LIVESTOCK DISASTER ASSISTANCE BILL PASSES HOUSE

Rather than consider a full five-year farm bill before its August recess, the U.S. House passed H.R. 6233 on Aug. 2, reinstating four disaster assistance programs that expired in 2011, aimed in part at providing relief for livestock owners who are suffering losses due to drought.

H.R. 6233, the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012, was sponsored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and passed by a vote of 223-197. It was not addressed by the Senate before Congress adjourned for its August recess. Congress is scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 10.

The bill provides $383 million in emergency disaster assistance by retroactively extending the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). The bill offsets the spending by trimming $639 million from the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The CSP funding was reduced by cutting the number of acres that can be enrolled in the program.

The remaining $256 million was designated for debt reduction. Among other things, the bill would authorize the USDA to provide FY 2012 compensation

from Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses caused by drought or fire. To view a summary of the bill’s provisions, visit http://tinyurl.com/93uozfe.

Nine of Georgia’s 13 House members voted for the bill. Reps. Paul Broun (R-10th Dist.), Tom Graves (R-9th Dist.) and John Lewis (D-5th Dist.) voted against it. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-4th Dist.) did not vote.

“In light of the recent record-breaking drought in Southwest Georgia this measure is vitally important to Georgia’s farmers and agricultural community,” said Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-2nd Dist.), who voted for the measure. “While I am concerned that the legislation makes significant reductions to much-needed conservation programs, the measure will provide much-needed relief for these farmers while Congress pushes for the passage of a fair and comprehensive farm bill.”

American Farm Bureau did not oppose the bill, noting that the disaster assistance provisions in H.R. 6233 were included in the farm bill approved by the House Agriculture Committee in July, with additional aid measures for fruit and vegetable farmers not covered under H.R. 6233. AFBF urged House members to reach an agreement on a new farm bill before the current one expires on Sept. 30.

August 8, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 32

Leadership Alert page 2 of 5 GEORGIA 4-H RECEIVES AMERICORPS GRANT TO FUND 16 POSITIONS

Georgia 4-H will be adding 16 new positions in some of the state’s most impoverished counties thanks to grant from the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism.

Georgia 4-H received one of the highly competitive 2012-2013 AmeriCorps State & National Grants from the state commission and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The 16 new direct-service employees will work in Appling, Banks, Bibb, Clayton, Coffee, Crisp, Dougherty, Decatur, Hart, Heard, Laurens, Putnam, Troup, Tift, Union and Washington counties. They will assist UGA Cooperative Extension agents in delivering youth programs.

The commission, which administers AmeriCorps and other federal grants to service agencies in Georgia, received applications requesting more than $6 million from 24 applicants. AmeriCorps had $3,980,239 available for grants.

“With the reduction in state and federal funding for Extension 4-H programs, we have to look for other ways to supplement funding for county 4-H programs across the state,” said Georgia 4-H State Leader Arch Smith. “These Americorps workers provided through grant funding will help county Extension 4-H offices reach more young people and give more children the positive educational youth development opportunities offered by Georgia 4-H.”

The grants advance the priorities of the bipartisan 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and focus AmeriCorps resources on six key service areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. EPA ALTERS FINAL CAFO RULE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS

The EPA announced on July 27 that it had amended requirements for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) relating to animal waste discharges.

The EPA removed the requirement that a CAFO which “proposes to discharge” apply for a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, as well as the voluntary certification option for unpermitted CAFOs, which the agency said was rendered unnecessary by the removal of the “propose to discharge” requirement. According to the final rule document, the revision clarifies that all CAFOs must have a permit at the time that they discharge into waters of the U.S.

The amended final rule became effective July 30 and the agency did not provide opportunity to comment on the final rule.

The move is the EPA’s response to a March 2011 ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case of National Pork Producers Council et al vs. EPA, in which the American Farm Bureau Federation was one of the plaintiffs.

The court vacated the “propose to discharge” portion of the EPA’s 2008 CAFO rule that required CAFOs that propose to discharge apply for a NPDES permit. The court found that the EPA had exceeded its statutory authority with this requirement, noting that the Clean Water Act clearly states there must be an actual discharge into navigable waters to trigger the EPA’s statutory authority.

To read the entire final rule, visit http://federalregister.gov/a/2012-18378.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 5 GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION, GFB MEMBERS RECEIVE AWARDS

Georgia Farm Bureau Forestry Committee Chairman John Mixon received the Wise Owl Award and the Georgia Forestry Commission received the Evergreen Award during the Georgia Forestry Association’s annual conference in Savannah on July 8.

Mixon, a Pike County Farm Bureau director, was honored for “years of continuous service and dedication to the forestry industry in Georgia.” Mixon is a past director of the Georgia Forestry Commission and served as president of the National Association of State Foresters in 1991.

The Georgia Forestry Commission was given the Evergreen Award, presented to an organization that has contributed significantly to the forestry community in ways that are supportive of Georgia Forestry Association’s (GFA) own mission. In presenting the award, GFA President Steve McWilliams noted the commission's efforts to fight wildfires in multiple locations in the state, participation in the state’s water planning initiatives and its statewide seedling giveaway that coincided with the release of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax earlier this year.

Pulaski County Farm Bureau member Dr. John Bembry and Greene County Farm Bureau member Boyce Rutherford were also honored. Bembry, who runs the Bembry & Bembry Farm, was named the Tree Farmer of the Year. Rutherford, who runs Rutherford Timber Harvesting, was named Logger of the Year. RESULTS OF UGA FERAL HOG SURVEY REVEALED

On July 26, UGA Associate Professor and Wildlife Specialist Dr. Mike Mengak presented results of a survey on the impact feral hogs are having on Southwest Georgia farms to the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

The survey, which received funding from Georgia Farm Bureau, was conducted earlier this year and received 471 useable responses from a group of 1,200 randomly selected farmers who were sent the survey questionnaires. Of those who responded, 70 percent said that feral hogs were present on their land, and 96 percent said hogs had caused damage on their land, including damage to cash crops, fencing, equipment, pastures and landscaping. The total estimated damage in the survey area in 2011 was more than $57 million. Non-crop damage was estimated at $24 million.

“It’s timber and it’s food plots,” Mengak said. “People are telling me on the phone and writing in the survey, ‘food plots are torn up and they tear down my fences.’ So they're doing a lot of damage.”

During a Q&A session, Mengak noted that the challenges in dealing with feral hogs are increased due to the animals’ reproductive capability; in a year’s time, a single sow can result in a population of more than 70 pigs. Sows are capable of reproducing at six months of age and they can produce two litters of pigs every 13 months and the average litter is eight to 10 pigs.

Mengak said a variety of approaches to hog control are being studied, and there are approaches to sterilizing sows or lethal doses of toxins that are effective. The challenge, he said, is targeting them in a way that overcomes the animals’ reproductive capacity while at the same time minimizing effects on other wildlife.

John and Sue Mixon

Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 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. Individual 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). GEORGIA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE REHABILITATED HORSE AUCTION Aug. 11 Mansfield Impound Barn Mansfield The horses may be inspected at the facility beginning at 10:00 a.m. The sale will start at 11:00 a.m. Contact the Equine Health Office with any questions at 404-656-3713. Proceeds from the sale go to help fund the Department’s impound and rehabilitation program. 2012 GARDEN ACADEMY Sept. 6-Oct. 23 Houston County Extension Office Perry This multi-week program is designed to help participants get the most from their plants through planning, preparation, and work. The course includes the most recent research-based information available to guide you in tending your landscape. Classes are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Extension Office Multipurpose Room in the Government Building (old renovated courthouse) in downtown Perry. The class fee of $120 includes all sessions, the Georgia Yardstick Workbook, and a collection of valuable Extension publications. This will be an extended course planned and taught by UGA Specialists, Master Gardeners, Extension Agents, local professionals, and other gardeners. The registration deadline is Aug. 15. Contact the Houston County Extension Office at 478-987-2028 or email mg@uga.edu for a registration form. PEANUT & COTTON FIELD DAY Aug. 16 UGA SW Ga. Research and Education Center 8:30 a.m. Plains This free event includes a presentation on peanut cultivar response to calcium, peanut breeding programs, an update on cotton insects and kudzu bugs, weed control strategies and much more. For more information call 229-824-4375. BROOKLET PEANUT FESTIVAL Aug. 18 Downtown area Brooklet The 23rd Annual Peanut Festival includes the 5k Peanut Run, which begins at 7 a.m., the parade at 10 a.m., arts and crafts, exhibits and entertainment. This year’s theme is “Brooklet’s Path to Progress.” Visit http://www.brookletpeanutfestival.com for more information. FALL VEGETABLE GARDENING CLASS Aug. 23 Houston County Extension Office 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Perry The Houston County Extension Office is offering a Fall Vegetable Gardening class to area homeowners who want to know how to double their growing season and enjoy fresh vegetables year round. The class will be taught in the Extension Office Multipurpose Room located on the top floor of the old courthouse in Perry. Cost for the class is $10 per person. Registration and payment is required by Aug. 17. For a registration form, email mg@uga.edu or download one from the Extension website at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston/news.html.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 5 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. OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP September – November Old South Farm Woodland These three-day camps, which typically will run from Friday through Suday, include a variety of vintage farm activities, including milking cows, making butter and buttermilk, a session on honeybees and much more. Registration is $200 per person and discounts are available for multiple members of the same family. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com. 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. An orchard tour will be held before noon and a barbecue lunch will be provided. For more information contact Janice Dees at 229-382-2187 or Janice@georgiapecan.org. 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.