SBA Disaster Loans Available Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today (December 7) that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in the entire state of Georgia because of drought and excessive heat that began July 1, 2010.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster”

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with a 4 percent interest rate for small businesses, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. These loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than July 26, 2011.

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Santa's reindeer cleared to land in Georgia Christmas Eve

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin has granted a special 24-hour permit for nine flying reindeer to visit Georgia on the evening of December 24th and in the early morning hours of December 25th and has received a certification from the applicant that the sleigh and reindeer will be free of any foreign pests or invasive plant species.

The permit application to waive the routine identification and other health requirements was filed this week by a North Pole toymaker who signed the paperwork, “Kris Kringle.” The reindeer named on the permit are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph.

Identification, laboratory testing, and certificates of veterinary inspection are part of Georgia’s health requirements which assist officials in protecting the health of animals in the state and help prevent the introduction of exotic diseases.

Responding to concerns from prior years that vehicles traveling from other parts of the globe can bring pests and invasive plant species and deposit them upon landing, Kringle submitted documentation for the sleigh and reindeer to be treated with a recently discovered natural repellant at the North Pole. All of the elements of the cosmic dust sprinkled on the animals and sleigh can be gathered while in flight in the stratosphere and reapplied as needed along the way. In the trial tests conducted no pests or invasive plants have been able to attach themselves to any animate or inanimate objects.

“This is an amazing horticultural breakthrough to protect us from anything that could be harmful to our Georgia crops,” Irvin said. “However, I have been informed that the repellant properties of the substance are activated only when touched by jolly old elves.”

Commissioner Irvin said that he consulted with State Veterinarian Dr. Carter Black and Dr. James Sutton, assistant commissioner plant industry division, on any dangers posed by the brief visit.

“This visit will not violate any of our biosecurity measures to keep out animal diseases,” Irvin. “As it was explained to me, these reindeer will be moving quickly, will only prance and paw on rooftops and will not intermingle with any livestock in Georgia.”

“Usually, few creatures are stirring that night,” Dr. Black added. “Not even a mouse.”

Dr. Sutton said the documentation on the repellant seems to be in order. “I believe that we should trust that his powers activate the substance’s properties to repel pests and invasive plant species. After all, he is St. Nicholas.”

"We are pleased to grant the temporary waiver to Mr. Kringle,” said Commissioner Irvin. “I and the employees of the Georgia Department of Agriculture wish him safe travels as he and his reindeer make deliveries to the good children of Georgia."

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SBA Disaster Loans Available Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in Georgia as a result of severe storms and flooding that began on September 18, 2009.

These loans are available in the following counties: Barrow, Bartow, Ben Hill, Bibb, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gilmer, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Lumpkin, Macon, Monroe, Morgan, Murray, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Polk, Pulaski, Putman, Rabun, Rockdale, Taylor, Telfair, Towns, Turner, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, White, Whitfield, and Wilcox in Georgia.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to assist eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities of all sizes that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA.

Victims may qualify for loans up to $2 million. These loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Under this disaster declaration, the SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than August 4, 2010.

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SBA Disaster Loans Available Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in the State of Georgia as a result of excessive rainfall, flash flooding, severe wind, tornadoes and lightning that began on March 26, 2009.

These loans are available in the following counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Butts, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Grady, Houston, Irwin, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Jones, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Lamar, Lanier, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, McIntosh, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Spalding Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth in Georgia.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to assist small businesses and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to farm-related and nonfarm-related small business concerns, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA.

Eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations may qualify for loans up to $2 million. These loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Under this disaster declaration, the SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than March 22, 2010.

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Sen. Chambliss Requests Data on the Impact of Cap and Trade on Agriculture Economy

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today announced he sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson this week regarding the impacts the climate change bill will have on the agriculture economy. In the letter, Sen. Chambliss requested the EPA provide the Senate Agriculture Committee with all comprehensive data pertaining to the impact the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, (H.R. 2454), will have on the forest and agriculture sector. The House of Representatives narrowly passed the measure last month 219-212.

Additionally, Sen. Chambliss sent a similar letter to Dr. Joseph Glauber, U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Economist, requesting the Department provide the Committee with an economic analysis of the legislation. Sen. Chambliss said as the debate on the bill moves to the Senate, it is important members understand the costs producers, consumers and others will bear as a result of H.R. 2454.

Copies of the letters are below:

The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Jackson:

Last month the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. Among its provisions, the bill creates a “cap and trade” regime to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by increasing the cost of fossil fuels and incentivizing alternative forms of energy. At the same time, the bill defines the parameters of an offset regime for the agricultural sector. As the debate on climate change legislation moves to the Senate, we require a thorough understanding regarding the impacts of H.R. 2454 on the agricultural economy.

As you know, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has done significant analysis and contracted with Professor Bruce McCarl at Texas A&M University to study the impact on the forest and agriculture sector. While the research completed until now has been useful, Dr. McCarl’s model is not publically available. In order to ensure transparency and a thorough understanding of the impacts of H.R. 2454 on the forest and agriculture sector, I respectfully request EPA provide the FASOM-GHG model along with all data and supporting information including assumptions and results to the Committee. The insight and information derived from a detailed reading of the model will allow the Committee to draft legislation that fully takes into account the costs and benefits available to the forest and agriculture sector.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.

Very truly yours,

Saxby Chambliss
Ranking Republican Member

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Dr. Joseph Glauber
Chief Economist
United States Department of Agriculture
Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 112-A
Washington, D.C. 20250-3800

Dear Dr. Glauber:

Last month the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. Among its provisions, the bill creates a “cap and trade” regime to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by increasing the cost of fossil fuels and incentivizing alternative forms of energy. At the same time, the bill defines the parameters of an offset regime for the agricultural sector. As the debate on climate change legislation moves to the Senate, we require a thorough understanding regarding the impacts of H.R. 2454 on the agricultural economy.

It is important the Committee and Members of the Senate understand the costs that agricultural producers, consumers, and others will ultimately bear as a result of this legislation. Therefore, I respectfully request your office provide the Committee an economic analysis of H.R. 2454 with specific attention to the questions noted below.

Since agriculture and food production is an energy intensive industry, inputs such as transportation fuel, fertilizer, seed, processing and packaging of food products will have substantial impacts on the bottom line of farms and downstream operators. We need to understand the additive effect of increased energy costs at each stage of the food chain and the distribution of costs from “field to fork.” Since agricultural production is diverse across the United States, the study should provide a regional summary as well as a cost of production analysis by major crop (i.e. cotton, rice, corn, soybean, wheat and specialty crops). The livestock sector will face challenges as well. The study should also provide a discussion regarding the changes in the costs of production and retail prices for the cattle, swine and poultry sectors.

There is little doubt H.R. 2454 will impact the cost of food for U.S. consumers. Your analysis should calculate the change in the price of commodities and ultimately food expenditures by consumers if H.R. 2454 were enacted into law. The study should provide the annual increase in food costs as reflected in 2009 dollars by calculating increases in the consumer price index for food (CPI-Food) over the life of the bill (through 2050) and aggregate at the retail market basket level. If possible, the analysis should compare the change in average cost per American household for a fixed market basket of goods as a result of the legislation.

There is significant attention to the potential of agricultural lands to contribute to a future offset market and carbon sequestration. This is a promising opportunity for our farmers and ranchers and the study should quantify the potential for pasture, crop and private forest land to participate in an offset market. Specifically, the study should discuss the impact on cropping patterns, overall acreage, traditional crop rotations and conservation practices associated with an offset market. Since the price of carbon will drive new production decisions, the study should analyze the impacts and acreage shifts at different carbon prices (i.e. high, medium, low).

A potentially important piece of H.R. 2454 is the renewable electricity standard (RES) included in Title I. Both EPA and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) project biomass and wind to be an important new energy sources in this policy. Yet, U.S. land resources are finite. To the extent practicable, this piece should analyze the potential role of U.S. agricultural producers and foresters to satisfy the demands of the RES and the potential land-use changes associated with this standard and other new alternative energy policies including the renewable fuel standard.

Finally, often times, real life events rarely follow the assumptions and predictions utilized in various economic models. It would be useful for your analysis to include scenarios where various efficiency, alternative energy (i.e. nuclear) and emissions targets (among others set forth in the bill) are not met per H.R. 2454. An outstanding concern among the agricultural community is the international competitiveness of U.S. products in the world market if India and China do not participate in a carbon reduction program. The Committee would find it helpful if your analysis addressed this issue as well.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.

Very truly yours,

Saxby Chambliss
Ranking Republican Member

Key Clean Energy Vote Hours Away

The U.S. House of Representatives votes Friday to determine the fate of the American Clean Energy & Security Act - President Obama's climate change legislation.

Late yesterday, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-MN, confirmed a compromise had been reached over difficult agriculture issues in the climate change bill. Peterson stated the votes to pass the bill when the full House meets Friday were in place - although the vote is expected to be close.

The most important plank in the bill - and the most contentious - is a 17 percent mandated reduction of greenhouse gases by 2020 -- mainly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels such as coal.

The 17 percent cap on greenhouse gases would have its greatest impact on utilities which today rely on coal to generate half the country's electric power. By placing a cost on pollution emitted into the atmosphere from the burning of coal, utilities will be mandated to either find ways to cut emissions or shift to clean energy.

The legislation holds the promise of a massive new boost to both the wind and nuclear power industries. Exelon (NYSE:EXC) , the nation's largest nuclear power company, recently exceeded Jefferies & Co's target price of $47, set just 2 months ago on April 15.

Also in April, Concentric Research put a $2.78 one year price target on wind power company NACEL Energy (OTC:NCEN) (BULLETIN BOARD: NCEN) , which has four wind farms underway in the Texas Panhandle - regarded as the nation's best region for wind turbines.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR) also has one of the largest nuclear power portfolio's in the country. Credit Suisse has an $89 target on the company - Entergy closed yesterday at $75.54.

Itron (NASDAQ:ITRI) , which makes sophisticated metering systems for all utilities, is another bet on the passage of the new climate bill. JP Morgan recently upgraded Itron from neutral to overweight.

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U.S. agriculture can feed the growing world

It is crystal clear that rising population and growing nutritional demands will require food production to double by 2050. Yet, land available for food production is unlikely to increase, and, in fact, may decrease.

Where the increase in food production will occur depends upon geopolitics, climate or climate changes and environmental considerations.

Europe isn’t likely to adopt new technologies to increase food production. In the United States, agricultural patterns are changing with climate changes. Climate change will likely exacerbate drought conditions in western United States. California’s current drought may become permanent.

The Southeast has a long growing season, abundant sunlight, good soils and reasonable amounts of rainfall and groundwater. Agriculture in the region must grow to meet world food demand.

Keeping pace with population

For years, Malthusian predictions were that mass starvation was inevitable as populations grow. The evidence has been just the opposite. Food production has kept up with population and improved nutrition of less-developed societies. In fact, there is a worldwide food surplus. But there are still starving populations. Most often the situation isn’t lack of food, but an inability to move it to where it’s needed, often due to local political instability.

There is every reason to believe that rising yields and improved nutrition in agriculture will continue for many years. Most yield increases have come from new technologies from the U.S. system of agricultural research and education.

The partnership of land-grant universities, the federal government through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private industry has allowed American farmers to maintain the technological advantage for a century. As someone who works in the area, I’m certain this system will continue to produce the discoveries that have driven this success. Yet, as other countries adopt the technologies we develop then modify them for low-cost production, we are under constant stress to push farther ahead of the curve. This issue is particularly important for labor-intensive crops.

In Georgia, farm production continues to increase and remain adaptable. Strong evidence is shown in changes from 2007 to 2008. 2007 was a terrible year for Georgia farmers. One of the worst droughts on record played havoc on nearly every aspect of agriculture. Some commodities like the green and landscape industries were decimated when watering bans assured new plants wouldn’t survive. But, despite the drought and economic downturn, 2008 was better, in terms of farm-gate value, than 2007.

This is a testament to the tenacity and creativity of farmers who can still make money in the face of so many problems. For 2008, the total value of farming and processing in Georgia was $55 billion. The industry generated 356,000 jobs for the state, a source of jobs that has remained stable. This confirms what we have known for many years: agriculture, while not immune from economic downturns, is less impacted than most sectors of our economy.

Misperceptions

There is a general perception that we have fewer farms than in the past and that farms are consolidating and getting larger. The opposite is true. We have more farms than we did 10 years ago, and farms are smaller than a decade ago. This trend is likely attributable to growing demand for locally produced food. Americans have a renewed desire to know where their food comes from.

Fortunately, our political leaders understand food production is an issue of national security. We can’t always count on other countries for food. No one wants our food production shipped overseas. It’s bad to be dependent on imported fuel. It would be disastrous to depend on other nations for food. We have only an 11-day food supply in the U.S. food chain. If that chain is broken, critical problems arise immediately. We never want to be in a position where food can be used as a political weapon against us.

Unlike other industries that can revive after prolonged inactivity, agriculture is different. It may be impossible to ever bring this knowledge back once lost. It’s not just training workers in the science and practices of agriculture. Agricultural knowledge is location-specific, learned over generations and part of the ingrained heritage of a farming community.

Water planning needs

Water is an overarching factor affecting the future of agriculture in the U.S. The western U.S. has good water policies. The Southeast, however, always assumed that water supplies were unlimited. Unprecedented drought over the past two years demonstrated water isn’t unlimited.
States need planning, development and deployment of infrastructure, policies and technologies to meet future water demands in agricultural and non-agricultural use. This is critical during drought. There’s no reason to dump millions of cubic meters of water into the Gulf of Mexico at the expense of agriculture. Water shortages in agriculture can irreversibly harm agriculture.

The U.S. needs to aggressively promote our agricultural products around the world. Foreign sales of agricultural products remain one of the bright spots for U.S. trade. Future trade agreements shouldn’t be made that hurt U.S. agriculture. In 2007, agriculture was one of the areas that alleviated our trade deficit. That year, we imported $79 billion versus $116 billion in exports. Don’t kill the golden goose.

A seldom considered issue -- but one that will have a significant impact on U.S. agriculture’s future -- is supporting economic development in poor countries. Future demand for U.S. agricultural products will come from rising incomes and consumer demand in these countries. We can help the world’s poor and U.S. agriculture at the same time.

Food and fuel

U.S. agriculture can not only feed the world, it can provide energy. The Southeast has been labeled the Saudi Arabia of bioenergy. Energy production from grains, especially corn, is a short-term solution. Cellulosic ethanol is the long-term hope for energy production from plants, especially pine trees, something Georgia has plenty of. However, technological breakthroughs must be made before this happens. Whether they come next year or 10 years from now remains to be seen.

Farmers are good stewards of the land and natural resources. Agriculture is a strong, stable segment of the nation’s economy. Given sound policy, strong support, solid investment in research and education, and stepped-up focus on food safety, security, science and trade, U.S. agriculture is poised to meet the demand to feed and nourish the growing world population.

By J. Scott Angle
University of Georgia
College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

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Georgia Announces Specialty Crop Grant Program

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is pleased to announce a new grant program to fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was established by the 2008 Farm Bill.

The GDA has set up a competitive grant process to award these federal funds in 2009. GDA will be administering funds totaling $909,576.44 for the development of projects that will support and enhance the competitiveness of Specialty Crops in Georgia. GDA intent is to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Georgia’s specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent.

Projects that benefit the following specialty crops are eligible; Fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops are eligible specialty crops.

GDA is seeking applications from organizations that seek to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Georgia including; non-profit organizations and corporations, commodity associations, state and local government entities, colleges, and universities. Applicants must reside or their business or educational affiliation must be in Georgia.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Rules state: Grant funds will NOT be awarded for projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

Grant applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on July 17, 2009. Please refer to the links on this page for the grant application, guidelines, and additional information.

GDA will accept grant applications with a value of up to $150,000 and a minimum of $10,000. Grants will be awarded for up to three years. Once all applications are submitted to GDA, each one will be carefully reviewed and evaluated. All GDA approved projects will then be developed into one grant submission to the USDA. Upon approval from USDA, GDA will notify applicants (sub-grantees) of their status. No final awards to any sub-grantee will be made until a final grant award is made to GDA (grantor) by USDA. Final approval is expected by September 30, 2009, but is subject to change.

For questions or additional information contact:
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Specialty Crops Block Grant Program
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
or email: grants@agr.state.ga.us

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Conviction Closes Adulterated Meat Case

The last of five people charged in an adulterated meat case on which Georgia Department of Agriculture Meat Compliance Officers began surveillance and investigation two years ago has been convicted, Commissioner Tommy Irvin said.

Charles Ricky Bobo of a Cumming address, was found guilty in Walker County Superior Court on nine counts of violations of Georgia’s Meat Inspection Act. He was found guilty on such charges as offering meat under a false label, offering uninspected meat and intent to fraud. Bobo was charged on 26 counts in February of last year with the violations based on the casework prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture investigation. Bobo is incarcerated awaiting sentencing in March.

The GDA Officers worked closely with District Attorney Herbert (Buzz) Franklin in Walker County to provide the crucial testimony and evidence linking Bobo to the illegal sale, slaughter, processing and delivery of mislabeled, adulterated and uninspected meat.

“I want to thank and congratulate my staff, the federal workers and the officials in Walker County for their hard work on this case,” said Commissioner Irvin.

“People are subject to possible injury from the unwholesome, adulterated or misbranded meat operations such as this and livestock producers and meat processors of wholesome products also suffer losses,” said Irvin.

The five arrests made in February 2007 were the result of an intense year-long investigation by GDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA FSIS). GDA Compliance Officers and USDA investigators coordinated the arrests with Walker, Bartow, Gwinnett and Barrow Counties. Four of those charged in the case pled guilty earlier.

Bobo was convicted of charges made in connection with the slaughter of sheep in December, 2006 that were intended for distribution in the Atlanta area.

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2009 Georgia County Guide Available

Bremen City Schools had a 93 percent graduation rate in 2007. And 65.6 percent of Oconee County’s 2007 graduates were eligible for the HOPE scholarship.

If you want to learn more interesting facts on education and much more in the Peach State, the 27th edition of the Georgia County Guide is the book for you. The annual publication is compiled by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, a unit of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Education tidbits

In the education category, you can learn what percent of public school students in your county qualified for the gifted program, were retained in their grade, dropped out and more.

Did you know that more than half of Georgia public school teachers hold advanced degrees? And more than 24 percent of Decatur City School students are enrolled in the gifted program? And since 1993, Georgia has awarded more than $4 billion dollars in HOPE scholarships.

In the area of finances, the guide reveals that the average Georgia household survives on $45,564 a year and almost 1.3 million Georgians live in poverty. Half of the children who attend Georgia public schools qualify for free or reduced lunches.

Higher income than U.S. average

On a positive note, five Georgia counties have per capita incomes higher than the U.S. average.

The public information in the guide is pulled from federal, state and private agencies. Using more than 1,400 variables, the book provides figures on agriculture, courts and crime, economics, education, government, health, housing and households, labor, natural resources, population, public assistance, transportation and vital statistics on the state and its 159 counties.
“(The guide) has evolved over time to become the premier source of county-level data,” said Sue Boatright, a CAES research coordinator and the guide’s editor.

Used by many

The information is commonly used by realtors, educators, political consultants, county planners, architects and many others to make community decisions, she said.

Crime figures in the guide include the number of index crimes reported, percentage of juvenile arrests and the number of state prison inmates.

Farm-gate values for poultry, row crops, livestock, forestry, vegetables, ornamentals and fruits and nuts are included in the agriculture category.

Order your copy

Access to the data is free online at www.georgiastats.uga.edu. A printed copy costs $20. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets of all the data costs $50. The book and its data on CD can be purchased together for $65.

To order, go to the Web site www.countyguide.uga.edu. Or, send a request and check made payable to Georgia County Guide to the Office of Communications, 117 Hoke Smith Annex, Athens, GA 30602-4356. Allow three weeks from receipt of order for delivery.

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

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Investigation into Salmonella Contamination Continues; GDA Makes Sure Recalled Products are Removed from Sale

“We are continuing to work with our state and federal counterparts to determine the cause of the contamination of peanut butter from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) processing facility in Blakely,” said Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has run 173 individual tests on peanut butter from the plant and ingredients sent to the plant as well as peanut butter and peanut products from other sources. “These tests have been negative for Salmonella with the exception of the sample we announced last week and for one more sample collected from the plant for which we are awaiting results,” said Commissioner Irvin.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is conducting a recall verification to make sure that all recalled products are removed from store shelves and food warehouses. “We have been informing grocery stores, convenience stores, food warehouses and food processors of all the products that have been recalled and our inspectors are checking to make sure all the recalled products have been removed from sale and from food distribution channels,” said Commissioner Irvin.

Visit the Food and Drug Administration web site: http://www.fda.gov/oc/firmrecalls for more information on the recall and a complete list of the recalled products.

“Jars of peanut butter sold in retail stores are not implicated in this recall. The recalled peanut butter and peanut paste were sent to food processors and institutions,” said Irvin.

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USDA's Interim Final Rule Amends Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer January 15 announced changes to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's largest conservation program for working agricultural lands.

USDA published an interim final rule containing the statutory changes to EQIP in the Federal Register today. USDA is seeking public comment on the rule through March 16, 2009.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, or 2008 Farm Bill, includes non-industrial private forestland as an eligible land use and provides payments for conservation practices related to organic production or the transition to organic production. It also provides for increased payment rates to historically underserved producers, including limited resource, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

The EQIP interim final rule can be viewed at the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service's (USDA-NRCS) Web site; at the official government regulation Web Site; and at the Federal Register.

The public comments will be used to finalize the interim final rule. USDA will publish a final rule, which will incorporate statutory changes and establish the program's policy for the life of the 2008 Farm Bill.

USDA-NRCS administers EQIP, a voluntary conservation program that provides technical assistance and payments to help crop and livestock producers address environmental concerns through conservation improvements on agricultural and non-industrial private forest lands. Farmers and ranchers can use EQIP to farm in an environmentally friendly manner and still meet their agricultural production goals. It is designed to produce significant environmental benefits to the public, such as improved soil, water and air quality; and enhanced wildlife habitat. In addition, farmers and ranchers use EQIP to meet federal, state, tribal and local environmental regulations.

Under the amended EQIP, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as well as beginning and limited resource producers are authorized to receive payments of up to 90 percent of the costs of installing or implementing a conservation practice. These producers also can receive advance payments of up to 30 percent of the anticipated costs incurred to purchase materials or to contract services to implement a conservation practice.

EQIP will offer financial and technical assistance for conservation practices to certified organic farmers and ranchers as well as producers interested in transitioning to organic farming. Organic producers must develop and carry out an organic system plan. These producers can receive a maximum payment of $20,000 annually, or $80,000 over six years to apply or carry out approved conservation practices contained in that plan.

EQIP will offer financial assistance to forest landowners to develop a forest management plan, along with carrying out the conservation practices contained in the plan. The 2008 Farm Bill also encourages producers to use innovative technologies and cost-effective methods under approved conservation practices to address air quality.

The 2008 Farm Bill reduced the overall payment limitation from $450,000 to $300,000 for a six-year period, except for environmentally significant projects.

The new farm bill also established the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) as a component of EQIP. AWEP provides technical and financial assistance to help producers carry out water enhancement activities on private agricultural land for the purpose of conserving surface and ground water and improving water quality. USDA published a Request for Proposals for AWEP in the Federal Register on Jan. 14, 2009.

For additional information about EQIP, please visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP/ or call (202) 720-1845 during business hours.

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USDA Fields Farm Bill, Prepares Ground for Next Administration

In seven months after late summer congressional passage of the 2008 Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has put in place much of the key components and prepared next items for action by the incoming Administration Jan 20. The 2008 Farm Bill is approximately 50 percent larger than its predecessor, the 2002 Farm Bill, with 15 titles and more than 600 provisions. In total, 170 regulatory actions and over 100 reports and studies have been identified that the Department is required to complete to fully implement.

"USDA employees continue to work hard to implement all the provisions of the farm bill in an efficient and expeditious manner," said Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. "Producers and consumers should be confident that USDA has laid the foundation for the next Administration to continue this success."

"Within weeks of its enactment USDA began delivering program benefits for 2008 and efforts continue today to ensure the delivery of additional program benefits in 2009," said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner. "We have held hundreds of meetings with stakeholders on almost all titles of the Farm Bill, and continue to have USDA representatives available to follow-up."

Highlights of USDA Accomplishments:

Issued multiple Federal Register Notices announcing program parameters for marketing assistance loans, loan deficiency payments, and direct and counter-cyclical payment (DCP) programs for the 2008 crop.
Began crop year 2008 DCP signup on June 25, 2008 (one week after enactment) and ended September 30, 2008. The sign up for farms with 10 base acres or less ended November 26, 2008 following the legislative change enacted in October. USDA enrolled 1.8 million DCP contracts for 2008 and issued $5.1 billion in direct payments.
Published regulations on August 20 and 21, 2008, implementing Federal marketing agreements and orders for milk, fruit, vegetable, and nut crops.
Implemented the 2009-2012 DCP and Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program on December 29, 2008. Signup for 2009 DCP is underway and will continue through June 1, 2009, advance payments are currently being issued.
Made available additional Farm Bill funding for conservations programs in FY 2008, including an additional $200 million for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), to help farmers and ranchers nationwide to solve natural resource problems; $150 million for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP); and $7.5 million for Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA).
Made available more than $4 billion for conservation program funding in FY 2009, including $1.8 billion for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), $1 billion for the EQIP, $570 million for the WRP, $100 million for the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP), and $74 for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).
Published 8 program regulations between November 2008 and January 2009 for the implementation of CRP, EQIP, WRP, FRPP, WHIP, AMA, the Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP), and the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP).
The Farm Bill renamed the Food Stamp Program, as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, effective October 1, 2008. USDA worked tirelessly to implement a number of important improvements to SNAP that took effect that same day, including an increase in the minimum benefit and standard deduction, elimination of retirement and education savings accounts counting as offsetting income resources, combat pay as income when determining eligibility and application of full cost associated with child care costs.
Made available $547 million for 232 projects to provide clean, safe drinking water in rural America — the majority of that funding from the Farm Bill.

USDA also moved very quickly to implement and award in FY 2008 nearly $28 million under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, 10 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; $22 million for the Organic Cost-Share Program; $3.4 million for Farmers Market Promotion Program; $3.5 million to enhance market news reporting for organic products; and $1.5 million for Agricultural Management Assistance to aid in the transition to organic agriculture.
In addition, USDA provided additional work in conservation, rural development, nutrition, research, energy, farm credit and crop insurance sections of the 2008 Farm Bill.

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SBA Disaster Loans Available Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes located in the State of Georgia as a result of drought conditions beginning on January 1, 2008 and continuing.

These loans are available in all counties in the State of Georgia except McIntosh County.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to assist small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to farm-related and non-farm-related small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered economic injury as a direct result of this disaster. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.

Eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations may qualify for loans up to $2 million. These loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Under this disaster declaration, the SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.

To obtain a loan application or program information, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. EST or by emailing the Customer Service Center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The Customer Service Center will be closed from December 25 – 28, 2008 for the holidays. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

Victims may visit SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply for disaster loans.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than August 12, 2009.

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Fay Damages Crops in 31 Georgia Counties

Tropical Storm Fay brought much needed rainfall to Georgia in late August, but it caused $159 million in damage to crops in 31 south Georgia counties, according to a University of Georgia economic impact study.

Colquitt, Mitchell and Brooks counties in southwest Georgia were the hardest hit by the storm.
Conducted by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, the study evaluated the damage five weeks after the storm and the resulting economic impact it had in the area, said Archie Flanders, an economist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“We released a production value loss report a few days after the storm, but it’s difficult to determine the full extent of damage for many crops immediately after a weather event,” Flanders said. “Harvesting of some crops had begun at the time of the storm, but other crops were weeks away from harvest.”

Crop conditions can improve after a storm, but the potential for disease pressure is also a lingering concern, he said.

The storm caused $54 million in damage to vegetable crops, or 70 percent of the expected value, Flanders said. Ninety-eight percent of the vegetable losses occurred in Colquitt County alone.
A quarter of the cotton crop in the affected counties was lost, totaling $62 million in damage.

Pecans had the third greatest loss from the storm with 29 percent of the expected production value lost, or $21.1 million, Flanders said.

Peanut suffered $10 million in damage, or eight percent of the expected value. The storm knocked almost $5 million off the value of tobacco in the area and $1 million off the soybeans.
“Economic changes in agriculture reach other sectors of the state economy," he said.

Though the storm cost farmers $159 million in potential income, the lack of that money has a ripple effect, costing the economy another $108 million in potential revenue. Fay’s blow cost Georgia a total of $267 million.

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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