October 5, 2016
www.gfb.org
Vol. 34 No. 32
GFB POLICY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETS Georgia Farm Bureau’s Policy Development Committee met at the GFB headquarters in Macon Oct. 3 to review the organization’s current position on ag issues and to consider resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureaus in September. Look for the “This process started in August when our commodity committees met next issue of and reviewed our policy,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “Policy GFB News Development is how we determine the organization’s legislative Alert on direction. It is an example of pure democracy in action, and no other October 19. organization allows more open discourse than we do in Farm Bureau.” The GFB Policy Development Committee consists of 30 county presidents (three from each district), the chairmen of each of the 20 GFB Commodity Advisory Committees and the GFB Board of Directors. Also, included in this year’s PD Committee were the eight Georgia members of the American Farm Bureau Issue Advisory Committees. In addition to reviewing GFB’s existing policy, the GFB Policy Development Committee reviewed 275 resolutions submitted by 72 county Farm Bureaus across Georgia. The resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureaus cover a wide range of topics including issues related to livestock, environmental regulations, tax compliance, wildlife, and national farm programs. This year based on the number of resolutions received, taxes received more recommendations than any other topic. On the state level, preservation of the GATE program is a major concern. Under the GATE program, qualified producers are eligible to receive a sales tax exemption on commonly purchased inputs such as seed, feed, fertilizer and chemicals. Numerous resolutions were also submitted in support of the Conversation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) program which reduces property taxes for farmers who pledge not to develop their qualifying lands. Of concern at the federal level, resolutions were received regarding the 2018 farm bill. Lower commodity prices and a struggling farm economy have sparked much discussion about the design of upcoming legislation. The committee urged Congress to revisit various farm bill commodity programs and provide growers with a stronger safety net. The committee will meet again on Nov. 7 to finalize the policy book that will be presented to the voting delegates for approval at the GFB convention in December.