NCGA PROPOSES DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 2012 FARM BILL

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has submitted a commodity title proposal for the 2012 farm bill that would replace direct payments and counter-cyclical payments and modify the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program.

Called the Agriculture Disaster Assistance Program (ADAP), the plan would use about 70 percent of the current $4.9 billion annual cost of the direct payment program to pay for the new program and offer the remaining 30 percent for deficit reduction. It is based on the current structure of the ACRE program and incorporates the use of harvest prices and crop reporting districts instead of state yields to set the crop revenue guarantee. It also establishes a guarantee based on the five-year Olympic average of revenue. Producers would sign up on a yearly basis.

Payments under the NGCA plan would be limited to 10 percent of the guarantee, based on planted acres and adjusted to a farm’s yield. Payments would cover lost revenue between 85 and 95 percent of the guarantee. Marketing loan rates would be restored to standard levels rather than being reduced by 30 percent in the current ACRE structure.

“While today’s farm bill provides critical assistance to farmers when they face a significant loss, growers also need a program that can efficiently address gaps in protection that cannot be addressed by federal crop insurance alone,” said NGCA President Bart Schott. “ADAP will assist in streamlining those goals and ensure farmers are better protected when revenue is lost due to crop disease, volatile commodity markets and adverse weather across multiple years.”

In a related move in August, the National Cotton Council proposed switching to revenue-based crop insurance after concluding that available funds for direct and counter-cyclical payments would be severely reduced.

The NCC also attempted to address concerns that budget cuts might also breach a resolution between the U.S. and Brazil in a World Trade Organization dispute over cotton payments to growers. National Cotton Council representatives presented that proposal to members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

Both the NCGA and NCC proposals are in response to passage of the Budget Control Act of 2011, which set up a Joint Select Committee on Debt Reduction. The committee is tasked with recommending legislation that will reduce the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion by Nov. 23. The Joint Select Committee is to receive recommended cuts from committees of jurisdiction (including the House and Senate Ag Committees) by Oct. 14.

September 21, 2011 www.gfb.org Vol. 29 No. 38

Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 APPEALS COURT DECLINES TO HEAR TRI-STATE WATER CASE

The full U.S. 11th District Court of Appeals has refused to rehear a lawsuit filed by the states of Alabama and Florida against Georgia in the dispute over access to water from Lake Lanier. The court issued its decision on Sept. 16 without comment, according to published reports.

A three-judge panel from the district court ruled on June 28 that one of the intended purposes of Lake Lanier was to supply water to the metro Atlanta area, overturning a 2009 U.S. District Court ruling by Judge Paul Magnuson in an ongoing legal battle between the three states. Magnuson’s ruling gave the states until July 2012 to reach a water-sharing agreement, without which Atlanta’s access to water from Lake Lanier would revert to 1970s levels.

In its June 28 ruling, the 11th District Court panel found that part of the original intent for Lake Lanier when it was built was to supply metro Atlanta with water, along with power generation, flood control and navigation.

The court sent the issue back to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, giving the agency a year to work out an allocation plan.

Attorneys for Alabama and Florida requested a hearing from the full appellate court, but none of the 10 judges supported a new hearing. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said his state would request a review with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gov. Nathan Deal’s spokesman, Brian Robinson, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the ruling “gives the state of Georgia finality on this issue and allows us to move forward in our negotiations with the governors of Alabama and Florida. We all know where we stand now from a legal perspective, and the governor feels confident the three states can come to an agreement that mutually benefits them all. The court’s decision is another positive step forward.”

SOUTHEAST FARM WAGES DECREASE IN 2011

The results of a survey by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) show that workers on farms in the Southeast region (Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina) were paid slightly lower wages overall in 2011 than in 2010.

The survey was taken between July 10 and July 16 and measured numbers of hired workers and categorized wage rates for field workers, livestock workers and all hired workers.

Farm workers in the Southeast are being paid $9.70 per hour in 2011, down from $9.97 in 2010, though still higher than 2009, when they made $9.27 per hour. Nationwide, the average wage rate for all hired farm workers is $10.90 in 2011, up from $10.82 in 2010.

Southeastern field workers are making $9.12 per hour in 2011, down 6 cents from their 2010 wage. Nationally, field workers are being paid $10.24 per hour in 2011, up from $10.12 per hour in 2010. Livestock workers in the Southeast saw a 97-cent increase to $9.69 per hour in 2011, up from $8.72 per hour in 2010. Nationally, livestock worker wages rose from $10.09 in 2010 to $10.24 in 2011.

Nationwide, the number of hired farm workers declined by 58,000 from 2010 to 2011. The NASS reported that 1.186 million hired workers were working on the nation’s farms during the survey period in 2011, compared with 1.244 million in 2010. Farms surveyed in the three Southeast region states had 31,000 workers during the survey week in 2011.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 GOV. DEAL ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO AG ADVISORY BOARDS

Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed Tift County Farm Bureau Director Wes Shannon and J. Kenneth Morrow to the Agricultural Education Advisory Commission in appointments announced Sept. 16.

Shannon, who also serves as chair of the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Advisory Committee for Peanuts, has been a full-time farmer for more than 30 years and has served on the Ag Advisory Committee for then-Rep. Saxby Chambliss. Morrow is president and general manager of Sod Atlanta in Cartersville and has served as president of the Georgia Turfgrass Association and vice chairman of the Georgia Agribusiness Council.

R. Micah Story, an agricultural teacher at East Jackson Middle School, was reappointed to the commission. Story was the 2002 Teacher of the Year for Jackson County and a 2001 recipient of the

Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. He currently serves as a National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador, working with peers to integrate science education into the agriculture classroom. FIRE EXTINGUISHED AT SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ETHANOL GRAIN SILO

Southwest Georgia Ethanol’s (SWGE) Mitchell County plant had a fire occur in a conveyor system above one of its silos used to store dried distillers grains on Sept. 15.

After the initial investigation of the topside cross conveyor, the source of the fire has not been verified, though indications are that sparks from the flash fire ignited the wood forms used in building the silo. As these forms smoldered, pieces of the burning wood fell into the stored dried distillers grains.

An employee noticed smoke coming from the silo around 8:30 p.m. and called 911. Multiple area fire departments responded and contained the fire within the silo, lowering the temperature from 270 degrees to 89 degrees as determined by a thermal imaging device. The fire in the silo flared up again the morning of Sept. 16. Fire crews applied water to the silo to extinguish the fire and remained on site through Sept. 18 to monitor the silo. Company officials said the cause of the fire will be investigated by a third party. The plant was not in production at the time of the incident due to a scheduled maintenance shutdown that began on Sept. 11.

Meanwhile, SWGE announced in July that it had made the final 503B9 and critical vendor payments to vendors and local corn farmers under its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.

The 503B9 payments are made to vendors who deliver goods to a company in the 20 days preceding the company’s filing for Chapter 11 debt relief. SWGE, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb. 1, indicated in a release that it had paid more than $4.9 million in 503B9 payments, including $3.9 million to local corn producers for corn delivered in the months preceding the filing.

CORRECTION

The story about crop yield estimates in the Sept. 14 issue included an erroneous reference to expected cotton yields. The information was based on the USDA’s September crop report, which had the yields listed in bales. Georgia’s cotton producers are expected to produce 789 pounds per acre rather than 789 bales per acre as indicated in the article.

Shannon

Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 BRADLEY’S PUMPKIN PATCH GRAND OPENING Sept. 24 Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch Dawsonville Bradley’s is offering seminars on cooking using heirloom pumpkins, led by certified herbalist Jean Schilling, and sustainable beekeeping, led by third-generation beekeeper Virginia Webb. Along with the free seminars, Bradley’s home-grown pumpkins, fall flowers and decorating supplies will be available. For more information, visit http://www.bradleyspumpkinpatch.com or call 770-380-3636. DAWSON COUNTY FFA ANTIQUE TRACTOR SHOW Sept. 24 Tractor Supply Company Dawsonville Antique tractor enthusiasts are invited to bring their tractors for this free show, which begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Tractors may begin to arrive at 8:00 am and all should be in place by 9:30 am. All makes and models of tractors are welcome! Restored or everyday work tractors are welcomed. Hit and Miss or steam equipment is also welcome to display. Anyone interested in participating may contact Dawson County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee Member Seth Stowers at 706-429-6469 or Reggie Stowers at 706 265-0153. No pre-registration is required driveups the day of the event are welcome. The Dawson County FFA will be selling concessions and taking donations to raise $1,000 to send FFA students to their National FFA Convention in October. The Dawsonville Tractor Supply Company is located at 6921 Hwy. 53 E, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

BERRIEN COUNTY HARVEST FESTIVAL Sept. 24 Downtown area Nashville The Berrien County Chamber of Commerce and Nashville Better Hometown are marking plans for the 2nd Annual Berrien County Harvest Festival to be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The festival will feature craft and food venders, entertainment as well as a grape stomping. The festival will conclude that evening with an open-air concert featuring the Swinging Medallions at Horse Creek Winery. For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce 229-686-5123 or Nashville Better Hometown 229- 686-9290. 15TH ANNUAL PLAINS PEANUT FESTIVAL Sept. 24 Plains The annual Plains Peanut Festival is centered around one of the Sumter County community's claims to fame, its peanut production, and features the community's most famous residents in active roles. The festival kicks off with a 1-mile fun run and a 5-K road race. People line the sidewalks of Plains each year to watch the unique entries in the parade downtown. Visitors enjoy the all-day event and educational exhibits are on display to accent the importance of agriculture in this region. WILLIAM HARRIS HOMESTEAD HERITAGE DAY... A CALL TO ARMS Sept. 24 3636 Ga. Hwy. 11 Monroe This event, which runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m, offers fun for the entire family. There will be re-enactments to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, tours of the 1825 log house and outbuildings, demonstrations of 1800's crafts, plowing with the Old Time Georgia Plow Club, antiques, children's 1800's games, petting zoo, agricultural displays, great food and entertainment all day. General admission is $10, $5 for children 5-12 and children under 5 are free. For more information contact Judy Hardegree at 770-867-2449 or judyhardegree@yahoo.com.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 WOOFSTOCK PURINA RALLY TO RESCUE Sept. 25 Jones County Fairgrounds Gray If you’re looking to adopt a dog or horse or just want to celebrate the pets you already have, come out for a day of family fun. In addition to animal adoptions, events will include dog demonstrations, live music, a kids’ zone, food, contests, and a Blessing of the Animals at 3 p.m. There will also be vendors selling both pet and non-pet related items. Event runs from 12-6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Georgia animal rescue groups. For more information visit http://www.furever-friends.org or contact Angie Stapp at 478-955-1183 or fureverfriend@windstream.net. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 27 5th District Thomaston Civic Center 7 p.m. Thomaston Sept. 29 1st District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Calhoun Oct. 11 9th District Mitchell County High School 7 p.m. Camilla Oct. 13 7th District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Statesboro Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and not open to the general public. 2011 ANNUAL PEANUT TOUR Sept. 27-29 Various locations Southwest Ga./Bainbridge The 2011 Peanut Bus Tour of South Georgia, sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission, begins in Bainbridge on Tuesday, Sept. 27, with an early-bird hot topics session at 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Bainbridge. Presentations will include economic and food issues by University of Georgia faculty and USDA scientists on U.S. peanut program and policy, processing, quality, nutrition and uniform peanut performance tests. A reception follows at 6 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Holiday Inn Express.Tour highlights include production research at the Attapulgus Research farm, on-farm demonstrations, equipment manufacturing, peanut handling, grading and shelling, and product processing facilities. Lunch will be at the Cloud Livestock Pavilion and a low country boil will be held at 7 p.m. at the Earle May Boat Basin. The agenda for Thursday, Sept. 29 includes lunch in Blakely, a 6 p.m. reception at Cotton Hall in Colquitt, with dinner and theater presentation of Swamp Gravy. Bus seats will be reserved on a first-come basis, with international visitors being given priority. For more information, contact Rebecca Whitehead at 229-386-3470 or email rebecca@gapeanuts.com LUKE BRYAN FARM TOUR Sept. 29 The Beach at Clemson University Seneca, SC Sept. 30 Tucker Plantation Colbert Oct. 1 Luther Williams Field Macon Oct. 5 Longneedle Farm Claxton Oct. 6 Coffee Weed Plantation Valdosta Oct. 7 VFW Fairgrounds Carrollton Country music artist and Lee County Farm Bureau member Luke Bryan embarks on his Farm Tour, sponsored by Southern Ag Carriers, the National Peanut Buying Points Association and the American Peanut Shellers Association. Each venue is near a university, and Bryan’s organization is sponsoring a college scholarship at each of them for a student from a farm family. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will fund the scholarships. To order tickets, visit http://www.lukebryan.com/farmtour.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 SEPT. 30 is DEADLINE FOR GFB POLICY SUBMISSIONS Georgia Farm Bureau’s annual policy development process is underway. Sept. 30 is the deadline for county Farm Bureaus to submit policy recommendations to the state policy development committee. The state committee will meet this fall to consider the recommendations submitted by county Farm Bureaus and GFB’s commodity advisory committees. Contact the GFB Legislative Department for more information. 17th ANNUAL MULE ROUNDUP Sept. 30-Oct.1 Guysie Community, Highway 32 Near Alma Experience yesteryear at this showcase of heritage farming, featuring a pioneer village, farm demonstration, cane grinding, sausage smoking, a grist mill and lots moore. A gospel sing begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30. Admission is free for participants and vendors and $5 for spectators ages 10 and up. For more information call 912-632-1777. GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Oct. 6–16 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The award-winning Georgia National Fair features livestock and horse shows, youth exhibits, home and fine arts competitions, family entertainment, midway rides and games, fair food, and major concerts that includes Blake Shelton and the JaneDear Girls. For more information, visit www.georgianationalfair.com. UGA HORTICULTURE FIELD DAY Oct. 7 UGA Horticulture Farm Watkinsville Experts will highlight the latest information on a range of topics from honeybee management to organic vegetable productionUGA faculty from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will be stationed throughout the farm to discuss current research projects. Registration is $25 per person and includes lunch. Participation is limited to the first 250 registrants. For more information, see the event's website atwww.areg.caes.uga.edu/#hortfieldday. POLO & PALS EQUESTRIAN EXTRAVAGANZA Oct. 15 Champion Oak Farm (off Bethany Road) 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Madison Horse enthusiasts will enjoy this afternoon of “horsing around” that will include demonstrations by the UGA 5-time National Champion Equestrian Team, La Ferme de Cheval’s Nichole Mesik riding her elegant Friesian and costumed Arabians and local horse competitors demonstrating their barrel racing and showmanship skills. Events will include a round of Polf (polo golf) with polo pros and celebrity guests competing and a “half-horsed” polo match played by area mule enthusiasts. Admission is $20/person, $30/couple or $50/car for ringside parking/viewing (includes admission for all occupants). Children 10 and under will be admitted free. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Soft drinks and snacks will be available all day followed by a barbecue supper for $15 at 7 p.m. For more information contact Maybe Ortiz at cmaybeortiz@yahoo.com or call 706-453-7484. This event is raising funds for the Polo Players Support Group that helps injured polo players with their medical bills.

Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 GEORGIA SWEET POTATO FESTIVAL Oct. 29 Downtown area Ocilla The 51st Annual Georgia Sweet Potato Festival features a parade, arts and crafts show, cooking contest, pageant, classic car and tractor show, and much more. Proceeds from this year's car show will benefit the Irwin County High School Marching Big Red Band for their trip to the Sugar Bowl in January 2012. For more information, visit http://www.gasweetpotatofestival.com. SOUTHERN WOODLAND OWNERS CONFERENCE & SOLUTIONS FAIR Oct. 31-Nov. 2 UGA Tifton Campus Tifton Two optional preconference field trips will be offered Oct. 31 to Norbid Mill (cost of $20), a wood products mill in Cordele, and Oakridge Farms (cost of $45), a longleaf plantation. The two-day conference will feature a variety of topics to address challenges in forest management in the southern U.S., including timber security, intergenerational transfers, the latest in seedling development, timberland value trends, forest certification and conservation easements. Full conference participation earns attendees up to 9 CFE credits and 10 CLE credits. Registration without CFE/CLE credits is $90 per person before Oct. 14 and $110 after Oct. 14. Registration with CFE/CLE credits is $130 per person before Oct. 14 and $150 after. For more information visit or contact Michele Lawson at michele@gfagrow.org or 478-992-8110.