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."

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Irvin warns Georgians to protect structures against termite infestation after recent flooding

Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin alerts Georgians that they need to “consider options” in preventing future termite infestations as a result of recent flooding in the northern part of the state.

“Structures in Georgia are particularly vulnerable to termite attack and it is important to be protected,” says Irvin, whose department license structural pest control operators.

The recent rainfall -- and subsequent flooding -- have saturated soils and damaged homes and businesses that will require major rebuilding. Irvin says now is a good time to review or re-establish termite control measures that may have been disturbed by the flooding.
Irvin says home and business owners should always seek professional help when dealing with termites.

“A licensed pest management professional can best answer the question ‘Is my home or business still protected against termites?’” Irvin says. “If you have a liquid termiticide barrier treatment or termite monitoring/baiting programs (to protect your structure), it is essential that the pest control company determine if the barrier or stations have been disturbed by heavy rains or flooding.”

Re-treatment of termiticide or re-installation of a baiting program may be required.

Irvin says a trained structural pest control professional will be able to look for soil erosion and ascertain if soil has been carried away by the rains and flood and deposited away from a foundation or next to it. If there is a shifting of soil away from a foundation, it may be probable that termite re-treatment will be necessary.

Irvin says re-treatment may also be needed if there is movement of adjacent attached slabs such as patios, porches, driveways and sidewalks or a foundation.

“The disturbance of the liquid barrier treatment or termite monitoring system is an unfortunate occurrence, and is neither the fault of the homeowner, business owner, or the pest control company,” the commissioner says. “A property owner needs to review their termite control contract to see who is responsible for the reestablishment of the termite protection. This can be found in the terms and conditions of the contract.”

Irvin advises home and business owners to be cautious, in addition to using and seeking the advice only of licensed professional pest control companies.

“If a company is not licensed in Georgia, it is illegal for them to practice termite control work, and your property will not be professionally protected,” Irvin says. “If you are in doubt, call Structural Pest Control, Georgia Department of Agriculture at (404) 656-3641.” You can also verify a company’s operator’s license at http://www.kellysolutions.com/ga/structural/

“Being inadequately protected is a gamble that you should not entertain,” Irvin says. “You want to be 100-percent certain that you don’t have a termite problem because if you guess wrong, it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Here, an ounce of prevention is the best course.”

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Georgia farm organizations to share nearly $1 million to promote, support and enhance Specialty Crops

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin says that nearly $1 million in federal funds are on the way from Washington for competitive grants that promote the marketing and enhancement of “specialty crops” in the state. The funds, distributed as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, are designated under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Irvin says $909,576.44 in U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for developmental projects that support and enhance the competitiveness of Georgia Specialty Crops. Awards will be presented for projects that can successfully measure the greatest return on investment of the federal dollars. Grants of $10,000 up to $150,000 will be awarded for up to three years.

The Georgia Specialty Crops eligible for these competitive grants include: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass (sod) in addition to nursery and greenhouse crops.

Organizations eligible to apply include non-profit organizations, corporations, commodity associations, state and local governments, colleges and universities. Applicants must live, conduct business or have an educational affiliation in Georgia. The application deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2009.

Grants 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.

To request an application for this grant program e-mail inquiries to grants@agr.state.ga.us or write Georgia Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crops Block Grant Program, 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30334.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Unlisted peanuts causes granola bar recall

Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is alerting consumers with an allergy or sensitivity to peanuts to the recall of some Market Pantry Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola bars sold at Target stores in 35 states, including Georgia.

LeClerc Foods of Montgomery, Pa., has recalled a single lot of Market Pantry Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bar packages with UPC Code 85239 20124 and a “Best By” date of 18JAN2010.

Some of the retail units also may contain Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars and S’more Bars. As a result the ingredient statement on the retail package does not include peanuts. People who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

Individual bars within the retail package have the correct variety names on the wrappers.

The product is available in 15.2 oz. boxes containing 18 bars per box and the date code is found printed in white on the right side of the box.

This product also was shipped to other states in the southeast, including Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.

-----
Community News You Can Use
Follow on Twitter @GAFrontPage
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.artsacrosssgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

50 ways to eat a Vidalia Onion

April 20 was the official “Shipping Date” that began the 2009 Vidalia® Onion Marketing Season. The onions have started arriving in stores, and some of Georgia’s leaders as well as regular citizens are sharing their favorite ways to eat the world’s favorite onion.

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin shows his rural roots when he says he is especially fond of eating them with black-eyed peas and cornbread for lunch at the office. For Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Terry Coleman, it’s a couple of Vidalia onion slices on whole wheat bread with mustard, mayo and some salt and pepper. State Representative Tom McCall likes them microwaved with butter and a little salt and pepper. State Rep. Butch Parrish says “My wife makes a dip with Vidalia onions, cheese and lite mayonnaise that is perfect for any kind of chip or cracker.” State Senator John Bulloch says “They’re great as a side dish for about anything.”

A quick survey of employees at the Georgia Department of Agriculture revealed even more alternatives including Vidalia onions marinated in soy sauce and olive oil and grilled, baked in foil with butter or a bullion cube, thinly sliced on a peanut butter sandwich, in salads, cut up in vinegar with banana peppers and tomatoes, in baked beans, marinated in Italian or balsamic dressing and grilled until slightly tender, in a sandwich with tomato, as onion rings, in Vidalia onion and rice casserole, and straight as a complement to the meal and not part of any dish.
The Vidalia onion is truly versatile as well as tasty.

There must be at least 50 ways to eat one:

Dice it in your dip, Chip,
Chip it in your beef, Chief,
In your tartar sauce, Boss,
And your seafood, Dude,
On your burger patty, Mattie,
Raw and plain, Elaine,
With a little salt, Walt,
With your cornbread, Fred,
Along with your greens, Eugene,
On top of your chili, Willie,
With any cheese, Louise,
With green eggs and ham, Sam,
In a caboose, Dr. Seuss,
With bacon, in Macon,
With your pâté, Kay-tay,
Wrestle it with a fork, Mickey Rourke,
With your bare hand, Ms. Streisand,
Grab one to go, Joe,
Take it a la carte, Bart,
With butterbeans, Billie Jean,
With any veggie, Reggie,
Now with a ‘mater, not later,
Sliced thin, Ben,
With buttermilk-a, Mr. Rilke,
On a sandwich, Rich,
At the church picnic, Rick,
As an hors d'oeuvre, Merv,
In French cuisine, Celine,
With tomato aspic, Nick,
With fried okra, Oprah,
Dining at the Ritz, Fritz,
Chew it with joy, Roy,
Bite it with glee, Lee
In your sa-lad, Vlad,
Mince it, Vincent,
Slip it in your stew, Lou,
Pop it in your squash, Josh,
As an appetizah, Liza,
In a casserole, Dr. Scholl,
Put it in a quiche, capice!
Without sweat, Chet,
Sauté it in a pan, Stan,
With a fine sherry, Terry,
Or a cabernet, Renee,
Right off the grill, Phil,
On a kebob, Rob,
With biscuits and gravy, Davy,
With a pickled beet, Pete,
In a pocket of pita, Rita,
Any way, Kay.
Today, Ray.

Vidalia onions are a uniquely Georgia crop and are only produced in a 20-county growing area in the southeastern part of the state.

What is your favorite way to eat a Vidalia? For more recipes see http://www.vidaliaonion.org/index.php .

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage

Vidalia® Onions are coming April 20th

ull out your list of ways to eat them. They’re coming. The official “Shipping Date” for the 2009 Vidalia® Onion Marketing Season is April 20th, says Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin.

The shipping date is based on the recommendation of the Vidalia® Onion Advisory Panel under the authority of the law, rules and regulations applicable to Vidalia® Onions.

Vidalia® Onions may ONLY be shipped prior to April 20th if each and every load being shipped has a Federal-State Inspection Certificate stating the onions have met the established grade requirements and are under “Positive Lot Identification” as approved by the Federal-State Inspection Service.

“The Federal-State Inspection assures the quality of the onions and that they have matured to meet the marketing standards,” Irvin said. “Onions that are harvested and shipped too early and do not meet the grade requirements can damage the reputation of this important crop. None of us want to see the name Vidalia® attached to a substandard product.”

In 2007, the last year for which data is available, the value of the Vidalia® Onion crop was $116.3 million, making it the most valuable vegetable crop in Georgia that year.

This year, the Georgia Department of Agriculture registered 98 Vidalia® onion growers for a total of roughly 11,500 acres in the 20-county growing area, which is very close to the same number of growers and acres registered last year.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

To Ensure Accuracy Gold Buyers Must Use Certified Scales

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin warns consumers that if they want to receive “accurate value” when selling unwanted pieces of jewelry to gold buyers, the weighting device (scales) must carry the green “legal for trade” seal showing that it was inspected by the state agriculture department.

“Our weights and measures inspectors are combing the state to protect consumers. We are checking the certification of all scales to make sure that our consumers are getting an accurate reading,” Irvin says.

“Consumers need to look for the green Georgia Department of Agriculture seal that certifies the measuring device is accurate,” Irvin says.

As the price of gold increases, Georgians are being courted to sell their gold jewelry at malls, hotels, flea markets, home parties and to others who purchase the commodity by weight. The scale weighing the gold must be certified for accuracy. By state law, that’s the responsibility of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

“Businesses and individuals who are buying gold by weight need to have those scales certified before they deal with consumers,” Irvin says. “Our inspectors are going to ensure Georgians that the scales are accurate.”

Irvin also advises consumers that before they sell gold be sure to get an independent appraisal of the gold by weight and purity. Gold purity is measured by karat while gold is weighted in grams or pennyweight. Gold, sold as scrap metal often loses more than 60 percent of its retail value.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

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.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Health Requirements for Flying Reindeer Waived by State Agriculture Department

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin has granted a special 24-hour permit waiving the routine identification and other health requirements for nine flying reindeer slated to visit Georgia on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25.

The permit application 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.

“After consulting with our state veterinarian, Dr. Carter Black, I concluded these reindeer did not pose any threat to Georgia agriculture or violate any of our biosecurity measures to keep out animal diseases,” said Commissioner 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.”

"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."

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone