GFB MEMBERS DELIVER DIFFICULT MESSAGES TO STATE LEGISLATORS
Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol, held Feb. 10 in Atlanta, was lauded as a highlight of the Georgia General Assembly’s legislative calendar, and GFB’s leaders received warm welcomes all around. Proclamations were issued in both the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate, and state constitutional officers praised GFB for its efforts to engage with elected officials. GFB took nearly 600 members from around the state to visit the Gold Dome, interacting with legislators outside the House and Senate chambers and at lunch in the Georgia Freight Depot.
“We’re the only group that comes here and fills the Depot from wall to wall,” GFB President McCall told the assembled GFB members and guest legislators at lunch, where the GFB group also heard messages from Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
McCall, along with his wife, Jane, and GFB Vice Presidents Daniel Johnson and Ralph Caldwell, received the House and Senate proclamations. McCall, who served in the Georgia House for 26 years, was widely celebrated during visits to both chambers.
While meeting with their legislators, GFB’s farmer members delivered a somber message to legislators: The state’s farmers and ranchers are in dire straits, and they need help.
“The past few years in agriculture have put unprecedented pressure on all our producers,” GFB President Tom McCall said. “From the generational losses brought by Hurricane Helene coupled with the severe economic downturn, the past few years have brought challenges that most of today’s farmers have never faced in their lifetime.”
GFB’s priority issue, shared with members who were asked to pass it on to their legislators, is the financial sustainability of Georgia’s farms. In 2025, Georgia farmers sustained approximately $800 million in lost profits, and farm production costs have exceeded farm revenue in 11 of the past 14 years. The United States incurred a $50 million ag trade deficit in 2025. Stagnant prices and increasing costs suggest a negative outlook for most of Georgia’s major crops.
According to an agricultural lender survey conducted by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac, less than 45% of agricultural borrowers were profitable in 2025, with no expectation of improvement in 2026.
Georgia’s legislators were asked to support the state’s farmers by: February 12, 2026
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• Strengthening existing domestic markets using agricultural commodities and incentivizing new ones.
• Investing in research to create advanced and innovative products from ag commodities.
• Creating a healthy business climate where farmers have access to resources that are reliable and affordable to allowed continued farming.
Harper praised Georgia’s farmers for their resilience and emphasized the importance of cultivating relationships with legislators.
“It's just an honor to join you for a day that matters, because agriculture matters and the people that help make it happen matter,” Harper said. “Those of you that are just up on your own, members, thank you because Your [Farm Bureau] membership matters, your advocacy matters, your work matters.”
Burns discussed ag-related initiatives in the House, including more funding for Helene relief for farmers and forestland owners. He also talked about troubles in the forestry sector, where mill closures and global economic pressures have farmers and legislators alike searching for answers.
Burns said the state is asking the Trump Administration for tweaks to U.S. tariff policy to ease farmers’ export challenges. Specifically, the request is for a 90-day notice before a tariff action takes effect, which would allow agricultural and forest products to leave U.S. ports and arrive at their destinations without tariffs impacting their costs on either end.
EPA REREGISTERS DICAMBA USE FOR TWO YEARS IN COTTON & SOYBEANS
On Feb. 6, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced new, two-year registrations for three dicamba products: Engenia, Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology, and XtendiMax, for over-the-top use in dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans. This begins with the 2026 crop.
Dicamba is an extremely important herbicide for producers to combat problematic weed species such as Palmer amaranth (pigweed) and morning glory. Visit https://gfb.ag/epadicamba to read the EPA’s full statement.
Georgia Farm Bureau expressed appreciation for the EPA’s science-based process used in the registration process.
“Georgia farmers welcome the EPA’s new, much-needed Dicamba registration. This essential tool helps prevent resistance & protects yields,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall said. “Georgia remains a leader in safe use through extensive training requirements, and we appreciate the EPA prioritizing both farmers and the environment.”
Farmers should closely read the dicamba product labels to ensure they are aware of any differences from previous product labels and should regularly check the EPA’s Bulletins Live! Two website for any changes regarding pesticide use limitation areas. Producers and other stakeholders need be on the lookout for any announcements from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and UGA Cooperative Extension Service regarding producer/applicator trainings such as Using Pesticides Wisely.
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INAUGURAL CLASS OF LEADERSHIP GFB NAMED
Twelve Georgia Farm Bureau members from across the state are participating in the inaugural Leadership GFB class. Those selected for the program based on their applications and interviews are: Toni Gaines, Bartow County; Garrett Hart, Hart County; Stephanie Branch Rabun County; Angie Roberts, McDuffie County; Luke Andrews, Lamar County; Gregg Hendrix, Evans County; Sara Beth Studstill, Wilcox County; Colt Calhoun, Miller County; Mattie Boyles, Thomas County; David Morgan, Pierce County; Owen Paulk, Irwin County; and Liz Danforth, Lowndes County.
Leadership GFB kicked off its year of programs, designed to develop stronger advocates for agriculture, with a retreat Feb. 8-9 at the Georgia FFA/FCCLA Center near Covington. On Feb. 10, Leadership GFB members attended Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol.
Anna Strickland, owner of Harper & Mary Strategies, facilitated the first retreat during which class members took personality assessments to learn their strengths and weaknesses and how they can use their strengths to be better leaders.
“Our members asked for a program like this, especially those who have aged out of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Program, but Leadership GFB is open to all Farm Bureau members over 21 years old,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “This program is about ensuring that when ag policy debates heat up, Farm Bureau has leaders ready to speak up for Georgia farmers. We’ve got participants representing a variety of commodities and ag professions. We’re excited to watch the class members sharpen their speaking and leadership skills to be prepared to represent us.”
GFB announced the program last October and took applications until Nov. 10. Applicants were interviewed in December and the class announced Feb. 5.
Leadership GFB will equip rising and current GFB leaders with the tools needed to successfully advocate for agriculture, develop their leadership skills, and embody the organization’s grassroots mission. Participants will attend sessions focused on leadership development, understanding the county, state and national structure of Farm Bureau and how the organization represents farmers on the state and federal level, and the importance of educating students and consumers about agriculture
The program will offer professional networking opportunities and expand the agricultural knowledge of members to develop a team of trained advocates who can function as an outreach team.
In April, Leadership GFB participants will travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the American Farm Bureau headquarters and receive advocacy training, visit members of Georgia’s U.S. Congressional delegation, federal agencies and a foreign embassy.
In June, the class will take a deep dive into Georgia Farm Bureau operations and programs and receive social media and communications training. In August, the class will tour farms and agribusinesses in North Georgia. Class participants will tour farms and agribusinesses in South Georgia in October and visit Sunbelt Ag Expo. The 2026 program will conclude at the GFB Convention in December.
GFB Women’s Leadership Coordinator Heather King and GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Coordinator Levi Davis are overseeing Leadership GFB.
FARM CHAPTER 12 BANKRUPTCIES IN 2025 UP 46% FROM 2024
AFBF Market Intel
In 2025, Chapter 12 bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row, reaching 315 filings in 2025. This is a 46% increase from 2024, according to analysis from American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economists published in the Feb. 9 AFBF Market Intel.
“We know we’ve seen declining receipts for four years now, and we’re just starting to see that second year in a row of increases in bankruptcies,” Market Intel author Samantha Ayoub told AFBF Newsline “Secondly, a majority of farms actually don’t qualify for Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies. In order to qualify, you have to make the majority of your family income from farming.”
The Midwest filed 121 and Southeast filed 105 Chapter 12 cases in 2025, far outpacing any other regions. Deep crop losses across commodities common in these two regions have compounded after years of declining receipts and rising expenses.
In Georgia, 27 farm operations filed for bankruptcy in 2025, up from 11 in 2024.
Families must earn the majority of their income from farming to qualify for Chapter 12. As offfarm income has become more important for family benefits and supporting farms during economic downturns, many family farms are not eligible for Chapter 12 bankruptcies and may have to close altogether when debt and operating expenses become too great.
Looking ahead to another year of challenges in the farm economy, indicators of farm financial health are under close inspection. Filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy is a last resort for farmers who have undertaken large debt to continue operating with increased flexibility for payments. AFBF Market Intel reports have long followed annual filings of Chapter 12 family farm bankruptcies, and the uptick in 2025 is another reminder of the strain American farmers and ranchers face.
The U.S. Courts report that 315 farm bankruptcies were filed nationwide in calendar year 2025, up 46% from 2024. While still down from recent highs, this is the second year in a row of increased filings. Chapter 12 also does not reflect larger trends in farm closures that may be the only option for certain struggling operations.
Declining Farm Receipts Drive Local Increases
The most recent farm income forecast confirmed that the farm economy has faced extreme financial pressure, with little relief in sight. Significant losses are expected across crop sectors for another year, and many livestock sectors are also tightening margins. The Midwest and Southeast each filed 121 and 105 Chapter 12 cases, respectively, far outpacing any other regions. This is a 70% increase in filings for the Midwest, and a 69% increase in the Southeast.
Deep losses across commodities common in these two regions have compounded after years of declining receipts and rising expenses. For example, rice farmers are expected to lose over $200 per acre in loss, even after supplemental assistance. The nation’s leading rice-producing state, Arkansas, leads the U.S. in Chapter 12 filings in 2025 with 33 filings, more than double 2024 and the most in the state in the 21st century. Georgia follows with 27 filings, up 145% from 2024, reflecting both losses per acre in principal row crops and limited support for high-cost specialty crop production. Other Southeast states with double-digit bankruptcies include Texas and Louisiana with 12 each, and Florida with a 200% increase from 2024 to 16 filings.
In the Midwest, principal row crop losses combined with weakening dairy, hog and poultry markets have led to double-digit Chapter 12 filings in Iowa (18, +220%), Nebraska (17, +29%), Missouri (16, +167%), Wisconsin (16, +700%), Minnesota (13, +300%) and Kansas (11, +10%).
Other states with significant increases in filings in 2025 include Montana, with 200% more filings, and Pennsylvania with a 160% increase in filings. While California was unchanged from 2024, they tie for fourth-highest number of filings with 17 in 2025, reflecting continued price and cost pressures on their diverse agricultural industries.
Another Sign of a Struggling Farm Economy
Farm bankruptcy filings are a lagging indicator that spike when prolonged financial pressures push farms to explore last resorts. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, farmers are taking out more operating loans for larger amounts and taking longer to repay them. USDA estimates that total farm debt will rise 5.2% to a record $624.7 billion in 2026, highlighting the financial backing farmers need under current conditions.
This is driven especially by the need for additional lines of credit simply to cover input costs, rather than business investments. Nearly 40% more new farm operating loans were opened in the fourth quarter of 2025 than in 2024. At the individual farm level, the average operating loan in 2025 was 30% larger with an average maturity, or payment length, three months longer than 2024. For machinery and equipment loans specifically, the average maturity hit the highest level since 2021, signaling how difficult it is to invest in operational upgrades. On top of this drastic need for credit to get through the year, interest rates remain above decade averages, with interest expenses expected to reach a record $33 billion in 2026 across the farm economy.
All of these credit and debt factors rare stretching farmers and ranchers to the brink. With expected financial pressures into the future, Chapter 12 provides an opportunity to better manage the debt loads that have kept operations afloat.
Chapter 12 Bankruptcy not Always an Option
However, Many farms do not qualify for Chapter 12. Particularly in down years, off-farm income has become a crucial resource for many farms to provide benefits for their families and support their farming enterprise. Yet, earning most of your income from off-farm employment disqualifies farmers from Chapter 12. So, many families may face the even more difficult decision to sell land, limit production or close their farm altogether. This continues the alarming rate of farm loss in the United States, with over 160,000 farms closing between 2017 and 2024.
Conclusion
Increases in Chapter 12 bankruptcies once again highlight the continued pressures American farmers and ranchers face. A fourth consecutive year of expected declines in farm income will continue to strain agriculture, placing further reliance on credit options that are growing thin. For many families, excessive debt loads could be met with little flexibility as Chapter 12 eligibility prohibits them from using the tool specifically designed to accommodate downturns in the farm economy. Instead, it is likely that increases in both bankruptcy and farm closures will continue, further straining the remaining farms – and the food, fiber and fuel supply chain for all Americans.
GFA ANNOUNCES WINNERS IN 2025 FALL STEM CHALLENGE
Georgia elementary classes in third through fifth grades were invited to enter the fall 2025 Georgia Ag Experience STEM Challenge, “Get More with Less” to put their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to work. Special education classes, homeschool groups, and community or after-school groups, along with third through fifth-grade students, participated in the fall Stem Challenge.
The statewide competition, sponsored by the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), is part of the GFA's Georgia Ag Experience mobile classroom outreach program. Moving forward, the Georgia Ag Experience STEM Challenge will be an annual fall event.
Students explored the use of hydroponics and engaged students in designing systems that grow food using nutrient-rich water instead of soil, and household and classroom items in a limited space. As part of the challenge, students documented their observations in journals and videoed the process of designing the system and the plant growth.
First-place winners were selected in five categories: after-school and homeschool groups, special needs, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. The top winners received a prize package totaling $350 for their class.
3rd Grade: Glynn County at Satilla Marsh Elementary, led by Katie Cheeks, used a variety of techniques that were well thought out, with a fun and musical presentation.
4th Grade: Coweta County at Heritage School, led by Elizabeth Lewis, used recycled materials to build their hydroponics systems and developed diagrams and detailed engineering techniques.
5th Grade: Jackson County at West Jackson Elementary, led by Emily Wibel, students used detailed research, planning, building, testing, and rethinking phases. Their research extended into water conservation and other benefits of hydroponic farming.
Special Needs: Douglas County at Bill Arp Elementary, led by Andrea McKellar developed a vertical bottle tower that grew an abundance of lettuce. The students used rockwool insulation and cotton in their systems.
Home School/After School: Henry County at Imagine the View Preparatory, led by Kaylen Cathey designed an efficient and well-thought-out method using plastic foam coolers. Their video presentation was very informative, and the design was creative.
USDA COMPLETES NWS STERILE FLY DISPERSAL FACILITY IN TEXAS
The USDA has completed its U.S.-based sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg,Texas, part of the federal government’s efforts to prevent the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS) into the U.S. This facility expands USDA’s ability to disperse sterile flies along the border and into the United States, if necessary. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made the announcement Feb. 9.
There have been no reported cases of NWS in the U.S. On Dec. 27, 2025, Mexico reported an NWS case in a six-day-old calf approximately 197 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Action USDA is taking to fight NWS
Rollins said the department is conducting trapping and surveillance efforts along the border and working to stop the pest’s spread in Mexico.
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In June 2025, the USDA announced a sweeping five-pronged plan to enhance USDA’s ability to detect, control, and eliminate NWS. As part of that announcement, she also shared plans to build this sterile NWS fly dispersal facility in South Texas. The completion of the facility further expands the network of dispersal facilities through Central America and Mexico and solidifies the increased preparedness offered by having a U.S.-based facility.
On Jan. 30, USDA announced a shift in its 100-million-per-week sterile fly dispersal efforts to reinforce coverage along the U.S.-Mexico border. The sterile flies for this effort will initially be dispersed from the facility in Tampico, Mexico, about 330 miles south of South Padre Island, Texas, on the gulf coast. The USDA indicated it is prepared to quickly and strategically shift operations to the new Texas facility should there be a change in the location or new concentration of NWS cases in northern Mexico.
Sterile insect technique, when paired with surveillance, animal movement restrictions, and education and outreach, is a proven and effective tool for controlling and eradicating NWS. Female NWS flies only mate once in their lives, so if they mate with a sterile male, they lay unfertilized eggs that don’t hatch. Releasing sterile flies just outside of affected areas helps ensure flies traveling to new areas will only encounter sterile mates and will not be able to reproduce.
Sterile insects are dispersed through aerial dispersal or ground release. Aerial operations are preferred because they allow for dispersal at a steady rate through a large area and also because sterile insects may be dispersed in areas that are unreachable from the ground. Ground release is used when there is a need to quickly deploy sterile insects outside of the dispersal facility range. Mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile flies remain critical components of an effective response.
USDA currently produces sterile flies for dispersal at the COPEG facility in Panama. USDA is also investing $21 million to support Mexico’s renovation of an existing fruit fly facility in Metapa, near Mexico’s border with Guatemala – which will double NWS production capacity once complete. With ongoing support from technical experts in USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Mexico anticipates this sterile fly production to begin as soon as summer 2026.
The USDA is also building a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base, with a targeted maximum capacity of 300 million sterile flies per week. USDA expects to break ground on that facility later this spring. With existing and planned production facilities fully operational, USDA will have up to 500 million sterile files per week in its arsenal to fight this pest all the way back to the Darién Gap on the Panama/Colombia border. The international network of facilities will produce 100 million sterile flies per week at COPEG in Panama, 100 million at Metapa in Mexico, and 300 million at Moore Air Base.
Be on lookout for NWS in your livestock & pets
There have been no detections of NWS inside the U.S. and the northernmost active case of NWS is still about 200 miles away from the border. The USDA is asking Americans to continue to remain vigilant by checking their livestock and pets for signs of NWS. Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for NWS larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals. If
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you suspect your animal is infested with NWS, immediately report it to your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian in charge.
NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh. While not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted NWS, seek immediate medical attention.
Learn more about NWS and USDA’s efforts, visit www.Screwworm.gov.
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USDA CONTINUOUS CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM SIGNUP
Feb. 12 – March 20
On Feb. 10 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the enrollment periods for agricultural producers and landowners to submit offers for the Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for Continuous CRP starting Feb. 12, through March 20. FSA will announce dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future. CRP is USDA’s flagship conservation program, providing financial and technical support to agricultural producers and landowners who place unproductive or marginal cropland under contract for 10-15 years and who agree to voluntarily convert the land to beneficial vegetative cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife habitat. The Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, extends FSA’s authority to administer CRP through Sept. 30, 2026.
Continuous CRP (Signup 65)
FSA will batch Continuous CRP offers submitted by interested agricultural producers and landowners. Offers to re-enroll expiring CRP continuous acreage will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. New acreage offered in continuous CRP practices will be considered for acceptance on a first-come, first-serve basis if they support USDA conservation priorities including but not limited to practices that address water quality, such as filter strips and grass waterways, and practices that restore native ecosystems or target specific resource concerns. The first Continuous CRP batching period ends on March 20, 2026. Offers submitted after this date will be considered for acceptance in subsequent batching periods if acreage remains available. Continuous CRP participants voluntarily offer environmentally sensitive lands, typically smaller parcels than offered through General CRP including wetlands, riparian buffers, and varying wildlife habitats. In return, they receive annual rental payments and costshare assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative cover. Continuous CRP enrollment options include:
• Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative: Prioritizes water quality practices on the land that, if enrolled, will help reduce sediment loadings, nutrient loadings, and harmful algal blooms. The vegetative covers also contribute to increased wildlife populations.
• CLEAR30 (a component of the CLEAR Initiative): Offers additional incentives for water quality practice adoption and can be accessed in 30-year contracts.
• Highly Erodible Land Initiative (HELI): Producers and landowners can enroll in CRP to establish long-term cover on highly erodible cropland that has a weighted erodibility index greater than or equal to 20.
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): Addresses high priority conservation objectives of states and Tribal governments on agricultural lands in specific geographic areas.
• State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative (SAFE): Restores vital habitat in order to meet high-priority state wildlife conservation goals.
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Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office.
GEORGIA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
Feb. 20
Registration deadline
March 5 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. UGA Center for Continuing Education Athens
The Georgia Crop Improvement Association Board of Directors invites those interested in learning more about its work to attend its annual meeting. The morning session features the following speakers: UGA Associate Professor of Agricultural & Applied Economics Dr. Ford Ramsey; Bryan Tolar, Tolar Capitol Partners; UGA Grand Farm Regional Assistant Director Kaytlyn Cobb; Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Vice President Chris Butts; UGA Center for Applied Genetic Technologies Distinguished Research Professor Dr. Wayne Parrott. The afternoon commodity sessions will feature members of the UGA Extension Peanut, Turfgrass, and Grains teams. Representatives of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture State Seed Lab, Georgia Seed Development, the UGA Innovation Gateway and the Georgia Seed Association will also provide updates. The event will conclude with the Certification Committee Meeting. The role of the Certification Committee is to recommend plant varieties for consideration by the board as well as any recommended changes to the GCIA certification standards. This committee plays a vital role in the overall certified seed and turfgrass program. The UGA Center for Continuing Education is located at 1197 S Lumpkin St., Athens, Ga. 30602 A block of rooms has been reserved at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel for the group rate of $149 per night plus taxes and fees. Participant parking is covered in the hotel room rate. Call (706) 548-1311 for room reservations or make reservations online at https://reservations.hotel.uga.edu/servlet/WebresResDesk?hotelid=1789&arrivalDate=20260304&bu ildingCode=gc&groupId=50430 . Use group code 50430. Feb. 18 is the deadline to reserve a room in the conference block using the group code for the discounted rate.
SAVANNAH RIVER FIRE FESTIVAL
Feb. 21
Warnell Forest Education Center, 5869, S. Ga. 17 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Guyton Enjoy a fun day outdoors celebrating how prescribed fire is good for Georgia’s forests and meet some of the organizations using it to support healthy wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfires. It’s a free festival for the whole family with fire equipment, food trucks, face painting, and games! In case of inclement weather, the rain date for this event is Feb. 28 For more information contact mkwarnellcenter@uga.edu.
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2026 GEORGIA CITRUS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
Feb. 24 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tifton
The 2026 Georgia Citrus Association Conference, following the theme, “Securing a Resilient Future for Georgia Citrus,” will feature presentations on collaboration, how Brazilian producers have remained productive despite Citrus Greening, combating Citrus Greening in Georgia, weed control, soil health and orchard longevity. Individual one-year membership dues, which includes conference registration, are $75 until Feb. 14 and $100 after. Click here to join or renew. The association is also seeking sponsors for the event: Bronze Sponsor ($500) – receives one conference booth (10'x10'), company name printed on program as a Bronze sponsor and two conference attendees. Silver Sponsor ($1,000) - one conference booth (10'x10'), company name printed on program as a Silver sponsor, GCA website ad, two conference attendees. Gold Sponsor ($2,000) - one conference booth (10'x10'), logo printed on program as a Gold sponsor, recognition as GCA Conference break sponsor, GCA website ad, two conference attendees
Platinum Sponsor ($5,000) - one conference booth (10'x10'), logo printed on program as a Platinum sponsor, recognition as GCA Conference lunch & break sponsor, company flyer emailed to every GCA member, GCA website ad, two conference attendees. Click here to reserve your place. The UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center is located at 15 R D C Rd, Tifton, GA 31794 Contact the GCA at help@georgiacitrusassociation.org for more information.
GFB ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR YF&R ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Feb. 28 deadline to apply
The application is now available for the 2026 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. The application should be submitted online at https://gfb.ag/yfrcompete by Feb. 28. It is highly recommended that applicants work with the District Federation Manager on the application well in advance of the deadline. The Achievement Award recognizes an individual or couple involved in production agriculture with a majority of his/her/their net income subject to normal production risks. Following the deadline, district winners and three (3) state finalists will be determined. The state finalists will be contacted by April 30 to allow them to prepare for the interview component of the award. Interviews will be in person on July 15 as a part of the YF&R Summer Leadership Conference on Jekyll Island, where the state winner will be announced. Please contact your District Federation Manager with questions.
GEORGIA FORAGE & GRASSLAND COUNCIL GRAZING SUMMIT
Feb. 16 Registration closes
Feb. 27-28 City Station Conference Center Carrollton
Join the Georgia Forage & Grassland Council Grazing Summit to learn practical tips for better forage and grazing. Listen to experienced graziers and experts and take part in panel talks. Whether you want to improve grazing, boost soil health, or raise more productive livestock, the Grazing Summit 2026 offers valuable resources. For more information click here.
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GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS
March 1 deadline to apply
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is offering $66,000 worth of scholarships in 2026 in support of students planning to or already engaged in studies to prepare them for careers in agriculture and ag-related fields. There are five scholarship classifications: The Scholarship for Agriculture for graduating high school seniors who plan to enter college for Fall 2026 semester and pursue a career focusing on agriculture; the Rising Junior/Senior Scholarship for agriculture for current college students who are at least two semesters away from completing their undergraduate degree; the Back to Farm Scholarship for rising junior/senior college students who have shown a clear commitment to returning to the farm to build a career in production agriculture; the Technical College Scholarship for Agriculture for students enrolled at a school in the Technical College System of Georgia and majoring in an ag or ag-related field of study; and the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship is for current veterinary medicine students specializing in large animal/food animal practice. The deadline to apply for all of these scholarships is March 1, 2026. For more information or to apply, visit www.gafoundationag.org/scholarships
GFB 2026 MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTESTS
March 6 deadline for county Farm Bureaus to submit entries Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) is now accepting entries for the 2026 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark and High School Art contests. Students who submit their artwork have the chance to win some great cash prizes! The GFB Middle School Bookmark Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students statewide. The 10 GFB district winners of the bookmark contest will receive $100 each and compete for the state prize of $150. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. The GFB High School Art Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled students in ninth through 12th grades. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will receive a cash prize of $100. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will compete for the state prize of $250 cash. County Farm Bureaus may also offer prizes to their local winners. Students may enter either contest in the county in which they live or attend school but not both counties. To enter either contest, students or teachers should contact their county Farm Bureau for an official entry form and complete contest rules and to learn the county’s February deadline for entering the contests. County Farm Bureaus must submit their entries to Georgia Farm Bureau for the state contests by March 6 For more information about the contests contact your county Farm Bureau office. Students and teachers may visit https://gfb.ag/video to view a video about Georgia agriculture, https://www.gfb.org/connect/farmmarkets to find a farm near you or https://gfb.ag/25caesagimpactreport to access info about Georgia agriculture.
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USDA GENERAL CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM SIGNUP
March 9 – April 17
On Feb. 10 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the enrollment period for the General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP Signup 66). Enrollment for General CRP will run from March 9 through April 17. FSA will announce dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future. General CRP offers are submitted through a competitive bid process. After the enrollment period closes, General CRP offers are ranked and scored by FSA, using nationally established environmental benefits criteria. USDA will announce accepted offers once ranking and scoring for all offers is completed. In addition to annual rental payments, approved General CRP participants may also be eligible for cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative cover. Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office.
2026 GEORGIA FARM STRESS SUMMIT
March 12 Pettigrew Center, Fort Valley State University 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fort Valley The 2026 Georgia Farm Stress Summit will bring together farmers, farm families, health care providers, government leaders, agricultural advocates, agribusinesses, nonprofits and others committed to addressing farm stress in their rural communities. The summit will focus on connecting communities with resources and building strong cross-sector partnerships. For more information, visit https://gafarmstress.org/stress-summit2026/
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SCHOOL CHOICE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR GA AG FAMILIES
March 15 deadline to apply
Learning to Serve (LTS), a Georgia Student Scholarship Organization (SSO), is offering scholarships to increase school choice opportunities for children of Georgia farmers and Georgia families whose income depends on agricultural businesses. These families can apply for K-12 private school scholarships through LTS if their students are serving in the community and meet the state’s SSO eligibility requirements.
SSOs were established by the Georgia Qualified Education Expense (QEE) Tax Credit Bill of 2008. LTS scholarship amounts vary based on factors such as the student’s age, the quantity and quality of the student’s community service, and the amount of the school tuition. LTS considers each student’s story individually.
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper’s recent testimony to the Georgia House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs highlighted the difficulties facing farmers, including soaring costs, financial losses and even rising suicide rates.
“In the last three years, less than 5% of American farms broke even or made a profit,” Harper says. “Our farm families are dealing with a lot; not just in Georgia, but across the country.”
Lily Baucom, Georgia Foundation for Agriculture executive director, emphasized the need to help farming families make the best choice for their students’ education in the wake of financial hardships.
“When extreme weather or business closures negatively affect farming families, they have to make difficult financial decisions,” Baucom said. “We are grateful to Learning to Serve for offering this option to help families continue to send their students to the schools of their choice.”
Mandy Hudson, Learning to Serve executive director, recognized the need to help farming families faced with tough financial decisions about education for their children.
“I grew up in a farming family and saw the toll it takes on parents to provide for their kids’ needs,” she says. “These families sustain the number one industry in Georgia. I am so grateful for the partnerships that allowed Learning to Serve provide this assistance. Businesses in our state are eager to support farming families by redirecting their state income tax dollars to Learning to Serve through the Qualified Education Expense Tax Credit program.”
Hudson says that LTS recipients put in the work to earn their scholarship.
LTS encourages students to serve their communities in ways that integrate their or their family’s passions and interests. Examples of ways students may do their service hours are through their church, Scouts, 4-H, FFA, animal shelters, road litter clean-ups, food pantries, Special Olympics/adaptive sports, Relay for Life, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. The main requirement of the service hours is that the student’s community service benefits others and the child grows from their service project.
“These students are taking responsibility and easing the financial burden of tuition on their families while growing a heart to serve others,” Hudson says. “It’s a win for all involved.”
The application for the 2026-27 school year is open through March 15. For more information about LTS and how to donate your tax credits to help farming families,
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visit www.learningtoserve.org or email mandy@learningtoserve.org. To apply for a scholarship visit https://www.learningtoserve.org/scholarships/ .
Learning to Serve is a Georgia Student Scholarship Organization that leverages Georgia income tax credits to help students earn a scholarship to attend an accredited K-12 private school. Founded in 2009, Learning to Serve has awarded nearly $10 million in scholarships to 4,000 Georgia students who have served more than 30,000 hours in their communities.
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
March 22 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Farmington Community Center Watkinsville
The Kel-Mac Saddle Club cordially invites current and past members to attend its 50th anniversary party to celebrate the club’s legacy of horses, horsemanship & community. Anyone with old photos of Kel-Mac events or Kel-Mac show memorabilia who is willing to display it at the celebration, is encouraged to contact Valerie at vpuryear@gmail.com
In 1976, the late Norm and Faye Grayson were inspired to create a local horse show for the Athens/Watkinsville/Madison area. Initially, the horse shows were held on land in north Oconee County loaned by Dr. Paul Keller and Dr. James MacDonald. The shows were so successful that a group of horse enthusiasts established a riding club, named the Kel-Mac Saddle Club for the two doctors.
Today, Kel-Mac Saddle Club is the longest-running saddle club in Georgia that annually features four family and beginner-friendly horse shows, monthly trail rides, camping trips, equine educational meetings, workshops and scholarships.
Over the past 50 years, the club, which now has nearly 100 individual and family memberships, has raised more than $170,000 for local charitable causes and scholarships. All contributions are raised from the club’s horse show proceeds and generous donations.
Recipients have included equine and animal rescue groups, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund and the equestrian facilities of state and county parks such as A.H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, Watson Mill Bridge and Heritage Park.
Members, sponsors, family and friends all contribute to the success of the club as it takes teamwork to host all of the events.
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NATIONAL WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE SURVEY
March 31 deadline to submit AFBF’s Women’s Leadership program has partnered with a team of researchers, CoBank and JBS to launch this study that will be live through March 31. This nationwide initiative will explore women’s leadership and involvement in agriculture, identify barriers and opportunities, and provide actionable insights to strengthen engagement and support systems across the U.S. agricultural sector from production and agribusiness to advocacy, education and entrepreneurship. This survey is open to individuals age 18 and older in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who have an interest or involvement in agriculture, including those who work in production agriculture, agribusiness, education, advocacy or related fields. This includes perspectives of both men and women. The survey takes 12-18 minutes to complete. After completing the survey, participants may choose to sign up for a follow-up focus group or key informant interview. These sessions will allow for deeper exploration of themes and experiences. Languages: The survey and focus groups will be available in English and Spanish. Results: Results from the study will be shared at the International Year of the Woman Farmer ACE Summit, to be held June 1-3 in Washington, D.C, and a public summary of results will be shared. For more information or to take the survey, visit www.womeninagsurvey.com
FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP AND TRAPPING DEMONSTRATION
April 2
Warren Co. Extension Office, 48 Warren St. 5 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Warrenton This free workshop includes dinner and is sponsored by the Warren County Conservation District, Central Savannah River RC&D Council, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Warren County Farm Bureau, and Smith Farm Supply, and will be hosted by the Warren County Extension. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question-and-answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration. Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Space is limited and preregistration is required. More details and registration information are available at www.GACD.us/events
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KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
April 18, May 9, Sept. 19 & Oct. 24 Morgan Co. Ag Center Madison
These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, ranch riding, ranch reining, dressage on the rail, halter/showmanship, “small fry” and more. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Trail classes are from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Western Classes not to start before lunch. Riders must be members of Kel-Mac to accrue points towards year-end awards. Age divisions for competition are as follows: Small Fry: 10 and under; Junior: under 14 years of age; Senior: 14 years and over. Novice: Rider is in 1st or 2nd year of showing. Green Horse: Horse is in 1st or 2nd year of showing. Entry fee per class is $10. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. Each horse show is an “an all-breed show” which means there are a wide variety of disciplines offered in the more than 50 classes. The focus of the Kel-Mac shows is to include everyone and help participants become more comfortable with showing.
For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook or Instagram pages or www.kel-mac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. Signup for shows on the website. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy (441), north of Madison.
These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $170,250 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 50 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, and the equestrian facilities of state & county parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, and Heritage Park.
64TH ANNUAL GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S CONVENTION
April 23-25
Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry
“King of the Swamp” Troy Landry from the tv show Swamp People will be the keynote speaker for the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention. Previously announced speaker Temple Grandin will be unable to attend the event as planned. The event features a 35,000-squarefoot trade show, Cattlemen’s College sessions on current industry topics, youth speaking contests, junior cattlemen’s stockman’s quiz, photography contest and Cattlemen’s Ball. To register, visit https://gfb.ag/26GCAConvregistration.
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SDRP SECOND STAGE, MILK AND ON-FARM STORAGE PAYMENTS
April 30 deadline to apply for SDRP Stage One and Stage Two assistance Stage Two of SDRP covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses that were not covered under Stage One program provisions, including non-indemnified (shallow loss), uncovered and quality losses. For Stage Two program details, including fact sheets, please visit https://fsa.usda.gov/sdrp. The first stage, announced in July, remains available to producers who received an indemnity under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for eligible crop losses due to qualifying 2023 and 2024 natural disaster events. FSA county offices will begin accepting SDRP Stage Two applications on Nov. 24. Producers have until April 30 to apply for both Stage One and Stage Two assistance. Information and a fact sheet are available online at https://fsa.usda.gov/ofsclp.
GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATIONS
May 1 deadline to apply
Centennial Farm applications are open to all qualifying candidates. Farms play a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of our state, serving as the bedrock for economic, cultural, and family traditions for generations of Georgians. Georgia recognizes farms with a legacy spanning more than a century for their historical significance through the Georgia Centennial Farm program. Nominees must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase, actively involved in agricultural production, and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Georgia Centennial Farms are honored each October at an awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The Georgia Centennial Farm program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia EMC; Georgia National Fair and Agricenter; and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information, please contact Rose Mayo, Historic Preservation Division Outreach Coordinator, at 770-855-2586 or rose.mayo@dca.ga.gov The postmark deadline for applications is May 1, 2026. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centuryfarmsapply . (https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division/historicresources/centennialfarms)
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GFB HAY DIRECTORY
GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2024 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER FERAL HOG CONTROL SERVICES
For a list of feral hog control services available in each GACD Conservation District, visit https://gfb.ag/feralhoggacdresources.
UGA CITRUS ORCHARD NUTRITIONAL SURVEY
For the past three growing seasons, the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs (AESL) has been conducting a foliar nutrient survey of Georgia's citrus industry with funding from the USDA and Georgia Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. One of the conditions of the project’s grant funding is that researchers seek stakeholder feedback on the effectiveness of the program, and how this work may influence future grower decisions. The project researchers ask that you please complete this short (7 questions, 3-5 minutes) Citrus Nutrition Questionnaire here. These results will help UGA researchers demonstrate the importance of this work to their sponsors, which increases the likelihood of future funding in this area. If you would like to learn more about this project and the results of the study, visit the project website.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE OFFERS SUPPORT
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or chatting on 988lifeline.org 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. You don’t have to be suicidal to reach out. 988 trained crisis counselors can help you through whatever mental health challenges you are experiencing.