OBAMA PROPOSAL WOULD CUT DIRECT PAYMENTS, RAISE ESTATE TAXES

President Obama’s proposed deficit reduction plan released Sept. 19 included a number of provisions that would affect the agriculture industry and it drew criticism from members of the House and Senate Agriculture committees.

Obama’s plan, which he says would reduce the federal deficit by $4.4 trillion over the next 10 years, included more than $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending cuts already ratified in the Budget Control Act. The proposal includes $257 billion in cuts from mandatory programs outside of health care. Called “Living Within Our Means and Investing in the Future,” the president’s plan would eliminate $3 billion per year in direct payments, reduce support and payments for crop insurance companies, change support and payments for producers by $8.3 billion over 10 years, reduce conservation funding by $2 billion over 10 years and extend mandatory disaster assistance. It also calls for $1 billion in new fees to finance inland waterways.

In a joint statement, House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) said the president’s proposal demonstrates a lack of knowledge about production agriculture and how the changes would impact farmers.

“Cutting $8 billion from the crop insurance program puts the entire program at risk,” Lucas and Roberts wrote. “We have heard again and again from producers that crop insurance is the best risk-management tool available. In jeopardizing this program, the president turns a deaf ear to America’s farmers.”

Obama also proposed increasing the capital gains tax rate for individuals making more than $200,000 per year and for couples making more than $250,000, and it would return the estate tax exemption to $3.5 million per person with a top rate of 45 percent. The tax measures in Obama’s proposal would undo provisions in a law passed in December 2010, which set estate tax exemption at $5 million per person with a top rate of 35 percent through 2012.

Visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2012/assets/jointcommitteereport.pdf to view the president’s budget proposal in its entirety.

Direct payments also would be eliminated under a bill introduced on Sept. 23 by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Thune (R-S.D.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). S. 1626, would establish the Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management (ARRM) program. ARRM would eliminate direct and counter-cyclical payments, as well as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program, and amend the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) to make it based on planted acres rather than base acres.

September 28, 2011 www.gfb.org Vol. 29 No. 39

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 GEORGIA AGRICULTURE BUILDING TO BE UNVEILED AT SUNBELT EXPO

Georgia Farm Bureau is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to construct a new permanent exhibit building at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition. The building will be dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:10 a.m. on Oct. 18, the opening day of the Sunbelt Expo. All GFB members are invited to attend.

The building is located across from the Expo headquarters building near the air traffic control tower. It replaces GFB’s previous location in the center of the Expo grounds.

GFB and GDA employees will staff the new building, which includes a test kitchen, rough-cut lumber to give the appearance of a barn interior and a kiosk for “My American Farm,” an interactive agriculture learning game produced by American Farm Bureau.

For more information about Sunbelt Expo, visit http://www.sunbeltexpo.com. U.S. FILES WTO CASE AGAINST CHINA OVER POULTRY TARIFFS

The United States has filed a case before the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Chinese tariffs on American chicken products.

China began imposing anti-dumping duties on U.S. poultry products in September 2010, ranging from 50 percent to 105 percent of the value of the products. The U.S. maintains that this practice violates the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement, the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervaling Measures and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

The U.S. has requested dispute settlement consultations with the Chinese, the first step in a WTO dispute. If the two countries do not come to a

resolution within 60 days, a WTO dispute settlement panel may be requested. Prior to the onset of the tariffs, the U.S. was China’s largest supplier of chicken broiler

products, exporting more than 600,000 metric tons of broiler products in 2009. Since China began imposing the duties, U.S. exports of chicken broiler product to China have dropped by 90 percent. HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSES E-VERIFY BILL

On Sept. 21 the House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 2885, which would require all U.S. employers to confirm workers’ eligibility through the use of E-Verify.

The bill, introduced Sept. 12 by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), contains no agricultural worker program. Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) attempted to offer an amendment establishing a new agricultural worker program but the amendment was ruled out of order.

Farm Bureau strongly opposes mandatory E-Verify but is emphasizing the importance of including a farm worker program in the bill’s final version. The provisions relating to agriculture would take effect no later than three years after the enactment of the bill.

“If and when E-Verify is required of agricultural employers, there must be an effective, efficient program in place to assure producers that legal workers are available,” said American Farm Bureau Labor Specialist Paul Schlegel. “That’s the overriding concern for our members and the bottom-line result we are pressing for.”

The bill has 41 cosponsors, including Georgia Republicans Jack Kingston (1st District) and Lynn Westmoreland (3rd District). It was also referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 GA. SHERIFF’S ASSOC. PRESIDENT DISCUSSES METAL THEFT WITH GFB

Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry, president of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, spoke to the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors Sept. 22 about metal theft, offering recommendations for state legislation needed to fight the crime.

“Communities across the state are suffering a loss we can’t sustain due to metal theft,” Berry said. “I've been in law enforcement for 34 years and this is a crisis.”

Berry said he hopes to see the Georgia General Assembly pass legislation next year similar to a law that went into effect in South Carolina in August. South Carolina’s new law requires permits to sell metal and includes other regulations that make it easier for law enforcement to trace criminals.

Berry said he would like to see Georgia pass state legislation that requires a permit issued by the local sheriff’s office to transport more than 10 pounds of nonferrous metal or to sell nonferrous metal. Permits would be issued pending a criminal background check by the sheriff's office. Berry would also like to see a state law that eliminates cash payments for copper sales regardless of the payment waiting period and that implements a statewide computer database to record all metal sales.

“If we had a statewide database it would allow us to track sales electronically rather than going door to door,” Berry said. “You can look at a database, and if you see the same name popping up around the state after a while that looks funny. How many air conditioners and how many miles of copper wiring does one person have to sell?”

Berry’s presentation was the second in a series GFB President Zippy Duvall has arranged as the GFB directors explore ways Farm Bureau can fight metal theft.

In July, Chip Koplin, president of the Georgia Recyclers Association, spoke to the board and suggested ways property owners can prevent theft, such as using fluorescent paint to mark pieces of metal that may be targeted for theft with a unique symbol.

“Georgia Farm Bureau recognizes what a serious problem metal theft is for farmers and our policy supports the strict enforcement of laws and penalties against metal thieves and the buyers who facilitate the illegal trade of metal,” Duvall said. “We worked with a coalition of utility companies in 2009 to get SB 82 passed which requires metal buyers to keep a record of identification information for all metal sellers, and we continue to explore the issue to find other ways we can thwart metal thieves.”

Georgia Farm Bureau took a leading role in the publication of the Secondary Metals Compliance & Prosecution Guide. GFB will soon provide copies of this manual to all of its county Farm Bureau offices and encourages county Farm Bureau leaders to meet with their local law enforcement and metal recyclers in their area to discuss ways they can work together to fight metal theft in their communities. BILLS WOULD FACILITATE PRIVATE FUNDING FOR AG RESEARCH

Bills that would create a charitable tax-exempt organization to fund agricultural research were introduced in the House and Senate on Sept. 15. Farm Bureau supports both S. 1561 and H.R. 2959, which each carries the title Charitable Agricultural Research Act. Under the legislation, ag research organizations would work in conjunction with agricultural and land-grant colleges and universities, building on existing public and private efforts.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 29 1st District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Calhoun Oct. 11 9th District Mitchell County High School 7 p.m. Camilla Oct. 13 7th District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Statesboro Nov. 3 8th District South Georgia Technical College 7 p.m. Americus Nov. 8 4th District Greene County High School 7 p.m. Greensboro Nov. 10 6th District Poplar Springs North Bapt. Ch. 7 p.m. Dublin Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and not open to the general public. LUKE BRYAN FARM TOUR Sept. 29 The Beach at Clemson University Seneca, SC Sept. 30 Tucker Plantation Colbert Oct. 1 Luther Williams Field Macon Oct. 5 Longneedle Farm Claxton Oct. 6 Coffee Weed Plantation Valdosta Oct. 7 VFW Fairgrounds Carrollton Country music artist and Lee County Farm Bureau member Luke Bryan embarks on his Farm Tour, sponsored by Southern Ag Carriers, the National Peanut Buying Points Association and the American Peanut Shellers Association. Each venue is near a university, and Bryan’s organization is sponsoring a college scholarship at each of them for a student from a farm family. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will fund the scholarships. To order tickets, visit http://www.lukebryan.com/farmtour. SEPT. 30 is DEADLINE FOR GFB POLICY SUBMISSIONS

Georgia Farm Bureau’s annual policy development process is underway. Sept. 30 is the deadline for county Farm Bureaus to submit policy recommendations to the state policy development committee. The state committee will meet this fall to consider the recommendations submitted by county Farm Bureaus and GFB’s commodity advisory committees. Contact the GFB Legislative Department for more information.

17th ANNUAL MULE ROUNDUP Sept. 30-Oct.1 Guysie Community, Highway 32 Near Alma Experience yesteryear at this showcase of heritage farming, featuring a pioneer village, farm demonstration, cane grinding, sausage smoking, a grist mill and lots moore. A gospel sing begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30. Admission is free for participants and vendors and $5 for spectators ages 10 and up. For more information call 912-632-1777. GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Oct. 6–16 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The award-winning Georgia National Fair features livestock and horse shows, youth exhibits, home and fine arts competitions, family entertainment, midway rides and games, fair food, and major concerts that includes Blake Shelton and the JaneDear Girls. For more information, visit www.georgianationalfair.com.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 UGA HORTICULTURE FIELD DAY Oct. 7 UGA Horticulture Farm Watkinsville Experts will highlight the latest information on a range of topics from honeybee management to organic vegetable productionUGA faculty from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will be stationed throughout the farm to discuss current research projects. Registration is $25 per person and includes lunch. Participation is limited to the first 250 registrants. For more information, see the event's website at http://www.areg.caes.uga.edu/#hortfieldday. AGRICULTURAL SUMMIT OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA Oct. 11 Athens Technical College 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Athens State agricultural leaders, University of Georgia experts will talk about business financing, economic development, research and workforce development. Dr. Steve Stice, a Georgia Research Alliance eminent scholar in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will give the keynote address and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black will moderate a panel discussion with Georgia departments and agencies that assist industry in retention and expansion. CAES leaders will share information about UGA research. The Agricultural Summit is hosted by the Joint Development Authority of Northeast Georgia to promote the growth, expansion and recruitment of agricultural related business in northeast Georgia. For more information, visit the website at http://www.northeastgeorgiaworks.com. POLO & PALS EQUESTRIAN EXTRAVAGANZA Oct. 15 Champion Oak Farm (off Bethany Road) 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Madison Horse enthusiasts will enjoy this afternoon of “horsing around” that will include demonstrations by the UGA 5-time National Champion Equestrian Team, La Ferme de Cheval’s Nichole Mesik riding her elegant Friesian and costumed Arabians and local horse competitors demonstrating their barrel racing and showmanship skills. Events will include a round of Polf (polo golf) with polo pros and celebrity guests competing and a “half-horsed” polo match played by area mule enthusiasts. Admission is $20/person, $30/couple or $50/car for ringside parking/viewing (includes admission for all occupants). Children 10 and under will be admitted free. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Soft drinks and snacks will be available all day followed by a barbecue supper for $15 at 7 p.m. For more information contact Maybe Ortiz at cmaybeortiz@yahoo.com or call 706-453-7484. This event is raising funds for the Polo Players Support Group that helps injured polo players with their medical bills. SOUTHERN WOODLAND OWNERS CONFERENCE & SOLUTIONS FAIR Oct. 31-Nov. 2 UGA Tifton Campus Tifton Two optional preconference field trips will be offered Oct. 31 to Norbid Mill (cost of $20), a wood products mill in Cordele, and Oakridge Farms (cost of $45), a longleaf plantation. The two-day conference will feature a variety of topics to address challenges in forest management in the southern U.S., including timber security, intergenerational transfers, the latest in seedling development, timberland value trends, forest certification and conservation easements. Full conference participation earns attendees up to 9 CFE credits and 10 CLE credits. Registration without CFE/CLE credits is $90 per person before Oct. 14 and $110 after Oct. 14. Registration with CFE/CLE credits is $130 per person before Oct. 14 and $150 after. For more information visit or contact Michele Lawson at michele@gfagrow.org or 478-992-8110.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 FARM TO FORK CONFERENCE Nov. 1-2 UGA Tifton Campus Tifton This conference, sponsored by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development and the Georgia Center of Innovation for Agribusiness, will cover the basics of developing a business to make and sell a food product. Workshops will cover developing a business plan, securing financing, legal issues, food quality and safety regulations, packaging, sales techniques, food products reviews and much more. Business owners who are successfully operating businesses selling food products they created will also speak. Registration cost is $39. Visit http://www.areg.caes.uga.edu to register. For more information contact Sarah Cook at smcook@uga.edu or 229-391-6882.