WOTUS REGULATIONS REPEALED!

The news about U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt repealing the Waters of the US (WOTUS) rules has been warmly received by agriculture, forestry and property rights enthusiasts. The two-year battle between landowners and the previous EPA administration was emotion-packed, but fell on the deaf ears of EPA leaders. It took President Trump and his new EPA leader to make our voices heard. We appreciate the work of all of the ag and forestry groups in Georgia and across the nation that fought in unity against the new rules. We also thank Growing Georgia for their article heralding the recent announcement.

Click here to read Growing Georgia's "Rescinding the Changes and Lifting the Burden of WOTUS."

As we stated in the article, this is an important discussion and should be inclusive of landowners, science and practical application. Any changes to the Clean Water Act and WOTUS should be vetted by Congress, not just by regulators, and accepted or rejected by a vote of our elected leaders. Watch for the new approach to adjusting the Clean Water Act in the months ahead. We thank Administrator Pruitt for "Ditching The Rule!" This time EPA and Congress will listen to all of us.

MEMBER POLL

Thanks for your responses last month. Here are the poll results for:

"What do you think of Delta Airlines' plan to eliminate peanuts as an in-flight snack option?"

TERRIBLE- peanuts are healthy & Delta should help promote GA peanuts: 53%  

POOR - Delta has served GA peanuts for over 50 years & should continue: 24%  

INDIFFERENT - Delta can serve what they like & I can choose airlines I like: 14% 

GOOD - passengers with peanut allergies shouldn't have to worry: 9%

H ere's our latest member poll. We appreciate your input: 

AGRITRUST SEMINARS
The 2017 Regional Workers' Compensation Seminars conducted by AgriTrust of Georgia will be held across the state during the month of August. These seminars are planned especially for companies enrolled in AgriTrust and their independent insurance agents. Visit www.agritrust.biz for more information.

 Dates include:

• August 2 - Tifton, UGA Tifton Conference Center - 9:00 a.m.
• August 2 - Albany, Doublegate Country Club - 12:00 noon
• August 3 - Thomasville, The Plaza Restaurant - 12:00 noon
• August 9 - Statesboro, Bulloch Fertilizer Co. - 12:00 noon
• August 10 - Lyons, Railroad Depot - 12:00 noon
• August 16 - Perry, GA National Fairgrounds - 12:00 noon
• August 17 - Dawsonville, United Community Bank - 12:00 noon
• August 24 - Forest Park, GA Grown Welcome Center - 12:00 noon
• August 24 - Athens, Holiday Inn - 6:00 p.m.

PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING AVAILABLE
GAC is proud to partner with Asmark in delivering their compliance services to the industry. These services help ensure that their customers are ready for anything OSHA, EPA or any other regulatory agency has to throw at the industry. The Asmark Institute is an indispensable part of the ag retail industry. One of the many benefits provided is their Applicator Training Course. A great challenge farm centers face today is hiring and properly training professional applicators. The Asmark Institute has developed this course specifically for new applicators. Classes will start in August. Click here for more information.

* Mark your calendar for Wednesday, August 23 for the 2017 Ag Issues Summit. Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Wilkinson and House Ag Committee Chairman Tom McCall will once again host this event. Details on registration will be made available soon. GAC is pleased to be a sponsor along with the Georgia Urban Ag Council, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Poultry Federation. 

* We were saddened to hear of the loss of Mr. Charles Hart, a GAC member with Fresh Plants, Inc. in Americus. Charles is a friend to many through the GA Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and was a dedicated part of the Americus community, including his work on the local EMC board. Please keep his family in your prayers.   

* The 76th Annual Meeting of the Alabama Seed Association held jointly with the Georgia Seed Association will be on July 9th and 10th at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Sandestin, Florida.

* Sunbelt Ag Expo will be hosting their Field Day on July 13 from 7:15 a.m. - 12 noon at Spence Field in Moultrie, GA. Click here to learn more.

* Registration is now live for the Georgia Forestry Association's 2017 Annual Conference and Forestry Expo on July 21-23 in Jekyll Island. Click here for more info.

* Congratulations to Georgia Farm Bureau on their 80th anniversary. June 17th marked the anniversary of the historic meeting at the Bartow County Courthouse that later gave way to the birth of the Georgia Farm Bureau. We are proud of the advocacy efforts and friendships shared with GFB President Gerald Long and his staff. We look forward to working together for many years to come.

* The Georgia Plant Food Educational Society will be having their summer meeting July 23rd - 26th at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Register today!

* The Georgia 4-H Gala will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at the Loews Hotel in midtown Atlanta. GAC is pleased to be a table sponsor. The evening is a chance to celebrate the 4-H family while giving back to support enhanced programming for youth around the state. Click here for sponsor information.

* A new movie called "Food Evolution" is now being viewed across the country at a limited number of locations. It focuses on the science of food production and explores the real impacts of genetic modification. See the film trailer and learn more at www.foodevolutionmovie.com .