GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOMMY IRVIN, COMMISSIONER Vol.jB'f, No. 9 --^------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------W---e-d--n-e--s-d-a-y--,-A--p-r-i-l--2-3-, 2008 Copyright 2008 Bml Vu/m XeabfoUM Sumtumi d 2008 Smtiw Water is Life Georgia General Assembly Passes Agriculture-Related Bills The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission encourages you to think about your personal responsibility to be a good steward of the natural resources, including water, during its annual Stewardship Week celebration. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has proclaimed April 27 to May 4, 2008 as Stewardship Week with the theme, "Water is Life." The Earth's water is in constant motion in the process known as the hydrologic (water) cycle. There is no beginning or end to the hydrologic cycle. Water available to users can change due to the cycles of weather and changes in water quality. Throughout time, the same water has been transferred into the Earth's atmosphere and dropped on land again where it follows the water cycle through plants, soil, water bodies, animals and clouds. That means the water we use today is the same water that was here when dinosaurs roamed the land. What can we in Georgia do? Become aware of water quality and quantity in your Our guest columnist this week is Brent Dykes, Executive Director, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, P.O. Box 8024, Athens, GA 30603. community.* Understand how watersheds work. We all live in a watershed. Watersheds are the places we call home, where we work and where we play. Everyone relies on water and other natural resources to exist. What you and others do on the land impacts the quality and quantity of water and our other natural resources throughout Georgia. Managing the water and other natural resources is an effective and efficient way to sustain the local and State economy and environmental health. The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission was formed in 1937 to assist people throughout Georgia. During Stewardship Week, the Commission will coordinate with the 40 soil and water conservation districts across the state to provide conservation education material to school-aged children statewide. To find out what activities your local conservation district has planned, visit our website at www.gaswcc.org or call 706542-3065. GSWCC and local conservation districts will be active in the implementation of the New Comprehensive Statewide Water (Continued on Page 12) The Georgia General Assembly adjourned its 2008 session on April 4. Commissioner Tommy Irvin and Deputy Commissioner Terry Coleman would like to thank the legislators for their leadership in helping to pass this legislation. A short summary of these bills, along with their sponsors, is provided below. As of press time, all bills are awaiting the Governor's signature. H.B. 649 - (Rep. Tommy Smith): Allows blueberry growers to vote on the establishment of a commission within the guidelines of the Georgia Agricultural Commodities Promotion Act. H.B. 393 - (Rep. Ron Stephens): Allows for the licensing of farm wineries J Special Handicraft Issue \ See pages 11 & 12 within the state when at least 40 percent of the agriculture product used in the wine is grown in Georgia; it also allows for farm wineries to make retail sales and offer tasting rooms at the winery. H.B. 1061 - (Rep. Ron Stephens): Allows for wineries to ship up to 12 cases of wine per year directly to Georgia residents. H.B. 1081 - (Rep. Larry O'Neal): Makes a small change in the Conservation Use Value Assessment which will prevent land being excluded from CUVA based on restrictive covenants unrelated to the program. HJ}. 1088 - (Rep. Botch Parrish): This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation to work together to promote agri tourism within the state. Agriculturalbased businesses can apply to the Department of Agriculture, meeting specific requirements, and receive directional road signs leading the public to these attractions. Agriculture Dept. Bans Sale of Cogongrass The Georgia Department of Agriculture has issued a statewide ban on the sale of Cogongrass, a non-native and aggressively invasive species of grass. Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is already listed as a noxious weed by the United States Department of Agriculture and is therefore illegal to transport across state lines. The new action makes the growing, cultivation or sale of the plant a violation within the state of Georgia. The grass is sold under the names Japanese blood grass and Red Baron grass. There is a reddish tint to the leaves, which accounts for its name and sole ornamental quality; however, the leaves will sometimes revert to green. Cultivars, such as `Red Baron', are thought to be sterile (producing no viable seed), but long-term behavior of the plant is unknown. Cultivars of the grass have demonstrated aggressive spreading by their roots. State and federal agencies have been working together for four years to detect all known Cogongrass infestations and to eradicate them. Cogongrass can form a dense mat that makes it nearly impossible for other plants to coexist. It disrupts ecosystems, reduces wildlife habitat and decreases tree seedling growth. "Think of kudzu as a grass," said Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin. This ban is part of an ongoing effort among the nursery industry, USDA Forest Service, University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Georgia Department (Continued on Page 12) Coleman Receives President's Medal Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Terry Coleman was honored for his career achievements and support of Georgia Southern University at the annual Alumni Awards Banquet Saturday, April 5, in Statesboro. During the cere mony, GSU president Bruce Grube presented the President's Medal to Coleman. The President's Medal is an honor that is reserved exclusively for those who have made extraordinary contributions, dedication and service to Georgia Southern University. Coleman is only the fourth recipient of the award. In recognizing Coleman, Grube said, "Terry Coleman has made numerous contributions to Georgia Southern University during his 34 years of public service as a member of the Georgia House (Continued on Page 12) H.B. 1178 - (Ellis Black): This bill extends the exemption from sales taxes for fuels used in swine facilities to June 30, 2010. HS. 1211 & 1276 (Richard Royal): Allows for forestland owners to enter their land into a strict 15-year covenant that would tax their property at its current use instead of fair market value. The bill will be presented to voters in November as a constitutional amendment if the law is signed by the Governor. H.B. 1281 - (Terry England) Prohibits local governments from imposing more stringent restrictions on outdoor water use during periods of drought than those imposed by the state; also sets a mechanism for local governments to appeal to EPD to opt out of state restrictions. H.B. 1303 - (Rep. Mike Coan): Prohibits the requirement of additional food nutrition information at food service establishments by any county board of health or other political subdivision such as a municipality, county, local government authority, board, or commission. (Continued on Page 12) Notice Ad Deadline for the May 21 issue is noon May 7 3O 'C 0oo0 < 03 O -- 6