USDA TO BUY MEAT, TAKE OTHER STEPS TO SOFTEN EFFECTS OF DROUGHT

The USDA will purchase up to $170 million worth of pork, lamb, chicken and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, in a move Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said will help relieve pressure on American livestock producers during the ongoing drought.

The purchase will be done using Section 32 funds under the Emergency Surplus Removal Program. Section 32 allows purchases of meat and poultry products to assist farmers and ranchers who have been affected by natural disasters. Many segments of the U.S. livestock industry are being affected by increasing feed prices as grain supplies are being limited by ongoing drought conditions.

“These purchases will assist pork, catfish, chicken and lamb producers who are currently struggling due to challenging market conditions and the high cost of feed resulting from the widespread drought. The purchase will help mitigate further downward prices, stabilize market conditions and provide high quality, nutritious food to recipients of USDA’s nutrition programs,” Vilsack said in a press release.

The meat purchases include up to $50 million worth of chicken products, which could benefit poultry producers in Georgia, the nation’s top poultry-producing state. In addition, the USDA plans to buy $100 million worth of pork and $10 million each in catfish and lamb products.

The purchase of meats is one of several steps the USDA has taken to mitigate the impact of the drought. The agency has authorized $16 million in existing funds from its Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing drought conditions rated exceptional or extreme, the two most severe drought designation levels.

The USDA has authorized haying and grazing of easement areas enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. The USDA also lowered the reduction in annual rental payment to producers on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012.

In Georgia, 138 counties have received primary disaster area designation from the USDA due to drought.

For more information about the USDA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://tinyurl.com/2aqlsmw.

August 22, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 34

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 DEAL ORDER GIVES BOOST TO GA. FOREST PRODUCTS

On Aug. 15, Gov. Nathan Deal issued an executive order that directs new or expanded state buildings to incorporate “Green Building” standards that give certification credits equally to forest products grown, manufactured and certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the American Tree Farm System and the Forest Stewardship Council.

“For the past 50 years, Georgia has led the nation in commercially available, private-owned timberlands and is a national leader in the growing and processing of wood construction materials,” said Deal. “The U.S. Green Council’s LEED rating system unfairly awards its wood certification credits only to products certified under one standard. Recognizing all forest certifications equally will promote sustainable forestry in our state and will help create thousands of jobs while maintaining our strong outdoor heritage.”

Georgia’s forestry industry, the second largest in the state, injects $23.8 billion and more than 108,000 jobs into its economy. Of the state’s 37 million acres of land, 24.8 million acres is forest land; 24.4 million of which is available for commercial use, more than any other state in the country.

The executive order also states that the design, construction, operation and maintenance of any existing state building to be renovated will incorporate “Green Building” standards in order to achieve significant energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Deal joins Maine Gov. Paul LePage in the effort to equally certify the forests of North America. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS OCT. 15 FOR NRCS DROUGHT GRANTS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications until Oct. 15 for grants intended to help farmers fund projects that will make their farms more drought tolerant. The NRCS is offering up to $5 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to evaluate and demonstrate farming practices that help producers adapt to drought. Funds will be awarded through a competitive process for projects lasting one to three years. NRCS is especially interested in projects that demonstrate: cropping or grazing systems that increase drought resiliency through improved soil health; increases in available soil water-holding capacity by enhancing organic matter with reduced tillage, cover crops and organic amendments; uses of drought-resistant plants in coordination with the NRCS Plant Material Centers; or improvements in water efficiency.

Visit http://www.grants.gov to apply or contact the NRCS National CIG office at 703-235-8065. TWO APPOINTED TO GEORGIA AGRICULTURE EXPOSITION AUTHORITY

Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed Ann Jones and John B. Hulsey to the Georgia Agriculture Exposition Authority.

Jones, who serves on the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine, is an accredited equestrian judge with nine different associations in 130 countries. She has also shown over 80 world champion horses.

Hulsey, a lifetime member of the National Cutting Horse Association, operates two farms in Cleveland and owns Hulsey Environmental Services.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 MEXICO WON’T CHARGE ANTIDUMPING DUTIES ON CHICKEN IMPORTS

The Mexican government announced on Aug. 3 that it will not impose antidumping duties on imports of U.S. chicken leg quarters because of the negative impact such duties could have on the economy and food prices for Mexican consumers.

The decision was reached despite the findings of the Mexican Unit of Foreign Trade Practices, which concluded that dumping had occurred.

The Congressional Chicken Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), welcomed the decision.

“Mexico’s decision to delay duties on U.S. chicken leg quarter imports comes as great news to the poultry industry in Georgia and across the entire nation,” said Bishop. “Especially in light of our current economy, no farmer, rancher, or poultry producer should have to sustain the damage unwarranted anti-dumping duties would inflict upon the market.”

The decision not to charge the duties was reached after the intervention of Mexico’s Foreign Trade Commission, which cited the rising cost of staple foods in Mexico. The group noted that it would monitor market conditions and could re-evaluate the antidumping duties later. DEAL, OTHER GOVERNORS REQUEST WAIVER OF ETHANOL STANDARDS

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal sent a petition to the EPA requesting that the agency use its authority under the Clean Air Act to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to reduce upward pressure on corn prices caused by crop losses due to drought.

Increased demand for corn supplies, which Deal said is created in part by the RFS, is resulting in drastic increases in the prices Georgia’s poultry and livestock producers are paying for feed. Deal said that the state’s poultry producers are spending an extra $1.4 million per day on corn due to limited supplies resulting from drought. Georgia is the nation’s top poultry-producing state, with 40 percent of its farm gate

value coming from broiler production. “Georgia is experiencing severe economic harm during this crisis and important economic

sectors in the state are in serious economic jeopardy. This harm is precisely of the type, character and extent that Congress envisioned when it granted EPA authority to waive Renewable Fuel Standard applicable volumes,” Deal wrote.

Deal noted that in addition to financial strain felt by livestock producers, the ethanol mandate affects consumer prices for basic food necessities and other businesses dependent on agriculture.

The governors of Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina had previously petitioned EPA to waive the RFS, which requires specified amounts of renewable fuel to be blended into transportation fuel. In addition, a group of 26 U.S. senators, including Georgia’s Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, wrote to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking that the RFS be waived.

Much of the renewable fuel is ethanol produced from corn. Earlier this year, before severe drought conditions occurred over the majority of the country, it was estimated that 40 percent of the U.S. corn crop would go into ethanol production in 2012.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 AUG. 23 IS NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR DROUGHT VICTIMS The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking Americans to remember the many individuals and families facing severe struggles due to this year’s devastating drought, during a national day of prayer on Aug. 23. UGA CONDUCTING FOOD HUBS NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is conducting a statewide needs assessment survey to determine how many farmers are interested in the development of regional food hubs and what infrastructure is needed for the creation of food hubs. The 15-question survey is voluntary. Individual and farm identification and contact information will not be shared with other groups. To take the survey online, visit https://ugeorgia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4MFtvNeUFIHcCu8. Questions about the survey should be directed to Katherine Munden-Dixon (706-542-8084 or katemd@engr.uga.edu) or Julia Gaskin (706-542-1401 or jgaskin@engr.uga.edu). GARLICFEST 2012 Aug. 25 LoganBerry Heritage Farm 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cleveland This annual celebration of the Garlic harvest is a free and fun family event. It includes lots of garlic, chefs, creative food, cooking demos, tastings, live music, artisans and animals. For more information, contact LoganBerry Heritage Farm at 706-348-6068 or visit http://www.loganberryheritagefarm.com. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION REGION ROUNDUPS Aug. 28 Mitchell County Ag Center 6 p.m. Camilla Sept. 6 Vidalia Onion Research Center 6 p.m. Lyons Sept. 11 Georgia Cattlemen’s Association headquarters 6 p.m. Macon These meetings will provide Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) updates, legislative updates, a presentation on the activities of the HSUS, information about the beef checkoff and much more. There is no cost to attend and a meal will be provided. RSVP by calling 478-474-6560. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 6 USDA-ARS Research Lab 8 a.m. Byron This free event includes an orchard tour and a complimentary lunch. For more information contact Janice Dees at 229-382-2187 or Janice@georgiapecan.org. USFRA SEEKING THE “FACES OF FARMING AND RANCHING” Farm Bureau members can apply to become one of the national U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) “Faces of Farming and Ranching” representatives. The Faces of Farming and Ranching will serve multiple roles with the USFRA, including giving national media interviews, participating in panel discussions and web chats, being featured in advertising and other activities. Entries will be accepted through Sept. 8. All travel costs will be provided for the winners, each of whom will also receive a $10,000 stipend, $5,000 to donate to an agriculture charity and spokesperson training. To find out more, please contact GFB Commodities Assistant Director Joe McManus at 478-474-0679, ext. 5250, or jcmcmanus@gfb.org. To access the entry forms visit http://www.fooddialogues.com/faces-of-farming-and-ranching.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 11 3rd District The Center at Arbor Connection 7 p.m. Douglasville Sept. 13 10th District Jamestown Baptist Church 7 p.m. Waycross Sept. 18 2nd District N. Ga. Technical College 7 p.m. Avalon Sept. 20 5th District Thomaston Civic Center 7 p.m. Thomaston Sept. 25 1st District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Calhoun Oct. 9 9th District Mitchell County Ag Center 7 p.m. Camilla Oct. 11 7th District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Statesboro Oct. 30 8th District South Ga. Technical College 7 p.m. Americus Nov. 1 4th District Greene County High School 7 p.m. Greensboro Nov. 8 6th District Poplar Springs North Bapt. Church 7p.m. Dublin 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. UGA COTTON AND PEANUT RESEARCH FIELD DAY Sept. 12 Coastal Plain Experiment Station 8:30 a.m. Tifton This event, sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission, includes lunch. For more information call 229-386-3328. 16th ANNUAL PLAINS PEANUT FESTIVAL Sept. 15 Plains The annual Plains Peanut Festival is centered around one of the Sumter County community's claims to fame, its peanut production, and former President of the U.S., Jimmy Carter. One-mile fun run and a 5-K road race starts at 7 AM. All-day event with educational exhibits & vendors. For info, call Better Home Town Program at 229-824-5373 or http://www.plainsgeorgia.com/peanut_festival.html. 2012 GEORGIA GRAZING SCHOOL Sept. 18-19 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This two-day workshop will focus on soil fertility, forage crop establishment, plant growth, animal nutrient requirements and management-intensive grazing. Registration is now open, and interested persons are encouraged to register as soon as possible. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/c6dhtb9. [http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/events/GS12/GS12.html.] 2012 AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 20 University of Georgia Griffin Campus 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Griffin Registration is now being accepted for this unique educational event, sponsored by UGA, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Fort Valley State University, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the NRCS. The field day will provide information on ways land value can be enhanced. More than 25 topics will be showcased, including wildlife opening management; pond management; management for wild turkeys, doves and quail; selling and marketing timber; prescribed burning, cost-sharing assistance programs, GPS/GIS use in managing land and invasive insects, disease and plants. Registration is $25 before Sept. 3 and $35 after. Fee includes lunch, and those who register in advance will receive an Agroforestry & Wildlife Field Day baseball cap. For more information, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 TRI-STATE PEANUT DISEASE TOUR Sept. 25-27 Various Research Sites Ga. Ala., Fla. For more information, contact Dr. Albert Culbreath at 229-386-3370. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: Sept. 30 Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Dates vary Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), check with FSA service center for dates) and Crop Insurance (Contact a crop insurance agent or the regional Risk Management Agency (RMA) office.) For more information about FSA programs visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov. HAWKINSVILLE HARVEST FEST/PIGS & PRODUCE BARBECUE CONTEST Oct. 26 & 27 Courthouse Square Hawkinsville Better Hometown of Hawkinsville will host the annual Harvest Fest featuring the Pigs and Produce barbecue competition, an official contest sanctioned by the Georgia Barbecue Association. Along with some great professional barbecue teams and some very interesting ancillary categories, Hawkinsville will host two very unique events at this festival: The first ever Georgia State Boiled Peanut Championship sponsored by Hardy Farms Peanuts and the Old vs. New Faceoff. This head-to-head contest will be held on the courthouse square in downtown Hawkinsville between barbecue legend Myron Mixon of Jack’s Old South and his son, Michael Mixon of Jack’s New South. For more information, please visit http://www.hawkinsvilleharvestfest.com.