Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - June 22, 2016

June 22, 2016

www.gfb.org

Vol. 34 No. 24

GFB TOUR HIGHLIGHTS BEEF PRODUCTION FROM FARM TO FORK Georgia Farm Bureau members who took the organization’s “Farm to Fork: Beef Cattle Experience Tour,” can tell you where the beef is and how it’s produced. Held June 14-16, the tour rolled through Georgia’s Piedmont Region around Athens visiting beef farms, UGA research facilities, a feed mill and the UGA Veterinary Look for the College’s Teaching Hospital. Tour stops highlighted how producers are using next issue of improved genetics, high quality feed and medical advances to produce the GFB News tastiest, safest beef possible.

Alert on The first stop on the tour was CAM Ranches in Oglethorpe County owned July 6. by the McPeake Family. CAM Ranches raises Angus seedstock intended to progress the genetics of cow-calf herds.

Dr. Charles McPeake, who retired from the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences in 2005 after serving as director of the UGA Extension Animal Science Department for 15 years, gave an overview of the genetic work he and his, son, Andrew, do at their farm. CAM Ranches has three bulls in the Select Sire stable – GAR Profit, GAR Fruition, GAR Advanced and a fourth – GAR 100x in development.

“Even though one of these cows may not end up on your plate, it influences the steak that does end up on your plate,” said Julie McPeake, Andrew’s wife.

During a lunch at the Oglethorpe County Ag Center that featured a delicious Sunday-dinnerstyle beef pot roast, GFB Women’s Committee Chairman Melanie Sanders welcomed the group.

Todd Stephens, one of the owners of the Northeast Georgia Livestock sale barn in Athens, discussed the downturn in cattle prices and suggested things cattle producers can do to get higher prices for their cows.

“The more you can do on your farm as far as castration and vaccinations means more money in your pocket,” Stephens said. He also encouraged owners to wean their calves for 45-60 days before selling them so they are over the stress of being weaned when sold.

At the University of Georgia J. Phil Campbell Research & Education Center in Watkinsville, GFB members learned about cattle and forage research UGA is conducting with its 200 plushead Angus herd. The farm conducts grazing research, watershed research and organic crop production research.

Eric Elsner, superintendent of the Campbell Center, and Dr. Dennis Hancock, UGA Associate Professor of Crop & Soil Science/Forage Extension Specialist, told the tour participants about alfalfa research being conducted on the Campbell Center. Tour attendees got to inspect a field of -continued

GFB News Alert page 2 of 11 Continued from previous page Bulldog 505 Alfalfa interseeded in a Bermudagrass field at the center.

Hancock outlined the benefits of growing alfalfa for building up soil quality. Alfalfa is a legume and adds nitrogen to the soil. Hancock said UGA has developed three varieties that can be grown in Georgia: Bulldog 505, which can be grown statewide; Bulldog 805, which is best for South Georgia; & Alfalfagraze 600 Roundup Ready.

“Producers who have interseeded alfalfa in their Bermudagrass fields have seen their production costs drop from $110 an acre to less than $70 an acre due to decreased nitrogen requirements,” Hancock said. “Alfalfa is a great defense against Bermudagrass stem maggot, which is a problem in South Georgia.”

The first day of the tour ended with dinner at Gary and Lydia Black’s farm outside Commerce.

Since being elected Georgia’s 16th Commissioner of Agriculture in 2010, Black has led the Georgia Department of Agriculture in putting a renewed emphasis on the department’s Georgia Grown program. While speaking to the GFB group, Commissioner Black thanked GFB and county Farm Bureaus for supporting the Georgia Grown program. He shared that he and other Georgia Department of Agriculture representatives would be attending a James Beard Foundation dinner in New York City June 18 during which five Georgia Grown chefs would prepare a six-course meal featuring Georgia commodities.

“Chefs are the interpreters between farmers and consumers. At the end of the meal it will be my job to tell the dinner attendees that farmers produced the food they ate, that food doesn’t come from a box,” Black said. “We have to find a way to build relationships between consumers and the farmers growing their food. Then we can talk to them about issues facing farmers like animal rights, food safety and labor.”

The tour included a stop at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Putnam County where Georgia State 4-H Leader Arch Smith gave a history of the Georgia 4-H Program & 4-H Centers.

After leaving Rock Eagle, the tour stopped at UGA’s Central Georgia Research & Education Center in Putnam County where CAES scientists conduct forage and beef research at the 1,900acre facility. Tour participants saw research plots where Dr. Hancock and grad students are comparing how well pearl millet, sorghum sudan grass and crab grass grow in heat and drought conditions and the nutritional value of the crops for dairy and beef producers. They also learned about UGA nutrition studies to help cattle improve their weight gain efficiencies in feedlots.

The tour then traveled to Godfrey’s Feed Mill in Madison, owned by the Godfrey-Hunt Family for six generations and the Hunt family’s beef farm, Innisfail Farm in Morgan County.

At the feed mill, Whitey Hunt, who owns Godfrey’s Feed with his brother, Candler, and son, Weyman, told GFB members about the family business that began in the late 1870s as a cotton warehouse. Today, Godfrey’s mixes and sells beef, dairy, poultry, horse, pig and specially formulated feed for show cattle. Their feed is sold statewide and in some locations in Alabama, North and South Carolina.

Brian Lance, a commodity procurer for Godfrey’s said the company’s automated feed mixer makes it easy to mix special rations for different farms based on the herd’s nutrition needs. All of the show feed Godfrey’s sells is a uniform mixture. Lance said Godfrey’s buys as much of its feed ingredients such as cottonseed, wheat and corn from Georgia as possible. Godfrey’s steam rolls its corn, cracking the kernels to make them more easily digested by cattle.

At Innisfail Farm, Weyman gave an overview of the 120-head registered Hereford herd the Hunt family raises. He said the herd is bred for maternal traits and carcass merit. The farm markets about 75 females and 35 bulls annually through private treaty and consignment sales.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 11 UGA VET SCHOOL PRODUCING MORE FOOD ANIMAL VETS During the Georgia Farm Bureau Beef Cattle Tour on June 15, participants visited the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine’s Teaching Hospital in Athens. The new 300,000-square-foot facility opened to the public in spring 2015. Veterinary students in their first two years and the faculty who teach them remain housed in the college’s original building on the south end of UGA’s main campus. The new facility is where vet school juniors and seniors take their clinical classes and houses the half of the college’s faculty that treat small and large animals brought to the hospital by the public.

Dr. Sheila Allen, dean of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, welcomed the GFB group to the hospital. Allen said the Vet College has graduated two classes (10 students) of Georgia students accepted to the college through the Food Animal Veterinary Incentive Program (FAVIP), which guarantees acceptance to students enrolled in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences who declare they want to become food animal veterinarians. FAVIP students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while attending CAES and meet other criteria to be accepted.

“We think we’re doing what we can to get students into the college who want to do rural practice,” Allen said.

Allen praised the Georgia legislature for passing the Veterinary Loan Reimbursement Program, which provides $100,000 to cover $20,000 of student loan repayment for five food animal veterinarians. Allen said vet students graduate with an average debt of $115,000-$120,000.

GFB President Gerald Long told the tour group securing passage of the Veterinary Loan Reimbursement Program was one of GFB’s priority issues during the 2016 General Session.

“We realize the need for large animal veterinarians in rural areas across the state and are working with the Vet College and Georgia legislators to remedy this,” Long said.

GFB GROUP GETS FIRSTHAND LOOK AT UGA MEAT LAB The UGA Meat Lab at CAES was the last stop of the Georgia Farm Bureau Beef Cattle Tour on June 16. CAES Associate Dean for Extension Dr. Laura Perry Johnson welcomed the group.

Johnson explained that one-third of Extension’s funding comes from local county governments and thanked the county Farm Bureau leaders in the group for working to see that their county officials support Extension.

“Farm Bureau is very important at the state and local level with your support of Extension and in return Georgia probably has the strongest network of local Extension agents in the country,” Johnson said.

Although it has become harder to get accepted to UGA, Johnson said good students from rural areas shouldn’t hesitate to apply.

“Please keep encouraging those good students to apply and come to the College of Ag. We have about 400 new students enroll in the college each year,” Johnson said. “Our students have the third highest job placement and starting salaries for graduates at the university.”

Dr. Alex Stelzleni, associate professor in the UGA Animal & Dairy Science Department, said there is a nationwide shortage of jobs in meat science. He posted 84 available jobs during spring semester and only had 4-5 students qualified to apply for them.

“Nationwide we can’t find enough students to fill the jobs as long as you’re willing to go out of state,” Stelzleni said.

Ryan Crowe, manager of the UGA Meat Lab, walked the tour through the steps involved in slaughtering cows, hogs or sheep from the time the animals enter the lab until the meat is packaged.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 11 APPLY FOR GFB FOUNDATION GRANTS BY JUNE 30 The Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is accepting applications for the summer/fall round of grants. The grants are offered to county Farm Bureaus in amounts up to $350 for classroom education, consumer awareness or leadership development. The purpose of the grant program is to support projects that will expand agricultural literacy.

Some restrictions apply. Examples of projects eligible for grant support are raised bed gardens at schools, classroom incubators, farm days or agricultural lesson plans. The grants can also be used to assist with sending individuals to the GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference or other Farm Bureau young farmer events, as well as scholarships for 4-H or FFA camps.

“Many times the best ideas come from our county Farm Bureaus, and we encourage them to use their imagination in creating projects to promote ag literacy,” said GFB Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Katie Gazda. “Many activities that develop agricultural leadership, enhance student knowledge or improve consumer awareness on agricultural topics would be good uses for these grant funds.”

As many as 27 grants will be awarded in this round on a competitive basis. For more information visit www.gfbfoundation.org/aitc_grants.html or contact Gazda at kngazda@gfb.org or 478-474-0679 ext. 5230.

STRICKLAND SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO SOUTH GEORGIA STUDENTS Jackileen Folsom of Lanier County and Morgan Hart of Colquitt County have been awarded the B. Frank Strickland Memorial Scholarship of $500. Both students plan to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in the fall.

Administered by the ABAC Foundation, the Strickland Scholarship is awarded to entering freshmen or rising sophomores who are from tobacco-producing counties. It is named for Frank Strickland, who served 27 years on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board (GFB) of Directors, including a stint as GFB 1st Vice President from 1984 to 1992. Strickland was a lifelong advocate for Georgia’s tobacco industry. GFB coordinates the scholarship selection process.

Folsom, the daughter of Mary Folsom, plans to study agronomy and soil science at ABAC. She is an FFA member at Lanier County High School and has worked as a volunteer with Lanier County Farm Bureau (LCFB), helping with the LCFB annual supper and farm day for elementary school students. She received an FFA greenhand degree, an FFA chapter degree and an FFA state degree. Folsom also participated in FFA competitions in forestry, parliamentary procedure and environmental natural resources. Her volunteer work includes the Toys For Tots campaign and the local canned goods drive.

Hart, the son of David and Kelly Hart, plans to study diversified agriculture at ABAC. He is the FFA South Georgia Region Vice President for 2016-2017. He was a finalist in the 2015 FFA Discussion Meet sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau. Hart received the FFA Chapter Leadership Award, and has competed with the Colquitt County FFA agriculture marketing team, meats evaluation team and forestry team. He is a member of the Colquitt County High School Key Club and has competed on the CCHS cross country team.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 11 REPRESENTATIVES WRITE TO DOL ABOUT H-2A ISSUES A group of 102 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed onto a June 10 letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) León Rodriguez regarding the administrative breakdown in the timely processing of H-2A agricultural worker program applications and visa petitions. Georgia Rep. Sanford Bishop led the effort to push for help on ag labor. Reps. Rick Allen, Buddy Carter, Doug Collins, Jody Hice, Barry Loudermilk, Austin Scott, David Scott, Lynn Westmoreland and Rob Woodall also signed the letter.

The administrative breakdown is hampering the ability of American farmers and ranchers to hire legal seasonal workers in time for planting and harvest. Without timely access to labor, farmers face the prospect of having crops go unharvested.

The letter urged the U.S. Department of Labor and USCIS to adhere to regulatory requirements to process program applications efficiently and expeditiously, citing concerns about the H-2A program’s extreme regulatory hurdles, government inefficiencies and high costs.

“The need for a legal and reliable work force is so great that farmers use this program despite these concerns. Unfortunately, regulatory roadblocks create even more complexity,” the representatives wrote. “For the past two years, H-2A employers have experienced unacceptable delays in the processing of labor certifications, visa petitions, and interviews for final border crossing and arrival on farms and ranches. Already this spring, farmers from all across the country are seeing significant delays at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).”

The representatives noted that the DOL is required to respond to H-2A applications 30 days prior to the farmer’s date of need, which they said does not always happen.

“These delays are devastating to growers and ranchers that cannot wait to plant, tend, and harvest. DOL must comply with the law, and the failure to comply is unacceptable. This trend leaves growers fearful of a major break-down in the system when peak demand for H-2A workers hits beginning in June,” the letter said.

To view the letter in its entirety visit http://tinyurl.com/HouseH2Aletter.

CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE FOR CABBAGE IS JULY 1 The final date to apply for crop insurance coverage is July 1 for Georgia cabbage growers.

Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the July 1 sales closing date to do so.

Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils, such as drought or excessive moisture. Coverage is available for cabbage in Brooks, Colquitt, Tift, and Toombs counties.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2017 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers by visiting the RMA agent locator a www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. Growers can use the RMA cost estimator at http://tinyurl.com/rmacost to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 11 MUCH OF NORTH GEORGIA UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that dry conditions intensified across the northern half of the state through the first half of June and most of Georgia experienced a lack of rainfall during May, according to University of Georgia Agricultural Climatologist Pam Knox. Knox indicated in her monthly climate report that pastures, livestock and summer row crops suffered in the dry areas of the state. Some farmers waited for rain to finish planting their dryland crops and many corn farmers relied on irrigation to keep their crops healthy.

According to the June 14 U.S. Drought Monitor report, 73 counties north of the fall line were in the midst of abnormally dry or worse conditions. All or portions of counties in two clusters in Northwest Georgia and the metro Atlanta area, a total of 22 counties, were under severe drought.

Another 39 counties had at least some portion of their area under moderate drought and another 12 counties along the fall line were listed as abnormally dry.

Climatologists are predicting that the summer will bring warmer-than-normal conditions. Dry conditions or drought may continue in northwest Georgia in June, although there are no trends determined for the summer period overall.

For more information, visit the Climate and Agriculture in the South East blog at blog.extension.uga.edu/climate.

GA. SENATORS SUBMIT AMENDMENT TO ADDRESS WATER CONFLICT U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue introduced on June 15 two amendments to the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations measure seeking to dismantle language in the bill that directly attacks the state of Georgia in the legal water dispute with Florida and Alabama.

“We are strongly opposed to the language included in the underlying bill that politicizes an issue that should be resolved between Georgia, Florida and Alabama, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the courts,” Isakson. “This is absolutely the wrong way to resolve disputes among our states, and Georgia has been working in good faith for years to resolve these disputes. Our state remains focused on continued conservation efforts so that we are good stewards of the water resources in these river basins. I am prepared to use every tool at my disposal to ensure Georgia is not unfairly disadvantaged in a decades-long tri-state water dispute.”

Language was introduced by an Alabama senator to the fiscal year 2017 Senate CommerceJustice-Science appropriations bill that injects Congress into a legal battle between states that has been ongoing for more than 20 years.

“Both Alabama and Florida have consistently lost in court because their claims have been found to be baseless,” said Sen. Perdue in a speech on the Senate floor. “Now, because of unfavorable court rulings, we are seeing a senator attempt to tip the scales in this water dispute by short-circuiting that litigation through the appropriations process. That’s just not appropriate.

These amendments will remove this harmful language from this appropriations bill and preserve the progress the three states have made in these ongoing water negotiations.”

Currently, litigation is pending in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The matter before the Supreme Court is set to go to trial in November while the matters pending in the other courts could see action later this year as well.

One of the amendments introduced by Isakson and Perdue would remove the harmful language from the bill entirely. The other amendment would prohibit federal funds from being used to unfairly tip the scales in favor of one state over another before the courts have ruled on Georgia’s water supply needs and the Army Corps of Engineers has finalized water flow policy.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 11 USDA SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR COTTON BOARD SEATS The USDA is seeking nominations for candidates to serve on the Cotton Board composed of representatives of cotton producers and importers.

Representatives are selected by the secretary of agriculture from nominations submitted by certified producer organizations (CPO) and certified importer organizations (CIO), as outlined by the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.

USDA is seeking nominees to fill 17 member and 17 alternate positions for vacancies representing cotton producers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, as well as importers. These positions have terms that begin on Jan. 1, 2017, and end Dec. 31, 2019. Members and alternates serve staggered three-year terms with no term limits.

The CPOs and the CIOs will caucus to nominate two qualified persons for their respective states for each member and alternate member position, and the Secretary selects members and alternates from those nominations.

The cotton research and promotion program is funded by assessments on all domestically produced cotton and imports of foreign-produced cotton and cotton-containing products.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the board.

The deadline for nominations from CPOs in Georgia is July 31.

For nominating and caucus information, including organizations seeking certification, or for a list of CPOs and CIOs, contact Shethir M. Riva, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va., 22406, telephone (540) 361-2726, facsimile (540) 361-1199, or email at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 11 GEORGIA PESTICIDE WASTE CLEAN DAY June 29 Southern Pine Ag Expo 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Dublin Georgia Clean Day allows producers to discard old, unusable or canceled pesticides to a hazardous waste contractor for disposal. Participation is free for all private and commercial applicators including farmers, lawn care companies, golf courses and pest control companies.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture requires pre-registration for the event. The deadline to register is June 24. For more information contact the Laurens County Extension office at 478272-2277 or visit http://agr.georgia.gov/georgia-clean-day.aspx.

USDA VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS June 24 electronic applications due July 1 paper applications due The USDA is making up to $44 million available to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new bio-based products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program.

Value-Added Producer Grants may be used to develop new products and create additional uses for existing ones. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 1. Electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due June 24. For more information about the Value-Added Producer Grants or to submit an application, visit http://tinyurl.com/VAPGrants.

MIDDLE GEORGIA SPROUTS SUMMER CAMP June 27-29 Houston County Extension office 9 a.m. – noon Perry The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office in Houston County, in partnership with Master Gardener Extension Volunteers, is holding this summer camp for children who have completed kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade. This three-day experience will introduce youth to the wonder of gardening through a series of activities and books. Cost for the camp is $20 per child.

Registration is required. Contact the Extension Office in Houston County at 478-987-2028 for complete details. Space is limited, so register early!

CAMPBELL CENTER CORN BOIL AND SUSTAINABLE AG FIELD DAY June 28 J. Phil Campbell Research Center 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Watkinsville The public is invited to attend this event, which provides information about the research being conducted at the Campbell Center. Guided farm tours, which are free and open to the public, will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon. Attendees will learn about solar pumps for livestock water troughs, rainfall simulation and erosion, satellite guided tractors, living mulch systems and cover crops. Lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. and include corn, hot dogs and sides.

Attendees should park at 1420 Experiment Station Road for lunch and for tour shuttles.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 11 SYNGENTA #ROOTED IN AG CONTEST June 30 deadline to enter Syngenta is accepting applications for its #RootedinAg contest. The contest asks growers and other industry professionals to describe how their agricultural roots help their families and communities thrive. The five best entries will each receive a mini touch-screen tablet. From those finalists, one grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift card, plus Syngenta will make a $1,000 donation in the winner’s name to a local charity or civic organization. To apply, visit http://tinyurl.com/rootedinag. Syngenta will then post all finalists’ entries at http://tinyurl.com/syngentathrive and ask visitors to help choose the grand prizewinner by voting for their favorite. Online voting ends Sept. 15.

2016 FARM SAFETY CAMP July 28 UGA Griffin, Stuckey Auditorium 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Griffin This fun-filled day of learning for children ages 8-13 covers stranger danger, boating safety, small animal safety, general farm safety and much more. Cost is $5 per child, and $1 for each additional child in the same family. Fee includes lunch, snacks and drinks. Preregistration by the July 11 deadline guarantees a t-shirt and a goody bag with take-home materials. For more information contact Cindy Vandiver at 770-228-2341 or Shelby Reese at 770-461-3436.

SUNBELT AG EXPO FIELD DAY July 14 Sunbelt Expo, Spence Field 7:15 a.m.

Moultrie This annual preview of projects at the Darrell Williams Research Farm begins with a complimentary biscuit breakfast, with remarks from Georgia Farm Bureau Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary Jon Huffmaster. Tram tours begin at 8 a.m. and a complimentary grab-and-go barbecue lunch is scheduled for noon. For more information visit www.sunbeltexpo.com/field-day/.

AGAWARE FREE AGRICULTURE FINANCE TRAINING July 15 Fort Valley State Ag Technology Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fort Valley July 22 Merry Acres Inn & Conference Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Albany Aug. 5 Screven County Agricultural Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sylvania Sept. 23 Gordon County Ag Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Calhoun Farm Credit, AgSouth Farm Credit, and Southwest Georgia Farm Credit are all offering workshops in their territories. Young farmers are defined as those 35 years of age or younger; beginning farmers are defined as those having 10 years or less of experience; and small farmers are defined as those having annual gross agricultural sales of $250,000 or less. Topics covered include: balance sheets, income statements, family finance & family budgeting and business plan. The workshops also offer videos on recordkeeping, marketing, and technology. The AGAware educational program is also certified for FSA Direct Borrower Training Credit.To register for the Fort Valley workshop visit http://tinyurl.com/agawareftvalley. To register for the Albany workshop visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarealbany. To register for the Sylvania workshop visit http://tinyurl.com/agawaresylvania. To register for the Calhoun workshop visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarecalhoun.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 11 18TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS CONFERENCE July 21-23 Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Miramar Beach, Fla. This three-day event provides farmers with information on peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the conference sessions, the event offers a ladies program and a golf tournament. For information on registration and accommodations, visit http://tinyurl.com/16sopnutconf.

GFB ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR COMMODITY COMMITTEES Georgia Farm Bureau is taking nominations for members to serve on its commodity advisory committees. These committees serve in an advisory capacity to the GFB president, board and staff to implement Farm Bureau Policy. They also make recommendations to the GFB Policy Development Committee pertaining to their commodity. All county Farm Bureaus may nominate members to serve on a commodity advisory committee for a one-year term. Every county is encouraged to review their candidates and make nominations to each committee for commodities grown in the county. A person can only be nominated to serve on one committee.

The chairperson will be appointed for a one-year term, and will serve on the G F B Policy Development Committee. Nomination forms are available at county Farm Bureau offices. The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 19.

ONGOING FARM BUREAU-SPONSORED FARMERS MARKETS MONROE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays until Oct. 8 Court Street 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Monroe This market, sponsored in part by Walton County Farm Bureau, will feature fresh produce and goods from local farmers, work from local artisans and family friendly activities. For more information visit www.monroedowntownfarmersmarket.com COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays Lost Mountain Park 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Powder Springs Cobb County Farm Bureau (CCFB) in cooperation with Cobb County Parks and Recreation will host this farmers market. CCFB is offering vendor space to farmers, growers, and producers in Cobb and surrounding counties, with the goal of offering locally grown produce and food to the community and to engage the community about where their food comes from as well as support Cobb County farmers. Each vendor must be a member of Farm Bureau. Vendor fees will be waived in lieu of this membership. For more information contact Market Manager Sonia Lopez at twobytwofarms@comcast.net or 770-608-1119 or Debbie Payne at dmpayne@gfb.org or 770943-3531.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 11 SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this monthly open-air market that will allow local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere.

Market will be held rain or shine. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online.

PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays through Oct. 28 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Paulding County Farm Bureau Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. Paulding County Farm Bureau is located at 549 Hardee St., Dallas, GA 30132.

DODGE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays Dodge County Courthouse 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Eastman This open-air market, sponsored in part by Dodge County Farm Bureau, features locally produced meats, vegetables, eggs and artisanal crafts. For more information contact market manager T.I. Papel at 478-374-5895 or tipapel@bellsouth.net, or visit www.facebook.com/dodgecountyfarmersmarket.