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| Newsletter Southeastern Game Bird Breeders & Hunting Preserve Association No. 2, 2021 UGA Launches Program to Boost Rural Georgia Research The workshop will conclude April 30 PUBLISHED ON January 28, 2021 ATHENS, Ga. — A new program at the University of Georgia will connect academic faculty who want to do research in parts of rural Georgia with existing UGA Public Service and Outreach and Extension networks throughout the state. Twenty academic faculty members, representing 12 of UGA’s 17 schools and colleges, are participants in the inaugural Rural Engagement Faculty Workshop, which kicked off Jan. 22 and will continue for four additional virtual sessions. The workshop will conclude April 30 with a visit to a rural community. The College of Public Health and the School of Social Work are partnering with Public Service and Outreach to deliver the program. Sessions will include an in-depth examination of rural Georgia’s demographics and trends; an overview of current UGA Public Service and Outreach and Extension initiatives benefiting rural Georgia communities, small businesses, farmers, governments and nonprofits; and a review of high-impact community engagement practices for rural Georgia. “The University of Georgia is committed to using our resources, including our research enterprise, to increase prosperity throughout the state,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “By raising our academic faculty’s awareness of rural communities and the university’s efforts within these vital areas, the Rural Engagement Faculty Workshops will create opportunities for faculty to grow research, innovation and entrepreneurship at UGA while contributing to the success of rural Georgia. ”At the end of the workshop, 10 teams of academic and Public Service faculty will be awarded a $5,000 seed grant to pilot a rural engagement research initiative. The Office of Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost S. Jack Hu is supporting the seed grants with $50,000.“One of our key priorities is strengthening partnerships across the state,” said Hu. “Through this new workshop and seed grant program, we seek to greatly increase the number of faculty who apply their expertise to the pressing needs of individuals, businesses and communities.”–Kelly Simmons, University of Georgia UGA CAES Reports Results From Survey on COVID-19 Impact on AG Current survey responses show that most farmers who responded to the survey estimate about 20% of their losses PUBLISHED ON February 4, 2021 MACON, Ga. — A survey by the UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development revealed farmers’ concerns about the health impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, UGA researchers revealed during the annual Ag Forecast, held virtually on Jan. 29.Dr. Sharon Kane, a senior public service associate with the CAES Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development, encouraged Georgia farmers to participate in the Year-End COVID-19 Impact Study she is conducting. The participation deadline has been extended to Feb. 15. It initially ran from Dec. to Jan. 15. Please visit https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_efBzrDOnqssorRP to take the survey. “It’s a pretty big undertaking to try to get this type of information from farmers,” said Kane. “We knew when we took the initial survey last May we were going to need more information as people were wrapping up their year-end books for tax purposes.” Current survey responses show that most farmers who responded to the survey estimate about 20% of their losses [due to COVID] have been or will be covered by relief programs. Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) was the top relief program reported in both the May and initial year-end surveys. A number of respondents said that they were not participating in any program.“ The more information we can gather, the more we feel we can understand what’s going on [regarding COVID’s impact on agriculture],” Kane added. Of all commodities, livestock was the most affected in the spring and initial year-end surveys. The top issues across all commodities were low prices and lack of markets in both surveys. As the year went on, more respondents were concerned about the health and emotional impacts of the pandemic. “We were surprised to see the difference in responses to the survey’s health concern question from the spring to year-end survey,” Kane said. The percentage of survey participants who said they were very concerned about the health impact COVID-19 is having on agriculture rose from 29.4% in the spring survey to 53.1% in the initial year-end survey. Survey participants who said they were very concerned about the emotional impact COVID-19 is having on members of the ag community rose from 35.7% last May to 45.9% in the initial year-end survey. Both Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture are supporting the UGA CAES in its efforts to conduct the COVID-19 Impact Study on Agriculture and encourage Georgia farmers and agribusiness owners to participate.–Georgia Farm Bureau Family-Owned Farms Account for 96% of U.S. Farms Small family farms make up 88% of all U.S. farms, according to Census of Agriculture Typology Report PUBLISHED ON January 24, 2021 WASHINGTON — Family farms comprise 96% of all U.S. farms, account for 87% of land in farms, and 82% of the value of all agricultural products sold, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).The farm typology report primarily focuses on the “family farm,” defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and individuals related to the producer. The report classifies all farms into unique categories based on two criteria: who owns the operation and gross cash farm income (GCFI). GCFI includes the producer’s sales of crops and livestock, fees for delivering commodities under production contracts, government payments, and farm-related income. “Classifying America’s 2 million farms to better reflect their diversity is critical to evaluating and reporting on U.S. agriculture,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “Typology allows us to more meaningfully explore the demographics of who is farming and ranching today as well as their impact on the economy and communities around the country. ”The data show that small family farms, those farms with a GCFI of less than $350,000 per year, account for 88% of all U.S. farms, 46% of total land in farms, and 19% of the value of all agricultural products sold. Large-scale family farms (GCFI of $1 million or more) make up less than 3% of all U.S. farms but produce 43% of the value of all agricultural products. Mid-size farms (GCFI between $350,000 and $999,999) are 5% of U.S. farms and produce 20% of the value of all agricultural products. The data also show that the number of family farms decreased by 4% (almost 80,000 farms) since 2012. Large and mid-size family farms experienced steeper declines, decreasing 13% and 8%, respectively. Small family farms experienced a smaller decline (3%).Other key findings from the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report include: Southern and New England states have the highest share of small family farms. Midwestern and Northern Plains states have the lowest share. Conversely, the share of mid-size and large-scale farms is highest in the Midwest and Northern Plains states. specialization varies by farm size. The majority (57%) of small family farms specialize in cattle (34%) or “other crops” such as hay and forage production (23%). Over half (53%) of mid-size farms specialize in grains and oilseeds. Large-scale family farms vary more in product specialization, though they are more likely than other family farms to specialize in dairy production or specialty crops. Small family farms account for 45% of all direct sales to consumers, compared to 17% for mid-size family farms and 23% for large-scale family farms. Compared to producers on mid-size and large-scale family farms, small family farm producers are more likely to be women, age 65 or older, and report being of Hispanic origin or a race other than white. They are also more likely to be new and beginning farmers (farmed 10 years or less) and to report having military service. Access the full farm typology report and additional information such as maps and data Highlights on the NASS website. Typology data are also available in the NASS Quick Stats database.–USDA NASS Poultry Health Management School Celebrates 20th Anniversary Registration for the May school is now open PUBLISHED ON February 1, 2021 BUFFALO, Minn. — The Poultry Health Management School (PHMS) is going virtual for its 20th anniversary. During the May 24-25 school, participants will learn about poultry housing and management – this year’s theme for the school. Registration for students begins February 1 at 10 a.m. CST at PoultryHealthSchool.com. “We are excited to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Poultry Health Management School and bring national experts before our students for learning the latest and greatest in poultry health and management,” said Dr. Teresa Y. Morishita, PHMS Board President and one of the founding PHMS team members. Designed as in intensive training course for poultry producers, farm employees, and other poultry professionals, the school provides practical and relevant content. Participants will receive information on the current industry practices and trends in addition to receiving exposure to necropsy skills. Instructors will also walk students through applicable case studies in the areas of poultry nutrition, housing, management, disease, and other pertinent topics. Typically, the number of students allowed is limited. However, this year the school will be offered to anyone who wishes to participate due to the virtual structure. “We are ecstatic to be able to offer the school to more students this year,” said Dr. Morishita. “Having to turn students away because we reached our maximum capacity has been difficult. We won’t have that challenge this year due to our virtual programming. ”The cost to register for the comprehensive course is $300. Each attendee will receive the most recent AAAP Avian Disease Manual, an instruction guide, and educational tools needed for this engaging, interactive experience to take place in the comfort of your own space. “We have been fortunate to provide quality content and materials to our students because of the generous support of our sponsors,” said Dr. Morishita. “The partnership between the school and our sponsors has led to incredible exposure for our students to the latest advancements in poultry health.” All details regarding the event including: attendee registration, school agendas, sponsorships and virtual logistics can be found at PoultryHealthSchool.com. Direct all questions to Rebecca Groos, PHMS Coordinator at rgroos@minnesotaturkey.com or call (763) 682-2171.The Poultry Health Management School (PHMS) is a well-known, established entity designed to teach modern practices in poultry production and how to implement them on the farm. Since its inception in 2001, PHMS has educated more than 2,000 attendees and continues to be a leader in poultry education for farmers, farm employees, and other poultry professionals.–Poultry Health Management School USDA Offers New CRP Forest Management Incentive CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the United States PUBLISHED ON January 25, 2021 Secretary’s Corner What a weird year 2020 was. I’m glad it’s gone. I feel like a year of my life has been wasted. I know everyone is tired of being a hermit. Better times are in our futures. I had the first Covid-19 vaccination this year, and will receive the 2nd next month. Just to give everyone a head’s up, the next day after the vaccination my arm was sore, swollen, and red. As the day progressed, I began having minor aches and pains in all of my joints. The pain was not unbearable, more like a nuisance. I took 400 mg of Tylenol and the pain went away. Everyone’s body is different, many folks don’t get the aches and pains after the Covid-19 vaccination. But if you do, especially after the 2nd vaccination, don’t freak out. Tylenol will ease the situation. Because of the limited supply of vaccines, we are still unsure if there will be a SEGB&HPA Short Course this year. It’s a wait and see situation. In the meantime, everyone please be safe and healthy. Happy Hunting Dr. Gary S. Davis Exec. Sec, SEGB&HPA Company Name: SEGB&HPA | Website: www.segamebirds.us |