA had an announcement on its website indicating the shutdown is expected to delay implementation of the block grant program. More details about the program and how to apply will be forthcoming.

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In a development Georgia Farm Bureau leaders say is a significant win for Georgia producers, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) addressed the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) methodology with an interim final rule (IFR) that went into effect on Oct. 2.

The rule, which governs how H-2A workers’ pay is to be determined, removes the USDA’s Farm Labor Survey and replaces it with the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This move alleviates the burden of the 30% AEWR increase over the past three years, enhancing competitiveness for family farms.

“As is the case with every regulatory venture there is a chance legal challenges follow this IFR and we will be monitoring any potential hiccups,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “However, this announcement is a fantastic sign that Washington has seen the struggles of American farmers, especially Georgia farmers, and is ready to respond by easing the cost of ag labor.”

The DOL’s IFR updates the AEWR methodology for H-2A jobs, such as crop harvesting, livestock care, and equipment operation. Farmers familiar with the H-2A program know AEWRs set minimum wages to ensure hiring foreign workers doesn’t harm U.S. workers’ pay. This rule, effective immediately for job orders submitted on or after Oct.2, changes how these wages are calculated, impacting farm labor costs. NOTE: Contracts are not being approved by DOL until the government shutdown ends.

The IFR introduces two wage tiers and provides a $1.75/hour AEWR reduction for employers that provide housing:

• Level 1 (Entry-Level): Applies to jobs requiring no formal education or specialized training, minimal experience, or brief on-the-job training. Workers follow supervisors, use common tools, and work in crews with closely monitored tasks. The AEWR is set at the average hourly wage of the lowest third of workers in field/livestock Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes or some specific non-field SOC codes. Which means for the state of Georgia this wage is $12.27/hour, with the housing reduction this wage drops to $10.52/hour

• Level 2 (Experienced): Covers jobs needing demonstrated skills through education, training, or experience, performing moderately complex tasks with less supervision. The AEWR is the average hourly wage for all workers in the relevant SOC codes, set at the 50th percentile. For Georgia this comes out to $16.22/hour if housing is not provided. With the housing reduction that wage drops to $14.47/hour.

Additional analysis from American Farm Bureau’s Market Intel: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ OEWS is a randomized survey of employers compiled from state unemployment insurance (UI) databases from over a million nonfarm establishments. Yearly estimates posted each May contain a three-year average of the prior years for wages in each category. Overall, the OEWS has a response rate of 65%, similar to historical responses to the Farm Labor Survey, but the OEWS does not survey farm establishments. Employers who are -continued on previous page

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categorized as support activities for crop production and support activities for animal production – also known as farm labor contractors (FLC) – are included in the possible survey pool if they file UI in their state. This skews OEWS accuracy for areas lacking a heavy FLC presence or in states without agricultural UI requirements. The IFR commits to working with USDA to add direct farm employers to the survey pool, but the business structure of most family farms will likely be major hurdles for incorporating farms into the program. Many farms lack dedicated business administrators, are exempt from state UI programs and differ in business data management from large companies. These factors, as well as farmer survey fatigue, will require a significantly different approach to include direct farm employers in OEWS data samples.

One critical improvement the OEWS dataset makes is getting closer to base hourly wages. The survey does not include information on non-production-based wages or overtime pay, unlike the gross wages included in the FLS. This will especially benefit states without overtime laws that were previously grouped in regions with states that did have agricultural overtime laws. Under FLS AEWRs, overtime inclusion led to increased wages across broad regions.

The Wages

Similar to the output of the FLS, DOL will post standard farmworker AEWRs as a combined field and livestock worker wage covering the most common agricultural SOCs. The combined field and livestock worker wage under this IFR will include Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse (45-2092); Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch and Aquacultural Animals (452093); Agricultural Equipment Operators (45-2091); Packers and Packagers, Hand Graders and Sorters (53-7064), Agricultural Products (45-2041) but remove Agricultural Workers, All Other (45-2099). As this wage is not directly reported by the OEWS, it is calculated as the weighted average of the appropriate percentile wage per experience level for each of the five SOC codes in each state. The national average SOC code wage will be used if a state level estimate is not available.

This adjustment results in nearly immediate savings for producers in every state as any job orders certified after the introduction of this rule will be certified with the new wage rates. However, because H-2A employers must pay the highest of the AEWR, the state or federal minimum wage, the prevailing wage or the collective bargaining wage, many states will now face state minimum wages above the AEWR. This will limit cost savings to farmers in those states.

Skill Level II jobs require prior experience, certifications or technical knowledge that allow them to work with less supervision, such as workers responsible for the first pick of an apple orchard determining if fruit is ripe. These wages will be a combined field and livestock worker wage of the average hourly wages of the “big five” SOC codes statewide. When examining just the new AEWR for Skill Level II employees, an OEWS combined field and livestock worker wage would increase wages for Skill Level II jobs in 26 states; Georgia’s would increase by 1% - 14 cents per hour.

Non-wage costs

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workers and has taken steps to mitigate some of that burden as well.

Since domestic farmworkers often pay for their own housing, the H-2A program requirement that farmers provide free housing to their H-2A workers is considered an adverse effect on domestic employment. Domestic workers who “are reasonably able to return to their permanent places of residence at the end of each workday” do not have to be provided free employer housing if they are employed in corresponding roles to H-2A workers. As such, H-2A workers generally retain more of their income compared to domestic workers who must spend additional income on living expenses, even if domestic workers earn the same hourly wage.

To account for this nonwage compensation afforded to H-2A guestworkers above domestic workers, the IFR establishes a state-level compensation deduction for H-2A workers. These deductions are based off the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 50th percentile rents for a four-bedroom housing unit, including utilities except telephone, television or internet. DOL categorizes these as “state average Fair Market Rents (FMRs),” but HUD’s website discloses that these are not FMRs as they are skewed by outlier rental rates in some areas.

The average occupancy of H-2A housing units was seven to eight workers for labor certifications processed from fiscal year 2020 to 2024. As such, the FMR is divided among eight individuals who are assumed to work 40 hours per week to come up with an hourly equivalent of fair housing rates. To ensure H-2A wages are not depressed beyond appropriate income shares for housing, the adverse compensation adjustment may not exceed 30% of the AEWR.

The adverse compensation adjustment for Georgia is $1.75. These adjustments balance wage costs so that most states will see lower hourly costs than under the FLS.

Disaggregated Wages Remain

Despite the recent litigation outcome on the 2023 disaggregation rule, the IFR does not eradicate the potential for wage determinations in additional SOCs. Instead, it implements a primary job duties test. If a worker performs duties reasonably expected to be performed under the five farmworker SOCs – which will be determined by standards in the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) system – for over 50% of their workdays, they will be assigned the combined field and livestock worker wage. However, if they perform duties outside of these expectations for a majority of their contracted time, DOL and state workforce agencies (SWA) may still certify a job order with wages based on nonfarm jobs.

Use of O*NET should allow greater flexibility in job duties classified under the combined field and livestock worker wage. The system contains greater variability in tasks considered reasonable agricultural work, including those tasks that may be less regularly performed that were previously considered “nonagricultural”, like driving a van of farmworkers. The rule commits that SWA and DOL will attempt to assign one agricultural SOC code to job orders whenever possible, using the extended job duties included in O*NET.

Impact to Employers

Farmers and ranchers have long called for reform to the H-2A program, particularly the wage setting methods and nonwage costs of the program, and pieces of this rule begin to recognize and -continued on previous page

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take steps to modernize the AEWR system. While any existing job contracts must continue paying the wages on their job orders except in the few states where this rule increases wages any H-2A certification applications submitted on or after Oct. 2 will immediately see relief for most employers.

To read AFBF’s Market Intel in its entirety, click here.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LAUNCHES LEADERSHIP GFB

On Oct. 1, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) announced the launch of a new program, Leadership GFB.

Leadership GFB will equip rising and current GFB leaders with the tools they need to successfully advocate for agriculture, develop their leadership skills, and embody the organization’s grassroots mission. Participants will attend sessions focused on leadership development, understanding the county, state and national structure of Farm Bureau and its grassroots network, policy work on agricultural issues, and the importance of agricultural literacy.

“Our folks have been asking for a program like this, especially for members who have aged out of the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, but it’s not specifically geared toward the younger bunch,” GFB President Tom McCall said. “It’s about ensuring that when policy debates heat up, GFB has leaders ready to make sure Georgia farmers’ voices are heard.”

The program will offer professional networking opportunities, expand the agricultural knowledge of members and, ultimately, develop a team of trained advocates who can function as an outreach team.

Up to 12 GFB members will be selected to participate in this year-long program, which will include events in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Macon, North Georgia, South Georgia and the GFB Convention on Jekyll Island.

Eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must be 21 or over by Dec. 31 and be a GFB member in good standing.

• Members serving on the 2026 GFB Women’s Leadership or Young Farmers & Ranchers committees are not eligible.

• Cost is $500 per participant, due after the individual is selected for the program. Tuition can be paid by the individual or sponsored by the participant’s employer or county Farm Bureau.

• Spouses may not participate in the same program year.

Information regarding the program can be found at https://gfb.ag/leadershipGFB

The deadline to apply is Nov. 10. Applicants should complete the application online at https://gfb.ag/LEADGFB The application includes questions about the applicant’s background, agricultural and GFB involvement.

County Farm Bureaus that plan to sponsor an applicant must complete the sponsorship form, which is to be signed by the county Farm Bureau president.

Applicants will be notified of their selection for the interview portion of the selection process program by Nov. 21. In-person interviews (for select applicants) will be Dec. 16 or 17 at the GFB -continued on previous page

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home office in Macon

Final selection decisions will be sent to applicants who were interviewed by Dec. 22. For more information, contact your district federation manager or email leadership@gfb.org

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CURTAILS MANY USDA ACTIVITIES

Georgia farmers rely on support from the USDA and other government departments in a variety of forms, and many of them are being affected by the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1.

According to the USDA’s shutdown plan published Sept. 30, some 42,262 of the department’s 85,815 employees were to be furloughed. In Georgia, most county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices are closed or minimally staffed, and new applications for FSA programs and acreage reporting are not happening. Likewise, farm loan services are halted.

Using information from the shutdown plan, Georgia Farm Bureau reviewed, to the extent possible, which services and agencies are continuing and which have ceased operations.

Below is a review of what work was to be continued and what was to be halted in the FSA and the Agricultural Marketing Service. To read the USDA shutdown plan in its entirety, visit https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fy2026-usda-lapse-plan.pdf

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Services that will continue

Select FSA leadership at headquarters and state offices will be on call to ensure continuity of operations in the case of a natural disaster response and to ensure the security interest of CCC. If the shutdown continues past 10 days, additionally, one farm loan employee and/or one county office farm program employee per service center will be on call to complete certain loan processing items to protect the security interest of the government and to prevent the loss of security or loss of value to security for the borrower. This will not include any new loan processing but will include continuing liens, processing protective advances, if needed to preserve security and reviewing a borrower’s account to gather the necessary information to respond to a bankruptcy notification to identify FSA debts and assets. Because the excepted work is ongoing and intermittent throughout the day, the employee shall remain at work to be immediately available to perform the excepted function.

Services that will cease

Significant FSA activities that will cease during a shutdown include:

• Implementation and payment processing of remaining Supplemental Disaster Assistance programs authorized in the American Relief Act (SDRP Stage 1, SDRP Stage 2, ELRP 2023 and 2024 for Flood and Wildfire, Block Grants and any outstanding ECAP payment modifications) • Implementation and processing of disaster assistance payments in support of significant weatherrelated disasters;

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financing during (or right after) harvest;

• Development and implementation of legislation authorized in H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill), which includes significant changes to ARC/PLC base acres, marketing assistance loan repayment calculations, disaster assistance program policy updates, and dairy margin coverage program several other changes;

• Technical assistance and cost-share assistance related to critical farmland and forestland rehabilitation necessary to support continued agricultural and forestry related activities following widespread disaster events (hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, flood, etc.);

• Processing annual CRP contract payments and ARC/PLC payments

• Implementation of farm loan streamlining initiatives

• Deposit and process borrower payments or lender fees or any associated banking activities to include endorsing checks or the release of checks or proceeds from the sale of security

• Advance funds on approved loans

• Obligate or close direct loans previously approved

• Issue guarantee loan conditional commitments or loan closings

• Issue direct loan approval notification letters

• Respond to customer general or specific account inquiries,

• Correspond with customers (either via email, in-person, in writing, or phone)

• Process direct, guaranteed loan applications

• Approve direct loans subject to the availability of funding

• Schedule loan closings for any FSA loan approved and obligated prior to the shutdown

• Process direct loan servicing applications (PLS, subordination, and partial release)

• Issue satisfaction of liens

• Process or approve debt settlement applications

• Approve new advances on guaranteed lines of credit

• Approve lender’s request to restructure a guaranteed loan (including those related to bankruptcy filings)

• Process or approve guaranteed loss claims

• Establish any obligations on behalf of FSA. Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Operations that will continue

Those Funded by User Fees & Assessments: Cotton classing, tobacco grading, dairy grading, seed inspection, poultry grading, cattle futures, meat grading, Plant Variety Protection Program, laboratory operations, Perishable Agricultural Commodities (PACA), quality assessments and audits, specialty crop inspections, fee-funded warehouse examinations, Federal Grain Inspection Service (user fee-funded activities only) funded by mandatory appropriations, farm bill-funded activities, commodity purchase services, marketing agreements and orders, grant programs – noyear funds funded by non-federal reimbursements, research and promotion programs.

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and its associated staff offices, deputy administrators whose programs include exempt and excepted activities and associated staff, Category 5: Excepted to protect life and property, market news information, as required for commodities and agricultural markets.

Operations that will cease

Activities identified to not operate during shutdown: Country of Origin Labeling; Federal Seed, transportation services, grant programs funded by annual appropriation, grain regulatory, international food procurement, National Organic Program, Packers and Stockyards Program, Pesticide Data Program, shell egg surveillance, U.S. Warehouse-appropriated, Wholesale & Alternative Markets, standardization, National Bioengineered Food Disclosure, Hemp Production Program.

OPENING CEREMONY KICKS OFF 36TH ANNUAL GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR

Near the end of the opening ceremony for the 2025 Georgia National Fair on Oct. 2, Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority Chairman Foster Rhodes called Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife, Marty, to the podium for a special recognition. Marty got there first, and Rhodes presented her with a commemorative livestock show-style belt buckle.

When Gov. Kemp stepped forward, Rhodes quipped, “I guess you finished second,” eliciting laughter.

It was a light moment to kick off the 36th annual Georgia National Fair, which promises to give many more light moments to approximately a half-million people over the fair’s 11-day run that culminates on Oct. 12.

“You can't organize and do that without a lot of help from everybody and we are so blessed to have partners that really help us so much,” Rhodes said, making sure to acknowledge the contributions of the city of Perry, Houston County, Perry and Houston County fire and rescue squads and state and local law enforcement organizations. Rhodes said more than 20 law enforcement agencies from around the state would be represented during the run of the fair.

“The Georgia National Fair is a phenomenal event for our state every single year,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said afterward. “It's an opportunity where we get to showcase Georgia agriculture. Our state's number one industry gives young men and women an opportunity to showcase their livestock and what they've been working on over the years, but not only their livestock, it also gives them an opportunity to showcase other projects throughout the week.”

Kemp used his remarks to highlight the $531 million in block grants on the way to help farmers recover from Hurricane Helene, and he talked about overcoming adversity.

“Few embody that spirit of overcoming more than our farmers, who we proudly celebrate throughout this National Fair,” Kemp said. “Our state, just like this country, has deep roots in agriculture. It is not only Georgia's number one industry, it is an industry that impacts all others and built America.”

Kemp presented Rhodes with a proclamation celebrating the opening of the fair.

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The ceremony, emceed by the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) Livestock Ambassadors, featured a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Savannah Joe that drew loud cheers and consistent praise both during and after the ceremony.

There was also presentation of framed certificates to 26 livestock show grand and reserve grand champions crowned at GNFA over the past year, and no opening ceremony would be complete without a ribbon cutting, with Gov. Kemp doing the honors

Powerful Peanut Experience joins cotton & forestry exhibits

The Georgia Grown Building has become the agricultural Epcot of the Georgia National Fair. It started three years ago when the Georgia Rural Center (GRC) collaborated with the Georgia Cotton Commission and Magnolia Loom to unveil the immersive Seed to Shirt exhibit that shows visitors via video various stages of a cotton plant’s growth, how the crop is harvested and ginned., People are giving live demonstrations of how t-shirts made of Georgia cotton are sewn for Magnolia Loom. The cotton exhibit ends with fairgoers having the chance to pick out an ag-themed graphic to be pressed onto their t-shirt of choice.

Last year the GRC joined forces with the Georgia Forestry Commission to give fair goers a chance to walk through a simulated forest while learning about the state’s forestry sector and why Georgia is the nation’s #1 forestry state.

Both exhibits are back and this year they’re joined by a new exhibit: The Powerful Peanut Experience.

“The Georgia Department of Agriculture has been working with the Georgia Rural Center to tell the story of Georgia agriculture through these exhibits,” Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper said. “We started with the Seed to Shirt exhibit in 2023, added the Seedlings to Solution exhibit last year and this year we’re excited to open the Powerful Peanuts exhibit. Georgia peanuts mean a lot to our state and this exhibit tells the story of how Georgia peanuts contribute to our national security and that Georgia produces 51 percent of all peanuts grown in our country.”

Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp were on hand to cut the ribbon for the peanut exhibit.

“It’s been a tough time for agriculture in general and the timber industry,” Gov. Kemp said. “The good thing is you have a General Assembly, a governor and a commissioner of agriculture who are all laser focused on your industry and helping you survive. It’s an honor for Marty and me to be here, especially with the fair honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of America. Agriculture and our fair, this is America right here.”

Stand at the entrance to the Georgia Grown market beside the last section of the cotton exhibit to get the full effect of the peanut exhibit. You’ll see 3-D wooden green peanut plants growing in a field. 3-D clumps of mature peanuts made of wood and plastic, held together by their roots, hang from the exhibit ceiling, which doubles as the peanut field, giving the visitor the feeling of being below ground.

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Commission Chairman Joe Boddiford, who also is the Screven County Farm Bureau president.

The exhibit teaches visitors about the history of peanuts, how the crop is grown and harvested, the nutritional benefits of eating peanuts and how to easily incorporate them into one’s diet.

Longtime GPC Executive Director Don Koehler was surprised during the ribbon cutting for the exhibit to learn that the exhibit is dedicated to him for his many years of service to the commission. Koehler announced in January that he will retire Aug. 1, 2026, at which time he will have served 40 years in his position.

“I’ve been blessed by the farmers through the years, but I couldn’t have done any of this without my wife, Cheryl,” Koehler said, obviously surprised and touched by the dedication.

In true Koehler fashion, he soon started talking about the nutritional benefits of peanuts and advocating for farmers to get paid more.

“Georgia peanuts are a wonderful nutrition source. Halloween is coming, so I encourage you to buy candy that contains peanuts,” Koehler said. “But I’ve figured out that a farmer only receives 1.4 cents from an individual size packet of peanut M&Ms, which I paid $2.69 for at a convenience store. I encourage you to buy these Georgia Peanut Commission red packets of salted peanuts to hand out for Halloween.”

CARESOURCE INVESTS $100,000 IN FARMER MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

During a press conference held at the Georgia National Fair on Oct. 2, CareSource, a nonprofit, managed care organization that offers comprehensive health insurance plans, announced it is making a $100,000 investment to help the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) expand farmer mental health programs statewide.

CareSource’s investment will fund programs offered through the GFA, Georgia Farm Bureau networks and the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance (GAWA) to deliver peer support, youthfocused wellness pilot programs, and community leader training designed to meet the unique mental health challenges farmers face.

“Georgia farmers feed our families and fuel the state’s economy, yet their own health and wellbeing are too often overlooked,” said Jason Anavitarte, senior director of strategic community partnerships and account management, CareSource Georgia. “Through this investment, CareSource aims to ensure every farmer has access to the care and resources they need to thrive.”

Georgia farmers face some of the highest levels of stress and isolation in the nation. A statewide survey conducted in 2022 by the GFA, the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and Mercer University School of Medicine found that 42% of farmers reported suicidal thoughts in the prior year, while more than 60% of first-generation farmers said they had considered suicide. Nearly 60% of farmers reported lacking access to basic medical care, and most said they could not access a psychologist either in-person or virtually.

Following the survey findings, the GFA led a coordinated effort to build long-term support systems for farmer mental health.

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burden takes a toll on their mental health,” said GFA Board of Directors Chairman & Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “Thanks to CareSource’s commitment, we can continue to build a strong, trusted network to ensure no farmer has to face these challenges alone.”

CareSource’s $100,000 investment will support GFA to:

• Train hundreds of community leaders across Georgia in partnership with the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance

• Launch Georgia’s first youth-focused mental wellness training programs in agriculture with 4-H & FFA members

• Build a stronger statewide safety net through trusted, local peer networks

• Equip counties to innovate while staying connected to a unified, data-backed strategy

“The mental health challenges farmers face are real and urgent, but with partners like CareSource, we’re building a stronger safety net for Georgia’s agricultural community,” said Lily Rolader Baucom, GFA executive director. “This partnership is part of a broader strategy to embed care into the daily fabric of Georgia’s farming communities by equipping trusted peers with tools they can use immediately. This partnership is helping ensure farmers have reliable support wherever they are.”

As farmers continue to navigate financial uncertainty, climate-related disasters and isolation, Georgia’s farm stress response has grown from a small coalition into a statewide movement to meet these needs. CareSource’s investment will help to further scale the work of the GAWA and GFA to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health resources for farmers. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and UGA Extension have also partnered with GFA to address farmer mental health issues.

“We need all hands on deck to increase access to quality mental health care for our farm families and rural Georgians,” said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper. “This collaboration shows what’s possible when Georgia’s agricultural community unites around a common goal. By transforming research into real world programs and infrastructure, Georgia is setting a national standard for agricultural mental health and creating a model other states can follow.”

After Hurricane Helene, CareSource contributed $40,000 to the Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund administered by GFA to aid farmers who suffered damage from the historical storm that hit rural counties in Southeast Georgia from Valdosta to Augusta. This support helped provide essential financial assistance to 920 family-owned and multi-generational farms.

“We’re investing $100,000 to go towards addressing mental health and suicide prevention in our rural, farming communities because rural Georgia is the central nerve system of our state,” said Jason Bearden, president of CareSource’s Georgia Market. “It’s pretty scary out there for farmers right now. I think last year was a wakeup call with Hurricane Helene and the challenges rural Georgia faced. We got into the fight last year with a donation to the Weathered But Strong Campaign, and we’re going to continue to support the work the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and its partners are doing to help farm families navigate the stresses of their -continued on previous page

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livelihood.”

CareSource makes health care accessible to 430,000 Georgians. The nonprofit offers comprehensive health insurance plans including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare to improve its members. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource offers innovative programs that address social determinants of health, prevention and access to care. For more, visit us at www.caresource.com/ga/plans/

GEORGIA LAWMAKERS JOIN 4-H, FFA FOR LIVESTOCK SHOW

By Kate Walker

On Oct. 3, Georgia legislators traded their blazers for boots at the Georgia National Fair’s Legislative Livestock Showdown. The annual competition, organized by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, pairs members of the Georgia House and Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committees with 4-H and FFA students from their districts. Together, they learn the ropes of showing livestock and the value of Georgia’s youth agriculture programs firsthand.

The show has become an annual event at the GNF since 2011 when then-Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black organized the first show. Last year the show was canceled due to Hurricane Helene and is the only year the show hasn’t been held. In past years, participants have shown hogs, lambs, and goats, but this year legislators tried their hand at beef cattle. While some of the legislators are farmers themselves, for others it was their first encounter with cattle outside of a dinner plate.

“I'm always trying to get folks that may not have grown up with an ag background or live in rural areas to come and see what we do here at the fair and to see how much of an impact showing livestock and FFA and 4-H have on the lives of our young people,” said Sen. Russ Goodman (Dist. 8, Homerville), chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee.

Divided into teams of senators and representatives, the competition was friendly but fierce. Rep. Teddy Reese (Dist. 140, Columbus) took home first place showmanship honors among the ten legislators, but the Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee claimed the team trophy for the third consecutive year.

Goodman said the competition’s true purpose lies in bringing legislators together to witness the importance of the agriculture industry and agriculture education for Georgia’s youth.

“It enables people from different areas of the state, different political parties, to come together for a good cause and support Georgia's number one industry and support what that industry does in the lives of our young folks,” Goodman said.

Before they stepped into the show ring, legislators met with their student coaches in the barn and practice ring. Students taught them grooming and showing techniques, and shared details about their animals’ age, breed and pedigree.

Rep. Bethany Ballard (Dist. 147, Warner Robins) who grew up on her grandparents’ beef cattle farm but never showed livestock, was paired with Perry FFA member Stella Wood and Tweedy, a one-year-old Angus heifer. After working with Wood, Ballard had a better understanding of the -continued on previous page

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value of livestock programs in students’ lives.

“They're going to grow up, and they might not be farmers, but they're going have a great work ethic and they're going to be great at whatever they want to do,” Ballard said.

For Wood, it was encouraging to see legislators take time to enter the show world and experience caring for and exhibiting an animal.

“It means a lot because they're going to learn a lot about agriculture,” Wood said. “Then whenever problems get brought up at all these important meetings, they have more knowledge about what they can do to change it.”

It was Sen. Sheikh Rahman’s (Dist. 5, Lawrenceville) third year competing in the Legislative Livestock Showdown, and this year he was paired with Emanuel County 4-H member Lexa Jukes and her Hereford heifer, Dahlia.

“Participating in this show has always been a great experience. It doesn’t matter what I show, I love showing the different animals,” Rahman said. “I learn something about the different species we’ve shown – lambs, pigs and now cattle.”

When asked what he’s learned from participating in the showdown, Rahman said, “It’s so important to make sure we have a next generation of farmers in our country because food is a national security issue.”

Jukes, who has shown cattle for four years, said she enjoyed coaching Sen. Rahman as she has a true passion for working with cattle, and plans to study animal science and embryology in college.

“I love teaching other people about showing cattle,” Jukes said.

As legislators led their cattle before judges Clayton Walsh and Mesa Kutz, students stayed close by, offering last-minute coaching. Judges evaluated each pair on showmanship, animal handling, and knowledge, quizzing legislators on what real exhibitors might know, such as their animal’s breed, sire, pedigree and where their favorite cut of beef was located, before ranking them from tenth to first place.

The show’s grand champion showmanship exhibitor, Rep. Teddy Reese (Dist. 140, Columbus), had never worked with cattle before being paired with Franklin County 4-H member Hess Fowler and his Hereford heifer, Matilda.

“I don't think I've ever gotten this close to livestock farming as I did today, handling Matilda, who was just amazing. She was very patient,” Reese laughed.

Despite his lack of experience, Reese brought energy and enthusiasm to the show and thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

“There’s an old cliche that says you can't teach an old dog new tricks,” Reese said. “Well, I had a young man with me today who taught an old man some amazing stuff, and we had so much fun from the moment they paired me with them to coming into the arena and competing.”

Fowler also enjoyed teaching Reese the basics of showmanship and introducing the agriculture industry in a fun way.

“I think it's really important that [legislators] get to see this other side of agriculture so that it can -continued on previous page

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impact the decisions they make for our great state,” Fowler said.

Rep. Robert Dickey (Dist. 134, Musella) chairman of the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, said the experience gave lawmakers a valuable perspective on agriculture moving forward.

“Legislators hopefully have more appreciation for agriculture and raising these animals and for ag education, how important it is for young people in our state to experience the responsibility of showing and raising an animal,” Dickey said.

Competitors from the Senate, led by team captain Senator Russ Goodman, included Sen. Steve Gooch (Dist. 51, Dahlonega) and Henry Miller (Tift County FFA), Sen. Sam Watson (Dist.11, Moultrie) and Callie Bridges (Oglethorpe County FFA), Sen. Sheikh Rahman (Dist. 5, Lawrenceville) and Lexa Jukes (Emanuel 4-H), Sen. Josh McLaurin (Dist. 14, Sandy Springs) and Maggie Moon (Madison County FFA) and Sen. Blake Tillery (Dist. 19, Vidalia) and Ally Jo Cook (Gordon 4-H).

Competitors from the House, led by team captain Rep. Robert Dickey, included Rep. Bethany Ballard (Dist. 147, Warner Robins) and Stella Wood (Perry FFA), Rep. Chas Cannon (Dist.172, Moultrie) and Wyatt Thompson (Colquitt County FFA), Rep. Angie O’Steen (Dist. 169, Ambrose) and Glory June Bailey (Tift 4-H), Rep. Teddy Reese (Dist. 140, Columbus) and Hess Fowler (Franklin 4-H) and Rep. Trey Kelley (Dist. 16, Cedartown) and Lauren Dowdy (Hall 4-H).

CWD CONFIRMED IN THIRD DEER; LOWNDES ADDED TO MANAGEMENT AREA

On Oct. 1, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notified hunting license holders in Berrien, Lanier and Lowndes counties that a 2 ½ year-old buck in Lanier County tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

The landowner, in cooperation with DNR, collected the deer for disease monitoring (including CWD and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)). The location of this new positive deer sample is approximately 5 miles south of the previous two detections of CWD announced in January and April.

“While the discovery of the third CWD positive deer is not good news, it is still in the same area,” DNR spokesperson Melissa Cummings said. “The proximity of this new positive to the initial positive was less than 5 miles, so that meant our CWD Management Area added only 1 county (Lowndes), but that our efforts to work with hunters, landowners, processors and taxidermists in the area would continue with same objectives.”

In accordance with the agency’s CWD Management Plan, a five-mile radius has been set around this new positive sample and counties that are within the five-mile radius will be part of the CWD Management Area (CMA) for enhanced surveillance. The updated CMA (as of Oct. 1) will include Lanier, Berrien and now Lowndes counties.

The DNR encouraged hunters to continue hunting in those counties, and to have any deer harvested in those counties tested for CWD.

Testing is free and helps DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) monitor the deer herd in -continued on previous page

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these counties. Hunters can take harvested deer to a pre-approved processer or taxidermist location or drop the head of the harvested deer off at an established freezer location. For more info and a map of sampling locations at www.GeorgiaWildlife.com/cwd/testing

The agency also asked hunters to tell others to keep hunting in the area and that testing is free and provides assistance in monitoring CWD.

For more information about CWD, Visit www.GeorgiaWildlife.com/cwd

12 GA COUNTIES ELIGIBLE FOR AID UNDER DISASTER DECLARATION

Producers in a dozen Georgia counties at or near the Alabama state line may be eligible for federal assistance under a disaster declaration issued by USDA on Sept. 23 for areas affected by excessive rainfall.

Carroll, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Haralson, Harris, Muscogee, Polk, Stewart, Troup and Walker counties are contiguous to the 25 counties in Alabama designated as primary disaster areas.

The Alabama counties designated as primary disaster areas are Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Macon, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Russell, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker and Winston.

This secretarial natural disaster designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

The deadline to apply for assistance is May 15, 2026.

On www.farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center

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Oct. 22 Gilmer County Ag Center, 385 Clear Creek School Rd. Ellijay Oct. 13 registration deadline

This free event is open to the public Landowners, hunters, farmers, anyone – is welcome to attend and learn about effectively controlling wild pigs, local trapping services & a free meal sponsored by Limestone Valley SWCD. Sign up is required by Oct. 13. Scheduled presenters are: Dr. Michel Kohl, University of Georgia; Matt Ondovchik, USDA Wildlife Services; Matt Hinman, Ga Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division; and Calah Brown, Ga Department of Agriculture Enjoy a free meal courtesy of Limestone Valley Soil & Water Conservation District. For more information visit www.gacd.us/limestonevalley or call 833-411-4223.

NRCS WATERSHED PROGRAMS WEBINARS

Oct. 14

Oct. 16

The NRCS Watershed Programs Branch invites potential and current project sponsors to join us for a two-part series on the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. This first part, on Oct. 14, will provide valuable information for sponsors on program opportunities and will reserve time to respond to participant questions. The second part, on Oct. 15, will provide valuable information for sponsors on buyouts as an EWP measure and will also reserve time to respond to participant questions. If you would like to submit a question or have an EWP Program topic you would like to be addressed in the first part, please submit your question here. If you would like to submit a question or buyouts and sponsor responsibilities you would like to be addressed, please submit your question here

GA VETERINARY EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

Oct. 15 deadline to apply

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2026 cycle of the Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program (GVELRP). Eligible veterinarians have until Wednesday, Oct. 15 to apply. The GVELRP provides student loan repayment assistance to licensed veterinarians who commit to practicing in designated rural areas of Georgia and delivering veterinary care for food animals in communities with critical shortages. Visit https://gfb.ag/agvetloanrepayment for eligibility info & application instructions. Applicants must: Be a U.S. citizen or have lawful presence in the U. S., reside in Georgia, be either a licensed practicing veterinarian or a veterinary student in their final year of study and commit to working in a Board-approved rural county (population of 50,000 or less). Detailed GVEDLRP information is available at https://agr.georgia.gov/vet-education-loan-repayment-program. Completed applications and inquiries about the program can be made via email to: statevetedboard@agr.georgia.gov. The State Veterinary Education Board will review, determine, and announce award recipients later in the year.

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Oct. 29 Johnson Argus Farm, 2738 Cedar Grove Rd. 10 a.m. – noon Jefferson Oct. 22 registration deadline

The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) and the Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering to present this free informational workshop for managing soil health and grazing production for anyone who wants to learn correct practices. Attendees will hear about soil health practices such as nutrient balance, hay production, and soil erosion control in hay fields. In addition, information on farm programs will be presented. The partnering agency for this event is USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The event is sponsored by the Chestatee-Chattahoochee River RC&D Council. Lunch will be served. The event is free but registration is required online at www.gacd.us/events. The registration deadline is October 22, 2025.

KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOW

Oct. 25 Morgan Co. Ag Center

Madison

This show is 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.

FORESTRY UPDATE AND FIELD DAY

Oct. 29 Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lyons

This workshop, sponsored by UGA Extension, the UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources and the Georgia Forestry Commission, will feature presentations on lowering loblolly planting densities; comparing slash, longleaf, loblolly pines; wood yields and economics; and pine study area tours and field day. Participation is limited to the first 75 registrants. CFE and CLE credits have been applied for. To register, contact the Evans County Extension Office at 912-7391292.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU HAY CONTEST

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Oct. 31 deadline for entries

Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow any variety of dry Bermudagrass hay have until Oct. 31 to enter the organization’s 34th Annual Quality Bermudagrass Hay Contest. The contest winner will receive the free use of a Vermeer wheel rake for one year. The winner will have the option to buy the equipment at a reduced price at the end of that year. This is the 27th year that Vermeer has sponsored GFB’s hay contest. Hay entered in the 2025 GFB Quality Bermudagrass Hay Contest will be tested at the UGA Feed & Environmental Water Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which provides an analysis of the nutritional value of hay. Additional prizes will be awarded to the top five producers. Winners will be announced in December at the GFB Convention. Entry forms and complete contest rules may be picked up at your county Farm Bureau office or downloaded at www.gfb.ag/HayContest . You may also contact the GFB Public Policy Department at 1-800-342-1192 if you have any questions about the contest.

USDA FLOOD/WILDFIRE FUNDS FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

Oct. 31 deadline to apply

On Sept. 12, The USDA announced eligible livestock producers will receive disaster recovery assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2023 and 2024 FW program to help offset increased supplemental feed costs due to a qualifying flood or qualifying wildfire disasters. The program is expected to provide approximately $1 billion in recovery benefits. Livestock producers have until Oct. 31 to apply for assistance. To streamline program delivery, FSA has determined eligible counties with qualifying floods and qualifying wildfires in 2023 and 2024. For losses in these counties, livestock producers are not required to submit supporting documentation for floods or wildfires. A list of approved counties is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elrp. Most Georgia counties are eligible for flood loss assistance due to weather in September 2024. Eligible producers can receive up to 60% of one month of calculated feed costs for a qualifying wildfire or three months for a qualifying flood using the same monthly feed cost calculation that is used for LFP. ELRP 2023 and 2024 for drought and wildfire and ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW have a combined payment limit of $125,000 for each program year. Producers who already received the maximum payment amount from ELRP 2023 and 2024 for drought and wildfire will not be eligible to receive an additional payment under ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW. Eligible producers may submit form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs, to be considered for an increased payment limit of $250,000.

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General election Nov. 4

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 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 who is running as the Republican candidate. Alicia Johnson is running as the Democratic candidate. 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. Fitz Johnson is running as the Republican candidate and Peter Hubbard won the Democratic primary.

GFB 2ND DISTRICT YF&R FALL MEETING

Nov. 11 Jaemor Farms, 5340 Cornelia Hwy.

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Alto

Come early to purchase something at Jaemor’s Market or Bakery before the meeting. Stay for dinner and learn about how to maximize your Member Benefits from GFB’s Director of Member Services, Jay Murdock. Children are welcome! Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. To register, visit www.gfb.ag/D2YFRMeeting by Nov. 3.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU PB&J 5K

Nov 15 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 8 a.m. Perry Sign up today for the 5K on Nov. 15 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. The course is flat, fast, and completely paved perfect for all skill levels. When you register for $35, you'll receive a complimentary Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Membership. Already a member? Gift it to a friend! Enjoy a post-run grilled PB&J and peanut butter, compliments of Georgia Peanuts! Every registered runner will also receive a custom water bottle. If you’re bringing the family, be sure to check out the Georgia National Antique Agriculture Show for FREE. Register at https://www.gfb.org/pb-and-j-5k Members of GFB help protect consumers’ access to locally grown food and fiber and have access to 300,000+ member benefits and discounts. Visit https://www.gfb.org/join/member-benefitsdirectory to learn more about the health, travel, family entertainment, farm equipment and services and health discounts members can enjoy.

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FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP WITH FLINT RIVER SWCD

Nov. 19 Mitchell County Ag Center, 4590 Hwy. 37 E 9 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Camilla

A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together in a series of educational workshops for farmers and landowners. This free workshop is sponsored by the Flint River Conservation District. 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 include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, click here

PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING

Nov. 20

Cost is $175

Dec. 2-4

Cost is $150

Are you a Georgia produce grower? Don’t miss your chance to attend a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course, which is required under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (21 CFR 112). All trainings are virtual. For questions or more information, contact your local produce safety team or Lupita.gonzalez@agr.georgia.gov.

2026 GACD SCHOLARSHIPS

Dec. 31 application deadline

To encourage study and careers in soil and water conservation related fields, GACD administers one $1,000 scholarship each year. The scholarship is given to high school students or undergraduate/graduate students majoring in, or intending to major in, a soil and water conservation related area. The scholarship recipient will be honored at GACD's Annual Meeting in 2026. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.gacd.us/scholarships.

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.

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CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER FERAL HOG CONTROL SERVICES

For a list of feral hog control services available in each GACD Conservation District, visit https://gfb.ag/feralhoggacdresources.

UGA CITRUS ORCHARD NUTRITIONAL SURVEY

For the past three growing seasons, the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs (AESL) has been conducting a foliar nutrient survey of Georgia's citrus industry with funding from the USDA and Georgia Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. One of the conditions of the project’s grant funding is that researchers seek stakeholder feedback on the effectiveness of the program, and how this work may influence future grower decisions. The project researchers ask that you please complete this short (7 questions, 3-5 minutes) Citrus Nutrition Questionnaire here. These results will help UGA researchers demonstrate the importance of this work to their sponsors, which increases the likelihood of future funding in this area. If you would like to learn more about this project and the results of the study, visit the project website.

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.