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HISTORIC HARVEST CELEBRATION MARKS MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
The Georgia Agribusiness Council's Harvest Celebration was a tremendous success thanks to the support of many donors and a record crowd. We appreciate special guests Past GAC President and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, US Senator David Perdue and GAC Board Member Wesley Langdale for being part of our evening program. As you are aware, this event commemorated 50 years of GAC leading the state’s strongest industry - agriculture. A special 50th anniversary video was shown to all of the guests at Harvest Celebration. The video features Abit Massey, Fred Greer, Garland Thompson, Gary Black and Sonny Perdue and it is narrated by Georgia egg industry legend Robert Howell.
GAC board and staff would like to express our sincere appreciation for the many volunteers who helped set-up the event as well as for those who worked during the program, especially the UGA CAES student volunteers. All event photos can be accessed here. Please see our Facebook page (“Georgia Agribusiness Council”) for photo uploads as well- you might see a few familiar faces! Planning for the 2017 Harvest Celebration is already underway- please mark your calendars for Friday, November 17, 2017 as a night to remember! Stay tuned for exciting entertainment announcements…
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GAC Board Chairman Jimmy Champion welcomes the record crowd.
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Jeff Foxworthy gets a bear hug from Chris Corzine during the backstage reception.
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Robert Howell served as the MC for the event and is standing with GAC's Bryan Tolar.
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Special thanks to UGA's Brice Nelson and the Ag Ambassadors for their assistance.
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GAC ANNUAL MEETING & LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST ON FEB. 7 & 8
Please mark your calendar for the upcoming GAC Annual Meeting and State Legislative Breakfast as we start 2017. Invitations and ticket sales information will be mailed soon. Sponsorships and tickets will be available in the coming weeks. Here are details about the events:
Annual Meeting and Supper:
Tuesday, February 7th,
Embassy Suites Atlanta- at Olympic Park
.
The reception and cash bar open at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner catered by Ruth’s Chris Steak House at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $100.00 per ticket. The host hotel for the event is the
Embassy Suites Atlanta- at Olympic Park
. To receive the GAC rate of $162 per night, you may call 404-223-2300 and ask for the Georgia Agribusiness Council rate.
Legislative Breakfast:
Wednesday, February 8th,
Georgia Railroad Freight Depot
This is a great event to invite your elected House and Senate Members attend with you. Networking begins at 6:30 a.m. with food lines opening at 7:15 and the program concluding by 9:00. Admission includes $400.00 for a reserved table of eight or $50.00 per individual ticket. A shuttle from the Embassy Suites hotel will be provided.
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$400,000 DIVIDEND DECLARED BY GAC WORKERS' COMP PROGRAM, AGRITRUST OF GEORGIA
The AgriTrust of Georgia Trustees declared the 23rd dividend for the Fund, effective December 1, 2016. This latest dividend is for $400,000.00 and will be made payable to qualified Fund members. AgriTrust has now returned over $5,525,000 to date. Dividends continue to be possible because of the continuing commitment to provide a safe workplace at all times. We also appreciate the very important role independent insurance agent friends have had in the ongoing success of AgriTrust.
Created by the Georgia Agribusiness Council 24 years ago, AgriTrust of Georgia provides a stable, affordable source of workers’ compensation insurance to the agribusiness industry. GAC congratulates the AgriTrust participants, trustees, and staff on this continued success. We encourage you to consider this proven program for your workers’ compensation insurance needs. For more information about AgriTrust of Georgia, please visit www.agritrust.biz or call 678-753-0016.
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2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION USHERS IN MORE NEW FACES & GATE DISCUSSIONS
With the 2017 legislative session on the horizon, we look forward to focusing on the opportunities and hazards that come along with the legislative process each year. Everything is not the same this year under the gold dome of course, as the
elections have ushered in over 30 new legislators in the Georgia House and Senate
. There will be many changes for House & Senate Committee chairmanships as well. Come January, we’ll report on legislative initiatives, committee leadership, and more in our weekly “Inside Agriculture” reports each week.
As we approach the upcoming session, we’ll track many issues and continue to lead on matters related to the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program. You’ll recall lawmakers have contemplated several changes over the past four years, including a proposed increase record-keeping burden on retailers. We are proud to advocate for the GATE program and for strict compliance – which is essential to the viability of this sales tax exemption program. Since August, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has performed over 700 compliance assistance site visits to retailers, sharing the Georgia Ag Tax Exemption Guidance document created by the Council. GDA offers other tools to help retailers stave off fraudulent use, such as a poster for store windows and cash registers. The findings of their retailer visits could prove important in shaping the conversation about adjustments to the program may come. Compliance is key to the future of the GATE program. Stay tuned…
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2017 STAR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION COMING SOON
The GAC Star Sponsorship Program is already receiving interest for 2017 enrollment. We are so very thankful for the support of this member promotion opportunity and it has proven to be a great tool to help the Council advance industry initiatives. As seen in the right-hand column, we currently have a record high of 139 member companies participating as 2016 Star Sponsors. Information on this program for 2017 will be provided by mail to GAC members in the next few weeks. Star Sponsors will have their company name listed in GAC membership materials, including our online newsletters, print materials, and website, as well as our weekly legislative reports during the Georgia General Assembly. With a very successful 2016 nearly complete, we hope to have your support as we begin looking toward the challenges and opportunities that the New Year will bring to our industry.
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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LETTER CONVEYS NEED FOR RAIL TRANSPORTATION LEADERSHIP
The Council was pleased to partner with The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and a long list of agribusiness organizations to write future Vice President Mike Pence regarding our interest in working to identify Commissioners to lead the Surface Transportation Board (STB). STB modernization, including but not limited to the STB Reauthorization Act of 2015, will help farmers, agribusinesses, and manufacturers be more competitive in the global marketplace. Many of the regulations and policies put in place decades ago by the STB are no longer are relevant in today’s rail marketplace and need to be updated or eliminated. President-Elect Trump will have an opportunity to appoint at least two Republican Commissioners to the STB. The STB is a critical oversight Board for shippers in the agriculture sector, many of which are dependent upon a single railroad for service. A lot rides on the nominees puts forward to lead the Surface Transportation Board. We appreciate TFI taking the lead on an agriculture sector letter that was sent to the President-Elect’s transition team and to all transportation and agriculture staff on Capitol Hill. It included 17 national agriculture associations and 38 state/regional associations.
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COUNCIL PROVIDES OPTIONS FOR AGRIBUSINESS HEATH INSURANCE
The AgriHealth of Georgia health insurance programs are available for GAC member companies with 10 or more employees enrolling in the plan. These programs utilize the national Blue Cross Blue Shield network. GAC has partnered with the Snellings Walters Insurance Agency to provide these healthcare options that are ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant. They are “group medical captives,” which are partially self-funded healthcare plans. Please contact the GAC office at 706-336-6830 or email Bryan Tolar for additional information on this program. Thank you.
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PLEASE SUPPORT GAC FOUNDATION
Agriculture education support is a cornerstone for the mission of the Georgia Agribusiness Council as we invest in a variety of programs to build an even stronger position for our future. The GAC Foundation, our 501(C)3 organization, was started for this exact reason. Tax deductible donations to the GAC Foundation are used to help young people that will serve our industry in the future. The Foundation supports numerous ag education programs, including FFA, 4-H, Congressional Ag Fellowships, scholarships, classroom grants and more. With 2016 coming to an end, we would appreciate your consideration of making a donation to these educational programs. Please click here to access the GAC Foundation donation form. Thank you!
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2017 SAFETY DATA SHEETS MANUAL NOW AVAILABLE
GAC is pleased to be a partner with the
Asmark Institute
to provide a variety of compliance assistance resources and employee training programs. One of these tools is the comprehensive Safety Data Sheet manual compiled by the Asmark Institute over 18 years. The 1,880 pages of information includes 890+ SDS for the materials sold or used at ag retailers, including fertilizers, fuel and oil products, micronutrients and more. It’s available for GAC members and is a steal at just $42.50.
Click here for order information and additional details
.
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Agri-Business Supply Inc.
Brooksco Diary,LLC
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Boston Gin Co.
Clay Co. and Associates
Coley Gin & Fertilizer Co. Inc.
C.M Tanner Grocery Co. Inc
Doug Hopkins
Georgia 4-H Foundation
GA Agricultural Commodity for Tabacco
Georgia/Florida Soybean Assoc.
H.T. McClendon Co.
Hardy Farms
Mobley Greenhouse Inc.
Quality Feedstuff, Inc.
Russell Landscape Contractors, LLC
Sylvania Peanut Co. Inc.
Swainsboro Stockyard
The J.L. Morgan Co, Inc.
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Special thanks to all of our Star Sponsors. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 or
click here for details
. Thank you!
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2016 GAC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP & GRANTS AWARDED
We are very pleased to support a variety of ag education initiatives through the GAC Foundation, including our scholarships and classroom grant programs. The $1,000 William C. “Bill” Baisley “Sumpin Big” Scholarships are offered to students studying for an agricultural career at a college in Georgia. This year we received many quality applicants from students all over the state, who ranged in age from High School Seniors to college students. We are pleased to announce we provided three winners for 2016 and they are: Faith L. Gilman of Commerce, GA and Charles Lucas Lineberger of Perry, GA and Eleanor J. Rager of Douglasville, Ga. They were honored by GAC Chairman Jimmy Champion and Mr. Bill Baisley during the Harvest Celebration program.
The GAC Dr. Joe B. Crane Classroom Grant Program began in 2000. It seeks to award funds to applicants who provide thought provoking lesson plans that promote agricultural learning in the classroom. Teachers from all schools in Georgia (kindergarten through 12th grade), both public and private, are eligible to receive these grants. This year’s Dr. Joe B. Crane Classroom Grant winners are: (School and project area of interest)
Central High School - Carrollton Ag Education
R.B. Wright Elementary School - Moultrie Animal Education
Sallie Zetterower Elementary - Statesboro Horticulture
A total of 59 projects have now been funded through this classroom grant program since its inception. The quality and value of this program is outstanding, and with your support of the GAC Foundation, we will continue to assist educators in their efforts to teach young people the importance and benefits of agriculture in our state.
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GAC's Bill Baisley signs the certificates for each of the winning students.
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The scholarship winners stand with GAC Chairman Jimmy Champion & Mr. Bill Baisley.
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HELP SAVE GEORGIA’S RURAL HOSPITALS THROUGH STATE TAX CREDIT
Rural Georgia knows all too well about the struggles of local hospitals. Five have shut their doors in the past three years and nearly 50 others are in financial crisis. Rural hospitals can’t compete for doctors who are drawn to the larger metro hospital salaries. They likewise often rely on older equipment and lack the funds to upgrade.
The problem is real, it is severe, and it affects many rural communities.
As a part of the 2016 legislative session,
Georgia is offering a new tax credit for corporations and individuals who want to donate to in-need hospitals.
With the tax credit, a single head of household can receive 70% of the amount donated or $2,500 off their state taxes, whichever is less. A married couple filing jointly can receive 70% of the donated amount or $5,000 off their state taxes, whichever is less.
For information about donating, please visit
www.RuralHealthcare180.org
.
Donations can also be made to a specific hospital on the
“eligible hospital” list
.
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2017 AG FORECAST SEMINARS
Georgia Ag Forecast is organized by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and supported by Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the Georgia Agribusiness Council. This annual seminar series helps predict markets with a variety of topics and information for growers and agribusiness. Participants will get to network with UGA faculty and UGA Cooperative Extension agents, local producers and other stakeholders, and will leave the meeting with a copy of the latest Georgia Ag Forecast book, which is designed to provide a detailed analysis of major commodities produced in the state. Tickets are available at www.georgiaagforecast.com. The 2017 seminar dates include:
- Wednesday, January 18: Macon (GA Farm Bureau Building)
- Thursday, January 19: Marietta (Cobb County Civic Center)
- Friday, January 20: Carrollton (Carroll County Ag Center)
- Monday, January 23: Tifton (UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center)
- Tuesday, January 24: Bainbridge (Decatur County Ag Center)
- Wednesday, January 25: Lyons (Toombs County Ag Center)
- Thursday, January 26: Waynesboro (Burke County Office Park)
- Friday, January 27: Athens (Georgia Center for Continuing Education)
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* The
Wild Hog Supper signals the start of lawmaking. This
55-year tradition that kicks-off Georgia’s legislative session will be held at the Georgia Railroad Depot in Atlanta on
Sunday, January 8th
from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and GAC is proud to be a sponsor of this initiative.
The Honorary Host Committee includes Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, Georgia Senate Ag Chairman John Wilkinson, and Georgia House Ag Chairman Tom McCall
, and all are welcome to attend. The event raises funds for the Georgia Food Bank Association and helps support the Farm to Food Bank.
Click here for tickets and details about the 2016 Wild Hog Supper
.
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* GAC is proud to promote the nationwide
Trees for Troops Program
, sponsored by GAC member Georgia Christmas Tree Association, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx. The Georgia Christmas Tree Association hopes to have over 1200 trees statewide donated to the Trees for Troops program, which is a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association. You may make contributions to the Trees for Troops program at
www.TreesforTroops.org
or
www.7gsfarm.com
.
* The
Georgia Urban Ag Council
will be hosting its annual EDGE Expo on December 8, 2016 at the Infinite Energy Center, formally the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. This is one of the premier events for companies in the turf, landscape, and ornamental industries and the Expo will feature a full day of education and CEUs. Go to
https://urbanagcouncil.com/
for details and registration.
* The
Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Grower Conference
will be held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on January 5-8, 2017. This event is the largest educational conference and trade show in the southeastern United States that brings together growers, vendors, and suppliers.
Check out this brief video overview.
For more details about registering for the conference,
click here
.
* The
Georgia Plant Food Educational Society
will have their 66th annual Winter Meeting and Trade Show January 10-11, 2017 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. The 2017 program will include both updated agronomic information and updates on fertilizer markets both domestic and international. Go to
www.GPFES.org
for more information.
* The
2017 Georgia Dairy Conference
will be held January 16-18, 2017 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott.
Click here for more details
.
* The 41st annual
Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference
will be held at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center January 19, 2017.
For more information, click here
.
* The 2017 Georgia Agritourism Association’s Annual Conference will be held February 27 – March 1. This is a great opportunity for people to tour Georgia Agritourism operations, network, and learn about the latest in effective marketing strategies, on-farm activities that work, and hear first-hand testimonials from agritourism operators about their success. Call 706-845-9085 for more info.
* The
Georgia FFA Foundation Blue & Gold Gala
is slated for Friday, March 10 at the St. Regis Buckhead hotel in Atlanta.
Click here for details
.
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This information is intended for members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. No part of this document shall be copied, edited, or redistributed in any form without express written consent from the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. Georgia Agribusiness Council | 706-336-6830 |
WWW.GA-AGRIBUSINESS.ORG
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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP TO GEORGIA'S STRONGEST INDUSTRY
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