Take 5: A Sit-Down with Santa Claus

Originally published in the Dec. 11, 2013, issue

 

Claus

1. What's the best part of delivering toys on Christmas Eve?

 

Delivering toys on Christmas Eve is the highlight of our year. The elves have been working all year making, wrapping and preparing the toys for my trip around the world. Knowing that we have made a wish come true for a good boy or girl makes all of us happy. I get particularly excited when I have placed a toy around the tree and then look back and think that in a little while it will be in full use.

 

2. What kind of cookies and drink should we leave out for you? Anything for the elves or reindeer?

 

I don't think that there is a type of cookie, cake or snack that I don't love. I am moving so fast on Christmas Eve that sometimes I just get a nibble. But I know when I've arrived in Georgia because you have cookies and cakes with wonderful-tasting pecans and peanuts. Santa loves fresh milk, because it is so tasty and good for you. Occasionally, my little friends will leave a carrot or an apple for the reindeer. They really love that. Elves, on the other hand, love candy and Mrs. Claus makes wonderful things like Georgia peanut brittle for them.

 

3. Did you buy any Georgia Grown gifts this year?

 

Oh, did I ever! I came home with some wonderful sauces, jellies and a honey spread that tastes so good on toast. I also brought some blueberry juice that gives me so much energy! I also bought some alpaca wool socks to keep my feet warm on Christmas Eve.

 

4. How do you get into houses that don't have chimneys?

 

That's an easy one. Santa, as you know, is an elf. I can magically make myself very small and slide under the door, unlock it and bring in my bag full of toys. I do just the reverse when it is time to leave.

 

5. Tell us the one thing you want for Christmas this year!

 

I want boys and girls to be good and be kind to their family and to one another. That always makes me happy and being happy is what makes Christmas merry for me.

 

A special thanks to Evan Karanovich, former special assistant to the commissioner, and Harris Blackwood of the Governor’s Office for Highway Safety for helping put the Market Bulletin in touch with Santa Claus.

Take 5: Cat and Dog Sterilization Program

Originally published in the March 5, 2014, issue

 

Cobb

1. What is the cat and dog sterilization program?

 

In 2003, legislature was passed starting the dog and cat spay/neuter program. Georgia veterinarians would be able to spay or neuter Georgia pets belonging to Georgia owners at a reduced fee. Veterinarians submit a request to the Department to do a certain procedure for a specific owner and animal. We then check to see if the veterinarians have already met their quota for the month and everything is as it should be and then they get approval to do the procedure. We pay a certain amount of money per spay and per neuter. The Department establishes how many such procedures veterinarians can do each month, which is based on income. Income comes in the form of direct donations to the program, purchase of specialty license plates and a check-off from taxes. 

 

2. What are the benefits in participating in the program?

 

It allows people who don’t have the money for the procedures to have them done. It is helping animals because we have an overabundance of animals that are uncared for and that are reproducing at a great rate when their offspring are not wanted. By neutering and spaying these animals at an early age, or any age at all, it reduces the amount of stray animals.  

 

3. How can I participate?

 

The best way to participate is by buying a specialty license plate, by contributing directly to the program or by checking off on your tax form. When you do your taxes, you can check off that you want to contribute X-amount of dollars to the dog/cat spay and neuter program, or by the sale of three specialty tags. Once those tags are purchased, a certain amount of money goes to the program.

 

4. Why is it important for Georgia to have this program?

 

When an animal is not neutered or spayed and it is reproductively intact, not only are they producing offspring, but they are generally more aggressive animals that will tend to get in fights, invade dumpsters or become a nuisance. Some of those animals can be a source of disease because they are comingling with themselves. When you put a lot of animals together that are from different environments, you introduce disease. The disease is uncontrolled therefore spreading throughout these animals. They can carry zoonotic diseases such as hookworms, ringworms and rabies. These are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

 

5. Tell us a little about the new legislation regarding the program.

 

In 2010 the legislature changed the disposition of the funds. Originally when a person purchased the specialty license plate, $24 and some change was given to the program. There was no money provided if someone renewed a tag. In 2010, it was changed so that only $10 comes into the program when a tag is purchased and $10 is given to the program when someone renews. Initially, this provided for a large amount of money, but people began to realize that only $10 was coming into the program, so they quit buying tags. The tag income is now very low; therefore we have gone from a total of five procedures per vet per month down to one.

 

Dr. Robert Cobb is the Georgia state veterinarian. For additional questions on this program, please visit www.agr.georgia.gov or call the Animal Industry Division at 404-656-3671.

Take 5: Meet Our Fall Intern

Originally published in the Sept. 17, 2014, issue

 

Mohler bottle-feeding a calf at the University of Georgia
Teaching Dairy in Athens, Ga.

1. Tell us a little about your agricultural background.

 

I was blessed to have a middle school ag teacher who got me really excited about agriculture. He actually helped get me into raising and showing hogs, and taught me how much hard work and dedication goes into growing crops, raising livestock and running a farm. I also benefitted from more than 10 years involvement with the National FFA Organization, which helped me build a foundation in the agribusiness world. 

 

2. Why did you want to intern with the Department and the Market Bulletin?

 

Aside from the fact that it’s an amazing opportunity to use all of the skills that I have been developing for the past four years as an agricultural communication student at the University of Georgia, I am super interested in the way that consumers form their opinions about farm commodities and the marketing practices that farms employ. I felt like this internship would give me a real glimpse into some of the practices that Georgia farmers are able to employ. 

 

3. What part of the internship are you most excited about?

 

The entire experience excites me, but if I had to nail down one thing it’s just being in the office and getting to actually write and edit things for the Market Bulletin. I don’t have as much newswriting experience as I do magazine work, but this feels like a great way for me to get some! 

 

4. Many of your extracurricular activities in college revolve around agriculture. Which of these experiences stands out most in your mind and why?

 

There are two in particular that made the biggest impact on me: my involvement with Sigma Alpha, the professional agricultural sorority, and my job at the UGA Dairy. Through Sigma Alpha I found some of my best friends, and it’s wonderful to have a strong support base that feels as strongly about agriculture as I do. Work at the dairy is some of the dirtiest I have ever done, but it’s also the most rewarding. Helping take care of baby cows, and even assisting in delivering calves is not something that I would ever have imagined doing, but it really is a labor of love and I know after graduation it’s going to break my heart to leave my babies behind. 

 

5. If you could design your last meal using only Georgia-grown commodities, what would you like to eat?

 

Since it’s my last meal I’m going all out! A fresh chicken and blueberry salad with strawberry vinaigrette and fresh produce, all from my beloved south Georgia sounds the best. And since I have the world’s biggest sweet tooth, I would end it with ice cream, made from Georgia produced milk of course, and my Granny B’s brandied peaches. 

 

Beth Mohler is the fall 2014 intern for the Market Bulletin and the Department communications team. She is an agricultural communications major at UGA with a minor in food and fiber marketing and a leadership in service certificate. Mohler plans to graduate in May 2015.



Take 5: Becoming Georgia Grown

Originally published in the Sept. 4, 2013, issue

 

1. How is the new and improved Georgia Grown program coming along?

The Georgia Grown program is growing at a riveting pace. Since the revitalized program began in January 2012, we received more than 250 paying members, 700 website listings and several major retail, restaurant and corporate partnerships. We launched the inaugural Georgia Grown Magazine, hosted two Georgia Grown Symposiums and produced eight farmer showcases across the state.

 

2. How does the Georgia Grown logo add value to products?

Our revamped Georgia Grown logo was designed to identify products grown or produced in Georgia. We hope consumers become familiar with the logo and the quality it represents. Consumers look to purchase locally grown products and are willing to pay more for agricultural items produced by their community. However, consumers are often unable to identify locally grown products when grocery shopping. A shopper may want Georgia-grown blueberries, but if blueberries are not identified as being local, the shopper cannot make an informed purchasing decision.

3. Who are the members featured in the Market Bulletin each issue?

These are proud Georgia Grown members that joined at the gold level or higher. In order to raise revenue for Georgia Grown and provide a high level of service to our members, the program charges membership fees at multiple levels. You can receive a basic membership, which gives you full rights to use the logo on all of your Georgia-grown products, for only $100 a year. With higher levels of membership you can receive a professionally designed advertising package, an ad in Georgia Grown Magazine, sponsorship of special events and a profile featuring your farm or company in the Market Bulletin and the Georgia Grown e-newsletter. 

4. Tell us about the new Georgia Grown building at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.

The Department was excited to premiere the Georgia Grown Building at the Georgia National Fair in Perry last October. The purpose of the building is to gather agriculture-related products and businesses from Georgia into one location to promote agriculture and educate the public about the products available from Georgia. The building will have exciting exhibits and a Georgia Grown pavilion where visitors can purchase wonderful products made right here in Georgia.  

5. Other than using the logo, how can farms and agribusinesses promote their Georgia Grown membership?

The Georgia Grown program hosts events throughout the year. Participating is a great way to raise awareness of your Georgia Grown products. If you are a small company or producer, farmers markets are great to get the word out about your products and increase sales. If you are a large company, you can raise your Georgia Grown profile by advertising in the magazine and including the logo in your website and media promotions.

Matthew Kulinski is the deputy director of marketing for the Georgia Department ofAgriculture.

Take 5: Addressing Animal Welfare Concerns

Originally published in the Aug. 7, 2013, issue

Cobb

Featuring Dr. Robert Cobb, state veterinarian

1. What do you think the most common misconceptions are about farming and animal welfare?

Most people today are several generations removed from the farm and do not understand what is required to provide good food for the table. They are trying to compare what happens in an apartment patio or a small backyard garden to production farming. They do not understand their dog that they treat as a member of the family cannot be compared to a herd of cows or pigs. If they were able to spend some time on a working farm, a lot of the issues of today revolving around animal welfare and food costs could be resolved.

2. What are some things the Department does to ensure all livestock, poultry and companion animals are treated properly by owners and caretakers?

The Department has numerous inspectors that regularly visit all licensed facilities and respond to complaints. Working with local law enforcement and animal control, they are responsible for ensuring animals are treated humanely and that current law and rules are followed. The Department inspectors monitor livestock markets and inspect animals at shows and exhibitions. 

3. What should consumers do if they suspect a producer is treating animals improperly?

They should contact their local sheriff’s or animal control office. Also, they may contact the Department’s Animal Health Division at 404-656-3667 or the State Veterinarian’s office at 404-656-3671.

4. How can farmers prevent their employees from mistreating animals?

Farmers as well as their employees that handle animals should get training in animal handling. Certifications such as Beef Quality Assurance, Pork Quality Assurance and The National Dairy FARM Program are great programs to ensure that good animal handling is followed. These programs are beneficial to the animals, but they can help to increase production which benefits the farmer. In addition, the National Chicken Council has standards for their farmers and trains third-party auditors on these standards. For more information, contact Georgia Cattlemen's Association, Georgia Milk Producers, National Chicken Council or University of Georgia Extension Service.

5. If producers or farm workers are found to be mistreating animals, how is that situation handled?

Cruelty to animals is punishable by law. The sheriff's office can press charges. If the facility is licensed by the Department, the license can be suspended or revoked and administrative hearings could result in fines.