What is GAP Connections?  Non-profit organization formed by the tobacco industry to help minimize the burden of compliance with the U.S. Tobacco GAP Program on growers while maximizing the rate of compliance within the industry.

GAP Connections  Staff ◦Jane Starnes ◦Former Director of the Center for Tobacco Grower Research (CTGR) ◦B.S. Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee ◦M.S. Agricultural Economics, Purdue University ◦Paul Denton ◦Retired UT/UKY Burley Tobacco Extension Specialist ◦B.S. Plant and Soil Science, University of Tennessee ◦M.S. Plant and Soil Science, University of Tennessee ◦Ph.D. Soil Science, North Carolina State University

Membership Classes Company Members (contract purchasers) Organizations not individuals Associate Members Organizations not individuals Grower Members Individuals not organizations

GAP Connections  2014 Member Companies (to-date) ◦Alliance One International ◦Altria ◦American Snuff ◦Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association ◦Burley Stabilization Corporation (BSC) ◦Gallatin Redrying and Storage Co. ◦Hail and Cotton ◦John Middleton ◦JTI ◦Lancaster Leaf ◦Philip Morris USA ◦PMI ◦R.J.Reynolds ◦Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. ◦United Tobacco Company ◦Universal Leaf ◦U.S. Smokeless Tobacco

Membership Classes Company Members (contract purchasers)Associate MembersGrower Members Any individual grower of tobacco shall be eligible for membership. A grower member must have been actively engaged (i.e., “at risk”) in tobacco production for at least three (3) of the five (5) years prior to obtaining membership.

Grower Membership  Grower ID card for scanning at GAP trainings for easy tracking of attendance  Online access to their grower profile and GAP training history  Easy way to share their GAP efforts with member companies  Bi-annual GAP Connections electronic newsletter  Voice in the U.S. Tobacco GAP standard setting process  Access to training calendar and many online grower resources GAP Connections seeks to minimize burden and maximize compliance

Growers  Growers become members when they register for a Grower ID with GAP Connections  Grower ID System: ◦Secure database of tobacco growers involved in the U.S. Tobacco GAP Program ◦Growers will voluntarily sign-up for this grower ID ◦Plastic card ◦Electronically on Smartphone ◦Card contains a QR code that is scanned at GAP educational events to keep track of attendance John Doe 1/24/

Registration for Grower ID Card  Step 1: Register Online at (mid December) ◦Register at home, work, training event, expo, company meeting, Extension office, anywhere with internet access  Step 2: Getting the card ◦Option 1: ◦Temporary card printed immediately ◦Permanent card mailed to mailing address ◦Option 2: ◦If done in-person with GAP Connections at an event the permanent card can be printed immediately on-site ◦Option 3: ◦Download GAP Connections Grower App ◦ID w/QR code is on smartphone

Information Needed for a Grower ID  First name  Middle name  Last name  Suffix  Phone Number  Address (if applicable)  Mailing address, City, State, Zip  Farm Name  Farm address, City, State, Zip  County of primary farm operation  Birthday (MM/DD/YYYY)  Type of tobacco, Acres of each

For more Information: (865) 622 – 4606 Address: 2450 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville, TN 37996

How Can Agents Help? Help get the word out about the grower ID program Encourage growers to register prior to meetings Facilitate grower registration At Meetings with GAP training Is an internet connection available? Have a couple of extra laptops available Have a printer available to print temporary ID cards