GFB News - Nov./Dec. 2009

FARM BUREAUThe Voice of Georgia Farmers

N E W S

G E O R G I AVol. 71 No. 6 November/December 2009

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M92128 CLIENT: IEV LIVE: 7” X 9.5” AD: Chrumka 3608 PROOFREADING SIGNOFFPRODUCT: DOD BROPHY #: 133556 AB: N/A

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CHANGES:DATE: 7/7/09 3:33 PM TITLE: Farm Bureau Ram 1500 AC: Miller 4517

GA: DD SPECS: 4/C Magazine PP: HATTLEY 3668

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GeorGia Farm Bureau News NovemBer-DecemBer 2009 / 3

table of contentsnovember/december 2009

departmentswe, the farmers

PAGE 4

legislative updatePAGE 8

commodities updatePAGE 10

timber newsPAGE 16

around georgiaPAGE 18

public relations staff Paul Beliveau Director

Jennifer Whittaker Editor

Lillian Davis Publications/Advertising Manager

Jay Stone Print/Web Specialist

Denny Moore TV Producer/Anchor

Rick Treptow Senior Radio-TV Specialist

Michael Edmondson Web/Video Manager

Mark Wildman Radio-TV Specialist

Dean Wood Radio-TV Specialist

Ryan Naquin Radio-TV Specialist

Vickie Amos Office Coordinator

For questions about your membership or member benefits, call 1-800-633-5432.

For questions regarding editorial content call 478-474-0679, ext. 5334 or email

[email protected]

For questions regarding advertising contact Hurst and Associates, Inc., 1-800-397-8908

Visit the GFB Web site today! www.gfb.org

(Photo by Perry Nettles) The church on our cover is part of a five-acre Christmas display of more than 110,000 lights, 300 illuminated sculptures and 50 plus inflatable characters that Polk County Farm Bureau member Perry Nettles has created for 27 years. Nettles begins working on the display Labor Day weekend and switches on the lights Thanksgiv-ing night. Santa and Mrs. Claus attend the Thanksgiving night lighting to give candy to visitors. The display remains lit through New Year’s Eve and is open to all at no charge. The Nettles farm is located on U.S. HWY 278 about five miles west of Rockmart. Call 404-210-8418 for more information.

on the cover

GFB to hold 71st annual conventionFor the 46th year Georgia Farm Bureau members will travel to Jekyll Isand for the organization’s annual meeting Dec. 6-8. Take note that the conven-tion schedule is different this year with young farmer events beginning on Saturday instead of Sunday and the awards ceremony being held on Sun-day instead of Monday. PAGE 5

Young farmer finalists find ties too strong to ignoreCharlie and Nancie Sanders (4th District, Greene County), Steven and Tiffany Metcalf (8th District, Turner County) and Cory and Janie Tyre (10th District, Bacon County) are the three finalists in the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Contest. The state winner will be named Dec. 6 at the GFB Convention. PAGE 6

Farmers, exhibitors make connections at SunbeltAttendance was down slightly at the 32nd Annual Sunbelt Expo, held Oct. 20-22 in Moul-trie, but the 82,000 visitors who attended enjoyed learning about the ag equipment, supplies and programs displayed by the 1,184 exhibitors. PAGE 12

Patrons, competitors flock to GA National FairThe Georgia National Fair celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. PAGE 14

GFB 2nd District cattle show a spirited successMore than 100 students spent Halloween competing in the GFB 2nd District Young Farmer Steer & Heifer Show. PAGE 17

Philip Morris ends tobacco contracts in GAPhilip Morris USA will not offer new contracts to Georgia or Florida tobacco growers after the 2009 season, company officials announced during a meeting in Alma on Oct. 14. The company also plans to close its buying station in Alma. PAGE 20

Farmers vent frustrations with FSA computer systemFarmers who spoke at a recent USDA listening session regarding the Farm Service Agency’s program delivery system complimented county FSA staff but were less enthu-siastic about the computer system FSA staff use to administer programs and the Web site FSA officials want farmers to use to apply for programs. PAGE 22

4 / NovemBer-DecemBer 2009 GeorGia Farm Bureau News

We, the farmers live in a world of change, and sometimes change is difficult. I like to look at change as an opportunity to make things better, develop new relationships and broaden our horizons. I received a call on Oct. 19 from Dr. Carol Couch informing me she had resigned her position as director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Divi-sion to join the faculty of the College of Environment and Design at the Uni-versity of Georgia. She complimented our organization on the way we actively participated in the process of developing the statewide water plan and encouraged us to continue to be involved. Our efforts were important to mak-ing sure that agriculture is involved in the decisions concerning the future use of our state’s most precious natural resource, water. We thank Dr. Couch for recognizing the importance of agricul-ture to our state and wish her well in her new position at the University of Geor-gia. We look forward to working with Allen Barnes, the new EPD director. The Georgia Cattleman’s Association has a new executive vice president who is no stranger to Farm Bureau. Josh White, like me, is a product of the Farm Bureau Young Farmer Program. Josh is from Henry County where he sits on their Farm Bureau board of directors. He is a beef cattle farmer and a good businessman, and I’m excited about hav-ing the opportunity to work with him. In a recent interview Josh said, “I look forward to building on the many relationships I have formed throughout the state as we move GCA forward.” Georgia Farm Bureau is one of those

relationships, and we intend to help Josh in any way we can. As you know, we will elect a new governor next year. Twenty people have publicly expressed an interest in run-ning for the office, but candidates can’t officially qualify for the race until next April. To help us make a more informed choice in next year’s election, we invited some of the gubernatorial candidates to address our members during the general session of our 71st annual convention. We narrowed the list of candidates to those who currently hold or have previ-ously held a state or national office. We look forward to hearing their vision for Georgia agriculture when they speak to us on Dec. 7. The schedule for this year’s conven-tion will be somewhat different, starting on Saturday with the Young Farmer Discussion Meet. The awards program will be held on Sunday evening immedi-ately following the Vespers and Memo-rial Service. This change will allow us to have an enjoyable evening with John Berry on Monday. John will be perform-ing his Christmas special. I know you will enjoy the evening, and I hope you will make plans to attend. We want to thank our good friends at Georgia EMC for co-sponsoring our entertainment this year. Our world is changing; some changes are for the good – some for the bad. The important thing is that we be involved and take our seat at the table to make sure the voice of agriculture is heard. Thanksgiving is a time to thank God for all of the many blessings he has given us in the past. It’s also a time to thank

we, the

farmersZippy Duvall, GFB President

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FARM BUREAUG E O R G I A

N E W SThe Voice of Georgia Farmers

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OFFICERSPresident

ZIPPY DUVALL

1st Vice President/South Georgia Vice PresidentGERALD LONG

North Georgia Vice President BERNARD SIMS

Middle Georgia Vice President BRENT GALLOWAY

Treasurer/Corporate SecretaryWAYNE DANIEL

General CounselDUKE GROOVER

DIRECTORSFIRST DISTRICT: J. Louis Hunt, LaFayette; Henry J. West, Rydal SECOND DISTRICT: Bobby Gunter, Dahlonega; Randy Ruff, Elberton THIRD DISTRICT: George Chambers, Carrollton; Nora Goodman, Temple FOURTH DISTRICT: Marvin Ruark, Bishop; William Hutchins, Winder FIFTH DISTRICT: Jim Ham, Smarr; Ralph Adamson Jr., Barnesville SIXTH DISTRICT: James Emory Tate, Denton; Jimmy Perry Jr., Cochran SEV-ENTH DISTRICT: Ben Boyd, Sylvania; Gennis Folsom, Glenville EIGHTH DISTRICT: Phil Red-ding, Bluffton; Don Wood, Rochelle NINTH DIS-TRICT: Paul Shirah, Camilla; Lucius Adkins, Elm-odel TENTH DISTRICT: David Lee, Alma; Daniel Johnson, Alma YOUNG FARMER CHAIRMAN: Lanair Worsham, Camilla WOMEN’S COMMIT-TEE CHAIR: Kim Brown, Montezuma

ADVERTISING POLICY All advertising accepted subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaint about advertiser service or products. Publisher does not accept per-order, political or alcoholic beverage ads, nor does publisher prescreen or guarantee advertiser service or products. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in the Georgia Farm Bureau News. For advertising rates and information, contact Hurst and Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, 1-800-397-8908. Georgia Farm Bureau News was established in 1937. Copyright 2009 by the Georgia Farm Bureau Federa-tion. Printed by Panaprint, Macon, Georgia.

Pressing On

Pictured above, from left, GFB Certified Farm Market participant Tim Mercier talks with GFB President Zippy Duvall and his wife, Bonnie, about this year’s apple crop during a tour of his apple market in Blue Ridge.

See WE, THE FARMERS page 12


For the 46th year, Georgia Farm Bureau members will travel to Jekyll Isand for the organization’s annual

meeting Dec. 6-8, which gives GFB the dis-tinction of being the organization to hold the most meetings on the island, accord-ing to Jekyll Island Authority officials. To recognize GFB’s longtime support of Jekyll, the authority will hold the groundbreak-ing ceremony for the island’s new park and convention center on Monday, Dec. 7 following the general session. Gov. Sonny Perdue plans to address GFB convention attendees during the general session and participate in the ceremony. “Each year, we look forward to the arrival of Georgia Farm Bureau just like family coming back home for a holiday visit,” stated Jones Hooks, Jekyll Island Authority Executive Director. “We appre-ciate your business, and be assured that the new hotels and new convention center are being constructed with Georgia Farm Bureau in mind so we can host your con-vention for another 46 years!” This will be the last year that the con-vention is held in the existing convention center as plans for the renovation of the island facilities call for the center to be torn down in 2010 so a new facility can be built. The new convention center is expected to open in 2012. If you’re planning to attend the GFB convention take note that the convention schedule is different this year. Young farmer events will be held on Saturday and Sunday this year instead of Sunday and Monday. The vespers service will begin earlier on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Immediately afterward, the state awards program will be held to announce winners of the program awards and the Young Farmer Achievement and Discussion Meet Contests. “Several things prompted us to change the schedule. Young farmers still in college, who expressed interest in competing in the discussion meet, have told us it would be easier for them to participate if it was held completely during the weekend because our previous schedule conflicted with exams

and classes,” GFB President Zippy Duvall explained. “Holding the awards program on Sunday afternoon will allow any college students who compete in the contest to attend the awards ceremony. Starting the vespers and awards event earlier on Sun-day afternoon will give our members more time to go out to dinner with their county groups and enjoy the evening. Plus, we’re proud to announce that John Berry will provide our entertainment Monday eve-ning. We wanted to give John ample time to perform his award-winning Christmas and country music.” The preliminary rounds of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon in rooms adjoining Hartley Auditorium and will continue throughout the afternoon. The three finalists in the Young Farmer Achievement Contest will be honored during a reception for young farmers on Saturday afternoon instead of during the Monday morning breakfast. On Sunday, Dec. 6, the exhibit hall will open at noon and convention registration will begin. The hall will be open until 4:30 p.m. The final round of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet will be held in the Aquarama Beachside Hall at 1:30 p.m.

The Women’s Commodity Recognition and Leadership Program will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Aquarama Atlantic Hall. An open session of policy development will be held in Rooms 1 & 2 of Hartley Auditorium at 3:15 p.m., followed by a closed session. The general session will convene on Monday at 9 a.m. in Hartley Auditorium. Because the 2010 gubernatorial candi-dates can’t officially qualify for the race until next April, those candidates who currently hold or have previously held a state or national office have been invited to speak. The county presidents’/secretar-ies’ luncheon will be held in the Aquarama Atlantic Hall at noon. Commodity conferences will be held Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., featuring speakers who will address man-agement and policy issues for the major commodities grown in Georgia. The day will close with the John Berry concert begin-ning at 8 p.m. in Hartley Auditorium. Tuesday activities start at 6:45 a.m. with the membership breakfast. Voting delegates will convene at 8:30 a.m. to dis-cuss and approve GFB policy. Delegates will also elect the GFB director positions that are up for re-election.

GFB to hold 71st annual conventionCONVENTiON SChEDulE ChANgES

GFB Swine Committee member Dania Devane (left) mans the georgia Pork Producers booth during the 2008 convention.

By Jennifer Whittaker___________________________________

Phot

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Their primary products are differ-

ent, but the three finalist fami-

lies for the 2009 Georgia Farm

Bureau Young Farmer Achievement

Contest all found the ties to the family

business too strong to ignore.

Charlie and Nancie Sanders (4th

District, Greene County), whose farm

has been in Nancie’s family for more

than 200 years, raise dairy cows and

produce milk. Steven and Tiffany Metcalf

(8th District, Turner County) grow cotton

and peanuts on the land that has been

cultivated by Steven’s family for three

generations. Cory and Janie Tyre (10th

District, Bacon County), whose families

have been farming for five generations,

mainly make their living off hay.

The Tyres and Sanders tried other

things, but their farming heritage pulled

them back. Steven Metcalf joined his

father in the field during high school and

never left.

Each family receives a $200

travel allowance for the GFB Annu-

al Convention, where the state win-

ner will be announced Dec. 6. The

state winner will receive a year’s use

of a Kubota L or M Series tractor, a

$500 cash award from Dodge Truck

Division and an expense-paid trip to

Seattle to compete for the national

award at the AFBF Annual Convention.

Young farmer finalists find ties too strong to ignoreArticle & photos by Jay Stone_______________________________________

GREENE COUNTY In one three-hour stretch, Charlie Sanders takes the tempera-tures of cows who recently calved, checks their milk for signs of mastitis, gives them shots, moves one of them to the milking herd, makes notes about each cow in a pocket-sized notebook, checks on a couple-dozen calves, repairs a calf stall, oversees the moving of the herd from pasture to the milking parlor and then manages the 2 p.m.

milking. If it seems like his life as a dairy farmer is a mad sprint, well, it is. “People have asked me about the sched-ule,” he said. “When I was with the fire department, I also worked with the sheriff ’s department part-time, and I worked at a gun shop on the weekends. So, it’s not that much different for me.” Charlie, 30, was a fireman before deciding to join the family business of his wife Nancie, whose father, Barry Church-well, and brother, Dustin Churchwell, were operating the family dairy farm. The three of them run it jointly now, manag-ing a herd of more than 800 cattle with the help of four employees. At any given time, between 325 and 425 cows are being milked twice a day, and another 40 or 50 might be waiting to deliver calves. The career switch was a family-driven decision. Charlie and Nancie now have three children: 5-year-old Brooke, 3-year-old Breanna and Caleb, who was born in August. “I avoided this my whole adult life until I married Charlie,” Nancie said. “[But] We love it. The kids can play out in the front yard. We don’t have to worry about traffic. They can play with the animals and learn

The Sanders: Breanna (front), back row (L-R) Brooke, Charlie, Nancie and Caleb.

BACON COUNTY Cory and Janie Tyre always knew their life was destined for the farm. Four generations of Tyres before Cory rode the plant and harvest

cycle in Southeast Georgia, and when he went to college it was for an education he would use in agricultural engineering. But it was a step away from farming that reinforced what he was meant to do with his life. He took a job as an assis-tant superintendent with a construction company, and later he and his brother Phil started two lighting businesses. They bought a 120,000 square foot ware-house in Alma that came with some office space. They used that to run the businesses and rented out space in the warehouse. “My heart really wasn’t in that,” he said of the lighting business. He was con-stantly worried about contractors paying him for lighting systems and installation he was selling. “I started playing in hay on the weekends, and it grew from there.” For Cory, 32, and Janie, 29, hay appears to be a calling. It takes up 500 of the 932 acres they farm in Bacon County,

The Tyres (L-R) Janie, Vera Kate, Whitman, Cora Jane and Cory.


about responsibility.” The long hours and quick-response nature of the work made for an easy tran-sition for Charlie in some ways, but the sheer variety of the tasks involved with being a dairy farmer might intimidate other people. When machinery breaks down, he’s often the one to fix it. When a fan in the milking room stops turning, he’s the one who rewires it. When a calf knocks a board off a stall, he hammers it back in place. Charlie learned how to trim hooves to save the farm the $700 a month being spent on hoof care. Nancie, 35, was a state finalist in the GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet in 2006. She and Charlie have co-chaired the GCFB Young Farmer Committee since 2006, and Nancie serves on the GCFB Women’s Committee. Before returning to dairy farming, Charlie and Nancie were living in War-ner Robins. She worked as a dental technician and cosmetics representative, while holding a silent partnership in the family farm. Now, she’s an active partner. It takes everyone to keep it going.

TURNER COUNTY As with many farming families, Steven and Tiffany Metcalf treasure the fact that their voca-tion allows them time to be together. They’ve been married since 2006, and it did not take long before Tiffany real-ized togetherness would mean she had to develop some new skills. So she got Steven to teach her to drive a tractor on the family farm near Ashburn.

“The first time I got on it, I almost took off a gate with it,” she said. “I do it all … pull peanut wagons, do the books. Whatever they need me to do, I’m their go-to girl.” Steven, 33, has been expanding his operation virtually from the start. He and his father, Bennie Metcalf, own a 25 percent stake in Hat Creek Peanut Com-pany, as well as a share in Tifton Quality Peanuts, making them involved from field to sheller in the peanut industry. The Metcalfs grow peanuts on a third of their 1,162 total acres. It’s not their biggest crop – that would be cotton – but it’s perhaps the one with the high-est profile; they’ll produce an estimated 427 tons of peanuts this year. Bennie planted the farming seed with Steven early, giving him a dozen acres to farm when he was in high school, and it took. Steven knew pretty quickly what he wanted to do with his life. “Once you’re in the outdoors and you grow up in it, it’s kind of in your blood,” Steven said. After he graduated from Turner County High School in 1994, Steven started farming full time. Now he, his father and his brother, Matthew, 22, run a shared farming venture. “It’s long hours,” he said. “Six days a week from daylight to dark, and sometimes after dark. But it’s worth it. If I had to change and do something else, I don’t know what it would be.” Steven serves as the TCFB Young Farmer Committee chair and is on the TCFB’s Legislative, Cotton, Hay and Water Commodity Committees. Tiffany, 23, who teaches fifth grade at Turner County Elementary School and is studying for her master’s degree in education, still finds time to ride with Steven on the tractor and pull the trailer loads of peanuts. “I always wanted to marry a farmer,” she said. “It’s a good living, but you have to work hard for that. It’s about work-ing together and being together. I enjoy being around Steven and his daddy.” Said Steven, “It’s a way of life, and she understands.”

The Metcalfs (L-R) Tiffany, Steven and Graham.

where they live with their children Cora Jane (age 6), Vera Kate (4) and Whitman (1). They also produce wheat and soy-beans, and they purchase additional hay for resale. Cory chairs the Young Farmer and Legislative committees for the Bacon County Farm Bureau, and Janie is on the Women’s and Promotion & Education committees. “I was going to be in agriculture one way or another, whether it was in agricul-tural communications or something else,” said Janie, who met Cory at Abraham Bald-win Agricultural College in the late 1990s. “Having our own farm is truly a dream.” In addition to their BCFB commit-tee work, they both serve on the BCFB Board of Directors. Last year they were state finalists for the GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award. In 2005, as a way to supplement his income and put the family farm to use,

Cory started hauling coastal Bermuda hay to buyers on the weekends. Janie would work the phones and the Inter-net to sell it. Then they’d load up their pickup, and he would drive to Alabama or the Carolinas or Florida to deliver it. The first year, they sold more than 12,000 square bales. Meanwhile, as the hay business grew, it became clear the Tyres needed a place to store the hay to make the business viable throughout the year. Cory and Janie had a ready-made solution in the warehouse they purchased for the lighting business. They began storing hay there, allowing them to ship it year-round. Phil joked that the hay was going to push the lighting business out of the warehouse, and ultimately that’s what happened. In late 2006 Cory started dis-tributing hay full-time, and he is on a pace to sell more than 220,000 square bales this year.


legislative updateJon Huffmaster, Legislative Director

Ohio voters approveLivestock Care Standards Board

On Nov. 3, Ohio voters approved a statewide referendum that creates a state board to establish official standards gov-erning the care and well-being of livestock and poultry. The measure, known as Issue 2, was strongly supported by Ohio Farm Bureau and other farm groups. It passed statewide 64 to 36 percent and passed in every Ohio county except one. A coalition of Ohio farm organizations initiated Issue 2 as a proactive response to a referendum California voters passed last year, which placed severe restrictions on livestock production. The passage of Cali-fornia’s Proposition 2 initiative has been a wake-up call to farmers all over the country. Georgia’s response to the California initiative was House Bill 529, which pro-hibits local governments from passing

ordinances to regulate farm practices. Georgia Farm Bureau strongly supported that legislation, and earlier this year the Georgia General Assembly passed it and Gov. Perdue signed it into law. The situation in Ohio was a bit differ-ent. Animal rights groups targeted Ohio, due in part to a condemning television documentary that showed farmers on a single Ohio farm using abusive practices on their livestock. As a result, an amendment similar to California’s Proposition 2 was proposed for Ohio in 2010. Ohio Farm Bureau and other farm organizations formed a coalition, Ohioans for Livestock Care, to consider ways to defeat the proposal. Rather than remaining on defense, the livestock coalition chose to become proactive. Ohioans for Livestock Care urged the state’s General Assembly to pass a resolu-tion calling for an amendment to the Ohio constitution by statewide referendum. The resolution passed and became known as Issue 2 on the Nov. 3 Ohio ballot. Issue 2 was strongly supported by farm organizations. American Farm Bureau and many state Farm Bureaus, including Geor-gia, sent money to assist Ohio in this effort. The measure was hotly contested by ani-mal rights groups across the country that wanted this issue to be a national debate. Passage of Issue 2 authorizes the cre-ation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. The purpose of the board is to develop official state standards regarding the treatment of farm animals. The board will consist of 13 members, 10 of whom will be appointed by the governor upon consent of the Ohio Senate. The gov-ernor’s 10 appointees will include: one family farmer; one veterinarian licensed to practice in Ohio; the state veterinarian of the Ohio Department of Agriculture; one food safety expert; one representative of a county humane society in Ohio; the dean of an Ohio college of agriculture; two representatives of a statewide farm organization; and two members of the

public to represent Ohio consumers. In addition to the governor’s appoint-ments, two additional family farmers will be appointed to the board. The presi-dent of the Ohio Senate will appoint one, and the speaker of the Ohio House will appoint the other. The director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture will serve as board chairman. All members of the board will be Ohio residents. The 2010 Ohio General Assembly now has the task of enacting laws to carry out the purposes of the newly created board. Enforcement duties will fall to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The animal rights community was dis-appointed by passage of Issue 2. They con-tend the Livestock Care Standards Board is stacked against animal rights advocates. They have vowed to move forward with their efforts to pass measures with more austere livestock and poultry provisions. Clearly, passage of Issue 2 was a victory for Ohio Farm Bureau and the coalition behind it. More importantly, it is a victory for Ohio’s livestock and poultry growers. Livestock and poultry is a significant part of the state’s agriculture. Although the agriculture coalition that sought passage of Issue 2 won, it must still be acknowledged that Ohio now has an official government agency regulating farm practices. The quality of that regulation is subject to the makeup of the newly created Livestock Care Standards Board. The Ohioans for Livestock Care expressed a certain amount of reservation regarding their victory on their Web site, writing, “We must answer the call of the public before the opposition does. Farmers are few. Our critics are strong. And while Issue 2 is not the complete answer; it is a turning point. How society will come to terms with its relationship to the animals we care for is a blank page. Whether by Ohio-ans or outsiders, the rules will be written.” Jon D. Huffmaster is the director of the GFB Legislative Department.

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Mark Powell, Clay County Farm Bureau agency manager and Lee Liles, Ben Hill County agency manager, have been named the new district sales manag-ers of the GFB 8th and 10th Districts, respectively, effective Nov. 1. As district sales managers, Pow-ell and Liles will over-see all insurance sales and agent activities in their districts. Liles, a native of Ben Hill County, joined the GFB team in 1977. He has a Business Administra-tion and Risk Man-agement degree from the University of Georgia. During his 32-year Farm Bureau career, Liles has won every major con-test the GFB Insurance Companies have

sponsored. He and his wife, Francine, live in Fitzgerald and have four children. Powell joined the GFB team in 1995 as an agent in Crisp County. He holds the Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designation conferred by The American College in conjunc-tion with the National Association of

Insurance and Financial Advisors. Pow-ell has been recognized multiple times for his sales achievements through the All Star Contest and has received the National Multiline Sales Award from Southern Farm Bureau. He and his wife, Michelle, live in Fort Gaines. He has three children.

GFB names new sales managers for 8th & 10th districts

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F. Allen Barnes began serving as direc-tor of the Georgia Environmental Protec-tion Division Oct. 29 after Gov. Sonny Perdue recommended him and the Geor-gia Board of Natural Resources approved his nomination. Barnes replaces Dr. Carol Couch, who resigned from the position Oct. 19 to teach at the University of Geor-gia after leading the EPD for six years. Prior to his appointment, Barnes was a partner in King & Spalding’s environmen-tal practice. From 2002 to 2005, Barnes served as chief of staff for the U.S. Envi-ronmental Protection Agency’s Region

Four. During that time he worked on the most significant issues in the eight-state southeastern region. Barnes taught natural resource policy and law at Mississippi State from 1996 to 2002. Barnes has also served as a prosecutor in the Florida State Attorney’s Office and as a special assistant U.S. Attorney han-dling criminal, tort and environmental litigation.

Allen Barnes named GA EPD Director


commodities/marketing updateDon McGough, Commodites/Marketing Director

Hear industry updates at GFB Convention Commodity Conferences

If you’re going to attend the 71st Annu-al Georgia Farm Bureau Convention, one of the highlights will be the commodity conferences on Monday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. These meetings will feature speakers addressing a variety of issues relative to each commodity. Conference speakers will address issues facing the 20 major commodities produced in Georgia. All of the meetings will be held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in either the Hartley Auditorium or Beachside Hall. Pick up a convention program at the Exhibit Hall for a complete listing of the conference locations. Everyone is invited and encour-aged to attend these meetings to hear the latest updates on Georgia agriculture.

2 P.M. CONFERENCES

COTTON------------------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 12 Varieties for 2010–Dr. Guy Collins; Liv-ing with Pigweed–Dr. Stanley Culpepper; Commission Activities–Richey Seaton

DAIRY ----------------------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 10Update From UGA–Dr. Bill Graves; Dairy Price Stabilization Program–Representa-tive, Dairy Farmers Working Together

FORESTRY ---------------------------------------Hartley Auditorium Rooms 5 & 6 Woody Biomass Opportunities–Dr. Dale Greene; BCAP Overview–Brett Martin

FRUIT & VEGETABLE ---------------------Hartley Auditorium Rooms 1 & 2County Farm Bureaus Support the CFM Program–Brandon Ashley; Update on Food Safety Laws–Beth Bland; Specialty Crop Grant Information–Moreblessing Dzivakwe; Ga. Dept of Ag. Georgia Grown Program–Mike Snow

GOAT & SHEEP ------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 13 Goat and Sheep Production Management Update–Dr. Will Getz; Goat and Sheep

Health Update–Dr. Seyedmehdi Mobini

HAY -------------------------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 9 Comments From the 2008 Hay Con-test Winner–Dean Bagwell; Challenges and Opportunities for Hay Producers in Georgia–Dr. Dennis Hancock

PECAN --------------------------------------------Hartley Auditorium Room 4NASS Pecan Estimation Program–Rad-ley Edwards; New Cultivar Options for Georgia Orchards–Dr. Patrick Conner

POULTRY-----------------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 11Improving Broiler House Environment–Dr. Brian Fairchild

SWINE ---------------------------------------------Hartley Auditorium Room 7Update From Georgia Pork Producers–Charles Griffin; Neighbors to Neighbors–Ben Vainner

3:30 P.M. CONFERENCES

AQUACULTURE ------------------------------Hartley Auditorium Rooms 5 & 6Bramlett Trout Farm’s Operation–Terry Bramlett; Go Fish Program/Aquaculture Regulations–Mike Spencer

BEEF CATTLE ----------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 9Update From Georgia Beef Board–Gerald Long; New Horizons in Georgia Cattlemen’s and the Beef Industry–Josh White

ENVIRONMENTAL HORT. -------------Hartley Auditorium Rooms 1 & 2 ACC for Ornamental Plants and Green Industry Update–Chris Butts; Water Effi-cient Landscapes–Dr. Mark Risse

EQUINE -------------------------------------------Hartley Auditorium Room 4

Georgia House of Representatives Equine Study Committee–Rep. Tom McCall; Trail Riding on the National Forests of Georgia–Jim Gaudry

FEEDGRAIN & SOYBEAN --------------Beachside Hall Room 10 Aflatoxin & Vomitoxin Research & Pre-vention, What Are Falling Numbers?–Dr. Dewey Lee; What to do About Resis-tant Pigweed–Dr. Eric Prostko

HONEYBEE -------------------------------------Hartley Auditorium Room 3 Use of Formic Acid in Treatment of Mites and Africanized Honeybees–David Westervelt; Update of UGA Research Programs–J. Keith Fielder

PEANUT ------------------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 12Calcium Needs for Large Seeded Culti-vars–Dr. Glen Harris; Maximizing Ben-efits From Precision Technology–Dr. George Vellidis

TOBACCO ---------------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 11Review of 2009 Crop–Dr. J. Michael Moore; “Your” Georgia Tobacco Com-mission–Fred Wetherington

WATER --------------------------------------------Beachside Hall Room 13Aquifers in Georgia–Dr. James Kennedy; Water Issues in Georgia and How They Affect Agriculture–Mark Masters

3rd Annual GA Cotton ConferenceJan. 27, 2010

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Many consumers are thinking about where their food comes from these days and are looking to buy food from local farmers. This has created a market for many producers to sell directly to consum-ers who are willing to travel a few miles for farmfresh produce. The Georgia Farm Bureau Commodi-ties/Marketing Department promotes road-side markets and helps consumers locate farm-fresh produce through the Certified Farm Market Program (CFM). Created in 1986, this program has successfully helped farm markets with their advertising cam-paigns and has been a great resource to connect consumers with producers. GFB Certified Farm Markets are listed in a brochure annually printed by GFB and

distributed statewide. Our brochures are displayed in state and local welcome cen-ters, chambers of commerce, county exten-sion offices, all county Farm Bureau offices and some retail outlets. CFMs also receive a colorful 24”x30” metal display sign to let their customers know they are a program participant. CFM members are listed on the GFB Web site and in an issue of the Georgia Neighbors magazine. To qualify for the CFM program, a pro-ducer must: •BeaFarmBureauMember •Pay a $150CertifiedRoadside Farm

Membership fee •Produceasignificantamountofmer-

chandise sold •Maintaincustomersatisfaction •Follow fair and honest marketing

practices The deadline for enrolling in the 2010 CFM program is Feb. 1. If you want to become part of this program contact Brandon Ashley at 1-800-342-1196 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Visit our website at www.gfb.org/commodities/cfm to find a CFM near you or to learn more about the program.

GFB Certified Farm Market participant Andy Futch (second from left) talks to (L-R) Bon-nie Duvall, GFB Commodity Specialist Brandon Ashley and GFB President Zippy Duvall about his participation in the CFM program during a tour of his R&A Orchards in Elijay.

GFB Certified Farm Market Program connects farmers & consumers

Josh White picked to lead GCA Henry County Farm Bureau Director Josh White is the new Georgia Cattlemen’s Association executive vice president as of Oct. 1. White has been actively breeding Lim-ousin cattle for 20 years and is a past president of the Georgia Lim-ousin Association. He also has 14 years experience as co-owner of a real estate brokerage and development firm. He and his wife, Erin, served on the GFB Young Farmer Committee in 2001-2002. He was also the 2008 GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet winner. “Georgia Farm Bureau has long been a supporter of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and Georgia Beef Board,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “I look forward to working with Josh in his new role. It’s great to see a former member of our young farmer program stepping up to take a leadership role that will further the cause of Georgia agriculture.”


plan. The Georgia Poultry Laboratory Net-work gave information on its testing pro-gram to ward off diseases in bird flocks, with emphasis on quail, pheasants and chukkers. The Georgia Peanut Commission held a ribbon cutting for its Peanut Proud and Feeding Georgia Program. Cotton farmers got an overview of the seed varieties that will be available in 2010 from Bayer/Fibermax, Dow/Agrosciences/Phytogen and Deltapine Monsanto in the wake of the departure of Deltapine 555. Representatives from those companies presented the results of their field testing of the new cotton strains. According to the presentations, Phytogen 370 WRF strain yielded 1,507 pounds per acre on average, while Bayer’s Fibermax 1740, an early maturity strain, yielded 1,284 pounds per irrigated acre and Monsanto Deltapine’s 573 turned

The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition’s goal is to connect exhibitors with farmers, and the 2009 Expo did just

that. It wasn’t a record year – attendance was down slightly, perhaps in part because the weather was conducive for harvesting cot-ton and peanuts – but it was strong enough that Executive Director Chip Blalock came out of it encouraged that the economics of farming might soon improve. “In down times is when you need to mar-ket the most,” Blalock said. “Hopefully we’re on the downhill side of the recession, and this is a chance for farmers to come in and get a head’s up on what’s happening for 2010.” The Expo, held Oct. 20-22, drew 82,000 visitors to Colquitt County (down from 85,000 in 2008), and gave them access to 1,184 exhibitors, many of them suppliers of equipment, supplies and valuable information to enhance agricul-tural efforts. Florida Farmer Cary Lightsey was named the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. During the luncheon where the award was announced, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Science Michael Scuse stressed to the assembled farmers and agriculture leaders the importance of continuing to advance ag initiatives in the face of harrowing economic problems. “We need to show Americans what you do, and where the food comes from,” Scuse said. The transfer of information and sam-ples occurred continuously throughout the three-day event. Georgia Farm Bureau pro-moted water use initiatives with an exhibit highlighting Georgia’s Statewide Water Management Plan and the regional water councils that are working to implement the

out 1,592 pounds per acre. “We’re excited about bringing competi-tion to the market,” said Phytogen represen-tative Dr. Steven M. Brown. A precision agriculture seminar was held the first day of the event during which exhibitors presented information about new uses for lasers, GPS units and multi-unit screens designed to reduce tractor cabin clutter. “It’s extremely important that we be at a show like this,” said Trent DeLeon of Raven Industries, a South Dakota company that manufactures applied technology products for agricultural use. “The consumers need to know we’re there to answer their ques-tions and help them out. They can tell us what successes we’re having and what they want to see.” Blalock might not have used lasers or GPS units to plan the event, but it was that same kind of “sub-inch” efficiency he was seeking in the Expo’s one-stop shopping approach. “Technology changes so fast from year to year, month to month and sometimes day to day,” Blalock said. “We’ve got the technol-ogy and solutions seminars to help farmers keep up, and our show gives the vendors a chance to get face-to-face with the farmers – we deliver their target audience.”

Farmers, exhibitors make connections at Sunbelt

Nicole Karstedt of the Mobile Dairy Classroom performs a milking demonstration dur-ing the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition.

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By Jay Stone___________________________________

God for the incredible future that we, as farmers, have waiting for us and look to Him for guidance. During times of change we sometimes have to persevere under circumstances we don’t like, but God is still with us. Let’s remember that in and around all the changes in our lives today, there is only one constant, and that is the word of

God. It never changes. In the King James Version of the Bible, Philippians 3:13 says: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. God bless you and let’s keep pressing on.

WE, THE FARMERS from page 4


During the GFB district meetings held across the state this fall, county Farm Bureaus were recognized for their outstanding member programs. The fol-lowing district winners will compete for state honors at the annual GFB Conven-tion in December.

FIRST DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Chattooga Coun-ty; Young Farmer Committee: Chero-kee County; Young Farmer Achieve-ment Award: Wesley and Dawn Hall, Forsyth County; Legislative Committee: Cherokee County; Outstanding Secre-tary Award: Tabatha Fowler, Chattoo-ga County; Promotion and Education Committee: Cherokee County.

SECOND DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Jackson Coun-ty; Young Farmer Committee: Madison

County; Young Farmer Achievement Award: Jason and Valerie Fortson, Madi-son County; Legislative Committee: Hab-ersham County; Outstanding Secretary Award: Ali Merk, Jackson County; Promo-tion and Education Committee: Haber-sham County.

THIRD DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Carroll County; Young Farmer Committee: Newton Coun-ty; Young Farmer Achievement Award: B.J and Kaci Marks, Newton County; Legisla-tive Committee: Henry County; Outstand-ing Secretary Award: Brandi Few, Carroll County; Promotion and Education Com-mittee: Henry County.

FOURTH DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Barrow County; Young Farmer Committee: Greene County; Young Farmer Achievement Award: Char-

lie and Nancie Sanders, Greene County; Legislative Committee: Greene County; Promotion and Education Committee: Morgan County.

FIFTH DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Pike County; Young Farmer Committee: Crawford County; Young Farmer Achievement Award: Brian Ogletree, Spalding County; Legislative Committee: Pike County; Outstanding Secretary Award: Brooke Greer, Coweta County; Promotion and Education Com-mittee: Pike County.

SIXTH DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Jones County; Young Farmer Committee: Laurens County; Leg-islative Committee: Jones County; Out-standing Secretary Award: Carlene Hart, Washington County; Promotion and Edu-cation Committee: Jeff Davis County.

SEVENTH DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Screven County: Young Farmer Committee: Emanuel Coun-ty; Young Farmer Achievement Award: Eric and Crystal Hammock, Emanuel County; Legislative Committee: Screven County; Promotion and Education Com-mittee: Screven County.

EIGHTH DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Wilcox County; Young Farmer Committee: Wilcox Coun-ty; Young Farmer Achievement Award: Steven and Tiffany Metcalf, Turner Coun-ty; Legislative Committee: Wilcox County; Outstanding Secretary Award: Zdenka Hollingsworth, Wilcox County; Promo-tion and Education Committee: Wilcox County.

Farm Bureau will celebrate Food Check-Out Week Feb. 21-27, 2010. The theme for the event is “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food.” The event is designed to help con-sumers find ways to eat healthy while on tighter budgets, by providing tools to “shop smart” at the grocery store. Farm Bureau has developed educa-tional materials to be distributed dur-ing Food Check-Out Week on the right amounts of food people should eat, understanding food labels and outlining the USDA’s MyPyramid.

2009 GFB District Winners Named

County Farm Bureaus are encour-aged to continue to use the event to support charities such as the Ronald McDonald House and local food banks. For more informa-tion contact Donna Rocker at [email protected] or 478-474-0679, ext. 5365. Pro-motional materials, such as food collec-tion signs and posters with the logo, are available to order online from American Farm Bureau at http://fb-orders.com/afbf.

2010 Food Check-Out dates set

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There were new things at the Georgia National Fair in its 20th year at the Geor-gia National Fairgrounds and Agribusi-ness Center. Some things, however, haven’t changed. New: The Livestock and Equine Arena. Same: Animal shows and competitions. Big-time attendance. Not new: Participation continued to grow. The first GNF in 1991 drew 8,348 entries in its livestock/horse shows, Heri-tage Hall and Georgia Living competitions. In 2008, there were more than double that many (19,875), and more than $295,000 in prize money was paid out. This year, the number of participants grew to 21,081, and $258,076 in prize money was awarded. The attendance numbers were record-setting, though the revenues weren’t. The 2009 GNF drew 416,709 patrons, a jump of almost 10,000 over 2008 (407,136). While the fair’s total 2009 revenue was $3,941,400, down from $4,221,000 in 2008, Georgia National Fair Executive Director Ransom Moore said many of the food and ride vendors enjoyed record sales and were eager to renew their con-tracts for 2010. The livestock shows are central to the fair’s purpose, said Agricultural/Youth Director Jim Floyd. The rides, games, food and entertainment are integral parts, but the animal shows have to happen. “This is an agricultural fair,” Floyd said. “You see a lot of fairs that do away with the agricultural programs, and they die. We’re committed to keeping the agricultural aspect going.” Indeed, with the opening of the 1,000-seat Livestock and Equine Arena, the live-stock shows have a new improved home that will make the participants feel special for years to come. The new arena on the east end of the fairgrounds included a cov-ered practice facility that was constructed between the stall barn and the arena and modernized entry area and ticket booth facilities at the east gate.

Construction was completed this sum-mer and the building was released to the GNFA the week before the fair. Floyd and his staff were still figuring out all its bells and whistles when the fair opened. “We’re having to learn how to turn the lights on and some other things,” he said. “It’s like moving into a new house.” The arena took a year to complete, and the wait was worth it to get the ani-mal shows into a place with modern sta-dium seating and other amenities. Floyd said the goal was to have a top-notch

Since its inception in 1993, the Ware County School of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences has been among the top-performing schools in the state, with a 100 percent graduation rate 15 times in 17 years. In the U.S. News & World Report ranking of the country’s top schools, Ware Magnet received the Bronze Award for its overall performance. The performance of the school, which has 477 students and a waiting list of more than 500 students, was not enough to save it. Harsh financial realities forced the Ware County Board of Education to make severe financial cuts, and the board voted Nov. 10 to close the school at the end of the school year. “There’s a lot of pressure on rural schools,” said Board Member Barry Deas, who was heavily involved in getting the school opened in 1993 and who cast the lone vote against closure. “As you go across South Georgia, you see school buildings where the schools have closed, and the town around them disappears.” Whether that will happen in Manor, the community 10 miles west of Waycross in which Ware Magnet is located, remains

Ware County BOE votes to close Ware Magnet SchoolBy Jay Stone__________________________________

to be seen. Deas, who represents the dis-trict in which Manor is located and is a Ware County Farm Bureau director, tried to persuade the school board to consider other cost-cutting measures at a conten-tious board meeting. Ware Magnet, as the school is com-monly known, is the nation’s only K-12 agricultural magnet school. It has a non-profit 501 (c) (3) fund set up to support school activities, and money is now being raised to keep the school open. Deas said keeping Ware Magnet open another year would require $750,000 in donations, which must be raised by the end of 2009. For information, call 912-337-4974. Donations should be sent to:Ware Magnet School Fund Inc.1516 St. Marys Dr.Waycross, GA 31501

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Patrons, competitors flockto Georgia National FairBy Jay Stone__________________________________________________________________________

Contestants show their steers at the Georgia National Fair’s Livestock and Equine Arena, a new facility built in the east area of the fairgrounds. The 2009 fair, held Oct. 8-18, drew a record crowd. See FAIR next page

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FAIR from previous page

On the opening day of the Georgia National Fair, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division recognized nine farms through the Centennial Farm Program that have been continuously operated for more than 100 years. One farm, Burge Farm in Newton County, received the Centennial Heritage Farm Award, which is given to farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more and that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Farm Award does not require continuous family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms not listed on the National Register of Historic Places but have been owned by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The program, which has recognized 359 Centennial Farms around the state, is administered by the Historic Preserva-

tion Division along with Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agricul-ture, Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia National Fair. To nominate a farm for recognition in 2010, please visit www.gashpo.org and click the Centennial Farms link under the Historic Resources heading, or, con-tact Centennial Farm Committee Chair Gretchen Brock by phone at 404-651-6782 or by e-mail at [email protected].

2009 Centennial Heritage FarmBurge Farm, Newton County

2009 Centennial Family FarmsStewart Family Farm, Banks County

Bargeron Farms, Burke CountyLevans Farm, Carroll County

Jack C. Drew Farm, Grady CountyMcLendon-Tabb Farm, Miller County

Wilkes Farm, Mitchell CountyRogers Farm LLC, Tattnall County

J.S. & Emma Bentley Farm, Terrell County

Centennial Farm Award winners honored at Fair

Recipients of the 2009 Centennial Farm Awards.

facility for the fair’s animal shows. “The 4-H and FFA have worked extremely hard and we’ve had tremendous growth,” he said. “We have an arena that will do justice to the kids and how hard they work at this. It’s set up in a straight line from where the animals are stalled, and getting in and out of it should be really easy.” Judging from the initial reactions from some of the competitors, the GNFA hit its mark. “Wow, it’s really nice and clean,” said 15-year-old Faith Turk of Maysville in Banks County, who was showing her Charolais steer at the Georgia National Fair. “It’s a lot bigger than last year.” Added her friend Michael Patterson, “I think it’s a whole lot better. It makes it a lot easier to get from one place to another.” Next year, there will be more of the new, with construction under way on another horse barn and another arena.

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timber news

GFC report shows value of GA forests Georgia’s forest industry annually generates an estimated $540 million dol-lars in revenues for the state budget, according to a report recently released by the Georgia Institute of Technology. The Georgia Forestry Commission commis-sioned the report. “Forestry creates more than 128,000 jobs statewide and has a $28.7 bil-lion impact on Georgia,” said Nathan McClure, the GFC Forest Energy and

Development director. “This amazing, renewable resource provides tangible, critical benefits to every Georgian.” Already a national leader in tra-ditional forest products including lumber and wood pulp, Georgia is also making strides in new bioen-ergy development, including cellulosic ethanol, wood pellets and biomass-to-electricity. The Georgia Tech report, authored by Dr. William Riall, showed

49 Georgia counties are currently con-sidered to be dependent on forestry industries to keep their local econo-mies healthy. For more than 50 years, Georgia has maintained a stable forestland base of 24 million acres while the forests remain productive and sustainable, according to McClure. Net annual growth of the state’s commercial forests exceeds har-vests by 39 percent annually.

See DISPUTE next page

The Georgia FFA Association had seven national winners and was recog-nized for the largest membership growth of any state at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Oct. 21-24. With an increase of more than 1,400 members, the Georgia FFA Association increased its membership for the 11th straight year. Four Georgians won national profi-ciency awards. Audrey Davis of the Bain-bridge FFA won for Agricultural Edu-cation. Bradley Weaver of the Dawson County FFA won for Agriculture Sales/Entrepreneurship. Staten Levings of the Echols County FFA won for Forest Man-agement and Products and Courtney Curlin of Lowndes County FFA won for Emerging Agriculture Technology. Two others won national awards in Career Development Event (CDE) cat-egories. Newt Gilman of the East Jack-son FFA was named the national winner in the FFA Creed CDE. Kalie Hall of the Franklin County FFA won in the Livestock Evaluation CDE. Trevor Cor-reia and Josh Barron partnered to win the Environmental Science category in the National Agriscience Fair. The Perry FFA finished second nationally in the Nursery/Landscape CDE, while the West Laurens FFA was second in the Agricultural Sales CDE and Franklin County FFA was sec-ond in the Floriculture CDE. Regina Holliday of the East Laurens FFA served as 2008-2009 Regional South-

Georgia FFA honored at national convention

ern vice president and presided over the 2nd general session on Oct. 22. In addi-tion, 23 Georgia FFA chapters received a national 3-star ranking, the highest rank-ing offered in the National Chapter Award Program. The American FFA Degree, the highest offered to an active FFA member, was awarded to 71 Georgia FFA members who each spent several years developing and growing their Supervised Agricul-tural Experience (SAE) programs.

For the second consecutive year, the Georgia FFA has been recognized for having the largest membership growth of all state associations. National FFA Vice-President Regina Holliday of Laurens County (left) presents the award to Geor-gia FFA Vice-President Kristy Baggarley of Crawford County during the national FFA convention. The Georgia FFA is the third largest association in the nation.

Tribunal rules in favor of U.S. in lumber dispute The London Court of Internation-al Arbitration (LCIA) sided with the United States in a dispute over Canada’s breach of the Softwood Lumber Agree-ment (SLA) stemming from Canada not properly calculating export quotas during the first six months of 2007. In March 2008, the LCIA ordered Canada to collect an additional 10 percent ad valorem export charge on softwood lumber shipments from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan until $68.26 million Canadian ($54.8 U.S. based on the the exchange rate at that time) had been collected. Canada did not do so, instead offering in March 2009 to pay $36.66 million U.S. to the U.S. gov-ernment. That offer was rejected, and in April 2009 Canada requested that the LCIA tribunal review the matter to determine whether that amount was sufficient compensation for the breached agreement. “The tribunal’s decision confirms the view of the United States that the Softwood Lumber Agreement is enforceable,” said U.S. Trade Repre-sentative Ronald Kirk. “Canada failed to cure its breach and the tribunal has


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upheld the ability of the United States to take action in response.” The LCIA determined that a direct pay-ment of $36.6 U.S. was not sufficient, and authorized the U.S. to impose 10 percent

More than 100 students spent Halloween competing in the Georgia Farm Bureau 2nd

District Young Farmer Steer & Heifer Show held at the Habersham County Fairgrounds in Clarkesville. Students from every county in the district, rang-ing from third to 12th grade, entered 140 steers and heifers in the show for which the theme was appropriately “Haunts & Heifers, Spooks & Steers.” More than 400 people attended the event. “We felt there was a need to have a show between the Georgia National Fair in Perry and the UGA show in early December to keep the cows in the ring and to give the kids every opportunity to show their animals,” GFB 2nd Dis-trict Field Representative Dennis Black explained. GFB 2nd District Young Farmer Chairs Clay and Brittany Talton and the district’s county Young Farmer Com-mittees spearheaded the show with col-laborative help from GFB 2nd District Women’s Chair Charlotte Ward and the county Women’s Committees. GFB 2nd District Directors Bobby Gunter and Randy Ruff supported the event along with the county presidents and agency managers from every county in the dis-trict by donating prize money. “Many hours of planning went into this event, and we appreciate all of the support we received from all of the coun-ty staff, volunteer members and leaders who made this show such a success,” said Clay Talton. The GFB 2nd District leaders used the cattle show to promote Farm Bureau membership benefits and the

GFB 2nd District cattle show a spirited successBy Jennifer Whittaker__________________________________________________________________________

Faith Turk is pictured with her Grand Champion Steer.

young farmer program. Each of the 104 students who competed received a GFB membership brochure and an orange souvenir t-shirt decorated with the Farm Bureau logo, a listing of the district counties and the show logo of haunts and spooks. The 11th and 12th grade students received information about GFB Young Farmer activities to encourage them to join their county committees. “This show is a wonderful example of our volunteer members working together to promote agriculture and our organiza-tion,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “This show had a tremendous impact district wide, and everyone who played a part in making it such a success is to be commended.” Dillon Parker of Rabun County cap-tured the Supreme Champion Heifer prize of $300 while Johnathan Barrett of Habersham County won the Supreme Reserve Champion Heifer prize of $200. Faith Turk of Banks County walked out of the ring with the Grand Champion Steer prize of $300 while Brett Boling of Banks County won the Reserve Cham-pion Steer prize of $200. Showmanship winners were as fol-lows: 3rd & 4th Grade - Wyatt Chandler, Jackson County; 5th Grade - Hannah Panter, Lumpkin County; 6th Grade - Katie Mealor, Banks County; 7th Grade - Kellie Panter, Lumpkin County; 8th Grade - Brett Boling, Banks County; 9th Grade - Tyler Arnold, Madison County; 10th Grade - Faith Turk, Banks Coun-ty; 11th Grade - Dillon Parker, Rabun County; and 12th Grade - Jessica Fife, Jackson County.

Dillon Parker shows his Supreme Cham-pion Heifer.

ad valorem customs duties on imports of softwood lumber products from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The U.S. may continue to collect those duties until it has collected $54.8 million.

DISPUTE from previous page


CHEROKEE COUNTY The Cherokee County Farm Bureau recently won first place for its booth in the adult division at the Cherokee County Fair. The theme was “Bringing Children Into The Garden to Learn About Vegetables and Nutrition.” Jeb Stewart, the son of Tim and Nichelle Stewart, is pictured in the booth. Nichelle served as co-chair of the fair booth committee along with Teresa Cagle, CCFB Women’s Committee chairman. Other members who helped set up the booth were Cheyenne Heard, Laurie and Scott Cagle, Tyler Peacock and CCFB President Len Cagle.

CLARKE COUNTY Clarke County Farm Bureau President Dr. Norman McGlo-hon presented Stephanie Guzman, left, and Natalie Lett with $1,000 scholarships at the CCFB annual dinner on Sept. 29. The purpose of the scholarship is to sup-port students studying agriculture. Stephanie is the daughter of Olga Posada and Ivan Guz-man. Natalie is the daughter of Benjamin and Natalie Lett. Both young ladies are recent graduates of Clarke Central High School and are attending the University of Georgia majoring in Agri-business. The dinner featured a speech by Georgia Agribusiness Council President Gary Black.

CRAWFORD COUNTY CCFB Promotion & Education Committee member Rena Booker attended the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in St. Louis, Mo., in June where she presented a segment on peanuts. The committee felt this was important because of the negative impact the salmonella outbreak in South Georgia caused Georgia peanut farmers. Various peanut-related materials suitable for classroom use were distributed to more than 200 attendees during the session. The goal was to promote peanuts as a safe commodity for consumers nationwide. The CCFB Women’s Committee donated honey straws to be distributed. All of the materials were placed in Georgia Grown bags from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

EMANUEL COUNTY East Georgia College student Amy Lee recently received the Dolan E. Brown Memorial Scholarship from Emanuel County Farm Bureau at its meeting in September. Pictured (L-R) are: ECFB President Robert Fountain, Jr., Amy Lee, Mary Ann Brown and David Brown. Dolan Brown served as ECFB president from 1963 to 1983 and was a member of the ECFB Board of Directors until his death in 2006. He served on the Georgia Farm Bureau State Board of Directors for 40 years. Lee is pursuing a degree in education. After obtaining her associ-ate’s degree she plans to go to Georgia Southern University to major in early childhood education. She hopes to earn a master’s degree in this field. Her many honors include being named STAR student for Swainsboro High School and Emanuel County and being named a Georgia Scholar. In addition to school, Lee is involved in many vol-unteer programs within her community and enjoys working with youths. She is the daughter of Robert and Cathy Lee.

AROUND GEORGIANews from County Farm Bureaus

Continued on next page

2010 Miss Georgia Cotton Scholarship Pageant Applications are being accepted until Jan. 25 for the Miss Georgia Cotton Scholarship Pageant to be held Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, at the Tift Theatre in Tifton. Age divisions are 6-23 months, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, 8-9 years, 10-12 years, 13-16 years and 17-23 years of age. Visit www.missgacotton.org for applications or e-mail [email protected] or call 229-386-5567 after 6 p.m.


HANCOCK COUNTY Lillie Jane Webster, left, and Will Kennedy assisted in kicking off Hancock County Farm Bureau’s Harvest For All Campaign at a Sparta grocery store on Sept. 30. Lillie is the daughter of HCFB Office Manager Kellie Webster, and Will is the grandson of HCFB President Jimmy Kennedy.

HARRIS COUNTY The Harris County Farm Bureau Board of Directors held a legislative breakfast on Aug. 5. Bill Stembridge, a regional representative from the office of Sen. Saxby Chambliss attended the meeting. During the meeting Stembridge told the board the status of many legislative items at the federal level. The board then had an opportunity to discuss issues that were of concern to them. Pictured from left are Stembridge, HCFB Vice President Gilbert Andrews, Board Members Freddie Cone and David Chambers, and HCFB Secretary-Treasurer James Rodgers.

MITCHELL COUNTY A group of 13 cotton producers from California, Arizona and New Mexico visited Mitchell County on Aug. 18 as a part of the 2009 Cotton Foundation Producer Information Exchange (PIE) Program. During the tour conducted by the National Cotton Council and Bayer Crop Science, the group toured First United Ethanol and a cotton field farmed by Murray Campbell and Patrick Campbell. Lunch was served at the home of GFB 9th District Director Paul Shirah and his wife Alicia. The Shirahs and Sandi and Jeff Collins led the group on a tour of Shirah’s on-farm corn drying and storage system. The tour also included stops at Mark Glass’ gator farm and the Stripling Irrigation Park.

PEACH & TAYLOR COUNTIES The Peach County and Taylor County Farm Bureaus hosted a legislative breakfast for their members and legislators to discuss issues important to the agricultural community. Breakfast was cooked and served by Mary Hancock, Christy Cochran and Marie Wilson. Legislators attending were Tony Sellier, George Hooks, Lynwood James and representatives from other posts. Members were able to ask the legislators questions concerning agriculture.

PUTNAM COUNTY The Putnam County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee continued its “It Comes From the Farm” project in the class of teacher Zandla Wright (standing) and Ashley Frasure (sitting, holding a child) at Stepping Stones Learning Center in Eatonton. The project teaches children that food is grown on a farm before being purchased in grocery stores. Committee Chair Kay Lowe (kneeling, third from left) read from the book How Do Apples Grow? Agency Manager Patricia Blizzard donated the book to the classroom library and gave the children apples and coloring pages to take home. The children also had the opportunity to taste different kinds of apples.

TATTNALL COUNTY The TCFB hosted a “Worth Fighting For” July 4th Celebration along with the Glennville Chamber of Commerce, the Tattnall County Cattlemen’s Association, Tattnall Fresh and other organizations. The event was a show of appreciation for the soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart and their families. The celebration included a mid-afternoon meal with hamburgers donated by TCFB, FPL Foods, the GCA and the Georgia Beef Board.


Philip Morris USA (PM) will not offer new contracts to Georgia or Florida tobacco growers after the 2009 sea-

son, company officials told a group of more than 75 tobacco growers from the two states during a meeting in Alma on Oct. 14. The company also plans to close its buying sta-tion in Alma. The company has traditionally pur-chased about 40 percent of the tobacco grown in Georgia and Florida, J. Michael Moore, UGA’s Extension tobacco special-ist, said. The other three companies that buy Georgia tobacco are Alliance One, R.J. Reynolds and U.S. Tobacco. “Philip Morris said they had continued to slice the salami thinner and thinner but had decided to concentrate on three receiv-ing stations rather than slicing it any thin-ner,” Moore said. “The federal excise tax that went into effect in January increased the cost of cigarettes about 62 cents a pack and has decreased consumption. Also, with Con-gress giving the FDA expanded regulatory authority over tobacco this year, it’s apparent companies are looking at the tobacco they take in and don’t want to get caught with tobacco with a particular chemistry or style they can’t use.” Growers who hold three or five-year contracts will continue to be able to pro-duce and sell tobacco until the end of their contracts, if they have met the requirements of their contracts and continue to have con-tracts in good standing, Moore said. PM has indicated it will purchase tobac-co grown by its Georgia growers somewhere in the state rather than requiring them to transport their tobacco to North Carolina, now the closest state with buying stations.

Moore said PM has indicated it will contin-ue to operate receiving stations in Danville, Virginia, Lumberton, North Carolina and Wilson, North Carolina. “Growers left the meeting confused as to their future in tobacco production. A number had already made or were negotiating sales of tobacco equipment after one of the most challenging seasons in history,” Moore said. Georgia tobacco sales totaled $69.56 mil-lion in 2008 according to the UGA Farm Gate Report. PM pulling out of Georgia will impact the economies of towns across Geor-gia’s tobacco belt, which ranges from States-boro to Moultrie, down to the Florida line. “This is going to cripple South Georgia because there’s no other crop that can replace the monetary value of tobacco. Tobacco money pays for labor, electricity, gas, bank-ing, insurance, farm equipment and supplies. Seventy-five percent of our total income each year comes from tobacco. I’d hate to have to make it on cotton and peanuts,” said Pierce County grower Daniel Johnson, who has one year remaining on a three-year contract with PM for all of his crop. “If we completely quit tobacco and continue to farm it will mean the loss of ten seasonal jobs on my farm and two full-time employees. I’ll become a one-man operation. Thank God my tobacco equipment is paid for.” Johnson, who has been growing 230 acres of tobacco, said he hopes to get a contract with another company to continue growing. Johnson said he takes issue with PM implying Georgia tobacco is inferior quality to that grown in North Carolina or Virginia. “Philip Morris won’t specify what the exact quality issues are other than saying there is nontobacco material in the bales, but Georgia tobacco is cleaner now than it’s ever been.”

Moore explained that North Carolina and Virginia growers have an advantage over Georgia grow-ers because they don’t have problems with tomato spotted wilt virus to the extent Georgia does, and they have conveyor belts set up between their curing barns and balers to pick out inferior leaves. “Growers need to pull dead leaves and dark green leaves out of their cured tobac-co before baling it,” Moore said. Moore cautions that the three other companies buying Georgia tobacco may not buy stronger next year because they bought surplus leaf this year and have a large inventory on hand. He says he thinks they will put more emphasis on selecting growers who will give them the quality tobacco they prefer. “I don’t think tobacco is over and done with. It’s not as simple as saying that our Philip Morris growers are totally out. I do believe they will continue to produce tobacco and other opportunities will arise,” Moore said. “We’re hearing assurances from other companies that they’re here to stay and will continue to buy Georgia tobacco, but the tobacco industry is in a state of tran-sition, and there’s the possibility that tobacco demand may decrease.” Berrien County grower Lamar Vickers is still optimistic about the crop and believes once the surplus is used up next year that leaf dealers will come to Georgia to buy the tobacco PM once bought. “I still see a future with tobacco. We have to be optimistic about it, or we wouldn’t sur-vive. Growing tobacco is what pays the bills on the farm, and it’s hard to quit tobacco. It’s just part of your life.” Vickers had one-third of his crop con-tracted with PM and hopes another com-pany will contract to buy that third. If not, he says he’ll plant that portion of his farm in another crop.

Philip Morris ends tobacco contracts in GA By Jennifer Whittaker___________________________________

NINTH DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Brooks County; Young Farmer Committee: Decatur Coun-ty; Young Farmer Achievement Award: Daniel Morrell, Mitchell County; Legisla-tive Committee: Mitchell County; Out-standing Secretary Award: Carolyn Collins, Brooks County; Promotion and Education Committee: Colquitt County.

TENTH DISTRICTWomen’s Committee: Bacon County; Young Farmer Committee: Bacon County; Young Farmer Achievement Award: Cory and Janie Tyre, Bacon County; Legislative Committee: Bacon County; Outstanding Secretary Award: Jeanne Taylor, Bacon County; Promotion and Education Com-mittee: Bacon County.

WINNERS from page 13

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Farmers who spoke at a listening session Oct. 9 in Tifton regarding the USDA Farm Service Agency’s program delivery system were very complimentary of county FSA staff but less enthusiastic about the computer system FSA staff use to adminis-ter programs. They also criticized the Web site FSA officials want farmers to use to apply for programs. FSA officials who attended the listening session arranged by Sen. Saxby Chambliss were USDA Assistant Secretary for Admin-istration Pearlie Reed, USDA FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations Karis Gutter, USDA Chief Information Officer Chris Smith and Georgia FSA Executive Director Hobby Stripling. “We have some of the best employees working in our county FSA offices. They’ll do anything in the world for you, but they’re limited because of the computer technology they have to work with,” said Tift County Farm Bureau President Gary Walker, who grows cotton and peanuts. When asked the timeframe for updating the technology county FSA offices use, Smith said a blueprint for modernizing the FSA computer system is in play. “We’ve been fortunate in putting new computers on people’s desks, but now we have to implement the plumbing,” said Smith. “We don’t want to just throw new information technology systems and money at the problem, but we want to be smart about how we address the problem.” Smith said the agency wants to adopt a computer model similar to what financial institutions use for online banking. The USDA’s long-term goal is to allow farmers to complete the admin-istrative paperwork for one USDA program, save it and carry the information over for other programs. He cautioned, however, that changes to the FSA computer system and Web site self-service features will be restricted by compliance issues mandated by law. Multiple farmers also voiced the need for FSA staff to be adequately trained on farm program rules to ensure programs are implemented uniformly across the state. “The interpretation of programs varies between county offic-es,” Terrell County cotton farmer Ronnie Lee said. “Employees are telling me there’s a lack of training. You’ve got some of the greatest employees in these offices, but they need support.” Farmers also expressed why they haven’t embraced using the FSA Web site to apply for programs. “To start with, it’s not user friendly and it’s hard to navigate. Once you do access your information it’s either not available or not current,” Walker said. “I want to do my business in the office, and I think the vast majority of farmers want to do their business in the office. I look at the FSA Web site as a conve-nience for me to be able to pull up my payment information at home instead of having to call the FSA office and asking them to stop what they’re doing to pull the information up for me. But as far as reporting all of my important information, I want to do it face to face in the FSA office.”

Gene Roney, a diversified row crop farmer from Dooly County with a background in computers, made several suggestions as to how FSA could make their Web site more farmer friendly. Roney, who served 12 years on his county FSA committee, said he applied for Level 2 clearance to use the Web site so he could learn the system and help teach other farmers to use it. “I think the FSA Web site has huge potential, but the FSA site is complex. You can tell it’s written by IT (information technology) people for IT people,” Roney said. “FSA needs to make the site more intuitive to use and needs to use more farmer-friendly wording.” Roney also suggested that FSA offer computer training for farmers to help them learn how to use the Web site to apply for programs and access their information. “Most FSA people are trained numerous times to operate the agency software, and many farmers haven’t received any com-puter training,” Roney said. The USDA Farm Service Agency officials seemed to get the message. “I was taken back by some of the things I heard the farmers say today, especially regarding the difference in employees implement-ing the programs,” said Reed. “We’re going to go back to Washington and see what we can do to address these concerns. I understand now why Sen. Chambliss raised the issue of improving the delivery of FSA programs during my confirmation hearing in May.” Stripling said he and the state FSA office are aware of the issues the farmers raised regarding farmers’ reluctance to use the Web site and their concerns about county staff training. “Your Georgia FSA staff is a group of professionals who are striving to serve the farmers of Georgia, but we are being asked to do more and more with less and less,” said Stripling. “FSA staff funds have been dramatically cut for training. It takes money to bring people together to train them, so we’ve been using webinars because it’s less expensive. We know our folks have got to have training to know how to administer the programs.” Stripling estimates $65,000 is needed to train county staff. “I think the employee side is where we are about to focus a lot of attention,” said Gutter, USDA FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations.

By Jennifer Whittaker______________________________________________________

Farmers vent frustrationswith FSA computer system

Tift County Farm Bureau President Gary Walker told the USDA officials he looks at the FSA Web site as a convenient tool to look up his personal farm records but prefers to complete FSA paper-work in his local FSA office.

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JOB#: 132481 DATE: 3/10/09 3:12 PM REV: 0 OPERATOR: Judi L/S@133 PDF

M91454 CLIENT: FARM BUREAU LIVE: 7” X 9.5” AD: DeFilippo 3507 PROOFREADING SIGNOFFPRODUCT: 2009 DODGE RAM NOTES: AE: Lyndsay 4855

INITIALS: ______ DATE: _________

CHANGES:DATE: 03/10/09 3:15 PM TITLE: Works Night and Day AC: Miller 4517

GA: DD SPECS: 4/C Magazine PP: GALLAGHER 3650

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GFB News - Nov./Dec. 2009

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