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HARVEST CELEBRATION TO HOST RECORD CROWD
GAC's Harvest Celebration is just around the corner and we are excited to announce that over 1,000 tickets have been purchased! The evening’s activities include over 150 silent auction items and a unique Field of Dreams reception that precede dinner and entertainment by Georgia's own Jeff Foxworthy! All proceeds support the Council’s program of work, which includes legislative monitoring, agricultural education, economic services, agribusiness development, public outreach initiatives and coalition building within the agricultural community.
If you have not yet secured tickets to this special anniversary event, only a few remain! You may order them by contacting Anna Strickland. All tickets will be available at Will Call under each purchaser's last name, unless other arrangements have been made.
We look forward to hosting so many outstanding friends at this first-class event!
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In honor of GAC's 50th Anniversary, the Field of Dreams reception has 55 prizes. An additional top tier of three items are available in the Special Golden Anniversary Level. Field of Dreams books are $100 each and may be obtained by calling the GAC office at 706-336-6830. A Field of Dreams ticket book must be purchased before purchasing a golden anniversary ticket. Click the image below to view all the available items in the Field of Dreams reception.
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IRRIGATION PERMITTING COMPLIANCE UNDER REVIEW
Governor Nathan Deal signed an Executive Order on October 28, 2016, creating an Agricultural Permitting Compliance Task Force to examine issues of non-compliance with the state permitting system for agricultural irrigation. This process will engage the Environmental Protection Division Director Rick Dunn, along with other EPD staff, the Ga Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The members of the task force will be named by Governor Deal in the near future. A report is requested by January 1, 2017, and will include recommendations, if any, on suggested legislative and/or regulatory changes needed to help ensure better compliance in the future.
Stay tuned...
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AGRIBUSINESS & AGRICULTURE INTERESTS SUBMIT DOCUMENTS IN FLORIDA VS. GEORGIA WATER WAR
The Georgia Agribusiness Council, joined by the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council and the Georgia Green Industry Association, filed an amicus brief (friend of the court document) in the Florida vs. Georgia lawsuit regarding water rights. As you may recall, the courts designated a Special Master, the Honorable Ralph Lancaster of Maine, to work with the states on this matter. The arguments began October 31, 2016, and are being held in Maine.
The amicus brief was submitted on Friday, October 21. It showcases agriculture industry engagement in legislative and regulatory actions to enhance water conservation and efficiency over the past two decades. The brief also delivers a strong message regarding Georgia’s economic impact in the Flint Basin and references to previous court cases in other state battles over water allocation. We believe each of these areas are beneficial to the State of Georgia’s argument. Alston & Bird attorney’s Nowell Berreth and Brian Boone crafted the document.
GAC is pleased to have water policy initiatives as a top priority and to invest in the amicus brief to support agricultural water use, both in production agriculture and landscapes. As you are aware, this is of the utmost importance to our industry interests. The Council has always advanced policies and practices to be good stewards of our water resources and we are taking action to support the State of Georgia in this suit brought forward by the State of Florida. You can review all submissions made regarding this lawsuit at: http://www.pierceatwood.com/floridavgeorgia142original.
We also appreciate the efforts of the American Peanut Shellers Association, Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and the Georgia Farm Bureau for their work to also file briefs to support agriculture in this case. Please let us know if you have any questions.
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SUNBELT AG EXPO/SOUTHEASTERN AG RETAILER FORUM BENEFITS INDUSTRY
The Georgia Agribusiness Council is grateful to Chip Blalock and the Sunbelt Ag Expo team for making their facilities available for some ag tours for special guests again this year. Following the Farmer of the Year Luncheon on Tuesday, we were pleased to cover several ag updates with Daniel Hale and Greg Ziesenhene on staff of Senator David Perdue.
On Wednesday, we partnered with the Agricultural Retailers Association, Florida Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Georgia Plant Food Educational Society and the Alabama Agribusiness Council to host the Southeastern Ag Retail Forum in Valdosta. We enjoyed having Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black attend the event as well. Following a morning session of regional and national ag retailer topics, we toured the Sunbelt Ag Expo, discussing GMO varieties, nutrient and irrigation management as well as visiting the sites of Hays LTI, Newton Crouch and John Deere to discuss equipment technologies. We are thankful to the Sunbelt Ag Expo for the opportunity to have all of these companies and working farm environment for these important agribusiness and policy discussions.
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Discussing crop protection technologies with Sen. Perdue's staff.
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Reviewing equipment with ARA guests on the Hays, LTI site at the Sunbelt Ag Expo.
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Sprayer calibration on John Deere equipment.
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Irrigation and water conservation discussion.
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BAYER COTTON BREEDING STATION OPENS IN DAWSON
GAC was pleased to attend the October 20th grand opening of the Bayer Southeast Cotton Breeding Station in Dawson, GA. The Bayer team will use this state of the art facility to advance cotton seed traits and research. Seeking new cotton varieties for the southeast is key among their efforts. The team also works with the University of Georgia breeders and researchers to identify new germplasm sources and we were pleased to hear from UGA CAES Assistant Dean of Research, Dr. Bob Shulstad, at the event. Monty Christian, Vice President of Cotton Business for Bayer (photo), provided the keynote address.
This is a $4.4 million investment with over 13,000 sq/ft of research space and 150 acres of land. GAC is proud to have Bayer CropScience as a longtime member and for their commitment to advancing the farm and agribusiness economy. Click here for the story by the Albany Herald.
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AGRITRUST SERVES AGRIBUSINESS
Over 600 Georgia Agribusiness Council members utilize our AgriTrust of Georgia worker’s compensation insurance program. The Council created AgriTrust of Georgia in 1992 and it serves agribusinesses from a wide range of sectors.
Workplace inspections, safety seminars and member resource materials are all readily available to those in the program. A great safety record has helped return over $5.1 million in dividends to qualified members. 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 Eddie Kinnard at 678-753-0016.
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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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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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2017 AG FORECAST DATES SET
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 will be available soon 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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BLALOCK & BLACK TO BE HONORED AT UGA FANNING LECTURE
The 32nd Annual J.W. Fanning lecture, cohosted by the University of Georgia and the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia will be held November 9, 2016 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. During the awards luncheon of the conference, GAC member Chip Blalock will receive the UGA Ag Econ Association Distinguished Professional Award and Ward Black will receive the Young Distinguished Professional Award. The keynote lecture will be provided by Dr. Jayson Lusk from the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Oklahoma State University. His lecture is entitled “Consumer Trends and Impacts on the Future Food System.” Please follow this link for more details and registration information. Congratulations to Chip Blalock (l) and Ward Black (r) on this outstanding recognition!
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DROUGHT SURVEY NEEDS GEORGIA DATA
A 2016 Drought Survey is underway regarding the severe drought and high temperatures we have had in many areas across the state and in our parts of the country. This data is important to include in the drought assistance report, so we encourage all growers to complete the survey. The National Drought Mitigation Center launched the Drought Impact Reporter (DIR) in July 2005 as the nation’s first comprehensive database of drought impacts. Complete the survey online at: http://Droughtreporter.unl.edu/submitreport/
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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
.
*ABAC is having
Career Connections November 15, 2016, from 10am to 2pm, which is a great place to meet and recruit
future interns and employees in the fields of Agriculture, Horticulture and Natural Resources!
Click here for more information and to register for this event.
* 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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* A
Georgia Citrus Association (GCA)
formed in October and will host an open house of their citrus only greenhouse with
Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black
,
Dr. Wayne Hanna
of UGA, and
Bryan Tolar
of the Georgia Agribusiness Council as guest speakers. This is the result of years of work by growers, gardeners, agricultural investors and others that have expressed a keen interest in the citrus industry. GCA is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to progress the citrus industry through educating others, conducting research, insuring quality standards and marketing aggressively through the association. GCA membership is open to anyone related to the citrus industry in Georgia, North Florida, and South Alabama. Anyone interested in joining may contact the group by email at [email protected].
Pictured below are 8 of the 9 board members: Seated (L-R): Clay Lamar, Mitchell County, GA; Mack Glass, Jackson County, FL; Joe Franklin, Bulloch County, GA. Standing (L-R): Pam Clark, Brooks County, GA (Treasurer); David Lee, Bacon County, GA: Kim Jones, Jefferson County, FL (Secretary); Lindy Savelle, Mitchell County, GA (President); Andy Jackson, Taylor County, FL (Vice-President).
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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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