Recent News Releases
March 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jennifer Whittaker, (478) 474-0679, ext. 5334
AGRICULTURE WEEK SPOTLIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS FARMING MAKES TO GEORGIA
MACON, Ga. – Georgia farmers not only grow our food and clothes but they also make a significant contribution to the state’s economy. According to the USDA, there are almost 48,000 farms in Georgia that produce annual sales of more than $1,000 with an average farm size of 212 acres. Georgia has 10.5 million acres of farmland.
To celebrate the industry, Gov. Sonny Perdue has designated March 14-20 as Georgia Agriculture Week and has designated March 16 as Georgia Ag Awareness Day, when his Agricultural Advisory Committee will host an Ag Awareness Celebration at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta. Georgia’s weeklong celebration coincides with National Agriculture Week. National Agriculture Day is March 20.
“By celebrating Agriculture Week and Ag Day, we hope to help Georgians understand that their food is being grown by farmers, like myself, who take pride in caring for our animals and protecting the soil, water and air on our farms that’s necessary to grow nutritious, safe food for our public consumers,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall, who is a member of Gov. Perdue’s Agricultural Advisory Committee.
Representatives from every segment of Georgia agriculture will participate in the statewide ag celebration that starts at 11 a.m. with food, music and exhibits highlighting the many facets of the industry. Farm equipment and a live milking demonstration will be displayed outside the depot.
The five district winners of the Governor’s Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Award will be recognized during a program beginning at 12:30 p.m., when a state winner will be named. This award honors farmers who have adopted farming practices that protect the soil, water and air on their farms. The district winners are Early D. Barrs of Bleckley County, Stanley Corbett of Echols County, Jamie Jordan of Floyd County, Wayne McKinnon of Coffee County and Keith Nichols of Stephens County. Gov. Perdue will also announce winners of the Flavor of Georgia Food Contest, which recognizes food products made with Georgia-grown ingredients. 3
Georgia agriculture makes a significant contribution to the state’s economy. Food and fiber production and related businesses represent the largest or second largest segment of all goods and services produced in two-thirds of Georgia’s counties, a report released by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED) shows.
“Agriculture not only produces food and clothes, but it also provides jobs, which is very important in our current economic situation,” Duvall added. “Without farmers, Georgia can’t grow!”
According to the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED), the most recent statistics show that in 2008, Georgia agriculture had a total economic impact of $65 billion on the state economy and created more than 351,000 jobs.
Georgia ranks first in the nation in the production of broiler chickens, peanuts, pecans, rye and spring onions according to the USDA Agricultural Statistics Service. Nationwide, Georgia is also a leading producer of cotton, cucumbers, snap beans, cantaloupes, sweet corn, bell peppers, blueberries, peaches, watermelons, cabbage and squash.
The top 10 agricultural commodities grown in Georgia, based on their 2008 farm gate value, are: broilers, eggs, cotton, peanuts, timber, horses, beef, dairy, greenhouse horticulture products and corn. The farm gate value of these commodities, the value of the commodities farmers sell, are collected and ranked by the UGA CAED.
“Most people don’t have direct contact with farms, so there are a lot of misconceptions about agriculture out there these days,” Duvall said. “This week gives consumers a chance to learn the truth about agriculture and how their food is grown.”
For example, it’s a common misconception that large corporate farms produce half of the food Americans consume. USDA statistics show non-family corporations produce only six percent of the food grown in the U.S. Family partnerships or family-owned corporations produce the remaining 94 percent of American-grown food. Farm families often form partnerships or corporations for legal and business reasons, but they’re still family farms, not factory farms. Non-family corporations only own one percent of U.S. farms.
The average farmer produces enough food and fiber for 155 people in the United States and abroad. This is a good thing because less land is devoted to farming than it was a generation ago and the number of farmers continues to decline. Farms that specialize in selling locally grown food directly to consumers are a great asset for communities, but there is still a need for farms that efficiently produce large quantities of food to feed our growing population.
“The world’s population is expected to increase from six billion to 11 billion people by 2050, which means world food demand will almost double in the next forty years,” Duvall said. “To grow enough food, farmers will have to continue to rely on scientific advances that improve our yields and the quality of our crops and livestock. Decisions related to how food is produced need to be based on research, not misconceptions. ”
Farmers do a lot to ensure that the food that reaches consumers is safe, like providing adequate food, water and medical care to protect the health of their animals.
“I understand that the chickens and cattle I raise on my farm are going to end up on the plates of families just like mine,” Duvall said. “I do everything I can to ensure my animals are well cared for so that they produce a healthy food product not only for the public, but for my family, too.”
Farmers also provide shelter appropriate to their farming operation to protect their animals from disease, injury and predators. National and state quality assurance programs provide farmers with guidelines for the production of safe, wholesome animals, including recommendations on necessary animal handling and facilities.
“The standard of care we provide our animals and production practices we follow is based on the recommendations of animal scientists at leading agricultural colleges who have conducted research to determine the best way to raise healthy, productive animals,” Duvall said.
Founded in 1937, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization. Its volunteer members actively participate in activities that promote agriculture awareness to their non-farming neighbors.
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February 24, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Don McGough, (800) 342-1192
GFB ENCOURAGES TOBACCO GROWERS TO SUPPORT TOBACCO COMMISSION IN REFERENDUM
MACON, Ga. – Georgia tobacco producers are urged to vote in the referendum for the Georgia Tobacco Commission that runs from Feb. 24 to March 25, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall recently announced. The referendum gives tobacco producers the opportunity to determine if they want to continue the 48-year-old commission.
Georgia tobacco producers have until March 25 to return their mail ballots. Ballots for the referendum were mailed to eligible growers in February. Any eligible tobacco grower who has misplaced the ballot mailed to them or who has not received a ballot may request one by calling the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 1-800-282-5852.
“The Georgia Tobacco Commission has served Georgia tobacco growers well for 48 years funding research, promotion and educational programs for the benefit of Georgia’s tobacco industry,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said. “Georgia Farm Bureau encourages all tobacco producers to participate in this referendum and support the Commission so it can continue to work for Georgia tobacco growers.”
Under state law, Georgia tobacco producers must vote every three years to determine if they want to continue the Commission. In order for the Tobacco Commission to continue for another three years, 66 2/3 percent of tobacco growers who vote in the referendum must approve the commission.
The commission is comprised of five grower members - Chairman Fred Wetherington of Lowndes County, Daryl Metts of Coffee County, Paul Folsom of Lanier County, Daniel Johnson of Pierce County and Ricky Tucker of Berrien County – and ex officio members Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin and Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.
“During these critical times that our industry is facing, it is more important than ever to have grower support for our on-going tobacco research and education programs,” Wetherington said. “We must ensure that Georgia’s tobacco quality and yields stay competitive with other growing regions.”
The commission has funded research that includes the testing of flue-cured seed varieties, sucker control trials, black shank and nematode management, and multiple on-farm tests of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The commission’s main research objective continues to be researching production practices and treatments that will reduce symptoms of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus.
For more information about commission activities call 229-386-3468.
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February 19, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jennifer Whittaker, (478) 474-0679, ext. 5334
FARM BUREAU FOOD CHECK-OUT WEEK FOCUSES ON NUTRITION
MACON, Ga. – As the economic crisis continues, Americans continue to closely watch their budgets, including what they spend on groceries. Farm Bureau is helping consumers become more aware of how to stretch their grocery dollars during Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 21-27.
The good news is that according to a recent study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the cost of eating healthy hasn’t changed as much as the cost of less-healthy alternatives. A March 2008 USDA report shows that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruits and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack foods, such as chips, ice cream and cola.
“Every penny counts these days so it’s important that we spend our money wisely when we shop,” Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chairman Cathy Barber said. “To get the most nutritious food with less money, dieticians recommend setting a food budget, planning balanced meals, making a list and shopping at competitively priced grocery stores.”
A healthy diet includes a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low fat or fat-free dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts within daily calorie needs. Anyone interested in learning more about making healthy food choices should visit www.mypyramid.gov to consult the USDA food guidance system. The USDA nutrition program provides a personalized approach to healthy eating and physical activity. You can enter your age, gender and activity level to develop a personalized food plan that will indicate the daily amounts of each food group you should consume at an appropriate calorie level.
Based on a 2,000-calorie diet for adults and a 1,800-calorie diet for kids, the USDA recommends that adults and children eat six ounces of grains (cereals, breads, crackers, popcorn, rice or pasta) every day. One ounce is about one slice of bread, one cup of cereal or 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta. Whole grains should make up at least half of your grain consumption. Look for the words whole grains in the ingredient list.
The USDA recommends adults and children eat 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day, especially dark-green veggies like broccoli and spinach. Orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes are also recommended. Adults should eat two cups of fruit a day, and kids should eat 1 1/2 cups a day. Fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruits can help you meet this goal. The USDA advises eating fruit instead of drinking fruit juices. Be sure that the juices you do drink are 100% juice. Buy fresh produce when it’s in season and costs less, and buy frozen fruits and vegetables when they’re not in season to stretch your grocery dollars.
Because calcium is an important nutrient for adults and children, the USDA recommends that both consume three cups of dairy products a day. The USDA says two cups a day is enough for kids age two to eight. Select low fat or fat-free milk products. If you are lactose intolerant, choose lactose-free products or other foods rich in calcium such as canned salmon or leafy greens. Many non-dairy foods, such as cereals and orange juice, are fortified with calcium.
The USDA recommends that adults eat 5 1/2 ounces of meat a day and that kids eat five. Lean cuts of meat and poultry make excellent sources of protein as do fish and nuts. Low-fat beef is an excellent source of essential nutrients such as iron and B-vitamins. Peanuts and pecans are also excellent sources of protein that provide antioxidants and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Now in its 12th year, Food Check-Out Week also highlights America’s safe, abundant and affordable food supply, made possible by America’s farmers. According to the most recent information from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, American families and individuals spend, on average, less than 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food. In comparison, French consumers spend 14 percent; Chinese consumers spend 35 percent and Indonesian consumers spend 46 percent.
“Farmers are consumers, too, and we are feeling the impact of the economic crisis through higher fuel and input costs, “ said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “Although you may be seeing higher retail prices for your food, please remember that on average, farmers only receive 19 cents out of every dollar spent on food. The rest of the food cost covers wages and materials for food processing, marketing, transportation and distribution. Recent food price increases are due primarily to higher energy costs associated with processing, hauling and refrigerating food products.”
To celebrate the safe and abundant food supply Georgia farmers produce, the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is encouraging each county Farm Bureau to collect donations to assist families needing food assistance at the county level and for the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta. During February, county Farm Bureau Women’s Committees across Georgia have been collecting money or staple food items to make food donations. Half of the donations collected by the county committees will stay in the county for local food assistance programs while the other half will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta by the GFB Women’s Committee on behalf of county Farm Bureau Women’s Committees across the state.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment. Food is a primary need at each of these houses.
Each year the GFB Women’s Committee rotates the state focus to a different Ronald McDonald House. In the previous four years the committee made donations to the Ronald McDonald Houses of Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah and Macon.
Founded in 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau has county chapters in 158 of Georgia’s counties. Its volunteer members actively participate in local, district and state activities that promote agriculture awareness to their non-farming neighbors. GFB also has 20 commodity advisory committees that give the organization input on issues pertinent to the major commodities grown in Georgia.
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