CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 10/10/12

Public meeting set to discuss Georgia Ag Tax Exemption Program

Sweeping changes were approved in last year’s House Bill 386 that exempt inputs used in agricultural production from Georgia sales tax collections. For certified producers or farmers this means most of the items they buy to use in agricultural production will be sales tax exempt beginning in 2013.

To help local producers prepare for these changes, the Wilkes County Cattlemen’s Association is hosting an informational meeting on Thursday, Oct. 18 beginning at 7 p.m. Representative Tom McCall, chairman of the House Ag Committee, will share his knowledge of the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption Program (GATE) and how the program will be implemented in 2013. The meeting will be held at the McGill-Woodruff Ag Center in Washington, Ga.

A couple of weeks ago, the Georgia Department of Agriculture released rules regarding the GATE program and will accept comment through Oct. 26. In order to qualify for these exemptions, agricultural producers will be required to obtain a certificate from the department.

An application has not yet been posted, and the consensus from most agricultural leaders is that the application should be available by mid-November. Producers should have four to six weeks to complete the application process and become certified in order to take advantage of the exemptions in January.

To learn more about how these exemptions can have a positive impact a producer’s bottom line, register for the class by calling the Wilkes County Extension Office at (706) 678-2332 by noon on Wednesday, Oct. 17. A meal will be provided, but a $5 contribution to the Wilkes County Cattlemen’s Association is required.

Experts/Sources:
Frank M. Watson
Farmers will soon pay less sales tax thanks to the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption Program.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
southgeorgiafarmfield (1) CAES News
CAES releases 20 years of farm gate trends 08/19/24 Jordan Powers
For more than two decades, the Georgia Farm Gate Value Report has offered a comprehensive analysis of the county-level production value for commodities in Georgia’s No. 1 industry, agriculture. The reports provide essential data to farmers in the state’s 159 counties. Now the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is providing Georgia’s producers with a new tool, the Georgia Farm Gate Value 20-Year Trends.
Center pivot irrigation over south Georgia peanut field. CAES News
Food and fiber production adds $18 billion to Georgia’s economy 05/02/24 Jordan Powers
According to figures from the newly released Georgia Farm Gate Value Report for 2022, food and fiber production from Georgia’s 159 counties contributes more than $18 billion to the economy statewide. The Georgia Farm Gate Value Report offers a comprehensive analysis of the county-level production value for Georgia commodities. The report is compiled and published by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
web Capitol Day Group Photo on Oglethorpe Stairs CAES News
4-H’ers see leadership in action during Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol 02/28/24 Josie Smith
The gold dome of the Georgia Capitol was complemented with shades of green on Feb. 14 as 4-H youth and adult leaders joined elected officials for the largest Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol on record. With nearly 700 in attendance, outstanding 4-H’ers from counties across the state gathered to engage with legislators, observe leadership in action and learn about the civic process.
UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers Sharon Kane and Becky Griffin put together a map displaying the economic value of pollinators to spread awareness about the impact of pollinators and the necessity of continued conservation. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
Mapping the economic value of pollinators 02/07/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
From beetles to butterflies, pollinators are a beautiful and integral part of nature. However, these tiny creatures may be more economically important to agricultural and ecological systems than previously thought. In a recent project by the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development at the University of Georgia, economist Sharon Kane and plant protection expert Becky Griffin have put together a powerful map displaying the economic importance of pollinators across Georgia.  
GaCapitol CAES News
Across the Southern border: The future of the H-2A visa program in Georgia 01/17/24 Emily Cabrera
As an essential part of the U.S. agricultural industry, the H-2A program offers a lifeline for farmers facing seasonal labor shortages. The program enables them to hire migrant workers on a temporary basis when attempts to hire domestic workers are unsuccessful. Yet, as the agricultural sector navigates the delicate balance between productivity and financial viability, the high costs associated with the H-2A program present a very real and present challenge for farmers striving to sustain their operations.
service pnp fsa 8d29000 8d29100 8d29114v CAES News
Across the Southern border: How U.S. immigration policies affect agriculture 01/04/24 Emily Cabrera
For decades, economists have studied the impact of immigration on domestic labor markets. As a shortage of domestic farm labor has led to increased participation in the H-2A visa program, a brief look back at past immigration policies helps frame why migrants from Central and South America have largely been associated with filling necessary agricultural jobs in the U.S.