Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - July 15, 2015

July 15, 2015

www.gfb.org

Vol. 33 No. 28

GDA & STATE AGENCIES DISCUSS BIRD FLU PREPARATION PLANS State officials, representatives of Georgia government agencies and ag organizations, including Georgia Farm Bureau, attended a meeting held at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) July 9 to discuss avian influenza and how the state will respond if highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is diagnosed in Georgia.

In welcoming the group, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black stressed that numerous government agencies in Georgia, along with the Georgia Poultry Lab Network, have been working for years to prepare for a possible avian disease outbreak in the state by meeting regularly to run tabletop exercises to coordinate their responses.

Meeting attendees heard from an expert panel consisting of GDA State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb, Dr. Louise Zavala with the Georgia Poultry Lab Network, Georgia Poultry Federation President Mike Giles, Dr. Martin Smeltzer, veterinary medical officer with the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Williams, Georgia Emergency Management Agency Chief of Staff Lauren Curry, and Jerry Campbell, Georgia Environmental Protection Division emergency response manager.

Since December, the virus has been detected in backyard flocks along the West Coast, Pacific Northwest, throughout the Midwest and Upper Midwest in the Pacific, Central and Mississippi Flyway zones. More than 20 states have confirmed cases and commercial turkey and layer egg producers were hard hit this spring as wild fowl carried the virus to Minnesota and Iowa.

Cobb explained that HPAI hasn’t affected broiler production very much yet because most broilers are grown in the Atlantic Flyway Zone in the Southeast and the virus hasn’t been brought into the area to-date. However, there have been three confirmed cases of HPAI in Ontario, which is in the Atlantic Flyway Zone, Zavala said.

“This is a foreign animal disease, which is why the USDA is involved,” Zavala said, noting that the virus “doesn’t get into the food supply, but we would lose trade if it’s detected in Georgia.”

Zavala said every flock of chickens that goes to market in the state of Georgia is tested for avian influenza and long-life birds, such as layer hens, are tested several times throughout their lifetimes to prevent birds with an AI virus from entering the food supply.

Georgia tests about 300,000 samples of poultry every year for AI, Zavala said.

Zavala said HPAI kills most of the birds it infects and that the best way to control the virus from spreading is to depopulate infected birds.

“The reason we’re not vaccinating is because vaccines on the market don’t match the virus, and if we start vaccinating it will paralyze our trade market and it interferes with detecting birds with the virus,” Zavala said. “If we get a vaccine that matches the virus it will be used as a tool, -continued

GFB News Alert page 2 of 13 -Avian Influenza, continued from previous page but that will be the USDA’s decision to use it.”

Cobb said the GDA is working with state and federal partners to be prepared to handle an outbreak.

“We’re speaking every week with other state vets and USDA to share information and lessons learned. For years Georgia has had a low pathogenic avian influenza plan and this plan is reviewed annually and is exercised with our state and county partners through tabletop exercises and infield training,” Cobb said. “We’ve got every state agency cooperating with us.”

In April the GDA sent six of its employees to Minnesota for 21 days to assist with the HPAI Among experts participating in a panel discussion outbreak in commercial turkey were, pictured from left, State Veterinarian Dr. Robert flocks. The GDA is using the Cobb, Dr. Louise Zavala with the Georgia Poultry Lab lessons these employees learned Network, Dr. Martin Smeltzer, veterinary medical to better prepare to handle a officer with the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service and Georgia Poultry Federation potential outbreak in Georgia.

“The key thing to this all is President Mike Giles. biosecurity,” Cobb said. “We can’t stop wild birds from bringing avian influenza into Georgia, but we’re blessed with hot weather, so as long as it stays hot, the heat will keep it from spreading. Biosecurity means you draw a line in the sand and say the world is on one side and the producer protects what’s on his side.”

Cobb said poultry companies are reaching out to poultry growers to encourage increased biosecurity measures, such as restricting off-farm visitors, having dedicated footwear worn only on the farm and refraining from entering their poultry houses for five days after returning from hunting wild water fowl.

Congress has authorized about $450 million in federal funds to the USDA to finance a nationwide eradication response to HPAI. The funds are being used to pay producers for the cost of depopulating and disposing of their infected flocks, cleaning and disinfecting poultry houses with infected birds, Dr. Smeltzer said.

“Indemnity for the birds depopulated is based upon the number of birds, age of birds and type of birds depopulated,” Smeltzer said. “Indemnity doesn’t cover down time when producers can’t raise birds until they and the area their poultry houses are in are cleared as being free of the virus.”

Smeltzer encouraged growers to make plans for how they would dispose of their flocks should they test positive for the virus. He said if one house on a farm with multiple houses tests positive -continued

GFB News Alert page 3 of 13 -Avian Influenza, continued from previous page for the virus all of the birds on the farm would be required to be eradicated.

According to the expert panel, flocks that test positive for HPAI will most likely be euthanized using a form of carbon dioxide. After the birds have been euthanized, producers may choose from several options to dispose of the birds.

If on-farm burial is chosen as an option, a GDA inspector must approve of the burial site. Birds may also be composted in the houses using a carbon source that disintegrates the birds and destroys the virus, Dr. Cobb said. “It’s very, very environmentally friendly. Iowa used in-house composting a great deal because they couldn’t bury all of their birds.”

Using rendering plants and public landfills are other options for disposing of dead birds.

“Although landfills are permitted to accept carcasses, they are under no obligation to do so,” said Jerry Campbell, Georgia Environmental Protection Division emergency response manager.

“We’re going to make sure all landfill operators are aware of the need for them to accept carcasses and encourage them to be a partner in this.”

Campbell said the EPD is aware the disposal of dead birds will vary according to the situation but the agency plans to use existing laws and regulations for compliance.

“We know what works in one county might not work in another, but we plan on using laws and regulations in place and don’t plan on reinventing the wheel,” Campbell said.

Because large volumes of water are needed to depopulate flocks, Campbell encouraged producers to have hay bales on hand to serve as berms to block the flow of water from leaving the farm.

“The EPD’s goals are to respond timely to any requests we receive, to minimize the impact of the depopulation process on the farm and surrounding area, and at the end of the day we’re going to focus on finding solutions,” Campbell said.

GDA ISSUES EMERGENCY RULE TO COMBAT AVIAN INFLUENZA On July 14 the Georgia Department of Agriculture issued an emergency rule requiring testing of all live birds being transported into Georgia in the 21 days prior to the birds entering the state as a means of combating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

According to the notice, the emergency rule will remain in effect no longer than 120 days.

The state issued a similar notice in March.

The GDA noted the poultry industry’s $28 billion impact on the state’s economy. Statewide, the poultry industry supports approximately 138,000 jobs, according to the Georgia Poultry Federation.

“The normal movement of poultry and poultry products from any state in which avian influenza virus is present and spreading is a major and real threat to Georgia's public welfare,” the GDA notice said.

While the HPAI virus can affect humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to humans low. According to the CDC, human infection with avian influenza viruses has not occurred from eating properly cooked poultry or poultry products.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 13 SILLS NAMED GFB YOUNG FARMER COORDINATOR Taylor Sills has been named the new Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Coordinator.

Sills, a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia, has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. He has worked on the grain desk of the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department for the past 2 1/2 years.

“We believe Taylor will provide strong leadership to our growing Young Farmer Program,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall.

Sills succeeds Jed Evans, who has been the Young Farmer Coordinator since 2011. Evans is transitioning into his role as executive director of the GFB Foundation for Agriculture and will serve as programs manager, providing leadership for all programs within the Field Services Department.

Taylor Sills

USDA NAMES THREE GEORGIANS TO AG ADVISORY COMMITTEES Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman recently announced the appointment of one Georgian to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and two others to Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees for Trade (ATACs).

Brenda Morris, a peanut farmer from Ocilla, Georgia, reappointed to serve on the committee until June 15, 2019. Morris has been farming with her husband, Armond, in Irwin County for 52 years. The farm totals 2,500 acres of peanuts, cotton, corn and small grains.

Georgia Peanut Commission Executive Director Don Koehler was appointed to the ATAC for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton and Peanuts (ATACs).

Koehler's reappointment to the ATAC for trade in tobacco, cotton and peanuts is effective through June 15, 2019. The Tobacco, Cotton and Peanuts ATAC provides technical advice on U.S. agricultural trade issues to the Secretary of Agriculture and the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Irwin County pecan grower Dr. Randy Hudson was appointed to the ATAC for trade in fruits and vegetables. Hudson, who runs Hudson Pecan Company in Ocilla, is president of the U.S. Pecan Growers Council and CEO of Hudson Pecan Compan and Hudson Pecan Farms.

Congress established the advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure a private-sector voice in establishing U.S. agricultural trade policy objectives to reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative jointly manage the committees.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 13 SUNBELT FIELD DAY OFFERS SOLUTIONS BOTH COMPLEX AND SIMPLE From simple solutions to detailed scientific research and development, the 2015 Sunbelt Expo Field Day appealed to a wide variety of farm operations.

The field day, held July 9 on the Expo grounds in Moultrie, allowed UGA Extension researchers and representatives of ag technology companies to present farmers with information on crop variety tests, fertilizer enhancements, developments in irrigation systems and much more. The day closed with crop-dusting demonstrations by Thrush Aircraft and Eagle Vistas at the Spence Field airstrip.

“We sell this event as one-stop shopping,” said Sunbelt Farm Manager Michael Chafin. “We can bring in the cattle guy, we can bring in the cotton guy, we can bring in the corn guy, we can bring in the diversified guys and have something for everyone.”

University of Georgia Extension Agronomist Dr. Glen Harris reviewed research into ways to prevent nitrogen loss from applied fertilizer, and for increasing nitrogen to increase yields.

“We have rates for different yield levels on cotton up to three bales (per acre). For the first time this winter I started getting questions about how much nitrogen do I need for four-bale.

Maybe that’s wishful thinking, but it’s a good question,” Harris said, noting that the UGA cotton team has produced four-bale cotton both at Sunbelt and on research farms in Tifton. “We’re still in the nitrogen trials and bumping up the nitrogen rates to see how high we can go.”

UGA Extension Entomologist Dr. Philip Roberts said his research has focused on fighting thrips in cotton and stressed the importance of scouting fields.

“In terms of insects cotton is basically susceptible to some insect pests from the time it emerges until we defoliate in the fall,” Roberts said. “It’s definitely a year where farmers need to be scouting each and every field; 100 percent of the fields need scouting and to be treated accordingly. This is a year when we need yield. Spraying for insects doesn’t increase yield, but spraying for insects will protect what yield we can get by doing all the other things right.”

Vendors Nachurs and Pathways demonstrated a joint study in which Pathways’ plant growthpromoting rhizobacteria was added to Nachurs’ fertilizers. According to Pathways’ Reese Harvin, the bacteria help plants develop denser and stronger root systems.

Reinke Southeast Territory Manager Mike Mills showed field day visitors a span cable clamp the irrigation company has developed to curtail theft of copper wire from irrigation spans. The stainless steel clamps are placed at 57-inch intervals on the cable, and once installed they prevent the entire cable from being pulled off the span at once.

A cable thief might be able to cut the cable at the clamp, but this would have to be done at every clamp along the span, resulting in a much longer process to take the entire cable. This discourages would-be thieves, who are looking for a quick way to remove the cable and leave, Mills said. The cable can be repaired for a few hundred dollars, compared with replacement costs of up to $10,000 or more, plus reduced yield resulting from the inability to irrigate.

“You might have a little bit of damage should somebody try to take it. However, you’re not going to lose your cable,” Mills said. “You’ll have a short and inexpensive repair, as opposed to a long-term and expensive full-wire replacement.”

Visitors were treated to aerial application demonstrations by Thrush Aircraft and Eagle Vistas at the Spence Field airstrip. The new Thrush 510G can fly as low as 10 feet above the crop canopy and has custom-designed nozzles on its sprayer to prevent pesticide drift.

Eagle Vistas’ PA25-260 P3 is a smaller plane that can apply crop inputs in tight spaces and hilly terrain.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 13 STEWART NAMED SOUTHWEST DISTRICT EXTENSION DIRECTOR Mike Stewart has been named the new district director for UGA Cooperative Extension Service for the Southwest District, according to a UGA press release.

“Mike is new to Extension and UGA but brings a wealth of management experience and leadership skills as well as immense understanding of/insight into county governments,” UGA Associate Dean for Cooperative Extension Laura Perry Johnson said. “We look forward to working with him as the newest member of the Georgia Extension administrative team.”

Stewart has served as county manager and administrator in multiple counties throughout Georgia, including Colquitt, Ware, Lowndes and Liberty. He also served as the assistant director for county services with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia for almost 12 years.

Prior to joining UGA Extension, Stewart was serving as interim city Mike Stewart manager in Grantville, Ga. Stewart was also instrumental in helping to establish local governments overseas in conflict environments, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as the governance section chief at the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team in Diyala, Iraq, for two years. He also led U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts in the development of the Afghan Public Protection Force in Afghanistan and recently returned from another trip to Iraq to provide assistance to the many internally displaced people in the northern region of that country.

“I can’t say enough about the consideration that was given to me for the position. I just hope I can work hard and fulfill the expectations,” Stewart said. “My approach is to build a team effort, to maintain continuous outreach, to search for and find solutions to problems. I want to become a partner with the community, the staff, the local governments and provide every resource available at the disposal of the university system to our communities.”

University of Georgia Extension is a county, state and federally funded organization that offers learning opportunities through unbiased, research-based information on agriculture, the environment, and youth and family development. Stewart will lead work in the 41 counties that comprise UGA Extension’s Southwest District—Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Clinch, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Grady, Houston, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, Miller, Mitchell, Peach, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Taylor, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Webster, Wilcox and Worth.

Stewart earned a bachelor’s degree in community planning and development from Columbus State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Valdosta State University.

Stewart’s office will be located in the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES FOOD LABELING BILL The House Agriculture Committee on July 14 passed the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599), which would ensure national uniformity regarding labeling of foods derived from genetically engineered plants by preventing a patchwork of conflicting state or local labeling laws, according to a committee description.

The bill would create a national certification program for food that has been produced without genetic engineering, modeled after the National Organic Program. The secretary of agriculture would establish certification requirements through the federal rulemaking process.

The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 13 GA PEACH COUNCIL GETS $10,000 DONATION FOR BRANDING PARTNERSHIP MillerCoors presented a $10,000 donation to the Georgia Peach Council during a ceremony held at Dickey Farms July 8. The donation represented a portion of the sales of MillerCoors’ Blue Moon First Peach Ale sold between Jan. 1 and March 31. The Belgian-inspired brown ale was made using peaches and coriander.

“We really appreciate this donation and want to thank At the Table (a public relations firm) for pulling this off,” said Georgia Peach Council President Duke Lane III. “When MillerCoors decided to launch their Blue Moon First Peach Ale, they recognized the brand value of Georgia peaches and approached us about using our brand and promoting the Georgia Peach Council.”

Lane said the Georgia Peach Council will use the donation to fund marketing and PR efforts for Georgia’s peach crop.

MillerCoors Southeast Regional Director of State Government Affairs Rochelle Marte presented the donation.

“We believe a partnership like this makes sense because the employees of MillerCoors don’t just work in Georgia, we live and play in Georgia,” said Marte. “We hope this is a long, sustaining partnership for us.”

Marte said MillerCoors formed similar partnerships with peach groups in South Carolina and Florida to cross promote the ale and peach crops of those states.

Other peach growers and state leaders participating in the event included Rep. Robert Dickey; Georgia Peach Commission Chairman Lawton Pearson; Georgia Peach Council Marketing Director Will McGehee; Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Georgia Peach grower Al Pearson.

“This is a great testimony of what we can do with all our Georgia products,” Commissioner Black said. “It’s about having a viable tie to ag production and adding value to our products.

We’re not going to stop short of our Georgia Grown brand being the most recognized brand in America.”

Following the presentation, event attendees enjoyed a delicious southern spread of light summer dishes featuring a variety of Georgia Grown commodities including peaches, tomatoes, Vidalia onions and chicken.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 13 BILL WOULD DELAY CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE PENALTIES The U.S. House Agricultural Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2016 Agricultural Appropriations legislation. The bill passed in committee on July 8 and will now move to the full House for consideration later this summer.

According to Washington D.C.-based peanut lobbyist Bob Redding, the bill includes language that prevents a producer from losing crop insurance premium assistance under the 2014 farm bill crop insurance provisions due to conservation non-compliance for the 2016 reinsurance year.

Although the bill prevents the producer from being penalized by losing crop premium assistance for the 2016 crop, it does not delay conservation compliance. The USDA will continue with the implementation of conservation compliance on crop insurance. This language simply prevents penalties from applying to the 2016 reinsurance year.

USDA will still work with producers to come back into compliance if previously deemed noncompliant. Those producers have until June 30, 2016 to come back into compliance without losing premium assistance.

This bill is not law but should have support throughout the legislative process. Growers are encouraged to work with USDA to be assured that they meet conservation compliance requirements.

CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE NEARS ON FRESH MARKET SWEET CORN Fresh market sweet corn growers in Decatur, Grady and Mitchell counties have until July 31 to purchase crop insurance according to a Risk Management Agency (RMA) press release. Crop insurance provides protection against crop production losses due to natural perils like drought, hail and excessive moisture. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA agent locator website, http://www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html.

For more information about crop insurance visit www.rma.usda.gov.

STALLMAN TO STEP DOWN AS AFBF PRESIDENT American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman announced today that he will not seek re-election in January 2016 following 16 years at the helm of the nation’s largest, most influential general farm organization. Stallman, a cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Texas, is the 11th president during AFBF’s almost 97-year history.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the nation’s Farm Bureau members and represent agriculture and rural America,” Stallman said. “After 16 years as AFBF president, six as Texas Farm Bureau president and several more in other Farm Bureau roles, it is time to hand over the reins of leadership—a decision that is made easier by knowing the great leadership and foundation that exist to continue moving Farm Bureau forward. I am as optimistic as ever about the future of American agriculture and Farm Bureau.”

A new AFBF president will be elected to a two-year term at the 97th annual meeting of voting delegates, Jan. 12, 2016, as part of the AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Tradeshow, Jan. 10-13, 2016, in Orlando, Fla.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 13 See page 11 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets!

ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY FOR FARM BILL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS Farmers have until Sept. 30 to formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety-net programs for 2014 and 2015 according to a USDA press release. Farmers and producers had until April 7 to make a one-time choice of the program in which they would participate. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

YOUNG, BEGINNING, SMALL AND MINORITY FARMERS WORKSHOP July 17 UGA Tifton Campus Conf. Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tifton Aug. 28 University of West Georgia Coliseum 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Carrollton Sponsored by AGAware, this workshop is designed to assist young, beginning, small and minority farmers with developing a strong farm plan. Topics include income statements, applying for financing, preparing a business plan, risk management and federal government programs through the USDA, the Small Business Administration and other. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarewkshp.

GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION SUMMER CONFERENCE July 23-25 Sea Palms Resort St. Simons Island Registration is now open for this key GCA event. Speakers include Kim Stackhouse, Director of Sustainability Research with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and NCBA President Philip Ellis, who will share their experiences with NCBA and cattle operations throughout the U.S. In addition to committee meetings, there is a tour of the Georgia Ports Authority, a golf tournament, Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association Games on the Beach, a low country boil at Bennie’s Red Barn and much more for the whole family. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/gcasumconf.

17TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 23-25 Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the numerous conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. For more information visit http://www.southernpeanutfarmers.org/spgc.asp.

CHEROKEE COUNTY POLITICAL FORUM July 28 Cagle’s Family Farm 6:30 p.m.

Canton Local, state and national candidates for office in 2015 and 2016 are invited to attend and will have two minutes to speak. Questions from the audience will follow. Current elected officials will be introduced and attendees will have time to meet and greet the candidates both before and after the forum. Homemade ice cream will be served by Boy Scout Troop 465, and drinks and peanuts will be provided by Cherokee County Farm Bureau. RSVP by July 24 by contacting Shirley Pahl at 770-479-1481 ext. 0 or sfpahl@gfb.org.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 13 USDA PUBLIC HEARING FOR PECAN FEDERAL MARKETING ORDER July 27-29 Hilton Garden Inn 8 a.m. – 5 pm.

Tifton Pecan growers and other industry stakeholders, including handlers and shellers, will have a chance to offer testimony regarding the proposed federal marketing order for pecans that the American Pecan Board is working to implement. Witnesses are expected to testify regarding the costs, benefits and other potential impacts of the proposed marketing order. Individuals who wish to testify will register on the sign-up sheet on the day of their arrival and should be prepared to speak when the administrative law judge facilitating the hearing calls them. The proposed draft of the marketing order is available for review at www.pecanboard.com. For more information about the hearings or proposed marketing order call 903-649-2077 or email bmichaeladams@gmail.com.

FSA TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY COMMITTEES The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting nominations for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees through Aug. 3. To be eligible to serve on a FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency-administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where they are nominated.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2015 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 3. FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 9, 2015. Ballots will be due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 7, 2015. Newly elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1, 2016.

AM. PEANUT SHELLERS/PEANUT BUYING POINTS JOINT CONVENTION Aug. 4-5 Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club Cordele Shellers and buying point managers meet to talk peanut issues, host an auction, present awards and install officers. For hotel rooms, call 800-459-1230. For more information, call 229-8882508 or 229-386-1716 or visit www peanut-shellers.org.

SE GEORGIA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER FIELD DAY Aug. 12 Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center Midville Hear research specialists talk about crops, technology, and hear about research. Registration will begin at 9: a.m. For more information call 478-589-7472.

26TH ANNUAL BROOKLET PEANUT FESTIVAL Aug. 15 Brooklet th Located just 45 minutes from Savannah in Bulloch County, the 25 Annual Peanut Festival includes a peanut run, a parade at 10 a.m., arts and crafts, exhibits and entertainment. Visit www.brookletpeanutfestival.com for more information.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 13 20TH ANNUAL LUMBER CITY FARM DAY FESTIVAL Sept. 11 & 12 Downtown Lumber City Festival events begin Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. with a fish fry at the Lumber City American Legion on Hwy 341. The opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Main Street with entertainment by Old Souls of the South from Atlanta. Events on Sept 12 begin with breakfast at the Lumber City Methodist Church from 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., followed by a 5K run/walk at 7:45 a.m. ($20 5K registration includes a free breakfast for all runners), a dog show at 9 a.m. and parade at 10 a.m.

Other events will include live stage entertainment, an amusement park, cakewalk, arts & crafts, and food vendors all day. A street dance will be held from 7-ll p.m. featuring the Soul Purpose Band from Atlanta, Admission is free for all festival events except 5k. A community church service will be held Sunday at 9 a.m. on Main Street. For more info visit www.lumbercityfarmday.org or call 912-363-4341.

AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 17 Westbrook farm, UGA Griffin Campus 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Griffin This event, hosted by UGA Griffin every three years, will provide attendees with information on ways to increase the value of their land. Federal and state government agency officials and representatives of private business will provide management recommendations and demonstrate real-life techniques at this unique educational event, which features more than 30 topics, including wildlife openings, pond management, feral hog issues and many more. Continuing Education Credits (CEU) are available for several fields, including pesticide (several categories), forestry, loggers, arborist and wildlife. Registration is $25 prior to Sept. 3 ($30 after) and includes lunch. Pre-registrants will receive an Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day ball cap.

Field trip opportunity and special pricing is available for high school students. For more information or for registration information, visit www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html.

ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this monthly open-air market that will allow local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Each month’s market will have a different theme. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. The farm is unique for its collection of intact historic buildings that exist in their original location and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online.

GFB News Alert page 12 of 13 PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org.

Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132.

HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332.

MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com.

ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Through Nov. 21 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public.

Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact RDCFB Office Manager Susanne Bell at shbell@gfb.org or call 770-922-3566.

WHITE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays through Sept. 27 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Freedom Park near downtown square Cleveland White County Farm Bureau helps sponsor this market, where customers can shop for some of the freshest produce around while listening to local musicians. The market also features themed market days throughout the season with recipes, taste testing, and other fun events. For more information contact the White County Extension Office at 706-865-2832. Vendors can rent space at the market for $10 per Saturday. Vendors must be residents of White County and or adjacent counties and goods must be grown or locally made.

GFB News Alert page 13 of 13 UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 31 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Tuesdays through Oct. 27 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

148 Old Smokey Road!

Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings! or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com or 706-439-6043.