GFB DAY AT CAPITOL SPOTLIGHTS AGRICULTURAL ISSUES

Georgia Farm Bureau members traveled to Atlanta Feb. 12 for Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol where the organization was recognized in the Senate, and GFB members met with their legislators to discuss ag issues.

“Today you showed the people in Atlanta the strength of Georgia agriculture and the strength of Georgia Farm Bureau. You bring the heart and soul of rural Georgia to Atlanta,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “Thank you for giving up your time to do such an important thing as coming to talk to your legislators.”

Gov. Nathan Deal discussed the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program, budget allocations he has made for agriculture, and the Flint River Drought Protection Act (FRDPA) while speaking at the luncheon GFB hosted for its members, state officials and legislators at the Georgia Freight Depot.

“As I told rural legislators recently, we have to be careful that we do not abuse the provisions of this [GATE] legislation. We can’t afford abuses because if it becomes apparent that they are happening then we will see action, I think, to retract what has been done on a good faith basis. It will require all of us to act in good faith to make sure the system is not abused,” Deal said.

The Georgia Department of Revenue has released a list of ag inputs eligible for sales tax exemptions. The list was printed in the Feb. 8 issue of the GFB Legislative Report and can be seen at http://www.gfb.org/legislative/documents/GFB%20Report%202-8-13.pdf.

Deal also outlined funding he included in the fiscal year 2014 budget proposal he presented to the General Assembly in January. Deal’s budget includes $500,000 to support the implementation of local water plans proposed by the regional water councils; a $25 million bond package for water supply projects, mostly in the form of reservoirs; $2.85 million in funding for the veterinary diagnostic labs in Athens and Tifton and significant money for the new veterinary school being built at the University of Georgia.

Deal mentioned work the Environmental Protection Division is doing to reform the FRDPA including studies to improve stream flow and protect the river while providing adequate water for farmers. “I think if we all work together towards this common goal good things will happen,” Deal said. GFB members also heard about Senate Bill 97, which would allow Georgia beef producers to hold a referendum to decide if they want to create a state agricultural commodity commission for beef. Sen. John Wilkinson, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said his committee unanimously passed the bill Feb. 11. It will now go to the Senate floor for a vote, which Wilkinson said could happen in the next week.

February 13, 2013 www.gfb.org Vol. 31 No. 7

Deal

Leadership Alert page 2 of 5 GFB COMMODITY COMMITTEES BEGIN DELIBERATIONS

Sixteen of Georgia Farm Bureau’s 20 commodity committees met on Feb. 4 and 5 at the GFB home office in Macon, beginning the process of making recommendations to guide GFB policy. The remaining committees will meet later this spring.

The GFB Policy Development Committee will take the commodity committee recommendations and review them in the policy development process that begins with the GFB Commodity Conference in August.

The chairmen of GFB’s commodity committees are: Aquaculture – Terry Bramlett,

Fannin County; Beef Cattle – John Callaway, Troup County; Cotton – Eddie Green, Dooly County; Dairy – Bud Butcher, Coweta County; Environmental Horticulture – Matt Bottoms, Pike County; Equine – Danny Hogan, Laurens County; Feedgrain – Brian Ogletree, Spalding County; Forestry – John Mixon, Pike County; Fruit – Bob McLeod, Wilcox County; Goats and Sheep – Mike Bunn, Walker County; Hay – Farrell Roberts, Tift County; Honeybees – Bobby Rowell, Brantley County; Peanuts – Wes Shannon, Tift County; Pecans – James Exum, Brooks County; Poultry – Larry Cooley, Crawford County; Soybeans – Jimmy Phillips, Whitfield County; Swine – Andrew Thompson, Brooks County; Tobacco – Jerry Wooten, Jeff Davis County; Vegetables – Greg Murray, Decatur County; Water – Hal Haddock, Early County.

EQUINE CHAMPIONS HONORED AT STATE CAPITOL

More than 150 youth equine champions were honored for their accomplishments at the Georgia State Capitol on Feb. 5.

The group was recognized in the Georgia Senate, where a proclamation sponsored by Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee Chairman John Wilkinson was read declaring the day Youth Equine Champions Day in Georgia.

As a part of the event, the Georgia Farm Bureau Equine Committee sold chances to win a saddle and raised $1,375 for the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

The event featured a luncheon at the Georgia Depot, where the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Equine presented each of the youth champions with a certificate. The group included eight world champions, numerous world championship qualifiers and numerous national qualifiers across a wide range of competitive disciplines.

“The most important thing about this is honoring these kids and getting them in front of their legislators, and letting them know that they have constituents in the equine industry that are important to them and understand the impact they have in their various areas,” said Equine Commission Chairman Jim Gibby.

Gibby said Georgia and Maryland are the only two states that have equine commissions and the Equine Youth Champions Day is the only event of its kind in the U.S.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black also spoke during the luncheon, stressing the importance of direct interaction with legislators.

“It is important that you come tell your story,” Black said. “It does matter when you talk to your elected official and you express whatever your concerns are, and you express appreciation to them for their public service. When you express your ideas and you spend your own time and your own money to do so, it makes a difference.”

Leadership Alert page 3 of 5 GEORGIA COTTON REFERENDUM UNDERWAY

Georgia cotton growers have until March 5 to cast their ballots in the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Referendum. Under state law growers must vote every three years to determine if they want to continue the commission. For the GCC to continue, 66 2/3 of the producers who cast ballots must vote in favor of the commission.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture mailed ballots to growers in early February. Cotton producers who did not receive a ballot should contact the GDA Commodities Promotion Division at 404-656-3678.

The commission is funded through a $1 per-bale assessment paid by all Georgia cotton growers. Funds are used to promote Georgia’s cotton crop through research, education and promotional activities. The commission supports research conducted by the University of Georgia Extension Cotton Team.

Promotional activities include sponsorship of 4-H, FFA and Georgia Young Farmer programs, an educational exhibit about Georgia’s cotton industry displayed at consumer and agriculture industry events, such as the Georgia National Fair, and maintenance of the GCC website, http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org .

The GCC also serves as a liaison between Georgia cotton growers and the National Cotton Council and the Southern Cotton Growers Association. These organizations represent the interests of Georgia growers in Washington, D.C.

GCC activities are overseen by five grower members – Chairman Mike Lucas of Bleckley County, Vice Chairman Wavell Robinson of Brooks County, Lee Cromley of Bulloch County, Bart Davis of Colquitt County and Marvin Ruark of Morgan County. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall are ex officio members.

Lucas, who is the Bleckley County Farm Bureau president, replaced Louie Perry as chairman of the GCC. Perry’s term expired in 2012.

“I feel honored to be elected chairman of the Georgia Cotton Commission. I have learned a lot about the cotton industry since I’ve been on the board these past several years and I like being in a position to give back to an industry that has been good to me. I will do my best as chairman to help the commission continue fulfilling its programs to the benefit of all cotton growers and the industry,” Lucas said.

For more information about the GCC contact GCC Executive Director Richey Seaton via email at gactn@windstream.net or by calling 478-988-4235.

GFVGA, MUSCADINE ASSOCIATION INSTALL NEW OFFICERS

The Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association named new leadership during the Southeast Region Fruit and Vegetable Conference in January.

Jamie Brannen of Statesboro was named the new GFVGA president, replacing outgoing president Dick Minor. Brannen is a salesman for Sweet Vidalia Farms, a subsidiary of Curry & Company Produce of Oregon.

Greg Ison was elected president of the Georgia Muscadine Association. Ison, the 2000 winner of the GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet, is president of Ison’s Nursery & Vineyard in Spalding County.

Lucas

Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 GA CLEAN DAY CHEMICAL DISPOSAL Feb. 27 Sunbelt Agricultural Expo Moultrie Residents of Brooks, Colquitt, Tift, Worth, Mitchell and Thomas counties have the chance to legally dispose of old pesticides through this program coordinated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the UGA Extension offices in the seven targeted counties. Those wishing to participate in the program must register with their local Extension office by Feb. 17. Pesticides will be collected from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 27. No fees will be charged to participate in the program. Contact an Extension office in one of the seven eligible counties for more information. Visit http://mitchellcountyag.com/2013/01/22/georgia-clean-day/ for more information. ORNAMENTAL PRUNING CLASSES Feb. 22 UGA Research and Education Garden 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Griffin This one-day course will teach participants how to properly prune ornamentals and cover how to prune fruit trees. In addition to proper pruning techniques, participants will learn what equipment to use, when, where and how to prune certain plants and techniques for creating a professional-looking landscape. Participants will also learn pest prevention through pruning. Taught by UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences horticulturists Bodie Pennisi and Bob Westerfield, the class will consist of both indoor lectures and outside, hands-on demonstrations. Participants should check the weather and dress accordingly dress for the outdoor session. The cost of the course is $59, which includes lunch and break refreshments. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=4629 for more information. Pre-registration is required by calling 770-228-7214. CERTIFIED EGG CANDLING CLASSES Feb. 20 Emanuel County Extension Office 9 a.m. Swainsboro Feb. 21 Coweta County Extension Office 9 a.m. Newnan These free classes for owners of “backyard” flocks provide the Georgia Department of Agriculture candling course and exam, which must be completed by those wishing to sell eggs in Georgia. The five-hour course includes training and licensing to classify and grade eggs according to the USDA Egg Grading Manual, as well as techniques to prevent certain diseases from entering poultry flocks. For more information or to enroll, contact Lee Lancaster at 229-386-3489 or lee.lancaster@agr.georgia.gov. 2013 FOREST BIOENERGY CONFERENCE Feb. 21 Central Georgia Convention Center 7:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m. Forsyth Interest in forest biomass as a potential feedstock for renewable energy facilities has been especially keen for the past several years and much of the activity has been centered in Georgia. While many issues are becoming clearer, much uncertainty remains with regard to government policy and market prices for fossil fuels. This conference is an excellent opportunity to hear from some of the players on the front lines of developing markets, influencing government policies, and conducting research on how these changes may impact our wood supply system. The conference is sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Association and the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. For more information please visit www.gfagrow.org or call 478-992-8110.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 5 2013 GEORGIA FARM TO SCHOOL SUMMIT Feb. 21-22 Georgia International Conference Center College Park This two-day event, presented by the Georgia Farm to School Alliance, of which Georgia Farm Bureau is a member, features 16 workshops featuring experts and leaders from around the state, four field trips, a youth leaders panel, food and farm safety workshops for cafeteria staff and farmers and networking opportunities. Keynote Speaker Debra Eschmeyer is the Co-Founder and Director of Parterships and Policy of FoodCorps and an organic fruit and vegetable farmer. The GICC is located at 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA, 30337. Registration is $125 for both days or $100 for Thursday only. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/afzu7ed. GFB SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEB. 22 Students wishing to apply for one of 10 Georgia Farm Bureau Scholarships have until Feb. 22 to apply. The scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to pursue undergraduate degrees in agricultural and environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or related agricultural fields. 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 2013-2014 academic year. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information or an application. A copy of the application may also be downloaded from the GFB website by visiting http://www.gfb.org/programs/aic/EducationLinks.htm. Applications must be approved and signed by the Farm Bureau president of the county in which the applicant resides or attends high school. Winners will be announced in May. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Feb. 28 Ramada Conference Center Perry Meeting begins at 2 p.m. Call 229-469-4038 to RSVP or for more information. OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP March - May Old South Farm Woodland These three-day camps, which typically will run from Friday through Sunday, include a variety of vintage farm activities, including milking cows, making butter and buttermilk, a session on honeybees, sessions on operating a tractor and much more. Registration is $200 per person and discounts are available for multiple members of the same family. Fees cover meals, housing, transportation and instructional activities. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com. CONFERENCE ON UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE March 28-29 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This conference, cosponsored by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and the Georgia Center of Innovation, is designed to introduce Georgia farmers to the benefits and practical applications of unmanned systems. Speakers include Young Kim, general manager of BOSH Global, John Deere Manager of Field Robotics Stewart Moorehead, UGA Tifton Dean Dr. Joe West and others. The program features live unmanned systems demonstrations and interaction between potential users and manufacturers. To register, visit http://www.ugatiftonconference.org. For more information, contact Karen McIlroy at kmcilroy@uneqconsulting.com.