DROUGHT CONDITIONS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT GEORGIA

Dry conditions throughout Georgia have continued and and taken on increased severity according to University of Georgia climatologist Pam Knox. In an April state climate report,

Knox noted that April 2012 was warmer and dryer than normal, with temperatures 2 to 4 degrees above normal and scarce rainfall across the state, leading to increases in drought conditions across the majority of the state.

While consistent rainfall would boost farmers’ ability to plant and help the plants thrive, Knox said the higher temperatures make it unlikely that the drought conditions will improve.

Since the beginning of May, showers and thunderstorms have passed through most of the state,

dropping up to two inches at some locations. The rain and the cooler temperatures associated with the cloudy conditions have improved surface soil moisture and stream flows somewhat.

“If we continue to get rain, that would be a good sign,” Knox said. “People could plant as long as we continue to get some rain.”

According to the most recent report of the U.S. Drought Monitor issued May 8, more than 96 percent of Georgia was abnormally dry, up nearly 20 percentage points from the same time in 2011. More than 88 percent of the state was experiencing drought conditions rated as moderate or worse. Nearly 26 percent of the state - in areas encompassing large portions of central and southwest Georgia - was rated as experiencing exceptional drought, the drought monitor’s rating for the most severe drought conditions. Visit http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?GA,SE to view Georgia’s drought statistics in their entirety.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued a report on May 3 that the La Nina conditions that have been a major contributor to the drought that has affected much of the South since early 2011 have transitioned into El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions. Some National Weather Service (NWS) forecast models indicate that the end of the La Nina conditions could result in more rainfall later this year. La Nina typically triggers drier conditions during winters in the Southeast. Some of the NWS models predict the ENSO neutral conditions will continue through June. La Nina years also tend to have more tropical storm systems develop.

Knox said the two main drought-diminishing events - thunderstorm activity and tropical storms - have low predictability, noting that the last two years have been active years in terms of tropical storms, but none of them have moved across Georgia.

“One tropical storm can hugely change the soil conditions, and that changes everything,” Knox said. “Even if we get normal rainfall things will continue to get drier because of the high temperatures in the summer, but if we get it regularly the farmers should do OK.”

May 16, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 20

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 GFB 4TH DISTRICT DIRECTOR WILLIAM HUTCHINS DIES

Georgia Farm Bureau 4th District Director William Hutchins died May 12 from a lung-related condition. He was 63.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to William’s family,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “This is a profound loss. William was a dedicated member of Georgia Farm Bureau and a strong advocate for agriculture in general and he will be sorely missed.”

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in animal science, Hutchins raised cattle on his family’s farm in Winder. He served on the Barrow County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for more than 30 years, including two terms as president. He also served on the GFB Commodity Advisory Committees for cattle and swine and served on the American Farm Bureau Swine Advisory Committee.

He was also a member of the GFB Long Range Planning Committee and Policy Development Committee.

In addition to his Farm Bureau leadership, Hutchins served on the Southern States Board of Directors and was a past director of the Barrow County Cattlemen’s Association.

Hutchins is survived by his parents, Dorsey and Louise Thrash Hutchins, brothers Dorsey Hutchins Jr. and Joe Hutchins, sister-in-law Cindy Hutchins, and several nieces and nephews.

Hutchins was a member of Midway Methodist Church. His family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Midway United Methodist Church building fund, P.O. Box 719, Auburn, GA 30011. BEEF PRODUCTS INC. CLOSING THREE PLANTS

Beef Products Inc. (BPI), the U.S.’ largest producer of lean finely textured beef (LFTB), announced that it will permanently close three of its plants on May 25 and laying off 86 employees in its South Dakota corporate office in the wake of media reports related to the safety of LFTB.

The plants, located in Amarillo, Texas, Garden City, Kan., and Waterloo, Iowa, employ more than 650 people. The company closed them down for 60 days beginning in March after multiple media outlets reported concerns over LFTB, which was referred to as “pink slime.”

A fourth plant, in South Sioux City, Neb., will remain open but at a reduced production capacity. The company indicated that steep sales declines over the past two months led to the decision to close the plants permanently.

“This is a direct reaction to all the misinformation about our lean beef,” BPI spokesman Rich Jochum said in published reports.

South Dakota-based BPI is not the only company that has suffered financial distress over the controversy. Pennsylvania-based AFA Foods, which has a production plant in Thomasville, Ga., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April after demand for ground beef products declined.

On April 18, a group of 30 Congressmen, including Tom Graves (R-Ga.), wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking that the USDA, and specifically the Food Safety Inspection Service, take steps to help BPI repair its public image after what the Congressmen referred to as a campaign of “simply incorrect information.”

Hutchins

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 GFB SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Garrett Whitworth of Madison County, Newton Morris Gilman of Jackson County and GeorgAnne Elizabeth Bloodworth of Crawford County have been awarded the top Georgia Farm Bureau 2012 Scholarships for Agriculture, valued at $3,000 each.

The scholarships are intended to recognize and assist deserving and outstanding young people who are pursuing college degrees in agricultural and

environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or related agricultural fields. Eligibility is limited to students who plan to

enroll in a unit of the University System of Georgia or Berry College for the 2012-2013 academic year.

“I am proud of the support our counties give to our young people,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said. “They are the future movers and shakers in our agriculture industry and they need the leadership of Farm

Bureau to help prepare them for this role.” Whitworth plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural

College (ABAC) and study agricultural education, while Gilman anticipates studying poultry science and avian biology at ABAC and

Bloodworth plans to study veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia. In addition to the three top awards, seven other students were awarded $750 each. The other

scholarship finalists were Brittney Gunter of Hall County, Emily Tyus of Bleckley County, Aaron Bruce of Lanier County, Morgan Sumners of Lee County, Meridith Franks of Burke County, Garrett Hibbs of Oconee County and Chris Kimbrell of Pierce County.

GSWCC DISTRICT SUPERVISOR ELECTIONS QUALIFYING ENDS MAY 25

Those wishing to qualify as candidates for the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission’s district supervisors have until noon on May 25 to complete a nomination petition with signatures from 25 registered voters in their county and submit it to the county elections superintendent.

Nonpartisan elections will be held on Nov. 6 to elect district supervisors in 86 Georgia counties.

District supervisors serve as unpaid state officials who represent their counties in support of soil and water conservation activities. Conservation districts hold a minimum of ten meetings a year and host educational events, workshops and community field days.

Eligible candidates must be a registered voter of the county in which he or she runs. A person cannot hold another elected office in Georgia and also serve as an elected Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. The term of office for a supervisor is four years.

Typical supervisor duties include: working with landowners and developers to implement soil and water conservation measures on land disturbance sites and agricultural lands; distributing information about natural resource conservation programs to youth and adults; conducting public demonstrations for best land management practices; serving on NRCS Local Work Groups to set funding priorities for federally supported programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); reviewing erosion & sedimentation control plans for land-disturbing activities; administering and participating in conservation programs undertaken by the State of Georgia and partner agencies.

For more information about qualifying call 706-552-4470 or visit http://gaswcc.georgia.gov/portal/site/SWCC/.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 USDA SUSTAINABLE AG & CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS May 17 Camp Westminster Conyers 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. BEEF MONTH PROMOTION WORKSHOP May 19 Georgia Farm Bureau 10 a.m.-2p.m. Macon The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and Georgia Beef Board (GBB) is holding this workshop to help county cattlemen’s associations and county Farm Bureaus prepare to promote beef in June, Georgia Beef Month. GBB staff will distribute beef month materials and discuss promotion ideas. Representatives of county cattlemen’s associations will share promotion activities they’ve used in the past. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Communications Daren Williams will provide media training and cover how to talk about beef with consumers. The event is free but attendees are asked to RSVP by May 15 by calling Brooke Williams at 478-474-1815 or emailing her at brooke@gabeef.org. APPLY BY MAY 21 FOR FARMERS MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAM The USDA is seeking grant applicants for the 012 Farmers Market Promotion Program. Approximately $10 million is available for marketing operations, including farmers markets, community supported agriculture and roadside stands. The grants are administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and are available only though a competitive application process online at http://www.grants.gov. The deadline to apply is May 21. The grants aim to increase the availability of local agricultural products in communities throughout the country. They will help strengthen farmer-to-consumer marketing efforts. For more information about the program, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP. FARM TO FORK WORKSHOP May 22-23 Stuckey Auditorium, UGA Griffin Campus Griffin This workshop is designed to help individuals and businesses with developing their food products to increase produce marketability and sales. Topics include business planning and financing, legal and regulatory issues, quality and food safety concerns, formulation and packaging, food defense plans, and distribution and sales. The registration fee is $139 and there are a limited number of $100 scholarships available. Each participant will receive a personalized scorecard detailing their business development progress. For more information contact Sharon Kane at 706-542-9809 or spkane@uga.edu. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 29 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 6 p.m. Contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706/624-1398 - pworley@uga.edu for more information.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 30 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu CAES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS June 1 Deadline to apply for Transfer Scholarship The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association is accepting applications for its Transfer Scholarship for students considering transferring into a CAES program in fall 2012. For more information or to download the application form, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/CAA/scholarships.html. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: June 1 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments (DCP) June 1 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program (SURE) 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. 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 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 6 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. 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. 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.