Georgia Farm Bureau News - February / March 2013

FARM BUREAUThe Voice of Georgia Farmers

N E W S

G E O R G I AVol. 75 No. 1 February/March 2013

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GeorGia Farm Bureau News FeBruary-march 2013/ 3

table of contentsfebruary/march 2013

departmentswe, the farmers

PAGE 4

legislative updatePAGE 5

commodities updatePAGE 10

young farmer updatePAGE 12

women’s committee updatePAGE 13

around georgiaPAGE 20

public relations staff Paul Beliveau Director Jennifer Whittaker Editor Lillian Davis Publications/Advertising Manager Jay Stone Print/Web Specialist Ray D’Alessio Senior Producer/TV Host Rick Treptow Senior Radio-TV Specialist Michael Edmondson Web/Video Manager Mark Wildman Radio-TV Specialist Dean Wood Radio-TV Specialist Damon Jones Radio-TV Specialist Vickie Amos Office Coordinator

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(Photo by Gerald Calhoun) Turner County Farm Bureau member Gerald Cal-houn won an honorable mention in the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau photo contest with this photo titled “Ham & Eggs.” Gerald and his wife, Joyce, purchased Watson, the pot-bellied pig, for the petting zoo at their farm, Calhoun Produce. Watson and his “peeps” hung out until the chicks started pecking him. Then, Watson got a girlfriend named Abigail, another pot-bellied pig. GFB will accept entries for the 2013 photo contest from March 14 – April 26. Contest rules will be sent to county Farm Bureau offices and posted on the GFB website by mid-March. Get your photos ready to enter!

GFB holds 75th conventionGeorgia Farm Bureau ended its yearlong 75th anniversary celebra-tion with a dinner and concert at the annual convention. Members re-elected GFB President Zippy Duvall, Middle Georgia Vice President Rob-ert Fountain and district directors. PAGE 6

EPD gives update on state water issuesGeorgia Environmental Protection Division Director Jud Turner gave an update on state water issues, specifically the status of the Flint River Drought Protec-tion Act, during the GFB convention. At separate December meetings in South Georgia, EPD staff member Cliff Lewis explained why the agency suspended new agricultural water permits last July. PAGE 8

GFB members attend AFBF meetingRetired astronaut Mark Kelly, pictured, gave the key-note address at the 94th Annual American Farm Bureau Meeting. He shared his experiences as a naval aviator, astronaut and husband to former Arizona Rep. Gabri-elle Giffords. Georgia had a good showing at the con-vention. Chris and Marilyn Hopkins placed in the top 10 of the Young Farmer Achievement Contest. Matt Bot-toms made it to the Sweet 16 of the Discussion Meet, and, most importantly, GFB influenced AFBF policy to the benefit of Georgia farmers. PAGE 14

Outlook for Georgia corn growers promisingGeorgia corn growers attending the annual Corn Short Course received good news about the crop’s 2013 market outlook and heard updates on the Georgia Corn Commission and Georgia Corn Growers Association activities. Winners of the 2012 yield and efficiency contests were also named. PAGE 17

Georgia peanut newsGeorgia leads the nation in peanut production, and we’ve got the news to prove it! You’ll find information about an upcoming Georgia Peanut Commission election, the Peanut Genome Initiative and 2013 market outlook along with a summary of the annual Georgia Peanut Show and National Peanut Board appointments on PAGES 18-19.

Farm Bureau celebrates Farm-City WeekCounty Farm Bureaus observed National Farm-City Week Nov. 16-22, 2012. We’re highlighting some of the many counties who held events in their commu-nities and recognizing the district winners of the GFB FCW contest. PAGE 22

on the cover

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4 / FeBruary-march 2013 GeorGia Farm Bureau News

The new year is well underway, and Georgia Farm Bureau is working hard to represent Georgia’s farmers in both Atlanta during the General Session of the Georgia General Assembly and in Wash-ington as the 113th Congress grapples with the federal budget crisis, immigra-tion and the farm bill. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your confidence in re-electing me as your president during our 2012 convention. I love working for you and representing the greatest industry in our state, and I pledge to work with everyone in our organization to ensure that Georgia Farm Bureau remains a strong advocate for Georgia agriculture and that our affiliated companies remain fiscally sound. The people of Georgia who work in agriculture depend on Farm Bureau to represent them. We have an organization to be proud of, and we’re going to move forward to continue our work for Geor-gia’s farmers. In January, your GFB Board of Direc-tors approved priority issues for 2013 based on the policy that GFB voting del-egates approved at our annual conven-tion. Our priority issues are: water, taxes and budget, animal agriculture, national immigration reform, curbing thefts on farms and merging state and federal Com-mercial Driver’s License regulations for all crops. All of these have surfaced as having particular interest for our membership. The adoption of these priority issues does not limit GFB’s work on other issues. When other issues arise we will address them based on official GFB policy. As the Georgia General Assembly kicks off the 2013 session, I’d like to con-

gratulate Sen. John Wilkinson of Toccoa for being named chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Com-mittee following the retirement of Sen. John Bulloch in December. We great-ly appreciate the years of service Sen. Bulloch gave to Georgia agriculture and wish him the best in his retirement. Sen. Wilkinson has a strong understanding of Georgia agriculture gained during his years overseeing the state’s agricultural education programs, and we look for-ward to working with him. I am confi-dent that John and Rep. Tom McCall of Elberton will make a great team as they chair the agriculture committees of their respective chambers. Although our focus is on the current General Assembly, I would like to remind any Georgia farmers who have not applied for their Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemp-tion (GATE) certificate that the signup for this card is ongoing. As of Jan. 1, farmers must have this card to receive sales tax exemptions on farm input costs. GATE was authorized by legislation the Georgia General Assembly passed last year that Georgia Farm Bureau strongly endorsed because it allows a sales tax exemption on inputs used to produce a farm product. The new GATE certificate replaces the Agricultural Certificate of Exemption (form ST-A1) that produc-ers previously used to receive sales tax exemptions. As of Jan. 29, the Georgia Department of Agriculture reported that 22,000 farm-ers had applied for the card since signup began Nov. 15. If you haven’t already applied for your GATE card, you may do

we, the

farmersZippy Duvall, GFB President

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ZIPPY DUVALL

1st Vice President/South Georgia Vice PresidentGERALD LONG

North Georgia Vice President BERNARD SIMS

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Treasurer/Corporate SecretaryWAYNE DANIEL

General CounselDUKE GROOVER

DIRECTORSFIRST DISTRICT: Wesley Hall, Cumming; Henry J. West, Rydal SECOND DISTRICT: Bobby Gunter, Dahlonega; Randy Ruff, Elberton THIRD DISTRICT: George Chambers, Carrollton; Nora Goodman, Temple FOURTH DISTRICT: Mar-vin Ruark, Bishop; Skeetter McCorkle, Dear-ing FIFTH DISTRICT: Jim Ham, Smarr; Ralph Adamson Jr., Barnesville SIXTH DISTRICT: James Emory Tate, Denton; James Malone, Dexter SEVENTH DISTRICT: Ben Boyd, Syl-vania; Gary Bell, Bellville EIGHTH DISTRICT: Scotty Raines, Sycamore; Don Wood, Rochelle NINTH DISTRICT: Paul Shirah, Camilla; Lucius Adkins, Elmodel TENTH DISTRICT: David Lee, Alma; Daniel Johnson, Alma YOUNG FARMER CHAIRMAN: Garrett Ganas, Waycross WOM-EN’S COMMITTEE CHAIR: Nanette Bryan, Summerville

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So God made a farmer

See WE, THE FARMERS page 15

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Pictured from right, GFB President Zippy Duvall, GFB 1st Vice President Gerald Long, GFB Middle Georgia Vice President Robert Fountain and GFB board members served as voting delegates at the American Farm Bureau convention in January. The Georgia delegation was successful in getting AFBF to adopt several policy resolutions it submitted based on GFB policy.


legislative updateJon Huffmaster, Legislative Director

Delegates debate policy at AFBF Convention Georgia Farm Bureau positively im-pacted this year’s American Farm Bureau Federation policy development process. GFB submitted 43 resolutions to the AFBF Resolutions Committee in December, and Georgia’s voting delegates made a differ-ence during the Jan. 15 policy debate at the AFBF Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn. Policy development is important in Farm Bureau because our policy deter-mines the legislative agenda of the orga-nization. Official policy guides Farm Bu-reau’s support or opposition to a specific bill. County chapters submit resolutions to GFB. These resolutions are considered by the GFB Policy Development Committee, which is composed of county Farm Bureau leaders from across the state. The state policy development com-mittee presents its recommendations to the GFB state delegates at the annual GFB Convention. Adopted resolutions that are national in scope are submitted to AFBF for consideration. A committee of state Farm Bureau presidents then makes rec-ommendations for the delegates at the AFBF Annual Meeting. GFB President Zippy Duvall served on the AFBF Resolutions Committee in De-cember and was assigned to the subcom-mittee that considered state resolutions on national farm policy. In this capacity, Duvall was able to impact the policy language rec-ommended to the delegates in Nashville. For example, AFBF policy makes no mention of direct and countercyclical pay-ments. Michigan Farm Bureau submitted a resolution to have AFBF actively oppose commodity program payments. Duvall successfully argued that it would be coun-terproductive to limit AFBF’s options during the current uncertainty swirling around farm policy. He was able to build a coalition of southerners and a few Mid-westerners that held together through the AFBF Convention. There was considerable debate on the convention floor. The delegates finally adopted language calling for a farm bill

with “…producers being allowed a choice of program options.” While GFB did not support that specific language, it is a com-promise clearly preferable to an outright statement of opposition to direct and countercyclical payments. On the issue of immigration, GFB of-fered a resolution calling for a viable federal agriculture worker program. Farm Bureau does not support amnesty, but the current situation with millions of undocumented people being in the country is a failure. The language included a way for undocument-ed workers to obtain some type of legal status. The idea is to allow current workers an opportunity to qualify for a specific type of work visa. The AFBF delegates adopted Georgia’s resolution with little debate. In regard to row crops, GFB submitted a resolution calling for a revenue insurance program for peanut producers, and the del-egates adopted it. Another Georgia resolu-tion AFBF passed urged positive treatment of base acres for farmers engaged with in-tercropping production practices. Texas Farm Bureau submitted a reso-lution calling for an assessment on all U.S. cotton farmers to assist in creating a boll weevil buffer zone in South Texas. Georgia plants about one million acres of cotton, so any assessment would significantly affect our state. Georgia farmers generally agree

that it is preferable to fight the boll weevil in Texas rather than dealing with the pest in Georgia, but GFB believes it is prema-ture to have AFBF policy call for funding such an assessment. After discussions with members of the Texas delegation, a compromise was of-fered which supports efforts “…developing a means to assure the boll weevil remains sup-pressed outside the borders of the U.S.” Every cotton farmer can agree with that statement, and it is a good place to begin deliberations. The AFBF delegates also supported GFB’s resolution calling for loosening federal guidelines to allow more farm pond construction. Concerning livestock, Iowa Farm Bu-reau submitted a resolution to have AFBF oppose the sale of unpasteurized milk. Geor-gia supported the Iowa resolution, and after vigorous debate, the delegates approved the policy statement. GFB opposes the sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products be-ing sold for human consumption because unpasteurized milk products are simply not as safe as pasteurized milk products. A dairy supply management program is another controversial issue for which support varies from state to state. GFB supports some type of supply management while AFBF generally opposes the concept.

Wilkinson, McCall chairing Ga. Ag Committees Sen. John Wilkinson (R-Toccoa) was named chairman of the Georgia Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Com-mittee following the December retirement of Sen. John Bulloch. Wilkinson is a mem-ber of the Georgia Agricultural Education Hall of Fame and has worked as a program manager with the Georgia Department of Education, overseeing the state’s agricul-tural education programs. Rep. Tom McCall (R-Elberton) has been reappointed chairman of the Georgia House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. McCall has chaired the committee since 2005.

McCallWilkinson

See POLICY page18

6 /FeBruary-march 2013 GeorGia Farm Bureau News

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By Jennifer Whittaker_____________________________________

More than 1,700 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met on Jekyll Is-

land Dec. 2-4 for the 75th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention. The three-day event included a trade show and commod-ity conferences where farmers heard updates on policy and production is-sues impacting Georgia’s major commodities. Dur-ing the general session on Dec. 3, convention attend-ees heard from Gov. Na-than Deal, Georgia Com-missioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, commander of the Georgia Army Na-tional Guard. While delivering his annual address to Georgia Farm Bureau members, GFB President Zippy Du-vall urged Congress to take action during the lame duck session to prevent federal estate taxes from rising on Jan. 1, 2013. On Jan. 1, Congress passed a bill that permanently sets the federal estate tax exemption at $5 million per person and indexes the exemption to in-flation. The top rate at which estates will be taxed increased from 35 to 40 percent. Deal gave the GFB members an over-view of tax reform legislation, House Bill 386, passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2012. In addition to eliminating sales taxes on energy used in manufacturing and the “birth-day tax” Georgia residents have been paying when they renew their car tags each year by their birthday, the bill also expands existing sales tax exemptions on products used to pro-duce farm commodities. Deal acknowledged the role Georgia Farm Bureau played in securing expanded sales tax exemptions for farmers saying, “Your Farm Bureau leadership was criti-cal in making the importance of your case known to the General Assembly. Without Farm Bureau’s voice being added, this par-ticular part of the tax reform package prob-ably would not have been included.”

Black also addressed convention attend-ees during the general session. “The Georgia Department of Agricul-ture has been delighted to be here with you at your 75th convention. There’s a lot to cel-ebrate here in this room. It is a big thing to celebrate 75 years. Congratulations to all of you,” Black said. Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, gave GFB members a synopsis of the Army Na-tional Guard’s many programs. Jarrard pointed out that the U.S. National Guard would celebrate its 376th anniversary on Dec. 13, 2012, saying, “The Minutemen, the farmer-citizen, is what started our militia, so we have a common thread there.”

GFB holds 75th annual convention

GFB President Zippy Duvall, left, welcomes Gov. Nathan Deal to the GFB convention.

Voting delegates at the GFB Convention re-elected Zippy Duvall of Greene County to his fourth two-year term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization. Irwin County Farm Bureau President Gary Paulk also ran for the position. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your confidence in re-electing me as your president. I love working for you and rep-resenting the greatest industry in our state,” Duvall said in his acceptance speech. “Thank you for what you stand for. The people that work in agriculture depend on our organiza-tion. We, the farmers have something to be

proud of, and we’re going to move forward to continue our work for you.” In other elections, voting delegates se-lected their state board of directors and of-ficers for 2013. Robert Fountain of Emanuel County was re-elected to his second consec-utive three-year term as Middle Georgia vice president. Fountain has held the position since 2009 and previously held the position from 1997 to 2006. In district director races with opposi-tion, D.E. “Skeetter” McCorkle of McDuffie County was elected as a GFB 4th District di-rector. Scotty Raines of Turner County was

Black

Jarrard

Duvall re-elected GFB president for 4th termGFB President Zippy Duvall introduces the 2013 GFB Board of Directors following comple-tion of elections at the 75th annual convention.

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GeorGia Farm Bureau News FeBruary-march 2013 / 7

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During its 75th annual convention, Geor-gia Farm Bureau presented state awards to vol-unteers and county chapters for programs they conducted to promote agriculture. GFB named a McKemie Award winner - the highest honor given to a county in recognition of its member programs - from each of its three membership categories. Bacon County Farm Bureau received the McKemie Award for the 0 to 1,392-mem-ber division. McKemie finalists in this divi-sion were: Crawford, Heard, Jasper, Macon, Screven, Upson and Wilcox counties. Pike County Farm Bureau won the McK-emie Award for the 1,393 to 2,335-member divi-sion. Finalists in this division were: Cook, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Jeff Davis, Monroe, Polk, Spalding, Troup and Washington counties. Cherokee County Farm Bureau received the award in the 2,336 plus-member division. Finalists in this division were: Carroll, Coffee, Elbert, Habersham, Henry, Jackson, Madison, Newton and Stephens counties. Dr. James E. “Jim” Strickland of Tattnall County was honored with the GFB Distin-guished Service Award. Strickland has made numerous contributions to Georgia’s livestock industry during his career as a large animal veterinarian. This award is the highest honor GFB gives to one of its volunteer members, recognizing volunteers who have made an out-standing contribution to the organization and agriculture over a long period of time. Chris and Marilynn Hopkins of Toombs County won the Young Farmer Achieve-ment Award. The Hopkinses grow about 600 acres of row crops, watermelons and pecans. The couple received $500 and a year’s use of a Kubota tractor. The finalists in the achievement contest were James and Brooke Hitchcock of Wash-

elected as a GFB 8th District director. The following were re-elected unop-posed to serve two-year terms on the Geor-gia Farm Bureau Board of Directors: Henry J. West of Gordon County, 1st District; Ran-dy Ruff of Elbert County, 2nd District; Nora Goodman of Paulding County, 3rd District; Jim Ham of Monroe County, 5th District; James Emory Tate of Jeff Davis County, 6th District; Ben Boyd of Screven County, 7th District; Don Wood of Wilcox County, 8th District; Lucius Adkins Jr., of Baker County, 9th District and Daniel Johnson, of Pierce County, 10th District. Gerald Long of Decatur County was re-designated as the organization’s 1st vice pres-ident. He begins the third year of his second, three-year term as GFB South Georgia vice president in which capacity he represents 53 counties in South Georgia. Bernard Sims of Catoosa County begins the second year of his second, three-year term as GFB North Georgia vice president. He was first elected to the position in 2008. Sims rep-resents 49 counties in north Georgia. Garrett Ganas of Ware County was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. Nanette Bryan of Chattooga County, was named chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leader-ship Committee. Both will serve a one-year term as committee chairmen and will sit on the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

GFB presents state awardsBy Jennifer Whittaker__________________________________________________________________________

The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation honored county Farm Bureaus for promot-ing agriculture and individual members for personal achievement during the organiza-tion’s 75th annual convention. GFB Presi-dent Zippy Duvall (far right) congratulates the 2012 GFB award recipients (front row seated, L-R): Betty Harris, accepting on be-half of Crawford County; Matt Bottoms of Pike County; Tom Lacey accepting on be-half of Pike County Farm Bureau; Marilynn and Banks Hopkins of Toombs County; Da-vid Carswell accepting on behalf of Mont-gomery County Farm Bureau; Dobie Gay accepting on behalf of Jenkins County Farm Bureau; and Charlotte Wingate of Colquitt County; (back row, L-R) William Grizzle ac-cepting on behalf of Cherokee County; B.J. Marks accepting on behalf of Newton County, David Lee accepting on behalf of Bacon County; Chris Hopkins of Toombs County; Derek Pridgen accepting on behalf of Coffee County; Max Freeman accepting on behalf of Franklin County and Randy Ruff accepting on behalf of Elbert County.

ington County and Charlie and Nancie Sand-ers of Greene County. The finalists each re-ceived $250. Matt Bottoms of Pike County won the Young Farmer Discussion Meet. Other fi-nalists included Kyle Dekle of Habersham County, B.J. Marks of Newton County and Clay Talton of Elbert County. The contestants discussed what could be done to encourage young farmers to return home to the farm if it means foregoing the amenities of a metropoli-tan community. Bottoms received $500, courtesy of GFB, and an Arctic Cat 500 all-terrain-vehicle, cour-tesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. The three finalists each received $350 from SunTrust Bank. Bottoms and the Hopkinses enjoyed an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in January to compete for na-tional honors. Montgomery County Farm Bureau re-ceived the GFB Membership Award for the 0 to 1,392-member division. Jenkins County Farm Bureau won the award for the 1,393 to 2,335-member division. Elbert County Farm Bureau received the award in the 2,336 plus-member division. Other state awards included: Outstand-ing Promotion & Education Award received by Franklin County; Outstanding Women’s Leadership Award received by Crawford County; Outstanding Legislative Award re-ceived by Coffee County; Outstanding Young Farmer Committee Award received by New-ton County and Outstanding County Office Manager Award, received by Charlotte Win-gate of Colquitt County. Crawford County teacher Andrea Seagraves is the 2012 recipient of the GFB Georgia Excellence in Teaching Agriculture Award.

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When Georgia Environmental Pro-tection Division Director Jud Turner de-clined to declare drought under the Flint River Drought Protection Act (FRDPA) in 2012, the move drew criticism because the stream flows in Southwest Georgia clearly warranted the declaration. Turner, speak-ing during a meeting on water at the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Convention, noted that the payouts to farmers who pulled acre-age out of irrigation when the FRDPA was triggered in 2001 were about $136 an acre, and the state had access to federal funds to handle the cost. That funding wasn’t avail-able in 2012, he said, and high commodity prices further complicated the financial as-pects of the FRDPA. “The act doesn’t work in its present form,” Turner said. “The [stream flow] numbers were there to do it. I made no bones about that. But we don’t have the money.” Meanwhile, the state continues to ex-plore the viability of aquifer storage and recovery, a system where water is pumped into underground aquifers and held until it is needed. It has water quality and other challenges, Turner said, but it also has sev-eral advantages, including fewer environ-mental impacts than building reservoirs. During meetings on Dec. 4 in Camilla and Dec. 12 in Dawson, EPD staff member

Cliff Lewis, who manages EPD’s agricul-tural operations and permitting program, provided an explanation of why the agency suspended new agricultural water permits last July. On July 30, Turner announced the de-cision to suspend new permits for agricul-tural ground water and surface water use in Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Deca-tur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Turner and Worth counties. The suspen-sion also covers applications for surface wa-ter withdrawals for parts of Chattahoochee, Clay, Marion, Randolph, Schley, Stewart and Webster counties. “Part of the EPD thinking behind this is to protect the current investments and in-frastructure that’s already out there,” Lewis said, noting that the suspension is only for new permits or alterations to current per-mits that would increase water use. Lewis emphasized the suspension will be reassessed in November 2013. One ques-tion farmers asked was if they could apply now for permits to become effective after that time, but Lewis said the EPD is discour-aging that approach because the application requires a non-refundable $250 fee and the application is likely to change. From 2006 to 2012, Lewis said, thou-sands of permits were issued. With ongoing

drought conditions, the EPD has begun to field inquiries from the U.S. Fish and Wild-life Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Divi-sion about efforts to protect stream flows in areas where there are federally endangered species and whether or how the resources have been affected by extended drought. Lewis said assessments are needed to an-swer those questions. Dr. Gary Hawkins of the University of Georgia’s Biological and Agricultural Engi-neering Department reviewed ways farm-ers can more efficiently use water, including evaluating various types of irrigation for their specific farming area, looking for leaks and encouraging end-gun shutoffs, use of conser-vation tillage and soil moisture monitoring.

EPD gives update on state water issuesBy Jay Stone__________________________________________________________________________

Georgia Environmental Protection Divi-sion Director Jud Turner discusses state water issues at the 2012 GFB Convention.

On Jan. 1, the U.S. Congress passed the American Tax Relief Act, H.R. 8, which includes permanent estate tax reform and extends the 2008 farm bill until Sept. 30. President Obama signed the bill into law. H.R. 8 permanently sets the federal es-tate tax exemption at $5 million per person and indexes the exemption to inflation. This means the exemption amount will in-crease at the rate of inflation and does not expire after a set number of years. The top rate at which estates will be taxed increased from 35 percent to 40 percent. Without congressional action, the fed-eral estate tax exemption was set to drop from $5 million to $1 million per person

Congress passes estate tax reform & extends farm billand the top rate would have increased to 55 percent on Jan. 1. “While this bill isn’t a complete repeal of estate taxes that Farm Bureau would like to see, we have pushed for estate tax reform for nearly 20 years, and this is a much bet-ter scenario than what we were facing,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. The 2008 farm bill is extended through Sept. 30 with some exceptions. The ex-tension includes authorization for most commodity programs, including direct payments and counter-cyclical payments and marketing loans for the 2013 crop year. The dairy price support program is extended through Sept. 30. The Supple-

mental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) was not renewed. H.R. 8 also authorized a number of disaster relief programs, including livestock indemnity payments and the livestock forage disaster program, but funding for those programs must be allotted through the Congressio-nal appropriations process. “Farm Bureau continues to press Con-gress to pass a new farm bill, but Georgia farmers needed something they could count on to plant their crops this year,” Duvall said. “We appreciate Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson supporting this bill along with Reps. Sanford Bishop, Hank Johnson and David Scott.”


U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed multiple Georgia farmers to na-tional promotion boards for their respective commodities last fall. Vilsack appointed Grady County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman Walter Godwin to the United Soybean Board. The 69-member board is authorized by the Soy-bean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act. Godwin will serve a three-year term ending December 2015. Dooly County Farm Bureau Vice Presi-dent George “Teel” Warbington of Dooly County has been reappointed to serve as a member of the Cotton Board. Georgia Farm Bureau 7th District Director Ben Boyd of Screven County has been reappointed as an alternate member. Both will serve three-year terms ending December 2015. Based in Memphis, Tenn., the Cotton Board is the oversight and administrative arm of the Cotton Research & Promotion Program that represents U.S. Upland cotton. Dania Devane of Randolph County and Mark Clemmer of Coffee County were among 156 pork producers and

Georgians appointed to national commodity boardsfour pork importers Vilsack appointed to one-year terms on the National Pork Board, which oversees a national pro-gram designed to improve the pork in-

dustry’s position in the marketplace. Devane serves on the Georgia Farm Bu-reau Swine Committee. Both she and Clem-mer sit on the Georgia Pork Board.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 Congress passed Jan. 1 extended the 2008 farm bill and many of the farm pro-grams administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) through 2013. On Jan. 22 the FSA announced sign-up dates for the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP), the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC). FSA will begin sign-ups for DCP and ACRE for 2013 crops Feb. 19. The DCP sign-up period ends Aug. 2. The ACRE sign-up period ends June 3. The 2013 DCP and ACRE program provisions are un-changed from 2012, except that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop

year. This means eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE and vice versa. All dairy producers’ MILC contracts are automatically extended to Sept. 30,2013. Eligible producers do not need to re-enroll in MILC. Beginning Feb. 5 USDA will issue payments to producers enrolled in MILC for Sept. 2012 marketings. Before the October 2012 MILC payment can be issued, produc-ers must complete a new Average Adjusted Gross Income form for 2013. Producers may obtain the form at their local FSA office or online at www.fsa.usda.gov/ccc933. Pro-ducers who wish to select a production start month other than Oct. 2012 must visit their local FSA office between Feb. 1-Feb. 28.

FSA program sign-up dates

Existing Farm Bureau Bank equipment loans are excluded from this offer.*Rate disclosed as Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and based on exceptional credit. Some restrictions may apply based upon the make and model of equipment offered as collateral. Up to 90% financing for new and 85% for used equipment. Loans subject to credit approval. Rates are accurate as of 01/25/2013. Rates and financing are limited to farm equiment model years 2003 or newer and are subject to change without notice. A down payment may be required for new or used equipment purchases. Financial information required for loan requests over $50,000. Commercial vehicles and trailers may be subject to an additional documentation fee. Farm Bureau Bank does not provide equity or cash-out financing on commercial vehicles and equipment. Banking services provided by Farm Bureau Bank FSB.

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commodities/marketing updateDon McGough

GFB names commodity committee members Georgia Farm Bureau has named the members of its 2013 commodity advisory committees. Each committee meets several times during the year to address issues per-tinent to their commodity and assist with GFB’s policy development process. Georgia Farm Bureau has 20 commodity committees. Each committee chairman serves on the GFB Policy Development Committee. The GFB Commodity Committee chairmen make an important contribution to Farm Bureau by providing knowledge of their commodity and leadership for their com-mittee. Their input provides an important link back to the farm and helps maintain the strong grassroots representation within Farm Bureau. The committees meet to discuss is-sues regarding their commodities. They will meet again on Aug. 1 during the GFB State Commodity Conference. Members of the 2013 GFB Commodity Committees are listed below along with their member-ship county.

AQUACULTUREChairman Terry Bramlett, Fannin; Vice Chairman Ricky Boyd, Berrien; Albert Cagle, Cherokee; Danny Chandler, Early; Harold Fallin, Upson; Sherrell Fleming, McIntosh; Wesley Ham, Monroe; Travis Henry, Doug-las; James Lee, Brantley; David Lewis, Glynn

BEEF CATTLEChairman John Callaway, Troup; Vice Chairman Samuel Perkins, Grady; Jeff Duncan, Madison; Sarah Kinser, So. Fulton; Jerry McKinnon, Coffee; Calvin Minchew, Bibb; Dr. Lanier Orr, Dawson; Arthur Rid-er, Richmond; Dr. Jim Strickland, Tattnall; Wayne Talton, Houston

COTTONChairman Eddie Green, Dooly; Vice Chair-man Jason West, Candler; Johnny Hagan, Brooks; David Holton, Mitchell; Chris Hop-kins, Toombs; Wayne Hurley, Chattooga; Jerry Kirkland, Jeff Davis; Steven Metcalf, Turner; Rick Wansley, Elbert; Joey Wil-liams, Cook

DAIRYChairman Bud Butcher, Coweta; Vice

Bobby Joe Cason, Bulloch; Greg Gilman, Jackson; Howard Hawthorne, Barrow; Bet-ty Anne Lewis, Glynn; Greg Phillips, Whit-field; Wes Smith, Upson

HAYChairman Farrell Roberts, Tift; Vice Chair-man Cory Tyre, Bacon; Gilbert Andrews, Harris; John Case, Dade; Swayne Cochran, Jackson; Gene Hart, Effingham; Wy-mann Hartley, Houston; Hudson Sanders, Oglethorpe; Jamie Tate, Jeff Davis; Stanley Williams, Haralson

HONEYBEESChairman Bobby Rowell, Brantley; Vice Chairman B.J. Weeks, Cherokee; Andrew Bailey, Forsyth; Jennifer Berry, Madison; David Bigham, Rockdale; J. Keith Fielder, Putnam; Jesse McCurdy, Houston; John Pluta, Baldwin; Gary Rentz, Brooks; Terry Williams, Monroe

PEANUTSChairman Wes Shannon, Tift; Vice Chair-man Mike Lucas, Bleckley; Andy Bell, De-catur; John Harrell, Grady; Mason Henry, Emanuel; Jared Howell, Cook; Gregg Keene, Wilcox; Chris Rodgers, Jefferson; Frankie Sapp, Brooks; George T. Warbing-ton, Dooly

PECANSChairman James Exum, Brooks; Vice Chair-man Jim Lumpkin, Turner; Danny Brooks, Habersham; Mark Cook, Washington; Kyle Durrence, Tattnall; Elliott Ellis, Dooly; Vinson Griffin, Berrien; David Levie, Macon; Chris McBryant, Wilcox; Jacob Nolan, Wayne

POULTRYChairman Larry Cooley, Crawford; Vice Chairman Russ Moon, Madison; Bobby Barber, Decatur; Wade Castleberry, Forsyth; Jackie Copelan, Greene; Joe Griffith, Haral-son; Charles Royal, Irwin; Kennon Tatum, Tattnall; Michael Thomason, Franklin; Ste-phen Wilson, Turner

SOYBEANSChairman Jimmy Phillips, Whitfield; Vice Chairman Neil Skipper, Bibb; Olin Boyd, Screven; Ronnie Courson, Lanier; Bobby Eavenson, Elbert; Joe King, Clay; Dylan Kirk-

Chairman Mark Rodgers, McDuffie; Harry Allison, Hall; Judd Chambers, Jones; Jimmy Franks, Burke; Adam Graft, Sumter; Albert Hale, Oconee; Kenneth Murphy, Meri-wether; Charlie Sanders, Greene; Franklin Wright, GilmerENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE

Chairman Matt Bottoms, Pike; Vice Chair-man Troy Windham, Laurens; Charles Berry, Newton; Bruce Dillard, Berrien; Linda Everett, Walton; Donald McCorkle Sr., McDuffie; Mark Porter, Fayette; David Ridgeway, Butts; Doris Smith, Habersham; Craig Truitt, Elbert

EQUINEChairman Danny Hogan, Laurens; Vice Chairman Gary Walker, Tift; Molly Childs, Cherokee; Jimmie Davis, Emanuel; Jan Ison, Richmond; Tom Kerlin, Fayette; Jimmy Kowalsky, Habersham; Darryl Landreth, Troup; Boyd McLocklin, Barrow; James Wood, Wilcox

FEEDGRAINChairman Brian Ogletree, Spalding; Vice Chairman James Gaston, Sumter;Winston Brogdon, Berrien; Rodney Harrell, Lee; Nathan Hodges, Tattnall; Stanley London, White; Mike Newberry, Early; Jerry Smith, Dawson; Thomas Strickland, Henry; Hugh H. Veal, Jr., Johnson

FORESTRYChairman John W. Mixon, Pike; Vice Chairman Jimmy Kennedy, Hancock; Bill Carmichael, Emanuel; Steve Collins, Mitch-ell; John Davis, Whitfield; Scotty Dumas, Jasper; Eric McGrew, Carroll; Billy Mon-crief, Clay; Harold Simpson, Lanier; Wil-liam Tanner, Johnson

FRUITChairman Bob McLeod, Wilcox; Vice Chair-man Jake Carter, Henry; Debra Elliott, Bibb; Andy Futch, Gilmer; Debbie Greene, Butts; Timothy E. McMillian, Berrien; Tim Merci-er, Fannin; Larry Moore, Lanier; Larry Rod-gers, Lumpkin; Charles Tillman, Tattnall

GOATS & SHEEPChairman Mike Bunn, Walker; Vice Chair-man Patricia Parson, Elbert; Raymond Bai-ley, Henry; Charles Batten, Washington; Continued on next page


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ley, Newton; Larry Lodge, Brooks; Alan Scog-gins, Walker; Glenn Waller, Washington

SWINEChairman Andrew Thompson, Brooks; Vice Chairman Terry Danforth, Berrien; Alan Davis, Decatur; Dania DeVane, Ran-dolph; Danny Gunter, Wilkes; Clint Oliver, Tattnall; Bill Waldrep Jr., Monroe; Don Williford, Crisp; Steve Wilhoit, Whitfield

TOBACCOChairman Jerry Wooten, Jeff Davis; Vice Chairman Lamar Vickers, Berrien; Charles Ed Barber, Bacon; Tim Crosby, Brooks; Dewey Davis Jr., Pierce; Lee Ivey, Lanier; Reid Turner, Appling

VEGETABLESChairman Greg Murray, Decatur; Vice Chairman Sam Payne, Gordon; Tim Carter, Bacon; Eric Gibbs, Wilcox; Brian Griffin, Ber-rien; Adam Lowe, Polk; Brodie McCranie, Dodge; Richard Minter, Fayette; Brian Rob-inson, Brooks; Brett Williams, Toombs

WATERChairman Hal Haddock, Early; Vice Chairman Lee Webster Jr., Burke; Sam Chapman, Hall; Steve Dixon, Berrien;

Larry Eley, Greene; William Grizzle, Cherokee; C.F. Harris, Crawford; Rocky Nobles, Twiggs; Billy Sanders, Dooly;

Georgians named to AFBF committees The American Farm Bureau Federation has chosen 14 Georgia Farm Bureau members to serve on its 2013 commodity advisory com-mittees. The committees provide farmer input on AFBF policy and make recommendations relative to their commodities to the AFBF Board of Directors. The committees will meet on a staggered schedule for three days each in Washington, D.C., the week of Feb. 17. GFB Forestry Committee Chairman John Mixon of Pike County will chair the AFBF Forestry Committee. Other GFB members serving on AFBF committees are: Matt Bottoms, Pike Coun-ty, Ag Nursery & Greenhouse Committee; Terry Bramlett, Fannin County, Aquacul-ture Committee; Bobby Rowell, Brantley County, Honey/Apiculture Committee; Bob McLeod, Wilcox County, Horticulture Committee; Eddie Green, Dooly County, Cot-ton Committee; Wes Shannon, Tift County, Peanut Committee; Jimmy Phillips, Whit-field County, Soybean Committee; Jerry Wooten, Jeff Davis County Tobacco Commit-tee; Farrell Roberts, Tift County, Hay and Forage Committee; Larry Cooley, Crawford County, Poultry Committee; Terry Danforth, Berrien County, Swine Committee. James Gaston, Sumter County, will attend the Feedgrain Committee meeting as an alternate for Brian Ogletree of Spalding County. Patricia Parson, Elbert County, will attend the Goat & Sheep Committee meeting as an alternate for Mike Bunn of Walker County.

Doug Sowar, Paulding Don McGough is director of the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department.

Mixon


The 2013 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee is looking forward to a very busy year of programs for farmers be-tween the ages of 18 through 35. The com-mittee selected Garrett and Nydia Ganas of Ware County to chair the committee. Jacob and Emily Nolan of Wayne County were named vice chairmen. The Young Farmer Committee is proud to host several events, programs and trips in 2013. On March 5-8, 30 young farmers from across Georgia will travel to our na-tion’s capitol. While in Washington D.C., the group will meet with Sens. Chambliss and Isakson and all 14 congressmen from Georgia. There will be many other network-ing opportunities and a guided tour of D.C. Competitive events are a highlight of

YF Committee sets deadlines for competitions & photo contestBy Jed Evans___________________________________ the GFB Young Farmer program. Applica-

tions for the Young Farmer Achievement and Excellence in Agriculture Awards will be mailed to county Farm Bureau offices on Feb. 28. The Achievement Award seeks to highlight outstanding young farmers whose primary income comes from farming. The Excellence in Agriculture Award will high-light Farm Bureau members whose pri-mary income does not come from normal production risk. More information about these contests and all Young Farmer con-tests will be sent to each county Farm Bu-reau, so make sure to check with your office manager for complete details. Deadline to enter either contest is May 10. The Young Farmer Committee en-courages young farmers to save the dates of July 12-14 for the annual Young Farmer Leadership Conference at the Jekyll Island

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Convention Center. Highlights will include the preliminary rounds of the annual GFB Discussion Meet, dynamic speakers and multiple social opportunities. Applications will be sent to county offices in late March for both the discussion meet and leadership conference. Deadline to apply for discus-sion meet or conference is May 31. One of the highlights for our volun-teers is the annual Young Farmer Photo Contest. The committee will accept photo entries March 14 - April 26. We encourage all amateur photographers to share their photos. The top 12 pictures will be featured in the 2014 Young Farmer Calendar. Visit the GFB website http://www.gfb.org or contact your county office after March 14 for complete details. Check with your county Farm Bureau for more information about any of our Young Farmer programs or visit http://www.gfb.org/yf to make sure you don’t miss any of the exciting events taking place in 2013! Jed Evans is the GFB Young Farmer Co-ordinator.

The 2013 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee includes, pictured from left, Joe & Leigh Rush (1st. Dist., Floyd County); B.J. & Kaci Marks (3rd Dist., Newton County); Matt and Ivy Oliver (8th Dist., Macon County); Vice Chairs Jacob & Emily Nolan (7th Dist., Wayne County); Chairs Garrett and Nydia Ganas (10th Dist., Ware County); Matt & Kimberly London (2nd Dist., White County); Chris & Lori Rogers (6th Dist., Jefferson County); Marcus & Neely South (5th Dist., Upson County) and Andrew Ruark (4th Dist., Morgan County). Not pictured are Sam and Emily Watson (9th Dist., Colquitt County).

During the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Harvest For All campaign Georgia Farm Bureau’s 158 county chapters combined to contribute $20,000, which was presented to Georgia Food Bank Association (GFBA) Executive Director Danah Craft during the 2012 GFB convention. The GFBA uses donated dollars to purchase high-pro-tein, low-cost foods like chicken and peanut butter and to offset the costs of various outreach programs like mobile

GFB donates $20,000 to Ga. Food Bank Association

Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee Chair Jake Carter, left and President Zippy Duvall, right, present the $20,000 collected during the 2012 Harvest for All campaign to Georgia Food Bank Association Executive Director Danah Craft.

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By Jay Stone_________________________________________________

See DONATION next page


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GEORGIA FARM BUREAU NEWSFEB/MAR ISSUE

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pantries, Manna drops and backpack pro-grams. Because the GFBA uses bulk pur-chasing, they can turn $1 into more than $7 worth of food. The GFB Young Farmer Committee coordinated the campaign. “We are so grateful to Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers for this donation,” Craft said. “These funds could not have come at a better time. Donations like this are critical because food banks often need to purchase protein to supplement the do-nated food that comes through food drives and other product donations.” Craft noted that demand for food as-sistance grew by 15 percent in 2012, and one in six Georgians need food assistance. The GFBA distributes the funds to food banks in Savannah, Atlanta, Columbus, Athens, Augusta, Macon and Valdosta. “Sadly, hunger is a significant problem for many of our fellow Georgians,” said 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee Chairman Jake Carter. “The Harvest For All campaign is our way of reaching out to those in our communities struggling to feed their families.”

DONATION from previous page

The GFB Women’s Committee con-tinues to promote soybeans as the com-modity of the year. The committee will host GFB’s Educational Leadership Con-ference March 16 in Macon. GFB volun-teers are encouraged to attend the con-ference to learn the commodity GFB will promote from July 2013-2014 and to get promotion ideas. Women’s Committees across the state will observe Food Check-Out Week Feb. 17-23 by educating the public about ways to eat healthy and how to stretch food dollars on a budget. During GFB’s seven-week soybean promotion contest held last fall, GFB volunteers in 50 counties reached 8,619 students through visits to schools and distributing soybean information to teachers. Winners of the soybean con-

test receiving Walmart gift cards were: Dodge County, 1st place; Lanier County, 2nd place and Harris County, 3rd place.

Members of the 2013 Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee are: seated, from left, Chairman Nanette Bryan (1st Dist, Chattooga County); Janet Mazurek (2nd Dist., Elbert County); Janet Gruel (3rd Dist., Fayette County); Linda Crumley (4th Dist., Bar-row County) and standing, from left, Brenda Cooley (5th Dist., Crawford County), Elaine Avery (6th Dist., Laurens County); Angela Todd (7th Dist., Evans County); Melanie Raines (8th Dist., Turner County); Angie Durham (9th Dist., Early County) and Jeannie Tucker (10th Dist., Berrien).

GFB Women’s Committee kicks off year

Pike, Worth and Jeff Davis counties won Walmart gift cards in the drawing of contest participants.


Article & photos by Jay Stone___________________________________

A group of 240 Georgia Farm Bu-reau members, along with Farm Bureau members from across the

country, heard messages of triumph and future challenges at the 94th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting, held Jan. 13-16 at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award winners Chris and Marilynn Hopkins of Toombs County qualified for the top 10 in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award contest, while GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet winner Matt Bottoms of Pike Coun-ty advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Discus-sion Meet. Bottoms and the other discussion meet contestants hashed over what might be in-cluded in a fair and balanced immigration policy in the first round of competition on Jan. 13. The second round featured a discussion of how Farm Bureau can reach out to associate members to enhance the value of their memberships. In the Sweet 16 round on Jan. 14, the contestants dis-cussed what can be done to coax young farmers and ranchers to return home to

the farm if it means living in a rural area. Georgia Farm Bureau won AFBF Awards for Excellence in five categories in Group 6, which includes states with mem-berships of 300,000 or more. Georgia won awards for education and outreach, leader-ship development, member services, poli-cy development and implementation, and public relations and communications. GFB President Zippy Duvall was re-

elected to the AFBF Board of Directors on Jan. 15, representing the organization’s southern region. The event, which drew an estimated 6,000 Farm Bureau members from all 50 state Farm Bureaus, featured seminars on crop insurance, agricultural transportation issues, a discussion of the U.S. crop outlook and a variety of other topics. AFBF pushed for a long-term farm

GFB members attend 94th AFBF annual meeting

Marilynn and Chris Hopkins were recog-nized as one of the top 10 couples in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Achieve-ment Award competition during an awards ceremony at the 94th American Farm Bu-reau Federation Annual Meeting. Ryan and Misty Bivens of Kentucky won the contest.

GFB Women’s Committee Chairman Nanette Bryan, center, accepts a certifi-cate of recognition on behalf of the GFB Women’s Leadership Program from AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee Chair-man Terry Gilbert, left, and AFBF Vice President Barry Bushue.

Pike County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman Matt Bottoms makes his open-ing statement during the second round of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet. Bottoms advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the competition, which was de-signed to function like a commission meet-ing where issues are discussed. Dillon Kjer-stad of Arizona won the competition.

GFB President Zippy Duvall, right, greets AFBF President Bob Stallman during the state awards program, which was part of the opening general session on Jan. 13. Georgia Farm Bureau won AFBF Awards for Excellence in the areas of education and outreach; leadership development; member services; policy development and implementation; and public relations and communications.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke during the closing general session at the AFBF Annual Meeting shortly after it was announced he would continue as agriculture secretary during President Barack Obama’s second term. Vilsack outlined components he feels should be included in a long-term farm bill, including solving the conflict with Brazil over the cotton program, providing credit for beginning farmers, a strong and stream-lined conservation program and a continuing commitment to expanding trade opportuni-ties both domestically and abroad.

See MEETING next page

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so online at http://www.agr.georgia.gov or by calling 1-855-FARM TAX (1-855-327-6829) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Speaking of signing up for programs via the internet, as you talk to your friends and neighbors about Farm Bureau and the work we’re doing for Georgia agriculture, be sure to tell them that they can easily join Farm Bureau by visiting the GFB website at http://www.gfb.org. It’s simple, easy and a great bargain at only $25 a year! Every year we hear the talk about the Super Bowl commercials. Most of the time they make me and Bonnie laugh, but this year three of the commercials spotlighted the best things about rural

WE, THE FARMERS from page 4America, filling our hearts with pride. To tell you the truth, I missed the first half because I was at church, and during the second half the habits I developed as a dairyman took over and I fell asleep. I woke up to a news report of the top five com-mercials, and, to my surprise, three of them touched my heart. One was about service to our country and the bravery of our men and women in uniform. Then it was the Clydes-dales and the tender loving care we farmers give our animals. The last and most impact-ing was Paul Harvey and his speech “So God Made a Farmer.” I was proud that in a time when the American public is so far removed from the farm, America’s farmers were hon-ored with such a wonderful tribute. In the midst of an event that celebrates consumerism, these commercials shared the message that our country is great because of the sacrifice, humbleness, and dedication of soldiers and farmers. These commercials proved the truth of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

Henry County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairs Jake and Jennifer Carter have been selected to serve on the Ameri-can Farm Bureau Federation Young Farm-ers and Ranchers Committee for a two-year term that begins March 1. The Carters served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee the past two years, and chaired the com-mittee in 2012. “We’re humbled and honored to be able to serve on the committee,” Jake Carter said. “We want to represent Georgia agri-culture well and make GFB proud.” The Carters, along with Jake’s father Jimmy, run Southern Belle Farm in Mc-Donough, growing strawberries, blueber-ries, blackberries, peaches and hay as well as maintaining a herd of beef cows. They also

Carters named to AFBF YF CommitteeArticle & photo by Jay Stone___________________________________

operate a thriving agritourism business, with a popular corn maze that has become a regu-lar destination for school field trips. Jake has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Georgia. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in exercise and health science from Kennesaw State University.

Jake & Jennifer Carter

bill and praised the passage of a permanent estate tax structure. AFBF President Bob Stallman noted in his opening session address that the orga-nization has plans to submit a new farm labor proposal. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke during the closing general session, emphasizing the elements he felt are essential in farm bill legislation. The closing session was highlighted by a keynote address from Capt. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and husband of Ari-zona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly shared his experiences as the son of a police of-ficer, as a navy pilot and as commander of the last space shuttle mission.

MEETING from previous page


By Jennifer Whittaker___________________________________ The Georgia High School Rodeo Association (GHSRA) hosted the 22nd Annual Southeastern Showdown Nov. 9-11, 2012, at the Georgia National Fair-grounds & Agricenter in Perry. The event featured 360 contestants from 11 states competing in barrel rac-ing, bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, pole bending and various roping competitions. Georgia Farm Bu-reau is proud to be a corporate sponsor of this event and the GHSRA. Points that contestants earned dur-ing the competition count toward year-end totals that determine who qualifies to compete at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyo., in July. Georgia contestants placing in the top four in events at the Show-down were: Barrel Racing, Ali Ayers, 1st place; Bull riding, Cole Moore, 1st place; Breakaway Calf Roping, 2nd place Lee-Ann Johnson & 3rd place Jesse Denney; Pole Bending Race, 2nd place Ryanne

Georgia rides well at Southeastern Showdown

Georgia had a delegation of about 100 contestants compete in the Georgia High School Rodeo Association Southeastern Showdown in November. The delegation is pic-tured participating in the parade of states Nov. 9.

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Heath & 4th place Cassidy Sims; Team Roping, Tyler Boatwright & Clay Free-man, 1st place and Riley Sims & John

Hutson 4th place and Tie-Down Calf Roping, Cole Watkins, 1st place & Zach Thrift 2nd place.

Bartow County Farm Bureau Vice President Harry J. Pug-liese won the 2012 Georgia Farm Bureau Quality Hay Contest. Pictured from left, Pugliese accepts the prize of a year’s use of a Vermeer trailed mower from Vermeer dealer Donald Childs, center, and GFB Hay Committee Chairman Farrell Roberts. He has the option to purchase the mower at a reduced price at the end of the year. Pugliese submitted coastal Bermudagrass for the contest and earned a relative forage quality (RFQ) score of 135.4. He has placed in the top 10 in the contest multiple times, includ-ing one second-place finish. Pugliese grows hay on 200 acres to support his livestock herd of beef cattle and horses and sells hay to horse, goat and cattle owners. Wes Pope of Troup County placed second with his sub-mission of Russell hay, achieving an RFQ score of 126.7. William Sumner of Laurens County was third, submitting a sample of coastal hay with an RFQ of 124.3. Paul Brodie of Barrow County took fourth with his sample of coastal hay that achieved an RFQ score of 123.9. Jeff Davis County Farm Bureau Director Jamie Tate was fifth, scoring 120.3 with his submission of Alicia hay.

The contest, which drew 49 entries from 29 counties across the state, consisted of quality analysis of hay grown by entrants, using the University of Georgia’s RFQ testing method, which measures nutrient content of the hay. Entered samples had to have nitrate levels below 4,500 parts per million to be eligible for contest prizes. The winners were announced during the 2012 GFB Annual Meeting on Jekyll Island.

Pugliese wins GFB Hay Contest By Jay Stone____________________________________________________

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The price of corn will continue to be volatile in 2013, with prices most likely trending downward on the prospect of a crop larger this year than last, University of Georgia Ag Economist Nathan Smith told growers during the 2013 Corn Short Course held Jan. 15 in Tifton. But the good news for Georgia corn growers is that the UGA estimated net re-turn above variable costs, figured with a $185 land rent, is $306 per acre for corn, higher than other crops in 2013. Although fuel and fertilizer costs are expected to in-crease, Smith said corn seed prices seem to be fairly stable depending on the variety. “There’s excitement about corn look-ing at yields from last year. We’ve still got good prices compared to previous years. We’re tight on supplies because of low na-tional yields last year. What prices do this year will depend on yields,” Smith said. “In terms of cost projections corn looks best of all the row crops.” On Jan. 11 the USDA announced the 2012/2013 projected ending stocks for corn at 602 million bushels, their lowest level since 2003/2004, Smith said. Projections for the 2013 U.S. corn crop’s planted acreage range from 96 million acres to 98.5 million acres, with between 87.4 to 91.1 million har-vested acres, a yield per acre of 135 to 161 bushels/acre and ending stocks between 795 million to 2.2 billion bushels. Smith said prices could range from $5 per bushel, if the U.S. has a high crop yield, to $5.50 per bushel if there is a medium crop yield. Corn yields could be impacted by drought conditions that persist in the Mid-west and across parts of the Southeast, in-cluding Middle Georgia. Danny Willingham, chairman of the Georgia Corn Commission and Rodney Harrell, president of the Georgia Corn

Growers Association (GCGA), gave up-dates on their respective organizations. Willingham said the commission is fund-ing $265,489 for research programs to study corn production issues. Harrell said the growth in attendance at the annual meeting corresponds to in-creased corn acreage but noted the organi-zation has room for growth as there are an estimated 17,000 farmers growing corn in Georgia but currently only 107 members. He encouraged corn growers to join the GCGA for which dues are only $30 a year or $75 for three years. Both organizations have joined forces to create a new website for Georgia corn pro-ducers–http://www.georgiacorngrowers.org. Winners of the 2012 Georgia High Yield Corn Contest were named during the corn short course. In the irrigated catego-ry, Randy Dowdy of Brooks County won the Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Produc-tion Efficiency Award for producing 374 bushels/acre at $2.54 per bushel.

The 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Award went to Jeremy Williams of Peach County for producing 326 bushels/acre. The 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award went to Stephen Scott of Seminole County for producing 291 bushels/acre at $2.69 per bushel. In the dryland category, Richard Weav-er of Gordon County won the Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award for producing 195.7 bushels/acre at $2.55 per bushel. No second place awards for production or efficiency were presented in the dryland category. “When you see these yields you realize these guys are really doing something on their farms,” said Agronomist Dr. Dewey Lee, a consultant for the Georgia Corn Grow-ers Association. “These awards recognize the hard work all corn farmers do on their farms. If there’s anything you learn today at the short course, I hope you learn to be a better student of your crop and learn from each other.”

Outlook for Georgia corn growers promising

2012 contest winners named

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By Jennifer Whittaker___________________________________ Pictured from left, Dr. Dewey Lee presents awards to Randy Dowdy and Jeremy Wil-liams during the 2013 Corn Short Course and Georgia Corn Growers Meeting. Dowdy won the 2012 Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Pro-duction Efficiency Award in the irrigated category. Williams won the 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Award.


At the request of the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC), Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) held nomination meetings Dec. 18 and 19 to fill three positions on the GPC Board of Directors that begin in May. The term for each position is three years. On Dec. 18 peanut growers in the GPC District 2 renominated incumbent Ar-mond Morris of Irwin County, who cur-rently chairs the GPC. Through the years, Morris has served a total of 26 years on the GPC Board and as chairman for nine years non-consecutively. Wes Shannon of Tift County has served on the GFB Peanut Committee since 2007 and as committee chairman since 2010. He has served on the American Farm Bureau Peanut Com-

mittee since 2010 and chaired the com-mittee last year. He also served on the Na-tional Peanut Board from 2004-2009 and chaired the NPB in 2008. Both are Farm Bureau members. Since more than one person was nomi-nated for the District 2 seat, a mail ballot election will be held April 1-30. GPC’s Dis-trict 2 includes Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Ir-win, Lanier, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Turn-er and Worth counties. The GPC will send ballots to peanut farmers in the district. If you are a peanut grower in the GPC District 2 and do not receive a ballot but would like to vote, call the GPC at 229-386-3470. During the District 4 nomination meeting held Dec. 19, Rodney Dawson of Pulaski County was renominated without opposition for the District 4 position which

represents the counties of Bleckley, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Laurens, Pulas-ki, Telfair, Twiggs, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkinson. Donald Chase of Macon Coun-ty was renominated without opposition for the District 5 seat during a nomination meeting held Dec. 19. The GPC District 5 includes Chattahoochee, Clay, Lee, Ma-con, Marion, Peach, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Terrell and Webster counties. The Georgia peanut production area is divided into five districts based on acre-age distribution and geographical location with one board member representing each district for a three-year term. The GPC conducts numerous activities that promote Georgia’s peanut industry, support indus-try research and educate producers about industry issues.

Following a nationwide search, the Na-tional Peanut Board (NPB) has named Rob-ert T. “Bob” Parker IV as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding Ma-rie Fenn, who retired at the end of 2012. The NPB is a farmer-funded national research, promotion and education check-off program consisting of one board mem-ber and one alternate from each of the 10 peanut-producing states. It provided more than $4.6 million in domestic and export promotions funding and more than $1 mil-lion in research funding in FY2012. Parker joined the NPB on Dec. 10 from Golden Peanut Company LLC in Alpharet-

National Peanut Board names Parker president, Harrell vice chairmanBy Jay Stone___________________________________ ta, Ga., where he worked for the past 25

years in various roles of increasing respon-sibility, becoming an of-ficer of the company in 1996 and leaving as vice president of industry relations and seed. Parker’s experience in the peanut industry began in Climax, Ga., where he managed a family-owned farm service and supply business and a farm. He sold that company to Golden Peanut Company and joined them as area procurement manager. Parker has served as chairman of the American Peanut Council, American Pea-

nut Shellers Association, the Peanut Institute, and the Peanut Administrative Committee. He also served on the boards of the Peanut Foundation and the Pea-nut Standards Board. He holds a B.S. in agricultur-al economics from the University of Georgia. Grady County Farm Bureau Director John Harrell has been chosen to serve as vice chairman of the NPB. His one-year term be-gan Jan. 1. Vic Jordan of Louisiana was cho-sen as chairman for the NPB. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack reappointed Harrell to a three-year term on the NPB in September 2012. Vilsack also reappointed Decatur County Farm Bureau President Andy Bell as the Georgia NPB alternate. Harrell, his wife Deena and son Douglas own a sixth generation family farm north of Whigham, Ga. He began farming in 1975 growing peanuts and corn, later adding cotton. Harrell attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Harrell also serves on the Georgia Peanut Commission Advisory Board, the American Peanut Council Ex-port Board, the Georgia Farm Bureau Pea-nut Committee and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isak-son’s Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Nominations made for Peanut Commission BoardGPC Dist. 2 election set for AprilBy Jennifer Whittaker___________________________________

GFB, however, was able to add policy lan-guage that offers flexibility on the issue. The AFBF delegates also ratified a GFB resolution calling for legislation to prohibit unauthorized photography or other record-ings on private property without an owner’s knowledge or consent. The purpose is to combat environmental and animal rights activists from posing as employees while trying to gather footage to undermine a farmer. Farm Bureau believes that legiti-mate employees should come forward to

farm owners and report improper conduct rather than participating in the activity. Farm Bureau’s legislative agenda at both the state and national level is based on our policy development process. For our organization to effectively speak for farm-ers, it is vital that we begin from a posi-tion of general agreement. The purpose of policy development is to reach that area of common ground. Jon Huffmaster is director of the GFB Legislative Department.

POLICY from page 5

Parker Harrell


Economists estimate new peanut vari-eties with improved disease resistance de-veloped through the Peanut Genome Ini-tiative could save growers more than $150 per acre, George Birdsong, CEO of Bird-song Peanuts in Suffolk,Va., told growers attending the peanut conference at the 75th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention Dec. 3, 2012. “I’ve always felt like research is where the industry can make the most progress to help growers grow peanuts more efficiently. Long-term we need to be more competitive with other crops” Birdsong said. “Peanuts are too small of a crop to motivate seed com-panies to do genetic research on peanuts like

The 2013 Georgia Peanut Farm Show, held in Tifton for the first time in 30 years, drew an estimated 1,800 attendees and a record 97 exhibitors to the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Cen-ter on Jan. 17. The event featured the Georgia Peanut Commission’s annual awards program, tours of the UGA Tifton research facilities and the new GPC headquarters building, as well as educational sessions that covered topics ranging from weed management and soil fertility to crop budgets and matu-rity determination tools. Producers were also able to kick the tires on the latest farm equipment and get an up-close look at a crop-duster from Thrush Aircraft. A record 97 exhibitors

participated in the farm show. “It’s all about the peanut farmer getting the best information from research and from the exhibitors,” said GPC Chairman Armond Morris. While the surpluses from a record 2012 crop likely will mean fewer peanuts plant-ed in 2013, Morris indicated that overseas markets have helped boost demand. Washington County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Chairman James Hitchcock received the 2013 Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer award presented by the GPC and Bayer CropScience. Hitchcock was selected for his over-all farm operation, environmental and stewardship practices, and leadership and community service activities. His farming operation consists of 1,365 acres of crops including peanuts, corn, soybeans, hay

and 125 head of cattle. Hitchcock utilizes variable rate lime on all of his crops. All of his irrigation pivots use low-pressure nozzles and most use electri-cal irrigation pumps. In 2012 he purchased two new pivots with wireless technology to monitor from his smart phone. Hitchcock also uses GPS systems to plant, spray and harvest more efficiently. At the end of the show, a grand door prize package donated by Kelley Manu-facturing Company was presented to Ken Moore of Blakely, Ga. and Keith Wynn of Ocilla, Ga. Moore received one season’s use of a new 4-row or 6-row KMC peanut combine. Wynn received a season’s use of a KMC peanut inverter. Amadas Indus-tries also provided a grower door prize of $10,000 off the purchase of a peanut com-bine to Joel Carter, Sylvester, Ga.

The Georgia Peanut Commission presented its annual awards during the Peanut Farm Show on Jan. 17 in Tifton. From left are: GPC Chairman Armond Morris, Doster Warehouse President Jack Chastain, who received the Distinguished Service Award; Reporter Luke Roberts of the Douglas Enterprise, which was honored with the Media Award; Dr. Jonathan Williams, Special Award; James Hitchcock, who received the 2013 Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer award; and Dr. Bill Branch, who received the Research and Education Award.

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Hardware, research displayed at Peanut Farm ShowJames Hitchcock wins Young Peanut Farmer AwardBy Jay Stone___________________________________

Peanut genetics, market outlook discussed at GFB conventionBy Jennifer Whittaker___________________________________

has been done on corn and soybeans.” Birdsong said the $6 million project will be funded equally by growers through the National Peanut Board and with do-nations from shellers and buying points and peanut manufac-turers. The genetic information the project produces will be used to develop peanut va-rieties that provide higher yields and are also drought tolerant, address aflatoxin issues, require less water and pesticides to produce and offer improved nutrition. After hearing how genetic research can positively impact the industry, peanut bro-

ker George Lovatt of Lovatt & Rushing Inc. gave growers a grim outlook for the peanut market as 2012’s national record crop of about 6.5 billion pounds is expected to cre-ate a carryout supply of about 1.5 million tons of peanuts. “There’s enough 2012 peanuts to take us from August 2013 into April 2014,” Lovatt said. “It’s not a catastrophe but it’s a serious problem we have to deal with.” Lovatt encouraged growers to listen to what shellers and buying points are saying in regards to moving this record crop through the supply chain and making planting deci-sions for 2013. He said the peanut industry will need to decrease imports, increase ex-ports and domestic demand, and limit seed demand by reducing acreage in 2013.

George Birdsong


AROUND GEORGIANews from County Farm Bureaus

BAKER COUNTY Baker County Farm Bureau (BCFB) hosted a very successful blood drive for the American Red Cross last August. The blood mobile bus was in the parking lot of the BCFB from 8 a.m. to noon. BCFB was very pleased with the turnout of its members for this worthwhile cause. Pictured from left, BCFB members Rick Etchells and Fay Forrester were among the BCFB members who participated in the blood drive.

BANKS COUNTY Banks County Farm Bureau increased the agricultural awareness of about 660 students, 31 teachers and other faculty members at the Banks County Primary School during the annual farm day held at the school last fall. The students rotated through numerous exhibits that included the Mobile Dairy Classroom, a veterinary station, live animal and farm equipment exhibits. Pictured from left, BCFB Women’s Committee members Ann Gordon, Margie Ward and Kelli Ward talked to the students about soybeans along with BCFB member Kris Wheeless, far right. The volunteers gave each student a soybean activity sheet and soybean bookmark, and the teachers were given a “Soybean Ag Mag” to use in their classrooms. BCFB Secretary/Treasurer Sammy Reece drove the students around the school grounds on a hayride, and BCFB Vice President Albert Ward assisted with various duties during the event.

CLARKE/OGLETHORPE COUNTIES The Clarke and Oglethorpe County Farm Bureaus provided dinner for the Athens Christian School FFA chapter ride at the Athens Corn Maze on Oct. 23. The students toured the farm and navigated the corn maze. CCFB Office Manager Katy Seagraves, left, meets with the Athens Christian School FFA officers and their teacher Sara Hughes, far right. CCFB

gave the FFA members CCFB t-shirts with the GFB 75th anniversary logo.

CLAYTON & HENRY COUNTIES The Clayton and Henry County Farm Bureaus partnered to host a Farmer’s Appreciation Dinner at the Locust Grove Event Center last fall. About 300 farmers and their families attended the event, which included a display of antique tractors and engines, Ford products, and recreational vehicles were on exhibit outside. The Henry County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee set up a table with information about soybeans and beef. A membership information table, manned by volunteers and agents, resulted in 12 new memberships! GFB President Zippy Duvall addressed the gathering, stressing how important Farm Bureau is to the agricultural community.

FAYETTE COUNTY The Fayette County Farm Bureau presented its 2012 Farmer Appreciation Award to Lester Bray, seated, who taught gardening to hundreds in Fayette county. Bray was also instrumental in Plant a Row for the Hungry, a garden grown by volunteers and from which all the produce is given to local food banks. The FCFB Women’s Committee sponsors the Farmer Appreciation Award. Committee


members pictured giving the award to Bray are, standing left to right, Janet Greuel, Committee Chairman Debi Creel, Robin Porter, Mary Carden and Joanne Minter.

GLYNN COUNTY Glynn County Farm Bureau made a $500 donation to the Glynn County 4-H program in appreciation for 4-H members who helped with activities during the GFB Young Farmer Conference last summer. GCFB Office Manager Debra Orr, left, presents the donation to Glynn County Cooperative Extension Agent Robi Gray.

HARRIS COUNTY Harris County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is promoting soybeans during visits to local schools and has reached more than 100 students so far this school year. HCFB Office Manager Linda Luttrell is pictured teaching elementary students about soybeans. Students were challenged to read labels of products at home to find those containing soy. Each student received a soybean bookmark and a soybean worksheet.

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY South Fulton County Farm Bureau members enjoyed a family fun day at the farm of SFCFB Vice President Jerry Watson last fall. Children enjoyed hayrides, face painting, apple bobbing and pony rides. SFCFB President Dorsey Earnest and his wife Peggie performed with their band. SFCFB member David Granroos catered the BBQ meal. GFB President Zippy Duvall discussed the importance of Farm Bureau membership as the organization serves as the Voice of Georgia farmers. GFB Legislative Director Jon Huffmaster addressed legislative issues affecting Georgia agriculture and the importance of Farm Bureau members being involved in the legislative process.

TOOMBS COUNTY Toombs County Farm Bureau Secretary Whitney Hutcheson, back row, right, visited local kindergarten classes to teach the children about fire safety. Toombs County Forestry Division Chief Ranger Randy Mosley, back row, center, and Ranger Phil Crosby, dressed as Smokey Bear, attended the presentation and helped demonstrate the importance of fire safety. The students received workbooks to complete at home with their families.

TURNER COUNTY Office Manager Kar-en McCurdy held a class on soybeans at the Turn-er County Alternative Learning Center last fall and recently at a local pre-school. The older students received an educational magazine about soybeans and soybean crayons and the preschoolers received coloring books and cray-ons. TCFB gave all of the teachers soybean hand lotion.

2nd Dist. Women’s Leadership Event Georgia Farm Bureau District 2 Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Janet Mazurek, who also chairs the Elbert County Women’s Committee, organized a meeting last summer at the Stephens County Farm Bureau office for county Women’s Committee chairmen, county office managers and teachers in the 2nd District to learn more about the Ag in the Classroom program. Stephens County teacher Karrie Perrin, left, and Elbert County teacher Dixie McCarty, center, presented the program. Perrin showed the meeting attendees how to make a miniature pizza garden as a hands-on activity with students. McCarty demonstrated how to make lip balm from soybean oil as a way to promote soybeans, Farm Bureau’s commodity of the year. Both teachers have attended the National Ag in the Classroom Conference.


County Farm Bureaus across Georgia observed National Farm-City Week Nov. 16-22, 2012. Georgia Farm Bureau held a contest to recognize the top three FCW events in each district. The top three counties from each district received $50 to buy ag promotion items from the Field Services De-partment. The district winners were: District 1: Floyd, Gordon & Pickens; District 2: Habersham, Stephens & White; District 3: Douglas, Haralson & South Fulton; District 4: Greene & Taliaferro; District 5: Harris, Monroe & Upson; District 6: Bibb, Jeff Davis & Laurens; District 7: Burke, Screven & Wayne; District 8: Lee, Turner & Wilcox; District 9: Brooks, Colquitt & Worth; District 10: Coffee, Cook & Lanier. Visit GFB’s Facebook page to view a photo album of all the district winners.

BIBB COUNTY Bibb County Farm Bureau reached out to its fellow busi-ness owners by cook-ing almost 200 sausage biscuits and delivering them along with in-formation about Farm City Week and Farm Bureau to neighbor-ing businesses. BCFB Agency Manager Den-nis Snider, pictured, and Office Manager Pat Steed prepared the biscuits. Steed and Agent Brent Worley delivered the biscuits and talked to the business employees about Farm Bureau and its membership benefits.

FLOYD COUNTY Thanks to the Floyd County Women’s Committee, six businesswomen in Floyd County have a better understanding of farming. The committee arranged for the ladies to tour the farms of John & Ivy Lowrey, Alan & Debbie Ray and Thad Rush. During the tours the ladies learned about poultry, beef cattle and soybean production. Participating in the tour were, pictured from left, Citizens First Bank President Angie Lewis, Randall Selman, Rome Mayor Evie McNiece, Floyd County Commissioner Rhonda Wallace, District Attorney Leigh Pat- Continued on next page

terson, Lisa Smith, executive director of the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau and Mary Louise Lever, a di-rector of Georgia Highlands College, FCFB Women’s Com-mittee member, Ivy Lowrey and Thad Rush. FCFB also sponsored a Town & Country Dinner and Women’s Committee Chairman Lyndall Burk met with the County Commissioners to have them sign a FCW proclama-tion.

LANIER COUNTY Lanier County Farm Bureau (LCFB) held a farm day at Lanier County Primary School to celebrate Farm City Week. Local farm-ers brought livestock and farm equipment to give the students a close up look at agriculture. Students and teachers also competed in a farm costume contest. LCFB also recog-nized the winners of the Kubota Coloring Contest it held earlier last fall. Winners of the contest were, pictured front row, from left: Adaryan McLendon, first prize winner in the 6-8 age group; Samantha Badgero, who won the national grand prize in the 5 and under age group; and Caleb Watson, first prize winner in the 9-12 age group. The winners are pictured with back row, from left, Lanier County Elementary School art teacher Cindy Lyons, GFB President Zippy Duvall and LCFB President Paul Fol-som. Badgero received a $100 gift card and Kubota prize pack; McLendon and Watson each received a Kubota prize pack.

TALIAFERRO COUNTY Taliaferro County Farm Bureau educated local preschool-ers about Farm City Week by conducting a program at the local library about pump-kins. Farm Bureau vol-unteer Linda Franklin is pictured reading a children’s book on how pumpkins are grown. She cut open a pumpkin to let the students see and touch the pumpkin “guts” and then helped the kids make pumpkin crafts. The county also held a chili supper for farm and urban residents during which information about FCW and how food travels from farm to table was displayed.

Farm Bureau celebrates Farm-City Week


WHITE COUNTY White County Farm Bureau held its 10th Annual Farm-City breakfast at the White County High School. All of the local farmers, business owners and ag community members were in-vited. Awards were presented for the Conservation Farm Fam-ily, Ag Hall of Fame and Special Friend of Agriculture.

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Farmers in 33 Georgia counties have until April 15 to nominate a public school district for grants of up to $25,000 from the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education fund sponsored by Monsanto. The eligible Georgia counties are Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jef-ferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitch-ell, Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. To be eligible, a county must have a total of 30,000 acres of corn, soybeans, cotton and/or vegetables planted per calendar year based on USDA statistics. The program is open to all public school districts in eligible counties. Charter schools are eligible if their National Cen-ter for Education Statistics is located within an eligible county. The program provides grants in the amounts of $10,000 and $25,000. One $10,000 grant will be awarded in each eligible crop re-porting district. The grants will be based on merit, need and commu-nity support. Nominations are limited to one per farmer. The more farmer nominations a school receives, the more community support is demonstrated. One $25,000 grant will be awarded in each state or designated re-gion. Three Georgia counties – Burke, Terrell and Wilcox – received $10,000 grants in 2012. The Terrell County school system used its grant to purchase laptop computers for 16 teachers. To submit a nomination, visit http://www.growruraleducation.com and click the “nominate your school district” button. The nomi-nation form may also be printed for submission by regular U.S. mail. Entries should be sent to America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, 914 Spruce St., St. Louis, MO 63102; mailed entries must be received by April 15. For more information, call 1-877-267-3332. Once nominated, the school will be notified and sent an invitation code to apply for a grant at http://www.MonsantoFund.org. School districts will have until April 20 to submit the grant application.

Monsanto fund offers grants for public schools in 33 Ga. countiesCoweta Co. Farm Bureau honors

Odom with building dedication

Coweta County Farm Bureau (CCFB) members and Georgia Farm Bureau leaders gathered Dec. 19 to dedi-cate the CCFB office to Harry B. Odom, who served as the county Farm Bu-reau president for 41 years before step-ping down last fall. CCFB President Stanley Cauthen, right, reads a plaque dedicating the office to Odom, left, who served as the CCFB president from 1971 to 2012. “Harry’s love of agriculture made him a good county Farm Bureau presi-dent,” Cauthen said. Odom worked with the CCFB directors to grow the chapter’s membership. In 1991 the county built its current office building and under Odom’s financial leadership was able to pay off the mortgage in 2007. In addition to his county leadership, Odom has served on the GFB Policy Development Committee and several GFB Commodity Committees. “It’s very fitting that this building be dedicated to some-one who has dedicated 50 years of their life to Farm Bureau and served the organization unselfishly,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said of Odom. “I can’t tell you how much Farm Bureau has depended on people like Harry who have made our organization what it is. There’s no way to say thank you to your generation for the time you have given to our organization.”

WILCOX COUNTY In observation of FCW, Wilcox County Farm Bureau gave about 300 students at the local elementary school the Georgia Activity Book: Following Food from the Farm to the Fork. WCFB Women’s Committee members Jennifer Clark, pictured, and Sue Pow-ers presented the books and talked to the kids about where their food comes from and the importance of farming in the county. They also read the book Barn Sneeze to the students and let the students pet a tame rooster Clark brought to the class.

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Georgia Farm Bureau News - February / March 2013

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