Tag Archives: Tom McCall

GFB Members ‘Dig In’ at Annual Convention

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Jekyll Island, GA |

“For Georgia Farm Bureau and it’s members, Jekyll was a time to dig in and celebrate 86 years of existence. This year’s gathering, marking the 59th time the convention has found its home on Jekyll Island – and despite the years passing, one tradition remains constant–the generous distribution of those hot grilled PB&J sandwiches by the Georgia Peanut Commission. Now sure, the faces may change, but the love for those heavenly sandwiches is eternal. Especially among the next generation of Ag leaders, who may not fully appreciate the convention now, but as tradition goes, will carry the torch someday.

“I just want them to appreciate farming and just appreciate God’s land that he has given us to farm and the privilege to do that,” says Kaley Phillips from Franklin County. “His father and I own a poultry farm at home, and we just appreciate hard work and hard work ethic.”

Without question, the inaugural Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Christmas on the farm Bingo, stole the spotlight. Over one hundred and fifty guests forming a line that wrapped around the hallway. Once inside the doors, they were treated to ten rounds of bingo, door prizes, a raffle, live music, refreshments, and a pop-up shop from Brittany’s Closet.

“We just wanted to create something fun and exciting and a way to celebrate the holidays, but obviously we have to raise money to support all our programs. So, we wanted to put on this fun fundraiser, and everyone get to have fellowship,” says Lily Baucom, Executive Director of Georgia Foundation for Agriculture.

In his yearly address to members Georgia Farm Bureau President, Tom McCall likened the organization to quote, “An elephant in the room”, un-ignorable if you will. He emphasized that GFB, along with its legislative team, spoke for the farmers and made significant strides at the state capitol in advocating for their needs.

“These efforts wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for each and every one of you back home. The truly effective organization has local leaders just like you, working in tandem with the lobbying team that worked for you,” says McCall.

However, President McCall didn’t stop at legislative achievements. He also made an emotional and heartfelt announcement:

“We have challenges to overcome and victories to be won. That’s why today, with utmost humility and dedication to you, I’m announcing my intention to run for reelection as President of Georgia Farm Bureau next year, and I humbly ask for your continued support, your trust, and your prayers in this journey into the future,” says McCall.

The crowd erupting and applause, celebrating not just the success of the convention, but a significant accomplishment for Georgia Farm Bureau and its dedicated members.

By: Ray D’Alessio

Gathering Brings GFB Members Directly to Lawmakers

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Atlanta, GA

Once a year in Atlanta, grassroots advocacy comes to life as Georgia Farm Bureau members gather for a chance to hear about the important ag issues being debated and for a chance to meet with their representatives – something GFB President, Tom McCall says shows just how important the agriculture industry is to those that represent them.

“When we have this every year, it lets our people get to know their elected people and they can work together with them, and they get to know them and when they call them, they’ll listen to them more than they would if they was just somebody cold calling,” says McCall. “It’s people who are here on their own dime. They’re not getting paid. They left their farm, they left their business to come and support Farm Bureau and the policies that we push for.”

The annual event couldn’t have come at a better time as there are several bills this legislative session that would have a direct impact on the state’s agriculture industry, such as House Bill 189 – a bill that would increase haul weights by for trucks hauling agricultural goods – something Jake Matthews, Governmental Affairs Specialist with GFB says would be great for farmers and producers when transporting commodities that have variable weights.

“Currently in the state of Georgia, you can haul eighty thousand pounds on a five-axle truck,” says Matthews. “Agriculture for a long time, has been granted an exemption for that where they can actually haul up to eighty-four thousand pounds; that’s actually a five percent variance on top of the eighty thousand pounds, and what that’s for really is to account for just the unpredictable nature of hauling ag commodities. When you start getting into moisture content of certain commodities as well as fluctuating live-weight of cattle for instance, that variance is really important to make sure there’s some give there, for farmers and folks hauling their product, to have some give there as they can’t really tell how much that truck’s going to weigh unless they’re weighing it. So, having that variance is good to account for those sort of things.”

According to Matthews, the measure would also help create an even playing field with other states in the region.

“When you look at our surrounding and neighboring states in the Southeast, you got a number of states that have higher truck weights; allowable haul weights than we do. Some of those states, those higher weights are specific to agriculture, kind of how we have it here in Georgia right now. Other states, it’s across the board, so there’s definitely a little bit of variation to how different states do it, but if you look at it holistically, Georgia is behind on the amount of weight that we can haul as compared to our neighboring southeastern states,” says Matthews.

Matthews says the measure would also be more economical for farmers and producers when transporting their commodities – as more per load results in fewer trips.

“We believe that increasing those haul weights is really a direct benefit to farmers’ bottom line. If you can carry more on one truck, you’re going to be able to have fewer trips to move your product and like I said, that will be a direct benefit to farmers’ bottom line,” says Matthews.

By: John Holcomb

San Juan Hosted 2023 AFBF Convention

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San Juan, PR

After years of planning and endless challenges, including two major hurricanes, San Juan finally got to say, “Welcome, Mi Familia” to American Farm Bureau’s annual convention. It’s a time to unite and hear the opinions of current agriculture leaders as well as future ag leaders on the current state of the farming industry. It’s also a time to put aside the daily stresses of farm life and enjoy the sights and sounds the host city has to offer, or in this case the host island.

“San Juan right now, so far would be at the top of the list,” says Daniel Johnson, First Vice President for Georgia Farm Bureau. “We’ve been to a lot of conventions, a lot of places, and this compares to anything we have in the United States. I mean, their convention center is wonderful. It’s state of art.”

Tom McCall, GFB President adding, “I was pleasantly surprised. All the facilities and the hotels down here, and there’s a good crowd. They’re expecting around five-thousand people from across the country.”

While many of the attendees used this convention as a destination vacation, for the GFB Young Farmers and Ranchers taking part in the various competitions, vacations aside, this was a business trip.

“I come down here with a job and task at mind, and also, like I said, to meet new people and experience this convention. This is my first time ever attending American Farm Bureau, so I wanna soak it in and learn. That was my main reason for coming down here,” says Hart County Young Farmer, Brian Fleming.

Admitting he was nervous before his presentation in the Excellence in AG competition, Fleming says he stayed up all night rehearsing, which resulted in little to no sleep, but once he got going, Brian was smooth, confident, and spoke with emotion when expressing his passion for agriculture.

“From the time I was a little boy, ag’s been my life. As I got older, Farm Bureau became my life and the two combined together. Like I said in that last slide, I want the future generations to have that same opportunity that have been afforded to me over the years. So, that’s where my passion comes from,” says Fleming.

Brian however, wasn’t the only one with passion on his side. Willie Sizemore of Leesburg had a virtual cakewalk to the sweet-sixteen of the discussion meet. This future lawyer arrived in Puerto Rico with well thought out opinions and ideas for the purpose of problem solving, which of course is the whole premise of these discussions.

“What’s interesting about this competition compared to the state is you get all these nationwide perspectives,” says Sizemore. “You know, we had an individual who was competing with us that raised pigs in Nevada outside of Las Vegas and fed leftovers from the casinos to their operation to reduce input costs. We’ve got to wake up early in the morning, put on a suit at the beach, and that’s not a normal thing you would do, but it’s important to represent Georgia Farm Bureau this way and to represent our County Farm Bureau, Lee County Farm Bureau. For me, it’s important to show up prepared and and do well, and that’s why I’m here is to do well. It might be a business trip, but it’s a fun trip at the same time.”

By: Ray D’Alessio