Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - September 16, 2015

September 16, 2015

www.gfb.org

Vol. 33 No. 37

GA POULTRY FEDERATION LAUNCHES BIOSECURITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN The Georgia Poultry Federation (GPF) launched its Grower Biosecurity Education Campaign on Sept. 8.

The GPF goal is to reach growers with a consistent and frequent message about the importance of biosecurity, with the hope that these reminders will reinforce the other messages that growers are hearing and help create habits that will improve biosecurity at the farm level and help prevent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

As part of the campaign, called “All In or All Gone,” growers will receive email messages emphasizing the importance of maintaining strict biosecurity measures to prevent an outbreak. Each message will contain a single and concise concept that can be read quickly. In many cases, the message will be a reminder instead of detailed “how to” instructions.

The first such message noted that while there are currently no known cases of HPAI in Georgia, it is critical that everyone working on poultry farms should follow strict biosecurity measures because the economic impact of HPAI outbreaks could be devastating.

According to the first campaign message, All In means all poultry producers practicing biosecurity measures all the time. Catching avian influenza on your farm means your chickens are all gone. The flock will be depopulated, and the farm will be quarantined.

The campaign has a website – www.allinallgone.com – where additional information is available. This site will be updated frequently so that anyone interested in learning more will have a reason to visit the site often. For example, a grower presentation from Georgia Poultry Lab Network Executive Director Dr. Louise will be uploaded and edited into sections so that growers can revisit the presentation and review particular areas of interest.

Dating back to December 2014, the USDA confirmed more than 220 cases of HPAI in wild birds, backyard poultry and commercial poultry flocks in the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyway zones (migratory bird paths) in more than 20 states commercial turkey and layer egg producers were hit hard this spring as wild birds carried the virus to Minnesota and Iowa. Animal health officials are anticipating that HPAI could return this fall as the migratory birds fly south for the winter.

GFB News Alert page 2 of 12 STATES ASK APPEALS COURT FOR NATIONAL STAY ON WOTUS RULE A group of 18 states, including Georgia, asked the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals for a nationwide stay to halt the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Waters of the U.S.” rule while the states’ lawsuits are being heard. Multiple suits filed in federal courts earlier this year were consolidated into one to be heard by the appeals court. An injunction halting the rule is in place in 13 states after a ruling in the U.S. District Court of North Dakota, but the agencies moved ahead with implementing and enforcing the rule in the other 37 states. The rule took effect Aug. 28.

In requesting the stay, the states argue that they are suffering irreparable harm under the rule, which they say seizes their sovereign authority over intrastate waters, imposing costs under the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) state-administered programs. They also maintain that they are likely to prevail based in the merits of the case, that the WOTUS rule violates the “notice and comment” requirements under the Administrative Procedures Act, that certain aspects of the rule are arbitrary, and that it violates both the CWA and the Constitution.

FDA FINALIZES TWO RULES UNDER FSMA The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized the first two of seven major rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) on Sept. 10, pending publication in the Federal Register, according to an FDA press release. The Federal Register is expected to publish the rules on Sept. 17.

The finalization of the two rules is the first step in putting greater emphasis on the prevention of foodborne illness, holding imported food to the same food safety standard as domestically produced food and developing a nationally integrated food safety system in partnership with state and local authorities.

The two preventive control rules focus on implementing modern food manufacturing processes for both human and animal foods. According to the FDA, the rules ensure that food companies are taking action and working with the FDA to prevent hazards to customers on the front end, rather than waiting to act until an outbreak has occurred.

The preventive control rules require human and animal food facilities to develop and implement written food safety plans that indicate the possible problems that could affect the safety of their products and outline steps the facility would take to prevent or significantly minimize the likelihood of those problems occurring. Food companies will be accountable for monitoring their facilities and identifying any potential hazards in their products and prevent those hazards. Under these rules, the FDA said it will be able to assess these systems and their outcomes to prevent problems, will better be able to respond when food safety problems occur, and better protect the safety of manufactured food.

The FDA and the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service have scheduled a series of instructional webinars to prepare growers for the launch of the rules. For information or to register for the Sept. 17 webinar visit http://tinyurl.com/fsmafda. To register for the Oct. 7 webinar visit http://tinyurl.com/webinarFSMA. To review the rule for preventative controls for human food visit https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-21920.pdf.

To review the rule for preventative controls for animal foods, visit https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-21921.pdf.

GFB News Alert page 3 of 12 NATIONAL FARM SAFETY WEEK IS SEPT. 20-26 The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) at Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) Peosta campus will be sponsoring webinars in observance of National Farm Safety & Health Week, Sept. 20 - 26.

The 2015 theme for National Farm Safety & Health Week is “Ag Safety is not just a slogan, it’s a lifestyle.” The webinars scheduled for each day of the week will be available at www.necasag.org, as well as more information and public service announcements related to this year’s theme.

This year the NECAS webinars, offered each day at noon, will cover the following themes: Sept. 21, rural roadway; Sept. 22, confined spaces in agriculture; Sept.

23, children’s topics; Sept. 25, health; Sept. 26, tractor safety.

NECAS also invites everyone to join them for AgChat on Sept. 22, from 7-9 p.m. (CST).

The theme “Ag Safety is not just a slogan, it’s a lifestyle” reminds local and rural communities that agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. and farm injuries and fatalities are preventable through education. The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that in 2013 farming accounted for 500 fatalities, or 23.2 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Each year since 1944, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety & Health Week. This recognition has been an annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council and has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. president since Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first document.

For more information, contact: Gloria Reiter, NECAS administrative assistant, at (888) 8446322, ext. 371, or reiterg@nicc.edu; or Dan Neenan, NECAS director, at (888) 844-6322, ext.

248, or neenand@nicc.edu. Additional information about NECAS is available at www.necasag.org.

GEORGIA HOUSE DRONE STUDY COMMITTEE SCHEDULES MEETING In March, the Georgia House of Representatives passed a resolution establishing a drone study committee. The committee, chaired by Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville), scheduled its first meeting for Sept. 30 at the Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta.

“It is our desire to ensure that the privacy and safety of the citizens of our great state are protected, but that we also allow this growing industry to continue to flourish in Georgia,” Tanner wrote in an opinion piece published in the Dawson Community News, noting that numerous industries stand to benefit while the spread of drone use has prompted concerns over privacy.

The Sept. 30 meeting will include presentations from Georgia Tech researchers about their ongoing drone projects and the Federal Aviation Administration about regulations that apply to drones.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 12 LEW HUNNICUTT NAMED ASSISTANT PROVOST AND UGA GRIFFIN DIRECTOR Lew K. Hunnicutt, an administrator who oversees two campuses of Frank Phillips College in Texas, has been named assistant provost and campus director at the University of Georgia's Griffin campus, according to a UGA press release.

Hunnicutt, whose appointment at UGA is effective Nov. 1, is currently the vice president of extended services at Frank Phillips College in the Texas Panhandle, where he is responsible for the operation of branch campuses in Perryton and Dalhart and where he oversees extended education programs such as continuing education and corporate development.

“I am excited that Dr. Hunnicutt will be leading the UGA-Griffin campus," said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “His extensive experience in administering instruction, research and outreach — particularly at a college with multiple campuses — will serve UGAGriffin and our community partners well.”

The assistant provost and campus director of UGA-Griffin is a new Lew Hunnicutt position, and Hunnicutt will oversee all research, Cooperative Extension and instructional programs at UGA-Griffin. He will report dually to the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost to support instructional missions of the campus and to the dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to support the research and Extension missions of the college.

Hunnicutt joined Frank Phillips College in 2003 as the director of its Perryton campus. In that role, he managed a $3.8 million capital campaign to build a permanent campus that opened debtfree in 2005. He served as dean of the campus and was named the college's service area liaison to broaden his responsibilities to include building relationships with communities and businesses in its nine-county, 9,400-square-mile service area. As vice president of extended services, a position he has held since 2013, he oversees extended education programs throughout the college's service area.

“To say I am excited about being chosen to lead the Griffin campus would be a grand understatement,” Hunnicutt said. “I feel my entire career has been preparing me for this position, and I consider it a distinct privilege to join the UGA family and Griffin campus team. The Griffin campus holds many opportunities, and I know we will all be proud of the outcome.”

He earned his bachelor's degree in animal science from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and holds master's degrees in reproductive biology, animal science and general agriculture. He earned his doctorate in animal science from the University of Wyoming.

Located 40 miles south of Atlanta, the UGA-Griffin campus was established in 1888 as the Georgia Experiment Station.

Undergraduate degree-completion programs as well as graduate degrees at UGA-Griffin are offered through UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Education, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and Terry College of Business.

UGA-Griffin is internationally known for its research in agriculture, food processing and food safety, among several other fields. Notable research centers at UGA-Griffin include the Center for Food Safety, the Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center, the Center for Urban Agriculture, and a Turfgrass Research and Education Facility.

For more information on UGA-Griffin, see campus.griffin.uga.edu.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 12 FOUR GA COUNTIES ELIGIBLE FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE DUE TO DROUGHT On Sept. 9 the USDA designated 35 counties in South Carolina as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive heat and drought that occurred from May 1, 2015, and continues. Four Georgia counties – Burke, Columbia, Richmond and Screven – are eligible for federal disaster assistance programs because they are contiguous to South Carolina counties in the declaration.

All qualified farm operators in the designated areas are eligible for low-interest emergency (EM) loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.

Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

ISAKSON: SOUTH AFRICA SHOULD ALLOW IMPORTS OF U.S. CHICKEN U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) Friday urged South African President Jacob Zuma to act expeditiously to resolve remaining elements of the U.S.-South Africa agreement reached in Paris earlier this year and allow U.S. poultry exports to South Africa to resume, according to a joint press release from the two senators.

A settlement was reached in the longstanding poultry dispute between the United States and South Africa on June 8 during negotiations in Paris. The agreement was welcome news for the entire U.S. poultry industry, including the large poultry operations in Georgia and Delaware.

In a letter to the South African president, Isakson and Coons point to a number of unresolved issues that are hindering the successful implementation of the Paris agreement.

Senators Isakson and Coons, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have pressured the South African government for over a year to end the antidumping duties. Most recently, the senators secured language in the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) requiring the USTR to conduct a review of South Africa’s trade practices, specifically antidumping duties on U.S. poultry. The pair pointed to the ongoing review by the USTR as another reason for swift action to be taken by South Africa to complete those essential processes.

Under the current agreement, if not further delayed, American poultry products are expected to enter the South African market before the end of 2015.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 12 DREDGING FOR SAVANNAH HARBOR EXPANSION PROJECT UNDERWAY Dredging work has begun in the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project according to published reports. The $700 million project will enable the Port of Savannah to accommodate larger ships carrying more cargo, allowing a greater volume of goods to be shipped through the port.

“The start of dredging is a great victory for the future of Georgia, the Southeast and for our country,” said U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). “The expansion and deepening of the Port of Savannah has been a top priority of mine since coming to the Senate in 2005, and I am so pleased to see this critical project get underway. It has been the result of many years of work and partnership among Georgia leaders including Governor Deal, former Senator Saxby Chambliss, former Congressman Jack Kingston, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.”

In February 2015, the administration’s fiscal year 2016 budget request included $29.7 million for the Savannah harbor -- $21.05 million for the expansion project and an additional $8.66 million to dispose of the dredging waste in Georgia and South Carolina. In addition, the president’s budget lists the Savannah project for the first time as an “ongoing construction project,” a designation that allows this vital economic infrastructure project to stay on track for future federal funding.

The project will deepen the Savannah River by five feet and extend the entrance channel by an additional seven miles.

“Today is a great day for Savannah, the state of Georgia, and the Southeast. After almost two decades of bureaucratic delays from Washington to deepen our port five feet, the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is finally moving forward,” Sen. David Perdue said in a released statement. “This is a necessary infrastructure investment in order for the Port of Savannah to remain competitive and will help create more jobs and encourage economic growth. I applaud all of our state and local leaders who have fought hard through the years to advance this project and ensure the Port of Savannah remains a top port in our country.”

RECORD YIELDS FORECAST FOR GEORGIA CORN, SOYBEAN GROWERS Georgia’s corn and soybean growers appear headed for record yields according to the September crop report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Georgia’s corn production overall is forecast to decline from 52.7 million bushels in 2014) to 48.8 million bushels in 2015 because of reduced acreage, but NASS adjusted its forecast average yield from 180 bushels per acre in its August crop report to 184 bushels per acre in its September report.

The state’s soybean growers are also forecast for a record yield according to NASS, which projects an average yield of 44 bushels per acre, adjusted up from 42 bushels per acre in the August report. Georgia soybean production is forecast at 15.2 million bushels in 2015, up from 11.6 million bushels in 2014.

NASS also adjusted its forecast cotton yield for Georgia growers, from 925 pounds per acre in the August report to 951 pounds per acre in the September report. The state’s cotton production is projected at 2.2 million bales.

Georgia’s peanut production is forecast at 3.4 billion pounds in 2015, which would be up 42 percent over the state’s 2014 peanut production.

The state’s production of spring onions is forecast at 268.8 million pounds in 2015, up from 258.5 million pounds in 2014.

Georgia tobacco production is forecast at 29.25 million pounds in 2015, down from 34.5 million pounds in 2014.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 12 FORMER GFB WOMEN’S COMMITTEE MEMBER LOIS WEST DIES Lois West, who served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s committee from 1980 to 1985, died on Sept. 15 after an extended illness. She was 91.

In addition to her service on the GFB Women’s Committee, she was very active in Gordon County Farm Bureau for many years.

Mrs. West is survived by her husband of 67 years, retired GFB 1st District Director Henry West, daughters Rita Crook, Neva Adams and her husband David, Nelda Heramb and her husband David, and son Terry and his wife Joy, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“We were saddened to learn of Lois’ passing,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “She was truly a dedicated servant for Farm Bureau and for agriculture. Our thoughts and Lois West prayers go out to Henry and the rest of the West family.”

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Thomas Funeral Home in Calhoun. The funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Farmville United Methodist Church in Calhoun.

Condolences may be sent to the West family at 148 West Lake Rd. SE, Rydal, GA 30171.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 12 See page 11 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets!

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 17 10th District Jamestown Baptist Church 7 p.m.

Waycross Sept. 28 8th District South Georgia Technical College 7 p.m.

Americus Sept. 29 6th District Poplar Springs Baptist Church 7 p.m.

Dublin Oct. 1 1st District First Baptist Church 7 p.m.

Calhoun Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and are not open to the general public.

AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 17 Westbrook Farm, UGA Griffin Campus 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Griffin This event, hosted by UGA Griffin every three years, will provide attendees with information on ways to increase the value of their land. Federal and state government agency officials and representatives of private business will provide management recommendations and demonstrate real-life techniques at this unique educational event, which features more than 30 topics, including wildlife openings, pond management, feral hog issues and many more. Continuing Education Credits (CEU) are available for several fields, including pesticide (several categories), forestry, loggers, arborist and wildlife. Registration is $30 and includes lunch. Pre-registrants will receive an Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day ball cap. Field trip opportunity and special pricing is available for high school students. For more information or for registration information, visit www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html.

POLLINATOR HABITAT FIELD DAY Sept. 23 Foster-Brady Farm, 4290 Snows Mill Road 9 a.m. – noon Monroe This field day, offered by the Walton County Soil and Water Conservation District, will cover reasons for decline of bee colonies, pollinator habitat, the benefits of bats and federal government programs to benefit pollinators. Speakers include UGA’s Jennifer Berry and Keith Fielder, Trina Morris of the Department of Natural Resources and Jennifer Anderson Cruz of the NRCS. To register, contact Joel Burnsed at 770-267-1324 or jburnse1@uga.edu. RSVP by Sept.

18.

2015 GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL APPLE PIE RECIPE CONTEST Oct. 10 Lions Club Fairgrounds 10 a.m.

Ellijay This annual contest is part of the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. The 1st-place winner will receive $300 and a ribbon. The 2nd place winner will receive $100 and a ribbon. To enter, submit an entry form and the recipe (Attn: Recipe Contest) to the Gilmer Extension office in Ellijay. Only put your name (contestant name) on the back of the recipe, not on the front. All recipes must be received by noon on Sept. 18 and all recipes must use fresh Georgia apples.

Five finalists will be selected from the entries. There are no kitchen facilities available at the festival, so contestants will bring their prepared apple pie to the Lions Club Fairgrounds Oct. 10 by 9:45 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m. Eligibility rules apply. Only one entry per family and only one entry per person. Contestants must be 10 years old or older. For more details or to get an entry form, call the Gilmer County Extension office at 706-635-4426 or visit the office at 1123 Progress Road in Ellijay.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 12 TRAVELER'S REST PIONEER DAY Sept. 19 Traveler’s Rest State Historic site 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Toccoa The public is invited to join in this celebration of 200 years of history. Traveler's Rest Stagecoach Inn opened for business around 1815. All ages will enjoy the Pioneer era demonstrators, musicians, crafts, and samples of open-hearth cooking. Tour this historic inn, which still has some of the original family furnishings from the 1800's. Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site is located at 4339 Riverdale Road in Toccoa. For more information visit www.gastateparks.org/TravelersRest or call Tugaloo State Park at 706-356-4362. On Saturdays and Sundays call Travelers Rest Inn 706-886-2256.

2015 TRI-STATE PEANUT DISEASE TOUR Sept. 22-24 Florida, Georgia, Alabama The tour begins on Sept. 22 with a tour of the plots at the University of Florida’s North Florida Research Center in Quincy. Sept. 23 stops are on the UGA Tifton Campus, including the LangRigdon Farm and the Black Shank Farm. Lunch is at 12:30 p.m. Albert Culbreath at spotwilt@uga.edu. Sept. 25 stops are at Auburn University’s Wiregrass Experiment Station in Headland, Ala. Contact Albert Culbreath at 229-326-7683 or spotwilt@uga.edu for more information.

SOUTHEAST CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 26 Brantley County Saddle Club 9:30 a.m. – noon Nahunta This field day will focus on vaccination programs and techniques, parasite control and heifer selection. Speakers include Carole Knight, Will Lovett and Ashley Mesa of UGA and Henry Jones of Zoetis. A sponsored lunch will be provided. Register by Sept. 24 by calling the Brantley County Extension office at 912-462-5724.

ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY FOR FARM BILL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS Farmers have until Sept. 30 to formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety-net programs for 2014 and 2015 according to a USDA press release. Farmers and producers had until April 7 to make a one-time choice of the program in which they would participate. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

5TH NIAA ANTIBIOTICS SYMPOSIUM Nov. 3-5 Crowne Plaza Midtown Atlanta The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will be hosting this antibiotic symposium, focusing on antibiotic stewardship. This unique forum brings together leading researchers, government officials, retailers and industry professionals in animal and human health.

Discounted registration is available before Oct. 1. For more information or to register online go to www.AnimalAgriculture.org/2015-Antibiotics-Symposium or contact the NIAA at 719538-8843 or niaa@animalagriculture.org.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 12 FORESTRY WORKSHOP AND FIELD DAY Oct. 6 Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center 9 a.m.

Lyons UGA Extension and UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry are hosting this regional meeting for landowners, timber managers and foresters. This meeting will be a great opportunity for anyone who has interests in forestry. Topics include forest management plans, forestry herbicide use, pine straw production, pine seedling sources and more. There is no cost for this meeting, but registration is required since there is limited space available. A sponsored lunch will be provided. Call the Tattnall County Extension office at 912-557-6724 to reserve your seat or send an email to Chris Tyson at tysonc@uga.edu with the names of those attending.

26th ANNUAL GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Oct. 8-18 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The award-winning Georgia National Fair features livestock and horse shows, youth exhibits, home and fine arts competitions, family entertainment and Midway rides and games. Concerts include shows by Alabama and Rascal Flatts. Visit www.georgianationalfair.com for more information.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION 5K RUN Oct. 17 Rock Creek Park, 445 Martin Rd. 8 a.m.

Dawsonville Runners receive race t-shirts, awards to overall winners and age group winners in this event. The course is described as flat and fast and conducive to setting personal records. The proceeds will benefit the GFB Foundation for Agriculture for use in GFB’s Ag In The Classroom program, consumer awareness projects and adult learning opportunities. Register by Oct. 11 to guarantee your t-shirt and shirt size. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 the day of the race. On-site registration and packet pick-up begins at 7 a.m. For online registration visit http://fivestarntp.com/GA_Farm_Bureau_5K.html.

2015 SUNBELT AG EXPO Oct. 20-22 Spence Field Moultrie North America's largest farm show features field demonstrations, the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year and more than 1,200 exhibitors. Tickets are $10 per person per day or $20 for multi-day tickets. Children under 10 get in free with parent. For more information visit www.sunbeltexpo.com.

GFB TAKING ENTRIES TO HAY CONTEST, HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the GFB 2015 Quality Hay Contest. GFB is also accepting entries for its 2016 Quality Hay Directory. The deadline for submissions for both the contest and the directory is Oct. 30.

Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the UGA Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and likely animal intake of hay. There is a $15 entry fee for each sample entered in the contest to cover lab costs. Applications and instructions for submitting samples, as well as updated contest rules, are available at county Farm Bureau offices or may be downloaded at the GFB website http://www.gfb.org/commodities/hay_contest.html.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 12 AFBF FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE BULLETIN BOARD CONTEST The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s ag-themed bulletin board contest for teachers is open for submissions through Oct. 31. The winner receives a copy of “Farm a Month,” the Foundation’s activities kit about agriculture across America, plus the 12 books that accompany it. To enter, visit http://www.agfoundation.org/projects/bulletin-board-contest.

ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET Sept. 19, Oct. 17 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. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Each month’s market will have a different theme. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. The Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm is an outdoor ag museum that functions as an educational and interpretative facility. The farm is unique for its collection of intact historic buildings that exist in their original location and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from the market will be used for restoration projects at the farm. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online.

PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 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 from April 16 to Nov. 20. 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.

HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332.

GFB News Alert page 12 of 12 MONROE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 10 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Court Street Downtown Monroe This market features vegetables and other ag commodities grown in Walton County along with homemade products made by county residents. Walton County Farm Bureau is one of the sponsors of the market, which is located on Court Street in downtown Monroe. Visit www.monroedowntown.com for more information or contact Cheryl Brady at 770-722-9145 or monroefmdowntown@gmail.com.

ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Through Nov. 21 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public.

Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact RDCFB Office Manager Susanne Bell at shbell@gfb.org or call 770-922-3566.

WHITE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays through Sept. 27 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Freedom Park near downtown square Cleveland White County Farm Bureau helps sponsor this market, where customers can shop for some of the freshest produce around while listening to local musicians. The market also features themed market days throughout the season with recipes, taste testing, and other fun events. For more information contact the White County Extension Office at 706-865-2832. Vendors can rent space at the market for $10 per Saturday. Vendors must be residents of White County and or adjacent counties and goods must be grown or locally made.

UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Saturdays through Oct. 31 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Tuesdays through Oct. 27 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com