Georgia agriculture, 1990

Gt:OKGIA AGKICULTUKt:
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOMMY IRVIN , COMMISSIONER

Commissioner Tommy Irvin ............... . .................... . . . .404-656-3600 Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin ....... . ..... . . . ..... . ...... . ... 404-656-3722 Ag Consumer Line ... ... ....... . .. . ............ .. ... .. ...... .. .. 1-800-282-5852
(In Atlanta) .. ..... . . . .. ... ... ..... . ..... ......... . . . . . . . . . . ... 404-656-3645

Serving You -Through Georgia Agriculture

PRINTED REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE
Our press office prints several colorful and factual booklets on Georgia agricul ture, with historic, contemporary and forward-looking perspectives. They, too, may be obtained with a phone call , a letter or a visit to our office at 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334.
Consumer protection , technical ass istance to producers, problem solving and public information- these are the duties of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Press and Consumer Services.

Grocery Stores, In-Store De lis, Bakeries, Food Processors, Bott ling Pla nts

Animal Health, Pet Sto re Licensin g,
~~:~~;~;~~

Consumer Services
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Pl an t Food, Feed and Grain Labs
State Weights and M easures Lab
Scal e Certi fication

Interna tio nal Trade

OUR DEPARTMENT ASSISTS CONSUMERS
Consumers are already more involved with the Georgia Department of Agriculture than they may realize. From the eggs, bacon and bread they eat in the morning to the gasoline that propels them to and from their work each day to the pillow where they lay t heir heads at night , the state Agriculture Department is involved in protecting th e q uality of life for Georgia cons u mers.
AGRICULTURE AFFECTS US ALL
Agri b usi n ess is Georgia's number one industry, t u rning over $18 bil lion a year in the state' s economy. All the other goods and services that society provides depend, literally, on farming.
But as Georgia 's population has moved to town, and as our society has become more inte rdependent a nd comp lex, Comm issi oner of Agriculture Tommy Irv in ha s re fo rmed the De partment of Agr icu lture to reflect t hi s steady rise in consu mer co ncern .

SETTING AND MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Our Department is charged with enforcing state laws regarding food handling, packaging and labeling, as wel l as maintain ing standards of accuracy in fuel delivery, quality in bedding manufacturing, cleanliness in meat processing p lants and standards of freshness and fairness in grocery transactions.

FARMERS ARE CONSUMERS TOO
We work to protect and promote the interests of farmers by making sure that th e seed they buy is pure and potent, that t he ir fertilizer and fuel are accurately formu lated and functional and the grain or livestock they sell is accurately weighed and paid for by licensed and bonded dealers.
So, when problems do occur, we are there, to ensure that fair standards are observed and the best interests of consumers as well as sellers are served.

CALL 1-800181-5851, TOLL-FREE
The Press and Consumer Services Divis ion works to inform consumers about iss ues related to t he Department's activities. We keep a current library of periodicals and pamphlets on consumer topics as well as gardening, health and handicrafts.
Consumer questions are answered in the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin and the quarterly Consumer Services Newsletter. The public may also report problems or obtain information on the Department's toll-free Ag Consumer Line, 1-800-282-5852.
Our efforts are aimed at increasing understanding and promoting cooperation among our state's producers, distributors, sellers and consumers of agriculture-related products. To that end, the Consumer Services Office enlists the help of administrators, technicians and inspectors statewide to investigate, answer and correct consumer problems.
OUTREACH SERVICES
Consumer Services maintains a speakers bureau to spread the word about agriculture and consumerism. We talk with civic clubs and senior citizens; we host student groups at career seminars; we conduct tours of the Agriculture Building and take our message to the p u b lic at fai rs and other promotional events.
We will be p leased to ta ilor a presentation for your group- just give us a call on our to ll -free line: 1-800-282-5852.

I
Horse Foundation
The Georgia Horse Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization representing all breeds of horses in the state. For the past several years, it has been in the forefront of efforts to improve and expand the horse industry in Georgia through statewide educational and promotional campaigns.
The Foundation is an excellent source of general information on Georgia 's horse business.
For further information, contact : The Georgia Horse Foundation
Post Office Box 52903 Atlanta, Georgia 30355
4041261-0612
Georgia Department of Agriculture Equine Division Capitol Square
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404/ 656-3713 or 404/ 656-3685
Extension Animal Scientist Cooperative Extension Service
Athens, Georgia 30602 404/ 542-2584
University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
Athens, Georgia 30602 404/ 542-3461 -- or --
Bolshoi Colic Research Program 404/ 542-3221
Georgia Department of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
OTY: 20,000 COST:S3.700

Georgia's Horse Industry

Horse Industry Is Growing
G eorgia's success in agri business is apparent. At $18 billion annually, few other areas can match her diversity in livestock, poultry and crop production. But a little known fact is that one of the fastest growing segments of the industry involves horses.
There are more than 150,000 equines in the state, and their number is increas ing daily. The industry is estimated to be worth more than $200 million to our economy each year .
Compared with the large breeding and ra cing states, such as Kentucky, Florida, New York and California, the value of Georgia's horse industry is relatively small. But, the business is entering a phase of explosive growth. Horse farms are developing at a rate 10 times greater than any other type of farm, providing ground-floor investment and relocation opportunities.
Advisory Beard Represents Industry
0 ne of t he major reasons for t his expan sion is t he unique atmosphere of cooperation in Georgi a between the governmental, edu cati ona l and private sectors.
Foresee ing the potential of the horse industry in the st at e, Georgia Comm issioner of Ag ri culture Tommy Irvin established in 1972 an Equine Advisory Board composed of 12 members from all areas of the horse industry. These representatives of th e major breeds and horse-related businesses have done an excellent job in improving, promot ing and prot ecting t he industry, as well as keeping the Department on top of devel opments in the field .
The Department's Equine Division is responsible for ensuring that Georgia's horses are protected from disease and abuse, and inspectors are on hand at sales and shows all across t he state.
The combination of internal inspections and investigations and outside advice from the industry has allowed the Department to assume an overall leadership role in the expans ion of the horse business in the state.

Assistance Available at UGA
T he University of Georgia College of Agriculture in Athens is another major force in the development of th e state' s equine industry, and it is constantly expanding to meet the needs of this growing industry. Information and assistance in developing horse farms or solving problems associated with existing facilities is available through the
school's Cooperative Extension Service.
The School of Veterinary Medicine, which accepts 80 new students a year, operates one of the nation's largest and best-equipped equine hospitals under its Department of Large Animal Medicine. Not only does the school train young people to care for the state's horses, it also operates a number of major programs of basic equine research.

GHFWorks For Members
I n the private sector, The Georgia Horse Foundation has been a driving force behind the expansion of the horse industry in the state. A nonprofit, tax exempt organization, the Foundation is comprised of more than 2,000 members, representing all breeds of horses in Georgia .
For almost a decade, the Foundation has conducted programs designed to educate our citizens about the economic benefits an expanded horse industry would provide.
Georgia's Climate Is Great For Horses
G eorgia's government, educational institutions and private organizations put much time and effort into expanding and supporting our equine industry, but one of the state's most attractive feat ures for horsepeople is beyond human control : the climate. A fortunate combination of ra infa ll, t em peratures and soil conditions produce some of the lushest pastures anywhere, and a four season climate provides a healthy atmosphere for the breeding and development of young horses. When it comes to horses, Georgia has it all. Public and private sectors that work together well for the advancement of the industry and a natural environment conducive to growth and development of both animals and crops. Come on to Georgia and join our growing equine industry!

Agriculture Department
The Georgia Department of Agriculture maintains an overall leadership position in the development of the horse industry in the state.
The Department's Equine Advisory Board was formed to assist the agency on equine policy and legislative matters. The 12-member board represents all major breeds in the state and other horse-related businesses, such as sales barns and show facilities. Since its creation, the board has done an excellent job of improving, promoting and protecting the industry, and it can claim a large part of the credit for the rapid expansion of the horse business in the state.
The Department's Equine Division works to see that the state's horses are protected from disease and abuse. Operating under the State Veterinarian 's Office, Division inspectors cover more than 600 shows and sales annually and investigate cruelty complaints in cooperation with the Humane Society and local law enforcement officials.
The Division is also a superior source of information on breeds and breeding, care and feeding, and disease protection.
For further information, contact : Georgia Department of Agriculture
Equine Division Capitol Square Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404/ 656-3713 or 404/ 656-3685

Veterinary School
The University of Georgia 's College of Veterinary Medicine is one of the nation's top teaching and research institutions, and its achievements in the field of equine health have been internationally acclaimed. Through its Extended Services Program, the school's scientific expertise is channeled into the everyday world of Georgia 's equine industry quickly and efficiently.
Two of the school's endeavors are of particular importance to horse farmers: The Bolshoi Equine Colic Research Program and the Byron F. Snyder Equine Reproductive Research facility. Colic is the leading cause of death among horses, and the failure to reproduce efficiently costs horse breeders millions of dollars each year.
The college has been able to keep up with the rapidly expanding horse industry in Georgia, as shown by the fact that most of its facilities devoted to the field are new. The Large Animal Clinic was completed in 1979; the Synder Reproductive Barn in 1980; the Bolshoi Program is only about five years old; and plans are well underway for the construction of a $3.5 million, 160-acre Horse Center to train people for employment in the horse industry.
For further information, contact : University of Georgia
College of Veterinary Medicine Athens, Georgia 30602 404/ 542-3461
--or --
Bolshoi Colic Research Program 404/ 542-3221

Extension Service
The Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Georgia's College of Agriculture is the organization responsible for disseminating to the public the mass of helpful information on horses and horse farming generated by one of the country's leading agricultural universities.
The Service maintains County Extension Offices in each of the state's 159 counties, meaning assistance is less than an hour away, no matter where a farm is located. Each office is staffed with well-trained personnel ready to help with the development of new horse farms or the expansion of existing facilities.
These offices also distribute publications covering a broad range of subjects- either new or updated -to all horse owners, whether they represent large commercial farms or one pleasure horse.
In addition, the Cooperative Extension Service conducts regular short courses, adult education seminars and clinics for horse farmers on the Athens campus. It also manages the state 4-H Club Horse Project. With more than 12,000 members, this represents one of the largest 4-H projects in the state.
For further information, contact any County Extension Office in Georgia, or:
Extension Animal Scientist Cooperative Extension Service
Athens, Georgia 30602 404/ 542-2584

Georgia Agrirama is the State's Museum of Agriculture. Today, Agrirama consists of three distinct areas: rural town, industrial sites complex, and farmsteading communities of 1870's and 1890's. Over 35 structures have been relocated to the 95-acre site and faithfully restored or preserved as they appeared in that era. Interpreters are on location daily to explain and demonstrate lifestyles of a century ago. Each year more and more artifacts and structures are being acquired and restored for visitors to enjoy.

YEAR-ROUND HOURS

Monday-Saturday Sunday

9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving Day, three days prior to Christmas and Christmas Day.

ADMISSION
Admission includes all activities and is $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children (6-16), with children five and under admitted free. A family pass for $10.00 admits parents and their children under 17 years of age. Parking is free . (Prices and hours are subject to change without prior notification.) Admission to the Country Store is free. Senior Citizen Discount.
Group rates are available on request. Arrangements for group tours may be made by calling (912) 386-3344, or by writing Georgia Agrirama, P.O. Box Q , Tifton , Georgia 31793.

LOCATION G e orgia Agrirama is located at Exit 20 on Inte rs tate 75 in T ifton, Georgia, 175 miles s outh o f
Atlanta and 2 15 miles north o f Orlando, Florida.

RECEIVED NOV 1 2 1990

Enjoy the Wiregrass Opry on selected Saturday nights.

PIONEER FARMS HISTORICAL TOWN

Explore the farm ...listen to the mixture of barnyard sounds ... see bacon and ham curing in the smoke house . Experience everyday farm life activities-planting to harvesting. See soap-making, quiltmaking, spinning and plowing. The farm houses have authentic furnishings of the period.
Children will love Georgia Agrirama because they can visit the barnyard animals, see the exhibits up close and explore living a century ago.

Step into the 19th century and spend a few relaxing hours or a day enjoying the rural heritage that made this country great. See the daily activities of the late 1800's as they are relived in the setting of a Georgia farm community. Ask our friendly staff of costumed interpreters about their activities and life as it was one hundred years ago.

Visit a growing rural town that includes a company store, drug store, train depot, gristmill, cotton gin, print shop, sawmill, turpentine still, blacksmith shop, variety works, and more. Ride our logging train at selected times. Watch skilled artists ply their trades.

See our large selection of hand-
made goods. Shop or browse around. Ta ke home some freshly ground Georgia
corn meal or grits.

Mid March April May July4
Labor Day Late November Mid December

Spring Frolic
Folk Life Festival Turpentine Still Firing
Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration
County Fair of 1896 Cane Grinding Parties Victorian Christmas

Regular Admission Prices Other special programs throughout the year
Call 912/ 386-3344 for dates

WIREGRASS OPRY
On scheduled Saturday nights from April to October, enjoy the Wiregrass Opry featuring bluegrass, gospel, and country music and exhibition clogging.

AGRIBUSINESS ...
A transformation of agriculture
Introduction
Today' s agriculture breaks the stereotype of traditional, selfsufficient units that grew just enough crops and livestock to sustain each farm family. Instead, our producers create an abundance of food and fiber that forms the base of Georgia's leading industry.
In 1700, one farmer fed three people. Today, U.S. farms are the most productive in the world. One farm family now grows enough to feed 93 others.
But the transformation inside the farm gate is only the beginning . The other facets of agribusiness - processing , storage, transportation, packaging, financing , and merchandising- interlock in an economic network vital to both rural and urban residents alike.
Keeping agriculture strong and profitable improves the social and economic conditions of our entire state. Vital dollars, for example, pour into communities when farmers buy seeds, equipment, fuels , chemicals, and other materials from local vendors .
Growers also generate revenue when they pay taxes, use electricity, gas, computers and telephones; buy trucks and tires, steel products and other forms of labor, equipment and services. The fruit of their harvest also provide jobs in sales, advertising and promotion.
Our well-being - and that of millions around the world depends on the viability and progress of Georgia's agribusiness community.

Dimensions of Georgia's Agribusiness
We have about 48,000 farms , but agriculture actually in volves thousands of commercial establishments throughout Georgia. The total value of this agribusiness, using the multi plier factor, is more than $17.5 billion annually. Georgia' s largest industry actually embraces three major sectors: 1) production; 2) support industries; and 3) processing and manufacturing . Let's take a look at the impact of these important dimensions.

Dimension One...

Production Agriculture
No other state produces more peanuts, pecans, pulpwood and paper products than Georgia . And with our diversified and balanced production of crops, livestock, poultry and forest products, we rank highest among the southeastern states in total farm income. The Georgia Department of Labor estimates that farm employment accounts for about 65,000 workers . Our farmers are pouring $3.9 bil lion worth of products into channels of trade. During the past decade this flow has risen by $800 mi llion - an increase which provides an expanding raw material base for agribusiness development.
This development also hinges on using our abundant natural resources and ava ilable capital. Georgia has nearly 11 million acres of farmland , 28.5 percent of its tota l land area . About 65 percent is in forests, the basis for our pulpwood and paper production. And our abundant aquifer systems supply farmers with some of the cleanest groundwater in the world .
Out of total farm assets of $16 billion, real estate investment in 1987 was $1 1.2 billion. That same year, our farmers payed $327 million interest on their rea l estate and operating capital credit.

1988

Field Crops

$1 .53billion

Poultry

$1 .34billion

Livestock

$666 million

Fruits and Tree Nuts $107 million

1977 $967 million $744 million $482 million $ 69 million

FIELD CROPS
Peanuts. Georgia leads the nation in peanuts; in fact, 44 percent of
all peanuts grown in the United States are produced here. The long growing seasons, mild climate and rich soil of southern Georgia yielded more than 1.8 billion pounds of this high quality food in 1988. Peanuts remain the slate' s most valuable crop: growers generated $486 million in 1988 - about 13 percent of the state' s total crop value. And nearly 700 thou sand acres are expected to be harvested in 1989, making this the largest peanut acreage harvested since 1950.
Soybeans. Despite a decrease due to declining world prices, soybeans
brought Georgia farmers $154 million in cash receipts in 1988. That crop amounted to 22 .5 million bushels, with more than 900 thousand acres harvested . And at, $56.6 million , soybeans remain an important export crop. Tobacco.
The tobacco industry in Georgia has grown from one million dollars beginning in 1918 to an industry that generates $145 million annually. Grown on 38,000 acres in 1988, tobacco yields more than $38,000 per acre.

Cotton. Cotton was a mainstay in Georgia agriculture for more than
150 years. Though no longer King, it's still important in many areas of the state: the 350 thousand acres planted last year produced 370 thousand bales valued at more than $99 million . Cotton seeds were valued at more than $12 million , creating a total cotton crop valued at almost $112 million .
Wheat and Corn In 1988, the 575 thousand acres of wheat planted in Geor-
gia were valued at more than $60 million . And the 31 million bushels of corn produced on 600 thousand acres amounted to $84 million.

FRUITS, TREE NUTS, VEGETABLES AND ORNAMENTALS
Peaches.
Georgia' s peach production ranks third highest in the nation. The 140 million pounds grown on 19,000 acres in 1988 brought more than $26 million for the "Peach" state.
Pecans.
Georgia also leads the nation in the production of pecans, accounting for more than 36 percent of the pecans in America. The 110 million pounds from 1988 was valued at $65.9 million, a 50 percent increase in value per pound over the past decade.
Pecan trees stand in almost every Georgia county, but intense production covers the southwest portion of the state, particularly in Mitchell and Dougherty counties.

Other Fruits. Apples, grapes, pears and blueberries make up the $14 mil-
lion balance of the income from Georgia's fruit. Most of the fruits are marketed in specialty markets and have an excellent potential for further development. Grapes, for example, have increased in production because of the French wine varieties being planted. The average price for grapes in 1988 was a record high of $911 per ton .
1988 Fru it and Tree Nut Cash Receipts Pecans ...................... .. . $65,850,000 Peaches ................ ....... $26,498,000 Other fruits .. .. ...... ........ $14,592,000
Vegetables. Vegetable production is a highly specialized segment of
Georgia' s agricultural industry. More than 35 kinds of vegetables are grown commercially, with some being harvested for sale every week of the year.

In 1988, about 200 thousand acres of selected vegetables were harvested with an estimated value of more than $240
million annually. Georgia is the fourth highest producers of sweet potatoes in the nation . Other important vegetables include watermelons, squash, peppers, greens and Vidalia on1ons .
Ornamental Horticulture
Agriculture includes more than just traditional row crop and livestock production . Floriculture, nursery crops and commercial landscape industries, for example, contributed about
$418 million in wholesale value to the state' s economy in 1987. With our fast growing population, the state is well po-
sitioned for sustained growth in these industries. Our two major horticultural crops - bedding plants and poinsettias are among the fastest growing segments in the industry. And the poinsettia is the number one Aowering pot plant grown in
the state, with dollar sales increasing nearly 160 percent in the
last decade.
FORESTRY
Georgia' s rural forests are feeding a paper-hungry world : we've led the nation in pulp and paper production for 36 years. The state' s 15 pulp and paper mills produce about 10 million cords of pulpwood annually. We also produce more lumber than any other state east of the Mississippi River: more than 3 billion board feet of saw timber each year. And Georgia ranks first among the states in gum navel stores .
Georgia has the largest private forest land ownership of any
state in the nation . Approximately 180,000 Georgians -
farmers or other individuals - own 65 percent of the com-
mercial forest land, mostly in small tracts of 200 acres or less .
These land owners provide more than half of the raw material for the state' s forest industry.

BEEF AND PORK
Georgia farmers eorned $666 million from livestock- beef and dairy cattle, calves, hogs and pigs. The $280 million income from beef cattle makes up about 16 percent of the total income Georgia farmers received in 1987.
With 1.5 million head, Georgia ranked 24th nationally in the number of cattle and calves. Jackson County, with 29,000 head in 1989, led the state in the number of cattle and calves.
1 J
Swine production brought farmers about 4.7 percent of the state' s total farm income, or $178 million . Georgia is 13th in the nation for the most swine. Colquitt County led all the counties in the number of hogs and pigs with 72,000.
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POULTRY
Georgie leods all other states in income from broilers and eggs and is recognized as the Poultry Capital of the World . We' re second in broiler and fifth in egg production, but rank first in total number of chickens. Broilers rank as the leading commodity for gross sales in Georgia .
In recent years, turkey production has made great strides in Georgia and has become a $30 million source of farm income as well.

Our poultry industry, which continues to boost income and retail sales in every county in the State, produces and processes an average of almost 10 million pounds of chicken and almost 9 million eggs every day.
In fact, 75 out of Georgia' s 159 counties had more than one million dollars in gross income from poultry.
The poultry industry has been described as the miracle of modern agriculture. The broiler industry during the past two decades has been able to produce a 20% heavier chicken, on 25% less food , in 25% less time, and is passing the savings on to the con sumer.
In Georgia , poultry is the largest segment of agriculture, accounting for about 35% of the total farm income, or $1 .3 billion. The table below shows the 1988 cash receipts for poultry in 1988.

Number

Commercial Broilers 915,351,794

Eggs

3 , 2 8 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0

Turkeys

2,792,083

Gross Income
$1 ,071 ' 135,000 $ 230,445,000
$29,736,000

No longer is the dairy industry' s image one of tranquil pastures and placid cows. It' s a modern technological system of quality control, improved breeding techniques and scientific processing equipment. Some 104,000 cows grazed Georgia' s farms in 1988. They produced some 1.2 billion pounds of milk, most of which will find its way, in one form or another, to the tables of millions of consumers.
Milk Producers Number in State .. .... .. ... ..... .. ... ....................... .......... 633 Average Herd Size (no. of cows)............. ... ... ... .......... 154 Milk production per cow ... ... ... .. .... ... ... ..... . 12,000 pounds Total Cows in State .. .... .. ..... .. .. ........................... 104,000 Investment per Cow .... .... ....... .. ..... ...................... . $ 3,000 Individual Farm Investment ..... .. .. .... .... ... ....... .. .. $480,000 Dairy Farm Workers ................ ...... .... .... ... ... ... ... ... . 2,532 1988 Cash Receipts ... ............................... $175,890,000

SEAFOOD/FISHING INDUSTRY
The fishing industry brings in more than $22 million annually in gross income for Georgia. This industry is composed of 1) commercial marine catch (shrimp, crab, oysters), 2) freshwater catch (shad), 3) aquaculture (catfish and trout), 4) charter boat fishing, and 5) freshwater fee fishing .
Dimension Two...

Support Industries
Last year farmers spent about $2.74 billion on farm services,
supplies and equipment in their communities. These agricul tural production inputs range from seed and feed , fertilizer and pesticides, to labor and agricultural finance. They all add up to a major sector of our agribusiness complex and are closely tied to the overall health of Georgia agriculture.
Because of our dynamic poultry industry, the feed supply sector contributes more than $944 million annually to our economy. Georgia farmers also spent almost $200 million for livestock, $63 million on seed, and $271 million for agricul tural chemicals like fertilizers, lime and pesticides. (Tobacco farmers, for example, spent more than $6 million alone on disease control in 1988. And the production costs for vegetable growers average about $1000 per acre.) Last year, equipment repairs and operating expenses cost farmers another $128 million
Farmers must also " pay" for their money: more than $174 million in interest last yeor. The Federal Land Bank holds $1 .3 billion of agriculture's total debt of nearly $3 .5 billion, while the Farmers Home Administration holds another $875 billion . Private bankers hold more than $263 million in agricultural loans, while merchants and dealers hold another $249 million.

Producers who use agricultural services like crop dusting, en tomological scouts, or economic consultants must also pay for their time and expertise.
Dimension Three...
Processing and Manufacturing
Of course, the Final sector of agribusiness couldn't exist with out the raw products from producers . But processing and manufacturing industries do contribute the greatest proportion to Georgia' s agribusiness.

Forest resources, for example, provide the spark that is generating more than $8.7 billion annually. For each dollar' s worth of standing timber which is cut, a minimum of $14 is added to the economy through harvesting, manufacturing and marketing . And one out of every five factory workers in Georgia is employed by a forestry-related industry.
Agribusiness Facts forestry: 176 sawmills, 18 veneer and plywood mills, 15 pulp and paper mills, 20 round and treating plants and 15 other round timber processors. cotton: 113 state -licensed warehouses and cotton gins operate in Georgia .vegetables: 17 Georgia State Farmers' Markets. Poultry: 28 USDA-inspected broiler processing plants and 20 USDA-graded egg packing and processing plants.
Distribution is no problem for these Georgia industries. About 222,000 miles of highways, including 5,872 miles of Interstate Highways on 15 systems crisscross the state. Two major railroad carriers and their subsidiaries operate 4,950 miles of main and branch line tracks. The Atlanta Airport is the

second busiest airport in the United States and is a connecting point for the nation' s major airlines.
Georgians, who live in the eighth fastest growing state in the nation, are committed to economic expansion through agribusiness development. Our location in the Sunbelt, together with our climate, soil, water resources, transportation network and technical training capabilities, promises to sustain our agricultural growth and diversity.
Contacts ...
Assistance in each facet of the agribusiness sector is available from many state and local agencies . Just as Georgia produces a wide variety of agribusiness items, the state also is fi lled with specialized agencies ready to assist any agribusi ness considering a Georgia location or any existing firm that is expanding .
Professional assistance is available from these agencies:
Agricultural Experiment Stations, The University of Georgia Area Planning and Development Commission Business Council of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, The University of Georgia Georgia Agribusiness Council , Inc. Georgia Bankers Association Georgia Crop Improvement Association, Inc. Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Department of Industry & Trode Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Georgia Forestry Commission Georg ia Poultry Federation Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Committee Georgia State University Georgia Tech Industrial Development Division Rural Development Center, The University of Georgia
Consultation services are also available from private firms and individuals.

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For further information write:
Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. Agriculture Building, Capitol Square Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism
P.O. Box 1776
Atlanta, Georgia 30301
Georgia Department of Agriculture Agriculture Building, Capitol Square A~anta , Georgia 30334
College of Agriculture University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602

16. The Division of Entomology and Pesticides has varied areas of responsibility, including the issuing of certificates to move honey bees out of Georgia. The scientific name for the place where honey bees are raised is a (an) a. hive b. honey comb c. apiary d. hut

17. The Division of Animal Industry administers the Equine Program in Georgia, covering many phases of the equine industry. Equine pertains to, or is characteristic of a: a. horse b. goat c. cow d. chicken

18. The Personnel Office provides a complete, comprehensive program of services to Department Employees. How many people are employed by the Department? a. 2,000 b. 950 c. 1,500 d. 250

19. All food handling establishments located within the State

of Georgia are required to be licensed by the Department

with the exception of:

a. meat packers

c. ice cream plants

b. bottling companies

d. restaurants

20. What is the next stop for these raw commodities once they

are produced? Match the commodity on the left with the

facility on the right:

1. hogs

a. elevator

2. wheat

b. cannery

3. chickens

c. curing ham

4. cotton

d. slaughterhouse

5. tomatoes

e. manufacturing plant

6. raw milk

f. dressing plant

7. tobacco

g. ginnery

BONUS QUESTIONS:

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1. The Division of General Field Inspection Forces is responsible for the licensing and inspection of bird dealers in Georgia. This is done to decrease the possibility of spreading diseases from exotic birds to: a. calves b. sheep c. poultry d. hogs
2. Which two of the following diseases are detrimental to the poultry industry? a. Leptospirosis b. Avian Influenza c. Distemper d. Exotic Newcastle

This quiz was developed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Press and Consumer Services, Rm 300, Agriculture Building, Capitol Sauare, Atlanta, Georqia 30334.

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Georgia Department of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, Commissioner

WHAT'S YOUR AGRICULTURE IQ?
Georgia the largest state east of the Mississippi River, having over 37 million acres, six million people and 49,000 farms, most of which are operated by their owners. These operators and the men and women who own and work on them are the vital core of a food, fiber, fish and floral system that, taken from start to finish, accounts for more than $3.8 billion in gross farm income for Georgia farmers.
These puzzles and quiz were designed partly for fun but also to provide a hint of the vast range of Georgia Agriculture and an insight into the operation of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
1. From 1900 to 1920, cotton truly was king. Which crop is king in the 1980s? a. Tobacco b. Peanuts c. Soybeans d. Wheat.
2. Which industry has experienced phenomenal growth during the past ten years? a. Sweet Potato b. Pecans c. Horticulture d. Forest Products
3. The peach has long been a Georgia trademark. Which invention caused the industry to rapidly expand? a. Tractor b. Cotton Gin c. Combine d. Refrigerated Rail Car
4. Poultry and eggs account for approximately what percentage of Georgia Cash Farm Receipts? a. 33% b.25% c. 40% d. 10%
5. Dougherty County, Georgia ranks first in the nation in the number of which tree? a. Peach b. Orange c. Pecan d. Apple
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
6. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is the oldest department of its kind in the United States. In which year was the department created? a. 1620 b. 1776 c. 1930 d. 1874
7. The Georgia Department of Agriculture consists of several divisions, each specializing in different areas of agriculture. Which division is responsible for checking calibration on gas tanks? a. Marketing b. Fuel & Measures c. Animal Industry d. Administration

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12. Georgia livestock are tested for a dangerous disease to

humans when consumed in contaminated milk or meat.

This disease is called:

a. tuberculosis

c. brucellosis

b. mange

d. rabies

13. Agriculture is big business in Georgia. Gross farm income for Georgia farmers in 1987 totaled: a. $3.75 billion b. $500 million c. $100 million d. $5 billion
14. A weekly publication that provides a medium of exchange between farmers and consumers throughout the state is the FARMER and CONSUMERS MARKET BULLETIN. In which year was the BULLETIN established? a. 1945 b. 1929 c. 1955 d. 1917
15. Commodity groups join together to assess themselves a fee for the promotion, education and research of their particular product. They are known as Agriculture Commodity Commissions. How many commodity commissions are there in Georgia? a. 25 b. 9 c. 15 d. 3
CROSSWORD

AGRICUTURE APPLES CATTLE CHICKEN COTTON

DAIRY EGGS HAY HOGS PEACH

PECANS PEANUT POTATOES RYE SOYBEANS

SWINE TOBACCO TOMMY IRVIN WHEAT

8. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is a regulatory and enforcement agency protecting agriculture and horticulture interests from injurious insects and plant diseases. The division having responsibility is: a. Entomology and Pesticides b. Animal Industry c. Plant Industry d. General Field Forces

9. The Commissioner of agriculture, who is a constitutional officer, is elected for a four year term. How many times may the Commissioner be elected? a. once b. twice c. unlimited d. none

10. The Atlanta State Farmers' Market in Forest Park, near

Atlanta, is considered to be the finest, as well as the largest

facility of its kind. In 1987, this facility sold produce worth

approximately: a. $10 million b. $1 billion c. $100 million d. $203 million
11 . Consumer Protection Field Forces is concerned with the

-

ACROSS:
1 farming 23 chicken 40 scrambled

DOWN:

74 dairy

2 13th Colony

82 nut

5 King

89 cultivated 7 hen

67 rides 69 produced 74 Georgia

inspection of products directly affecting the consumer.

48 time

grain 33 domestic

city

Which of the following is inspected by the department?

segment 111 last

fowl

82 paper

a. chairs b. bedding c. blinds d. tables

67 horse feed 115 goober 42 wheat

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
Office of Press and Consumer Services 1-800-282-5852

Georgia's Top 15 Commodities
1
Chickens
2 Peanuts
3 Eggs
4 Cattle and Calves
5 Hogs and Pigs
6 Soybeans
7 Milk and Dairy Products
8 Corn
9 Tobacco
10 Cotton Lint
11
Hay
12 Wheat
13 Pecans
14 Turkeys
15 Peaches

GErnGIA f.LWAYS INGOCO TASfE