GFB WRITES GA. CONGRESSMEN ABOUT LFP, SENATE EGG PRODUCTS BILL

In separate letters to Georgia congressmen dated May 31, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall asked for a resumption of funding under the USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and voiced opposition to a Senate bill introduced on May 24 that would mandate care standards for egg-laying hens.

Duvall wrote to all members of the Georgia congressional delegation asking for funding for LFP, which was funded under the 2008 farm bill from Jan. 1, 2008, to Oct. 1, 2011. A key provision of the LFP was to assist livestock owners who suffered grazing losses during that time by helping them withstand increased feed and forage costs brought on by drought conditions.

Duvall said that drought conditions have persisted in Georgia, referencing a U.S. Drought Monitor report from May 22 in which two thirds of Georgia’s counties were listed in the “D2-Severe” drought category and at least 40 counties were listed as “D4-Exceptional,” the most severe drought classification.

He also noted that while producers who are selling their brood stock are generally receiving good prices for their animals, significant costs will be involved in replacing those herds, and if the number of brood stock remains low, U.S. meat supplies will be affected.

“Without some type of assistance, many producers might be forced to liquidate their herds, which would cause market disruptions for quite some time,” Duvall wrote.

Duvall also wrote to Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson expressing GFB’s opposition to S. 3239, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, which was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

The bill would implement the 2011 agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and United Egg Producers. The bill would authorize the federal government to regulate enclosures used on layer hen farms.

GFB policy opposes any laws which would mandate specific farming practices in livestock or poultry production.

It is anticipated by some that the bill will be offered as an amendment to the Senate version of the 2012 farm bill. Duvall asked Chambliss and Isakson to oppose both S. 3239 and any attempt to attach it to the farm bill.

“If Washington has the jurisdiction to regulate layer hen cages, it will not be long before similar arguments are made for all animal enclosures,” Duvall wrote. “Georgia Farm Bureau members fear that S. 3239 is merely the first step toward complete federal regulation of the entire livestock and poultry industry.”

June 6, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 23

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 STATE OF GEORGIA TO STREAMLINE SERVICES FOR AG EXPORTS

Under an agreement between the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, farmers in Georgia will benefit from streamlined export

assistance, according to a state press release.

Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey signed a memorandum of understanding during an agriculture-focused trade and business mission in Turkey. It will create an interagency strategic partnership between

the GDA, the Department of Economic Development and the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) to provide a platform for increased efficiency in the assistance state government provides for agriculture. The agreement became effective on June 1.

“Because both of our agencies help agricultural companies take advantage of global opportunities to sell Georgia products in strategic world markets, it only makes sense to combine our efforts,” said Cummiskey. “Working together and sharing resources, we can boost business visibility and opportunities abroad for Georgia’s biggest industry through our ten international offices.”

“Georgia agriculture is increasingly becoming a larger player in international trade. Many of our commodities are top in the nation for overseas exports,” Black said. “By partnering with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, together, we will provide greater exposure and knowledge for Georgia agricultural products in the world market.”

The Georgia Department of Agriculture will continue to assist Georgia’s agricultural community and will now coordinate key international events in cooperation with the Department of Economic Development. GDA will retain official membership in SUSTA, and the Georgia agriculture commissioner will continue to serve as an active member of SUSTA’s Board of Directors.

The agreement moves the primary promotion and coordination of the state of Georgia’s agricultural exports to the Department of Economic Development, which will add export assistance for this important industry sector to its existing International Trade division. The Economic Development Department will promote SUSTA’s export promotion programs and services to companies within the state and will serve as the primary day-to-day contact for inquiries about agricultural exports from Georgia.

SUSTA-paid staff currently housed at GDA will report to and be housed at the Department of Economic Development. COPELAND REAPPOINTED TO GA. SEED DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Ben Copeland Jr. was reappointed to the Georgia Seed Development Commission on May 18 by Gov. Nathan Deal, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

Copeland is vice president of Patten Seed Company/Super-Sod, Georgia’s oldest and largest producer of grass seed and sod.

He serves on the Georgia Sod Producers Association, the Georgia Crop Improvement Association and as an elder of the Perry Presbyterian Church.

Copeland holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Georgia. Together, he and his wife, Kelly, have five children. They reside in Marshallville.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 DOL FORMALLY WITHDRAWS CHILD LABOR PROPOSAL

The U.S. Department of Labor has formally withdrawn its proposed child labor regulation and published a notice stating this in the Federal Register, as required by law. DOL officials have stated their intention to work with agricultural groups, including Farm Bureau, to promote farm safety.

The DOL originally announced its intention to withdraw the proposed rule on April 26, saying the decision came in response to comments expressing concerns about the rule’s effect on family-owned farms.

The DOL statement indicated that the regulation would not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration.

The American Farm Bureau Federation recently participated in a meeting with DOL officials and several other stakeholder organizations to discuss child safety programs currently available and explore what support role, if any, the Agriculture Department can have in furthering the success of those programs.

Additional meetings are planned and will include representatives from FFA, 4-H, the Association of Ag Educators, National Farmers Union and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. USDA PROCEEDS WITH OFFICE CONSOLIDATION

The USDA announced on May 29 that it would proceed with the closure of 125 Farm Service Agency county offices nationwide, including three in Georgia.

Georgia FSA Executive Director Hobby Stripling said that the FSA offices in Baker, Candler and Morgan counties will all close by sometime in August. Producers are required to receive a 30-day notice of an FSA office closure, and Stripling said the notification letters were sent out on June 4.

Farmers with direct or guaranteed loans with the FSA were advised to contact their loan officers to discuss where they would like to have their loan files located and serviced. NRCS client files will remain with the NRCS field staff servicing those files.

According to an FSA press release, farmers affected by consolidation will have the option of requesting the most convenient neighboring county office to conduct their future business, though their request is subject to state FSA committee approval. The requests can be made through the current county offices.

In addition, Stripling said all employees in the closing offices will be provided opportunities to continue working with FSA.

Two criteria were used to determine the office closures. First, the USDA said it identified FSA offices that had two or fewer permanent employees that were less than 20 miles from another FSA office. Second, FSA offices with zero permanent employees were designated for closure regardless of location.

More than 1,200 permanent FSA employees have left the agency through voluntary early separation and normal retirement since 2011 to meet budget cuts imposed by Congress, including 22 in Georgia.

For more information about the consolidation plan for FSA offices, visit www.usda.gov/strongerservice.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 CHEROKEE COUNTY SAFETY DAY CAMP June 13 Lazy D Farm, 848 Bishop Road 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ball Ground Cherokee County Farm Bureau and the Cherokee County Extension Service will hold a free Safety Day Camp on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lazy D Farm, 848 Bishop Road, Ball Ground. The camp is for children ages 8– 12 and includes lunch, a t-shirt and goody bag. Deadline to register is Friday, June 8, or until camp is full. To register call Cherokee County Farm Bureau, 770-479-1481 ext. 0 or the Cherokee County Extension Office at 770-479-0418. CHEROKEE COUNTY POLITICAL FORUM June 21 Cagle’s Family Farm, 362 Stringer Rd. 6:30 p.m. Canton The Cherokee County Farm Bureau, along with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, will sponsor a Political Forum on June 21 at 6:30 pm. The forum will be held under the wooden pavilion at Cagle’s Family Farm, 362 Stringer Road, Canton. All local, state and national candidates running for office in 2012 will be invited to attend. All candidates with opposition will have an opportunity to speak. Candidates with no opposition will be introduced. Questions from the audience will follow. Everyone will have time to meet and greet the candidates before and after the forum. Homemade ice cream will be served by Boy Scout Troop #465. The forum is open to the public. RSVP by calling Cherokee County Farm Bureau at 770-479-1481, ext. 0. GEORGIA-FLORIDA TOBACCO TOUR June 11-13 Lake City, Fla. – Waresboro, Ga. The tour will visit Florida and Georgia tobacco farms to view on-farm research of tobacco varieties, insect control, tomato spotted wilt virus and more. To register for the tour, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/tobacco/tours/index.html. Additional details will be available on the website as the tour dates approach. For more information contact Dr. J. Michael Moore at 229-392-6424 or jmmoore@uga.edu. COTTON SCOUT SCHOOLS June 11 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton June 19 Southeast Research and Education Center Midville These programs, which run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offer basic information on cotton insects and scouting procedures. The programs will serve as a review for experienced scouts and producers and as an introduction to cotton insect monitoring for new scouts. For more information about the Tifton session, contact Debbie Rutland at 229-386-3424. For information about the Midville session, contact Peyton Sapp at 706-554-2119. USDA SUSTAINABLE AG & CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS June 14 Love is Love Farm and Oakleaf Mennonite Farm Atlanta These three workshops, offered by the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Council, will show participants organically grown crops in various stages of development along with a variety of production practices. Information about how to become eligible for USDA programs will be presented. Registration is free but must be done in advance. To register, visit http://tiny.cc/LBdf2b. For more information, call the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service at 770-963-9288, contact Willie Torrey at 678-376-9518 or visit http://www.ebtfarmersmarket.com. USDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE June 15 is the deadline for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to apply for FY 2012 funding under the USDA’s new water quality initiative. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the initiative offers financial and technical assistance to help approved applicants employ water quality improvement practices like nutrient management, filter strips and terraces, and planting cover crops. Nationwide, the USDA made $33 million available for projects in 157 watersheds. Three watersheds in Georgia were selected for the program - one in the Alapaha watershed and two in the Withlacoochee watershed. Applications are accepted at local NRCS offices.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 2012 GEORGIA YOUNG FARMERS ASSOCIATION SUMMER TOUR June 15-16 Tour begins in Lavonia This annual tour, conducted by the Georgia Young Farmers Association, begins with a picnic dinner at Lavonia City Park, followed by a private showing of “Land of Spirit,” Franklin County’s folk life play. The second day’s stops include Transplant Nursery for a look at one of the South’s largest azalea and rhododendron growers and the Fieldale egg hatchery. Fees are $40 for ages 12 and up and $15 for ages 6 to 11. For more information, please contact Owen Thomason at othom@franklin.k12.ga.us or 706-384-4525. LAND CONSERVATION WORKSHOP June 19 Clinton Trice Farm, 6138 Hardup Road 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Albany Farmers, landowners and community leaders looking for advice concerning land conservation can participate in a free workshop being sponsored by Fort Valley State University. Lunch will be provided. Topics include pecan production and management, wildlife management and irrigation practices. There will also be demonstrations on micro-irrigation systems, solid-set irrigation systems and hoop house construction. For more information, or to pre-register for this workshop, contact Dougherty County Extension Agent Charlie Grace at 229-436-7216 or gracec@fvsu.edu. GEORGIA EGG ASSOCIATION 51st ANNUAL MEETING June 20-22 King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort St. Simons Island The Georgia Egg Association meeting offers educational sessions, reports from the American Egg Board, United Egg Producers and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. The association will also hold its awards banquet, a spouse’s breakfast and much more. For more information, call 770-932-4622. DAWSON COUNTY FARM SAFETY FAIR June 23 Field on HWY 9@ canoe ramp near Riverview Middle Sch. Dawsonville The AGCO equipment company and Dawson County Farm Bureau are hosting a farm safety training from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for adults. AGCO will demonstrate new safety features available on hay equipment, and EMS personnel will give safety presentations. The local FFA will sell food as a fundraiser. For more information contact Tammy Wood at the DCFB at tewood@gfb.org or 706-265-3350. GEORGIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE July 7-9 Westin Savannah Harbor Resort Hotel Savannah Critical issues for Georgia’s timber growers and forest product manufacturers will be front and center in Savannah in July. Come learn about the federalization of forest management, trends in conversion of forests to ag and timber market trends. Dr. Scott Angle, Dean of UGA’s College of Agriculture of Environmental Sciences, will speak on “Macro Trends in Food, Fiber and Fuel’. Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens will give the keynote address. For more information or to register, visit http://www.gfagrow.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=9 or contact Judy Couch at 478-992-8110. SUNBELT EXPO FIELD DAY July 12 Sunbelt Agricultural Expo, Spence Field Moultrie This complimentary preview for the Sunbelt Expo is an opportunity for farmers to see the latest seed varieties, chemical applications, irrigation technology and precision ag technology, all in an applied research setting. A biscuit breakfast reception with Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall begins at 7:15. Trams depart starting at 8:30 and a complimentary lunch is served at 12:15. Register before 8:15a.m. for a chance to win a $100 early bird cash prize. Grand Prize and Door Prize Giveaways. Every attendee receives an Expo cap. For more information, call 229-985-1968 or visit http://www.sunbeltexpo.com.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 GEORGIA JUNIOR CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION FIELD DAY July 12 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Perry Join in for a Field Day of Olympic proportions! All ages are welcome. Events include an AG-ility course, beef-themed classes and other sporting events. To register, visit http://www.gabeef.org/gjca/contest.html. Cost by July 1: GJCA members $10, non-members $15 (includes meal and T-shirt) Cost after July 1 and at the door: GJCA members $10, non-members $15, T-shirts not included but can be purchased for an additional $5. UGA AG LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is now accepting applications for the inaugural class of the Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture program. Participants will attend eight sessions held across the state, and travel to Washington, D.C. and abroad to study Georgia’s involvement with international trade. The first class will be chosen through an application and nomination process, which will begin this month. The application deadline is July 13 for the program that begins in the fall. For more information visit http://www.agla.caes.uga.edu or call Rochelle Strickland at 706-542-1204. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: July 15 2011 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) July 15 Certification of planted acres (all crops except tobacco) Aug. 1 Farm Reconstitutions (changes) for 2012 crop year 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. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION SUMMER CONFERENCE July 26-29 Jekyll Island Kick off your boots and join us for another exciting summer event! Highlights include a golf tournament, keynote speeches by the Port Authority, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and the Georgia Department of Agriculture and plenty of fun for the whole family. To register, visit http://www.gabeef.org/gca/summerconference.htm. Cost is $25 per family. Friday and Saturday meals are $15 each for adults and $10 each for children. 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. 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.