Ag Briefs

Legislation introduced to protect hunting on federal land

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), a senior member of the Ag Committee, introduced last week the Hunting Heritage Protection Act, which aims to recognize the heritage of hunting and provide opportunities for continued hunting on federal public land. The Senators are members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.

"This legislation simply seeks to protect the rights of sportsmen to hunt on federal public lands all across America," said Sen. Chambliss. "Hunting is truly an American tradition and a key component to our conservation and wildlife management practices. By maintaining designated levels of federal land for hunting, we are affording thousands of men, woman, boys and girls the opportunity to enjoy this great American pastime."

Specifically, the measure would require federal lands, to the maximum extent practicable, to be managed in a way that supports, promotes and enhances hunting opportunities. The bill also calls on federal agencies managing federal lands to submit an annual report to Congress describing any limitation of access for hunting on federal lands. Additionally, agencies would be required to submit prior written notification to Congress before any limitation affecting access to hunting on 5,000 acres or more becomes effective.

Peanut industry seeks to feed state's hungry

The peanut industry recently kicked off the Peanut Proud and Feeding Georgia program. The Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Buying Points Association and American Peanut Shellers Association have committed to donating more than $20,000 in peanut butter to Georgia's Food Banks. Albany-based Tara Foods will make the peanut butter out of Georgia peanuts.

Individuals can also join the effort by making donations to the Georgia Association of Food Banks. A $10 donation will buy a case of 12 jars of peanut butter, 500 jars cost $400 and 1,000 jars costs $800. Checks may be mailed to the Georgia Association of Food Banks, Attn: Peanut Butter Donation, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.

Georgia receives $1 million in stimulus funds to promote specialty crops

Nearly $1 million in funding from the American Recovery and Investment Act is headed to Georgia to promote the state's specialty crops. Some $909,576 in US Department of Agriculture funds will be awarded through grants ranging from $10,000- $150,000. Eligible specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and greenhouse/nursery crops as well as Christmas trees and turf grass.