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To start presentation: Click the slide show icon below Press Space Bar to advance to next slide. Legislative Process Under GA Law, All commodity commissions must be created by enabling legislation SB 152- Formation of Commodity Commission for Ornamental Horticulture Passed the Senate- 3/5/09

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  1. To start presentation: Click the slide show icon below Press Space Bar to advance to next slide

  2. Legislative Process • Under GA Law, All commodity commissions must be created by enabling legislation • SB 152- Formation of Commodity Commission for Ornamental Horticulture • Passed the Senate- 3/5/09 • Passed the House- 3/30/09 • Governor Purdue has indicated favorable support of the bill.

  3. Getting Started • A List of 10 commission nominees, developed by the GGIA taskforce to represent the wide diversity of the industry has been submitted to Dept of Ag. • Commission members will be chosen by Ag Commissioner + 1 State Senator +1 State Representative. • This commission will develop bylaws for the commission prior to the industry vote. • Town-Hall type meetings will be held across the state to give growers the chance to review and comment on the program.

  4. Industry Passage Process • GGIA, in conjunction with Dept of Ag is compiling a list of eligible producers • Ballots will be mailed in mid July • 25% of ballots must be returned for vote to be validated • 66 2/3% of ballots must vote yes for commission to be formed

  5. Commission Structure and Operations • Comprised of 7 members • 5 participating industry members • 1 representative from GA Farm Bureau • 1 representative from GA Dept of Agriculture • Commission members serve 3 year rotating terms • Industry balance will be primary consideration in selection of members • Bylaws tailored to assure minimum industry representation for quorums.

  6. Industry Approval • Continuance of commission is voted on by industry participants every 3 years. • Each time the vote occurs, a 66% approval is required. • 25% of ballots must be returned for each vote to be valid .

  7. Assessments • Limited to producers with gross revenues of $200,000 or more. • Smaller operations will not vote, contribute or otherwise participate. They will however, benefit from actions of the commission. • Suggested fixed assessment will be 1/10th of 1% of gross revenues.

  8. The Nuts and Bolts: • Gross revenues used due to the lack of a standard unit of measure in the industry.. • Payments are made to GA Dept of Agriculture. • Department of Agriculture does have oversight to enforce payments through audits, fines up to $500 and withholding of live plant licenses.

  9. Administration by Dept of AG • GA Dept of Ag holds money in interest bearing account. • Interest generated is retained by the department to offset costs associated with maintaining the program. • The commission, not the Ag Dept decides how money is spent.

  10. How the money is spent: • All money collected is required to go to 3 areas, and 3 areas only… • Research- To provide information critical for public and regulatory studies. • Education- Both to the consumer and within the industry. • Marketing- Promotion of industry products within the state and throughout the region.

  11. Research will provide hard data on the benefits our the industry • Water requirements for healthy and sustainable landscapes • Landscape benefits for storm water mitigation • Prevention of nursery runoff and environmental contamination

  12. Education • Establishes BMP’s and a professional industry • Keeps the industry abreast of changes in technology and growing methods • Outreach education to promote the environmental importance of horticulture in GA.

  13. Marketing

  14. GA VEGETABLE COMMISSION ANNOUNCES NINE RESEARCH GRANTS More than $85,000 has been awarded for nine 2009 research projects according to the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Vegetables. These are the first research grants awarded since vegetable growers approved the new vegetable marketing order and commission in February of 2008.

  15. Georgia Peanut Commission Board Approves $1 million in Research Funding The Georgia Peanut Commission, on behalf of Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farmers, awards $1 million this year to peanut research facilities in the state on March 19, 2009 at the Georgia Peanut Commission monthly board meeting. This effort funds over 50 research projects, 45 state and 7 federal projects. These programs primarily focus on: economics; conservation methods; irrigation and water management; peanut breeding for higher yield and improved quality; pests, weed and disease management; and allergen free peanuts.

  16. Current GA Commodity Commissions Milk Peanuts Peaches Sweet Potatoes Tobacco Apples Cotton Soybeans Canola Pecans Corn Vegetables Blueberries

  17. Advantages of Commission • To fund badly needed research that is both relevant and timely to provide hard data regarding the environmental benefits of our industry. • To continue development and implementation of certification and education for our members. • To convey to the general public as well as state and local officials the economic, environmental and social benefits of our products. • We must ask ourselves this question: Was our industry prepared for the water crisis? Will we have the resources to be prepared for the next crisis?

  18. Frequently Asked Questions • Isn’t this just another tax? A tax is paid to a government entity who decides how to spend the money. This money is paid to the industry and industry members decide how to spend it. It’s truly an investment in the green industry. It is the duty of your elected leadership to provide the optimal return on your investment. • Why can’t this be a voluntary program instead of being forced on the industry?To be implemented, this program will require a 2/3 approval of the industry participants every three years. Those who will be affected by the program are the very ones who will approve the commission or choose for it to not be formed. Dept of Ag rules prohibit any commission being forced upon industry members.

  19. FAQ’s Continued • Why do we want a program controlled by the Dept of Ag? The commission is made up of 7 members, 5 chosen directly from the industry. Suggested bylaws require an industry majority for a quorum. • Who decides how the money is spent?All expenditures are voted on by the 7 members of the commission. Money can only be spent on the following types of initiatives: • Education 2.Research 3. Marketing

  20. Visit the GOHC Website for updates, meeting times and location and copies of bylaws once approved by the commission. www.GAHORTCOMMISSION.org

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