November 5, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 44
GFB POLICY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HOLDS SECOND ROUND OF TALKS Members of the GFB Policy Development Committee met in Macon Oct. 6 and Nov. 3 to prepare the policy GFB members will vote on at the organization’s convention in December. The committee met at the GFB headquarters in Macon to consider changes to policy that guides Farm Bureau’s legislative initiatives. The committee consists of 30 county presidents, the chairmen of GFB’s 20 commodity advisory committees, and 25 GFB board members. This year, 90 county Farm Bureaus submitted more than 350 resolutions. The Policy Development Committee is tasked with sorting through Farm Bureau’s existing policy and the resolutions submitted this fall to make recommendations for the voting delegates to consider at the annual convention in December. Most of the tax resolutions were about property taxes and the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA). The concerns were prompted by a proposal in Georgia’s General Assembly to make changes to the program. After lengthy debate, the committee recommended caution when it comes to changing CUVA. Several resolutions were submitted in response to laws in some states calling for mandatory labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMO). The committee recommended a federal science-based voluntary GMO label and opposed restrictions to farmers planting GMO crops. The committee clarified its strong support for the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) as a stand-alone, independent agency. There was no interest shown for having GSWCC attached to any other agency in state government. The committee expressed support for the current national beef checkoff which was passed by Congress in 1985. USDA Secretary Vilsack has expressed intent to propose an additional checkoff under the 1996 generic checkoff law. Having not seen the proposal, the committee was unable to respond to it, though the members were united in that any new checkoff should first be ratified by a producer referendum. The committee expressed support for new seed technologies on the horizon that would allow greater use of 2,4-D and dicamba. However, the group recognized the need for additional training in order to reduce the likelihood of drift and volatility problems. The committee will meet again for an open session of policy development at Jekyll Island on Dec. 7 at 2:45 p.m. followed by a closed session for committee members only. The purpose of this meeting is to make last-minute recommendations before the voting delegates consider the final document on Dec. 9 during the GFB Convention.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 8 SUPREME COURT AGREES TO HEAR FLA WATER SUIT AGAINST GEORGIA The U.S. Supreme Court has opted to hear Florida’s lawsuit against Georgia over access to water from the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers, the state of Florida announced in a Nov. 3 press release. The suit, which Florida filed in October 2013, alleges that Georgia has overconsumed water from the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers, resulting in lower water supply and higher salinity in the Apalachicola Bay on the Northwest Florida coast, threatening the habitat of the bay’s oysters and other species there. U.S. Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. filed a brief at the court’s request, recommending that the case be delayed until after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes a master manual for federal projects in the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint basin next year. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, in a statement obtained from his office, said that the Corps’ attorneys should be free to continue work on the master manual without the additional burden of litigation. “I was encouraged that the lawyers for the U.S. Corps of Engineers felt this lawsuit was premature; however, it’s not unexpected that the Supreme Court would allow it to move forward. The Corps must continue on the ACF manual update and not get bogged down by Florida’s litigation. The Corps’ lawyers have emphasized the need to proceed in their filings to the court, and we will take every necessary steps to ensure that the Corps is able to do its job,” Deal said. Georgia filed its response to the suit in February, saying the suit is an attempt to circumvent current actions by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and that Florida has not established clear and convincing evidence it suffers harm as a result of Georgia’s water use. The Supreme Court has not set a date to hear arguments in the case. GFB OFFERING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS High school seniors who plan to pursue a college undergraduate degree in agricultural and environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or a related agricultural field have until Feb. 6, 2015, to apply for one of the 10 GFB Scholarships for Agriculture the organization will award next year. The top three students will each receive a $3,000 scholarship. The remaining seven students will each receive a $750 scholarship. Students submitting an application must currently be a Georgia high school senior and plan to enroll in a unit of the University System of Georgia or Berry College during the 2015-2016 academic year. “Georgia Farm Bureau is pleased to offer this opportunity for Georgia students planning to pursue a career in agriculture,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April. After recipients confirm they are pursuing a qualifying major at one of the eligible colleges or universities named in the application, scholarships will be paid directly to the school. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information or an application. Applications must be approved and signed by the Farm Bureau president of the county in which the applicant lives or attends high school. You may also download a copy of the application by visiting http://bit.ly/gfbschols. The Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee sponsor the scholarship program.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 8 BLACK RE-ELECTED AS GEORGIA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER Incumbent Gary Black (R-Commerce) won re-election as Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner on Nov. 4, defeating Democrat Christopher Irvin. Black garnered 58 percent of the statewide vote. “We have enjoyed a strong relationship with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and we look forward to four more years of working with the department under Commissioner Black’s leadership,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. Black, a former Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Coordinator, led the Georgia Agribusiness Council before being elected Commissioner of Agriculture in 2010. PAUL ELECTED NATIONAL FFA PRESIDENT, GA WINS 15 NATIONAL TITLES The Georgia FFA Association’s trip to the 87th National FFA Convention, held Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Louisville, Ky., was highlighted by 15 national championships and the election of Andy Paul of Lexington as the 2014-2015 National FFA President. Among Georgia’s national winners were 5 national proficiency award winners, the national Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event (CDE) winner, eight national Agriscience Fair winners, and the high scoring individual in the national Livestock Evaluation CDE. Paul, a member of the Oglethorpe County FFA chapter, was elected from a field of 42 candidates to serve as the 2014-2015 National FFA President. Paul is a sophomore at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) majoring in Agricultural Education. He will take a one-year leave of absence from ABAC to travel more than 100,000 miles across the United States and to Japan representing Agricultural Education. Tanner Jones, Liston Mehserle, Ben Parker, and William Schofill of the Perry FFA chapter were named national winners in the Nursery/Landscape career development event (CDE). Lori Edwards of the Sonoraville FFA chapter was the high scoring individual in the national Livestock Evaluation CDE, and the Sonoraville team placed 2nd. Knapp Boddiford of Southeast Bulloch (Diversified Crop); Christopher Crump of Banks County (Landscape Management); Sam Herring of Lowndes County (Specialty Crop); Camille Schroer of Lowndes County (Equine Science); and Cole Sosebee of White County (Wildlife Management) were each named national FFA proficiency award winners for the success they earned in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. Brinson Coggins of Lowndes County (Animal System – Division 2); Jade Wester and Fallon Cawthon of Franklin County Middle (Animal Systems – Division 3); Hunter Corbett and Emily Warren of Lowndes County (Environmental Systems – Division 4); Kellie Smith and Tyler Ertzberger of Franklin County Middle (Food Products & Processing Systems – Division 3); Callie Warren and Chance Hingson of Lowndes County (Food Products & Processing Systems – Division 4); Auriel Wright of Northeast Bibb (Plant Systems – Division 2); Courtney Barber of Ware County (Social Systems – Division 1) and Chandler Kudyk and Jackson Summer of Lowndes County (Social Systems – Division 4) were each named national winners in the 2014 Agriscience Fair. Twenty-Seven Georgia FFA chapters received a national 3-Star ranking, the highest ranking offered in the National Chapter Award program.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 8 GA EGG INDUSTRY HAS NEW EXHIBIT AT MUSEUM OF AGRICULTURE A new exhibit in the main hall of the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College focuses on Georgia’s egg industry. Visitors can see just how important this cooking staple is to agriculture in Georgia. The design and production of this exhibit was underwritten by the Georgia Egg Commission before it was disbanded last year. Museum Assistant Director and Curator Polly Huff said this exhibit will be a permanent fixture at the museum and features an historic timeline, the Georgia Egg Industry Hall of Fame, a country store reproduction, wall murals, and early artifacts such as egg scales and crates. Model chickens in varying breeds are scattered throughout the exhibit. Visitors to the exhibit will receive a small gift while supplies last. For more information about this exhibit, interested persons can contact Huff at phuff@abac.edu or 229-391-5205. Season passes or daily admission to the museum can be purchased at the GMA Country Store. NRCS TAKING SIGN-UPS FOR EQIP, CONSERVATION EASEMENT FUNDING A streamlined process to sign up for the 2015 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is under way and all Georgia producers who wish to be considered for financial assistance should apply by Dec. 19, 2014, according to a press release from the Georgia office of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In previous years, customers had to make multiple office visits to apply for the various programs under EQIP as funding became available. This year, producers may apply for all general EQIP by making one visit to their local NRCS service center, as well as special initiatives such as the Longleaf Pine, National Water Quality, On-Farm Energy, Organic, Seasonal High Tunnel, StrikeForce, Working Lands for Wildlife and the North Georgia Irrigation Pilot Project, by making one visit to their local USDA Service Center. Sign-up for this year’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is also under way. To be considered for the fiscal year 2015 program, applications must be submitted by Dec. 18, 2014. ACEP, created through the 2014 farm bill, is a program that has two components, known as Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). ACEP combines NRCS’ former Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Applications for WRE are accepted directly from producers on eligible lands. These easements would restore and enhance wetlands and improve habitat. Eligible lands include farmed or converted wetlands that can be successfully restored in a cost effective manner. Applications will be rated according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds, fish and other wildlife. Applications are available at USDA Service Centers and online at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. To learn more about NRCS farm bill programs in Georgia visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 8 GA. DOT SEEKS INPUT ON SPENDING TRANSPORTATION FUNDS The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is seeking public input on how Georgia’s transportation funding should be spent over the next 25 years using an online survey that must be completed by Nov. 21. The Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan (SSTP)/Statewide Transportation Plan (SWTP) is being updated and a major component of the process is considering how transportation spending will impact the economic prosperity and quality of life for all Georgians. GDOT will use the survey results to identify the aspects of the state’s transportation system Georgia residents consider are most important and use the survey data as it makes future transportation decisions. If you would like to advocate for the maintenance of or improvements to rural roads and bridges this is your chance! The online survey allows you to share how you would like transportation funding to be allotted, see how it affects the performance of the system, and compare your results to other users. The survey is expected to take 5-10 minutes to complete and responses are confidential. Visit http://www.gdot2040.com to participate in the online survey. Questions or comments about the SSTP should be sent via email to sstp@dot.ga.gov or call 404631-1987. USDA SURVEYING VEGETABLE FARMERS The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting a vegetable chemical use survey through Nov. 20, giving vegetable growers in the United States will have the opportunity to provide first-hand information on their production practices. “This survey will give vegetable producers the opportunity to explain how they use agricultural chemicals and manage pests responsibly to produce a safe, high-quality food supply,” said Jim Ewing, director of the NASS Southern Regional Field Office. “The data will help support the policies and programs that protect the health and safety of agriculture producers, workers, and consumers alike.” NASS field offices in 18 states will collect data for 25 targeted crops. In the Southern Region, vegetable producers in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina will be contacted between Oct. 1 and Nov. 20 by NASS representatives who are conducting in-person interviews with growers to gather information on their fertilizer use, chemical use, and pest management practices. “The Vegetable Chemical Use Survey will help ensure that USDA and other agencies have the most accurate, up-to-date chemical use information, straight from the source – producers themselves,” Ewing explained. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified. The results of the Vegetable Chemical Use Survey will be released on NASS’s website at http://www.nass.usda.gov on Aug. 5, 2015. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the Southern Regional Field Office at (1-800-253-4419).
GFB News Alert page 6 of 8 CHILD AG SAFETY GRANTS AVAILABLE Nov. 7 Deadline to apply The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety is offering three mini-grants of up to $20,000 each to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. Highest funding priority will be given to projects that: address issues pertaining to barriers, motivators and interventions for keeping young children out of the farm worksite; address vulnerable populations (e.g., immigrant workers’ children, Anabaptists, African Americans, and Native Americans); test safety strategies with new partners (e.g., insurers, bankers, equipment dealers, media). Information on eligibility, priority topics and the application process is available at http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/nccrahs/minigrants. CROP MANAGEMENT SEMINAR & WORKSHOPS Nov. 12-13 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This free workshop, sponsored by Cotton Incorporated, offers continuing education units. Meals will be provided. To register visit http://www.ugatiftonconference.org. For more information call 919-678-2392 or visit http://www.cottoninc.com. MID-ATLANTIC GRAZING CONFERENCE Nov. 12-13 Sunbelt Expo grounds Moultrie The program will include discussions on grazing management, genetic selection, branding and marketing, herd management, building soil organic matter, rainfall/runoff simulator, equipment demonstrations and incorporation of corn silage. For more information or to register visit http://www.georgiaforages.com. EPA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON WATERS OF THE U.S. RULE The comment period for the “Waters of the United States” rule proposed by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been extended to Nov. 14. Farm Bureau is urging its members to submit comments calling for the rule to be withdrawn. For more information about the proposed rule and to submit comments, visit http://www.gfb.org/ditchtherule. NOV. 15 SALES CLOSING DATE FOR PRF CROP INSURANCE PROGRAMS Georgia forage, livestock, and honey producers have until Nov. 15 to close sales for crop insurance. Acreage intended for grazing and haying is insurable under the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program. Colonies of bees are insurable under the Apiculture program. For 2015, the PRF and Apiculture programs are under the Rainfall Index insurance plan. Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage before the sales closing date. Information about these crop insurance programs, as well as resources such as the Decision Support Tool, Grid ID Locator, and historical indices for each grid ID and index interval, is available on the RMA website: http://www.rma.usda.gov/policies/ri-vi/. Producers and agents are encouraged to use this information to learn more about these programs and determine insurability. Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent to learn specific details for the 2015 crop year. Federal crop insurance policies are sold and delivered through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA service centers and on the RMA website at: www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 8 NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL FARM BILL INFORMATION WORKSHOPS Nov. 18 Bulloch County Ag Center 3 p.m. Statesboro Nov. 19 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9 a.m. Tifton The National Cotton Council (NCC) staff are conducting another round of information meetings regarding the implementation of the 2014 farm bill. This round of meetings will emphasize new crop insurance provisions, including sample STAX and SCO rates, county groupings and county yield information for upland cotton for 2015. For more information contact the GCC at 478-9884235 or visit http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org. CENTRAL GEORGIA FARMERS LUNCH AND LEARN Nov. 19 Bleckley County Extension Office 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cochran This free event will feature discussions of issues affecting farmers. Speakers include Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Fort Valley State Vice President for Land Grant Affairs Dr. Mark Latimore, Sen. Ross Tolleson, James Mitchel of Chaney Bush Irrigation and Cartrell Watts of Georgia Power. RSVP by Nov. 12 to Rhonda Fulford at rbfulfor@southernco.com or 800-891-0958. NOV. 20 DEADLINE TO BUY CROP INSURANCE FOR FRUIT CROPS Georgia fruit producers have until Nov. 20 to buy a new policy or change the coverage of an existing policy for their apple, blueberry or peach crops, according to the USDA Risk management Agency. This sales closing date applies to apple crops in Banks, Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall and Rabun counties; to blueberry crops in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Burke, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Long, Pierce, Ware and Wayne counties, and to peach crops in Bacon, Banks, Brooks, Crawford, Dooly, Hall, Henry, Macon, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Oconee, Peach, Pierce, Pike and Taylor counties. Contact a local crop insurance agent for more information about insurance for these crops. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA service centers or at http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents. PROPOSALS SOUGHT FROM FARMERS TO MANAGE SW ATLANTA FARM Nov. 21 Proposals Due Noon Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) is requesting proposals from farmers for the purpose of procuring a qualified individual, team, or group to cultivate the first Atlanta BeltLine Urban Farm located in Southwest Atlanta. Send sealed responses to 86 Pryor Street, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30303. The outside of the envelope must plainly identify the project title and the name and address of the applicant. To view the full Request for Proposals, visit http://beltline.org/about/work-withus/rfps-and-rfqs-2/urban-agriculture/ or contact Meghan Injaychock at minjaychock@atlbeltline.org or 404-477-3648 GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL HARVEST CELEBRATION Nov. 21 Cobb Galleria Center Atlanta Tickets are on sale for this annual event, which features platinum country group Diamond Rio scheduled to perform. Visit https://connect.computility.com/f/fid.php?id=955559f0f92e71e5e95de669f5af3da0 to buy tickets. For more information about Harvest Celebration, please contact GAC’s Christy Page at cpage@ga-agribusiness.org or 800/726-2474.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 8 MM AND CALLAWAY BULL SALE Nov. 22 Carroll County Livestock Sales Barn noon Carrollton Sale includes 40 Angus and SimAngus bulls and more than 40 commercial replacement heifers. For more information contact Mike McCravey at mmcattle@yahoo.com or 770-328-2047 or John Callaway at callawaycattle@gmail.com or 770-355-2165. SMALL FLOCK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP Nov. 25 Spalding County Extension Office 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Griffin This workshop will cover how to maintain a small flock of chickens, pest management and disease prevention, housing, chicken behavior, organic poultry and egg production, local zoning and ordinance rules regarding selling eggs and meat. Speakers will include UGA Extension poultry specialists, a small flock poultry producer and a Georgia Department of Agriculture compliance specialist. Registration is $15 including lunch or $8 if you bring your own lunch. Nov. 20 is deadline to register. To register, contact the Spalding County Extension Office at 770467-4225 or email uge2255@uga.edu. CALHOUN PERFORMANCE TESED BULL SALE Dec. 5 NW Ga. Research & Education Center Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu. 2014 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL CONVENTION Dec. 7-9 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Events at the GFB Convention will include a screening of “Farmland,” commodity conferences for Georgia’s 20 major commodities, the final round of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet, announcements of the 2014 state award winners and the annual trade show and elections for GFB district directors. GFB President Zippy Duvall will give his annual address and voting delegates will adopt the organization’s policy for 2015. For more information contact your county Farm Bureau office. AG SAFETY GROUP OFFERING GRANTS Jan. 7, 2015 Deadline to apply Grants of up to $10,000 are being offered by a national coalition of agribusinesses, producer organizations and safety professionals in order to foster new champions of agricultural safety and health. Information regarding eligibility, priorities, application instructions and frequently asked questions is available at http://www.ashca.org. The purpose of the ASHCA Safety Grants Program is to provide financial support to promote evidence-based safety/health strategies addressing farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers. SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 8-11, 2015 International Trade and Convention Center Savannah This annual conference features nine crop-specific workshops plus workshops on roadside markets, business operations and food safety. New for 2015 are the Southeast Farm Market Bus Tour on Jan 8 and the National Vegetable Grafting Symposium, and the always-popular trade show with more than 200 exhibitors. For more information or to register, visit http://www.seregionalconference.com.