GFB News - June / July 2009

Vol. 71 No. 3

GEORGIA

June-July 2009

FARM BUREAU NEWS

The Voice of Georgia Farmers

Life

Insurance

“I can’t

Give these kids the future.”

— but I can help them prepare for it. Their world is changing. Fast.

And keeping up is difficult. Today’s students are faced with challenges and opportunities throughout all of their young lives. Their future is uncertain.

Everyone’s looking for answers, and I’m no exception. I count on my local Farm Bureau Insurance agent to help me prepare for the times ahead with a solid financial program of Life and Disability Insurance, as well as retirement planning, including IRAs and annuities.

And that makes my future more secure.

For ALL the everyday

heroes...

Just like you.

Auto • Home • Life www.sfbli.com

GA2LF179 Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. • Georgia Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co. • Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co.

table of

contents june/july 2009

departments we, the farmers PAGE 4

legislative update PAGE 5

commodities update PAGE 10

timber update

Gov. Sonny Perdue visited with students from Piedmont Academy during a bill signing ceremony for ag legislation held at Lane Southern Orchards in May. The students participated in the Governor’s Agricultural Awareness Program for fifth graders.

PAGE 8

You’ll find drawings sketched by the top three winners of the GFB Art Contest on page 14. You can read the winning essay by John Thomas Tanner on page 15.

Paul Beliveau Director Jennifer Whittaker Editor

Brad Harrison Print/Web Specialist

Denny Moore TV Producer/Anchor Rick Treptow Senior Radio-TV Specialist

Michael Edmondson Web/Video Manager

Gov. Perdue signs ag legislation

around georgia

Lillian Davis Publications/Advertising Manager

PAGES 6-7

Winners of GFB Art & Essay contests announced

public relations staff

GFB members presented Friend of Farm Bureau Awards to nine members of Georgia’s congressional delegation during the organization’s annual Presidents’ Trip to Washington in May, including Rep. David Scott.

PAGE 12 PAGE 20

GFB members visit Washington

Mark Wildman Radio-TV Specialist

Dean Wood Radio-TV Specialist

Ryan Naquin Radio-TV Specialist

Vickie Amos Office Coordinator For questions about your membership or member benefits, call 1-800-633-5432.

For questions regarding editorial content call 478-474-0679, ext. 5334 or email jawhittaker@gfb.org For questions regarding advertising contact Hurst and Associates, Inc., 1-800-397-8908 Visit the GFB Web site today! www.gfb.org

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Tobacco growers dealing with multiple issues UGA tobacco specialists estimate by early June at least 25 percent of the state’s tobacco crop had been lost to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus or drowned during the spring rains.

Growers are also waiting to see how they will be affected by new legislation that gives the Food and Drug Administration increased regulation authority over tobacco.

PAGE 17

Farm tour spotlights GFB 3rd District This year’s tour allowed participants to see diverse farming operations, which remain successful despite the nearby growth of metro Atlanta. At Adams Farm Market GFB farm tour participants learned about the farm’s blackberry production.

PAGE 18 Observant readers may notice that the volume number of the GFB News changed from 70 to 71 this issue. Our staff recently discovered that the volume number was mistakenly changed in the July 1985 issue, and we’ve been a volume behind since then. Age can be a touchy subject with some, but we’ll proudly admit to having published 71 volumes instead of 70.

on the cover

(Photo by Brad Harrison) This scenic shot was captured during the annual GFB Farm Tour at Heatherington Farm in Haralson County.

June-July 2009 / 3

we, the

farmers Zippy Duvall, GFB President

Act not out of fear but with power, love and a sound mind The economic times we are in are pushing people and organizations to the edge. Our farmer and non-farmer members are hurting together. Some of our members are losing their jobs from company cutbacks. Some of our farmer members cannot get chickens placed back in their poultry houses and are faced with having to make farm payments with no income.

So, do we live in fear of the future, or do we try to do something about it? The grassroots of our organization has not chosen fear, but has decided to deal with these times using our organizational power, showing compassion to those in need and by maintaining a sound mind.

First, let’s look at how we are using our power and influence. The 2009 County Presidents’ Trip to Washington, D.C., is a great example.

On May 5, 110 county volunteer leaders made the trip to Washington to tell our representatives and senators our position on issues that impact Georgia agriculture such as the Clean Water Act, climate change, estate taxes, immigration reform and protecting the use of antibiotics in livestock. The challenges farmers may face in the future in dealing with climate change laws are huge, not to mention the complications a change in the current Clean Water Act could have on agriculture.

It has been said that the ones who show up make decisions. Well, we showed up, and my sincere thanks

goes out to the county leaders who took time out of their busy schedules to speak up for agriculture.

Also in May, I was asked by Rep. Lynn Westmoreland to testify before the House Subcommittee on Regulation Healthcare and Trade regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed regulation dealing with renewable fuel standards. The production of renewable fuels will play an important part in Georgia agriculture in the future. Georgia Farm Bureau has been working on this issue for our members.

Another example of how our organization is dealing with these times is by showing love to others through our actions. These hard economic times have resulted in a lot of Georgians either being out of work or being unable to stretch their paychecks far enough. In partnership with the Georgia Peanut Commission and other peanut businesses, GFB has joined forces to feed needy Georgians with Georgia grown and processed peanut butter.

We hope to feed 1.2 million needy Georgians through the Peanut Proud & Feeding Georgia partnership. We are using local food banks to deliver peanut butter to those who need it.

This effort will help our peanut farmers and rural communities during a very difficult marketing time for peanuts. If you would like to “spread the love,” you’ll find details on how you can contribute to this project in the See WE, THE FARMERS page 22

From left, GFB President Zippy Duvall and GFB 5th District Director Jim Ham visit with Fayette County Farm Bureau President Rick Minter during the GFB Farm Tour.

4 / June-July 2009

GEORGIA

FARM BUREAU NEWS

The Voice of Georgia Farmers

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Farm Bureau Members: Included in dues — $1 per year Non-Members — $15 per year OFFICERS President ZIPPY DUVALL 1st Vice President/South Georgia Vice President GERALD LONG North Georgia Vice President BERNARD SIMS Middle Georgia Vice President BRENT GALLOWAY Treasurer/Corporate Secretary Wayne Daniel General Counsel DUKE Groover

DIRECTORS FIRST DISTRICT: J. Louis Hunt, LaFayette; Henry J. West, Rydal SECOND DISTRICT: Bobby Gunter, Dahlonega; Randy Ruff, Elberton THIRD DISTRICT: George Chambers, Carrollton; Nora Goodman, Temple FOURTH DISTRICT: Marvin Ruark, Bishop; William Hutchins, Winder FIFTH DISTRICT: Jim Ham, Smarr; Ralph Adamson, Jr., Barnesville SIXTH DISTRICT: James Emory Tate, Denton; Jimmy Perry Jr., Cochran SEVENTH DISTRICT: Ben Boyd, Sylvania; Gennis Folsom, Glenville EIGHTH DISTRICT: Phil Redding, Bluffton; Don Wood, Rochelle NINTH DISTRICT: Paul Shirah, Camilla; Lucius Adkins, Elmodel TENTH DISTRICT: David Lee, Alma; Daniel Johnson, Alma YOUNG FARMER CHAIRMAN: Lanair Worsham, Camilla WOMEN’S COMMITTEE CHAIR: Kim Brown, Montezuma ADVERTISING POLICY All advertising accepted subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaint about advertiser service or products. Publisher does not accept per-order, political or alcoholic beverage ads, nor does publisher prescreen or guarantee advertiser service or products. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in the Georgia Farm Bureau News.

For advertising rates and information, contact Hurst and Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, 1-800-397-8908.

Georgia Farm Bureau News was established in 1937.

Copyright 2009 by the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation. Printed by Panaprint, Macon, Georgia.

PRINTED WITH SOY INK

Georgia Farm Bureau News

legislative update Jon Huffmaster, Legislative Director

GFB and AFBF testify on renewable fuels and climate change legislation Both Georgia Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau strive to be the “voice of agriculture.” Recently, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman gave voice to farmers’ concerns about pending legislation by testifying before different congressional committees.

On May 21, GFB President Duvall testified before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare, and Trade.

The invitation to speak came from Subcommittee Chairwoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA) at the request of Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, ranking GFB President Zippy Dumember of the vall testifies regarding resub commit- newable fuel standards. tee. The subcommittee solicited comments regarding the impact of regulatory policy on biofuel producers and family farmers.

Duvall stressed Farm Bureau’s support for increased use of renewable fuels and the renewable fuels standard (RFS) outlined in the 2007 Energy Independence & Security Act. The RFS calls for the use of 36 million gallons of renewable fuels per year by 2022.

“Recent events and 35 years of history ought to teach us that America needs to be more self reliant when it comes to our energy needs,” Duvall said in his comments. “America’s farmers today are providing food, fiber, feed and fuel for our country. We welcome that challenge, and we believe the American people will be well served by our farmers.”

While there is much support for renewable fuels, there is much disagreement over the term itself. For fuel blenders to get credit under the RFS, the blending ingreGeorgia Farm Bureau News

dients must be considered “renewable.”

Otherwise, blenders have no incentive to use the fuel and there will be no market for it. Therefore, the definition of what is renewable is crucial.

EPA has proposed regulations defining “renewable” by considering the “lifecycle carbon emissions” of a fuel and any “indirect land use change” involved in the production of a biofuel. EPA argues that land used to produce a crop diverted from food production to fuel production will have a greater atmospheric carbon impact. The agency contends an acre used to produce fuel requires that another acre be placed into production for food to make up the difference.

Duvall disputed that notion. “We do not believe there is a reliable way to measure or accurately predict how the production of biofuels will affect land use here or in other countries. New and uncertain science to predict land use change has no place in federal regulations.”

The meaning of “renewable biomass” is another point of contention. One definition considers only forest biomass from “actively managed tree plantations.” GFB opposes that definition because nearly 70 percent of Georgia’s forest would be excluded, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.

“Farm Bureau supports changing the definition of renewable biomass to include all forms of forest biomass,” said Duvall.

“It is important that legislation should be as inclusive as possible regarding energy feedstocks and methods.”

On June 11, AFBF President Stallman addressed the House Agriculture Committee during a hearing on the climate change bill, H.R. 2454. Like Duvall, Stallman expressed support for the RFS and called for a broader definition of renewable biomass.

Stallman expressed concern that H.R. 2454 would cause higher fuel, fertilizer, and energy costs to farmers. He stressed that climate change legislation should not

hurt U.S. farmers in international trade, saying, “These increased input costs will put our farmers at a competitive disadvantage with producers in other countries, such as China and India, that do not have similar greenhouse gas restrictions.”

Agriculture and forestry can provide offsets for any “cap and trade” system authorized by Congress. Farm Bureau recommends that climate change legislation should include the full range of agricultural greenhouse gas reduction or sequestration projects as eligible offsets.

At the time of the hearing, H.R. 2454 made no provision for USDA to administer any “cap and trade” offsets. Instead, the bill left administration of the offsets title entirely to EPA, including total discretion as to what types of offsets will be eligible. Stallman voiced opposition to this arrangement.

On June 23, the bill’s author, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) reached an agreement giving the USDA, not EPA, oversight of projects to reduce greenhouse emissions on farms. The deal also bars the EPA for five years from including the conversion of forests to cropland when it calculates how ethanol production contributes to global warming.

The EPA will conduct a study during this time to determine the impact ethanol production has on global warming.

While Farm Bureau supports Peterson’s amendment as a positive step, the organization still opposes the bill because the cost of reducing emissions related to fuel and electricity production will increase production costs for farmers. A study conducted by the AFBF Economics Department estimates that passage of HR 2454 will cost American farmers $5 billion in annual disposable income by 2020.

Stallman’s concluding remarks

See CLIMATE page 15 June-July 2009 / 5

GFB members visit Washington By Jennifer Whittaker __________________________________________________________________________

G

eorgia Farm Bureau members from across the state traveled to Washington, D.C., May 5-8, for the organization’s annual Presidents’ Trip to Washington. The main issues GFB

members discussed as they met with the members of Georgia’s congressional delegation were protecting the 2008 farm bill as it was written, the Clean Water Act, climate change legislation, federal estate tax

Rep. Jim Marshall (fifth from right) accepts the Friend of Farm Bureau Award from GFB Middle Georgia Vice President Brent Galloway and GFB members from his district.

Rep. Sanford Bishop (center) accepts the Friend of Farm Bureau Award from GFB 1st Vice President Gerald Long and GFB directors from his district.

6 / June-July 2009

reform, immigration reform and protecting the use of antibiotics in livestock.

“We’re here to remind our delegation of how these issues are impacting us,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “It’s been said decisions are made by the ones who show up. Well, we showed up this week. This trip shows our true grassroots organization in action.”

As GFB members met with the members of Georgia’s congressional delegation, they presented the Friend of Farm Bureau Award to Reps. Jack Kingston, (1st Dist.), Sanford Bishop (2nd Dist.), Hank Johnson (4th Dist.), John Lewis (5th Dist.), Jim Marshall (8th Dist.), John Barrow (12th Dist.), David Scott (13th Dist.) and Sens.

Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. The awards, which were announced last fall, were presented in recognition of their support of agriculture during the 110th Congress. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) gives the award at the end of each Congress to legislators who have at least a 60 percent voting record in agreement with AFBF priority issues.

AFBF considered the votes legislators cast on legislation pertaining to the farm bill, energy, water and private property rights along with trade agreements and disaster aid.

AFBF Director of Public Policy Mary Kay Thatcher predicted the Obama Administration will make another attempt to limit farm payments next year when President Barack Obama introduces his budget proposal because he advocated payments limits throughout his campaign.

The Obama Administration made the decision to back off on limiting farm payments this year after proposing to phase out direct payments to farms with annual sales revenues of more than $500,000 over a span of three years.

“I expect the battles to come next year when the administration has all of its political appointees in place,” Thatcher said. “I’m not going to say we’re going to lose on payment limits, but it’s going to be the battle of our life. Their big push will be over all means adjusted gross income.”

See WASHINGTON next page Georgia Farm Bureau News

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (center) accepts the Friend of Farm Bureau Award from GFB President Zippy Duvall (left) and AFBF President Bob Stallman.

Sens. Chambliss & Isakson meet with GFB members

Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson addressed GFB members at a breakfast the organization held during the Presidents’ Trip. AFBF President Bob Stallman attended the breakfast and joined GFB President Zippy Duvall in presenting the senators with their Friend of Farm Bureau Awards.

“We’ve been working closely with American Farm Bureau to make sure we get this farm bill implemented the way it was written,” Sen. Chambliss said. “We’ve also got activity going on in regards to reauthorizing the child nutrition bill that administers the school lunch program. This bill provides funding to let local school boards buy fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, which will benefit farmers across the state.”

Chambliss told the group the Senate Agriculture Committee is working to reauthorize the Commodity Future Trading Commission Act and plans to make major changes to increase the transparency of the commission.

“Whether you utilize this market or not, the prices you get are dictated by this commission,” Chambliss said. “We’re going to make sure we put transparency in the proceedings of this commission to make sure they’re operating properly.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing June 4 on speculative trading in the commodity markets and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

During this hearing, Chambliss noted that attempts to curb speculation in the physical commodity markets must be approached carefully because, without speculators in the marketplace, farmers and energy users would find very little liquidity in these markets and would not be able to use the markets effectively.

Isakson told Farm Bureau members he predicts an effort will be made to permanently reform the estate tax.

“The current situation with estate taxes is ridiculous and onerous. My hope is to get a five million dollar per person, $10 million per family exemption indexed for inflation in place.”

While addressing the negative impact this winter’s salmonella outbreak has had on the peanut industry, Isakson said he and Chambliss are supporting the Durbin Bill, which would require food processors to make test results available on any food they process.

“If a food processing company has tests done before Isakson shipping a product, you now have to get a subpoena to access those test results, and you can’t do that unless there is an incident,” Isakson said.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

WASHINGTON from previous page Although AFBF supports a full repeal of estate taxes, a lack of votes to pass a full repeal in this Congress is forcing the organization to seek reform in the form of higher tax exemptions, AFBF Director of Public Policy Pat Wolff, who focuses on tax issues, said.

“If we can get exemption levels so that ninety percent or more farmers don’t pay estate taxes that will be almost as good as a full repeal of the tax,” Wolff said. “We’re aiming for a ten million dollar exemption per person with a spousal transfer so there is a 20 million dollar exemption per family that is adjusted each year for inflation.”

Wolff said AFBF’s goal is to get permanent reform of estate tax laws to replace the current law, which offers temporary relief. Under current law, there is a $3.5 million exemption per person this year.

Then, estate taxes are completely repealed in 2010, but in 2011 the tax exemption drops back to $1 million per person.

“I have voted for increasing the exemption to five million per person and 10 million per couple,” Rep. Jim Marshall said. “I also voted for 3.5 million dollars per person and seven million dollars per couple, and I think that is what will pass now.”

President Obama has indicated support for making the current $3.5 million exemption permanent, and his proposed budget calls for continuing the current exemption.

Farm Bureau is also working to keep “stepped-up” basis, which protects someone who inherits property that has increased in value since the deceased person acquired it from having a high taxable gain. Under current law, this is phased out next year.

Livestock producers voiced their concerns about legislation H.R. 1549 and S. 619, which proposes phasing out some uses of antibiotics in livestock production.

“These decisions on antibiotic use need to be based on science and not emotion,” Tattnall County Farm Bureau President Dr. Jim Strickland, who is a veterinarian, told Rep. John Barrow. “In Denmark, after they outlawed preventative antibiotics, they discovered they’re now using more antibiotics to treat sick animals.”

June-July 2009 / 7

Gov. Perdue signs agriculture bills By Brad Harrison ____________________________________ Lane Southern Orchards in Peach County is a significant part of Georgia’s agritourism industry with more than 250,000 visitors per year. On May 1, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue held a bill-signing ceremony for five bills impacting agriculture, one of which will benefit operations such as Lane Southern Orchards.

House Bill 529 has two components.

The first part limits the liability of landowners who open up their properties for activities such as hunting, fishing, hay rides or peach picking. The law offers limited liability for landowners who charge admission for persons 18 years and older for agritourism activities.

The other component of the bill prohibits local governments from passing laws regulating farming practices as long as the practices are in accordance with local zoning ordinances. Landowners would not be exempt from accidents due to gross negligence.

“Hay rides, the kind of things we enjoyed as children and enjoyed as families, you have to be very careful with allowing children to enjoy that these days because of the liability situation,” Perdue said. “The bill will give us a lot of help in these areas.

It provides some immunity from frivolous lawsuits, meritless lawsuits over accidents that occur and maybe reckless activity by the participants in these kind of things.”

Another bill signed by Perdue, Senate Bill 80, the Food Standards, Labeling/ Adulteration Bill, will give the Georgia Department of Agriculture greater authority in food inspections. The bill requires food processors to notify the Georgia Department of Agriculture within 24 hours if food contamination is detected.

It also allows processors to submit a food safety plan to the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture to enhance food safety.

This bill comes less than five months after the salmonella outbreak traced to the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) facility in Blakely, Ga. “This will give the Department of Agriculture and the state of Georgia more tools to catch those people who choose 8 / June-July 2009

Gov. Sonny Perdue (seated) signed agriculture bills during a ceremony at Lane Southern Orchards. Granddaughters Mary Kate and Sunni, numerous members of the Georgia General Assembly including Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Bulloch and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McCall, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin, agribusiness leaders and First Lady Mary Perdue participated in the ceremony.

not to be honest,” Perdue said.

Other bills signed by Perdue included: SB 43, which clarifies that cotton ginners will collect the Boll Weevil Eradication assessment if it changes to a per bale basis; SB 128, which allows livestock & utility trailer owners to purchase a permanent license plate and registration for a one-time fee of

$48 in lieu of an annual renewal and SB 152, which creates an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Ornamental Plants.

“It’s great to live in a state where legislators and our governor really understand how important agriculture is to our state.

It’s still our number one industry,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said.

Vilsack visits Georgia By Brad Harrison __________________________________ USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Ludowici, Ga., May 18, to announce the city was receiving three police cars through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As part of his visit, he held a community forum for more than an hour and fielded questions concerning agriculture.

Topics covered included peanuts, poultry, biofuels, organics and the National Animal Identification System.

“First and foremost, it’s an opportunity for us to listen to the thoughts and concerns people have about agriculture. The president has made a concerted effort to try and stimulate the economy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” Vilsack said.

One issue raised concerned putting

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed ag issues during a recent visit to Ludowici.

poultry growers back to work in Coffee County, where the Pilgrim’s Pride poultry processing facility recently closed.

The plant’s closing caused the loss of 900 jobs and impacted 150 growers.

Walter Dockery, who spoke on behalf of the growers at the forum, requested the USDA assist in selling the Pilgrim’s Pride plant to another company.

Continued next page Georgia Farm Bureau News

–Advertisement –

Off-road fuel still tax exempt for some farm purposes

Farmers who purchase off-road diesel fuel for use in poultry, horticulture or swine structures or for irrigation systems are urged to check their fuel bills to make certain they are not being charged the four percent state sales tax since off-road fuel used for these purposes is tax-exempt.

The sales tax suspension Gov. Sonny Perdue enacted May 12, 2008 for off-road fuel ended April 30, unless the sales are otherwise exempt. There have been reports of fuel distributors charging state sales tax on diesel purchased for purposes that are still tax-exempt, such as fuel used for irrigation, poultry houses, greenhouses and swine barns. Contact the Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Department for more information at 1-800-342-1192.

From previous page “We will be happy in any way we can to convince the bankruptcy court to give enough of a nudge so that this sale can be consummated,” Vilsack said.

Dockery said that the facility had an economic impact of $160 million. “We’ve got 150 poultry growers without income, and we’ve got 600 poultry houses and we’ve all got mortgages. We are without a job,” Dockery said. “We came to ask for help in making our mortgages and help encourage Pilgrim’s Pride to sell this plant to another company and put our community back to work.”

Vilsack also addressed the concerns many farmers have about President Obama’s proposed cuts to USDA programs, including his proposal to phase out direct payments to farmers with a three-year average income of more than $500,000.

Vilsack said that Obama understands the need for a strong safety net for American farmers, which includes ensuring strong markets in the United States and overseas, direct payment programs, crop insurance and disaster welfare assistance.

“We fully appreciate and recognize that we’re going to have to work with Congress, and we expect to do that,” Vilsack said.

“We’re all faced with budget realities. You can’t continue to run enormously large deficits forever. There has to be some give and take.”

Georgia Farm Bureau News

  

15 Days

Departs September 12 or October 10, 2009

from

$1248*



                                                                                                                                           



 + San Francisco + California Coastline

+ New Year’s Rose Parade



Start in San Francisco for two nights with included sightseeing. Take California’s scenic Highway One along Big Sur. Visit Monterey, the 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Golf Course, the Danish Village of Solvang (one night), then spend three nights in Los Angeles. Upon arrival in L.A. December 30, enjoy an exclusive, after public hours, behind the scenes, float building tour. On New Year’s Day, enjoy your reserved grandstand seats on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena for the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade! On January 2, tour Hollywood and Beverly Hills before boarding your deluxe ship, NCL’s Norwegian Star. Ports include Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, and Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatamala and Puntarenas, Costa Rica on the Pacific side. On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, take the scenic daytime cruise through the Panama Canal to the Atlantic Ocean! Visit Cartagena, Columbia for a day, and then enjoy your final two days at sea before disembarkation in Miami, Florida Saturday, January 16. *Prices per person, dbl. occ., includes taxes.

Airfare is extra.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   



                                                       

 

 

June-July 2009 / 9

commodities/marketing update Don McGough, Commodites/Marketing Director

It’s always a good time to promote agriculture Agriculture remains a bright spot even in today’s tough economic climate. Our farmers continue to persevere and make a major contribution to our state’s economy.

The total economic impact of agriculture and directly related industries is estimated at $63.5 billion. The value of Georgia’s agricultural output through the consumer level is approximately 20 percent of the state’s total economy. Agricultural and related employment accounted for 217,991 jobs in 2008. The total of all jobs dependant on agriculture is approximately 375,000 or about 7 percent of our work force.

It is time to tell agriculture’s story!

Promotion of our industry and specific commodities has never been more important than it is today. Agriculture is vital to our national security and the economic health of our state. Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is very involved in commodity promotion, and it is an integral part of many of our programs.

Georgia’s peanut industry recently kicked off the Peanut Proud and Feeding Georgia Campaign. Georgia Farm Bureau in cooperation with the Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Buying Points Association and American Peanut Shellers Association are combining forces to donate peanut butter to the Georgia Food Bank Association. This project will provide healthy, nutritious peanut butter to needy people throughout Georgia.

Tara Foods, located in Albany, Ga., will use Georgia grown peanuts to make the peanut butter that will be donated through this program.

Donating peanut butter made from Georgia grown peanuts is a plus for not only those in need but also helps Georgia peanut farmers in utilizing their crop.

If you would like to contribute to this great cause, a case of 12 jars costs $10; 500 jars costs $400 and 1,000 jars costs $800.

Visit www.gapeanuts.com to download 10 / June-July 2009

From left, Amanda Trice, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association integrated communications director, quizzes Georgia Farm Bureau Dairy Committee member Judd Chambers and GFB Commodity Specialist Jed Evans on dairy trivia. Answering questions correctly entitled GFB employees to spin the wheel to win t-shirts, notepads or magnets.

a donation form or call (404) 892-9822.

Checks can be made payable to Georgia Association of Food Banks and mailed to the Georgia Association of Food Banks, Attn: Peanut Butter Donation, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.

Sales of peanut butter are making a comeback after the salmonella outbreak this winter. A survey conducted by Information Resources, Inc., shows April sales were up 13.5 percent compared to April 2008.

June was Dairy Month and GFB recently sponsored a Dairy Day for all home office employees. This event was held in partnership with the Georgia Milk Commission, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Georgia Milk Producers and the GFB Dairy Advisory Committee. Milk, ice cream and promotional materials citing the many benefits of eating dairy products were distributed to employees during this event.

GFB promotes numerous commodities through our Georgia Certified Farm Market Program. This remains a popular direct marketing program for consumers looking to buy locally produced fruits and vegetables. The cornerstone of this program is to promote member markets and

pick-your-own operations directly to the consumer. Recently, county Farm Bureaus located in Brooks, Colquitt and Schley counties partnered with the local CFM’s in their area to help make consumers aware of the locally produced fruits and vegetables.

This has helped to get the message out in these areas about the quality produce and farm related activities available in their communities.

As an organization, Georgia Farm Bureau has a very close relationship with the 13 state commodity commissions and provides assistance with their various programs including commodity promotion. These commissions are charged with promoting their respective commodities, and GFB assists in any way possible to increase consumer awareness and consumption.

These are only a few examples of the various programs that GFB is involved with to promote agriculture. Our promotion programs are ongoing year round as we help bridge the gap between the producer and the consumer. We are fortunate to live in a state with the resources that Georgia has. Our farmers do a great job, and given the opportunity, will continue to provide food and fiber for us all to enjoy.

Don McGough is director of the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Cattlemen encouraged to tell their story

The Georgia Beef Expo included a tradeshow that gave producers a chance to learn about products they can use on their cattle farms.

By Brad Harrison __________________________________________________________________________

B

eef producers need to actively share the how and why of raising cattle with the public, Daren Williams, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association executive director of communications, told producers attending the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention and Beef Expo April 2-4 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry.

“It’s more important today than it has ever been, because we’ve got consumers who are not growing up on the farm and are two or three generations removed from the farm, and they don’t understand where their food comes from,” Williams said. “So when they hear the story being told by the activist groups that we mistreat animals, that we produce unhealthy food, the misinformation that is being spread by those activist groups, then they have a tendency to believe it. We need to show them that we are still family farmers that get up every day to care for the land, to care for the animals.

That’s our livelihood.”

The need for farmers to tell their story is especially important due to the recent actions of animal activist groups. Last November, California voters passed Proposition 2, making it a misdemeanor for any person to confine a gestating sow, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen in a manner not allowing the animal to turn around freely, stand up, lie down or fully extend its Georgia Farm Bureau News

limbs effective January 1, 2015.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which is expected to take its animal welfare initiatives to other states in

the near future, backed the measure.

Williams urged those attending to use technology to tell their story through blogs and social networking Web sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Web sites such as these can provide a first-person view of a farming operation by detailing what life is like on the farm and what cattle producers do to take care of their animals and their land on a daily basis.

On Twitter, a micro-blogging Web site, messages up to 140 characters long can be posted. For example, if a farmer wanted to post information about his farm during winter, he could post a message such as “Up at 4 a.m. to make sure cattle are safe from the cold weather we’re having.”

Photographs and video from the farm can also be posted on blogs or on sites such as Facebook, giving the public another view of farming through the eyes of a farmer.

“If you’ve got a Facebook page, you can be talking about what you do on a daily See CATTLEMEN page 16

June-July 2009 / 11

timber update

Jim Griffith, Timber and Real Estate Manager

Timber location and size affect prices

T

hey say with real estate that “location, location, location” is what matters in buying or selling for the best price. To some degree this saying also applies to selling timber.

Distance to the mill has become more important than ever with the cost of fuel, which directly relates to harvesting costs.

The first question timber buyers ask is how far the timber is located from the mill. The price they can pay the seller is impacted by the timber’s distance to the mill. Mills once adjusted their delivered price at the mill yard gate based on the distance the timber had to be hauled.

Some mills still do this, but not nearly like they used to. I know when I was first out of forestry school I went to work for a mill located in Early County near Dothan, Ala. We owned land and shipped wood from as far away as Carroll County, Ga., some 200 miles. This is no longer the case.

The way companies buy their wood has changed and a big part of that is how far they are willing to ship it.

For instance, let’s say you have two timber tracts located on opposite ends of the same county. Let’s say the mill is 30 miles closer to one tract than the other. If it

costs 12 cents per mile for each ton delivered to the mill and there are 28 tons per load, the timber buyer ends up investing $3.60 per ton more in the wood that has to be hauled the further distance. If you are talking pine pulpwood priced at $7.50 per ton to the seller for the closer tract, then you are looking at only $3.90 per ton for the seller on the most distant timber. See the substantial difference distance to the mill makes in buying timber? This is one reason you might not get as good a price as your friend across the county received for similar wood.

While location has much to do with timber prices today, there are many other factors that affect timber prices. Tree heights and diameters also have an affect on prices. Larger trees have more volume per tree and therefore take less time and expense to cut and load on the trailer. As in any business, time is money.

Let’s say you can load 28 tons on a truck.

A six-inch diameter tree has about 0.1 ton per tree. Therefore, it takes 10 trees to make up one ton or 280 trees to completely load a truck with 28 tons of six-inch diameter trees.

On the other hand, let’s say all your trees are 14 inches in diameter. We’ll assume each

Timber Prices for June 2009 The following is a range of prices for pine pulpwood, chip-n-saw and sawtimber in general regions of Georgia. It is important to note that this is a range. Price will vary by specific location, logability of the tract, quality of wood, amount of volume and access.

Time and need of specific buyers could greatly affect any price.

Areas Pine Sawtimber Pine Pulpwood Chip-n-Saw North 19.50 - 30.00/Ton 3.00 - 7.00/Ton 9.00 - 16.00/Ton Middle 21.00 - 32.00/Ton 4.00 - 8.00/Ton 9.00 - 16.00/Ton South 22.00 - 32.00/Ton 4.00 - 11.50/Ton 10.00 - 17.00/Ton The prices quoted in this report come from timber sales managed by the Forestry Division of the Georgia Farm Bureau Real Estate Company or sales of which our foresters have direct knowledge.

12 / June-July 2009

14-inch tree weighs one ton per tree. It then takes only 28 trees to fill the same trailer it took 280 trees to fill with the smaller wood.

So, the cost of cutting and loading the larger trees on the trailer for the mill is by far more productive and time efficient than loading the smaller trees.

The ease of access to the timber on the property can also be a factor. Assume one tract has to have a culvert installed from the public road to the property for access while the second property does not. At a cost beginning somewhere around $400 to just get on the property, your costs are building already, and you haven’t even started yet.

Let’s further assume you have a couple of creeks to ford that require building more crossings. The costs are mounting, and such costs have to be met from the proceeds of delivering the wood to the mill.

The only way to recoup the cost on a per ton sale is to deduct the cost from the per ton price paid to the seller. You start with an estimate of the cost up front, then estimate the timber volume to be cut and removed and finally reduce your price per ton by the estimated cost per ton it is going to take to get the crossings in place.

Let’s say you have a 50-acre timber tract. The tract is running 35 tons per acre.

You have $1,200 of expenses in building roads and putting in culverts. This gives you 1,750 tons over which to spread the $1,200 cost, resulting in a reduction in your per ton price by 69 cents per ton cut and removed from the property. Therefore, if you have two properties side-by-side, with identical trees on the separate properties, but one requires road access work and the other doesn’t, the buyer is able to pay more per ton for the one tract that doesn’t require work than he can on the other.

It pays to know and understand the dynamics of selling a tract of timber. Understanding factors that affect per ton prices is essential in settling on a timber buyer and logger. You may be considering selling your timber. If so, call Jim Griffith, registered forester #1616 at (478) 747-0812.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

GA FFA members win Dodge Scholarships

The Georgia FFA 2009-2010 state officers recently visited the Georgia Farm Bureau office. Pictured (front row, from left) are: Holly Ward, Valerie Noles, Chelsea Garner and Kristy Baggarley (back row, from left) Bo Corbett, Keaton Griner and Chandler Bartley.

Not pictured is Patrick Savelle.

FFA state officers visit GFB Georgia FFA’s 2009-2010 state officers visited and toured the Georgia Farm Bureau state office in Macon, June 4. During their visit, the group received an overview of the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation and visited with representatives from GFB’s Field Services, Legislative, Commodities and Public Relations/Information Departments.

The 2009-2010 state FFA officers are: State President Bo Corbett of Echols County, State Secretary Valerie Noles of Southeast Bulloch High in Bulloch County, North Region Vice Presidents Chandler

Bartley of Murray County and Patrick Savelle of Oconee County, Central Region Vice Presidents Kristy Baggarley of Crawford County and Chelsea Garner of Treutlen County and South Region Vice Presidents Keaton Griner of Colquitt County and Holly Ward of Seminole County.

During lunch, GFB President Zippy Duvall addressed the group via speakerphone and encouraged them to utilize their faith and determination as they lead people, to work as a team and to have compassion for others.

GFB sponsors FFA Discussion Meet The Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee sponsored the 2009 Georgia FFA Discussion Meet held during the FFA State Convention, April 24-25, in Macon.

Pictured from left, Melissa Bottoms, GFB Young Farmer Committee 5th District representative, congratulates Brianna Roberts, of Madison County, on winning the Discussion Meet. Roberts received a $600 U.S. Savings Bond courtesy of GFB. The other final four finalists in the competition were: Matthew Darby, Gordon County Central High School; Elizabeth Cupp, Crawford County High School Georgia Farm Bureau News

and Ben Bennett, Lowndes High School.

These students each received a $250 U.S. Savings Bond courtesy of GFB. During the final round of the competition the students discussed why the FFA Creed, presented and adopted in 1930, continues to be relevant to FFA members today.

Other area finalists in the competition were: Chandler Bartley, Murray County High School; Adriane Chrisley, East Jackson High School; Brandi Bishop, Pike County High School; Jesse James, Burke County High School; Ashley Buchan, Bryan County High School; Hannah Bennett, Worth County High School; Tyler Reeves, Irwin County High School and Jacob Nix, Berrien County High School.

Each of these students received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond courtesy of GFB.

Bo Corbett, of Lake Park, Ga., and Justin McCorvey, of Waycross, are two of the 50 FFA members nationwide to receive a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the National FFA Organization in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Dodge Division of Chrysler LLC. Dodge provided funding with a stipulation for earning the scholarship being that the FFA student had to be from a Farm Bureau family.

Selection of winners was also based on the applicant’s academic record, FFA and other school and community activities, supervised agricultural experience program in ag education and future goals. Dodge dealers present the scholarships to the recipients on behalf of the company.

Georgia Farm Bureau Mortgage Services introduces

for

Seniors

through

Reverse Mortgages

www.gfbloans.com (800) 898-1911, Ext. 6310 or (478) 471-0440 1620 Bass Road, Macon GA

Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee 23137

Georgia Farm Bureau

Mortgage Services “A Name You Can Trust”

478/471-0440 P.O. Box 18002 • Macon, GA 31209

June-July 2009 / 13

Art by state winner Nikki Chattom.

Art by state runner-up Steven Curtis.

GFB names art contest winners

C

herokee County student Nikki Chattom has been named the state winner of Georgia Farm Bureau’s 15th Annual Art Contest. Chattom received a $75 cash prize for being the art contest winner from GFB’s 1st District and a $250 cash prize for being the state winner. Chattom was a junior at Creekview High School when she created her artwork earlier this year.

Steven Curtis, of Brooks County in GFB’s 9th District, and Holly Fields, of Paulding County in GFB’s 3rd District, were named state runners-up in the art contest. Curtis, the son of Glenn and

Kim Curtis, is a recent graduate of Brooks County High School.

Fields, the daughter of Keith Fields and Shannon Cunningham, is a recent graduate of East Paulding High School. Curtis and Fields each received $150 cash plus their district award.

The GFB Women’s Committee annually coordinates the contest in conjunction with county Farm Bureau Women’s Committees for the purpose of encouraging Georgia high school students to cre- Art by state runner-up Holly Fields. atively explore Georgia agriculture. The contest is open to any student in 9th-12th grade. There were 51 entries in the contest this year.

Contest winners were selected from each of the organization’s 10 districts.

2008 have until Sept. 13, 2009, to Drawings were judged on artistic merit file a notice of loss and to submit a and how well the artwork represented payment application. Producers who Georgia agriculture. suffered a loss between Jan. 1 and July Other district winners in the art con12, 2009, have until Sept. 13, 2009, to test were: Erin Wansley, Elbert County, file a notice of a loss and until Jan. 2nd District; Rodney Long, McDuffie 30, 2010, to submit a payment appliCounty, 4th District; Ashley Brenner, cation. Producers who suffer a loss Spalding County, 5th District; Andrea between July 13 and Dec. 31, 2009, Lewis, Washington County, 6th District; must file a notice of loss 30 days after Amy Lee, Emanuel County, 7th District; the livestock death is apparent and Rebekah Allison, Houston County, 8th must submit an application for payDistrict and Ty Nelson, Coffee County, ment for the loss by Jan. 30, 2010.

10th District.

USDA livestock program covers disaster losses Livestock producers can now apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) of the 2008 farm bill administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency.

LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for death losses above normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat or cold. LIP covers losses that occur from Jan. 1, 2008, to Oct. 1, 2011.

Producers who suffered a loss in

14 / June-July 2009

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Tanner wins GFB Essay Contest

Tift County student John Thomas Tanner is the 2009 GFB Essay Contest winner.

He is the son of Ben Tanner and Leslie Tanner-Bloebaum. He was a 6th grade student at Tiftarea Academy when he wrote his essay earlier this year. Tanner received a $75 cash prize for being the GFB 9th District essay winner and a $150 cash prize as the state winner.

The GFB Women’s Committee annually coordinates the contest for students in 6th-8th grades in conjunction with county Farm Bureau Women’s Committees.

Essay contest participants wrote on the topic “Georgia farmers are my heroes because…” Contest winners were selected from each of the organization’s 10 districts.

Essay entries were judged on clarity of thought and creativeness.

Other district winners in the essay contest were: Timothy Hubbard, Gordon County, 1st District; Austin Walters, Stephens County, 2nd District; Keri Davis, Fayette County, 3rd District; Susie Williams, Glascock County, 4th District; Ethan Jacobs, Pike County, 5th District; Joshua Wolfe, Washington County, 6th District; Lacey Patterson, Emanuel County, 7th District; Jessi Rice, Turner County, 8th District and Amber Perryman, Bacon County, 10th District.

Tanner’s winning essay appears at right.

CLIMATE from page 5 summed up Farm Bureau’s concerns with H.R. 2454. “Every farmer has production costs to meet. Nearly all of us rely on fertilizer. We all drive tractors. We know our costs will rise, and frankly, we are very concerned about the impact of this legislation on our livelihood.”

The Senate is now considering the legislation. Duvall and Stallman voiced farmers concerns. Farmers’ voices are amplified when they work within the Farm Bureau framework. At the county, state and national level, Farm Bureau works.

Jon Huffmaster is director of the GFB Legislative Department.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Georgia farmers are my heroes because…

By John Thomas Tanner “Got Food?” Thank a farmer. What would this world be without the dedication and hard work of farmers? I’m sure you would agree that we don’t want to find out.

All farmers are heroes. By definition, they are determined, courageous, dedicated, and willing to sacrifice for the greater cause. I know these things to be true because my father and my grandfathers are farmers, and they are my heroes.

The agriculture industry is what helps make the world go round. Farmers are not your typical heroes; they are not worldy or necessarily popular. They are hard working, common, humble people who love the Lord and depend upon his blessings in order to make their crops. You see, a farmer can lay the plastic, plant the seeds, and spread the fertilizer, but without the rain, there will be no crop. Even in today’s world, where a great number of farmers depend upon irrigation, those ponds must be filled by rain. That rain can only come from God. Therefore, most farmers are men of God. This is one reason that they are heroes.

Everyone knows that our food comes from somewhere. But do they realize that without farmers, there is truly no food?

Farmers are always making sacrifices for the good of their crops. They work very long hours, usually for minimal pay, and sometimes do all the right things and still experience total failure due to things out of their control. Sometimes they even have to sacrifice time with their families to be certain that their crop is taken care of. Sacrifice is definitely something that defines a hero.

It takes courage to be a farmer. You must be brave and you must trust that the seeds you plant will thrive. You must be willing to take on the continual rise in costs of growing

with very little increase in the returns that farmers receive. As I mentioned earlier, farmers must also have the courage to put their trust in God to see their crops through.

Who can you think of that is more dedicated than a farmer? They must work very long hours, in all types of weather, and most days of the week. They sometimes dedicate their whole lives to this profession and receive little gratitude and glory. That is true love.

I love watching my dad and grandfathers farm. I hope that one day I can take their place and farm like them. I am so proud to call them my heroes. They grow many different kinds of crops. They grow peanuts, cotton, wheat, watermelons, and soybeans. They are doing their part to help feed the people of Tifton and probably, in a small way, to feed the world. They are very careful farmers. They take good care of their crops and take special precautions when they are shipping their crops to other parts of the United States. One of my grandfathers even washes his watermelons before they leave on semi trucks. I hear them constantly talking about food safety.

They must be looking out for all of our health. One of our farms is located right outside of Tifton. I enjoy jumping on the tractor with my dad and helping him plow peanuts or helping him hook up a sprayer so he can spray his cotton. My hope is to follow in his footsteps and have those same qualities that I mentioned above.

Farming is a part of our past, present, and future. Without the determination, courage, dedication, and willingness to sacrifice of these heroes, the world would be a hungry place. The next time you see a farmer, say “thank you.” They truly are heroes.

Includes all Material, Erection, Freight, and Tax...

24’x36’x10’ $4,848

Agri-Steel Structures, Inc.

Roof Only Storage Building

42’x48’x12’ $9,949

www.agristeel.com

800-359-8613 June-July 2009 / 15

Georgia Farm Bureau’s Equine Committee was once again a major supporter of this year’s 4-H Benefit Horse Auction. Committee members present at the auction were, from left, Boyd McLocklin, Gerry Weaver, Bobby Gunter and Danny Hogan. Also pictured, second from right, is Dr. Gary Heusner, University of Georgia Extension equine specialist.

4-H horse auction raises $13,250

By Brad Harrison __________________________________________________________________________ he 15th Annual Georgia 4-H Ben- year old black and white paint gelding. It efit Horse Auction provided Hart was one of nine horses auctioned off durCounty’s Ron Riedl an opportu- ing the event. The horse was the auction’s nity to give his 13-year old grandson, Tyler highest seller at $3,500.

Preston, a horse to ride on trails. The big- “We bought this one primarily because ger winner, however, was the Georgia 4-H it’s trail-broke,” Riedl said. “He can load horse program, as $13,250 was raised at up and go out on the trails. We do that a the event held April 25 in Athens. Preston’s lot. Generally, the state parks of Georgia new horse, Hotmaildotcom, is a seven- provide real nice trails.”

Minutes after getting the horse, Preston was already looking forward to riding it.

“He’s real pretty, I think we’re going to have some good luck with him,” Preston said. “I like the color of him. Me and my granddad, we’re going to both get to ride him, so it’ll be pretty fun.”

The Georgia Farm Bureau Equine Committee was once again a big supporter

T

CATTLEMEN from page 11

Tyler Preston (left) and his grandfather Ron Riedl took home the top-bid horse, Hatmaildotcom, from the 15th Annual Georgia 4-H Benefit Horse Auction, April 25 in Athens.

16 / June-July 2009

basis to care for animals,” Williams said.

“You can also start a blog. You need to be using these tools to reach the public.”

Starting a blog or Facebook page is free, making it a potentially powerful tool to educate the public about where their food comes from.

“It’s really easy to do. It’s free and readily available. More and more people are getting their information that way,” Williams said.

“If you are in livestock production, you have friends at school, in the workplace that didn’t grow up on the farm. You can share your story directly with them.”

With animal rights groups seeking to

of the auction with numerous committee members attending. Committee members assisting with the auction were Committee Chairman Danny Hogan, GFB 2nd District Director Bobby Gunter, Gerry Weaver and Boyd McLocklin.

Hogan said that being able to keep youths involved in anything horse-related is a positive.

“Some of them probably wouldn’t be able to get a horse or be able to participate without some help,” Hogan said. “Some of the events that they go to, this helps finance them and lowers the cost. Anything you can do to help them certainly encourages them to stay in a horse-related field.”

The money allocated to 4-H will go towards lowering participation costs in horse events.

“The horses have been donated for the purpose of raising money for state 4-H events such as the state 4-H show, quiz bowl, the horse show and so forth,” said Dr. Gary Heusner, a University of Georgia Extension horse specialist.

The horses in the auction were donated by the following: B-Hill Farms of Statesboro, Jean Corbett Fowler of Covington, Norman Giancola of Watkinsville, Cheryl Gray of Conyers, Susan Grover of Bogart, Randy Jaffe of Duluth, Karen Kerby of Alpharetta, Leisa S. McCannon of Covington and Pam Stroven of Williston, S.C. “Just to know that we’re giving back to those that may not have an opportunity is a good feeling. There are so many programs that touch so many people’s lives,” said Heather Shultz, Georgia 4-H program coordinator for livestock programs. cast some within the beef industry in a bad light, beef producers should remain proactive, says Bill Nutt, president of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association.

“There are fewer and fewer of us who have been on a farm and have ever had manure on our boots. To more than ninety percent of our population, cow manure is a bad smell and cattle lowing are an intrusion. It’s up to us to tell them,” Nutt said. “We still produce the food supply. We’ve got to promote our interests. If we don’t, we’re going to be totally overwhelmed by people who have interests that are totally contrary to ours.”

Georgia Farm Bureau News

Tobacco growers dealing with multiple issues By Brad Harrison ___________________________________ Throughout the spring and into June, many of Georgia’s tobacco growers experienced excess rainfall, which kept work from being done in the fields and required tobacco to be replanted in some areas.

Growers are also battling Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus.

J. Michael Moore, a University of Georgia Extension Tobacco Agronomist, estimates 15 percent of the state’s tobacco crop was lost to TSWV by early June.

An additional 10 percent of the crop was drowned during the spring rains adding up to at least a 25 percent loss of the tobacco crop statewide.

“It’s been wet all over the state, some areas have gotten as much as 35 inches for the entire season,” Moore said. “It has been a very trying crop for most Georgia growers.”

These issues were among the things discussed during the 2009 Georgia/Florida Tobacco Tour June 8-10.

In heavy tobacco growing areas such as Pierce County, the adversity is especially unwelcome as the crop is still a major commodity for farmers. About 1,400 acres of tobacco are currently grown in the county according to Pierce County Extension Coordinator James Jacobs.

“We’ve had a pretty adverse season.

We had a cold, wet spring and that got us behind and we were late setting (tobacco in the fields). Then we had a tremendous amount of rain coming in,” said Pierce County tobacco farmer Jay Davis. “Since about the end of April, we’ve had around 15 inches of rain and then 5 to 9 inches around the end of May and into early June.

It has given us a lot of problems.”

Davis estimates he lost about 30 acres to damage from TSWV and around 140 acres to water damage. Pierce County tobacco grower Daniel Johnson, who is a Georgia Farm Bureau 10th District Director and serves on the Georgia Tobacco Advisory Committee, estimates he has lost about 17 percent of his crop to TSWV. “We thought coming into this year that it wasn’t going to be a big problem,” Johnson said. “It’s really blown up here in the past month. When you buy a plant, pay that kind of money for a plant, put them in the field and do everything possible to keep that plant alive, and then the plant dies, it just gives you a sinking feeling.”

Crop quality issues aren’t the only problems tobacco farmers are facing. They are also dealing with increased regulation of tobacco by the Food and Drug Adminis-

tration (FDA). President Barack Obama signed Senate Bill 982 in June giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) power to regulate tobacco products. Farm Bureau’s position on FDA regulation of tobacco products is that any FDA involvement should be confined to processing and distribution and should not apply to the farm.

“I don’t have a problem with them regulating the tobacco companies, but we don’t want them on the farm. We’ve got enough regulation as it is,” said Johnson.

HERCULES STEEL BUILDINGS

15 Wall Colors to Choose From!

• All-Steel Buildings

CALL FOR SPECIAL PRICING

• Personnel, Roll-Up Doors & Erection Are Available • Engineered Plan Included

HERCULES STEEL BUILDINGS

Georgia Farm Bureau 10th District Director Daniel Johnson, left, who grows tobacco in Pierce County, talks with University of Georgia Extension Tobacco Agronomist J. Michael Moore. Johnson’s tobacco farm was one of the stops on the 2009 Georgia/ Florida Tobacco Tour.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

904-378-8610

1-800-933-1564 FAX: 904-783-9006

June-July 2009 / 17

Farm tour spotlights diversity of GF

Rambo Nursery in Paulding County includes 10 acres of heated greenhouses.

By Brad Harrison __________________________________________________________________________

G

eorgia Farm Bureau’s 3rd District was in the spotlight June 5-7 as it hosted GFB’s annual farm tour. This year’s tour allowed participants to view various diverse farming operations, which remain successful despite the population growth of metro Atlanta.

The event also gave tour participants a chance to see examples of farming methods that may not be commonly seen in other parts of the state.

“We have seen a lot of diversity. We’re only about 30 or 45 minutes from metro Atlanta, and a lot of this district is in Atlanta,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “We’ve seen a lot of diversity from the standpoint that these operations are driven by what the demand is. It’s kind of special-niche farming. It’s been interesting and has been a lot different than what we’d see down toward the southern part of the state.”

The tour began with a stop at Adams Farm Market in Fayette County. Tour participants received a tour of the farm that included areas where strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are grown. The farm is the result of three 18 / June-July 2009

generations, starting with John Adams, his son Marvin and now John’s grandson, Russell.

The tour then made a stop at Serenbe Farm in western Fulton County. At Serenbe, farm manager Paige Wither-

ington presented information about the farm’s 25-acre working organic operation that grows about 40 different types of vegetables and provides produce throughout Atlanta and the surrounding area. The organic farm is part of the 900-acre Serenbe development, which consists of neighborhoods, homes, restaurants and shops.

The tour then visited North Georgia Turf facility in Whitesburg, a family owned and operated business with more than 20 years experience in turfgrass. The company currently provides turfgrass to homeowners, landscape professionals, golf courses and athletic fields.

The final farm visit of the first day was Tisinger Farm in Carroll County.

The stop featured the Tisinger farmhouse, built by George W. and Ida McDaniel Tisinger from 1913 to 1917. The house was wired for electricity although the county didn’t have electrical service at the time.

The Tisingers’ son, Bob, was instrumental in forming a local Rural Electrification Administration (REA), leading to the creation of the Carroll County Electrical Membership Association that brought electrical service to the house in 1937.

The house was extensively renovated

Guests at Carlton Farm in Polk County watch the cows being milked from seats in the milking parlor.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

B 3rd district in 2005. Today, Tisinger Farm consists of 85 brood cows as part of a commercial cow-calf operation. Portions of the farm have been placed under conservation easements, which will permanently protect the land from development.

Getting to see different farming practices is one of the major benefits of attending the farm tour, according to GFB Young Farmer Committee Chair Lanair Worsham.

“That’s one of the things I really enjoy about it, getting to see what someone else is doing on their farm and some of the innovations that they may be using and some of the practices they may be implementing,” Worsham said.

The second day of the tour began with a stop at Heatherington Farm in Haralson County near Tallapoosa, a 430acre farm consisting of vegetables, apples and peaches. The farm leases part of its land to gold prospectors to prospect in a creek on the farm. Deer and turkey hunting leases also provide income for the farm.

Hodge Ranch, LLC, is also located on Heatherington Farm, where producers Bill and Di Hodge offer products such as direct-marketed forage-finished

Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Committee served as hosts for the tour.

beef, pastured eggs, breeding stock, frozen bovine semen from minimal-input, multi-generation forage-based genetics, frozen embryos and Kiko influenced meat goats.

More than 10 acres of heated greenhouses were on display during the stop at Rambo Nursery in Paulding County. The wholesale nursery operation primarily grows annuals.

Next, the farm tour headed for Polk County and a stop at Lovell Farm, a row-

JWR Land & Cattle is home to one of the top Hereford operations in the nation.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

crop operation consisting of 310 acres of wheat, 370 acres of corn, 500 acres of cotton and 800 acres of soybeans.

Ronald Lovell, a third generation farmer, explained the challenges faced by having a large row-crop operation in an area that is also experiencing population growth.

Afterwards, the tour went to Carlton Farm in Polk County, an operation that has redefined itself as a local agritourism destination. The farm added agritourism activities in 2002, a move that has allowed the operation to continue. The farm’s agritourism options include a corn maze and a viewing area in the milking parlor for visitors to watch cows being milked.

Carlton currently sells nonpasteurized milk for pet consumption and produces grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork and chicken and free-range eggs.

The tour’s final stop, at JWR Land & Cattle, included information on how the herd of 175 Hereford brood cows and 75 receptor cows that support an embryo transplant program are raised. A steak dinner sponsored by the American Hereford Association and the Haralson, Polk and Cobb County Farm Bureaus was prepared on-site and served to the tour participants. Thanks also go out to Carroll, Clayton, Douglas, Fayette, Haralson, South and North Fulton, Paulding and Newton counties for sponsoring meals.

June-July 2009 / 19

AROUND GEORGIA News from County Farm Bureaus

ATKINSON COUNTY The Atkinson County Farm Bureau (ACFB) presented a $1,000 scholarship to Kaitlyn Lott (second from right), a recent graduate of the Citizens Christian Academy. ACFB President Henry McKinnon (second from left) is shown presenting the scholarship to Kaitlyn with her parents Andrea and Kyle Lott of Pearson. Kaitlyn plans to pursue a degree in forestry land management. She will begin at South Georgia College in the fall and plans to continue her education at UGA.

CHEROKEE COUNTY The Cherokee County Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Women’s Committees hosted a reception for graduating FFA and 4-H students this spring. Each student was presented with a framed certificate and pen engraved with his or her name. Cherokee County 4-H Agent Trudy Christopher presented a program on agriculture careers.

Pictured from left are CCFB President Len Cagle, Lance, Nicole and Cindy Wade, Teresa and Heather Young, Justin Denny, Britany Watkins, Cherokee High School FFA Advisor Jennifer Helms, Linda, Jessica and Darian Watkins, Elsa Satterfield, Yeteva Frye, Laurie Cagle, Angela and Sydne Kee and Etowah High School FFA Advisor Ashley Rivers.

COLQUITT COUNTY About 700 fourth grade students attended a three-day Ag Expo sponsored by the Colquitt County Farm Bureau with assistance from the Colquitt County Extension Service and 20 / June-July 2009

Colquitt County Young Farmers. As the students rotated through exhibits about peanuts, pork, fruits and vegetables, honeybees, poultry, dairy, forestry, farm equipment and soil and water conservation they received information concerning each topic. The CCFB Women’s Committee gave each student a Farm Bureau bag filled with a Georgia commodity map and a honeybee bookmark.

Georgia Peanut Commission staff members Marcus Evans and Joan Underwood are shown talking to students about peanuts.

FAYETTE COUNTY The Fayette County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee recently held its 2nd Annual Farmer Appreciation Celebration at Inman Farm in Fayetteville. The goal of the event is to show Fayette County farmers how much their service to Farm Bureau is appreciated. FCFB presented the Farmer of the Year Award to Bub Carden (pictured) for his years of service in agriculture.

FRANKLIN COUNTY Franklin County Farm Bureau President Brannon Wilkinson (L) presents Corey Segars with a $1,000 scholarship. Segars plans to attend Gainesville State College in the fall and pursue a degree in Agriculture Education.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

HCFB ended the yearlong program with a field trip to a farm in May. While visiting Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Short’s Sunnyside Farm and the neighboring farm of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hogan, the students went on a hayride and saw hay fields ready for cutting, a stand of timber and cows grazing with their calves. The students fed donkeys and goats, ground corn to feed the chickens and planted a flowerbed, learning the difference between annuals and perennials. Everyone made a jump rope to take home using Betty Beagle’s 100-year-old rope making machine.

JASPER COUNTY Jasper County Farm Bureau (JCFB) had 41 entries in its recent essay contest. Pictured from right, JCFB Women’s Committee Chair Londa Davis thanks teacher Elizabeth Davis and congratulates 1st place winner Zach Beggs, 3rd place winner Ariana Gonsalves-Barreiro, 2nd place winner Savannah McGinnis and teacher Jana Arp.

JENKINS COUNTY The Jenkins County Farm Bureau Board hosted a low country boil dinner for GFB President Zippy Duvall this spring. Duvall gave an update on GFB business and encouraged the county board to promote agriculture through local programs. During the board meeting the JCFB directors showed Duvall the county’s new computer-controlled LED marquee sign.

HARRIS COUNTY During the 2008-2009 school year, Harris County Farm Bureau (HCFB) teamed up with Sandra Harris’ fifth grade class at Park Elementary School to provide an Ag In The Classroom Program. HCFB conducted an agriculture class every month of the school year. Class topics covered North Georgia apple production, honeybees, horses and Georgia’s timber, dairy and poultry industries. Each lesson included a hands-on activity such as planting a tree at the school, making ice cream, bobbing for apples and eating biscuits filled with local honey. Mrs. Harris’ students are pictured grooming Peanut, the pony, during the equine class.

Georgia Farm Bureau News

JONES COUNTY Jones County Farm Bureau (JCFB) supported the 11th Annual Kid’s Fishing Rodeo. JCFB Directors Betty (center) and Lonnie (right) Smith helped prepare more than 700 hotdogs for more than 250 kids, parents and event volunteers.

JCFB Agency Manager Jim Hodges recruited supporters for the event. This is the 11th year that JCFB has supported this event. Last year, the U.S. Forestry Service recognized JCFB for having served 4,000 volunteer hours at the event in its first 10 years. The annual rodeo gives families a day of free fishing, with prizes for the kids.

MARION COUNTY Marion County Farm Bureau (MCFB) hosted a field trip for fourth grade students to visit Dry Branch Farms, where the students learned about poultry production, and K & L Nursery, where the students learned about growing trees. Poultry producer Ray Rustin told the students how he raises chickens. He also discussed the economics of farming, including his production costs, such as utility bills. When the students returned to school they had a math lesson that incorporated this information. Roger Lindsey, of Tyson Foods, answered any questions the kids had about how the chickens are processed.

At K & L Nursery, Ken Singleton told the students about the uses of pine trees and explained how the trees grow. Singleton told the children how he buys the pine seeds and plants them to grow seedlings to forestland owners. The students also got to see the trees being irrigated.

Continued on next page June-July 2009 / 21

From previous page PUTNAM COUNTY This year the Putnam County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee launched their “It Comes From the Farm” project at Stepping Stones Learning Center in Eatonton. The project was designed to teach children that farmers produce the food purchased at grocery stores. Committee Chair Kay Lowe read the book From Seed to Pumpkin to the preschool students. Agency Manager Patricia Blizzard donated the book to the classroom library and presented pumpkins and treats to the students. Lowe is pictured with Stepping Stones teachers Ashley Frasure and Zandla Wright (back row, right to left) and their students.

SPALDING COUNTY Spalding County Farm Bureau recently held its annual Farm Day. This event is held each year for all first graders attending public, private and home schools in the county. Nearly 1,000 students got an upclose and personal view of a variety of farm animals and crop demonstrations given by FFA and 4-H students, members of the Retired Teachers and Master Gardener volunteers. The students planted a flower to take home and were treated to ice cream and milk before returning to school.

WE, THE FARMERS from page 4 GFB Commodities Update on page 10.

In trying times like these, it’s crucial that we maintain a sound mind and find ways to adapt to change. Farmers in many parts of our state are now farming in urban areas as cities have sprawled out into farm country. Our recent farm tour of GFB’s 3rd District showed how farmers are thriving in the urban areas of Atlanta. Agriculture in this area is adapting to the conditions around it. The farms we visited on the tour are finding ways to preserve the rural countryside despite high-density development and are catering to their new neighbors by providing grassfed beef, milk, fruits and 22 / June-July 2009

Farm Museum offers wildlife workshop

The Old South Farm Museum in Woodland, Ga., will host a Wildlife Trapping & Taxidermy Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Demonstrations on how to trap wildlife, preserve, stuff, tan hides and mount animals and fish will be covered in the workshop.

Pre-registration is required. Please register by Sept. 10. Visit www.oldsouthfarm.com or call Paul Bulloch at (706) 975-9136 to register or learn more about the museum. Registration fee is $30, which includes breakfast, lunch and a tour of the museum.

GFB redesigns Web site

Georgia Farm Bureau’s redesigned Web site went live in early July. The address www.gfb.org remains the same, but the site now has a new look and offers more interactive features.

“Georgia Farm Bureau is committed to being the voice of Georgia agriculture,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “The redesign of our Web site is instrumental to our organization getting our message out to our members and to anyone interested in learning more about us and Georgia agriculture.”

The site continues to provide information about GFB women’s, young farmer and certified farm market programs with expanded coverage. Highlights of some of the new features you’ll want to check out include: a new section on the Legislative page dedicated to providing information about the regional water councils established by the Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan and indepth market information and weather provided by AgriCharts in the Commodities section. In the News & Media section you can watch the latest Georgia Farm Monitor stories on web video and read the latest issues of the GFB News, Georgia Neighbors and Leadership Alert in their entire print format, complete with flipping pages. There’s also more indepth information about the many member benefit programs GFB offers.

vegetables that are sold through farm markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) agreements. These farmers are teaching their new neighbors about agriculture and addressing food safety issues one-on-one. Believe it or not, a traditional row crop farm that produces wheat, corn, cotton and soybeans is still thriving in the area!

I would also like to congratulate the grassroots volunteers recently appointed to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Basin Advisory Committees. Fourteen Georgia Farm Bureau members were appointed to the BACs. Henry County Farm Bureau President

Jack Elkins was also recently appointed to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Governing Board by Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson. We appreciate Speaker Richardson recognizing the need to have farmer representation on this board and for appointing Jack. Thanks to all our volunteers across the state who are giving their time to develop our statewide water plan.

It shows we are of sound mind and are adapting to the challenges around us.

So I leave you with this scripture from I Timothy 1:7: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of sound mind. God Bless You. Georgia Farm Bureau News

Metro Water District now has farm representation Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives Glenn Richardson has appointed Henry County Farm Bureau President Jack Elkins to the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District (MNGWPD) Governing Board. Elkins’ term on the board runs to June 30, 2012.

The MNGWPD, also known as the Metro Water District, was created prior to the development of the state water plan approved by the Georgia General Assembly last year and the creation of the regional water councils that will oversee water policy. Prior to Elkins’ appointment there was no farmer representation on the MNGWPD board.

“The lack of farmer representation on

the Metro Water Governing Board has been a concern for Georgia Farm Bureau,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “We appreciate Speaker Richardson recognizing the need to have farmer representation on this board and for appointing Jack.”

In related news, the MNGWPD recently named the members of its basin advisory committees (BAC). Farm Bureau members appointed to the councils are as follows: Chattahoochee BAC - Travis Henry of Douglas County; Coosa/Etowah BAC - William Grizzle of Cherokee County, Luke Mayes of Cobb County and Douglas Sowar of Paulding County; Flint BAC - Bud Butcher of Coweta County, Roger Gruel and Mickey Harp of Fayette County and Richard

Southern Ethanol Council meets By Brad Harrison ____________________________________ Georgia ethanol industry leaders were urged to continue efforts to produce ethanol during a seminar hosted by the Southern Ethanol Council in Savannah on May 5.

Ross Korves, a senior policy advisor with PRX, which provides economic research and analysis to agribusiness firms and investors, said the corn ethanol industry has grown from producing approximately 5 billion gallons per year in 2007 to more than 10 billion today.

One benefit of increased ethanol production is the potential to raise the price corn growers receive for their crop. But in some cases, such as last year, higher corn prices can cause problems for the industry.

“We were able to get the price of corn up, but due to circumstances beyond our control, the high prices of food shot that whole model,” Korves said. “The ethanol industry got blamed for the high prices of almost everything.”

From April 2007 to April 2008, the price of food increased by about 5.1 percent, giving fire to the food vs. fuel debate.

A study released earlier this year by the Congressional Budget Office, “The Impact of Ethanol Use on Food Prices and Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” shows ethanol was only responsible for 10 to 15 percent of the increase in food prices. A bigger reason for Georgia Farm Bureau News

the increase the CBO report shows was rising energy prices.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack advocates raising the current ethanol blend used in U.S. gas from 10 to at least 12 percent.

Little of Henry County; Lake Lanier BAC - Carroll Castleberry of Forsyth County; Ocmulgee BAC - Larry Allen and James “Jimmy” Carter of Henry County, Roger Hatch and Roy Middlebrooks of Rockdale County and Paul Jones of Clayton County.

“Securing farm representation on these councils has been a priority issue for Georgia Farm Bureau this year, so our organization is excited to see these Farm Bureau members named to the councils,” Duvall said. “I’d like to thank these members for agreeing to serve on these councils and represent agriculture, and I’d like to thank the members and county Farm Bureaus who submitted applications.”

Counties in the MNGWPD are: Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.

The councils, which will consist of at least 20 members, will develop the MNGWPD water plans and policies. For more information visit www.northgeorgiawater.com or contact the GFB Legislative Department.

Watch the Georgia Farm Monitor!

Albany WALB - Ch. 10 Sunday / 6:30 am

cordele WSST - CH. 55 Sat & Sun / Noon

AUGUSTA WJBF - CH. 6 Saturday / 6 am

macon wmaz - ch. 13 Saturday / 6 am

atlanta wpxa - ch. 14 Saturday / 6 am

WPGA - CH. 58 Sunday / 10 am

BRUNSWICK, GA / JACKSONVILLE, FL wpxC - ch. 21 Saturday / 6 am

savannah wtoc - ch. 11 Saturday / 6 am

columbus wtvm - ch. 9 Saturday / 6 am

wgsa - ch. 34 Saturday / 6 am

toccoa, ga / greenville, sc wneg - ch. 32 Sunday / 5:30 am VALDOSTA WSWG - ch. 44 Sunday / 8:30 am

– National – RFD-TV Channel 231 on the Dish® Network and Channel 345 on DirecTV Sunday at 6 pm Wednesday at 8:30 pm Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

* Check local television listings for changes in day and time.

Reporting information, offering insight and serving Georgia farmers and consumers – that’s the kind of professional journalism you’ll find when you watch the award-winning Georgia Farm Monitor.

June-July 2009 / 23

A convenient way to report claims when your Farm Bureau office is closed...

The After-Hours Claim Reporting Hotline offers you more convenience in reporting a new claim.

The After-Hours Claim Reporting Hotline allows you to report damage or loss as soon as it happens.

When your local Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance office is closed (nights, weekends, or holidays) you simply call the toll-free number. A friendly and specially-trained customer service professional will assist you in getting your claim reported.

Fast Facts...

•

Report new claims after hours, weekends, and holidays.

• F or other insurance needs, please contact your local Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance agent as usual, during normal business hours.

• F or the most efficient service when using the After-Hours Claims Reporting Hotline, you’ll want to have this information handy:  Your policy number  Date and time of loss  Descriptions of the property involved  Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all those involved, if applicable

After-Hours Claim Reporting

HOTLINE

TOLL FREE

1-866-842-3276

4:30 p.m-8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays. www.gfb.org

Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company