Page 1 - 031120-Market-Bulletin

EstablishEd 1917 a CEntury of sErviCE

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE • GARY W. BLACK, COMMISSIONER • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020 • VOL. 103, NO. 6 • © COPYRIGHT 2020
Black: ‘Help is finally on the way for our farm families’

State will begin accepting applications for Hurricane Michael relief March 18

By Amy Carter A three-week enrollment window will open
amy.carter@agr.georgia.gov 100th Anniversary March 18 and close at midnight on April 8. Appli-
cations will be accepted online only at the GDA’s
Nearly 18 months after Hurricane Michael 1917 – 2017 dedicated website, www.FarmRecovery.com.
struck at the heart of Georgia agriculture, produc- Black encouraged affected producers to visit the
ers in 95 affected counties can finally look forward site prior to March 18 for a checklist of required
to a share in federal relief dollars to help them re- documentation (also included on Page 15 of this
build, repair and replant. issue) and for updates on the program.
In a joint press conference with Gov. Brian Black said he anticipates disbursing funds to
Kemp at the State Capitol Feb. 26, Georgia Agri- qualified producers in two payments.
culture Commissioner Gary W. Black announced “Our goal is to move swiftly” once the appli-
that the department reached a long-awaited agree- cation period closes and demand is calculated, he
ment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for said. “When I say swiftly, I like to believe this will
the disbursement of $347 million in disaster aid be a spring-time activity. I certainly don’t want to
to address losses suffered by timber, dairy, beef, go into other seasons of the year before we’re fin-
poultry, fruit and vegetable, and pecan producers. ished.”
The Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant program By most accounts Hurricane Michael’s winds
also includes a plan to address certain losses for were still well above 100 mph when the storm
uninsured infrastructure. crossed into Southwest Georgia on Oct. 10, 2018.
“No one will approach being made whole, but Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black and Gov. Brian Kemp were joined by Michael was a Category 5 storm at landfall, as
our hope is that these resources will help restore a members of the Georgia General Assembly and heads of various state departments Feb. 26 measured on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale, with
measure of confidence in the marketplace,” Black to announce the Georgia Farm Recovery Program for agricultural producers who collectively maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. Though
said. suffered billions of dollars in losses to Hurricane Michael in October 2018. (Amy Carter/GDA) See RECOVERY, page 16
Forestry Matters: Applying for the Farm Recovery Block Grant

By Stasia Kelly count and apply for assistance for ture Commissioner Gary Black the many benefits of trees – including clean
Georgia Forestry Commission each of their land parcels. Two types to secure this needed funding air and water, homes for wildlife, thousands
of funding will be available for tim- for Georgia landowners. Go to of products and jobs, energy savings, beautifi-
As you’ve likely heard and are reading ber: Comprehensive or Self-certifi- www.farmrecovery.com for the cation and much more.
about elsewhere in the Market Bulletin, fed- cation. Comprehensive will have a latest information. Georgia’s Arbor Day is always held on the
eral aid designed to help farmers and forest higher per-acre payment rate than In other forestry news...A third Friday in February, which this year was
landowners impacted by Hurricane Michael self-certification but will require lot of red Georgia clay has been Feb. 21. It coincides with Georgia’s ideal tree
has been rolled out under the Georgia Farm additional documentation, such as turned in recent weeks as the planting season, which runs from December
Recovery Block Grant. Tree farmers in 95 an IRS 4684 Casualty Loss Form. Georgia Forestry Commission through March.
Georgia counties could be eligible for assis- The exact per-acre payment for each and people all over the state Many Arbor Day events honored Tree City
tance. The sign-up window is short – March funding level will be based on the planted trees for Arbor Day. USA locations. Tree City is a program of the
18 to April 8 – and will be handled entirely overall demand for funding. F O R E S T R Y From Dahlonega to Savannah National Arbor Day Foundation that recog-
online at www.farmrecovery.com. We are thankful for the tireless M A T T E R S and numerous cities and towns nizes cities actively protecting their tree can-
There, forest landowners can create an ac- efforts of Gov. Brian Kemp and in between, ceremonies marked opies through municipal funding, advocacy
Georgia Department of Agricul- the day set aside to learn about See FARM RECOVERY, page 16

Enrollment portal is open to prospective hemp processors seeking state permitting
GDA, USDA working to approve plan for grower licenses
By Amy Carter the Georgia Hemp Processor Permit Applica- ances for hemp cultivation. The 2018 Farm
amy.carter@agr.georgia.gov tion Guide printed on Page 14 of this issue and Bill fully legalized hemp as a commercial crop
posted online at www.agr.georgia.gov/geor- under regulation by the USDA or individual
On March 2, the Georgia Department of gia-hemp-program.aspx. state departments of agriculture. In Georgia,
Agriculture activated its online application growers and processors must be licensed by
portal for those desiring to process and handle Visit that site for links to: the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
hemp at any location in Georgia. The Hemp • Frequently Asked Questions about Hemp is defined as the Cannabis sativa L.
Georgia’s Hemp Program
Processor Permit Application can be found • FDA rules about the use of Cannabis and plant and any part of the plant, including the
Please deliver this paid subscription to: Published by the Ga. Department of Agriculture Gary W. Black, Commissioner cess hemp must have a valid Hemp Processor • The full text of HB 213, Georgia’s Hemp tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of
seeds and all derivatives, extracts, cannabi-
online at www.agr.georgia.gov/georgia-hemp-
noids, isomers, acids, salts and salts of isomers.
Cannabis-derived products (including
program.aspx.
Cannabidiol or CBD oil)
Whether growing or not, the plant must have a
Any person processing or intending to pro-
Farming Act
no more than 0.3 percent on a dry-weight ba-
Permit before receiving, processing, handling
or storing hemp. A valid permit means the • USDA Hemp Production Program
sis to comply with the Georgia Hemp Farming
Act.
Questions and Answers.
permit has been issued and is unexpired, un-
Essentially the same plant as marijuana, the
suspended and unrevoked. Processor permits
The GDA and USDA are still working out distinction lies in the concentration of THC,
are issued annually. The initial permit fee is
$25,000. The annual renewal fee is currently details of the state’s grower license program. the primary intoxicant in marijuana. Federal
Updates on that process will be posted law defines Cannabis sativa L. as hemp when
set at $10,000.
it contains less than 0.3 percent THC by dry
As part of their applications, processors online at www.agr.georgia.gov/georgia-
weight. The THC content of marijuana typical-
hemp-program.aspx.
must submit to the state department of agricul-
ly ranges from five to 20 percent.
The 2014 Farm Bill made limited allow-
ture supporting documentation as outlined in