July 16, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 28
EXPO FIELD DAY SHOWS RESEARCH, SPOTLIGHT STATE GROUNDBREAKING About 400 farmers attended the annual Sunbelt Expo Field Day held July 10 where they got a look at crop trials researchers are conducting at the Expo Farm and heard from company representatives whose products are being tested in the field. Growers saw and heard about variety trials for cotton, corn, peanuts and soybeans, as well as fertilizer management research in row crops and forages, water conservation programs and much more. Sunbelt Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock welcomed attendees to the annual Field Day saying, “Field Day is a great opportunity to get a sneak peak of Expo. You get to see the crops in their growing stages and all the technology we use here that can help life on the farm. Technology has really revolutionized what we do and in the next 10 years we’ll probably see more technology changes than we’ve seen in the last 36 years.” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall spoke at the Field Day breakfast saying, “On behalf of the more than 300,000 Farm Bureau families who make up Georgia Farm Bureau, we are excited to be a part of Expo. I’m excited to see where the industry’s research and technology continues to take agriculture.” A groundbreaking ceremony was held during Field Day for the new Expo Spotlight State building. The permanent 40 x 75 foot building will be constructed in time for the 37th Annual Sunbelt Expo, to be held Oct. 14-16. Numerous Georgia ag organizations and businesses are funding the building’s estimated $75,000 cost. Georgia will be the 2014 Spotlight State with a theme of “Always in Season, Georgia Agriculture.” Dr. Glen Harris, UGA Extension soil fertility specialist, gave farmers an update on research his team is doing to study fertilizer management. Harris and his team are looking at how the use of fertilizer side dress materials and foliar potassium can help improve crop quality. “Nitrogen is very mobile [through the soil]. That’s why we recommend putting some on at planting and some at side dress between the first square and first bloom in cotton,” Harris said. Thrush Aircraft, an Albany, Ga.- based manufacturer of planes for application of crop management products, displayed their 510G aircraft and gave a demonstration after lunch. Eric Rojek, Thrush vice president of sales, said farmers are seeing the advantage of aerial applications over ground sprayers as they plant larger fields and rely more on GPS to make crop management decisions. “We can get more done in one hour than a ground crew can get done in a day,” Rojek said.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 YOUNG FARMER CONFERENCE DRAWS RECORD CROWD More than 400 people registered for the 2014 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Leadership Conference, held July 10-13 on Jekyll Island, and those who attended had opportunities to hear about Farm Bureau, financial and succession planning, marketing tips and much more. “This group and this organization have the ability to do anything,” GFB President Zippy Duvall, a one-time GFB state young farmer chair, told the young farmers during the July 12 general session. “Don’t underestimate yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something.” The event featured the preliminary rounds of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet, finalist interviews for the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award and the announcement of the finalists for the Young Farmer Achievement Award. Matt and Melissa Bottoms of Pike County, Drew and Shelly Echols of Hall County and Chris and Lori Rogers of Jefferson County were announced as the finalists for the Young Farmer Achievement Award. Trisha Lastly of Madison County, Iris Peeler of Floyd County and Justin Shealey of Cook County are the finalists for the Excellence In Agriculture Award. Heather Brannen of Bulloch County, Brittany Ivey of Stephens County, Cleveland Jackson of Floyd County and Constance Reid of Greene County advanced through the discussion meet preliminary rounds and will compete for state honors at the finals in December at the annual GFB Convention. The discussion meet drew 33 entries. Addie Thomason of Franklin County was the top collegiate finisher in the discussion meet and will compete for national honors at the American Farm Bureau Engagement Conference in Nashville next February. Bridget Hitchcock of Washington County won the 2014 Picture Agriculture in Georgia Contest. Conference attendees selected her photo out of the 12 finalist photos, all of which will be featured in the 2015 GFB Young Farmer calendar. Visit http://bit.ly/picwinners to see the photos. The conference included educational sessions covering succession planning, legal issues on the farm, farm financing, opportunities in Farm Bureau, a review of the Farm Bureau Ditch The Rule campaign, agritourism and ag apps. Attorney Will Thompson of the Macon firm James-Bates-Brannan-Groover LLP led a seminar on succession planning, emphasizing that planning and communication are crucial and pointed out that an estimated 70 percent of family farms will change hands in the next 20 years. “You should start sooner rather than later,” Thompson said. “Succession is a process. There is no one size fits all, and more communication between generations means met business goals and family harmony.” Another session featured GFB Field Services Director Mike Copeland and Assistant Director Dennis Black, who outlined opportunities offered in the organization. They outlined GFB’s history, emphasizing that it has always been driven by farmers in pursuit of farm interests. Among the attendees were more than 90 children, who were treated to a mobile milking demonstration, crafts and a visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 CRAWFORD CO. TEACHER RECEIVES NATIONAL AG TEACHING AWARD Crawford County Farm Bureau member Dennis Peavy, who is a teacher at Houston County’s Lake Joy Elementary School, was one of five recipients of the national Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award presented at the National Ag in the Classroom Conference held June 23-27 in Hershey, Pa. The award is presented by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the National Agriculture in the Classroom Consortium. The conference included workshops on a wide variety of teaching approaches that can be used to deliver agriculture-based lessons in schools. The Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award recognizes a select group of teachers for their successful efforts in teaching agricultural concepts in their curriculum. Jeremy Bowman, who teaches at Naomi Elementary School in Walker County, and Karrie Perrin, who teaches at Toccoa Elementary Peavy School in Stephens County, each received a White-Reinhardt scholarship to attend the conference in recognition of their efforts to promote agricultural literacy. Perrin also presented a workshop at the conference. Crawford County kindergarten teacher Andrea Seagraves received a scholarship to attend the conference from the CHS Foundation, a global food and energy cooperative. RUDOLPH APPOINTED NEW STATE CONSERVATIONIST Terrance Rudolph has been appointed the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) state conservationist, and Katura Wright as assistant state conservationist, according to an NRCS press release. Rudolph took over for Acting State Conservationist Tansel Hudson on July 14. Wright began her duties on June 30. Rudolph comes from Knoxville, Tenn., where he served as area conservationist with the NRCS. He has worked with NRCS since July 1996. Wright grew up in Georgia and recently transferred from Columbia, Mo., where she most recently served as assistant state conservationist for programs with the NRCS. SMITH JOINS ACCE, SEPT. 1 DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ADVISORY BOARD Ronald “Ron” Smith of Camden County was recently appointed to serve a three-year term on the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine (ACCE). Smith has served on the ACCE Advisory Board for the past year and has more than 30 years of experience with horses in the areas of training, breeding, showing and therapeutic riding as well as leadership and business management experience. Following Smith’s appointment to the ACCE, the ACCE is now accepting applications to fill the Southeast Georgia position on its advisory board, which counsels the commission on topics of research, education, and promotion of the equine industry. The ACCE is looking for a willing, experienced, and hardworking individual from Southeast Georgia who is passionate about building and supporting Georgia’s equine industry. Sept. 1 is the deadline to apply for the ACCE Advisory Board Southeast Georgia seat. Interested persons should contact Nathan Wilson at nathan.wilson@agr.georgia.gov or 404-6563678 to request an application form. Applicants must also submit a resume with the application form. Those with questions or concerns may also contact ACCE Chairman John Clements by email at tiejc@bellsouth.net or by phone at 404-863-2173.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 POND MANAGEMENT FIELD DAY July 17 Gunnell’s Pond, Adams Road 9 a.m. – noon Danielsville This free event will provide important information on how to improve pond quality and performance. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will give presentations on fish health, pond maintenance and NRCS programs. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Region 2 office at 706-552-4479. FLINT RIVER DROUGHT PROTECTION ACT STAKEHOLDER MEETING July 24 Albany State University ACAD Bldg. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Albany The purpose of this meeting is to inform and solicit input from the public and impacted organizations regarding possible revisions to Department of Natural Resources Rule 391-3-28, the Flint River Drought Protection Act Rule, as directed by Senate Bill 213. The meeting will include time for stakeholder comments and EPD response to questions. More information and related handouts are available online at http://tinyurl.com/epdflintrule. EPD is accepting feedback from stakeholders on these issues through July 31. To respond by mail, address comments to James A. Capp, Chief, Watershed Protection Branch, EPD, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 1152 East, Atlanta, GA 30334, RE: Flint River Drought Protection Rule – Stakeholder Meeting. Public input may also be sent via email to cliff.lewis@dnr.state.ga.us. NUT HACCP FOOD SAFETY COURSE July 29-31 UGA Food Science Building Athens The UGA Food Science Extension Outreach Program and the American Peanut Council (APC) are co-sponsoring this program specifically designed for the nut industry to teach safe handling and processing practices for nut product manufacturers. Registration is $800 per person, and the deadline to register is July 18. APC Members receive a discount. Space is limited. For more information and to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/nuthaccp. ALTERNATIVE FOREST ENTERPRISES August 20-21 Flinchum’s Phoenix Athens A combination of classroom presentations will provide participants the opportunity to develop new knowledge and basic skills associated with non-timber products management, forest farming and silvopasture techniques for Georgia. July 30 is the deadline to register. For more information call 706-583-0566 or visit http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/courses/altforent. JOINT AG CHAIRMEN AG ISSUES SUMMIT July 31 Georgia Museum of Agriculture 10 a.m. Tifton This annual event is hosted by Georgia House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McCall and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Wilkinson and sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Agribusiness Council, the Georgia Poultry Federation, the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council and the Georgia Forestry Association. Topics include regional water planning, pollinators, solar energy, truck weights and the Clean Water Act. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Because meeting space is limited RSVP is required. If you would like to attend, please contact Pat Harris at 404-656-5099 – pat.harris@house.ga.gov.or Susan Henry at 404-463-5257 – susan.henry@senate.ga.gov.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 FSA ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY COMMITTEES The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting nominations for its county committees through Aug. 1. Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers. Elections will take place in November and newly elected county committee members take office on Jan. 1, 2015. Nomination forms may be requested from the local USDA Service Center or obtained online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. ASA DUPONT YOUNG LEADER PROGRAM The American Soybean Association (ASA) and DuPont are seeking applicants for the 2015 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1. The program is a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase 1 will take place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 18-21, 2014. The program continues Feb. 24-28, 2015, in Phoenix, Ariz., with training held in conjunction with the 20th annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. To apply visit http://soygrowers.com/learn/young-leader-program/. One couple or individual per state will be selected to participate. For information, contact Christine Luelf at 314-754-1291 or cluelf@soy.org. NORTHWEST GEORGIA MASTER CATTLEMEN’S PROGRAM Sept. 8 – Oct. 27 Carroll County Ag Center Carrollton This eight-week course will meet on Mondays from 6:30 pm. to 8:30 p.m. Each week’s class focuses on a single aspect of beef cattle production, including nutrition, forages, reproduction, herd health, economics and marketing, Beef Quality Assurance, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, livestock facilities sire selection and record keeping. Participants who attend six of the eight classes will receive a certificate of completion and a UGA Master Cattlemen’s cap. Registration is $60 per person and includes a dinner on the final night. Advance registration deadline is Aug. 25. For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Paula Burke at 770-836-8546 or pjburke@uga.edu. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS Sept. 9-10 Rome-Floyd County ECO Education Center Rome The purpose of this course is to provide a working knowledge of conservation easements as a land-use control. It provides guidance on drafting conservation easement agreements to achieve landowner goals for their property. This course offers a comprehensive overview of legal, appraisal, base line information, tax incentives, and other inputs needed for a successful conservation easement agreement. Sept. 5 is the deadline to register. For more information call 706-583-0566 see http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/courses/conseaserome. ‘CHICKEN SCRATCH’ PHOTO EXHIBIT Through Sept. 6 Georgia Museum of Agriculture Tifton The Gallery at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will showcase Fitzgerald’s wild chicken population with this new photography exhibit, “Chicken Scratch”, from Atlanta photographer Nicole Walker. The “Chicken Scratch” exhibit and is dedicated to the beauty, legacy, and companionship of these magnificent plumed gifts of Mother Nature. For more information on Chicken Scratch, please contact GMA curator Polly Huff at phuff@abac.edu.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 GEORGIA GROWN FARMERS SHOWCASE Sept. 6 Moultrie Farmers Market 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Moultrie This family-friendly event features numerous vendors from around the state, with a wide variety of products from Georgia farms. For more information about the Georgia Grown program, visit http://www.georgiagrown.com. GRAZING BEHAVIOR SEMINARS Sept. 8 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena 6 – 8 p.m. Athens Sept. 11 Tift County Extension Office 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tifton Sept. 12 Location TBD 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Carrollton This series of seminars, led by Utah State Professor Emeritus Dr. Fred Provenza, will address eating habits of grazing animals, whether they can be trained to consume specific forage species and much more. Registration is $10. For more information or to register, contact Cathy Felton a 706-310-3464 or feltonc@uga.edu or Dr. Dennis Hancock at dhancock@uga.edu. GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL HARVEST CELEBRATION Nov. 21 Cobb Galleria Center Atlanta Tickets are on sale for this annual event, which features platinum country group Diamond Rio scheduled to perform. To purchase tickets Visit https://connect.computility.com/f/fid.php?id=955559f0f92e71e5e95de669f5af3da0. For more information about Harvest Celebration, please contact GAC’s Christy Page at cpage@gaagribusiness.org or 800/726-2474.