Monthly Newsletter for Georgia Agribusiness Council Members

November 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.

AGRIBUSINESS ISSUES ARE ON THE BALLOT - GO VOTE

It's not every day that Georgians have an opportunity to vote on a policy issue that has a direct impact on Georgia's number one industry. As a result of the two most recent legislative sessions; when voters head to the polls in Georgia this fall, they'll see two referendums on their ballots that will impact both family farms and timber operations. It’s our duty as an industry to remain active and engaged in the political process. We hope that all GAC members will ask your employees, family members, and friends to do the duty that lies nearest this week and vote “YES” on Referendum A and Referendum B


Our partners at the Georgia Forestry Association noted that Referendum A, will provide an annual ad valorem (property) tax exemption for equipment used for managing, harvesting and replanting forests, an exemption that has been extended to owners of farm equipment for decades. For more information on Referendum A, click here


Referendum B would allow farm partnerships between multiple family farms who may not be directly related to utilize the same ad valorem exemptions that individual family farms currently receive. The exemptions would be allowed as long as each member of the partnership would have qualified for them on their own outside of the partnership. GAC, Georgia Farm Bureau, and other stakeholder groups believe this measure will allow small farms to share in the cost of expensive equipment and facilities. It would also allow new and small farmers to make future investments needed to continue to stay on the land.


We ask that you encourage your friends and neighbors to support "Referendum B". To learn more about Referendum B, click here to view the segment produced b the Georgia Farm Monitor that aired last week. 

HARVEST CELEBRATION APPROACHING MAXIMUM CAPACITY: LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE 


 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


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

Click Here to Order Tickets!

Attending Harvest Celebration? Please fill out the RSVP Form and return it to Rebekah McDowell by Friday, November 4th.

Thank you to our other table and ticket sponsors!

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
  • AgAmerica Lending
  • AgGeorgia Farm Credit
  • AgSouth Farm Credit
  • Ameris Bank
  • Atlantic & Southern Equipment
  • BASF Corporation
  • Big Bend Agri-Services
  • Birdsong Peanut Corp
  • Brooksco Dairy
  • C.M. Tanner Grocery Co
  • Cal-Maine Foods
  • Chestatee Chattachoochee RC&D Council Inc
  • CNI             
  • Color Burst  
  • Corteva Agriscience
  • Dickey Farms Inc
  • Elarbee Thompson
  • Farmers Exchange
  • Georgia 4-H Foundation
  • Georgia Agricultural Education
  • Georgia Cattlemen's Association
  • Georgia Chamber of Commerce
  • Georgia Cooperative Extension
  • Georgia Development Authority
  • Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
  • Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Inc
  • Georgia FFA Foundation
  • Georgia Foresty Association
  • Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
  • Georgia Green Industry Association
  • Georgia Milk Producers Inc
  • Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter
  • Georgia Pecan Growers Association
  • Georgia Plant Food Educational Society, Inc.
  • Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts
  • Jackson EMC         
  • Jaemor Farms
  • John Deere  
  • John Henry Dorminy Family Properties
  • KAKEGA LLC        
  • L.L. Rogers and Son, Inc
  • Lewis Taylor Farms, Inc
  • Longleaf Ridge Farms
  • Mar-Jac Poultry, Inc
  • McLendon Acres, Inc
  • Newton Crouch Company
  • NG Turf, Inc 
  • North Georgia Technical College
  • plain.stated LLC
  • R and R Seeds, Inc
  • Southeastern Minerals, Inc
  • Southern Belle Farm, Inc
  • Southwest Georgia Farm Credit
  • Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition
  • Sutherland's Food Service
  • Synovus      
  • Triangle Chemical Company
  • UGA Innovation Gateway
  • University of Georgia CAES Alumni Assoc
  • Vidalia Onion Committee
  • Woodruff & Howe Environmental Engineering, Inc
  • Wooten Farms

2022 GEORGIA AG LABOR FORUM OPEN TO GAC MEMBERS

The Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum returns to Tifton, GA, November 9-10, 2022, in a new location at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture. The annual forum provides 2 full days of updates and discussion for agricultural employers with regulators and leading experts from the ag labor industry. The format and design of the event allows ag employers, HR managers, and administrators to have active discussions on how to navigate the ever-evolving challenge of finding and maintaining a consistent workforce in a complex regulatory environment.

 

Chris Butts of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) noted the importance of the forum. “The forum presents ag employers with a unique opportunity to hear directly from regulators, fellow business owners, labor attorneys, and labor consultants. Our presenters are recognized leaders in helping employers understand complex compliance and regulatory issues. Ag employers use this information to provide safe and healthy work environments and to ensure they are meeting the needs of both domestic and guest workers. If the success of your ag business depends on a consistent and reliable workforce, this forum will help you in that quest.”

 

The conference is made possible by the support of groups representing the wide variety of food and fiber produced and processed by Georgia’s leading industry, Agriculture. “The partners that make this event possible are names we know and trust and represent a broad mix of industry segments. We are proud to partner with these organizations to bring this important information to all Georgians involved in Agriculture,” said Butts.

Register Here

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. 

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.
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

January

2023

Georgia Dairy Conference

January 16-18 I Savannah

For more information Click Here

February

Upcoming GAC Events



GAC's Annual Meeting will be held on January 31, 2023 at the Georgia Aquarium


GAC's Legislative Breakfast will be held on February 1, 2023 at the Georgia Freight Depot


More Information Coming Soon!

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.

American Peanut Shellers Association

Barrington Dairy, LLC

Bay Branch Farms, Inc.

BCT Gin Co. Inc.

Boston Gin Co.

Broken Antler Farms

Burriss Law Group, LLC

Centurion Poultry Inc.

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

Food Safety Net Services

Funston Gin Co. Inc.

Georgia 4-H Foundation

GA Assoc. of Conservation Districts

GA Assoc. of County Agricultural Agents

Georgia Cattlemen's Association

Georgia Christmas Tree Association

Georgia Crop Improvement Assoc.

Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Inc.

Georgia FFA Association

Georgia Food Bank Association Inc.

Georgia Milk Producers Inc.

Georgia Peach Council

Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Inc.

Georgia Pork Producers Association

Georgia Poultry Federation

Georgia Seed Association Inc.

Georgia Vocational Ag Teacher Association

Georgia Watermelon 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

National Peanut Buying Points Assn.

Northeast Georgia Livestock

Oglethorpe Power Corporation

Omega Farms

P.G.C. Farms

Patrick Family Farms, LLC

Peebles Timber, Inc./ Longleaf LLC / Peebles Land LLLP

Pike Creek Turf, Inc.

Quality Gin, Inc.

RAJ Farms Inc.

Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc

Samara Plantation LLC

Shealy Farms, Inc.

Shiloh Farms

Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association

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
CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP TO GEORGIA'S STRONGEST INDUSTRY
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