Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - May 25, 2016

May 25, 2016

www.gfb.org

Vol. 34 No. 21

REPORT: NO EVIDENCE GE CROPS POSE HEALTH RISK A study recently released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine delved into the effects of genetically engineered (GE) crops on human health and the environment. The study, announced in a May 17 press release, showed no difference in risks to human health or the environment between GE crops and the same crops produced using conventional production methods.

According to the release, the study committee found no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops, nor did it find conclusive causeand-effect evidence of environmental problems from the GE crops.

However, evolved resistance to current GE characteristics in crops, such as the resistance pigweed has to glyphosate, is a major agricultural problem.

The National Academies study committee used evidence accumulated over the past two decades to assess purported negative effects and purported benefits of current commercial GE crops. Since the 1980s, biologists have used genetic engineering to produce particular characteristics in plants such as longer shelf life for fruit, higher vitamin content, and resistance to diseases. However, the only genetically engineered characteristics that have been put into widespread commercial use are those that allow a crop to withstand the application of a herbicide or to be toxic to insect pests.

The committee examined almost 900 research and other publications on the development, use, and effects of genetically engineered characteristics in corn, soybeans, and cotton, which account for almost all commercial GE crops to date.

“We dug deeply into the literature to take a fresh look at the data on GE and conventionally bred crops,” said committee chair Fred Gould, University Distinguished Professor of Entomology and co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at North Carolina State University. In addition, the committee heard from 80 diverse speakers at three public meetings and 15 public webinars, and read more than 700 comments from members of the public to broaden its understanding of issues surrounding GE crops.

In releasing its report, the committee established a website (http://nas-sites.org/ge-crops/) that enables users to look up the places in the report that address comments received by the committee from the public, and also find the reasoning behind the report’s main findings and recommendations.

“The committee focused on listening carefully and responding thoughtfully to members of the -continued

GFB News Alert page 2 of 12 Continued from previous page public who have concerns about GE crops and foods, as well as those who feel that there are great benefits to be had from GE crops,” said Gould.

The committee carefully searched all available research studies for persuasive evidence of adverse health effects directly attributable to consumption of foods derived from GE crops but found none. Studies with animals and research on the chemical composition of GE foods currently on the market reveal no differences that would implicate a higher risk to human health and safety than from eating their non-GE counterparts. Though long-term epidemiological studies have not directly addressed GE food consumption, available epidemiological data do not show associations between any disease or chronic conditions and the consumption of GE foods.

There is some evidence that GE insect-resistant crops have had benefits to human health by reducing insecticide poisonings. In addition, several GE crops are in development that are designed to benefit human health, such as rice with increased beta-carotene content to help prevent blindness and death caused by vitamin A deficiencies in some developing nations.

To read the report in its entirety visit http://tinyurl.com/NASGEreport.

ENGAGE CUBA LAUNCHES GEORGIA STATE COUNCIL Engage Cuba, a leading advocacy organization working toward ending the United States’ travel and trade embargo against Cuba, launched a Georgia State Council to build support across the state. The council, which was announced in a May 23 press release, is made up of prominent business, agricultural, port, and community leaders. The group seeks to expand trade with Cuba in order to provide opportunities for Georgia businesses and empower the Cuban people.

The Engage Cuba Georgia State Council includes Georgia Farm Bureau National Affairs Specialist Tas Smith, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Claxton Poultry President Jerry Lane and UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Dean Sam Pardue.

Cuba imports almost 80 percent of its food, and demand for commodities will only continue to grow given the rise of tourism and the increasing purchasing power of 11 million Cubans.

However, Georgia's agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors continue to lose out on Cuba's fertile markets to foreign competitors due to existing trade barriers. Georgia exports, specifically poultry, have significant room for growth if changes in U.S. policies open opportunities for trade with Cuba and allow U.S. exporters to extend private credit to Cuba.

Additionally, despite the fact that Atlanta is less than a two hour plane ride away from Havana, Georgians are still prohibited from traveling freely to Cuba.

PEANUT CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE NEARS In Georgia, peanut producers in most counties have a final planting date of June 5, according to an item in the May 25 Peanut Farm Market News. The final planting date is May 31 in Jefferson, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Richmond, Treutlen, Washington and Wilkinson counties. The final planting date is the last date a peanut producer may plant for the acreage to be eligible for full crop insurance coverage for production or revenue guarantees. Farmers have the option of planting after the final planting date but the coverage drops 1 percent per day through the late planting period, which continues until June 15. Farmers can still plant peanuts after June 15, but the guarantee drops to 50 percent for peanuts and cotton.

Farmers who are unable to plant by the final planting date may file for “prevented planting” and must do so within 72 hours after the final planting date.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 12 BEEF, EGGS & STRAWBERRIES CELEBRATED IN MAY Beef, eggs and strawberries have at least two things in common. First, May is National Beef, National Egg and National Strawberry Month. Second, all three commodities are grown in Georgia.

The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association estimates there are more than 15,000 beef producers statewide. In 2014, Georgia’s beef producers raised a little more than 1 million cattle worth more than $1 billion that contributed 7.17 percent of the total $13.6 billion of commodities grown in Georgia that year, according to the 2014 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report published by the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. Beef ranks second behind broilers (meat chickens) in terms of farm gate value of the top 10 commodities grown statewide.

Studies have shown that high-quality, lean beef can be part of a heart-healthy diet and that lean protein helps lower the bad kind of cholesterol, reduces the risk of chronic disease and reduces high blood pressure. Studies also show exercise is more effective when paired with a higher-protein diet and beef provides the amino acids needed to build and replenish muscles. To learn more about the nutrition benefits of eating beef and get great recipes visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.

According to the USDA, in 2014, Georgia farmers raising chickens that lay table eggs produced 393.9 billion dozen of eggs. The 2014 UGA Farm Gate Value Report estimated the value of eggs produced in Georgia that year to be $822,870,998, which placed the commodity in fourth place behind broilers, beef, and cotton in terms of the farm gate value of Georgia commodities. Georgia ranks eighth in the U.S. for table egg production according to the American Egg Board, based on number of hens.

You may know that eggs provide protein, but did you know one large egg offers 13 essential vitamins and minerals along with protein in just 70 calories? According to the Incredible Egg website, most of the vitamins and minerals in an egg are lost if the yolk is discarded. Nutrition research suggests eggs can play a role in weight management, muscle strength, healthy pregnancy, brain function and eye health. Visit www.incredibleegg.org to learn about the nutritional benefits of eggs, find recipes and meet egg producers, including Georgia’s Jacques Klempf.

You can find strawberries growing on pick-your-own farms statewide in Georgia. Strawberry season begins as early as late February in south Georgia and moves northward as spring arrives.

The harvest season can last anywhere from six to 10 weeks, according to the UGA Cooperative Extension. Georgia’s 2014 strawberry crop of about 520 acres had a farm gate value of $15.8 million according to the 2014 UGA Farm Gate Value Report.

Strawberries will continue to turn red after they are picked, but they do not ripen further or turn sweeter. Flavor is influenced by growing conditions such as weather, stages of ripeness, harvest time and variety. Size doesn’t determine flavor. Strawberries are fat-free, low in calories and a good source of folic acid, potassium and fiber. Eight medium-sized strawberries contain 160 percent of the daily Vitamin C intake recommended by the U.S.D.A., UGA Extension reports. Visit http://www.gfb.org/commodities/cfm to find a strawberry farm near you and visit http://www.gfb.org/recipes for strawberry recipes.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 12 DEAL NAMES DUNN NEW EPD DIRECTOR Gov. Nathan Deal has announced that Richard Dunn, deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB), will transition to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) effective June 15. Dunn will succeed Jud Turner, who is stepping down effective June 1. Lauren Curry, chief of staff for the Georgia Emergency Management/Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA), will become the deputy director of EPD. Deal will recommend Dunn and Curry to the DNR board for approval at their scheduled meeting in June.

Dunn is currently the deputy director of OPB. He previously served as director of the Health and Human Services division where he worked closely on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the behavioral health settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, state health care programs and child welfare.

Curry has served as chief of staff for GEMHSA since May of 2014. Prior to working under GEMHSA, she served as DNR Director of Public and Governmental Affairs for five years. In this role, she was responsible for the department’s communications and marketing strategy, legislative affairs, policy development and public events.

DNR Deputy Commissioner Walter Rabon will serve as the interim director of EPD from June 1-15. Mary Walker will become the director of the Water Resources Division for the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority and will head up the Governor’s Water Supply Program for the state.

USITC: TPP PROJECTED TO CREATE AG EXPORT BOOM On May 18, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) released its report on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, projecting net exports of U.S. agricultural products to increase by $4.5 billion. The USITC’s report, which is available to the public, was required to be presented to the president and Congress as a condition of Trade Promotion Authority.

TPP is a comprehensive trade and investment agreement that would remove most tariffs and other barriers to trade between the 12 participating countries, which include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the U.S. and Vietnam.

Georgia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation continue to support passage of the TPP. AFBF’s analysis projects an increase of net exports by $5.3 billion.

“Approving this deal would give U.S. agriculture greater access to some of the fastestgrowing markets in the world at a time when we need market expansion like never before.

America's farmers are already dealing with low prices and, due to the strong dollar, declining export competitiveness,” AFBF said. “We must expand to new customers overseas to keep our businesses alive and competitive. Every day we wait to approve TPP, we fall further behind our global competitors.”

The report projects modest gains for the U.S. economy overall. Both exports and imports in the food and agriculture sector would experience the largest impacts from TPP in percentage terms. Agriculture would benefit primarily from new export market access in Japan and Vietnam. Ag exports are projected to rise by $7.2 billion, while imports increase by $2.7 billion, leading to net exports of $4.5 billion. AFBF analysis projects net exports will rise by $5.3 billion.

To view the entire report visit www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4607.pdf.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 12 LATE SEASON MARKET COULD SOFTEN WATERMELON LOSSES The late-season market for Georgia watermelons is typically small, but could be critical for some Georgia farmers affected by a recent hailstorm in South Georgia, according to a University of Georgia press release.

On May 3 a hailstorm hit several South Georgia counties and impacted numerous fields, leaving damaged watermelons in its path. UGA Cooperative Extention Horticulturist Tim Coolong estimates that at least 400 acres of watermelons in counties stretching from Colquitt County northeast past Telfair County were impacted by the storm.

“The damage was hit or miss, with some growers being severely impacted, while others a few miles away saw just some high winds,” said Coolong. “To have some fields completely wiped out at this stage in the growing season could be devastating.”

Coolong said he has heard from about 10 growers who suffered damage to their crops, ranging from minimal plant damage to crops that were completely destroyed.

For some growers, having undeveloped fruit was beneficial because heavy fruit sets would have been damaged. When the fruit is damaged, often it will continue to grow. However, the fruit will ultimately be unmarketable, so it will have to be removed from the plant to prevent draining resources. In a more moderate case, the hail will only put holes into the watermelon plant leaves. Because the damaged leaves are more vulnerable to pathogens, the grower will then have to take special care of the plant to ensure it does not acquire any diseases throughout the rest of the growing season.

According to Coolong, when the Georgia watermelon market tapers off after July 4, other states like Indiana and Delaware then dominate the national market. However, there is a possibility that some of these Georgia growers who suffered significant damage can cash in on the late market.

“It is hard to say how many of our Georgia growers plan on providing watermelons for the late market, but we can expect roughly 1,000 to 1,500 acres to be produced,” said Coolong.

BAYER CROPSCIENCE MAKES $62 BILLION OFFER TO BUY MONSANTO On May 23 Bayer publicly disclosed the contents of its private proposal to acquire Monsanto.

Bayer has made an all-cash offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common Monsanto stock for $122 per share or an overall value of $62 billion, according to a Bayer press release. The acquisition of Monsanto would be a compelling opportunity to create a global agriculture leader, the release said.

Under the proposed transaction, the combined business would provide attractive opportunities for the employees of both companies and have its global Seeds & Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis, its global Crop Protection and divisional Crop Science headquarters in Monheim, Germany, and an important presence in Durham, North Carolina, as well as many other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. Digital Farming for the combined business would be based near San Francisco.

Monsanto issued a statement from its board of directors on May 24 indicating the Bayer proposal is incomplete and financially inadequate, though the company indicated it is open to continued conversations about a possible deal.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 12 AFBF SURVEY: FARMERS WANT TO CONTROL THEIR OWN DATA Farmers and ranchers want to control the information their equipment collects every time it passes through a field, a survey released on May 11 by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) shows. Farmers also believe that creating a cooperative-style central repository for their data is the best way to enhance its security and maximize its value.

AFBF is a founding member of the Ag Data Coalition (ADC), an organization created by several leading agricultural groups and companies to help farmers better store and manage their information in a central location. The ADC will establish a co-op-style repository for agricultural data with farmers having a governing role over the group.

Survey respondents also ranked vendor transparency high among their priorities. Farm Bureau and other groups recently introduced a tool, the Ag Data Transparent Evaluator, to explain in plain English the complicated details often found in data contracts with agricultural hardware and software providers.

The survey revealed a high level of misunderstanding among respondents regarding data details in their contracts. When asked whether they knew if their contracts indicated they owned or controlled their own data, 55 percent of those surveyed said they did not know. Twelve percent said the contracts did not indicate control or ownership, and only 33 percent said their contracts specifically indicated that growers owned or controlled the data they generate.

When asked whether contract details about sharing data with a third party, business partner or affiliate required approval of the grower, only 32 percent said they did. Fifty-four percent were unsure and 14 percent said prior approval from a grower was not required for data sharing.

Other notable results from the survey: 77 percent are concerned about which entities can access their farm data and whether it could be used for regulatory purposes; 67 percent said they will consider how outside parties use and treat their data when deciding which technology or service provider to use; 66 percent believe farmers should share in the potential financial benefits from the use of their data beyond the direct value they may realize on their farm; 61 percent are worried that companies could use their data to influence market decisions; and 59 percent were confused whether current agreements or contracts allowed technology or service providers to use their data to market other services, equipment or inputs back to them.

The new ag data survey of about 400 farmers and ranchers was conducted from January through April 2016.

Additional highlights can be found at: www.fb.org/tmp/uploads/BigDataSurveyHighlights.pdf.

EPA REPORT: NEARLY HALF OF NATION’S WETLANDS IN GOOD HEALTH The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the first-ever National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) on May 11, showing that nearly half of the nation’s wetlands are in good health, while 20 percent are in fair health and the remaining 32 percent in poor health, according to an EPA press release.

The assessment is part of a series of national aquatic resource surveys designed to advance the science of coastal monitoring and answer critical questions about the condition of waters in the United States.

Physical disturbances to wetlands and their surrounding habitat such as compacted soil, ditching, or removal of plants, are the most widespread problems across the country, and nonnative plants are also an issue particularly in the Interior Plains and West.

For more information on the assessment visit http://tinyurl.com/epawetlandssurvey.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 12 OSHA ISSUES FINAL WORKPLACE RECORDKEEPING RULE On May 11, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its final rule requiring certain employers, including farms, to send their records of injuries and illnesses to OSHA for posting on its website. The OSHA Fact Sheet and Final Rule can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/recordrule.

According to an OSHA press release, the agency already requires many employers to keep a record of injuries and illnesses to help them and their employee identify hazards, fix problems and prevent additional injuries and illnesses. Under this rule, employers in high-hazard industries will be required to send OSHA injury and illness data that the employers are already required to collect. OSHA plans to post this information in its website.

Farm Bureau filed comments highlighting privacy and extensive recordkeeping concerns about this rulemaking. Additionally, Farm Bureau is a member of the Coalition for Workplace Safety, which also filed comments.

“Workplace safety is of the utmost importance to our members. However, the announcement of an ill-advised and poorly written regulation will only result in more regulatory burden with no guarantees to improve workplace safety,” CWS Co-Chairs Marc Freedman and Amanda Wood said in a prepared statement. They noted that OSHA has no authority to post employer, location and incident specific injury data, which could expose employers to disclosure of sensitive or proprietary information.

The new requirements take effect Aug. 10 with phased-in data submissions beginning in 2015.

All establishments with 250 or more employees in industries subject to the recordkeeping rule must electronically submit injury and illness information on OSHA forms 300, 300A and 301.

Employers with 20-249 employees in certain industries, including agriculture, will only be required to submit Form 300A. USDA RELEASES SURVEY RESULTS ON HONEY BEE COLONY HEALTH The USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of its firstever Honey Bee Colony Loss survey on May 12 according to a USDA press release. The survey queried more than 20,000 honey beekeepers about the number of colonies, colonies lost, colonies added, and colonies affected by certain stressors and makes state-level estimates on key honey bee health topics. The survey was developed as part of the "National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators" released in 2015.

According to the survey, there were 2.59 million honey bee colonies on January 1, 2016, down eight percent from 2.82 million on January 1, 2015, for operations with five or more colonies.

New quarterly colony data allow new levels of analysis. For example, there was an 18 percent loss of colonies in the January-March quarter in 2015 and a 17 percent loss in the same quarter in 2016. Beekeepers with five or more colonies reported varroa mites as the leading stressor affecting colonies. They also reported 113,930 colonies with symptoms of Colony Collapse Disorder lost in the first quarter of 2016, up from 92,250 lost in the same quarter in 2015.

In March NASS released its annual report on honey production and prices for 2015. This report, which is used by USDA, producers, economists, agribusiness and others, found that U.S. honey production in 2015 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 157 million pounds, down 12 percent from 2014. There were 2.66 million colonies from which honey was harvested in 2015, down 3 percent from 2014. Honey prices were 209.0 cents per pound, down 4 percent from a record high of 217.3 cents per pound in 2014.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 12 2016 GFB YOUNG FARMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE July 13-16 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Registration is open for this conference, an annual highlight for young farmers from around the state. The conference is open to GFB members ages 18-35 and features educational workshops, competitive events and networking. The deadline to register is 4:30 p.m. on May 27. For more information contact GFB Young Farmer Coordinator Taylor Sills at 478-474-0679, ext. 5232 or trsills@gfb.org.

2016 GFB YOUNG FARMER COMPETITIVE EVENTS May 27 deadline to enter The GFB Young Farmer Committee is now accepting applications for the Young Farmer Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. Contest entries will be accepted through May 27 at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices. Finalists and winners for each of the competitive events will be named at the Young Farmer Leadership Conference. GFB members between the ages of 18-35 may apply for these awards. To be eligible to compete, the member must not turn 36 before Jan. 31, 2017. All rounds of the discussion meet will be held at the leadership conference. For more information on any of these awards or the conference, please visit http://www.gfb.org/yf or stop by your county Farm Bureau. The winner of each contest will compete on the national level at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, in January 2017.

JARRELL PLANTATION FAMILY FARM DAY May 28 Jarrell Plantation Historic Site 10:30am-3:30pm Juliette The farm comes to life with volunteers demonstrating crafts and chores of the past. See the skills from long ago, such as sewing, blacksmithing, woodstove cooking, gardening, woodworking and many other farm activities. Admission to Jarrell Plantation, located at 711 Jarrell Plantation Road is $6.50 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 62 and older, $4 children ages 6-17 and free for children younger than 6.

For more information call 478-986-5172 or visit www.gastateparks.org/jarrellplantation.

ABAC NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 12-16 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton More than $18,000 in college scholarships, back-to-nature field trips, and a true taste of college life will be on the line for students who attend this workshop, which targets students with a desire to learn more about Georgia’s natural resources and the opportunities and responsibilities these resources provide. Experts will provide students with lectures and hands-on activities to enhance their understanding of Georgia’s vital natural resources, including soil, water, air, plants, minerals, and animals. Tuition is $175. The final deadline for all applications is June 1. Tuition is often provided to the students by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), local businesses, and individuals. The workshop application and information is now available online at www.abac.edu/nrcw.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 12 ALFALFA WORKSHOPS/FIELD DAYS June 2 Hall Co. (to RSVP, call 770-535-8293) June 9 Putnam Co. (to RSVP, call 706-485-4151) UGA Extension will host these events, 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 in each of these counties. Cost of the one-day workshops 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 Offices at the phone numbers listed above.

TEAM AG GEORGIA SPRING WORKSHOP June 15 West Georgia Technical College, 176 Murphy Campus Rd. Waco This free one-day workshop for small, beginning and limited-resource farmers will feature sessions on beekeeping, goats and sheep, small farm financing, government programs and more.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a farm tour. Lunch will be provided. To attend the workshop register by June 8 by calling 912-367-7679 or sending an email to sevenrivers@bellsouth.net.

GEORGIA/ALABAMA SEED ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING July 10-11 King & Prince Resort St. Simons Island Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Director Jeffrey Harvey 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. All attendees are also invited to attend the GGIA Annual Reception at the State Botanical Gardens. 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.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 12 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.

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. Geographic representation may be considered when making appointments. 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 farmer-funded programs to enhance research, promotion and education, and are authorized under Georgia law by the Commodity Promotions Act. Nominations can be made by producers of the applicable commodity 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.

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. Through hands-on activities, garden journals and reading, participants will learn about “ugly vegetables,” Jack’s garden, and plants gone wild. 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!

GFB News Alert page 11 of 12 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.

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 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

GFB News Alert page 12 of 12 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.

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 Through Oct. 28 Thursdays 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday until Oct. 28. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132.

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.