GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOMMY IRVIN, COMMISSIONER Vol. No. 2 Farmland Edition Scheduled March 11 Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Copyright 2009 Hmdmd Semtiif Agriculture Food and Defense Focus of Department Program The Spring Farmland Edition of the Market Bulletin will be published March 11,2009; deadline for this issue is Feb. 18, 2009. Please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting farmland advertisements for the farmland edition. * Only farmland may be advertised. Land tracts must be at least five acres in size and located in Georgia. * Indicate acreage and county where your property is located. * All property must be for sale by owner; no real estate brokers or agents are allowed to advertise; property under contract with a real estate agent or broker is not eligible for advertising. Consumers are encouraged to call the Market Bulletin office toll-free 1-800-282-5852, to report ads not in compliance with this requirement. * Descriptive terms should be limited to those characterizing farm property or agricultural structures, such as bams, (Continued on Page 11) Since the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has been at the forefront of efforts to protect the state against acts of agro terrorism. Georgia was one of the first states to complete a statewide homeland security agriculture assessment, and it was the first state to include assessments from local jurisdictions. Georgia also was the first state to activate an Agricultural Information Sharing and Analysis Center (AGISAC) to serve as a clearinghouse for information impacting agriculture, such as reportable animal diseases, food safety concerns, and possible criminal activity against agricultural organizations. Other firsts for Georgia in Homeland Security included: establishing a system of pet friendly shelters in times of disasters; establishing agriculture representatives of each of the eight Georgia Emergency Management Agency All Hazards Regional Councils; New Feline Friend License Plate Unveiled Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin and Deputy Commissioner Terry Coleman unveiled a new license plate last week benefiting Georgia's spay/neuter program. The new license plate depicts a black and white tuxedo cat. Proceeds from sales of the Feline Friend license plate will directly benefit the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program, which provides spay/neuter subsidies to Geqrgians statewide and performs educational outreach on this healthy choice. The Feline Friend license plate joins the Program's two other designs, the Buddy and Animal Friend license plates. Since November 2003, almost $2.9 million has been earned to specifically fund subsidies and education. In addition to license plate sales, which provide the Program's primary funding source, the State Income Tax Checkoff is another means of supporting the Program's critical efforts. "By adding the new Feline Friend license plate we hope to appeal to cat lovers throughout Georgia to help us with this important program," said Commissioner Irvin. "We hope that everyone goes out and buys this tag for their vehicles." Unlike other spay/neuter programs, the DCSP has no income requirements. Any Georgia resident may benefit from the program. Interested residents should contact their local veterinarians to confirm program participation. More than 41,000 spay/neuter surgeries have been performed on animals in all 159 Georgia counties. To date, 1,004 veterinarians currently participate in the Program. For complete Program information and to find a participating veterinarian in their area, Georgians are invited to contact the (Continued on Page 12) Commissioner Tommy Irvin is shown displaying the new Feline Friend license plate at an unveiling ceremony last week at the Georgia Department of Agriculture in Atlanta. Proceeds from sales of the tag will benefit the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program. setting up an electronic, web-based Reportable Animal Diseases System to incorporate into AGISAC; training veterinarians and agricultural specialists to be part of the reporting and response networks; and planning animal and food safety response training exercises. "As an agency we have made significant progress in our ability to protect against, and respond to, natural disasters and acts of agro-terrorism," said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, "but we must continue to do more." Although the Georgia Department of Ag Census Data Set For Release Feb. 4 Results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture will be released at 1 p.m. Feb. 4 during a press briefing at the Georgia Department of Agriculture in Atlanta. The department will be partnering with the Georgia office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service to present highlights of the census documenting changes in Georgia farm numbers, land use, and production. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, Deputy Commissioner Terry Coleman, and NASS (Continued on Page 12) Referendum Now Underway For Ga. Blueberry Growers A 30-day referendum is underway for Georgia blueberry producers to decide if they want to establish a Georgia Blueberry Commission, In order to be counted in the referendum, completed ballots must be postmarked no later than February 10, 2009. In order for ballots to be counted, 25 percent of eligible producers must vote; 66 2/3 percent of those who return their ballot must vote in favor of the referendum in order for it to pass. An eligible producer is one that produces annually at least one (1) ton of blueberries for commercial production. Any eligible blueberry producer who did not receive a ballot may obtain one by contacting the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Commodities Promotion office at 1-800-282-5852, extension 3678. Agriculture was greatly involved in homeland security issues related to agriculture, there was not an official homeland security division until July 1, 2007 when Commissioner Irvin appointed Deputy Commissioner Terry Coleman to head the Department's homeland security efforts under the new Agriculture and Food Defense and Trade Division. This division is comprised of the offices of Agriculture and Food Defense, International Trade, and support staff. The Agriculture Food and Defense program began with a limited staff, comprised of a director with investigative support provided by department livestock enforcement officers. These investigators were given broadened powers after passage of Senate Bill 429 to enable them to monitor all areas regulated by GDA. Training for the investigators, who are expected to develop expertise in eacfi area allowed under the legislation, is still being developed. The investigators are working with U.S. Customs and Border (Continued on Page 12) Notice Ad Deadline for the Feb. 25 issue is noon, Feb. 11