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Volume 26, No. 4 Published by the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. February 3, 2017
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FEB. 7 ANNUAL MEETING SOLD OUT
We are very pleased to have sold out our membership supper and annual meeting event! Thank you for this outstanding support! Members will receive a "State of the Council" report, participate in the election of the GAC Officers and ten board member positions. Our Feb. 7 event also features Wesley Langdale of The Langdale Company as the keynote speaker.
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FEB. 8 GAC STATE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST TO HOST OVER 500 GUESTS
The GAC State Legislative Breakfast on February 8, has over 500 registered to attend as Governor Deal, Lt. Governor Cagle, House Speaker David Ralston, Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Senate Ag Chairman John Wilkinson, and House Ag Chairman Tom McCall have all confirmed their plans to participate. Special thanks to all of our table sponsors! We have room for more, so please come join us. If you would like to order tickets, please call 706-336-6830 by Tuesday at noon.
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Twelve legislative days are now behind us as lawmakers headed home Thursday afternoon. Falcon fever has hit House Speaker David Ralston and the Capitol halls as many look forward to the Super Bowl. In fact, legislators are taking off Monday with hopes of a victory celebration and will return to the Capitol Tuesday for Day 13. A schedule was set for the remainder of the 40-day session, which is slated to end March 30. The volume of bills is building quickly, but there are some issues that have not yet surfaced. These include potential changes to GATE and an attempt at expanding stream buffers. We’ll keep our eye on these developments, so stay tuned.
Here are some bills of interest for your review:
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CONSERVATION USE (CUVA)
HB 4 seeks to prohibit access or to remain in the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) program if the property owner is delinquent in county taxes where the land is located. It was discussed extensively in a House Ways & Means Sub-committee this week where plenty of concerns were expressed - implications for ag use lands were at the top of that list. Many feel legal remedies for delinquent taxes are already available, so several changes would have to be considered. It is slated for a second hearing on Monday afternoon.
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LIVESTOCK DEALER SURETY REQUIREMENTS
On Wednesday, HB 49 by Rep. Clay Pirkle (Ashburn) passed the House and is now headed to the Senate. This bill would pave the way to improving licensing for livestock dealers and sale barns. It establishes a three-year livestock market operator license with a fee not to exceed $200. The triennial fee for a livestock dealer license would be no more than $25.00 and require a “surety” (bond) to aid in the prevention of nonpayment or contract purchase failure by a licensed livestock market operator or a livestock dealer. Rep. Pirkle is doing an excellent job leading this effort as it was one of the first bills passed by the House this session.
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ETHANOL BAN IN FUELS
SB 115 by Senate Natural Resources Chairman Frank Ginn (Danielsville) targets the use of ethanol blends in fuel. Senator Ginn is responding to complaints by some about the impact ethanol may have to engines. This bill is very direct in nature, as it states specifically that “No person shall sell or offer for sale within this state any gasoline that has been mixed, blended, or compounded with ethanol or ethyl alcohol as an additive." There is certain to be much debate on the merits of ethanol blended fuels. We encourage you to reach out to us and Senator Ginn on this issue.
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REGULATORY REFORM
SB 2 by Sen. Mike Dugan (Carrollton) is a major initiative to provide regulatory clarity, certainty and accountability for professions and businesses regarding local rule-making by counties and cities. It is referenced as the F.A.S.T. Act, which stands for Fairness, Accountability, Simplification, and Transparency. It seeks to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, facilitate the start of new businesses, provide for schedules of fees and timelines for permits and licenses, and provide for discounted fees when deadlines are not met. The bill is backed by a long list of key leaders in the Senate, so advancement is all but certain. The complexities of the bill will merit several changes along the way. Characterized as “death by a thousand paper cuts,” legislators are positioned to provide some relief. We heartily agree.
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FOOD SAFETY
SB 78 by Sen. Lee Anderson (Grovetown) is an initiative led by the Georgia Department of Agriculture that would provide them with needed flexibility of granting a variance or waiver regarding certain food regulations. Such options would not be available if doing so would be harmful to “public health, safety, or welfare.” The bill passed the Senate Agriculture Committee Wednesday afternoon.
HB 176 by House Ag Chairman Tom McCall provides a certain authority needed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) to enter into agreements with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce provisions of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This bill is necessary to keep FDA away from Georgia businesses by allowing GDA to do the work. It passed the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday morning and should get the green light the rest of the way.
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WATER RESOURCES
SR 152 by Senate Natural Resources Chairman Frank Ginn (Danielsville) would create a joint study committee with the House Natural Resources Committee to take a deep dive into issues related to stream buffers on state waters. Water policy is always a hotbed issue at the Capitol and the water war with Florida has heightened the issue even further. We expect to hear more about this study committee effort next week.
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HUNTINGAND FISHING FEES
SB 48 by Sen. Bill Heath (Bremen) would put a freeze on the cost of certain hunting and fishing licenses and tags should you renew before the expiration date. The concept is to encourage license renewal, thus keeping the annual cost stable. It passed unanimously out of the Senate Natural Resources and Environment committee on Wednesday.
We expect to see another bill soon that would adjust the fees for such licenses. Georgia has not updated these fees since the early 90's and lawmakers are looking for ways to direct these funds to game management programs and capture federal matching dollars. Stay tuned...
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TRANSIT GOVERNANCE AND FUNDING
Last week we reported
Sen. Steve Gooch
(Dahlonega)
submitted
SB 6
that would establish the Georgia Regional Transit Council, an organization that would examine shortcomings of Georgia’s diverse transportation agencies and services and develop a mission and set goals to address flaws. On Monday, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee
Rep. Kevin Tanner
(Dawsonville)
submitted a House version of this concept with a few differences.
HB 160
establishes the Georgia Commission on Transit Governance and Funding, relating mostly to mass transit in metropolitan areas. In this bill, an alternative to SB 6, the commission would consist of three members that are appointed by the Governor along with the three appointed by both the Speaker of the House and the Lt. Governor. Similar to SB 6, the directors of all metropolitan planning organizations will be members of the commission; however, they will not have voting rights. While this bill does not address the idea of alternative freight routes, throughout the legislative process the two chambers will work to make both pieces cohesive and uniform. We will keep you updated on the process moving forward.
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TURFGRASS TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE AT THE CAPITOL
Monday was "Golf Day" at the State Capitol and with it came the University of Georgia’s College of Ag and Environmental Sciences turfgrass leaders showing off Georgia crafted varieties of grasses used all across the world. Their research and developments in turfgrass have Georgia as a leader in the turf market. They brought turf samples and discussed their revolutionary varieties with lawmakers and guests. Special thanks to Dr. Brian Schwartz and Dr. Clint Waltz for their leadership and expertise in the turfgrass arena.
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Special thanks to our 2017 Star Sponsors listed below. We welcome having GAC member companies be a part of this initiative. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 or
click here for details
. Thank you!
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Agri-Business Supply Inc.
DeWitt Produce Co. Inc.
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A.M. Bickley Inc.
Barrington Dairies
Bay Branch Farms, Inc.
Clay Co. & Associates
Curry Farm Supply Inc.
Saddle Creek Farm
Vidalia Onion Business Council
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* Maggie Wooten
joined our GAC staff as Events and Member Support Manager this week. From a family farm in Dougherty County, with a degree from Georgia Southern University, and great work experience, her talents will be an asset to our mission. Welcome, Maggie!
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* We were pleased to join many other Georgia agriculture organizations on a list of over 600 groups from across the nation stating support for Sonny Perdue’s confirmation as USDA Secretary. The letter was delivered to Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow on Thursday, Feb. 2. We look forward to the confirmation hearings for USDA Secretary in the weeks ahead.
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* Forestry Day at the Capitol is February 8th. It provides an opportunity to network with legislators, public officials and decision makers while catching up Georgia Forestry Association friends, fellow forestry professionals, and landowners. Click here for details.
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*
Senator Tyler Harper
(Ocilla) submitted
SR 113
commending the
Georgia Young Farmers Association
and designating February 8th as Georgia Young Farmers Day at the capitol.
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*February 8th is also Georgia 4-H "Day at the Capitol". We are proud of what the 4-H organization does in our communities.
SR 37
commends the 4-H Clubs of Georgia and
Mr. James Hancock
,
Mr. Arch D. Smith
, and the
2016-2017 4-H Leadership Team
and recognizes this special day.
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* Georgia Farm Bureau's Day at the Capitol will be February 15th.
SR 82
recognizes February 15th as Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Day at the state capitol.
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* Sen. John Wilkinson submitted
SR 81
commending FFA and recognizing February 19 - 26, as National FFA Week, with February 21st as FFA Day at the capitol.
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* 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. GAC is proud to be a sponsor of this event. Call 706-845-9085 for more info.
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*The Georgia Citrus Association will have their first annual meeting on February 27th at the UGA Tifton Campus. This new association will be a catalyst for the fruit growing industry in Georgia. Click here for more information.
*The annual
Wild Hog Supper that was supposed to take place earlier this month but was postponed due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for Monday, February 27th from 5:30-7:30 PM.
It will continue to be at the Georgia Freight Depot. Tickets are still available for purchase!
*March 3rd, the Georgia Cattlemen's Association will be hosting a steak biscuit breakfast for legislators and guests at the capitol. Beef for breakfast!
*We hope you will make plans to join us at the
Georgia FFA Foundation Blue & Gold Gala
slated for Friday, March 10 at the St. Regis Buckhead hotel in Atlanta.
Click here for details
.
*The Georgia Peanut Commission and National Peanut Buying Points Association will be hosting Peanut Butter & Jelly Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 20, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. GAC is proud to be a sponsor of this annual event.
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* Georgia Ag Week: The Georgia Department of Agriculture is leading our state’s biggest and best industry in a one-week collection of activities. Here are the plans:
Monday, March 20 - Seasons & Faces of Georgia Agriculture
Sloppy Floyd Building Plaza, Atlanta
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s photo exhibit featuring farmers throughout the state will be displayed in the plaza of the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Veterans Memorial Building. The building houses the Capitol Commons food court, a popular lunch destination for state employees.
Tuesday, March 21- Flavor of Georgia
Old Train Depot, Atlanta
The University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences will once again be hosting their annual Flavor of Georgia Contest to showcase delicious Georgia food products. Visit www.flavorofga.com or contact Sharon Kane at spkane@uga.edu for more info. This event is by invitation only.
Wednesday, March 22- Ag Hero Day (Statewide)
The Georgia Department of Agriculture invites you to celebrate agriculture heroes in your community by writing a note to farmers thanking them for the food and fiber they provide in our daily lives. Schools are encouraged to invite a local Ag Hero into classrooms to discuss the importance of agriculture and the impact farming has on our economy. A “Pennies for Produce” Drive will be held in schools to collect funds for food banks across the state to purchase local produce when in season.
Thursday, March 23- Ag Literacy Day (Statewide)
With the guidance of Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is encouraging all of our local and state partners to read a designated agriculture literacy book to a local school classroom. Contact Donna Rocker at dhrocker@gfb.org for classroom activities and more info.
Friday, March 24- Make My Plate Georgia Grown Day (Statewide)
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program and the Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition Program have partnered together to create a Georgia Grown menu to feature local products in school cafeteria’s across the state. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education, School Nutrition is encouraging local and state partners to visit a school cafeteria in your community and enjoy a tasty Georgia Grown lunch.
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2017 AGAware Workshops
AgSouth Farm Credit and AgGeorgia Farm Credit is hosting a series of informative workshops in order for farmers to get a better understanding of how to approach their finances.
Topics covered in the program include: Balance Sheets, Income Statements, Family Finance & Family Budgeting, Risk Management, Accrual Income, Applying for Financing and Preparing a Business Plan with bonus video topics on Record Keeping, Marketing, and Technology available for continued education. Click here to register!
- Friday, February 24 - Perry, GA (AgGeorgia Farm Credit Headquarters)
- Friday, March 17 - Greensboro, GA (Greene County Farm Bureau)
- Friday, August 18 - West Columbia, SC (Phillips Market Center)
- Friday, August 25 - Waynesboro, GA (Burke County Office Park)
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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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