Monthly Newsletter for Georgia Agribusiness Council Members
August 2022
AgOutlook is the monthly online publication of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. For information about what is going on within the GAC as well as updates on agribusiness topics of interests, read below. As always, please feel free to contact the GAC staff at any time. Contact information can be found at www.ga-agribusiness.org.
GAC VISITS AG FELLOWS IN DC
Each year, GAC is proud to sponsor the UGA CAES Congressional Agriculture Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. These College of Ag students get to spend the summer interning with members of the House and Senate ag committees from Georgia. We were happy to catch up with this year's group of impressive fellows on a recent trip to DC. We discussed their experiences in Washington and talked about future opportunities for them within Agribusiness.
HELP FIGHT FOR GEORGIA AGRICULTURE: SUPPORT THE GA AgPAC TODAY
In a policy environment that is rapidly changing, supporting state political leaders that understand and support Agribusiness has never been more important than it is today. We often tout ourselves as the #1 industry in the state, but our political giving lags behind most industries of much smaller sizes on a yearly basis. WE MUST CHANGE THIS IF WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR INDUSTRY IN THE FUTURE!

The Georgia Agribusiness Council was created for the purpose of advocating for agricultural interests in the legislative and regulatory arenas. This lofty initiative continues to get harder and harder each election cycle. In our efforts to advance these activities, the Council formed the Georgia AgPAC several years ago that utilizes member's donations to:

* Financially support the campaigns of political candidates who are supportive of agriculture;
* Educating elected officials and key decision makers on issues important to agribusiness;
* Advocacy of issues that advance our industry and rural communities

We ask for your financial support so that we can continue to fight on behalf of Georgia agribusiness interests. Campaign contributions from Georgia AgPAC is restricted to non-federal candidates in races for legislative and statewide offices. Georgia AgPAC needs your contribution to advance this initiative. 

Your corporate or personal commitment will help us prepare today. All donations are welcome. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 or click here to download the donation form to be a partner in this effort. 
SENATE PASSES "INFLATION REDUCTION ACT"
Information Provided by Ben Ayers - InSession Strategies
On Aug. 7, the Senate passed a pared-down version of Build Back Better, the Democrats’ wide ranging reconciliation package, by a vote of 51-50. Vice President Kamala Harris broke the tie on the straight party-line vote, after Democrats guided the legislation through a 15-hour vote-a-rama, a last-minute snag with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and several rules challenges.

The core of the legislation, dubbed the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” includes lowering some prescription drug prices, providing more than $300 billion into "climate change" and clean energy and imposing a 15 percent minimum tax on large corporations, plus a new 1 percent excise tax on stock buybacks. The bill also increases IRS enforcement and extends Obamacare subsidies through the 2024 election.

These are the major details regarding agriculture. For a full breakdown, please contact GAC staff.

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (Title II) Conservation (Subtitle B): The conservation subtitle would provide additional funding over four years for four existing farm bill conservation programs: $8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, $3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program, $1.4 billion for USDA conservation easements and $4.95 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Sec. 21001).
In addition, $1 billion would go to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for technical assistance and $300 million for a carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions quantification program (Sec. 21002). Rural Development and Agricultural Credit (Subtitle C): This subtitle would provide $1 billion for the cost of loans under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 for renewable energy loans, including electricity storage projects (Sec. 22001), and $1.18 billion for grants under the Rural Energy for America Program (Sec. 22002).
It would provide $500 million for USDA grants to increase the sale and use of agricultural commodity-based fuels through infrastructure improvements for blending, storing, supplying or distributing biofuels (Sec. 22003).
The subtitle would provide $9.7 billion for USDA assistance to rural electric cooperatives to help reduce their emissions (Sec. 22004) and $3.1 billion for aid to farm loan borrowers with at-risk agricultural operations (Sec. 22006). Among funds for underserved farmers, ranchers and foresters, the bill would provide $2.2 billion for farmers, ranchers or forest landowners determined to have experienced discrimination prior to 2021 in USDA farm lending programs (Sec. 22007).

Forestry (Subtitle D): The forestry subtitle would allocate $2.15 billion for National Forest System restoration and fuel-reduction projects (Sec. 23001), $550 million for grant programs targeted to non-federal forest landowners (Sec. 23002) and $2.2 billion for state and private forestry conservation programs (Sec. 23003).
JOINT CHAIRMEN'S AG ISSUES SUMMIT ANNOUNCED
GAC is excited to again be among the sponsors of the annual Ag Issues Summit held in Perry, GA on August 30th and hosted by Senate Ag Chairman Larry Walker and House Ag Chairman Robert Dickey. The full agenda will be released in the near future but this educational event is always packed with knowledgeable speakers that discuss the latest policy and regulatory issues facing agriculture in Georgia. The official invitation and directions to RSVP are listed below.
SOUTH DAKOTA SENATOR INTRODUCES FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY ACT
Senator John Thune (R-SD) was joined by many Senate Republicans to introduce the Food and Energy Security Act. This legislation would prohibit the Biden administration from imposing regulations that would drive up food, energy or gas prices. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, the proposed climate reporting rule. Specifically, the bill would require federal financial and securities regulators to estimate the impact of their rules on affected businesses involved in the agriculture or energy supply chains. 
 
The bill would prohibit federal regulators from implementing any rule that would increase food or energy prices if inflation is higher than 4.5%. Since the start of 2022, inflation has consistently been over 7% with the inflation rate hitting 9.1% in June—a four decade high.
 
The legislation was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND) Jim Risch (R-ID), and Mike Rounds (R-SD). 
Join us as we celebrate and support the GAC Foundation at the 47th annual Harvest Celebration at our NEW LOCATION! 

 Location: Classic Center • Athens, GA
 Date: Friday, November 18
 Schedule: Silent Auction & Field of Dreams Reception, 5:30pm • Dinner, 7:30pm • Entertainment, 9:00pm
Dress: Cocktail Attire

Host Hotels: 
Hyatt Place • 706/425-1800 • Book Here
 To receive the group discount, use code “G-HRV2”
Hilton Garden Inn • 706/353-6800 • Book Here


For more information or question please call the GAC office at 706/336-6830 or email Rebekah McDowell.
Early Bird Ticket Buyer Winners

Stay at the Hyatt Place November 18th:
Premium Peanut

1 of 4 Field of Dreams Ticket Books:
Cargill
Mar-Jac Poultry
Southwest Georgia Farm Credit
Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC
SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO REAUTHORIZE FEED THE FUTURE
Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chris Coons (D-DE), and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Global Food Security Act, which reauthorizes the “Feed the Future Initiative”, the U.S. government’s agricultural development program in low-income countries.
 
The legislation, which would extend Feed the Future through 2028, “comes as the world is grappling with an international food crisis, in part because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the senators said in a joint news release. 
 
The Global Food Security Act, which was first introduced by Casey in 2008, was passed into law in 2016 and reauthorized in 2018 for five years.
 
The senators said that, specifically, the Global Food Security Act authorizes appropriations through 2028 to carry out international development assistance programs and activities under the strategy. It requires the administration to develop a whole-of-government strategy to address global food insecurity and hunger. The bill would also require that the administration report to Congress and to the American people annually about the strategy, its results and the use of foreign assistance funds.
GPFES HOSTS SUCCESSFUL SUMMER CONFERENCE
Georgia Plant Food Educational Society (GPFES) held its annual summer meeting July 25-27 at the Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida. Updates were heard from Andy Jung with The Mosaic Company, Gary Vogan with YARA North America, Glenn Harris with UGA Tifton and Will Bentley with GAC. GPFES Attendees had the opportunity to attend Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Program training which supports GPFES's mission of continuing education. The meeting also included a 5k and fun run, large silent auction, banquet and dueling pianos. Longtime GPFES President and former GAC Chairman, Jimmy Champion, was also honored with the “Champion of Ag” award created in his memory.

GPFES serves as an information conduit between University of Georgia Researchers, Manufacturers, Dealers, Government agencies, and ultimately; growers. For more information about GPFES please contact georgiaplantfood@gmail.com.
Want to be featured in the AgOutlook and GAC Social Media?

GAC wants to highlight all the great things our members are doing throughout the state! We are looking for participants in member or event spotlights. If you are interested, please email Maggie Wooten or call the office at 706/336-6830.
SCHOLARSHIP
GAC is also proud to announce the release of the William C. "Bill" Baisley "Sumpin' Big" Scholarship applications for 2022. This $1000 scholarship is offered up to three students in need of financial assistance studying for an agricultural career at a college in Georgia. Mr. Baisley, longtime friend of GAC and Director Emeritus on our board of directors, has a passion for the future of agriculture and those looking to advance it. Bill used the phrase “sumpin big” as a way to move ideas forward. We honor him with this scholarship and look forward to helping a student that is moving our industry forward. Please share this scholarship application with a college student or high school senior in Georgia needing financial assistance and studying in the areas of agriculture or natural resources. The scholarship application is due postmarked to the GAC office on or before October 12, 2022. 

STAR SPONSOR TIME - ITS NOT TOO LATE
The 2022 GAC Star Sponsor program registration is now underway and its off to a good start. This program helps with events during the legislative session along with building support for a variety of projects and initiatives that cannot take place without the added participation. Star Sponsors are reflected in each of our newsletters, as posted on this page, along with the weekly legislative reports throughout each session of the Georgia General Assembly, monthly newsletters, and more. Click here for 2022 Star Sponsor registration information and email Jill Hansard or call the GAC office at 706-336-6830. Thank you!
ASMARK INSTITUTE - Safe & Sound Online Training 

The Safe & Sound Online Training Management tool is ideal for organizations seeking a comprehensive training solution that incorporates advanced technologies to help manage their employee training from start to finish, simplifying and streamlining the process.

Other features include:

  • Thirty-one ag-specific topics on DVD, licensed for on-site use
  • Manage your employee list
  • Order personalized new hire, re-hire, or supplemental training kits
  • Track results on your personal dashboard
  • And much more!

Click here for more information. This link will take your members directly to our website to learn more about the Safe & Sound Online Training Management tool.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August
September
The thirty-fourth annual Georgia Peanut Tour will be held September 13-15, 2022, in Tifton, Georgia, and the surrounding area. The tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Tour stops will be made in several peanut producing counties surrounding Tifton.
 
Attendees can expect to see first-hand nearly every aspect of peanut production in the state. This year’s tour hosts many exciting stops including on-farm harvest demonstrations and clinics, as well as, research at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus.
 
The Georgia Peanut Commission, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the USDA-ARS National Peanut Laboratory coordinate the tour.
 
Registration is $125 prior to Aug. 5. Visit www.georgiapeanuttour.com for more info.
October
The Georgia National Fair will be held October 6th-16th, 2022. For more information click here.
The Sunbelt Ag Expo is an agricultural-based trade show held at Spence Field in Moultrie, Ga. Known as “North America’s Premier Farm Show”® the annual event has more than 1200 exhibitors showcasing the latest in farming technology. Whether you are a large acreage production farmer or a weekend lifestyle farmer the Expo is an event you don’t want to miss. For more information click here.
Ag Technologies dba Vantage Southeast
Brooksco Dairy LLC
Bulloch Gin Inc.
Carroll EMC
DeWitt Produce Co., Inc.
Docia Farms Partnership
Embry Farm Service
Georgia Cotton Commission
Georgia Crop Production Alliance
Georgia Development Authority
Georgia Young Farmers Association
Greg Sikes Farm, LLC
Hattaway Farms Ptr.
International Forest Co., Inc.
Kelley Manufacturing Co.
LG Herndon Jr. Farms Inc.
Leatherbrook Holsteins LLC
Mercier Orchards
Mixon Seed Services Inc.
Mobley Greenhouses Inc.
NG Turf, Inc.
Nut Tree Pecan Nursery
Rural Jobs Coalition
Southern Woods Plantation, Inc.
Striplings General Store
Suttons Mill LLC
Synovus 
The Turfgrass Group, Inc.
TriEst Ag Group, Inc.
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
WDairy LLC
WHEE
AgSouth Services, Inc.
Barrington Dairy, LLC
Bay Branch Farms, Inc.
BCT Gin Co. Inc.
Boston Gin Co.
Broken Antler Farms
Burriss Law Group, LLC
Circle C Farms Inc.
CLW Harvesting LLC
Coley Gin & Fertilizer Co.
Cotton Partners LLC
Curry Farm Supply Inc.
Deep South Farm Center, LLC
Duvall Livestock Market, LP
Emanuel Peanut & Grain LLC
GA Assoc. of Conservation Districts
GA Assoc. of County Agricultural Agents
Georgia Christmas Tree Association
Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Inc.
Georgia Food Bank Association Inc.
Georgia Peach Council
Georgia Pork Producers Association
Georgia Seed Association Inc.
Georgia Vocational Ag Teacher Association
Georgia Women in Agriculture Association Inc.
Hazel Creek Cider, Inc. / Yearwood Farms, Inc.
Hillside Orchard Farms Inc.
Hulsey Farm Services
Israel Farm Supply, Inc.
J & B Irrigation Inc.
KAKEGA LLC
Lenox Peanut Company
Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority
Northeast Georgia Livestock
Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Omega Farms
P.G.C. Farms
Patrick Family Farms, LLC
Peebles Timber, Inc./ Longleaf LLC / Peebles Land LLLP
Quality Gin, Inc.
RAJ Farms Inc.
Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc
Samara Plantation LLC
Shealy Farms, Inc.
Shiloh Farms
Southeastern Sod, Inc.
Southern AGCOM Inc.
Southern Crop Production Association
Southern Livestock
Southern Seed Company, Inc.
Southern Specialty Equipment
Sweet Corn Co-Op
Tri-County Gin, Inc.
UGA Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication
Vidalia Onion Business Council
Wild Ridge LLC
Williams Produce, Inc.

Special thanks to all of our Star Sponsors. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 for details. Thank you!
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