GFB HOSTS CELEBRATORY DINNER FOR LIVESTOCK GRAND CHAMPIONS

Georgia Farm Bureau hosted a celebratory dinner for the 2012 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show Grand Champions at the GFB home office in Macon on April 13.

GFB sponsored the six grand champion prizes awarded at the state show held in Perry in February. The grand champions are: Decatur County 4-Her Bo Bailey, Grand Champion Market Steer; Mitchell County 4-Her Mattison Barnes, Grand Champion Market Gilt; Jeff Davis FFA member Balie Herndon, Grand Champion Market Barrow; Colquitt County FFA member Jonathan Mobley, Grand Champion Breeding Heifer; Putnam County FFA member Magen Moore, Grand Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer; and Elbert County 4-Her Anna Ruff, Grand Champion Breeding Ewe.

The grand champions were invited to bring their family, friends and county Extension agent or high school ag teacher to the celebration dinner. The event was designed to celebrate both the grand champions for their accomplishment along with their support team.

“No champion can become a champion by yourself, so if you look around your table you’re going to see your team that helped you get here. I wanted to make sure that we recognized the whole team because it truly is a team effort, ” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall told the grand champions. “4-H and FFA are currently training you for the future and preparing you to be leaders. We want you to remember Farm Bureau when you get out of high school and college because our organization can help further develop your leadership skills.”

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black congratulated the grand champions and their families on their accomplishments in the show ring, saying, “What you're doing is making memories for your families and an investment in your families.”

After the dinner, Duvall gave each grand champion his or her prize check and belt buckle. Duvall also presented the parents and ag teacher or Extension agent with an inspirational book to recognize the leadership role they played in helping the students win the grand championship.

“The 4-H and FFA livestock programs teach young people responsibility, discipline and economics, ” said Georgia State 4-H Leader Arch Smith. “The lessons that you learned from caring for your livestock will stay with you throughout your life.”

Georgia Agricultural Education Program Manager Chip Bridges said the event made an impression on the students. “I think this celebration evening has helped the kids realize that the honor of winning a grand championship extends beyond the day of the show and has helped them realize the importance of teamwork.”

April 18, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 16

Leadership Alert page 2 of 9 GFB NAMES ART & ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

Georgia Farm Bureau recently announced the winners of its annual art and essay contests. The GFB Women’s Committee coordinated both contests on the state level and county Women’s

Committees promoted the contests locally. Contest winners were selected from each of the organization’s 10 districts.

Coffee County student Ketzia Villalobos won the GFB 18th Annual Art Contest for her detailed drawing of a brood cow and calf nuzzling each other. The contest, open to any student in grades 9 -12, received 61 entries.

Villalobos received $100 for being the GFB 10th District winner and an additional $250 for being the state winner. Kelsey Miller of Habersham County, GFB 2nd District, and Julianna Wells, Harris County, GFB 5th District, were named state runners-up in the art contest. Each received $150 cash. SunTrust Bank sponsored the contest.

Stephens County student Asia Wilson is the state winner of the GFB Essay Contest, which drew 63 entries and was open to students in grades 6 - 8. Wilson received a $100 cash prize for being the GFB 2nd District essay winner and a $150 cash prize as the state winner.

Drawings were judged on artistic merit and how well the artwork represented Georgia agriculture. Essay contest participants discussed why Georgia farmers are heroes. Essay entries were judged on clarity of thought and creativity.

Other district winners in the art contest were: Cortney Minter, Floyd County, 1st District; Justin Moseley, Carroll County, 3rd District; Suzanne Kitchens, Walton County, 4th District; Emmaline Godfrey, Washington County, 6th District; Heidi Lee, Burke County, 7th District; Casey Daniel, Lee County, 8th District; and Melissa Pyle, Early County, 9th District. Each district winner received $100.

Other district winners in the essay contest were: Annie Jones, Catoosa County, 1st District; Julie Dean, Douglas County, 3rd District; Hunter Futch, Greene County, 4th District; Peyton Lee, Pike County, 5th District; Kimberly Watts, Washington County, 6th District; Lynsey Sellers, Appling County, 7th District; Ryan Burnett, Turner County, 8th District; Maggie Shannon, Tift County, 9th District; and Kade Moore, Coffee County, 10th District. Each district winner received $100. COGONGRASS CONTINUES TO SPREAD THROUGH GEORGIA

The Georgia Forestry Commission is urging landowners to spend time searching for cogongrass, an invasive plant species noted for its circular growth pattern. The GFC has identified 618 known cogongrass infestations in 51 counties, most of which are in the south and west portions of the state, up from 352 infestations in 38 counties in 2010. According to the GFC, 130 new spots were discovered in 2011, including first-time detections in Atkinson, Bulloch, Chattahoochee, Terrell and Ware counties. The first detection of cogongrass in Lowndes County was reported in 2012.

Native to Asia, cogongrass spreads through windblown seeds and underground creeping rhizomes. It forms exclusive colonies which displace native vegetation.

Visit http://www.gatrees.org/ForestManagement/Cogongrass.cfm for more information about cogongrass and links to forms used to report infestations or contact a GFC regional forest health specialist.

Ketzia Villalobos’ winning artwork can be seen at the bottom of page 9

Leadership Alert page 3 of 9 DEAL SIGNS METAL THEFT BILL INTO LAW

On April 16 Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 872, which contains a number of measures intended to combat the ongoing problem of metal theft.

“Metal theft has become a huge problem for farmers and for Georgians in all walks of life,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “Securing legislation to fight metal theft was a priority issue for us this year. We’re happy the legislature answered our requests for help, and hopefully the tools contained in this law will reduce the frequency and impact of metal theft.”

HB 872 was sponsored by Rep. Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland) and contained a number of provisions from Senate Bill 321, sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford).

HB 872 provides law enforcement with new tools to help catch metal thieves and requires recyclers to obtain a permit from their local sheriff. The law establishes new documentation requirements that should make thieves easier to track, including a copy of the seller’s valid identification, a photo of the seller’s face and the seller’s vehicle tag number along with a digital photo or video of the metal sold.

The law prevents recyclers from buying air conditioning coils from anyone except a contractor or documented owner, burnt copper wire from anyone but contractors or an owner with a police report indicating fire and burial objects from anyone but funeral directors, cemetery owners, manufacturers or documented owners.

The law also prohibits cash transactions in scrap metal sales and prohibits recyclers from cashing checks they write for metal purchases. CORPS OF ENGINEERS RECOMMENDS SAVANNAH PORT EXPANSION

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its final report on the Savannah Harbor Expansion on April 11, recommending that the port be deepened from its current depth of 42 feet to a new depth of 47 feet.

The expansion will allow the port to accommodate larger ships that will be arriving on the East Coast in 2014 when the project to deepen and widen the Panama Canal is scheduled for completion.

The increased shipping capability is expected to bring expanded export opportunities for Georgia agricultural products.

“Georgia’s farmers are constantly searching for markets where they can sell their crops, and we believe the increased shipping capability that deepening the Port of Savannah will provide offers a great opportunity for new markets,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.

The Corps’ study spanned 14 years and included analysis from the EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Ports Authority. According to a Corps of Engineers press release, the deepening project “is economically viable, environmentally sustainable and in the best interest of the United States.”

The project cost, estimated at $652 million, is to be shared by the federal government and the state of Georgia. The expansion is projected to generate $174 million annually in net benefits to the U.S.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 9 USDA WARNS OF FRAUDULENT LETTERS AND CALLS USDA officials have been notified that additional fraudulent letters and at least one fraudulent phone call have been received by individuals in a number of states. The letters and call purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters are false and in no case should a recipient respond with personal and financial information. USDA is investigating this matter through the Office of the Inspector General. If you suspect you have received such a letter or have been called by someone representing themselves as being from USDA seeking personal information, please contact USDA at: procurement.policy@dm.usda.gov or call 202-720-9448. NRCS OFFERING INCENTIVES IN PIGWEED CONTROL PROGRAM The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia will provide an additional $1.1 million in financial incentives for an initiative in the currently participating counties of Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Taylor and Wilcox, to control glyphosate-resistant palmer amaranth, more commonly known as pigweed. This project area has received approval for expansion to include the counties of Appling, Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Mitchell, Schley, Sumter, Tift, Telfair, Turner, and Worth. Applications must be received by April 18 to be considered for funding. MOUNTAIN BEEF CATTLE FIELD DAY April 18 Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center Blairsville Georgia cattle farmers will gain useful research-based information at this free event, which is sponsored by AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Pasture Management Systems and Resaca Sun Feeds. The field day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes lunch and refreshments, Topics include pasture ecology, soil and fertilizer management, beef cattle efficiency, weed control in pastures and hay field and fly control. For more information, call 706-745-2655. USDA SUSTAINABLE AG & CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS April 21 Dillwood Farms Loganville 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. INAUGURAL GOLDEN ONION COOKING COMPETITION April 22 Vidalia Community Center 12:30 p.m. Vidalia This competition, presented by the Vidalia Onion Committee, will serve as the official kick-off of the 35th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival. This professional competition will feature chefs from across Georgia preparing dishes featuring Vidalia onions. Prizes are $500 for first place, $250 for second and $100 for third. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information, visit http://www.vidaliaonionfestival.com.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 9 UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: April 23 Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) May 1 Certification of planted acres for tobacco 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 HEIFER EVALUATION &REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE April 24 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-1852 or lawtons@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229/386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu. 35th ANNUAL VIDALIA ONION FESTIVAL April 26-29 Vidalia This four-day event offers the Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant, a children’s parade, outdoor music concerts, arts and crafts festival, street dance, car show, the Kiwanis Onion Run, the Vidalia Onion Festival Rodeo and the famous onion-eating contest. For more information visit http://www.vidaliaonionfestival.com. 13TH ANNUAL PANHANDLE MULE DAY April 28 Panhandle Mule Farm 9 a.m. Reynolds This heritage of breaking land comes to life at this annual event, which is designed for the entire family to enjoy. Mule Day features plowing, hay cutting and baling demonstrations, and antique engines, tractors and farm implements will be on display. Lunches and refreshments will be available through Crowell Methodist Church, and there will be live entertainment. For more information, call Steve Montgomery at 478-837-1044. TEAM AG GEORGIA SPRING WORKSHOP May 10 Dillard House 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Dillard This free one-day workshop, which includes a complimentary lunch, is for small, beginning and limited-resource farmers. Topics include fish and wildlife management, farmers markets, organics, financing, winery & vineyards, small ruminants, farm bill resources and the Farm To School program. Registration is required and the deadline to register is April 30. To register online, visit http://www.teamaggeorgia.com. For more information, contact Neal Leonard at 706-546-2207 or neal.leonard@ga.usda.gov.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 9 FORT VALLEY FARMERS MARKET SEEKS VENDORS The Fort Valley Farmers Market is seeking farmers, vendors and civic clubs to sell at the weekly market that will operate in downtown Fort Valley from May 5 through October. The market, located at the intersection of East Church and Lowe Street next to the Passenger Depot in downtown Fort Valley, will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The Fort Valley Farmers Market supports the Georgia Made, Georgia Grown market plan, which means products sold at the market should be grown or made locally. Approved market items include fresh produce, plants, flowers, crafts and homemade baked goods. Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and vendors may set up on the days of their choice. Vendor fees are $20 for the season or $5 per weekend. On June 8 and 9, the Georgia Peach Festival will be held in Fort Valley, and the Farmers Market is busy with entertainment and crafts. On Sept. 7 and 8, Fort Valley will host the Com South Hambone Jam, the final event of the Georgia BBQ Association, and the Farmers Market is very busy that weekend. For more information, call the Fort Valley Main Street/Downtown Development Authority at 478-825-5986 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 2012 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 10-12 Young Harris College 8 a.m. each day Young Harris This event, one of the most comprehensive beekeeping educational events in the Southeast, offers classes for beekeepers at all levels of experience and the annual honey show. May 10 is dedicated training and certification exams for journeymen and master beekeeper qualifications, as well as the Welsh honey judge training, the first licensing program for honey judges in North America. May 11 and 12 provide entry-level training and certification, including individual and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, equipment construction and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $96 for one day and $152 for two days. For ages 11-18, fees are $44 for one day and $70 for two days. Participants are urged to preregister by April 30. On-site registration is allowed on a space-available basis, but classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/young-harris/index.html or contact Samantha Holland at YHCbees@uga.edu or 706-769-1736. GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1 Applications are being accepted for the Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes farms continuously operated by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia EMC and the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. Application forms are available online at http://www.georgiashpo.org/historic/centennial_farms. For more information, contact Steven Moffson at 404-651-5906 or steven.moffson@dnr.state.ga.us. 4TH ANNUAL ST. JUDE ANTIQUE TRACTOR RIDE May 5 Lane Packing 10 a.m. Fort Valley The ride, which begins and ends at Lane Packing, is a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The event includes a lunch and tractor contests like a slow tractor race and barrel maneuvers. Riders will pay a $25 entry fee per tractor and donations from non-riders are welcomed. For more information contact James Emory Tate at 912-375-8367 or Neil Skipper at 478-286-1940.

Leadership Alert page 7 of 9 TURKEY CREEK FESTIVAL May 5 Ga. Highway 23, west off I-75 exit 122 Byromville This annual festival features family-oriented fun for everyone. Events, include a 10 a.m. parade, exhibits, the local museum, game, rides, food, entertainment and much more. For more information visit http://www.turkeycreekfestival.com or contact Mary Jo Jeter at mjojeter@yahoo.com or 478-244-1318. USDA PIGFORD SETTLEMENT CLAIMS FILING DEADLINE May 11 is the deadline for claims to be filed in the USDA Pigford II settlement case. The settlement arises from a class action lawsuit against USDA that alleges the department discriminated against African-Americans who applied for or attempted to apply for farm loans or other farm benefits between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1996. The settlement applies only to African-American farmers who meet specific eligibility requirements, including the requirement that they previously submitted a request to file a late claim in the 1999 Pigford I class action Consent Decree. Claimants must register for a claims package by calling 1-877-810-8110 or 1-866-950-5547 or visiting the website www.blackfarmercase.com. A claims package will be mailed to claimants. EARLY DAYS OF YESTERYEAR May 11-12 Copeland Hall, Bowdon-Tyus Road Bowdon This free event will feature antique farm equipment and engines, tools, antique cars, entertainment, activities for children, vendors and food. For more information, contact Gearald Fielder at 770-228-9502 or GFIELDER@aol.com. MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 12 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m. Forsyth More than 80 bred heifers will be fore sale during the event. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPD’s, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily gain. For more information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email at uge2207@uga.edu. Information about the sale may also be found online at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/monroe/HERDProgram/herd.html. GEORGIA COTTON WOMEN SCHOL. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15 The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented annually by the Georgia Cotton Women to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer with priority given to children of Georgia Cotton Women members. In the event there is no child or grandchild of a GCW member eligible for the scholarship, the GCW Scholarship Committee has the discretion to present the award to another qualified candidate. This scholarship was established by the late John M. Mobley. It was continued by his wife Connie and is now carried on by their family. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. Scholarship applications may be downloaded at http//:www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information contact Charlotte Wingate at 229-985-1435 or Nancy Coleman at 229-941-2930 or rosehillfarms@windstream.net. The deadline for application is May 15.

Leadership Alert page 8 of 9 BEEF MONTH PROMOTION WORKSHOP May 19 Ga. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Leadership Alert page 9 of 9 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.

Congratulations to Coffee County student Ketzia Villalobos, who won the GFB 18th Annual Art Contest with this drawing of a brood cow and calf.