Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - October 19, 2017

October 19, 2017

www.gfb.org

Vol. 35 No. 21

SUNBELT EXPO CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY The 40th Annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition celebrated all things ag, both new and old, with an eye toward the future.

“We recognize and reflect on the contributions of many folks,” said Sunbelt Executive Director Chip Blalock. “We thank them for their contributions and for getting us to where we are today.”

Georgia Farm Bureau has been a Sunbelt Expo exhibitor each year of the show’s run.

Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA 8th District) hosted a farm bill listening session, which drew more than 100 people. Farmers and farm organizations had the opportunity to voice their wishes during the session, held Tuesday afternoon. The 2014 farm bill expires in September 2018 and members of the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees are seeking public input on what works in the current farm bill, what doesn't work and things they'd like to see added.

Scott was joined by fellow U.S. House Ag Committee members Rick Allen (R-Georgia) and Al Lawson (D-Florida).

The trio took suggestions from a series of speakers on topics relating to crop insurance, continued funding for the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), farm labor and support for 4-H and FFA. Allen aid the committee is likely to move forward with work on the farm bill late this year or early in 2018.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke during the Willie B. Withers Sunbelt Ag Expo Luncheon. Duvall said farm labor is The next issue of the No. 1 issue he hears about when visiting with farmers across the country, GFB News Alert comes out noting that American farmers and ranchers are facing numerous challenges.

November 1.

“We as farmers and ranchers can’t just rely on the people we send to Congress and the people we send to the House,” Duvall said. “We’ve got to exercise our right as Americans and pick up the phone or the iPad and send an email or call them.

Tell them what you think. The people that are against American agriculture are being heard. Their people are engaged. They’re out there sending emails, giving money, doing everything they can do to push their agendas forward whether it’s animal rights or environmentalists. We as agriculture have got to take a piece of our day and take a picture of that calf being born, or that corn stalk popping through the ground, or the beautiful cotton fields I rode through on the way down here. We’ve got to let America know that we are the people that sustain them each and every day. Without you, this -continued on next page

GFB News Alert page 2 of 12 Continued from previous page country becomes hungry and weak.”

Kelley Manufacturing Co is one of the 23 exhibitors that have participated in all 40 of the Sunbelt Expo shows. KMC CEO Lanier Carson was among the KMC employees meeting and greeting potential customers at Expo Wednesday.

Carson, who joined the company in 1972, recalled participating in the forerunner of the Expo that was originally held in Tifton at ABAC. “It was clear to me that it [the show] was a way to show our equipment to people in the ag industry and to farmers,” Carson said. “Expo is by far the best place to introduce new equipment and technology. I can’t say enough about the efforts Chip [Blalock] and Gina [McDonald] have put into building up this show, making it safe, and increasing the education and family entertainment options.”

This year KMC, started by C.D. Kelley in 1966, is showcasing two new products at Expo – the KMC Stalk Puller that pulls cotton stalk roots from the ground and the 2100 Series Field Cultivator.

Sunbelt celebrated Tennessee as its 2017 Spotlight State. Tennessee's exhibit followed its geography from the west, where among other things farmers grow cotton, eastward through the rolling hills of central Tennessee to the Great Smoky Mountains in the eastern part of the state.

Visitors were presented with miniature Moon Pies, a Tennessee product.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced its 100 percent Georgia cotton t-shirt line. The t-shirts are made from cotton grown in South Georgia, ginned at Osceola Cotton Company in Irwin County, sewn at Platinum Sportswear in Wilkes county and screen printed by local screen printers, including the Georgia Industries for the Blind. The customizable shirts feature a Georgia Grown tag.

Members of the Georgia Equine Commission unveiled the new equine license plate. A part of the proceeds from the sale of the tags will be used to fund the commission's activities.

Morgan County dairyman Everett Williams was recognized as the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo Georgia Farmer of the Year. Virginia's Robert Mills Jr. was named Southeastern Farmer of the Year. Mills, a first-generation farmer, grows tobacco and raises chickens and beef cattle on his farm outside Callands, near the border with North Carolina. Mills was inspired to get into farming after taking an agriculture class in the eighth grade.

As always, Sunbelt's activities included a showcase of the latest farm equipment with harvest demonstrations on the 600-acre Darrell Williams Research Farm. The demonstrations included harvests of cotton, hay, peanuts and soybeans, and patrons could test drive compact/utility tractors and John Deere Gators.

GFB SAVINGS: AN APP FOR THAT Georgia Farm Bureau members now have a modern on-the-go way to access their newest GFB member benefit – the Georgia Farm Bureau Savings Plus App. The GFB Savings Plus App is available through the Apple App Store or Google Play. What’s more, GFB has partnered with Abenity Inc., a leading provers of perks programs, to give GFB members access to more than 300,000 member-only discounts across 10,000 U.S. cities, as well as discounts for online purchases. In some cases the savings will more than offset GFB’s $25 membership dues.

In addition to GFB’s previous benefits, members can now receive discounts at restaurants, entertainment, fitness clubs, attractions, shopping and many more. GFB members whose membership is current simply download the app to their device, set up a login and start saving!

The app may also be reached at https://gfb.abenity.com/login.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 12 MOTORISTS, FARMERS ASKED TO LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER ON ROADS During a press conference at the Sunbelt Ag Expo Oct. 18, Crisp County farmer John Bullington joined Harris Blackwood, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black in asking motorists to be mindful of farm equipment traveling the highways during harvest season.

Bullington's brother, Donald, was severely injured in an accident four years ago when a motorist, who was talking on the phone while driving, hit the hightop sprayer Donald was driving.

“We ask you during this harvest season to be aware that tractors and other farm equipment are on the road. They have the legal right to operate their equipment on our roads,” Blackwood said.

Bullington asked motorists to be patient if they get behind a piece of farm equipment.

“If you get behind us on the road, give us a little time. We have to dodge mailboxes and obey double lines, Bullington said. “If you'll just give us time, John Bullington we'll pull over to let traffic go by as quick as we get an opening.”

Bullington also asked motorists to not talk on phones while driving and especially not to text.

“These phones are a hazard from the word go,” Bullington said.

Bullington stressed the importance of farmers wearing their seat belts when driving any equipment on public highways. Unfortunately, Bullington’s brother, Donald, wasn’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of his accident and was thrown around in the sprayer cab when the impact of the crash sent it into a ditch.

“When you have a crash with farm equipment it will impact that farm tremendously,” Bullington said. “My brother hasn’t been able to farm with me since his accident because of the severe nerve pain he lives with from his accident injuries.”

Georgia Department of Transportation data shows there were 494 crashes involving farm and construction vehicles in Georgia last year that killed 12 people and injured 185 others.

“Farm accidents are one thing in life that are one hundred percent preventable if we all do what we’re supposed to,” Black said. “From a producer standpoint please have slow moving vehicle signs and flashers on your equipment. To the traveling public, in harvest season when farm equipment is prevalent on highways all across Georgia, please drive slow and be alert.”

GFB News Alert page 4 of 12 CORN, COTTON, SOYBEAN PRODUCTION FORECASTS DOWN FROM SEPT. After Tropical Storm Irma blew through in mid-September, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) October Crop Production Report forecasts significantly lower production in Georgia’s production of corn, cotton and soybeans than the agency previously predicted.

NASS projected Georgia’s corn production at 46 million bushels, down from its prediction of 58.24 million bushels in its September Crop Production Report, a decline of 21 percent. The state’s projected 2017 corn production would also be an 18 percent decline from its 2016 production (56.1 million bushels).

NASS adjusted its projection for the state’s cotton production from 2.7 million bales in the September report to 2.4 million in the October report. A 2.4 million-bale crop in 2017 would still be an increase of 220,000 bales (10 percent) over the 2016 production of 2.18 million bales.

Georgia’s 2017 peanut crop projection remained the same from September to October, at 3.9 billion pounds, a 41 percent increase over the 2016 crop of 2.753 billion pounds.

In the October report, NASS projects Georgia’s soybean production at 6.53 million bushels, a 12 percent decrease from the forecast crop of 7.48 million bushels included in the September report. The October forecast soybean crop would also be a 9 percent decline from the 2016 crop of 7.2 million bushels.

NASS forecast a 25 million-pound crop of tobacco in Georgia in 2017, the same as in the September report and 12 percent below the 2016 crop of 28.35 million pounds.

NASS had no forecast in the September report for hay or pecans. Georgia’s hay production is expected to be 1.68 million tons, a 22 percent increase over the 2016 crop of 1.38 million tons.

The state’s pecan crop, which was hit hard by Irma, was forecast at 81 million pounds, down fro 109 million pounds in 2016, which would be 26 percent decline.

USDA DEPUTY SECRETARY, UNDERSECRETARY FOR TRADE SWORN IN On Oct. 10, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Censky and Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney were sworn in to key USDA posts.

Censky, grew up on a diversified farm in Minnesota. He has worked as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill and in the USDA during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. Prior to being named deputy secretary, he served as CEO of the American Soybean Association.

McKinney grew up on a family grain and livestock farm in Indiana and most recently served as director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. McKinney has worked stints with Dow AgroSciences and with Elanco.

“I commend the Senate for confirming these two experienced, prepared, and capable nominees, who will provide the steady leadership we need at USDA,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said after the Senate confirmed the two candidates on Oct. 3. “Steve Censky will help us be responsive to producers reeling from the effects of multiple hurricanes and also offer prudent counsel as Congress continues work on the 2018 Farm Bill. Ted McKinney will take charge of the newly-created mission area focused on trade, and wake up every morning seeking to sell more American agricultural products in foreign markets. We eagerly await their arrival at USDA, and urge the Senate to continue to act on other nominees who are awaiting confirmation.”

GFB News Alert page 5 of 12 GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR ATTENDANCE TOPS 467,000 The 28th Annual Georgia National Fair, held Oct. 5-15, featured a new 150-foot Ferris Wheel among its attractions and drew 467,584 despite threats of inclement weather and conflicts with other scheduled activities around the state, according to fair officials.

Attendance was down 69,256 from an all-time record last year of 536,840.

“It is because of our partnerships with local and state agencies that we confidently offer a safe, secure and family-friendly facility for all of our fair goers. We would like to extend a warm and sincere thank you to everyone who helps make our fairgrounds a safe and enjoyable place for families and friends. The 2017 Georgia National Fair was a huge success and we are already planning for 2018,” said Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Executive Director Stephen Shimp.

One highlight of the 2017 Georgia National Fair was the attention focused toward livestock exhibitors and the GNFA livestock program, for which Georgia Farm Bureau is a premier sponsor, making a substantial contribution toward premium increases for all livestock showmen. Woody Folsom Trailers in Baxley became a sponsor this year in a combined effort to boost livestock exhibition to the top level among the nation’s livestock show events in the nation. Folsom Trailers donated the use of seven aluminum livestock trailers for one year to each of the livestock species grand champions.

These contributions combined with many others, are intended to ensure that FFA and 4-H participants will continue the tradition of showcasing their livestock projects during the Georgia National Fair. Additional sponsors for the livestock department included Georgia Farm Credit, Weaver Leather Livestock and Blue Ribbon Show Supply.

In 2018 the fair is set to open a new Livestock Birthing Center, where patrons can witness cows and pigs being born.

The 29th Annual Georgia National Fair is scheduled for October 4—14, 2018 in Perry, Ga. For more information about the fair, visit www.georgianationalfair.com.

GFB INCLUDED IN TOP LOBBYIST RANKINGS Georgia Farm Bureau was listed in James Magazine’s annual ranking of the state’s top lobbyists, among the state’s top business and trade associations.

GFB’s Public Policy Department includes four full-time lobbyists who maintain relationships with state lawmakers and policy makers year-round, fulfilling the organization’s mission.

“For 80 years, Georgia Farm Bureau has been the voice of Georgia Farmers,” said GFB President Gerald Long. “It was our mission in the 1930s when we started and it still is today. The issues today may be different than they were in 1937 when our organization was founded, but it’s as important now as it has ever been for farmers’ concerns to be heard in Atlanta and in Washington.”

The magazine, published by Insider Advantage, compiles the rankings based on votes from its readers. For the 2017 rankings, which were published in the September/October issue, more than 6,000 ballots were cast, according to James Publisher Phil Kent, who noted in his column that lobbyists provide much-needed research to legislators and those in position to make decisions on public policy.

To view the complete list visit http://bit.ly/17Jamesrankings.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 12 COTTON GROWERS SHOULD BE VIGILANT IN PREVENTING CONTAMINATION As cotton growers harvest their crop, the Georgia Cotton Commission is urging growers to keep their crop “clean and pure.� Over the past few years, the reputation that the American cotton grower has worked hard to earn has been challenged by contamination of the crop from a variety of foreign materials, including plastic.

The commission reminds producers to be vigilant about keeping contaminants out of their cotton. There have been reports of bales being sent back to gins and customers moving elsewhere because of plastic contamination. The cotton industry is committed to improving this situation for all along the cotton supply chain.

Foreign materials are anything other than lint and seed that is mixed into the cotton during harvest or during/after processing. Contaminants can range from bark to plastic bags to module wrap. Not only can foreign material inadvertently make it into yarns and fabrics, but it can also degrade the crop. These things can very easily be taken in by harvesting equipment, and it is easier to prevent contamination than it is to remove contaminants from baled cotton following ginning.

Growers should educate employees by creating a foreign materials watch list, and posting that list in automobiles and tractor/sprayer/picker cabs. Once that education is complete, workers can then identify and reduce any potential contaminants in the field by removing the foreign materials in the field.

It is just as important to harvest with clean equipment.

For growers who use pickers that include an onboard module builder with an automatic module wrapper, it is important to make sure that the equipment is not rubbing or puncturing the module wrap. Equally important is ensuring that the wrap is dispensing and adhering in the correct places, so it does not leave yellow or pink plastic lodged in the cotton. Modules should be transported at a height above the cotton stalks and placed on a flat, clean spot with a fist width of space between them.

The Georgia Cotton Commission reminds ginners and warehouses to start the season with clean, well maintained facilities and educate their employees on how to prevent contamination and the importance of prevention. These operations are more susceptible to contamination incidents as bales and modules are being transported and wrap is removed. It is important to thoroughly clean up any other liquid spills on the floors where cotton is handled.

Following these simple guidelines can help keep the high standard of American cotton around the world, and could improve access to more foreign markets. For more information about this topic and others, please contact the Georgia Contact Commission at www.georgiacottoncommission.org or (478) 988-4235.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 12 2017 CENTENNIAL FARMS HONORED AT GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR The Georgia Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Natural Resources honored 14 farm families Oct. 6 during the 25th annual Georgia Centennial Farm Awards Ceremony in Perry at the Georgia National Fair.

Farms hold a central role in the heritage of our state, having formed the economic, cultural and family foundation for generations of Georgians. All farms earning recognition have continuously operated for 100 years or more. More than 500 farms have been recognized through the Georgia Centennial Farm Program since its inception in 1993.

Recognition is given to farm owners through one of three awards: the Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old that listed in the NRHP. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the NRHP. In 2017, the following farms are recipients of the Georgia Centennial Family Farm Award: Lanier Farm, Bulloch County; Olde Homeplace, Bulloch County; Mary and Ben Newsome Family Farm, Crisp County; Sandy Acres Ranch, Dade County; Swicord Thomas Farm, Decatur County; Rey-Brin Farm, Hall County; Freeman Family Farm, Jackson County; Aldred-Stevens-Smith Farm, Jefferson County; Liberty Hill Ranch, LLC, Lamar County; Bryans Family Farm, Morgan County; McLain/Hood Farms of Orndorff Place, Terrell County; Gibbs - Crumley Family Farm, Tift County; James Paul Smith Family Farm, Turner County; Alvin Pierce Henderson Farm, Ware County.

The Georgia Centennial Farm Program is a partnership between the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia Forestry Commission; and Georgia National Fair and Agricenter; with support from Georgia EMC and the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

Anyone interested in nominating a farm for recognition should contact Allison Asbrock, Centennial Farm Awards committee, at 770-389-7868 or allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov. The postmark deadline for applications is May 1 of each year.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 12 PEST MANAGER TRAINING Nov. 3 St. Simons Island Casino 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

St. Simons Island Certified pesticide applicators, arborists and others can enjoy the beach and earn recertification credits at the Pest Manager Training. Attendees can earn many types of recertification credits – GA, FL and SC Pesticide Applicator, ISA Arborist CEUs, Society of American Forester CFEs and Certified Crop Advisor CEUs. Register online, see an agenda or find more information at https://stsimonspmt.eventbrite.com. The registration fee is $69 until, Oct. 26 and $75 afterward. For more information contact Willie Chance at wchance3@gmail.com or (478) 9729981.

2017 GFB HAY CONTEST Oct. 31 deadline to enter Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the GFB 2017 Quality Hay Contest. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the University of Georgia Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and likely animal intake of hay. Producers may enter more than one sample in the contest. There is a $20 entry fee for each sample entered in the contest to cover lab costs.

Applications and instructions for submitting samples are available at county Farm Bureau offices or may be downloaded at the GFB website http://www.gfb.org/commodities/hay_contest.html.

Checks to cover the entry fee should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau. Entry forms and samples should be sent to the GFB Public Policy Department, Agricultural Programs, 1620 Bass Road Macon, Ga., 31210. The deadline to enter is Oct. 31. The first-place prize is free use of a Vermeer 504R Signature Baler for one year courtesy of Vermeer.

MONSANTO’S AMERICA’S FARMERS GROW COMMUNITIES PROGRAM Nov. 1 deadline to apply Farmers in 34 Georgia counties have until 6 p.m. Nov. 1 to register a charity of their choice in their county to win $2,500 in the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program. Eligible counties are: Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth.

There were at least 30,000 acres of corn, soybeans, cotton and/or vegetables planted in these counties in 2016. The program is open to farmers, age 21 and older in eligible counties, actively farming a minimum of 250 acres. No purchase needed to win. Farmers who meet the age and crop eligibility requirements but who do not live in an eligible county may also enter the contest. Five entries from this pool of entrants will be selected to designate a $2,500 donation to the eligible charity of their choice. Charities must have IRS 501©3) tax-exempt status or be a unit of government under Section 170(c)(1). Suggested charities are local 4-H or FFA programs, fire departments, hospitals, libraries or schools. For more information or to apply, visit www.growcommunities.com or call 1-877-267-3332 to apply.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 12 FERAL SWINE WORKSHOPS Nov. 3 Gainesville Nov. 8 Calhoun Nov. 13 Statesboro Nov. 30 Albany Dec. 15 Nashville These workshops, which feature trapping demonstrations, are sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Agriculture, USDA, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. For more information, contact Casey Cox at 229-351-4728 or casey@gacd.us.

AG LABOR RELATIONS FORUM Nov. 7 & 8 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Georgia Farm Bureau and other ag organizations are collaborating with the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) to host this forum, designed to help farmers and ag business owners comply with existing labor laws and policies. The forum will be relevant to all commodities that rely on labor. The target audience is farmers, farm office managers and personnel responsible for monitoring rules and regulations for their organizations. Leading labor attorneys and human resource specialists will teach the sessions. For more information or to register visit www.georgiaaglaborforum.com or call the GFVGA at 706-845-8200.

SMALL FARM CONFERENCE Nov. 13-14 Unicoi State Park Helen The Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource Conservation and District in partnership with the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission and Natural Resources Conservation Service will host this conference to educate farmers with small-scale operations on ways to improve their operations and make them run more efficiently. The two-day conference will feature general sessions that will cover major agricultural topics, as well as breakout sessions that will cover unique topics of interest to small farming operations. Registration for the conference is $220 per person; however, through sponsorship from the Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D, the first 120 people to reserve a spot will receive a fully-paid scholarship for the event. Registration must be received by Nov. 6.

For more information, and to register for the event, contact the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission in Athens at 706-552-4470.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING Nov. 13 7th District First Baptist Church 7 p.m.

Statesboro Meeting begins at 7 p.m. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: This meeting is for Farm Bureau members only and not open to the general public.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 12 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM Nov. 17 deadline to apply for FY 2018 The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2018 http://bit.ly/18EQIPsignup. While producers can apply year round, this application cutoff announcement is for all general EQIP, as well as some special initiatives like the Longleaf Pine, On-Farm Energy, Organic, Seasonal High tunnel, Working Lands for Wildlife and the North Georgia Irrigation Pilot projects. Farmers who wish to apply should visit their local USDA Service Center. EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water and other natural resource concerns on private lands. For more information on NRCS conservation programs visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab.

DAIRY MARGIN PROTECTION PROGRAM ENROLLMENT Dec. 15 deadline for enrollment The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications from dairy producers for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPPDairy). The USDA has utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018. To opt out, a producer should not sign up during the annual registration period. By opting out, a producer would not receive any MPP-Dairy benefits if payments are triggered for 2018. Full details will be included in a subsequent Federal Register Notice. The decision would be for 2018 only and is not retroactive. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy producers when the margin - the difference between the price of milk and feed costs - falls below the coverage level selected by the producer. USDA has a web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the MPP-Dairy that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The online resource, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, Smartphone, tablet or any other platform, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the MPP-Dairy. To find a local FSA office in your area, visit http://offices.usda.gov.

GFB TAKING LISTINGS FOR HAY DIRECTORY Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or offering custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list in the 2017/18 GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Because this directory is now offered exclusively online, hay can be listed or removed from the site as your inventory dictates. To participate, please complete a submission form available at your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.org/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 12 GEORGIA AGRITOURISM ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING March 5-6 Unicoi State Park Helen This conference is for farmers and ranchers who are currently or potentially agritourism entrepreneurs. The conference offers opportunities to learn and ready to network. Early Bird Registration is $199 for GAA members and $229 for non-members until Feb. 5, 2018. To register visit http://bit.ly/GAA17conf.

FARM BUREAU-AFFILIATED FARMERS MARKETS CANTON FARMERS MARKET Oct. 28 Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Cannon Park Canton This market features 100 percent GA Grown produce and handcrafted items. On Oct. 21, the market will feature Pumpkin Day! Small and large pumpkins will be available for purchase, and a pumpkin prize wheel for children to spin to learn about pumpkins and receive a prize. To spin the prize wheel is free for everyone. For more information please call Shirley Pahl Cherokee County Farm Bureau at 770-479-1481 ext. 0 COBB COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Lost Mountain Park Powder Springs Cobb County Farm Bureau (CCFB) in cooperation with Cobb County Parks & Recreation is hosting 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 food to the community.

Each vendor must be a Farm Bureau member. Vendor fees are only $5 per week, with a discount for paying in full for the entire market season. For more information contact cobbcountyfarmbureau@gmail.com or Debbie Payne at dmpayne@gfb.org or 770-9433531.

ROCKDALE/DEKALB FARM BUREAU FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays & Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, RDCFB office Conyers The Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau Farmers Market will be held at 1400 Parker Rd. SE in Conyers. The public is invited to stop by and shop for fresh, locally grown vegetables, dairy products, crafts and more. The market is expected to run into late summer or early fall when produce production ends. For more information contact the Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau office at 770-922-3566.

SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS MARKET Oct. 21 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) sponsors this open-air market that features local farmers and entrepreneurs selling products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. Market 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.

GFB News Alert page 12 of 12 UNION COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville The public is welcome to shop for fresh, locally grown vegetables from local farmers. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at 706-781-8802 or visit www.ucfarmersmarket.com.