Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - June 8, 2016

June 8, 2016

www.gfb.org

Vol. 34 No. 23

USDA TO PROVIDE GINNING ASSISTANCE TO COTTON PRODUCERS The USDA announced on June 6 that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide an estimated $300 million in cost-share assistance payments to cotton producers through the new Cotton Ginning Cost-Share program, in order to expand and maintain the domestic marketing of cotton, according to a USDA press release.

Through the program, eligible producers can receive a one-time cost share payment, which will be based on a producer's 2015 cotton acres reported to FSA, multiplied by 40 percent of the average ginning cost for each production region.

With the pressing need to provide assistance ahead of the 2016 ginning season this fall, the USDA indicated that it will ensure the application process is straight-forward and efficient. The program estimates the costs based on planting of cotton in 2015, and therefore the local FSA offices already have this information for the vast majority of eligible producers and the applications will be able to use existing data. Sign-up for the program Look for the will begin June 20 and run through Aug. 5 at local FSA offices. Payments next issue of will be processed as applications are received, and are expected to begin in GFB News July.

Alert on Since 2011, cotton fiber markets have experienced dramatic changes. As a June 22. result of low cotton prices and global oversupply, cotton producers are facing economic uncertainty, which has led to many producers losing equity and being forced to liquidate equipment and land to satisfy loans. The ginning of cotton is necessary prior to marketing the lint for fiber, or the seed for oil or feed. While the Cotton Ginning Cost-Share Program makes payments to cotton producers for cotton ginning costs, the benefits of the program will be felt by the broader marketing chain associated with cotton and cottonseed, including cotton gins, cooperatives, marketers and cottonseed crushers and the rural communities that depend on them.

The program has the same eligibility requirements as were used for the 2014 Cotton Transition Assistance Program, including a $40,000 per producer payment limit, requirement to be actively engaged in farming, conservation compliance and a $900,000 adjusted gross income limit.

To learn more about the Cotton Ginning Cost-Share program, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/cgcs or contact a local FSA county office. To find your local FSA county office, visit http://offices.usda.gov.

GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 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.

“Commodity advisory committees are a great way to involve members in your county,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “If a member wants to make a difference and is looking for a way to get more involved, this process is a way for them to participate in our organization with a small time commitment.”

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.

GFB has 20 committees covering the following commodities: aquaculture, beef cattle, cotton, dairy, direct marketing/agritourism, environmental horticulture, equine, feedgrain/soybeans, forestry, fruit, goats/sheep, hay, honeybee, peanuts, pecan, poultry, swine, tobacco, vegetables and water. Committees meet once in the spring and again at the annual GFB Commodity Conference in mid-summer.

GEORGIA DEPT. OF REVENUE ISSUES GATE POLICY BULLETIN The Georgia Department of Revenue has issued a new policy bulletin providing guidance on the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program’s use and enforcement. This document will guide Department of Revenue auditors while they perform compliance checks on retail stores and farms. GFB is encouraging farmers to review this document online at http://tinyurl.com/gatepolicy.

While the GATE program law remains unchanged, GFB is emphasizing that Georgia legislators spent a great deal of time during the 2016 legislative session discussing the merits of the program. It is important that farmers be proactive in curbing abuse and remain good stewards of this important benefit. This includes adhering to all rules and regulations, and ensuring other GATE cardholders and businesses are operating appropriately under the program.

The preservation of the GATE program remains a top priority for Georgia Farm Bureau.

Visit http://tinyurl.com/gateguide for a quick reference guide of qualified uses of the GATE card. For more information about the program or qualified uses, contact the Department of Agriculture at 1-855-FARM TAX (327-6829) or by email at farmtax@agr.georgia.gov. To report fraud or abuse, contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at 1-877-423-6711.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 AFBF TAKING ENTRIES FOR RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE The American Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge is the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs working on food and agriculture businesses. Rural entrepreneurs pitch innovative business ideas to a team of judges with expertise in business development and agribusiness. These entrepreneurs compete for $145,000 of startup funds. The Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year award winner receives $30,000 and the People’s Choice award winner receives $25,000 in startup funds. The deadline for applications is June 30. Don’t miss your chance to win $30,000 for your business. Learn more by visiting http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge/.

USFRA SEEKING NEXT FACES OF FARMING & RANCHING Through the Faces of Farming & Ranching program search, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is looking for its third class of standout farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do, strive to be sustainable and technology-driven, are eager to share their stories and are actively involved in sharing those stories in public and on social media to put a real face on agriculture and shine a light on the heart, personalities and values behind today’s food.

“The impact of farmers and ranchers leading the conversation about how food is grown and raised is imperative in gaining trust with today’s consumers,” said USFRA Chairwoman Nancy Kavazanjian. “We’ve seen strides in sustainability and technology on the farm, yet misconceptions about genetically engineered (GE) crops, antibiotics and pesticides confuse consumers, so these ambassadors for agriculture are critical in setting the record straight and participating in these influential conversations about food production.”

Farmers and ranchers who grow and raise an assortment of foods through various methods, on differing scales and across all regions of the country are encouraged to apply, as it is important to show American agriculture and all of its diversity.

“People genuinely want more information about farming and ranching, and talking to people as a representative of the industry sharing the facts, but also addressing their feelings, is an interesting part of this role,” said Carla Wardin, one of USFRA’s current Faces of Farming & Ranching and a Michigan dairy farmer. “I’d encourage everyone to apply, because not only does it help you improve as a communicator, but you can also make an impact on the consumers’ view of today’s agriculture being progressive and committed to responsible practices.”

To apply for the Faces of Farming & Ranching program, farmers and ranchers must fill out an application form, available at www.FoodDialogues.com/Faces/Apply, and include a home video of less than three minutes describing themselves and their farm or ranch. Among other criteria, farmers and ranchers must have an existing social media presence, either through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and/or a blog. Information on the application process can be found at www.FoodDialogues.com/Faces/Apply. Entries will be accepted through July 10 at 11:59:59 PM CT. A combination of public votes and USFRA judges’ scores will determine the winners, who will be announced on November 9 at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention (NAFB) in Kansas City.

The public will get to know the USFRA Faces of Farming & Ranching winners through national media interviews, advertising and public appearances. For their time, each participant will receive a $15,000 stipend.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 AFBF: TAX CODE SHOULD RECOGNIZE AG FINANCIAL CHALLENGES The U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy held a hearing on May 25 to discuss perspectives on the need for tax reform, hearing testimony from tax and policy analysts and accepting written statements from a variety of interested groups.

Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany (R-La.) indicated that the hearing was held in response to “persistent calls for reform of our broken tax code.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) submitted a written statement to be included in the hearing record, supporting a number of key principles that would support farmers and ranchers. These included reform that addresses both individual and corporate taxes, avoiding the expansion of tax burden of farm and ranch businesses, allowing cash accounting, facilitating accelerated cost recovery for business expenses, repealing estate taxes, eliminating capital gains taxes and others.

AFBF expressed support for replacing the current federal income tax with a tax system that encourages success, savings, investment and entrepreneurship.

“We believe that the new code should be simple, transparent, revenue-neutral and fair to farmers and ranchers,” AFBF said in the statement. “Agriculture operates in a world of uncertainty. From unpredictable commodity and product markets to fluctuating input prices, from uncertain weather to insect or disease outbreaks, running a farm or ranch business is challenging under the best of circumstances. Farmers and ranchers need a tax code that recognizes the financial challenges they face.”

NRCS PUBLISHES FINAL RULE FOR EQIP In May the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service published its final rule on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) under the 2014 farm bill.

The program gives incentives for farmers to take steps to protect and improve natural resources on their land, including water, soil, air, plants and animals. The final rule was published on an interim basis in December 2014, and NRCS incorporated public comments in the version published in May. Final changes to the program address program duration, consolidation of the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), designating funding for wildlife conservation, payment limitations, irrigation requirements and others.

The final rule eliminates the requirement that the program contract remain in place for a minimum of a year after the last practice is implemented, but keeps the requirement that the contract term not exceed 10 years.

Elements of WHIP are rolled into the EQIP program in accordance with provisions in the farm bill.

The rule assigns at least 5 percent of available EQIP funds for wildlife-related conservation practices for each fiscal year through 2018.

The rolling six-year payment limitation is replaced with an established $450,000 cumulative payment limitation through FY 2018.

The rule allows an exception to the requirement that land has to have been irrigated two of the previous five years. The NRCS may grant a waiver where there was a loss of access to water due to circumstances beyond the producer’s control.

The EQIP final rule can be viewed online at http://1.usa.gov/1r5ndlx.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 EPA RELEASES DRAFT ASSESSMENT ON ATRAZINE, OTHER HERBICIDES On June 6 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft ecological assessments for herbicides atrazine, simazine and propazine as a part of the agency’s registration review process for these crop protection products.

Atrazine, a herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds in corn, sorghum and sugar cane, has been in use for decades and has been studied extensively. The American Farm Bureau Federation believes science supports continued use of atrazine.

The draft assessment examines risk to animals and humans for all three products.

To submit a comment visit http://tinyurl.com/atrazinecomments and click the “submit a formal comment” link. The deadline for public comments is Aug. 5.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 ALFALFA WORKSHOP/FIELD DAY June 9 Putnam Co. (to RSVP, call 706-485-4151) UGA Extension will host this event, which will focus on how to successfully use alfalfa, including how to grow your own nitrogen and feed supplement by interseeding alfalfa into Bermudagrass. Subjects covered include: site selection, establishment protocol, soil fertility, trait selection, harvest management, and how to use this high quality and cost-effective crop.

Attendees will visit fields where alfalfa is growing. Cost of the one-day workshop is $10 and includes lunch, an “Alfalfa in the South” notebook and other publications on alfalfa production and use in the South. To register, call the County Extension Office at the phone number listed above.

GEORGIA/ALABAMA SEED ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING July 10-11 King & Prince Resort St. Simons Island Georgia Farm Bureau Assistant Legislative Director Tas Smith will speak about the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule at this annual event, which also features presentations on food safety, GMOs, labeling and irrigation. Registration is $175 until June 10 and $225 after for adults, $50 until June 10 and $75 after for youth ages 5-17. For more information or to register contact Billy Skaggs at wdskaggs@gmail.com or 770-519-7124.

2016 ACADEMY OF CROP PRODUCTION June 12-15 Hotel Indigo Athens This four-day conference will focus on information about advanced ornamental crop production and business management techniques for ornamental producers. The event will be hosted by the University of Georgia and the Georgia Green Industry Association. The program will include 18 presentations on topics such as government regulations, weed control, research variety trials, tools, marketing and more. Registration is $400 per person. Pesticide CEU credits are available.

The event room rate is $109 per night. To reserve a hotel room call 706-546-0430 and use booking code “UGA Horticulture Commercial Agriculture.” For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/GGIAcademy.

2016 GEORGIA-FLORIDA TOBACCO TOUR June 13-15 Live Oak, Fla. – Baxley, Ga. This annual tour provides up-to-date information on variety trials, control of tomato spotted wilt virus, blue mold controls and much more. The tour will begin with a kick-off supper in Live Oak at 7 p.m. on June 13. For more information or to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/gftobaccotour or contact Dr. J. Michael Moore at 229-386-3006 or jmmoore@uga.edu.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 NOMINATIONS FOR GA AG COMMISSION BOARD MEMBERS June 15 Deadline for nominations The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions for Beef, Cotton, Equine and Tobacco are accepting nominations to fill several positions for each commodity commission board with term lengths of three years. To be nominated a person must be an active and qualified Georgia producer of the commodity. The Beef Commission has five positions open for nominations, the Cotton and Equine Commissions each have two positions and the Tobacco Commission has one position. By statute three of the Beef Commission’s positions are to be beef producers, one a dairy producer and one a livestock marketer. Agricultural commodity commissions are farmerfunded programs to enhance research, promotion and education, and are authorized under Georgia law by the Commodity Promotions Act. Pproducers of the commodities may make nominations for the applicable committes by filling out a nominee information form available for download at: www.agr.georgia.gov/cpf. The completed form should be mailed to: Georgia Department of Agriculture 19 MLK Jr. Drive SW Room 320 Atlanta, GA 30334 no later than June 15. It may also be faxed to 404-656-9380, or emailed to andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov.

AGAWARE MARKETING WORKSHOP June 17 UGA Griffin Campus 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Griffin This free workshop sponsored by AgSouth Farm Credit is designed for produce farmers and processed and value-added products. Keynote Speaker Matt Kulinski of the Georgia Department of Agriculture will discuss marketing products, product registration, creating business plans, licensing and certifications. Lunch will be provided. To register, contact Rhonda Jernigan at rjernigan@agsouthfc.com or 912-489-4842, ext. 2644.

MITCHELL COUNTY 4-H20 CAMP June 21-23 A blend of fun and education, the Mitchell County 4-H20 day camp is designed to introduce students to the importance of water conservation and irrigation. The three-day camp is held every year. The camp is open to all county 4-H clubs throughout Georgia. Activities include trips to the Flint RiverQuarium in Albany on June 21, the University of Georgia C.M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla on June 22 and Water World in Dothan, Alabama, on June 23. For more information on the 4-H20 day camp, contact the Mitchell County Extension office at 229336-2066.

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.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 10 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.

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. These votes, along with the judges’ scores, will determine the winner. Online voting ends Sept. 15, with Syngenta announcing the grand prizewinner in October.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 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/.

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.

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 beginning May 24 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 10 of 10 SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET June 18, 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 High School 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 that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. Paulding County High School is located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., 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.