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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
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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. www.gapconnections.com
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 www.gapconnections.com
Membership Classes www.gapconnections.com
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 www.gapconnections.com
Membership Classes www.gapconnections.com
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 1/24/75 12345678 www.gapconnections.com
Registration for Grower ID Card • Step 1: Register Online at www.gapconnections.com (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 • Email 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: www.gapconnections.com (865) 622 – 4606 jstarnes@gapconnections.com Address: 2450 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville, TN 37996 www.gapconnections.com
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