November 19, 2025
www.gfb.org
Vol. 7 No. 23
SHUTDOWN OVER; FARM BILL PROVISIONS EXTENDED On Nov. 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (HR5371) to reopen the federal government. President Donald Trump signed it into law later the same day, ending the 43-day shutdown. Georgia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) had pushed for passage, noting farmers’ vulnerability amid rising input costs, low commodity prices and other factors placing a drag on the farm economy. “We are pleased that the federal government is back open so our farmers and ranchers can move forward with their operations with some certainty of government support,” GFB President Tom McCall said. “The impact of the shutdown is far-reaching, compounding agriculture’s vulnerability and further eroding farm viability.” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said Trump signing the bill into law will allow Congress to return its focus to policies that will improve the farm economy and expand opportunities for America’s farm families. “Farm Bureau applauds the House for its vote to end the government shutdown, swiftly following the Senate’s vote,” Duvall said. “Farmers and ranchers rely on critical USDA services and disaster relief programs during these tough economic times, as do Americans who need access to food assistance programs and other services.” Among the programs in limbo during the shutdown was the block grant program for Hurricane Helene relief for farmers. The USDA had allocated more than $531 million in grant funding for Georgia farmers, but the funds were unavailable during the shutdown. The grants will be coordinated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. At press time information regarding enrollment, disbursement and other details related to the block grants had yet to be released. Progressive Farmer reported that full services at Farm Service Agency offices are expected, including processing for loan applications that were frozen during the shutdown. The Progressive Farmer article said the bill includes $10 billion for farm loans and language preventing USDA from closing any FSA county offices. FSA would also receive $15 million to hire new employees to fill vacancies and anticipated vacancies at county offices.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 15 The bill reopens the entire federal government through January and will largely fund USDA programs through September 2026, according to the National Corn Growers Association, which noted the extension of expiring farm bill programs, though some, including key energy programs, were extended without additional funding. The NCGA said this highlights the need for a full farm bill reauthorization. Included in the bill were provisions to fund the USDA for Fiscal Year 2026 and an extension of farm programs not covered in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, notably the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The continuing resolution also extended federal grain inspection activities. The House vote was 222-209 for passage. Among Georgia’s representatives, the vote fell along party lines, with all nine Republican members of Georgia’s congressional delegation voting in favor of passage. USDA TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR SDRP SECOND STAGE BEGINNING NOV. 24 On. Nov. 17, the USDA announced the release of the second stage of Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) funding for farmers recovering from natural disasters across the country. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering more than $16 billion in congressionally approved SDRP assistance. This is in addition to $9.3 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) assistance to over 560,000 row crop farmers and $705 million in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to more than 220,000 ranchers. Stage Two of SDRP covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses that were not covered under Stage One program provisions, including non-indemnified (shallow loss), uncovered and quality losses. For Stage Two program details, including fact sheets, please visit https://fsa.usda.gov/sdrp. The first stage, announced in July, remains available to producers who received an indemnity under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for eligible crop losses due to qualifying 2023 and 2024 natural disaster events. FSA county offices will begin accepting SDRP Stage Two applications on Nov. 24. Producers have until April 30, 2026, to apply for both Stage One and Stage Two assistance. Milk and On-Farm Stored Crop Loss Assistance The Milk Loss Program provides up to $1.65 million in payments to eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed without compensation from the commercial milk market because of a qualifying natural disaster event in 2023 and/or 2024. Producers who suffered losses of eligible harvested commodities while stored in on-farm structures in 2023 and/or 2024 due to a qualifying natural disaster event may be eligible for assistance through the On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program, which provides for up to $5 million to impacted producers. The enrollment period to apply for milk and on-farm stored commodity losses is Nov. 24, 2025, through Jan. 23, 2026. Information and fact sheets for both programs are available online at https://fsa.usda.gov/mlp for milk loss and https://fsa.usda.gov/ofsclp for on-farm stored commodity losses.
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 15 EPA, ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS UNVEIL NEW WOTUS PROPOSAL On Nov. 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a proposed rule that would establish what the agencies call “a clear, durable, common-sense definition of ‘waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act.” The proposal, unveiled at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., follows the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. From an EPA press release: The agencies developed this proposed rule using input from multiple sources, including a preproposal recommendations docket, information from nine public listening sessions, and consultation comments from states, tribes and local governments. Key proposed revisions include: • Defining key terms like “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface connection,” and “tributary” to appropriately delineate the scope of WOTUS consistent with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent; • Establishing that jurisdictional tributaries must connect to traditional navigable waters either directly or through other features that provide predictable and consistent flow; • Reaffirming that wetlands must be indistinguishable from jurisdictional waters through a continuous surface connection, which means that they must touch a jurisdictional water and hold surface water for a requisite duration year after year; • Strengthening state and tribal decision-making authority by providing clear regulatory guidelines while recognizing their expertise in local land and water resources; • Preserving and clarifying exclusions for certain ditches, prior converted cropland, and waste treatment systems; Adding a new exclusion for groundwater; and • Incorporating locally familiar terminology, such as "wet season," to help determine whether a water body qualifies as WOTUS. In addition, the limitation to wetlands that have surface water at least during the wet season and abut a jurisdictional water will further limit the scope of permafrost wetlands that are considered to have a continuous surface connection under the proposed rule. These proposed changes are intended to provide clarity and consistency to the continuous surface connection definition. “When it comes to the definition of ‘waters of the United States,’ EPA has an important responsibility to protect water resources while setting clear and practical rules of the road that accelerate economic growth and opportunity,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We heard from Americans across the country who want clean water and a clear rule. No longer should America’s landowners be forced to spend precious money hiring an attorney or consultant just to tell them whether a Water of the United States is on their property.” “We are pleased that the new rule protects critical water sources while respecting the efforts of farmers to protect the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “The Supreme Court clearly ruled several years ago that the government overreached in its interpretation of what fell under federal guidelines. We are still reviewing the entire rule, but we are pleased that it finally addresses those concerns and takes steps to provide much-needed clarity.”
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 15 The definition of WOTUS influences Clean Water Act implementation, including whether farmers, landowners and American businesses must secure permits before they can pursue projects that might impact surface water quality. Having a durable, consistent, and clear definition of WOTUS is essential to lowering costs for Americans and accelerating economic growth while protecting human health and the environment. The proposed rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 20 and open for public comment for 45 days. The unpublished version can be viewed here. [https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-20402/definition-of-waters-of-theunited-states] AFBF SURVEY: COST OF THANKSGIVING DINNER DECLINES Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for your friends and family will cost less than last year, marking the third straight year of price declines. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of Thanksgiving staples that make up a classic holiday feast for 10, which is $55.18 or about $5.52 per person. This is a 5% decrease from 2024. Three years of declines don’t fully erase dramatic increases that led to a record-high cost of $64.05 in 2022. The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – dramatically decreased in price, which helped bring down the overall cost of dinner. The average price for a 16-pound frozen turkey is $21.50. That is $1.34 per pound, down more than 16% from last year. While the wholesale price for fresh turkey is up from 2024, grocery stores are featuring Thanksgiving deals and attempting to draw consumer demand back to turkey, leading to lower retail prices for a holiday bird. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices the first week of November. Grocery stores often feature whole turkeys at even lower prices in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. According to the most recent USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data, the average per-pound feature price for whole frozen turkeys declined further during the second week of November. “It’s encouraging to see some relief in the price of turkeys, as it is typically the most expensive part of the meal,” said AFBF Economist Faith Parum, Ph.D. “Farmers are still working to rebuild turkey flocks that were devastated by avian influenza, but overall demand has also fallen. The combination will help ensure turkey will remain an affordable option for families celebrating Thanksgiving.” The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream, all in quantities sufficient for 10 servings. Half of the ingredients in the survey declined in price, including dinner rolls and stuffing. Low wheat prices helped bring down the cost of items requiring flour. Items like fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes increased – a veggie tray is up more than 61% and sweet potatoes are up 37%. Natural disasters partly contributed to the increase. For example, North Carolina, which is the largest grower of the nation’s sweet potatoes, suffered hurricane damage. Additionally, fresh produce prices tend to be highly volatile, and even modest supplychain disruptions, from weather, labor shortages, transportation delays or regional production
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 15 setbacks, can trigger sharp, short-term spikes in prices. The continued shortage of farmworkers and rapidly increasing farm wages also played a role in rising produce costs. It’s important to note that fresh vegetables and potatoes are traditionally low-cost items, so an increase of just a few cents can dramatically affect the cost change percentage year-to-year. “We are blessed to live in a country that is capable of producing such an abundant food supply, and for that we should be thankful,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Despite modest declines in the cost of a Thanksgiving meal, I know food prices are a real concern for many families, including in rural America. We lost 15,000 farms last year because of factors including historically low crop prices, high supply costs and trade uncertainty, which continue to squeeze farmers and ranchers. Every farm lost is another step toward consolidation and reliance on other countries for our food. “We urge Congress to address the challenging economic conditions facing farmers to ensure farm families can continue growing the food we all rely on, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.” In recognition of changes in Thanksgiving dinner traditions, the Farm Bureau price survey also includes boneless ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans, in an expanded menu. Adding these foods to the classic Thanksgiving menu increases the overall cost by $21.91, to $77.09. This year’s national average cost was calculated using surveys completed with pricing data from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices in person and online using grocery store apps and websites. They looked for the best possible prices without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or combined purchase deals. The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted in 1986. The informal survey provides a record of comparative holiday meal costs over the years. Farm Bureau’s classic survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons. Individual Menu Item Prices 16-pound turkey: $21.50 or $1.34 per pound (down 16.3%) 14-ounces of cubed stuffing mix: $3.71 (down 9%) 2 frozen pie crusts: $3.37 (down .8%) Half pint of whipping cream: $1.87 (up 3.2%) 1 pound of frozen peas: $2.03 (up 17.2%) 1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.56 (down 14.6%) Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.61 (down 4.7%) 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.16 (up .1%) 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.73 (up 16.3%) 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $4.00 (up 37%) 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): $1.36 (up 61.3%) 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.28 (down 2.8%) Regional Averages AFBF analysis revealed regional differences in the cost of the meal. The cost for the classic meal was the most affordable in the South at $50.01, followed by the Midwest at $54.38, the Northeast at $60.82, and the West at $61.75. The expanded meal (classic meal plus boneless ham,
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 15 Russet potatoes and green beans) was the most affordable in the South at $71.20, the Midwest at $76.33, the Northeast at $82.97 and most expensive in the West at $84.97. Read a full analysis of the 2025 Thanksgiving dinner cost survey in a Market Intel report here. Meanwhile, county Farm Bureaus are conducting activities in celebration of Farm-City Week through Nov. 27. Farm-City Week highlights the relationship between Georgia farmers and their partners in urban areas who prepare, transport, market, sell and serve the food and fiber farmers grow for consumers. Kiwanis International began Farm-City Week in 1955 to increase the understanding of the partnership between urban and rural residents. GA DEPT. OF AG RELEASES GORDON COUNTY HPAI CONTROL AREA On Nov. 17 the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced that it has officially released the HPAI Control Area designation for premises in Gordon County, following the successful completion of all required testing and response protocols and with no additional detections reported. “While this announcement is a great step in the right direction, HPAI remains a significant threat to our No. 1 industry, and we will continue to work with poultry producers to protect our state’s flocks and to keep prices as low as possible for Georgia consumers,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said. The GDA received notification of a positive HPAI test result from the Georgia Poultry Lab Network (GPLN) on the evening of Oct. 23. The test result was confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Oct. 24. The GDA immediately activated its Emergency Operations Center and staff began deploying to Gordon County on Oct. 24. Depopulation, disposal, cleaning and disinfecting operations at the Gordon County farm began on Oct. 24. GDA Law Enforcement officers maintained a biosecurity perimeter around the affected premises to prevent unauthorized access and limit further spread of the disease. The GDA established a control area – a 10km (6.2 mile) radius around the affected premises. There were approximately 50 additional commercial poultry operations located within the control area. Every commercial operation within the control area was subjected to increased testing and movement controls based on their proximity to the affected premises. In response to this event, GPLN staff completed 1,790 tests representing 10,690 individual chickens and hundreds of flocks with no additional detections of HPAI. The GDA implemented movement controls requiring a permit for any movement of birds or related products into, out of, or within the control area. Negative HPAI testing was one of several requirements to receive a permit. The GDA issued 50 movement permits, representing approximately 356 movements during this event.
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 15 OFF AND RUNNING! GFB HOLDS PB&J 5K PB&J for breakfast? You bet! Georgia Farm Bureau held the inaugural PB&J 5K at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) in Perry. The inaugural PB&J 5K road race offered medals for more than 80 runners – as many as the top three in each of 30 age categories plus the overall race winners (Isak Tucker of Kathleen and Caroline Nichols of Forsyth) and masters category winners (Doug Yarbrough of Bonaire and Kathleen Burt of Macon). Staged as a drive to recruit new Farm Bureau members, the race entrance fee doubled as their membership fee, so none of the almost 500 runners who embraced temperatures below 40 degrees at the start went home empty-handed. Each was either a newly minted GFB member or had the option of gifting a membership to someone else. “You’re all GFB members now,” GFB President Tom McCall told the runners. “You now have access to all of our member benefits and your membership helps support our state’s farmers.” Afterward, the runners were invited to help themselves to grilled PB&J sandwiches courtesy of the Georgia Peanut Commission. The runners took the opportunity to celebrate the iconic sandwich and Georgia’s largest economic sector, agriculture. Many runners sported PB&J-themed t-shirts. There were several hula-style skirts and one gentleman dressed as Elsa from Frozen, penance for having lost in his fantasy football league. Tucker finished the 3.1-mile course around and through GNFA in 19:06, nine seconds ahead of second-place finisher Robert Fritzsche and 39 seconds ahead of Garrett Alonzo, who finished third. In the masters category for distance runners over age 40, Yarbrough won at 19:55, good for fourth overall. Tucker, 18, ran track and cross country at Veterans High School in Houston County and said he is a student at Central Georgia Technical College. He was at or near the front of the pack from start to finish. “To begin with, it felt good and like any other race. Toward the end I got tired,” Tucker said. “Overall, it was a good race.” Nichols ran the race in 22:40, eight seconds ahead of Katherine Dazzo of Warner Robins and 25 seconds ahead of Crystall Hall of Lizella. Burt finished in 23:30. “I was pretty excited to see the one runner a little bit behind me, so I went as fast as I could,” Nichols said. “I was very excited.” “It was a well-run race and nice flat course and it was all pavement. It was a very good course,” said Nichols, 20, an employee in the GFB Claims Department who ran track and cross country for Rock Springs Christian Academy when she was in high school. The 22:40 finish marked her personal best, she said. The race was staged in conjunction with the annual Antique Tractor Show at GNFA.
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 15 GA FFA MEMBERS WIN NATIONAL AWARDS AT 98TH FFA CONVENTION The Georgia FFA Association’s success at the 98th National FFA Convention was highlighted by six national champions. Among Georgia’s national winners were four national proficiency award winners and two national Career Development Event (CDE) and Leadership Development Event (LDE) winners. Brooklyn Parlor of Jeff Davis (Equine Science - Entrepreneurship), Lindsy Moore of Ware County (Specialty Animal Production), Olivia Hogg of LaGrange (Environmental Science & Natural Resources Management) and Elizabeth Griner of Pierce County (Forest Management & Products) were each named national FFA proficiency award winners for success in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. Only four students in the nation are named national finalists in each of 45 proficiency areas. Georgia had 16 national proficiency award finalists and four proficiency winners. The Mary Persons FFA Chapter, from Monroe County, won first place in the Forestry CDE. Team members included Ryan Bertram, Joseph Thompson, Carter Johnson, Liam Parks and Georgia FFA’s Central Region Forestry teacher Ryan Smith. This is the second consecutive year the chapter has won first place in the national competition. All four members of the team placed in the Top 10 for their individual scores. Parks placed first; Thompson second; Bertram fourth and Johnson seventh. Georgia FFA’s other national champion in national Career/LDE at the convention was Makena Blalock of Sonoraville (Employment Skills LDE). Georgia’s other top-five finishers in CDE/LDEs include Jabe Andrews of Banks County (second place – Prepared Public Speaking LDE), Bella Grace Hambrick of Madison County (second place – Agricultural Education) and Joel VasquezMarisiott of Washington Middle and Samantha Pazmino of Central of Carroll (third place, fifth place; respectively – Spanish Creed Invitational). Along with the six national champions, Georgia FFA had four runners-up in the national Agriscience Fair including Macie Davis of Youth Middle (Food Products & Processing – Division 1), Avery Adams and Ella Gran of Youth Middle (Food Products & Processing – Division 2), Abigail Griffin of Berrien County (Environmental/Natural Resources – Division 5) and Katie Brown and Anna Barker of Youth Middle (Plant Systems – Division 2). Georgia FFA also had eight agriscience fair projects placing in the top five of their division. The National Chapter Award Program recognizes FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. Hahira Middle and Pine Grove Middle were both named finalists in the Middle School Models of Excellence division. Hahira Middle was also a finalist in the Strengthening Agriculture division while Pine Grove Middle was a finalist in the Growing Leaders division. Thirty-seven Georgia chapters received a national three-star ranking, the highest ranking offered in the National Chapter Award program. Georgia’s three-star chapters are Apalachee, Atkinson County, Berrien County, Brooks County, Cambridge, Camden County, Commerce, Commerce Middle, Creekview, Denmark, Franklin County, Franklin County Middle, Golden Isles Career Academy, Hahira Middle, Jackson-Empower, Jefferson City, Lafayette Middle, Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe, Loganville Middle, Madison County, Madison County Middle, Malcom Bridge
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 15 Middle, Morgan County Middle, Newton College and Career Academy, North Oconee, Oglethorpe County, Peach County, Pine Grove Middle, Rabun County, Russell Middle, Screven County, South Effingham, Sumter County, T.J. Elder Middle, Walnut Grove, Winder-Barrow and Youth Middle. Eight Georgia FFA members performed as a part of the National FFA Band, Chorus and Talent program, which features FFA members from across the nation who showcase their skills throughout general sessions, luncheons and other convention events. Leland Guay and Tristen Robins of Northwest Whitfield, Daniel Jones of Rabun County, Laney Fussell of West Laurens and Will Bean of Dawson represented Georgia in the National FFA Band. Georgia FFA members who performed as talent participants included Trevor Dooley of Newton College and Career Academy and Hunter Boswell and Remington Boswell of Oglethorpe County. A total of 182 Georgia FFA members received the prestigious American FFA Degree, the highest degree offered to an active member. These students spent years developing their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs to reach this honor. Fewer than 1% of FFA members receive the American FFA Degree. To see a complete list of Georgia’s 2025 American FFA Degree recipients, visit https://gfb.ag/GaFFAnatwinners25. There are multiple pages of winners listed so be sure to scroll down to the last page. Thirteen Georgians received the Honorary American FFA Degree for their outstanding contribution to Agricultural Education and the FFA. Georgia’s recipients of the Honorary Degree included: Kailee Bennett, Tracy Champagne, Seth Crawford, Nick DiLuzio, Dana Goff, Spencer Highsmith, Nathan Lingenfelter, Kellie Lingenfelter, Jody Kemp, Lanie Riner, Joshua Rogers, Jerry Stone and Cale Watkins. A complete set of results and a variety of highlights from the 98th National FFA Convention can be found at https://www.georgiaffa.org/NationalFFAConvention. LUMBER COMPANY WEST FRASER TIMBER TO CLOSE AUGUSTA MILL The hits just keep on coming for Georgia’s forestry industry. Another timber company has announced it was closing a Georgia mill, bringing the total mill closures to four since August. On Nov. 6, Canadian company West Fraser Timber announced that it will permanently close both its Augusta, Georgia, and 100 Mile House, British Columbia, lumber mills by the end of 2025 following an orderly wind-down. The decision is the result of timber supply challenges and soft lumber markets, the company said in a press release. From the release: The closure of the Augusta lumber mill is a result of challenging lumber demand and the loss of economically viable residual outlets, which combined has compromised the mill's long-term viability. The closure will affect approximately 130 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser's capacity by 140 million board feet. The company indicated it expects to mitigate the impact on affected employees by providing work opportunities at other company operations, where available.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 15 West Fraser also announced it was making permanent its indefinite mill closures at locations in Florida and Arkansas. The West Fraser mill closings come after three other major mill closings in Georgia. International Paper closed its mills in Savannah and nearby Riceboro at the end of September. Georgia Pacific closed its plant in Early County Aug. 1. On top of the reduced mill capacity, Georgia timber producers are still recovering from massive losses wrought by Hurricane Helene over the eastern half of the state. The Georgia Forestry Commission estimated that 8.9 million acres of the state’s forestland was in the hurricane’s path, and the storm wiped out $1.28 billion worth of timber. In response to the massive and growing challenges to the state’s forest products industry, Gov. Brian Kemp created a special task force, led by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), to address the challenges. GFC is working with state agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners to develop a strategic path forward. In addition to the GFC, the Forestry Task Force will include the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Department of Economic Development, UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry, Georgia Tech, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Rural Center (Department of Agriculture). The Task Force will also seek input and feedback directly from the forestry community – landowners, industry, state, and federal partners, and beyond. TURNER NAMED GA CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR Eddy Turner of Washington County has been named the 2025 Conservationist of the Year by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) for his outstanding contributions to natural resources conservation. Turner is a dedicated agricultural leader and steward of the land. He serves as a district supervisor on the Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District, representing Washington County. Turner has recently been recognized as a Soil Health Champion by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and is celebrated for his innovative and sustainable farming practices. “Eddy exemplifies the meaning and sets the standard of a true conversationist. Over his career he has learned what makes his land more productive by using technology and a willingness to step outside of the box and try something new.” said GACD President Brian Ponder. “He is not only helping sustain his land for future generations, but he has also been so willing to help other producers, especially young up and coming ones, to be prepared to feed and clothe the world for generations to come.” Turner’s journey in agriculture began on his family’s farm in Tennille, where he developed a strong work ethic and a passion for land stewardship. In 1976, he purchased a 280-acre farm, which he expanded to 580 acres, transforming it into a model of sustainability. His farming operation includes a mix of farmland, pine timber, and hardwoods, with a focus on soil health and wildlife conservation.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 15 A key component of Turner’s farming approach is improving soil health through the use of multi-species cover crops, no-till farming, and careful soil management. Over four years, he has increased the organic matter in his soil from 1.6% to 2.6%, which has enhanced water retention and reduced the need for herbicides. His dedication to soil health is also evident in his role as a host for soil health workshops, where he educates other farmers on best practices for sustainable agriculture. Turner serves as the president of Washington County Farm Bureau and has been involved in various agricultural and conservation organizations. He works closely with the GACD, the Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District, and the NACD to promote soil health and sustainable farming. He also plays a key role in providing conservation equipment, such as a notill drill, to farmers in underserved areas. Turner is also actively involved in his community. He is the chairman of the Washington County Ag Center and the annual Ag Center Rodeo, a member of the Washington County Cattlemen’s Association, and partners with local organizations like the Cattleman’s Association, UGA Extension, and the Farm Bureau to host educational events. He works with the county's FFA chapter, encouraging the next generation of agricultural leaders. Tuner identified the opportunity to partner with T.J. Elder Middle School on a hydroponics raft system. This project was made possible through grant support and partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC). “Our local FFA program, the students and leaders are outstanding and we are proud to assist with this important project,” Turner said. “The students are learning about planning, growing, harvesting, packaging, marketing and sales. These are business skills that will follow them throughout life.” Turner’s work exemplifies the power of agriculture to balance productivity with ecological responsibility. Through his resilience, innovation, and commitment to conservation, Turner is inspiring a movement toward sustainable farming practices that prioritize soil health and environmental stewardship. “Conservationists like Eddy deserve to be recognized for their continued efforts to help their land and the people in their communities,” said Georgia NRCS State Conservationist Terrance Rudolph. “Mr. Turner has worked tirelessly to improve natural resources over his lifetime, but also invested in future generations that will continue to provide benefits for years to come." GACD’s Conservationist of the Year award is chosen in conjunction with Georgia’s USDANRCS and recognizes producers who are conducting exemplary conservation work on their land and have demonstrated a strong commitment to soil and water conservation through stewardship, outreach and community interactions. Eddy was nominated for this award by the Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 15 GA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE FARM-TO-FUTURE ONLINE AUCTION Through Dec. 10 online The countdown is on! The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s Farm-to-Future Online Auction opened Nov. 10! With 100+ items donated by local farms, artisans, and small businesses, you’ll discover something special for everyone on your Christmas shopping list. From handmade treasures to farm experiences, every winning bid goes beyond a gift— it’s an investment in the future of Georgia agriculture. Your participation directly funds scholarships for students pursuing agricultural careers, educational programs that support teachers and kids, mental health resources for farmers, and long-term disaster relief for farm families. When you shop our auction, you’re not just crossing names off your Christmas list—you’re strengthening Georgia’s farming community! Let’s grow the future of Georgia agriculture — together. For more information, visit www.gafoundationag.org/auction. Click the “Save My Spot” button to register. APPLE, BLUEBERRY, PEACH & WHOLE FARM CROP INSURANCE The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia apple, blueberry, and peach growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2025 crop year is November 20. Growers who are interested in the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policy and are late fiscal year filers have until November 20 to apply for crop insurance. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the November 20 sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for apples in Fannin, Gilmer, and Rabun counties. Coverage is available for blueberries in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Berrien, Brantley, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Mitchell, Pierce, Thomas, Ware, and Wayne counties. Coverage is available for peaches in Bacon, Banks, Bleckley, Brooks, Crawford, Dooly, Hall, Henry, Macon, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Oconee, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Schley, and Taylor counties. Coverage is available for Whole-Farm Revenue Protection in all Georgia counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2026 crop year. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at https://rma.usda.gov. The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company contracts with four companies – American Farm Bureau Insurance Services Inc., Rain & Hail, Sompo, and Great American Insurance to offer crop insurance. GFB has more than 70 experienced crop insurance agents (and growing) across the state to help their members protect their investment. Find your local agent and learn more at www.GFBInsurance.com or email crops@gfbinsurance.com for more details. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 15 GFB DISTRICT 10 WOMEN’S MEETING Nov. 24 10 a.m. Ware County Ag Center Waycross Join ladies in GFB’s District 10 for a morning of creativity, fellowship and holiday inspiration! Rep. Angie O’Steen will share her story of how she came to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives and a holiday devotion to help us focus on the true spirit of the season. The Local Thread will set up a Christmas t-shirt/sweatshirt station where attendees will design their own festive shirt from a variety of fun holiday designs. A delicious brunch will be served. The Ware County Ag Center is located at 700 Victory Drive, Waycross, Ga. 31503. Registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 21. Registration cost is $30, which includes attendees’ shirt/sweatshirt & meal. Visit https://gfb.ag/D10WomensMeeting to register. SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 8-10 Savannah Convention Center Savannah Dec. 12 Early bird reservation deadline The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is the largest educational conference and trade show in the southeastern United States that unites growers, vendors and suppliers! Activities include the always-popular trade show, a comprehensive lineup of educational sessions, the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Annual Meeting, and more. Key workshop topics include pre-harvest ripening and quality management, the Endangered Species Act and food safety. For more information or to register, visit https://seregionalconference.org/registration-3/. NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR OUTSTANDING GA YOUNG PEANUT FARMER Dec. 5 deadline for nominations Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award. The state winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Tifton. The award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF. The Outstanding Georgia award is based upon the applicant’s farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership, civic, church, and community service activities. The award is open for any active Georgia peanut farmer who is not over 45 years of age, as of Jan. 15, 2026. An individual may receive the award only once. There is no limit to the number of applicants from each county in Georgia. The award application is available online at www.gapeanuts.com or by contacting Joy Crosby at 229-386-3690 or joycrosby@gapeanuts.com. The 2025 winner was Ryan Ireland of Ashburn, Ga. The award winner receives registration and hotel accommodations to attend the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 21-23, 2026, at Panama City Beach, Florida, and a sign to display at his or her farm.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 15 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. AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION/BASF SCHOLARSHIP Dec. 31 deadline to apply Do you know an outstanding high school senior who is interested in pursuing a career in agriculture? Strong agriculture leaders are vital to the sustainability and growth of the soybean industry, and the American Soybean Association, in partnership with BASF, wants to provide a student interested in agriculture with a college scholarship to begin their degree. The Soy Scholarship is a $7,000, one-time award presented to a high school senior who plans to pursue agriculture as an area of study at any accredited college or university in the 2026-27 academic year. The scholarship is managed by ASA and made possible through a grant by BASF Corporation. High school seniors may apply online Oct. 7 – Dec. 31, 2025. Click here to learn more information about the program. The scholarship is awarded in $3,500 increments (one per semester) for the 2026-27 school year. The student must be a child or grandchild of a current state soybean association/ASA member, maintain successful academic progress, and remain in good standing with the college or university to receive the full amount of the scholarship. A committee of soybean grower leaders will select the ASA BASF scholarship recipient. The award winner will be announced this winter. For more information, please visit www.soygrowers.com. ASA and BASF have recognized and rewarded students for their hard work and interest in agriculture through the Soy Scholarship since 2008. 49TH ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW Jan. 15, 2026 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton Make plans to attend the 49th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference set for Jan. 15, 2026. The show is free and open to all farmers and industry representatives to attend. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and includes the UGA Peanut Production Seminar, the Farm Show Luncheon & Awards and a blood drive. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with more than 100 agribusinesses and organizations in the peanut and agricultural industry. Farmers will be able to earn private and commercial pesticide applicator certification, as well as learn about cutting-edge research and developments during the University of Georgia Peanut Production Seminar and industry-wide sponsored Peanut Seed Seminar. For more information, visit https://gapeanuts.com/farm-show/.
GFB Field Notes page 15 of 15 GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS March 1, 2026 deadline to apply The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is offering $66,000 worth of scholarships in 2026 in support of students planning to or already engaged in studies to prepare them for careers in agriculture and ag-related fields. There are five scholarship classifications: The Scholarship for Agriculture for graduating high school seniors who plan to enter college for Fall 2026 semester and pursue a career focusing on agriculture; the Rising Junior/Senior Scholarship for agriculture for current college students who are at least two semesters away from completing their undergraduate degree; the Back to Farm Scholarship for students who have shown a clear commitment to returning to the farm to build a career in production agriculture; the Technical College Scholarship for Agriculture for students enrolled a school in the Technical College System of Georgia and majoring in an ag or ag-related field of study; and the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship is for current veterinary medicine students specializing in large animal/food animal practice. The deadline to apply for all of these scholarships is March 1, 2026. For more information or to apply, visit www.gafoundationag.org/scholarships. 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. 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. 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.
GFB Field Notes page 16 of 15 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. 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.