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» Dirt Meet the Pro Can you get by with a little help from a gardening coach? By Amy Stewart Genevieve Schmidt. Photo by Amy Stewart. I blog with a group of opinionated gardeners at gardenrant.com; one of my partners in crime on that site makes her living as a garden coach. At first I wasn't sure why the world needed one more kind of horticultural professional. We already have designers, landscape architects, arborists, engineers, lawn care services and landscape crews to choose from. But Susan's stories about her fledgling garden coach career fascinated me. A movie star who spends most of his time in New York asked her to go to his mother's house in the D.C. area a couple times a month and just garden alongside her, to encourage her interest in the outdoors and to help with the heavy lifting. Gardeners who had spent years filling their yard with plants felt frustrated with the results and called on Susan to help them rearrange and fine-tune. Pretty soon the media was calling too, and Susan was talking to reporters all over the country about garden coaching. She didn't invent the concept, but she just happened to have a website (thegardeningcoach.com) that attracted reporters. One day I was reading about Susan in the Christian Science Monitor, and there was a quote from Genevieve Schmidt, a garden coach in Arcata. I had met Genevieve a couple of times — she created a lovely woodland garden for a friend of mine — so I invited her over to talk about why, exactly, a gardener might want to hire a coach. Genevieve (she's online at genevieveschmidtdesign.com) got her horticultural education at City College of San Francisco and at HSU. She worked for many years as a maintenance gardener and gradually started designing gardens for her clients. In the last couple of years, she's added this new service: coaching. "I kept getting calls from people who were not gardeners, but they had a nice garden professionally installed and didn't really know what to do with it after that," she said. "They were afraid to move things around or try something new, because it didn't really feel like their garden." She also heard from more experienced gardeners who just wanted a little professional help. "Gardeners really want to be part of the process," she said. "They might even want to work alongside the professionals they hire. Not everybody works that way." So what makes a coach different from some other kind of garden professional? For one thing, a garden coach is primarily helping do-it-yourselfers to — well — do it themselves. "I might just go to somebody's house four times a year and work in the garden with them for the afternoon," she said. "One of the things I really like to do is to help people connect with the seasons and know what to look out for as their garden changes over the year." She'll even go to the garden center and help people pick out plants, then come back to their house and give advice on where and how to plant them. I remember when life coaches first started getting attention in the media. I used to roll my eyes at the idea of paying someone to go have coffee with you and tell you what to do about your problems at work. Isn't that what friends are for? But as Genevieve talked, I realized that I almost never actually go to the garden center with a friend. I'm always insisting that I like to garden alone, but suddenly the idea of having someone else standing next to me in the garden helping me figure out whether I should uproot a hydrangea seemed really appealing. Here's the other thing that appealed to me. You hire a professional for their hard-earned expertise, but that expertise often comes as part of a package. You define the scope of work, the professional writes up a proposal and names a price, you write a check, and at the end of the process you get the product: a report or a plan or a tax return or an irrigation system or a driveway. Usually that's a very satisfactory arrangement. I don't want someone to teach me how to pour a driveway or calculate the alternative minimum tax. I'm hiring someone else so that I don't have to think about it. But gardening is a pleasure. It's something I want to do. So I wouldn't want to hire a professional who is going to keep her knowledge to herself and simply go about her work in my backyard. I'd want her to show me how to do what she does. Wouldn't a horticultural professional be reluctant to simply hand her knowledge over, knowing that I'll take what she's taught me and go do it myself? "Not at all," Genevieve said. "It bothers me when people act like their knowledge is some big mysterious thing. I'm not threatened by people who want to know what I know. There's always going to be a need for gardening services — the more I can get people involved with gardening, the better." Hmmmm. I confess that I was starting to like the idea of hiring someone to come over to my garden for a couple of hours to dispense wisdom, identify plants whose names I've forgotten and cast an educated vote about the removal of a troublesome shrub. I also realized that in all the years I've been reading garden books and magazines, I've read surprisingly little about how to work with garden professionals. So tune in two weeks from now, when I'll be back with a list of ideas for how and when to enlist a little extra help in the garden. Tags: Dirt More Dirt » Can you get by with a little help from a gardening coach? Comments Subscribe to this thread: Amy Stewart Contact Us Cocktail Garden Crazy Talk Now You're Pushing It Summer Cocktail Crops Latest in Dirt The Feathered Killers It's chick season again, so for God's sake please protect the little ones from your murderous hens Monetize It! Here's a bunch of things that the "prepare for legalization" crowd maybe hasn't thought about yet Planters for people who hate planters (or: I Am A Genius)

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Makhteshim Agan Appoints Dr. Anders Harfstrand As Head Of Its European Operations TEL-AVIV, Israel, Nov. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Makhteshim Agan Group ("MAI" or the "Company"), the world leader in branded off-patent crop protection solutions, today announced the appointment of Dr. Anders Harfstrand as President & Chief Executive Officer of its Europe Region. The appointment is effective as of January 1, 2013. Dr. Harfstrand, who will be based in the Company's headquarters in Switzerland, has also been appointed a member of MAI's senior management team. In his new role, he will work closely with MAI's European Leadership Team, as well as promote cooperation between MAI's Europe Region and its other regions to better facilitate the Company's holistic business approach. He replaces erIgnacio Dominguez, that is taking over the position of the Company's Chief Commercial Officer and head of its Products & Marketing Division. Dr. Harfstrand brings to MAI two decades of experience as a senior business executive at leading pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, he was President and CEO of Humabs Biomed SA, a Swiss-based company engaged in the discovery of human monoclonal antibodies and CEO of NITEC Pharma AG. Dr. Harfstrand was also the Senior Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales in charge of Central and Eastern Europe, the Nordic, Asia, Latin America and Canada at Serono International SA. Prior to that, he held a number of executive positions at Pfizer, including Executive Vice President of Specialty Products and Business Development of Pfizer Japan, as well as Vice President of Pharmacia in charge of several of the global main therapy areas. He is a member of the boards of public and private Swiss pharmaceutical companies, as well as the Chairman of Harfstrand Consulting Company. Dr. Harfstrand received his PhD in Medical Science and MD from Sweden's Karolinska Institute. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Erez Vigodman , President and CEO of Makhteshim Agan, stated, "I am delighted to welcome Anders Harfstrand to MAI. Dr. Harfstrand is a strong business leader who brings to our company deep, hands-on managerial experience in the pharma industry, especially in strategic sales and marketing, business development and M&A. His broad skillset and knowledge of multi-cultural global organizations, such as ours, will be an important asset for MAI as we continue to expand our global and European operations. I look forward to working with Anders and am certain that MAI in general and our European region in particular, will benefit greatly from his extensive knowledge, experience skills and capabilities." About Makhteshim Agan Makhteshim Agan Industries Ltd. is a leading manufacturer and distributor worldwide of crop-protection solutions and the largest off-patent player in the industry. The Company supplies efficient solutions to farmers that assist them in combating disease and increasing yields. In 2011, the Company's revenues were over $2.69 billion, and it is ranked seventh in the world in the overall agro-chemicals industry. The Company is characterized by its know-how, high-level technological-chemical abilities, expertise in product registration, and observance of strict standards of environmental protection, stringent quality control and global marketing and distribution channels. For more information, visit us at www.ma-industries.com. Contact: Rony Patishi-Chillim SVP of Global Corporate Communications Email: IR@ma-industries.com Phone: +972 73 232 1941 SOURCE Makhteshim Agan Industries Ltd. Copyright 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Página principal de la FAOGéneroNoticiasPor qué el géneroPerspectivasProyectosRecursosEnlaces Género © FAO/G. Napolitano Rural women’s empowerment: A long road ahead Advancing rural women’s economic empowerment and access to decent rural employment, supporting associations in giving them a stronger voice in decision-making, and fostering their better access to land are three priority areas in enabling rural women to realize their full potential for food and nutrition security. The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Rural Women (IANWGE) recently estimated that rural women and girls still fare worse than rural men and urban women in relation to every Millennium Development Goal indicator. The fight against hunger and poverty is most pressing in rural areas where most of the world’s poor live. Women play an important role in rural economies, particularly in agriculture, where they make up 43 percent of the agricultural labour force of developing countries. However, they face a range of constraints, particularly in accessing productive resources such a land, inputs, training and credit that prevent them from realizing their full potential, creating better lives for themselves and their families, and fully contributing to the growth of their communities An untapped motor of growth and food security As the UN organizations most directly responsible for achieving a world without hunger, the Rome-based UN agencies (RBAs)—FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP)--actively work towards rural women’s social and economic empowerment as a motor of poverty reduction and better food security. As such, the RBAs played a major role in the 56th session of The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the principal global policy-making body committed to gender equality and the advancement of women, which was held earlier this month and focused on rural women and their role in development, poverty reduction and food security. Ann Tutwiler, FAO Deputy Director-General, spoke on behalf of the RBAs at CSW’s opening session, explaining that the findings of the last edition of FAO’s flagship report—The State of Food and Agriculture 2011 (SOFA) -- had set two concrete goals in the fight against hunger: improve the agricultural sector in developing countries to feed a rapidly growing global population, and generate more and better rural employment to give people the means to acquire this food--neither achievable without rural women’s empowerment. “The SOFA shows that by giving women equal access to productive agricultural resources—land, inputs, training, credit—women’s farm productivity would increase by 20-30%, countries’ total agricultural output would increase by 2.5-4.0% and 100-150 million fewer would be hungry,” Ms. Tutwiler explained. “Essentially, the SOFA says that because rural women’s economic potential is squandered, 100 to 150 million people are still hungry and a significant share of agricultural production is ‘missing.’ “ She explained that while the international community’s work has made inroads, particularly in filling critical knowledge gaps on gender and land rights, rural employment and agriculture, progress is still needed with regards to policies for agriculture and rural development that benefit rural men and women more equally, legal frameworks that grant women full economic rights, better access to education, training, information and technologies, health care and nutrition, and a stronger and more meaningful participation of women in decision making processes. The RBAs focused their participation on three priority themes: improving rural women’s economic empowerment and access to decent rural employment, supporting associations in giving them a stronger voice in decision-making, and fostering their better access to land rights. A need for greater economic empowerment and better access to decent work In partnership with IFAD, WFP, UN Women and The International Labor Organization (ILO), FAO organized two side events to discuss the urgency of improving rural women’s economic empowerment and of supporting their better access to decent employment to fight poverty and hunger. Women fulfill many crucial roles in rural economies, as farmers--they comprise 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force in developing countries—and as workers and small-scale entrepreneurs, but their productivity is persistently limited by gender inequalities. They are more likely than men to hold low-wage, part-time, seasonal employment and tend to be paid less even when their qualifications are higher than men’s. They are also disproportionately responsible for taking care of the household, raising children and caring for the sick and elderly, unpaid work most often performed without the support of infrastructure and technologies. Improved gender equality in rural farm and non-farm employment has a long lasting impact on economic growth and poverty reduction by enabling rural women to contribute to their families' livelihoods, improve their households' resilience to shocks and enhance the well-being of their children. Participants discussed the type of policies needed for rural women’s economic empowerment. These include increased government investment in labour-saving technologies and public infrastructure such as roads, transport, electricity and water; supporting rural women and girls’ better access to human capital through education and training; the establishment of social safety nets like health care insurance and socials services such as child care; the creation of a better investment climate by strengthening property rights, including land rights; and supporting rural women’s greater voice in decision making. Cooperatives: Giving women a greater voice in the community This last item was the focus of the side event “Unleashing Rural Women’s Voice to End Hunger and Poverty” organized by FAO in partnership with IFAD, WFP, ILO, the World Bank and UN DESA. Moderated by Cheryl Morden, Director of IFAD’s North America Liaison Office, the event brought together leaders and members from rural and agricultural organizations and ministries worldwide including Marcela Villarreal, Director of FAO’s Gender and Rural Employment Division, Ann Itto, Secretary General of the Southern Sector of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and former Minister of Agriculture of South Sudan, Dr. Muchena, Minister of Women’s Affairs of Zimbabwe, Filomena Delgado from the Ministry of Agriculture of Angola, Elizabeth Atangana, President of the Plateforme Regionale des Organisations Paysannes d’Afrique Centrale (PROPAC), Rehana Riyalawala, Secretary of the Self-Employed Women’s Association in India (SEWA), Robert Carlson, President of the World Farmers’ Organization, and Rose Cunningham-Kain Director of the indigenous women’s organization Wangki Tangni in Nicaragua. All participants underlined the central role organizations and cooperatives play in supporting rural women’s participation and decision making in rural societies and enterprises by encouraging the facilitation and sharing of knowledge, and by reducing costs and barriers to accessing productive resources through collective bargaining. Mr. Carlson added that these organizations were unique in their provision of much-needed spaces for women to speak freely. Ms. Itto discussed women’s increased chances of attracting investors when organized in cooperatives and gave the example of Colombia, where 91% of microcredit is given through cooperatives. Ms. Riyalawala presented the model of SEWA, which, with over 1.4 million poor, self employed women members, is the largest union of informal sector workers in India and has been highly instrumental in bettering its members’ lives and improving their productivity by giving them the means to organize and to gain access to social security services, training, technology, information and financial services. Securing better land rights for women improves life for everyoneLand is one of the most important assets for small agricultural producers. Women farmers are disadvantaged by the worldwide prevalence of land tenure regimes that allocate primary land rights to men through gender-biased marital and inheritance laws, family and community norms, their limited capacity to participate in community decision-making processes, and their unequal access to land markets. The land that women do own also tends to be of lesser quality. This considerably limits women farmer’s ability to invest in their land and improve their productivity, exacerbates their exposure to food insecurity and leaves them disproportionately vulnerable to economic hardships. A vast body of research shows that improving women’s land rights strengthens their bargaining power within the household, leading to better health and education outcomes for their children and significant benefits for households and communities in terms of production and wealth distribution. FAO, IFAD and the International Land Coalition (ILC) organized a side event to discuss interventions to reduce the gap in land rights. These include supporting legal reforms and joint titling and land certification programmes, supporting the increased representation of women in land administration bodies and facilitating legal literacy programmes for rural women. Participants insisted on the fact that strengthening women’s land rights is a matter of not just reforming land laws but that gender equity in land rights need to be upheld consistently across the entire legal framework, from the Constitution to family and civil laws, and supported by legal trainings enabling women to understand and claim their rights. They also underlined the importance of addressing customary norms and practices in parallel to official legal frameworks, and cited the state, civil society and the international community as key actors. Watch an interview with Rose Cunningham Kain, Executive Director of Wangki Tangni, a women’s community development organization run by and for indigenous peoples on Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast. Rose was a panelist at FAO’s side event, “Unleashing rural women’s voice to end hunger and poverty” during the Committee on the Status of Women in New York. Las madres y los niños son la clave para una mejor nutrición mundialDe la tierra a la mesa: historia de un huerto familiarLas instituciones rurales: herramientas para el progreso social y económicoLas mujeres como punto de partida en las discusiones para mejorar la seguridad alimentaria mundialInvertir en las mujeres rurales contribuye a la seguridad alimentaria Add new content Participatory Information and Communication Programa de género y cambio climático Base de Datos Género y Derecho a la Tierra ContáctanosPrograma de Género de la FAOOrganización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentacióncorreo: gender@fao.orgConexiones Contacte con nosotros | Términos y Condiciones | Alerta de estafa

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Decrease Food Waste and Give Yourself a ‘Raise’ Up until recent times, the weekly ritual of planning meals played itself out in homes across the country. Meals were painstakingly thought out. Up until recent times, the weekly ritual of planning meals played itself out in homes across the country. Meals were painstakingly thought out. Moms clipped coupons from the Thursday night paper and carefully planned the weekly grocery shopping trip. At meal time, everyone at the table was expected to be a member of the “clean plate club.” Even the family dog might happily to do its part, cleaning up table scraps. Leftovers were packed as lunches or eaten at other meals later in the week. Little went to waste. Lifestyles have changed dramatically and so has the amount of food waste we generate. Numerous experts have proclaimed the need to double the world’s food supply in the next 40 years to meet a growing population and changing dietary demands. However, because of food waste, doubling the food supply actually will require tripling production from fewer resources.According to a report issued in January by the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers, “Global Food: Waste Not, Want Not,” up to half of all food produced goes to waste. Waste occurs at all levels of the food chain, from production, to harvesting, transportation, processing, retailing and restaurants and by consumers. The UK report echoes studies previously released by other organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Various sources show that a lot of food is produced but never consumed in North America and Oceana—nearly 40 percent of grain products, half or more of seafood, fruits and vegetables, and one-fifth of meats and milk. The good news is that because of ever-improving farming practices, very little of that loss is in farming and production in the U.S.—just 2 percent of grains, 11 percent of seafood, 20 percent of fruits and vegetables, 3 percent of meat and 3 percent of milk. Higher losses in fruit and vegetable production are due to retail, restaurant and consumer expectations of perfection; nutritious, safe and “tasty but ugly” produce never leaves the field. The consumer side is another story: 27 percent of grain products, 33 percent of seafood, 28 percent of fruits and vegetables, 12 percent of meat and 17 percent of milk go to waste in the U.S. The UK report says that as the development level and per capita income of a country increases, the food loss problem generally moves further up the chain, toward consumers. Thus, the U.S. is among the most efficient and least wasteful in farming and production, but the most wasteful at the consumer end.Further, close to 20 percent of the U.S. food supply is lost in households, restaurants and foodservice. In restaurants, portion sizes have increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Yet, on average, diners leave 17 percent of meals uneaten and half of all leftovers are not taken home.At home, U.S. families throw out one-quarter of the food they buy. Yet every day, about one in six people—50 million people—in the U.S. are “food insecure.” Reducing food losses by just 15 percent could feed half of them.Fortunately, small changes can yield big payoffs. Analysts estimate that reducing food waste can help the average family of four find an extra $1,350 to $2,275 annually. That’s a nice bonus in tough economic times. For consumers, reducing waste does not mean major dietary changes, guilt or doing without. It starts with little steps: meal planning, small reductions in portion sizes, taking home and eating restaurant leftovers, accepting slightly imperfect produce and storing and cooking with an eye toward reducing waste.Reducing waste in the food system is a continuous improvement process, involving cooperation and efforts at all levels. It also requires education, but not from a formalized program. It may be as simple as asking mom or grandma, “How did you used to do this?”Robert Giblin is an occasional contributor to the Focus on Agriculture series for American Farm Bureau Federation. He writes, speaks and consults about agricultural and food industry issues, policies and trends.

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Heat Adversely Affecting Local Farmers By: Danielle Eldredge Email Updated: Wed 9:50 PM, Jul 07, 2010 By: Danielle Eldredge Email Home / Article farm The heat we've all been experiencing, could threaten local farmer's livelihoods. Farmers are working hard to win a fight against Mother Nature.Bell Farms is a long time family tradition. "Daddy’s been doing it for forty years and then granddaddy did it before him...so it's a lifelong family farm...I was born and raised here. And when I got married I moved down the road to the original house my granddaddy built in '67," said David Bell, part owner of Bell Farms.Unfortunately, the land, and the family who lives and works on it, is suffering through a hot summer. "We’re in one of the spots that hasn't received a whole lot of rainfall in the last month," said Bell. “In a summer as hot as this one...what do you do to make sure your plants are taken care of?” asked reporter, Danielle Eldredge. “This is one type of irrigation that we've got here and it's a black tape...it's called grip tape...and when you fill it up with water it fills right up and it has holes in it every 12 inches and you lay it down beside the plants, and actually this is covered up...but then when you turn the water on it just wets the ground and you leave it on for a couple hours and it wets the ground right around the routes," said Bell. It seems easy enough, but there are drawbacks to irrigating. “It just makes it a lot harder because the more we're having to irrigate and pump water and all, you know that's more expenses in the crop then we're trying to get out of it,” said Bell. “Here at Bell Farms watermelon is one of their most popular crops and they have many different varieties...this one here is called a Diablo watermelon and it originates from Arizona. It was originally made to help withstand the harsh conditions of the desert and it can do that because it has a little film on it that helps protect it from the sun," said Eldredge. Despite tough times, the bell family is determined to persevere. “We've got a real loyal customer base that know when they pull up on the market and see bell or see one of trucks or something...ya know we've got good quality produce," said Bell. The best way to try some of Bell's produce yourself is to go to one of our local farmers’ markets. If you want it fresher than that, Bell says you can go over to his farm and pick it yourself.

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Local Mineral rights have RMs rolling in oil-well dough By: Bill RedekopPosted: 04/26/2014 1:00 AM This article was published 25/4/2014 (916 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. BIRTLE -- When scores of farmers were driven off the land in the Great Depression of the 1930s, rural municipalities such as the RM of Birtle repossessed their farms for back taxes.The RMs held onto the land until the economy improved, then put the properties back up for sale. BILL REDEKOP/WINNIPEG FREE PRESSRoger Wilson, reeve of the RM of Birtle, in front of an oil well in the Birdtail Field from which the RM receives monthly royalties. Purchase Photo Print Except in the case of the RM of Birtle, 20 kilometres south of Russell, where the chief administrator made a very forward-thinking decision. He kept the mineral rights for the RM.No one gave mineral rights a thought back then. There was no whiff of oil here in the 1930s and '40s. The discovery of oil in Manitoba was still a decade away. In fact, no one suspected anything of value on the land other than the soil.Flash forward to 2014 and the misfortune of those farmers is paying off in big oil royalties for the RM.The RM of Birtle has mineral rights on nine quarter-sections in the new Birdtail Field. The first hole produced a oil royalty cheque for $25,000 in just the first month. "We thought we'd died and gone to heaven," said Roger Wilson, the reeve of the RM of Birtle.Three more wells have since been drilled on RM mineral rights. While the oil volumes have levelled off, the RM is still getting monthly royalty cheques of $20,000 to $30,000 per month, with reasonable expectations more oil wells are coming. Not bad for an RM of just 640 people.Not all Manitoba RMs held onto mineral rights from repossessed farms, but those that did are reaping rewards today. The RM of Archie, population 325, which borders Saskatchewan to the west, and roughly the Trans-Canada Highway to the south, has mineral rights on 25 quarter-sections. That's in and around Manitoba's newest oil play, the Manson Field. Oil hasn't been discovered on RM holdings yet, but it's only a matter of time. Oil companies have staked all 25 of the RM's parcels.The granddaddy of them all is the RM of Pipestone, in the Sinclair Field of southwestern Manitoba. Manitoba's largest oilfield was discovered in 2004. Pipestone has mineral rights under 48 quarter-sections of land. It's receiving royalty cheques from about 200 oil wells, for a total of $2 million to $2.5 million per year in oil royalties. "We're blessed with that," said Russ Tycoles, Pipestone's reeve.Pipestone has about $4 million in its reserves. In fact, the RM mails out $500 royalty cheques once a year to every household.Manitoba is an anomaly in that about 70 per cent of mineral rights are privately owned, versus less than 50 per cent in Saskatchewan, and a negligible amount in Alberta. That's because the land was homesteaded before the 1890s, when the Government of Canada took over mineral rights in Western Canada, which it later transferred to the provinces.Royalties aren't the only benefit from the oilpatch. Companies pay taxes of about $700 per year per well. They also pay about $150 per acre for three-year leases to mineral-rights holders on land they want to explore.When companies build batteries for gathering raw oil and separating out the water, they also make sizable tax payments. The Manson Field has one battery on its tax roll that pays annual taxes of $30,000.On the other hand, the oil industry does not produce a lot of local jobs, said Wendy Davidson, reeve of the RM of Archie. It's produced only six jobs in Archie, and six in Birtle. In Archie, three people work as well-trackers. Those are well-paying positions where individuals drive around to the wells each day to make sure they're working properly.Oil companies have been generous to communities, municipalities say. For example, an eight-kilometre stretch of municipal road leading into Birdtail Field in the RM of Birtle, had soft spots and needed repairs. "Tundra (Oil and Gas Ltd.) said fix it and send us the bill," said reeve Wilson. Cha-ching! Tundra covered the $45,000 cost.Tundra also chipped in $17,500 for renovations at Birtle's ice arena and $10,000 to upgrade its fire truck. Other oil companies have also contributed to local fire departments and community centres.What an oil discovery brings to a community is a lottery mentality, where people with privately held mineral rights wait, hoping oil companies drill on their land. One of those with mineral rights is Wilson, the Birtle reeve whose main occupation is as cow-calf producer.Wilson has heard rumours an oil company is supposed to drill a hole on his property this spring. "You can't take rumours to the bank," he said, but he's got his fingers crossed.bill.redekop@freepress.mb.caNEXT WEEK: Tracking a mineral-rights holder three generations removed Read more by Bill Redekop.

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العربية中文englishfrançaisРусскийEspañol Who we areWhy we partnerHow to partnerStrategiesNews ArchivePartnerships in actionEvents Home > Partnerships > News Archive Civil SocietyPrivate SectorFAO-AcademiaParliamentary alliancesOthersSouth-south coperation Chinese experts push yields up in Namibia 01 Apr 2016 April 2016 - Watermelon grafting technology was introduced showing high yields in Mashare and Etunda. Agricultural production experts from China assisted local farmers to implement various techniques for substantially improved yields. Farm managers and agricultural extension officers are one of the many Namibians who are getting technical experience and know-how from Chinese experts, following the successful implementation of the 2014 tripartite agreement between Namibia, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and China, on the South-South Cooperation (SSC) programmes. Small-scale farmers and agricultural enterprises are benefiting directly through hands-on training and on-farm demonstrations. Namibia was allocated US$1.5 million from China... UN urges stronger, coordinated international response to address El Niño impacts 23 Mar 2016 23 March 2016, Rome - The United Nations has called for a stronger response by governments, aid organizations and the private sector to address the devastating impact the El Niño climate event is having on the food security, livelihoods, nutrition and health of some 60 million people around the world. The appeal came at a meeting organized in Rome by four UN agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP). FAO and Ankara University expand cooperation 25 Feb 2016 FAO and Ankara University are expanding their collaboration under a new Memorandum of Understanding signed recently by the two institutions. Training and capacity development, raising awareness of global food security issues, and technical support to national and regional projects are the three main areas where the organizations will work together. Knowledge and good practices on food and nutrition security, sustainable management of natural resources and rural development will be shared by the partners. “All of our foreseen activities serve the national priorities set forth in the FAO Country Programming Framework for Turkey, FAO’s strategic objectives, and our regional initiatives,” said Yuriko Shoji,... Women and Youth at the forefront of forum to promote integrated rural development through South-South and Triangular Cooperation 12 Feb 2016 12 February, 2016, Brussels - The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), have wrapped up a symposium pledging to build new partnerships to empower women and youth. The two-day event saw governments, civil society, private sector and development partners debate the key issues of jobs and entrepreneurship, with a special focus on how the mechanisms of South-South and Triangular Cooperation can help bring about change in developing countries across the... Support for agriculture in Syria critical with massive food insecurity adding to suffering 04 Feb 2016 4 February 2016, Rome - As world leaders met in London today to raise funds in support of millions of people affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria, FAO stressed the urgent need to help farming families produce food to meet basic needs. Within Syria, 8.7 million are in need of food security assistance, out of an estimated 13.5 million people who continue to be in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. "It is clear that imported food assistance alone cannot feed the country -- that's why maintaining food production amidst this conflict is so critical," said FAO Assistant Director-General Laurent Thomas today. FAO and Russia deepen cooperation to improve access to land, tenure security 26 Jan 2016 26 January 2015, Rome - Russia's Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr) and FAO have agreed to enhance their cooperation aimed at improving the governance of land tenure. During a meeting in Rome, organized by the UN agency, the World Bank and Rosreestr, the parties discussed good practices and key success factors in improving tenure security, as well as joint cooperation for the implementation of FAO's Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (Voluntary Guidelines). New DFID-FAO agreement paves way for stronger, easier collaboration 21 Dec 2015 21 December 2015, Rome - The Department for International Development of the United Kingdom (DfID) and FAO are strengthening their partnership with a new agreement that will benefit future collaborations on a multitude of fronts. "FAO and DFID share a vision for a world where communities are food secure, their productive assets are protected and the world's natural resources are managed sustainably," FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, said today. "Thanks to the UK's ongoing support to many areas of FAO's work, we have been able to build toward that vision together and will now be able to do so more strategically... Google and FAO partner to make remote sensing data more efficient and accessible 01 Dec 2015 Google Maps and FAO have agreed to work closely together to make geospatial tracking and mapping products more accessible, providing a high-technology assist to countries tackling climate change and much greater capacity to experts developing forest and land-use policies. Digital technology tapping into satellite imagery is revolutionizing the way countries can assess, monitor and plan the use of their natural resources, including monitoring deforestation and desertification. "For FAO, this is not just a partnership. This is a strategic alliance," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, noting it combines FAO's global effort to combat climate change with Google's commitment to help on the... Working with farmers for a better nutrition 27 Nov 2015 27 November 2015, Rome. The Second Conference “Seeding Nutrition Harvesting Health” organized by the World Farmers’ Organization took place yesterday in FAO Headquarters. The conference focused on the role of farmers to ensure better nutrition and the importance of education in nutrition for youth and the future generations. Farmers’ role in nutrition “Farmers are the stewards of biodiversity. They play a critical and catalytical role to provide food resources for the planet. However, their role is often underestimated,” stated Marco Marzano de Marinis, Secretary-General of the World Farmers’ Organization (WFO) during his opening of the... FAO and Mars join forces to strengthen food safety 22 Oct 2015 14 October 2015, Rome - FAO and Mars Incorporated, one of the largest global food manufacturers, will work together to achieve better food safety and quality along the food chains especially in developing countries. The two organizations have signed a partnership agreement aimed at promoting international standards for food safety and quality, improving food safety management, based on scientific principles to reduce foodborne illness, and facilitating global access to information. Under the agreement, Mars will support FAO’s food safety program by providing access to food safety data and by providing... « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 21 Next »

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/ What is RCA? What is RCA? RCA Issue Brief #1 September 1995 Who's asking questions? What will the RCA do for us? Who is preparing the third RCA appraisal? What's the schedule? Natural resource concerns Did you know ... ...that, in 1993, there were 2 million farms, down from a peak of nearly 7 million in 1935, but that the amount of land in farms remained almost the same, with 978 million acres of farmland in 1993 and 1 billion acres of farmland in 1933? And that irrigated farmland rose from 30 million acres in 1950 to 51 million acres in 1992? ...that between 1982 and 1992, sheet & rill erosion on U.S. cropland declined from 4.1 tons per acre to 3.1 tons per acre? And that crop residue management practices, which reduce soil erosion and air pollution, and can improve water quality, were used on 99.3 million acres in 1994, up from 71.7 million acres in 1989? And that the Food Security Act of 1985 and the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 played a major role in these improvements? ...that the annual rate of wetland loss because of agricultural conversions in the United States between 1982 and 1992 was less than one-tenth what it was between 1954 and 1974? ...that Americans consumed 70 percent more broccoli and 24 percent more carrots in 1993 than in 1983? And that production of commercial fresh vegetables more than doubled in 10 States? ...that Americans spent 11 percent of their disposable personal income on food (at home or eating out) in 1994, down from 24 percent in 1935? Who's asking questions? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently preparing its third appraisal under the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act (RCA) of 1977. The Act requires such appraisals every 10 years to further its policy of advancing "conservation, protection, and enhancement of the Nation's soil, water, and related resources for sustained use." Using the information in the appraisal, the Department will also prepare a National Conservation Program, a strategic planning mechanism to give direction to future USDA policies and programs. Working together with nearly 20 other Federal agencies, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is leading the analysis on the status, conditions, and trends in land use and soils, water quality and quantity, air quality and climate change, and socio-economic issues. Another major assessment, the fourth, of the status and trends of many of the Nation's public lands is being prepared by USDA's Forest Service. That report, "Assessment of the Forest and Rangeland Situation in the United States," is being completed under the Resources Planning Act, and will complement the RCA Appraisal. Both are called for by law, and both are designed to help the Congress and the public gain a thorough understanding of the major trends affecting the use and protection of our natural resource base. What will the RCA do for us? Comprised of technical and non-technical studies of all elements of the natural resource base on non-federal lands, the appraisal will provide an environmental scan of the current agroenvironmental conditions and trend projections to the year 2050. A watershed approach to land uses and how those uses are affecting environmental quality--both positively and negatively--can help guide producers' and communities' decisions on how to protect the resource base while continuing to support our economically sound and extraordinarily productive agricultural system. The appraisal will provide the information USDA will need to prepare the National Conservation Program, which is designed to guide policy and program development for the 21st century, and to help land owners and users continue to be productive stewards of our natural resources. Among the subjects under review are soil erosion, soil quality, grazing lands, wetlands, wildlife and habitat, endangered species, bio-mass (animal waste and plants for energy production), new crops, new uses of agricultural products, pesticides, water quality, and agroforestry. The appraisal also is examining how agricultural practices--including conservation, irrigation, and nutrient and pest management--are affecting water quality. It will review the ways in which agriculture is affecting air quality--and vice versa--as well as the role of agriculture in absorbing (sequestering) carbon, thereby reducing carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Woven throughout these issues are the human aspects of the agriculture-environment relationship, including work force composition, partnerships, non-agricultural demand for land and water, cultural resources, rural communities, outdoor recreation, and ways to ensure an economically viable future for farmers and ranchers. Who is preparing the third RCA appraisal? Twenty-five teams are collaborating on more than 30 papers for the Third RCA Appraisal (RCA III). Assisting the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the preparation of RCA III papers are other agencies of the USDA--Agricultural Research Service; Consolidated Farm Service Agency; Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; Economic Research Service; Forest Service; National Agricultural Statistics Service; Office of Budget and Program Analysis; and Rural Housing and Development Service. Also involved are the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Biological Service, and U.S. Geological Survey, all in the U.S.Department of the Interior; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Council on Environmental Quality; the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. What's the schedule? While the final RCA III Appraisal and the National Conservation Program are not scheduled for completion before 1997, many portions of the work are being made publicly available as they are ready. Through 1995 and 1996, the long reports--working papers--on the many subjects being addressed will be issued for technical and public comment. Public meetings on RCA III were held in Washington in 1993, and additional regional public meetings are planned for1996. This publication is the first in a series of issue briefs--short summaries of the salient information contained in the working papers and other information being developed through the RCA process. Look for these issue briefs over the next several months. Natural resource concerns People's natural resource concerns are driven by community needs and desires. People in Minneapolis, for example, are primarily concerned with the quality of the water in their lakes and rivers, which are heavily used for fishing and recreation. People in Dallas focus on the quality of the water they drink and the need for water conservation in the Southwest. These findings are a result of a survey of 17,000 NRCS customers in 1994. The accompanying map shows the five most important issues in each NRCS region. Water quality or water quantity are among the most important issues in all six regions. The accompanying chart shows the 21 most important natural resource issues facing the states in the 21st century. Back to RCA Publication Archive

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Advertisement Home > Government > Legislation > Agriculture > Farm Bill > Previous > Farm bill had high levels of support Farm bill had high levels of support Forrest Laws | Western Farm Press EMAIL The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 received more than 80 votes when it passed the U.S. Senate not once but three times after Congress voted to override then-President Bush’s two vetoes. Most senators have moved on to other issues, but Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., is not letting one particular senator forget his vote for the legislation, she told members of the Delta Council attending the organization’s 74th annual meeting in Cleveland, Miss. “You can also be certain that I will continue to remind President Obama that he voted for this farm bill,” said Lincoln to applause at the meeting on the Delta State University campus. “And it is important for him and his secretary of agriculture to continue to implement the bill, which he supported, in the manner in which Congress intended.” The new farm bill was one of a number of issues discussed by Lincoln during her remarks at the Delta Council meeting. As she often did during the nearly two years of debate over the law, Lincoln attempted to set the record straight on several fronts. “I continue to be a leading voice in trying to help President Obama, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and my colleagues in the Senate fully understand the complexity of Southern agriculture,” she said. “That has earned me the reputation of being a ‘steel magnolia,’ but sometimes that’s just the attitude you have to take.” Lincoln is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and recently was named chair of the Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit. She chaired the Subcommittee on Production, Income Protection and Price Support during the farm bill debate. She also serves on the Finance and Energy Committees. “The farm bill is critically important to producers of Southern commodities in the Delta region,” Lincoln said. “The bill ensures that they have the tools to produce an affordable, safe, and abundant food and fiber supply, upon which our nation and the world depend.” Although the Obama administration has proposed eliminating direct payments to producers with gross revenues of more than $500,000 and placing a strict cap of $250,000 on farm program payments in the 2010 federal budget, Lincoln said the House and Senate must continue to resist those changes. “The farm bill is a contract the federal government has made with producers to provide them with a safety net,” she said. “Changing the rules before the farm bill is fully implemented is not fair to those producers or to the institutions that provide them with the capital they need to continue to farm in this economic environment.” She said the Bush administration’s adjusted gross income limit of $200,000 would have “crippled producers in the South,” and said the Obama administration’s proposal to cap direct payments could have much the same impact. email: flaws@farmpress.com Print Advertisement Related ArticlesFarm bill proposal supports specialty crops Specialty crops supported in farm bill Sugar producers support House farm bill draft 2013 farm bill support strong, but action slow 1 Western leaders support Senate Ag Committee farm bill Advertisement Connect With Us TwitterFacebookRSSPodcast Hot Topics

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Public asked to comment about ractopamine rules Staff writer, with CNA Thu, Aug 16, 2012 - Page 3 The government yesterday gave a preview of an official notice on the allowable levels of ractopamine in beef imports and requirements for product origin labeling, as it prepares to open the local market to imported beef containing the livestock feed additive next month.The preview is aimed at allowing members of the public to express their opinions about the measures, Food and Drug Administration Director-General Kang Jaw-jou (康照洲) told a press conference.The new regulations are expected to take effect by the middle of next month, Kang said.The Department of Health has capped the maximum residue limit for ractopamine in beef at 10 parts per billion (ppb), he said, adding that within the next 14 days, members of the public could submit their opinions, which the department would “take into consideration.”He did not rule out a re-evaluation of the standards for ractopamine residues, but added that “the chances are slim.”The government made a thorough evaluation and solicited professional opinions on the issue before announcing the lifting of the ban on the leanness-enhancing additive used in some countries, he said.Countries such as Japan and South Korea have also set 10ppb residue standards for their beef imports, Kang said.The public can also express their views on regulations related to the labeling of the origin of beef imports within the following week, he added.Under the new regulations, places serving beef — including restaurants and food stands — must clearly label the origin of the beef they are using, the department said.Packaged foods such as instant noodles and beef jerky should also be labeled showing point of origin, it added.The department will step up inspections of beef products on the market and in restaurants serving beef in the months after the release of the official notice.“We aim to check 30,000 restaurants,” he said. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/08/16/2003540431

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> Farmers Try to Preserve Dwindl... Sign Up for Free NewsLetter Email Address Farmers Try to Preserve Dwindling Breeds Researchers Warn of Livestock ExtinctionsSeptember 3, 2007 07:28 AM Experts Urge Gene Bank of Rare Livestock Breeds to Ensure Healthy DiversitySeptember 3, 2007 08:19 AM Some Dairy Farmers Worry about 'Organic' Milk LabelsFebruary 25, 2005 12:00 AM Report: African, Asian, Latin American Farm Animals Face ExtinctionSeptember 3, 2007 08:19 AM YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — Farmers in west central Ohio are hoping to preserve some breeds of livestock considered endangered by conservationists. Jerome Kingery has milking Devon cows along with Leicester longwool sheep, Narragansett turkeys, Nankin bantam chickens and Dominique chickens on his farm north of Yellow Springs. Outside Fort Loramie, Leroy Meyer grazes about a dozen Dutch belted cows among his 60-cow herd. Both breeds of cattle are considered critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The nonprofit group based in Pittsboro, N.C., seeks to protect livestock and poultry from extinction. The ranking, the group's most serious in the livestock category, means there are fewer than 200 of the breed registered in the United States each year and it's estimated that fewer than 2,000 exist worldwide. The Leicester longwool sheep and Narragansett turkeys are considered threatened, a ranking just below critical and the Dominique chicken is on a watch list. "A lot of these breeds represent the breeds that founded our country," said Don Schrider, a conservancy spokesman. As agriculture began to focus more on mass production, some cows lost favor with farmers. Nine of 10 U.S. dairy producers use Holsteins, in part because of their ability to produce greater quantities of milk, according to the Holstein Association USA. "As we approach a monoculture, we really have to wonder if that's the wisest decision for 200 years from now," Schrider said. "We really are selling ourselves short if we don't find a way to maintain our diversity." Schrider said some breeds have made a comeback because they offer a different flavor. "What we're finding for a lot of these animals is they fit into grass-fed or organic production," Schrider said. "They were built for small-scale agriculture." Meyer, who wants to turn his dairy organic, said the Dutch belted is a healthy breed, a grazer that does well in pastures and is less likely to come down with certain illnesses after calving. P.T. Barnum imported Dutch belteds -- given their name because of the white stripe that circles their midsection -- in the 1840s as an oddity for his circus. "I like the temperament real well," said Meyer, 46, who farms with his wife, Rose, and their three teenagers. Meyer said the Dutch belted produces about 55 to 60 pounds of milk daily, versus the 65 to 70 pounds a Holstein might produce. He said his Dutch belted cows produce about 50 pounds a day because cattle that graze tend to produce less than cattle who diet mainly on grain, hay and silage. He said the loss in production is justified by labor savings and what he calls "a better quality milk product." It could also help bring in more revenue as part of his plan to go organic. Meyer said farmers who sell to the organic market typically earn $24 to $25 per 100 pounds of milk, versus the $13 per 100 pounds made with conventional milk. Kingery said the milking Devon cattle on his farm landed at Plymouth, Mass., in 1623, and became the king of livestock during the Colonial era. With a red coat, white horns tipped with black and an aggressive nature, they were used for their milk, meat and strength in pulling. Kingery said they were still in use during the mid-1800s, providing power to wagons and prairie schooners on the Oregon Trail. But they lost their role as farmers turned to mules and horses. Today, about 600 survive in the U.S., said Drew Conroy, president of the American Milking Devon Cattle Association. The association is unaware of any milking Devons outside the United States. Their survival is due in part to ox-pulling competitions at New England agricultural fairs and living-history destinations such as Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Kingery focuses on raising breeds brought to the United States before 1790. "We're not doing it for the money," said Kingery, 53, who lends his animals to historical reenactments at fairs. "We're doing it because we think it needs to be done."

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Cantaloupe FDA plans to increase cantaloupe inspections February 25, 2013 | 6:48 pm EST (UPDATED COVERAGE, Feb. 28) In the wake of foodbornce illness outbreaks over the past two years, the Food and Drug Administration is increasing inspection of cantaloupe farms and testing more of the fruit for pathogens. Foodborne illness outbreaks linked to Colorado, North Carolina and Indiana cantaloupe in 2011 and 2012 sickened 400 and killed 36. The FDA released a letter Feb. 25 to cantaloupe grower-shippers, packers and processors, on the new food safety checks, said Michael Landa, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Citing continuing concerns with Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella, Landa said the FDA intends to start inspections with a sampling component at what the agency called a “subset” of cantaloupe packinghouses in the U.S. “Our investigations in these outbreaks and in follow-up to (a Listeria monocytogenes) cantaloupe sample result revealed, in part, multiple findings of insanitary production, handling conditions and practices in packinghouses,” according to the letter. After reading the FDA letter, Steve Patricio, co-founder of Westside Produce, Firebaugh, Calif., said the increased FDA inspections make sense. The rise of many new local melon deals throughout the country, including the East and Southeast, have complicated oversight food safety responsibilities for the FDA, said Patricio, chairman of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board. Some of those newer operators are doing things in ways they shouldn’t, he said. “It doesn’t surprise me in the least,” he said. “I think FDA knows what they are doing and they are going to be addressing it.” Cantaloupe field packing is the norm in California and Arizona, with just one cantaloupe packing shed in California and one in Arizona, he said. The FDA noted that it issued a letter to the cantaloupe industry in 2011 about the listeria-linked outbreak and acknowledged that many cantaloupe industry organizations have taken actions to address food safety issues. “The aim of these inspections is in part to assess the current practices by this segment of the produce industry and to identify insanitary conditions that may affect the safety of cantaloupe destined for distribution to consumers,” Landa said in the letter. The agency said regulators will take “action as needed” to protect the public health. Landa said the FDA will continue to target imported cantaloupes at the border for sampling and perhaps undertake other inspection activities. In the Feb. 25 letter, the agency urged the cantaloupe growers and processors to follow current food safety guidelines. Those documents are available at the FDA website. The cantaloupe industry has made big gains in addressing food safety priorities and the increased FDA inspections will show that, Tom Stenzel, president of United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, D.C., said in a news release. New food safety resources are available to the cantaloupe industry, including the National Commodity-Specific Food Safety Guidelines for Cantaloupes and Netted Melons, he said. That can be found and downloaded online at www.cantaloupe-guidance.org. cantaloupesfda inspectionssalmonellalisteriafoodborne illnessunited freshgood agricultural practices Related Articles FDA letter to cantaloupe growers receives response Value of FDA cantaloupe inspections questioned FDA suggests ‘widespread contamination’ at Chamberlain

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Agri-Service employee-owners set to vote on sale The Terteling Co., which is based in Boise and owns 13 Western States Caterpillar dealerships, is seeking to acquire Agri-Service, Inc., a Twin Falls, Idaho,-based Massey Ferguson dealership. The deal could take effect on Nov. 1. By John O’Connell Published on October 23, 2013 8:54AM Capital PressThe Boise-based company that owns Western States Equipment Caterpillar dealerships intends to acquire Agri-Service, Inc., North America’s largest Massey Ferguson dealership.The Terteling Co.’s proposed acquisition will take effect Nov. 1, pending approval by the majority of participants in Agri-Service’s employee stock ownership plan.Agri-Service Chief Operating Officer Clint Schnoor said employees were given through Oct. 25 to vote on the acquisition.“Our responses from meetings have been favorable. We would expect it would be approved,” Schnoor said three days prior to the vote.Agri-Service has 10 locations throughout Idaho, Oregon and Utah. Western States, which operates 13 Caterpillar dealerships with branches throughout Idaho, eastern Oregon, Washington, Montana and western Wyoming, would relinquish the agricultural aspect of its business to Agri-Service in communities served by both companies.Among the new Agri-Service offerings would be AGCO’s Challenger brand of tractors, Ag-Chem equipment and associated products, parts and services. Western States intends to focus more on heavy construction equipment but would retain Challenger and Ag-Chem products at its Pasco, Wash.; Pendleton, Ore.; and Lewiston, Idaho, locations.“Our primary concern for both companies is making sure our customers are taken care of and transitioned appropriately,” Schnoor said.Schnoor said Agri-Service would keep its full workforce of 175 and remain a stand-alone business. Agri-Service founder and CEO Cleve Buttars would assist with the transition and then assume an advisory role with the company. Schnoor is slated to become the new Agri-Service president.Schnoor said a few Western States workers would likely come over to Agri-Service, but most of the Western States staff is cross trained to cover multiple jobs and wouldn’t be too disrupted by the acquisition.

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Too Good to Waste Manure management researcher finds new uses for a valuable resource At one time, agriculture was a self-sustaining cycle. Farmers grew crops, which they used to feed their livestock, and they fertilized their cropland with the nutrients in the animal manure. But with the advent of large-scale animal feedlots, the cycle was broken, says Colorado State University soil and crop sciences Associate Professor Jessica Davis. "Today, livestock producers bring in feed from other places," Davis explains. "Some nutrients leave the operation as meat or milk, but a large portion of the nitrogen and phosphorous stays right on the feedlot as manure." Some livestock producers are increasing the number of animals on their feedlots without increasing their acreage. In northeast Colorado's feedlot-intensive South Platte River Basin, the groundwater is becoming critically contaminated with nitrogen due in part to the concentration of animal manure in localized areas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency recently developed a new strategy encouraging all animal feeding operations to develop and implement voluntary, comprehensive nutrient management plans. So, when livestock producers make plans to expand their operations, they need to plan not just for where the cattle are penned and fed but for what to do with the extra manure, as well. "Producers with an inadequate land base need to develop a marketing strategy for getting the manure off their land," Davis says, "and this represents a new and different approach. The problem the industry is facing is that people are willing to pay to ship corn to cattle, but not to ship manure to corn." Davis, working in cooperation with Mike Lacy, associate professor from the Department of Sociology, and Dana Hoag, professor from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, recently surveyed more than 250 farmers and ranchers in Weld County, which has the heaviest concentration of livestock in the state. They learned that manure is being valued primarily not as fertilizer for its nitrogen content but as a soil amendment that improves soil quality. Since manure is often not valued highly by farmers, feedlots generally can't afford to haul it more than five miles from its source. Davis suspects that if manure were more widely used for high-value uses, like soil remediation, the industry could afford to haul it farther, resulting in improved soil quality in one place and reduced contamination at the source site. "Many farmers already know that if they have poor or eroded land with low crop yield, application of manure would be a great way to remediate the soil," she says. "But there is often not enough manure close by to make it affordable. So we need to figure out what we can do to increase the value and therefore the transport distance of manure." Davis currently is working with Cooperative Extension and Natural Resource Conservation Service field staff in six states to provide a series of workshops designed to help livestock producers and farmers make better decisions about manure management. Each participant will develop a comprehensive nutrient management plan specific to his or her operation, including strategies for the collection, storage, utilization, and marketing of manure. The workshop materials also will be placed on a Web page so that livestock managers with operations of all sizes can benefit from the information. "Manure accumulation is a problem not just for feedlots but also for small-acreage horse owners," Davis warns. "Some people are hauling manure to the landfill and actually paying to get rid of it. Manure is too good for this." According to Davis, a good option for manure disposal is through a composting co-op. Under such an arrangement, a group of animal owners would bring all their manure together for composting, resulting in a product they could sell rather than one they need to pay to get rid of. "Composted manure is great for landscaping and could be of value to an increasing Front Range population trying to garden on poor soils," says Davis. "Another potential market for composted manure is organic farmers, who don't have many environmentally acceptable or locally effective options for adding nutrients to the soil. Mine spoils also could benefit from manure, as could soils burned by wildfire. We shouldn't be wasting this valuable resource on the landfill."

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Secretary Ross Urges Participation in USDA Biomass Production Project CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is urging California farmers to consider signing up for the USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The USDA just announced project areas in six states to expand the availability of non-food crops to be used in the manufacturing of liquid biofuels. The four project areas set aside acres in California, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington for the production of renewable energy crops. “Bioenergy is a cornerstone of the renewable energy future ofthis state,” said Secretary Ross. “These biofuel projects will be at the vangaurd of fuel technology and can hopefully be a catalyst to much needed economic development in some our distressed rural communities." According to industry estimates, more than 3,400 jobs in the biorefinery, agriculture and supporting sectors will be created due to these new BCAP project areas, with more than 2 million gallons annually of biofuels manufactured when full production levels are achieved. The BCAP, created in the 2008 Farm Bill, helps farmers and forest land­owners with start-up costs of planting non-food energy crops for conversion to heat, power, bio-based products and advanced biofuels. BCAP is designed to ensure sufficient biomass is available to reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil, improve domestic energy security, reduce pollution and spur rural economic development and job creation. “The Obama Administration is committed to providing financialopportunities to rural communities, farmers and ranchers to produce biomass which will be converted to renewable fuels and increase America’s energy independence,” said USDA secretary Tom Vilsack. "The selection of these project areas is another step in the effort to assist the nation's advanced biofuel industry produce energy in commercial quantities from sustainable rural resources. This effort will create jobs stimulate rural economies across the nation." Two of the new BCAP project areas, targeted for California, Montana, Washington and Oregon, will grow camelina at a significant scale. Camelina, an oilseed, is a rotation crop for wheat that can beestablished on marginally productive land. Biofuel from camelina is an ideal jet fuel substitute. The project has a target of 51,000 acres. The sponsors are Beaver Biodiesel, LLC and AltAir Fuels LLC. The project areas are near biomass conversion facilities in Bakersfield, Calif., Tacoma, Wash., and Albany, Ore. USDA has allocated approximately $45 million for contracts that range between less than five years up to 15 years in the four project areas for producers who volunteer to enroll in BCAP. Producers who enter into BCAP contracts are eligible for reimbursements of up to 75 percent of the establishment costs of the perennial energy crop, and up to five years of annual maintenance payments for herbaceous crops and up to 15 years for woody crops. The project area in California covers 17 counties: Tehama, Solano, Butte, Colusa, San Luis Obispo, Glenn, Tulare, Sacramento, Yolo, Fresno, Kings, San Joa­quin, Kern, Merced, Madera, Riverside, and Stanislaus. The sign-up period for these new project areas will begin on Aug. 8, 2011. The deadline to sign up for the project areas is Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. The Farm Service Agency, administering the program on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation with conservation planning assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other partners, will enter into contracts with landowners and operators in these project areas. Producers interested in participating in the project areas should visit their local FSA county office. Information about BCAP may be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap. 08.03.2011

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CNH Signs Distribution Agreement With DKSH for Agricultural Equipment in Vietnam The Partnership Will Support the Country's Agribusiness Sector With Best-in-Class New Holland Agriculture Machinery and After-Sales Activities, Leveraging on DKSH's Strong Distribution Network LUGANO, SWITZERLAND -- (Marketwire) -- 11/12/12 -- CNH International, a subsidiary of CNH Global -- a world leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses and part of Fiat Industrial -- has signed a distribution and service agreement with DKSH Group, Asia's leading market expansion services provider, to sell and support New Holland Agriculture equipment in Vietnam. DKSH Vietnam will provide sales, after-sales, marketing, and customer services, leveraging on the extensive infrastructure supporting its well-established and diversified business portfolio. Their organization currently counts on 2,900 specialists, five offices, ten distribution and logistics service centers, one showroom and two after-sales service workshops in the country. In addition, DKSH plans to open dedicated New Holland Agricultural facilities, expanding its dealer network to further strengthen its support for agricultural equipment customers. CNH, which has a long standing and rich history of innovation in the agricultural equipment business, serves farmers around the world with its extensive knowledge and technical expertise, after-sales and training services, as well as the widest range of agricultural machinery in the industry with its two global agricultural brands New Holland and Case IH. The company's product offering includes low, medium, and high horsepower tractors, combine harvesters, hay and forage equipment, balers, and specialized machines such as sugar cane and coffee harvesters, and cotton pickers. Adrian Eberle, global Head of Business Unit Technology at DKSH, commented, "DKSH Vietnam can rely on a wide network, in-depth knowledge of the local market and award winning customer services to best support the distribution of New Holland machinery in Vietnam's agricultural sector. The cooperation with CNH is a major achievement in DKSH's strategy to become a leading player in the Vietnamese agricultural machinery segment. We look forward to another success story in the region." "The partnership between CNH and DKSH is an important milestone that aims to strengthen our position in Vietnam," stated Michele Lombardi, Head of Agricultural Operations in the Far East for CNH International. "This agreement proves our commitment to support the Vietnamese government's efforts to develop the local agricultural business sector with best-in-class machinery and after sales services, meeting the needs of every customer." Note to the Editor DKSH is the leading Market Expansion Services Group with a focus on Asia. As the term "Market Expansion Services" suggests, DKSH helps other companies and brands to grow their business in new or existing markets. Publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since March 2012, DKSH is a global company headquartered in Zurich. With 650 business locations in 35 countries -- 630 of them in Asia -- and over 26,000 specialized staff, DKSH generated Net Sales of CHF 7.3 billion in 2011. DKSH Business Unit Technology is the leading provider of Market Expansion Services involving technical solutions for capital investment goods and analytical instruments. DKSH Technology's field of competence includes the manufacturing and production, energy, research, food and beverage, advanced metals and infrastructure sectors, with a service portfolio that covers market entry studies and consultancy, marketing, sales, application engineering, after-sales services, and project financing. With 95 business locations in 16 countries and over 1,200 specialized staff, including 450 service engineers, Business Unit Technology generated Net Sales of CHF 413 million in 2011. CNH International SA, a subsidiary of CNH Global NV, is the company responsible for the sales, distribution and after-sales operations of agricultural and construction branded equipment in over 120 countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Asia and Oceania, encompassing Australia, China and India. CNH International was established in 2007 to strengthen the focus of CNH's brands in emerging and high-growth markets. CNH Global NV is a world leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses. Supported by approximately 11,300 dealers in approximately 170 countries, CNH brings together the knowledge and heritage of its Case and New Holland brand families with the strength and resources of its worldwide commercial, industrial, product support and finance organizations. CNH Global N.V., whose stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNH), is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat Industrial S.p.A. (FI.MI). More information about CNH and its Case and New Holland products can be found online at www.cnh.com. For info and photos, CNH International press office: phone: +39 011 0086346 Published Nov. 12, 2012— Reads 733 Copyright © 2012 SYS-CON Media, Inc. — All Rights Reserved.

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For now, the question isn’t how to answer these issues, but how to create a process for answering them. At least five working groups are dealing with market questions, and that needs to be whittled down. Negotiators won’t formally meet until the Bonn Climate Change Conferencein late May, but there will be plenty of opportunities to meet informally – beginning with a World Bank meeting in Zurich in early March. - Reserve your spot here. Dan Hooks is one of 21 rice growers in the U.S. that is implementing methane-reducing practices – in his case, an alternate wetting and drying planting method –under the ACR’s rice protocol, which was accepted by the California Air Resources Board last November. The combined land represents three offset projects, and impacts less than 1% of the 2.5 million acres of rice-growing land in the U.S. Yet even 100% adoption would affect only about 1% of methane emissions nationwide – about 99% come from sources otherthan rice fields. But the hope is that the rice protocol will pave the way for future agricultural offset protocols, such as those under development for corn and almonds. The European Union and Switzerland have agreed to linktheir Emissions Trading Systems (ETSs) after five years of talks, though the signing and ratification of the agreement depends on first resolving an immigration issue. One of the major sticking points in the talks was whether Swiss airlines, which were previously exempt from the EU ETS, should be folded in. It was decided that they will be – but only after the linkage is finalized. Because Switzerland’s ETS is so much smaller than the EU’s, the linkage is expected to have little effect on allowance prices. However, one contrast that may come up in the future is the fact that Switzerland’s INDC includes the use of ITMOs while the EU’s excludes them. The Climate Trust issued a Request for Proposals for early-stage forestry, grasslands conservation, and livestock digester projects based in the United States. Due to support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, The Climate Trust has $5.5 million to spend in 2016. Project investments will range from $250,000 to $2 million, with the upfront finance equal to one half of the current carbon price multiplied by the project’s projected emissions reductions over 10 years. The Trust will assume partial ownership of the resulting offsets and manage sales, first recovering its investment and then splitting remaining carbon revenues with the project owner. Awebinar on February 3rd will give potential applicants a chance to ask questions. Silent but deadly On the eve of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, 750 leading economists and other experts agreed that climate change is the biggest threat to the economy in 2016. But a survey of CEOs complied by PricewaterhosueCoopers found that over-regulation was what 79% of businesses were most concerned about, compared to 50% that saw climate change as an urgent threat. Ikea CEO Steve Howard critiqued WEF delegates that talk renewable energy or energy efficiency publicly but still operate in the fossil fuel economy, quietly “trying to defend the status quo.” Since late October, the Southern California Gas Company’s Porter Ranch facility has spewed more than 87,000 tonnes of methane into the atmosphere, making neighbors sick and contributing significantly to climate change. Because methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide, the emissions are equivalent to 2.4 MtCO2e over a 100-year timeframe or 7.3 MtCO2e in the short (20-year) term. But Porter Ranch’s unintentional, “fugitive emissions” do not fall under California cap-and-trade – and the leak is so massive that SoCal Gas would have trouble finding enough offsets to cover it, anyway. Governor Jerry Brown has ordered the company to atone for its blunder by funding projects in California that reduce short-lived climate pollutants. In a new issues brief by the World Resources Institute, researchers argue that a carbon price of $25/tonne, implemented either through a carbon tax or cap-and-trade, would lead to emissions reductions in line with the U.S.’s current goals. “When greenhouse gas emissions are unpriced, the costs of climate change are borne by third parties unrelated to the activities generating the emissions,” they write. According to the brief, while a growing number of Republicans support a carbon tax, the most likely vehicle to implement a price on carbon in the near-term will be through multi-state trading in responses to the Clean Power Plan. Based in California (Los Angeles preferred, San Francisco or Sacramento considered), CAR seeks a mission-focused, dynamic, and innovative president who will lead the organization in fulfilling its goals. The position requires deep knowledge of climate change science and policy, a collaborative leadership style, and a passion for advancing market-based solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ten or more years of experience and an advanced degree are required, as is a willingness to travel regularly. Based in Washington, D.C., the Communications Manager will lead VCS’s organizational communications efforts, including helping to develop a communications strategy and executing it. The successful candidate will have a minimum of five years of professional communications experience; excellent written and verbal communication skills; and a good understanding of climate policy, carbon markets, or landscape sustainability. Based in London, UK, the Policy Analyst will work on the Climate Bonds Initiative’s green bond policy and government advisory work. The position involves developing work stream, researching and writing high-level policy reports, writing commentary on key policy developments, and presenting findings to policymakers and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will have at least two years of relevant work experience and be a motivated self-starter.

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Letters June 2, 1997 Jane Katz's "Farming in the Shadow of Suburbia" (Spring 1997) is a good overview of the economic pressures that confront farmers and threaten farmland. I am pleased that she downplayed the old saw that farmers fled New England because the soil is no good; acre for acre, New England's cropland is more productive than the Midwest's for many crops. But economies of scale and land scarcity work against the region's agriculture. I wish to correct one inaccuracy. Ms. Katz writes "...in the southern New England states, especially Connecticut, almost all the remaining open land is farmland." In truth, privately owned, undeveloped land in Connecticut is overwhelmingly forested. Farmland accounts for less than 400,000 acres (13 percent of the landscape), of which half is cropland. Karl J. Wagener Executive Director Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality In Jane Katz's review of programs to preserve land in farming, she did not note a relatively new program which we believe deals effectively with this issue. Conceived by the Qroe Companies in New Hampshire, this approach addresses farming's decline in a sustainable fashion and is aimed at preserving farming, not just farmland. In Qroe Farm's approach, farmland is protected by an easement which prevents conversion to other uses, but also explicitly grants farmers the right to farm as they see fit, in the face of any neighborly objections. "Greenbelt" land is protected to ensure its natural state. Low-density housing is scattered in a way that prevents intrusion on these uses and adds value to the homes by putting them in a protected environment. Because Qroe marries open space, farming, and housing in an integrated manner, it assures the farmer's long-term financial viability and allows "suburban" growth to combine all uses, rather than letting housing push both open space and farming far from the people who sustain and enjoy them. James P. Batchelor, Chairman Environmental Design Group Somerville, Massachusetts In considering the issue of open space, it is important to note that our nation's forests not only provide beauty, recreation, jobs and natural resources, and subsidies to municipal tax bills, but also are a primary source of clean water. Forest land is a much more efficient cleaner and filter of water than farmland. Pamela Shelley Southern New England Forest Consortium Inner-City Potential Ed Glaeser's article, "Ghettos The Changing Consequences of Ethnic Isolation" (Spring 1997), is correct in highlighting the economic potential of cities and the need to break through the artificial walls that separate low-income populations from mainstream jobs and opportunities. However, Glaeser's emphasis on the deconcentration of low-income areas is problematic. We believe that the reverse strategy, that is, capitalizing on the untapped economic potential of inner cities, attracting business investment, jobs, and ultimately middle-class residents back to inner cities, will be more effective. Glaeser's viewpoint presumes that lower-income inner-city areas are devoid of economic activity and lack assets upon which to build an economic strategy. It takes as a given the so-called spatial mismatch between jobs and workers. It sees the "ghetto" as both inevitable and the source of artificial barriers. The lack of business and jobs in inner cities is by no means inevitable. Inner cities offer a number of competitive advantages as business locations due to their central location, access to transportation systems, large underserved markets, ability to link into the regional economy, and, importantly, a loyal and dependable work force. In Boston, for example, there are more than 4,000 businesses located in low-income, inner-city neighborhoods, many of which hire from the community and are owned by local entrepreneurs. Inner-city companies do face a number of competitive disadvantages. However, these are not inevitable, but rather the result of old attitudes and decades of ineffective policies. In inner cities, taxes have risen while infrastructure has been neglected. The quality of government services has badly deteriorated, and a regulatory morass has been created which is unparalleled in the rest of the country. The isolation of the inner cities has, in many cases, been accentuated by well-intentioned policies. The popular strategy to move people to jobs in the suburbs, however, is impractical and only partially addresses these wider underlying problems. A more sustainable strategy depends upon integrating distressed communities into the mainstream economy, removing barriers to job and business growth, and building on competitive advantages. Michael E. Porter Harvard Business School Anne S. Habiby Initiative for a Competitive Inner City Yes, we do know where East Boston and South Boston are located. But in the past issue, a map with the article, "Ghettos The Changing Consequences of Ethnic Isolation," mistakenly labeled Southie as East Boston. Our apologies to the residents of both neighborhoods. We welcome your letters. Send them to: The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Regional Review, P.O. Box 2076, Boston, MA 02210 Related Content

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2009.12.30 2009 a big year for Camaros, rutabagas, kookaburras and cats Written by David Green. By RICH FOLEYAnother year is almost gone, and while many might wish to say “good riddance” to 2009, it wasn’t all that bad, was it? I thought it was pretty boring myself, but upon reviewing this year’s group of columns, maybe my life is slightly more exciting than I would have guessed.After all, I visited Hell, Michigan, and survived, got a guided tour of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, tested the waters of Morenci’s annual city-wide garage sale, found and purchased online the twin to my childhood teddy bear after years of searching, subscribed to cable television after 25 years of using “rabbit ears,” and made friends with a small herd of local cows.What’s more, my dream self hung out with Brad Pitt while Bruce Springsteen came to Fayette to play at my dream birthday party. In other non-dream news, I spotted my old 1985 Caprice while driving in Adrian. I sold it for $275 in 2003 and thought that might have been too much to ask, but six years later, here it was, still on the road. Another man paid $275,000 this year to reunite with a 1971 Chevy from his own past. Back in June, I wrote about John Schnatter, founder of the Papa John’s pizza chain, who was trying to find his old Chevy Camaro he sold in 1983. He used the proceeds of the $2,800 sale to start his pizza business.He originally offered $25,000 for the car, then raised the offer to $250,000 when the first batch of leads dried up. Once the car was finally located last August, I was surprised Schnatter had such trouble finding it. The car had only changed hands two more times after Schnatter originally sold it. The first buyers tracked down the current owner, who bought the Camaro for $4,000 about five years ago. I suppose it didn’t take much convincing for him to take a quarter million for it. Schnatter also paid the original buyers $25,000 for their work in finding the current owner. To celebrate, Schnatter offered all Camaro owners a free pizza at his stores. That guy is seriously into Camaros, don’t you think? In other odd 2009 news, researchers at Michigan State University are closing in on efforts to turn the rutabaga into a major source of biofuel. The vegetable, which already stores oil in its seeds, is being modified to make much more oil throughout the plant.Unlike corn and soybeans, whose use in biofuels helps to raise food prices, the rutabaga isn’t all that popular as a food crop but for one exception. In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, residents like to include the root vegetable in their recipes for the regionally popular pasty. Soon, vacationers in the UP may be able to choose between having rutabagas in their pasty or their gas tank.And can a year go by without the image of Jesus showing up on some unexpected object? This year, a woman in Massachusetts claimed His image appeared on the bottom of her electric iron. She told reporters that she plans to buy a new iron and store the old one in her closet. I’m happy she finds the image reassuring, but to me, it looks like Richard Nixon much more than anything of a holy nature.And when was the last time you thought abut the Australian band Men at Work? More than 25 years after the fact, the long-defunct group is accused of stealing the melody of their biggest hit, “Down Under,” from a children’s song called “Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.” It took someone this long to notice a similarity between the two tunes? And what exactly does the copyright holder of “Kookaburra” plan to gain? No doubt the former members of the group have spent all their royalty money on Vegemite sandwiches by now. Maybe the kookaburra should just stay in the tree.There’s probably no doubt that residents of Warren, Michigan, felt safe earlier this year after ten police officers quickly responded to a 911 call of a 150 pound cougar hiding in a discarded drain pipe. Police Tasered the “cat”, which turned out to be a large stuffed animal, apparently left as a hoax. But at least the 911 system seems to be working.That’s about all I have room for this year. But come on back in 2010. I’m sure there will be lots more silliness to come in the new year. In fact, I’d bet a rutabaga on it. < Prev

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PlantsFruits & NutsPlanting & Growing Fruits & Nuts Life Cycle of Apple Trees Life Cycle of Apple Trees Apples are among the most popular fruits in the world. They come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, flavors and textures. Apple trees can grow quite large, and yet, their life cycle begins with little seeds found within the apple fruit itself. There are between five and 10 seeds within each apple on average. Each seed contains a tiny portion, referred to as the germ. This part of the seed holds the genetic material from which the tree will grow. The seed also contains food stored as starches. A hard seed coat encases the seed, protecting it. Once freed from the fruit, the apple seed will require a certain amount of time at cold temperatures before it will germinate. This process is referred to as breaking dormancy and usually takes three to four months at sub-freezing temperatures. Once winter has passed and spring has come with warmer temperatures, if conditions are right, the seed will germinate. Initial Growth As the seed grows, it will put forth a root, which will grow downward into the soil. It will form root hairs that gather moisture and nutrients for the plant to grow. The stem will sprout, forming small leaves, which will also help to nourish the tiny plant. The young apple tree will grow one to three feet in the first season, forming a single leader trunk and several branches with leaves. Maturation As the tree continues to grow, it struck will become heavier and will sprout and support multiple branches. Leaves on each branch will continue to grow. The apple tree is deciduous and will drop its leaves in winter during a period of dormancy. In the spring, it will sprout leaves again and continue to grow during the warm seasons, eventually reaching a height of up to 25 feet and spreading to an equal distance. Dwarf varieties will usually grow no higher than 15 feet. In the spring, mature apple trees will flower profusely. The flowers formed in dense clusters along the branches prior to leaves sprouting. Each flower has five petals and is approximately 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. A cluster of male anthers within each flower produces pollen. This pollen is attractive to insects, particularly honey bees. Because each apple variety requires cross pollination with a different variety of apple, commercial apple growers often employee beekeepers to provide pollination services by placing beehives in their orchards. The bees will visit each flower and, in the process, will transfer the pollen from the anther of one apple variety to the female portion, called the stigma, of another apple variety. The pollen will then release sperm that will travel down through the stigma into the ovary where fertilization will occur and seeds will begin to form. Fruiting Once fertilization is complete, the petals of the flower will fall away. The base of the flower will then begin to grow, eventually forming a fruiting body, known commonly as an apple. As it grows the seeds will mature within it. This process usually takes from spring to fall for the apple to reach full maturity. At this time, the apple to be harvested. If left unharvested, the apple will eventually fall to the ground. The fruit may rot or may be eaten by an animal that will carry the seeds to a new location in its gut. The animal will pass the seeds, which may then germinate to start the life cycle of the apple tree over again. Apple trees do not produce true from seed. This means that the seeds produced by apple tree will not necessarily grow into trees that will produce fruit identical to its parent. This is because apple trees are cross-pollinated. In commercial production, apple trees are often propagated by growing new trees from cuttings and grafting. This process ensures that the genetics of the new plant are identical to that of the old plant. New plants will then produce fruit that is identical to the parent. apple seed, apple germinate, apple sprout About this Author Located in Jacksonville, Fla, Frank Whittemore has been a writer and content strategist for over 15 years, providing corporate communications services to Fortune 500 companies. Whittemore writes on topics that stem from his fascination with nature, the environment, science, medicine and technology. New in Planting & Growing Fruits & Nuts

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From something small to something big Jay Naidoo I STAND in a fertile field, stretching towards the mountains that frame the distant horizon. We are in a circle of peasant farmers, who have tilled the land for generations. Former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique has invited us to see what can be done to help small farmers. I am with Manoj Kumar and David Hogg from the Naandi Foundation in India. They focus on how to work at scale with small-scale farmers. I listen carefully to what they say: “Our starting point is the farmers themselves. They have to own what we can do together. That means that they have to be organised from the ground up. A top-down approach will always fail. We set up village committees and aggregate this into a co-operative, starting with 1 000 farmers. Then we work with them to transfer the skills of organic farming, develop the technology to make organic fertilisers from local materials, to increase productivity and to meet household food security and raise incomes by accessing even the global markets. We work with farmers who have less than two hectares. Individually, they have no bargaining power, but if they are organised from the ground up, they are a powerful commercial operation. “Today, there are over 15 000 members working an area close to 25 000 hectares. Ownership is critical. Each farmer works their piece of land. They understand from the first day that their income is based on how hard they work, and what effort they put into the land. They are not wage labourers. They are taught to be self-reliant entrepreneurs. Government initially provided the land, the seed and water to the farmers. Now, in three years, these co-operatives are self-reliant.” They know what they are talking about. They work with the poorest in the tribal areas of India. The coffee that is sold on global markets from the co-operative project is sold at five times the price they got previously and at greater yields. The Naandi Foundation has increased the biodiversity of the operation and planted millions of mango and coffee saplings and taught the peasants how to grow organic vegetables to meet their household food-security needs. This is the core of local sustainable development. An organising model, an open-source skills transfer based on local sustainability. And the peasant farmers feel a sense of ownership. As the chairperson of the Co-operative Board proudly said to me: “I am part of society. My children are now more educated than I could ever have imagined. They have gone to university. My work and the support of the Naandi Foundation has empowered me.” The multiplier effect is visible. Young girls, historically marginalised, are in school and supported by the Naandi Foundation, and health indicators have improved dramatically. The debilitating scourge of alcoholism is being tackled. Women’s incomes and empowerment have improved dramatically. Their model reminds me of the union organising we did with workers in the sugar mills. It was painstaking work across the country, building leadership and confidence at every stage. There was local ownership. That’s the foundation of the labour movement that became the Cosatu giant. I think we now need a movement of small-scale farmers, with women at the centre. I take them to KZN, and they meet senior officials and political office bearers. Everyone we meet is committed to doing things at a scale that impacts on eradicating poverty and creating livelihoods. But the KZN government recognises that agricultural output has declined, and that the province has become a net food importer. David Hogg remarks after seeing farmers in rural areas: “Jay, why are people so poor here? I cannot understand. You have everything here to grow all the food you need and to become a global exporter.” I reminisce on my childhood. We never saw malnutrition and kwashiorkor. We lived off the land. Market gardens lined the banks of the Umgeni River. Every home had a garden. The Durban markets flourished, as small-scale farmers sold their vegetables. Much of this prime land is now used as shopping malls, industrial parks and housing developments I look at the impact that HIV/Aids has had. I see communities without men, and where there are many child-headed households. I see the contract with the first-world tourist-driven belt of affluence that lines the coast. One does not have to travel very far inland to see the grinding poverty of rural communities. While our social-grant system extends to 15 million South Africans, it will never be enough to eradicate poverty. It is not the solution. As the former Minister of the Reconstruction and Development Programme in the Mandela Cabinet, I am absolutely clear about this. We need people to have livelihoods that give them the human dignity of labour. And this is not subsistence farming. I have seen the Naandi model produce proud farmers who are entrepreneurial and have the skills of any commercial farmer. We have to co-create that sense of ownership of our future again. We need our government to support our small scale farmers with access to land, seed, water and power. But we need to change the culture of entitlement and dependency we have created in our society. Land reform is back on the front burner. We know that apartheid broke the link between our people and the land, but let us honestly evaluate why so much of the land that has been already redistributed lies fallow and unused. We need to align the inputs from government, focus on scaling up the skills and entrepreneurialism of farmers, and strengthen their access and bargaining power to the market. We need corporates in our country to mainstream this effort and plough some of their corporate social-responsibility budgets into such ventures. That is a vision we should all support, built painstakingly from the ground up. It certainly is the foundation on which we can deliver the better life we promised our people in 1994. • Jay Naidoo was the founding general secretary of Cosatu, and minister of Reconstruction and Development in the Mandela Cabinet. He is currently chairperson of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. He has returned full-time to his voluntary work and social activism, and writes a blog at www.jaynaidoo.org

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DeLaval to participate at World Ag Expo 2013 DeLaval announced today its plans for participating at World Ag Expo – the world’s largest annual agricultural exposition. The company will present both new and existing solutions to help dairy producers better manage the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of their operations. “Our entire industry is faced with the unprecedented challenge of producing more food with less impact on the environment. We believe that sophisticated farm management will play a major role. This includes more on-farm automation, a greater emphasis on cow comfort and sustainability, and the adoption of intelligent systems to aid decision-making,” said Christian Poggensee, DeLaval Regional President of North America. At the show, DeLaval will premier its new solutions designed to improve the businesses of dairy producers. The company will display the DeLaval teat spray robot TSR™ – an automatic pre- and post-spray solution for rotary parlors offering consistent application, optimal use of teat dip and less labor. At this year’s World Ag Expo, DeLaval plans to premier new solutions to help dairy producers manage the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of their operations, like the DeLaval teat spray robot TSR. The need for making timely, accurate decisions is more critical than ever to a farmer’s bottom line. DeLaval will demonstrate the unique integration capabilities of its new software platform for dairies milking 50 to 150,000 cows. The intelligent system collects information from all aspects of the farm, analyzes the data and presents the information in an easy-to-use way. Ensuring milk quality and animal health has always been a top priority for DeLaval. The company will introduce a new portfolio of teat dip dispensing systems designed specifically for its already popular range of iodine and non-iodine chemical concentrates. The new systems ensure the product is properly diluted – eliminating the labor and risk of doing the job by hand – while conveniently dispensing fresh dip on demand. DeLaval will display its solutions and expertise with more than 7,000 sq ft of exhibit space at World Ag Expo. Its booth in the Farm Dairy Credit Center (#6725-30) will focus on consumable solutions like liners, tubes, teat dips and silage inoculants. In two adjacent outdoor buildings (DS93-96) the company will showcase the latest in milking and herd management technology, like its VMS™ (Voluntary Milking System), parlor and rotary automation, and automated sort gate, calf feeder and heat detection system. For the first time ever, DeLaval will also have a booth at the Hilvers Career and Education Center (#8004) to discuss professional opportunities within the organization. World Ag Expo is a three day event showcasing the latest in farm equipment, communications and technology from 1,400 exhibitors on 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space. The event occurs February 12-14, 2013 in Tulare, Ca. DeLaval will host a media breakfast at its outdoor booth location (DS93-96) at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. The media briefing will include commentary from Christian Poggensee and other key DeLaval personnel. About DeLaval DeLaval is a leading supplier of solutions that improve the performance of farms for professional food producers. We support our customers in reducing their environmental footprint while improving food production, profitability and the well-being of the people and animals involved. We offer products, systems and services for all steps of milk production. Our solutions are used by millions of dairy farmers around the globe every day. DeLaval was founded more than 125 years ago in Sweden, when the visionary Gustaf de Laval patented the cream separator. Today, DeLaval has 4,500 employees and operates in more than 100 markets. DeLaval, alongside Tetra Pak and Sidel, is part of the Tetra Laval Group.

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Inicio > Recursos > Vídeos Follow @FAOemergencies UN Agencies and the Seed Protection initiative in the Central African Republic The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), together with their NGO partners, have started providing seeds, hand tools and food to farming families in the most food-insecure areas of the Central African Republic. Mr Ciryl Ferrand, FAO/WFP Global Food Security Cluster ...read more Harvesting under fire in Eastern Ukraine In eastern Ukraine, family-run farms are feeling the impact of the on-going conflict. The results of a household survey carried out by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) paint ...read more The United States backs FAO efforts to combat global animal disease threats with $87 million The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is backing FAO's efforts to combat pandemic animal disease threats in Asia, Africa and the Middle East with an additional $87 ...read more FAO airlift provides assistance to families in hard-to-reach areas of South Sudan FAO has distributed 70.000 livelihood kits to families in hard-to-reach areas of South Sudan through Operation Harold, a four-week helicopter airlift. Each kit weighs no more than 2 kg and ...read more Providing alternative livelihoods for coconut farmers after Typhoon Haiyan Coconuts are one of the most important crops in the Philippines. The country is the second largest coconut producer in the world, but after Typhoon Haiyan an estimated 44 million ...read more Typhoon Haiyan: FAO’s Emergency Response and Rehabilitation Programme More than one year on from Typhoon Haiyan, farmers and fishers in the Visayas region of the Philippines are rebuilding their lives. The typhoon caused significant damage to the agriculture ...read more « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 26 Next » © FAO, 2016 Contactos

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Slow Food and FAO Join Forces Italy FAO and the international Slow Food organization have agreed today to develop joint actions to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and others working in rural areas. Under a three-year Memorandum of Agreement, the two organizations will join forces to promote more inclusive food and agriculture systems at local, national and international levels. Actions will focus mainly on joint advocacy campaigns, strengthening local, regional and global networks and raising awareness of global initiatives such as the International Year Family Farming in 2014. Actions will highlight the value of local foods and neglected food crops while also targeting market access for small-scale producers, enhancing conservation and use of biodiversity, reducing food losses and food waste, and improving animal welfare. Signing the document for FAO, Director-General José Graziano da Silva said: "Slow Food and FAO share the same vision of a sustainable and hunger-free world, safeguarding biodiversity for future generations. Today's agreement, providing for a number of important joint initiatives, brings us a step closer to that objective." On behalf of Slow Food, President Carlo Petrini said: "Collaboration between FAO and Slow Food stems from our common purpose in promoting the wealth of local gastronomic traditions, in the defense of food biodiversity and in support of small-scale farmers and producers." Valuing traditional food Activities under the agreement include the protection of traditional food products and the promotion of culinary traditions as well as the cultural heritage of rural communities. Specifically, Slow Food can help produce inventories of local, indigenous and underutilized species that are potentially important to food security, thus supporting FAO's role in revaluing and promoting neglected crops. FAO and Slow Food will work together to facilitate market access for small-scale farmers through strengthened producer organizations and cooperatives. Slow Food can support producers to better organize and shorten the food supply chain, including marketing, labeling and packaging, thus guaranteeing fair prices for both producers and consumers. The two organizations will promote animal welfare as a primary element to add value to animal products and boost incomes for farmers and others in the food chain. Slow Food's role here will be to develop and promote specific guidelines and tools for the implementation of best practices. Collaboration with ongoing FAO initiatives FAO will identify synergies and areas of collaboration within ongoing initiatives, possibly including the Hunger-Free Africa initiative grouping the African Union, FAO and Brazil's Instituto Lula. This initiative aims to eradicate hunger from the continent starting with four countries - Angola, Ethiopia, Malawi and Niger. Another possible area for collaboration is support to rural women, through the ongoing Dimitra project run by FAO, the European Commission and Belgium. This participatory information and communication project highlights women's key role in food production so that their interests are better taken into consideration. An additional possibility is the development of toolkits for the international Education of Rural People (ERP) Partnership, which aims to remove existing constraints and ensure education and skills training for all rural people. Thanks to the collaboration of food producers, cooks, experts, researchers and the local Slow Food and Terra Madre network, the food biodiversity in these four countries was mapped and four new Presidia were identified and established, for Kenema kola nuts in Sierra Leone, wild palm oil in Guinea-Bissau, katta pasta from Timbuktu and Gao in Mali and salted millet couscous from Fadiouth island in Senegal. Four booklets, one for each country, were produced to promote the Presidia, local consumption and awareness of gastronomic traditions. Find out more at www.slowfoodfoundation.org Click here for photos of Slow Food and FAO’s work in Africa. |

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Heirloom Chayote Vegetable Varieties Aside from having a long growing season, the chayote vegetable is easy to grow and even remains unbothered by pests and powdery mildew. July 17, 2013 By William Woys Weaver Heirloom Vegetable Gardening by William Woys Weaver is the culmination of some thirty years of first-hand knowledge of growing, tasting and cooking with heirloom vegetables. A staunch supporter of organic gardening techniques, Will Weaver has grown every one of the featured 280 varieties of vegetables, and he walks the novice gardener through the basics of planting, growing and seed saving. Sprinkled throughout the gardening advice are old-fashioned recipes — such as Parsnip Cake, Artichoke Pie and Pepper Wine — that highlight the flavor of these vegetables. The following excerpt on heirloom potato varieties was taken from chapter 13, “Chayote.” Buy the brand new e-book of Weaver’s gardening classic in the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: Heirloom Vegetable Gardening. To locate mail order companies that carry these heirloom chayote vegetable varieties, use our Custom Seed and Plant Finder. Check out our collection of articles on growing and harvesting heirloom vegetables in Gardening With Heirloom Vegetables. A Brief History of Heirloom Chayote Vegetable Varieties Above: Chayote requires at least two plants for proper fertilization. The vines produce abundantly all summer. Although treated as an exotic by most of our greengrocers, this truly versatile vegetable has a long history in American cookery, especially in the Deep South. Prior to 1900 there were about a dozen recognized varieties, some white, others green, many with sharp spines on the surface of the skin. The plant is a rampant grower, with vines similar in appearance to large tree-climbing gourds. Each vine is highly productive, yielding as many as 100 fruits, which are usually harvested when 6 to 8 inches in length. Where the ground does not freeze in the winter, the plant can be cultivated as a perennial; otherwise the roots may be dug up after the first frost and stored like dahlia tubers. Furthermore, the pear-shaped fruit can be used in innumerable ways in cookery as a substitute for squash, cucumbers, and potatoes. It can also be pickled as a passable substitute for artichoke hearts, makes convincing French fries and delicious gratins and pies, or can be eaten raw in salads. In Lena Richard’s New Orleans Cook Book (1940, 84) chayotes are stuffed and baked like eggplants. It amazes me that this vegetable is not more popular in this country; it will even store for several months in a refrigerator. The chayote (Sechium edule) is native to Mexico but has been naturalized throughout Central America and the Caribbean under a variety of colorful local names — evidence of its popularity in the folk cookery of these regions. It was raised as chocho in Jamaica during the eighteenth century and exported to North American markets along the eastern seaboard. It was also grown along the coast of the United States as far north as Charleston, South Carolina, well into the 1850s, especially by people of African descent. The Civil War completely disrupted its cultivation, and it was not until the 1890s that serious attempts were undertaken to reintroduce it as a truck-farm product under the name Vegetable Pear. However, in Louisiana, where it is known as the merliton, it has been a basic ingredient in local American cookery since the 1700s. Growing Chayote The vines require a sturdy fence or trellis for support and can be trained over arbors like grape vines. It is important to tie the stems to the supports at critical places, or the weight of the fruit will pull the entire plant to the ground. Where the plant can be cultivated as a perennial, the root will develop into a yamlike tuber that can be harvested and used in cookery much like a potato due to its high starch content. To raise the fruit in Pennsylvania, where I treat the plants as annuals, the vines must be started in a hothouse in January (a sunny windowsill will serve as well). Let a ripe chayote stand in a warm place in the kitchen until it begins to sprout, then stick it into potting soil, sprout end up. The fruit will shrivel and grow quickly into a vine that can be planted outdoors when the threat of frost has passed. Since the plant requires twelve hours of sunlight to produce fruit, it is important to get it in early enough so that it is blooming by early June. Most important, two plants are required for cross-fertilization. One vine alone will produce no fruit. Once established, the plants will yield prodigiously over the summer. Meehan’s Monthly (November 1891, 76) remarked that growing the chayote vegetable was troublesome, which I wholeheartedly question. It is not particular about soil and grows like a weed even during droughts. Aside from requiring a long growing season, my vines are remarkably free of pests and are not subject to squash beetles or powdery mildew. For the organic gardener, this is the perfect vegetable: it thrives on neglect. Find seeds for these heirlooms and more with our Custom Seed and Plant Finder. Buy the brand new e-book of Weaver’s gardening classic in the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: Heirloom Vegetable Gardening. Photos and Illustrations Courtesy William Woys Weaver. Tweet

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Perfect Sear At some point in our long-distant past, an ancestor of the cow fell or strayed into a fire. A nearby caveman, drawn by the delectable odor, sampled a taste and decided it was very, very good. And then he invented ketchup. By DANIEL NEMAN At some point in our long-distant past, an ancestor of the cow fell or strayed into a fire. A nearby caveman, drawn by the delectable odor, sampled a taste and decided it was very, very good. And then he invented ketchup.Ever since then, steak has been at the top of the list of what Americans eat when they go out to celebrate. Some people may like a lobster, go for a glazed ham or fancy a fillet of salmon. But for a large number of us, the go-to dish for fine eating is steak."I think it's the Maillard reaction," said Tim Childers, executive chef at Rockwell's, in Toledo, Ohio. "When you sear a steak and it gets that savory brownness, and it hits your tongue and you taste it, that's what makes your mouth water. I'd say it's all about the caramelization of the sugars of the steak."The searing is important — that's the Maillard reaction, which refers to the browning and caramelizing of everything from bread crusts to steak. But so, too, is the way the seared exterior leads as a gateway on your palate to the juicy, beefy interior. Each rich mouthful is hearty and decadently satisfying.The professionals have ways to get that crucial sear that are not available to the rest of us. For example, Mancy's Steak House in Toledo, Ohio, uses a double-sided broiler that heats the meat on the top and bottom at the same time, according to executive chef Sean Moran. Once it has been seared, it is moved around to cooler parts of the broiler to continue cooking the inside without burning the outside.At Rockwell's, they blast it in a 1,600-degree broiler to get a quick sear on the surface and then bring it out to the table on a 500-degree plate, which finishes cooking the steak to the proper temperature.But what is a home cook to do? The experts agree that the best way to cook a steak, if possible, is on a grill."Put a nice sear on the outside to seal in the juices," Moran said. "Let it sit for about three minutes, turn it on a bias so it gets those nice cross marks from the grill." After another three minutes, "flip it and do the same thing."That's for an average-sized steak, cooked medium. The times will vary depending on the thickness of the meat and how done you want it.If you don't have an outdoor grill, you can use a stove top and an oven to get much the same effect, Childers said. The secret is to preheat your oven to 400 degrees and to start with a very hot pan. A cast-iron skillet is best, because you can heat it over high temperature for a half-hour or more before placing the steak on it. The skillet will become ferociously hot, but it won't hurt the pan; the melting point of iron is about 2,800 degrees and you are never going to approach that on a stove. Be very careful when you are done using it, though; remember that cast iron retains its heat and takes a long time to cool.If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, heat a pan as hot as you are comfortable doing. Add a little oil (it won't be needed for a well-seasoned cast-iron pan), and put in the steak.With either pan, just sear the meat on both sides. Then put it in a different pan and finish cooking it in the oven."And make sure you've got your kitchen fan on, or it will stink up your house for a week," Childers said.I tried the cast-iron pan method, and the pan got so hot that what I can only describe as a layer of seasoning started to flake off. The steak took about a minute to sear on both sides, and it did not stick to the pan at all.What type of steak you choose to cook depends both on your taste buds and your wallet.Sirloin is one of the less expensive cuts of steak, and "is the most prevalent in supermarkets and a lot of restaurant chains. It has such a great steak flavor, it is classically what you think of when you think of a steak. It has a firmer texture than the filets and strips, but it makes up for it in flavor," Childers said.On the opposite side of the scale is the filet, which is the most tender steak, though it has less of a meat flavor than a sirloin or a strip. It is the most popular choice by far at most steak houses, and can also be the most expensive cut of meat.A lot of people prefer a strip steak, which is kind of in between the two, Childers said. Strip steak comes from the strip loin, which is well-marbled with fat and has a lot of steak flavor. A New York strip is the same cut of meat as a Kansas City strip, but the Kansas City strip sometimes still has the bone attached.That bone is the central feature of the porterhouse. On one side of the bone is the strip, on the other is the filet. A T-bone steak is the same cut of beef but from farther up the cow, so that the filet part, the tenderloin, is smaller."Porterhouse is good, but it can kind of be difficult to cook because (the two sides) cook in different ways because of the different musculature. Sometimes I'll cook it for a minute so it gets a good surface sear, then I'll cover the tenderloin part with tin foil so I don't overcook it while I'm cooking the strip," Childers said.The Rockwell's chef added that "rib-eye is my favorite. It has the most fat, it has that giant beautiful fat in the middle, in the eye. I think it's the most flavorful and textured meat. It has the cartilage. I love it."Once you have chosen your cut, how much do you cook it? According to the Culinary Institute of America, the final temperature of a rare steak (it will have a cool red center) is 135 degrees. Medium-rare (a warm red center) is 145 degrees. Medium (all pink center) is 160 degrees. Medium-well (light pink in the center) is 165 degrees. And well-done (gray all the way through) is 170 degrees.Because meat continues to cook after it is removed from the heat, be sure to take off your steak a few degrees below these target temperatures.Once it is cooked, do you eat the meal plain or with a sauce? The choice is yours, of course, but steak houses always offer an assortment of sauces that have proved to be winners, often including bordelaise (dry red wine, shallots, butter, demi-glace and sometimes bone marrow), bernaise (white-wine vinegar, white wine, shallots, tarragon, butter and egg yolks), and hollandaise (egg yolk, butter and lemon juice).At home, Moran makes a very simple sauce of balsamic vinegar that has been reduced a bit. "It gives a little flavor, a little sweetness to it," he said.But steak houses are finding that a lot of people merely want to dot their steaks with compound butter, which is softened butter that has herbs or other ingredients worked into it, and then chilled again.Moran suggests a compound butter with a profusion of common herbs: equal parts of fresh rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley and cilantro chopped together. A tablespoon or a tablespoon and a half would flavor a pound of butter, he said.For a more exotic choice, Childers suggests a cabernet and roasted shallot butter.You begin by reducing cabernet wine and then swirling in a little butter. While that mixture cools, roast a couple of shallots in the oven, cut them up, add them to the wine, and season with salt and pepper. Work that mixture into softened butter, re-refrigerate the butter, and carve off thin slices to place atop a hot steak."That's my favorite," he said.

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By Patty Campbell, Special to the Citizen 04/12/12 Would you like to have a vegetable garden but don’t think it’s possible this year? A lack of space, experience or resources such as tools or money to buy seeds and bedding plants doesn’t need to stand in your way. Applications for Gardens Growing Families, a community garden program for county residents, are now being accepted at the Henrico Extension Office. Individuals or families who participate in the program receive expert help, free classes, tools, and water for irrigation as well as space to grow a garden for a fee of $5 to $65 a year, based on household income, the number of gardeners per family, and garden plot size. Garden plots are either 15 feet by 20 feet or 15 feet by 10 feet, and gardeners can rent up to two plots. “Gardens Growing Families is designed to get people gardening, harvesting, preparing and storing nutritious food,” said Lisa Sanderson, Henrico Extension Agent. “And, just as important as producing food, gardening together can help build families,” added Sanderson. “Families who garden together. To me, that’s the most important part.” Garden plots are available in the Alma Avenue Island Garden near Alma and Laburnum Avenues and in Highland Springs at the corner of West Jerald Street and South Holly Avenue. The 34 plots at the Lakeside Garden have already been taken. “We started in 2008,” said Sanderson, “And some of the original families are still with us!” In a survey, almost all past participants said their family’s diet improved, and three-quarters said they saved money at the grocery store. “One man, who had two plots and gardened year-round, said he had saved almost $700,” said Sanderson. The plots are available to participants from the first of April to the end of March. “You really can grow things to eat here all year long,” said Sanderson. “You have to like cabbage, and you have to plan, but you can do it!” Participants maintain their gardens using only organic methods, which means no pesticides or herbicides in the gardens. A demonstration plot is maintained by Henrico Master Gardeners, who are often on hand at the gardens to answer questions. “It’s the first experience for some,” said Sanderson, “so we encourage people to ask questions.” A free seminar for participants will be held Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Henrico Demonstration Kitchen on Dixon Powers Drive. Topics include “Getting Started,” “Growing More,” and “Expanding Your Food Palette and Preparing Foods.” Programs for kids ages 5-13 will also be held that day. “Young people can learn how to garden, see where their food comes from, and learn how to do things with their parents,” said Sanderson. “And remember, food tastes better when you grow it yourself,” she added. To learn more, call the Extension office at 501-5160 or get an application online at http://www.co.henrico.va.us/extension. Each month, the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter conducts support group meetings to provide the community with an opportunity to meet for mutual support and to exchange coping skills. A…

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Agweb HomeFarm Journal HomeNewsNMPF: Economic Analysis Says Dairy Security Act Works to Increase Dairy Farm Revenue NMPF: Economic Analysis Says Dairy Security Act Works to Increase Dairy Farm Revenue By MILK Editors Prospects for passing new farm bill reviewed at National Dairy Producers Conference. Source: National Milk Producers Federation news release INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – The benefits of adopting the Dairy Security Act (DSA) as part of the next farm bill will be obvious to farmers and policy makers as Congress begins assembling new agricultural policy this spring, according to speakers here at the National Dairy Producers Conference. During a two-hour-long session Monday reviewing the prospects of the farm bill in general – and the outlook for the Dairy Security Act in particular – panelists agreed that the risk management approach embodied in the Dairy Security Act provides a cost-effective safety net for farmers. University of Minnesota economist Marin Bozic, who participated in the discussion in Indianapolis, reported that farmers who enroll in the DSA will find that the program "works as catastrophic risk insurance. It reduces extreme margin risk, as it pays you the most when you need it the most." He said that farmers will likely view the risk of not enrolling in the program as far greater than being part of it. Regarding concerns that milk production growth could be restricted by the DSA’s market stabilization component, Bozic told the crowd that producers using the three-month rolling base will experience milk production growth over the long term similar to if they were not part of the program. Bozic is one of a group of Midwestern university professors who have performed a detailed analysis of how the DSA program performs for farms of various sizes, under various economic conditions. The analytical tool he reviewed has been developed to help farmers determine how best to participate in the DSA, once it becomes law. One of the other academics, John Newton, described how an independent economic model of DSA can serve as a tool for farmers to help them make decisions regarding participation on the proposed DSA. Newton, an Ohio State University doctoral candidate, said that DSA works for farmers, whether small or large, and regardless of whether the model is merely a yearly analysis or a cumulative revenue report over a period of years. Monday’s findings by the agricultural economists about the effectiveness of the DSA will bolster the case on Capitol Hill that the measure needs to be part of the next farm bill, according to NMPF’s Chief Executive. "We’ve spent the past three years working within the industry, and with members of Congress, developing a program that meets the needs of America’s dairy farmers in the 21st century," said Jerry Kozak, president and CEO of NMPF, which organized the National Dairy Producers Conference. "The evidence continues to demonstrate that the DSA is both good policy, and good politics." Kozak said that competing approaches to the DSA, either featuring no market stabilization element, or exempting all but the largest farms from market stabilization, are both overly costly, and politically unacceptable. "Any proposal featuring margin insurance alone, such as the Goodlatte-Scott amendment, which severely limits the amount of milk that farmers can insure, will hamper the growth of their operations. Beyond that, it’s a prescription for lower milk prices and higher government costs, which will scuttle the whole economic basis for margin insurance in the future," he said. By the same token, "any approach that attempts to drive a wedge between farmers of differing sizes by exempting large numbers of farmers from the market stabilization program is divisive and wrong. In addition, it would dramatically increase the cost of the overall farm bill. The industry has moved beyond the regional divisiveness of past dairy policies and Congress needs to do so as well," he said. Back to news

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Working overtime to save the bees from drought By Carole Brodsky for the Ukiah Daily Journal Because of the region's water shortage, Steven Oropeza, Mendocino County beekeeper is working overtime to support his hundreds of thousands of bees, which, like every other living creature depend upon water to survive. "I started my business at the beginning of the drought, so I've really felt the impact," says Oropeza, who keeps about 200 hives along the Russian and Eel River and in a few coastal areas. Water is fundamental for bee health. "During the past three years, my honey production has gone down," says Oropeza. In a normal year, a hive produces between 60 to 80 pounds of honey. "Last year, flowers were blooming and drying up with no water to sustain them." This resulted in Oropeza harvesting about 25 pounds of honey per hive. During a drought, farmers lack water for their crops, and bees have less access to pollen and nectar. "Stressed out bees create a huge domino effect. Seasons this dry create major agricultural problems. We have to feed our bees more. They usually build up food stores throughout the year, but we're feeding them sugar syrup solution year-round, just to keep them alive. Four years ago, you didn't have to feed bees in the county. Bees need a very diverse feed to sustain a diverse, healthy hive. Ukiah bees suffer from having a plain diet, because of the lack of irrigation," he explains. Without access to significant food and water, bees are not going to produce honey. "That's half my income. It's pretty scary," Oropeza continues. In Potter Valley, where there was access to irrigation, Oropeza didn't have to feed his hives because there was enough water to sustain the bees. If there is no irrigation this year, he will have to move more hives to the coast, where water is more plentiful. Last year's coastal hives were productive. "I didn't feed any of the bees on the coast and all the hives filled with honey," he said. When locating bees, access to water is critical. "That's the number one thing. Ideally, I like to keep mine between a quarter to a half-mile from water sources. A bees' exoskeleton helps them fight off diseases and pests if they have access to water and a diverse flower group to choose from. "If they have to fly for miles, they lose significant amounts of nectar and pollen as they travel to and from their hives. Their wings get tattered, their life span is cut in half and you end up with a weak hive that can't store a lot of pollen and honey," he continues. Bees store water in the hive's comb and in the queen's cells. "When bees collect nectar, they drink, store it in their glands and bring it to the hive. The nurse bees that live in the hive are fed by the other bees. The water looks like little puddles in the hive," he explains. "They'll fly farther and farther looking for water. The problem with this time of year is stagnant water. Water-borne diseases can be carried in dirty water. You can treat for these diseases, but what we really want is fresh, year-round water," he notes. Oropeza lost five hives during the recent cold snap. Between the cold and the lack of water, bees will have a tough season. "When we only have a peak nectar season of a few days or weeks and there's no moisture in the soil, the bees have to pollinate more flowers to get the same amount of nectar. It makes a huge difference." The sheer numbers of living "bee-ings" Oropeza is responsible for is staggering. "At the peak around July, there are about 80,000 bees in one hive. It drops down to 7,000-10,000 bees per hive during their dormant season." "Almond growers have talking about not renting bees if they have no water to irrigate their orchards," Oropeza notes. His contracts are locked down, so he'll be moving hives next month. "The almond pollination has made it so you can make a living being a beekeeper. You can make what you would in a year, working for a few very intense months." Mendocino County's plant diversity makes it an excellent place to raise bees. "Some of China's crops grown in more polluted areas have to be hand pollinated because of their pollution problems. "Everyone wants to say there is one problem, but climate change, people's management of hives, new diseases and toxin buildup in the hives are all affecting bee populations." It is standard for beekeeper to lose about 30 percent of hives every year. "Beginners lose up to half their colonies each year. Here, we have a huge diversity of wildflowers. In areas where there is a lot of monocropping, there is more loss. Giant farms in the valley have to do a lot of work to keep their hives. These days, if there weren't commercial beekeepers, there would be no bees," says Oropeza. He hasn't seen much evidence of colony collapse in Mendocino County- and in general, the West has had less problems than the Midwest and Eastern portions of the country. "You don't see that loss here. With colony collapse, literally all the bees are gone from the hive. Bees can only survive if they leave an area for a short time in the spring, so if the bees leave at the wrong time of year, the colony can't survive." Oropeza is always looking for more sites to place his hives and is hoping to sell local, Mendocino County queens next year. "My ideal sites place between 25 to 50 hives. People seem to really enjoy having the bees on their property," he notes. Becoming a beekeeper was a natural step for Oropeza, who worked in agriculture since he was a child. "If you own a hive, you're responsible for it. Sometimes it's overwhelming- one hive is one thing, but keeping hundreds is something else altogether. Intensive stewardship of the hives is required. It used to be that anyone could be a beekeeper, but they require a lot more care now," he explains. "Bees are so complex. It is really hard, physical work, but it's the freest job I've ever had in my life, and you can be very independent. When you're doing a diagnosis on a hive, or splitting the hives doing queen work, it's a great thing. I've put everything I have into it. But I haven't seen a good year yet. I've only heard of them," he smiles. Oropeza can be reached at stevenoropeza@gmail.com. Advertisement

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Environment In praise of this year’s World Food Prize Laureates David Zilberman, professor, agriculture and resource economics | July 3, 2013 3 comments | Leave a comment Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) We recently learned that the 2013 World Food Prize was awarded to three biotechnology scientists, Marc Van Montagu of Belgium, and Mary-Dell Chilton and Robert T. Fraley of the United States, for developing methods of inserting genes from various organisms to plant cells. I find this recognition to be justified and long overdue. The committee took the long-view approach in recognizing breakthrough achievements that allowed for the unleashing of the potential of molecular biology on food production. Applications of molecular biology in medicine have introduced new therapies and thus been recognized by the Nobel committee. The development of transgenic methods has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and address problems of hunger, food availability, energy and address climate change. One can view the development of the GM to be akin to the introduction of an enabling technology, such as the smartphone- and every new variety it generates is akin to a new app. The methods developed by these scientists have already been widely applied. In 2012, genetically modified [GM] varieties were utilized by 17.3 million farmers on over 170 million hectares. My own research suggests that they contributed to the increase in the supply of corn by an estimated average of 10%, cotton by 17.5% and soybean 20% in 2010. We further found that without these technologies, the price of corn would have been higher by an estimated 20% in corn, 26% in cotton and more than 40% in soybean. These lower prices that resulted from GM, benefited mostly the poor. The price of food would have been even lower, had it been applied to rice and more widely to corn. Moreover, these new methods have opened up discoveries of various genes are likely to lead to further development of new varietal improvements that can enhance food supply and quality, while contributing to the goal of making agriculture more environmentally sustainable. These new methods also have obvious environmental benefits: they contribute to the reduction of the agricultural food print by increasing yields, and lead to the reduction of use of toxic chemicals. Of course, GM is not a perfect technology, but all major national academies of science do not find them to be more harmful than conventional farming (as well as organic). For me, the most important environmental contribution is the potential of new varieties that can quickly adapt to climate change. To me, climate change is an existential threat, and effective capacity to mitigate and adapt to it, is of immense value. Thus far, transgenic technology has not met its full potential. Even though it has done wonders for the few crops to which it has been applied, only 25% of the cropland of corn uses these technologies and for the rest of the corn cropland located mostly in developing countries (where the yield effects could be much more significant), have not benefited at all from these technologies. There are hundreds of traits that have been introduced but they are ‘on the shelf’ because of the reluctance of industry and governments to invest in technologies with an uncertain fate. Hopefully this recognition will help to streamline the acceptance of these technologies. Two of the laureates were associated with major agribusiness; Fraley is Chief Technology Officer of the big villain Monsanto and Dell-Chilton is a founder of Syngenta Biotechnology. One objection to trangenics is that they are produced by large multinationals, but the nature of the technology and the regulatory systems require large investment, complex organizational capacity and honestly the private sector could not have developed by itself in the same way that the private sector did not independently develop the personal computer, cellphones, medicine, etc. I especially appreciate that companies like Monsanto who were vilified and threatened, had the conviction to pursue a controversial technology that provided a tool that has the potential to benefit humanity from years to come. This does not mean that Monsanto is perfect; it must be regulated. Society’s challenge is to regulate industry, not kill it. We need to channel the power of creativity of the private sector to benefit humanity and give up on modernity as we face new challenges. Rather find a way to use the political and regulatory system and civil society to take advantage of the new tools and advanced institutions we have. Biotechnology is only one tool. And it can be applied rigorously and compatible with organic farming, precision farming and can even enhance the movement from monoculture to integrated systems. The World Food Prize was established due to the efforts of Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution. The Green Revolution has been also vilified because it failed to solve some problems, it was associated with monoculture in many places, poverty is still with us; but the Green Revolution also saved millions of lives. When I was growing up, leading scholars suggested that we may not have a choice but to leave many in Asia and Africa to perish because of the limited carrying capacity of land. Borlaug showed that with ingenuity and technology, we could indeed feed Africa, Asia and now it is flourishing. I still believe that population, together with climate change are two major challenges facing humanity, however modern science and the courage to pursue is one way to address these challenges. Like the Green Revolution, the Gene Revolution launched by the three laureates, is far from perfect. But it is awesome, and well deserving of the recognition of the World Food Prize. Post navigation « Environmental haiku for summerGovernment response to protests in Turkey: class war from above » Comments to “In praise of this year’s World Food Prize Laureates” Alexander Grobman says: July 18, 2013 at 2:13 pm The World Food Prize was created as an initiative of Dr. Norman Borlaug, who himself was credited with being the main representative of a legion of researchers who made the Green Revolution possible and was laureated with the Nobel Prize. I was present at the presentation of the World Food Prize of 2006 in Ames, Iowa, and could testify to the high standars of this award. The 2013 Wordl Food prize awards to van Montagu, Dell-Chilton and Fraley are very well deserved, and I am glad to congratulate them. Alexander Grobman, President, Association for the Promotion of Biotechnology in Peru (PERUBIOTEC) Reply Michael Wohlgenant says: July 10, 2013 at 5:31 pm I am pleased to hear of this well-deserved award and glad to read your evaluation. You are absolutely correct that such efforts have the bottom line effect of boosting production in areas of the world in great need of such help. Reply Hans Binswanger says: July 6, 2013 at 5:02 pm I am so happy about the recognition that this prize provides of the merits of transgenic crops in reducing hunger and malnutrition. It is great that the committee that awarded the prize had the courage to do it. BlogrollEnvironmentEnergy Institute at Haas Blog Greentechmedia New York Times Dot Earth The Conversation (Environment)

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PANUPS: Farmers and NGOs Monitoring the World Bank in Indonesia Get Results May 10, 2001 -- Andrew Olsen Farmers and NGOs Monitoring the World Bank in Indonesia Get Results May 11, 2001 Listening and responding promptly to farmers' concerns is one way the World Bank can make its agricultural development projects more effective, but many project managers have no idea how to find out what farmers really need. Since 1997, Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) and our Indonesian partner, Yayasan Duta Awam (YDA), have been developing a new monitoring methodology that combines a grassroots survey of local needs with an evaluation of the World Bank's compliance with its own pest management policy. YDA monitored a multi-million dollar project known as the "Integrated Swamps Development Project" (ISDP), jointly financed by the World Bank and the Government of Indonesia. After three years of monitoring and making recommendations to government and World Bank officials, YDA and farmers in the project area achieved concrete improvements in the project, including addition of training in integrated pest management (IPM), in late 2000. The main goal of the ISDP was to alleviate poverty by improving water control structures, increasing food crop and tree crop production and building or rehabilitating roads and drinking water facilities. YDA trained and assisted local farmers in conducting participatory monitoring of the Bank project's impacts on their health, agricultural systems, use of toxic pesticides and economic and social well being. Community members trained as monitors interviewed over 300 farmers from 15 villages in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Their investigation uncovered extensive problems in the project, including increased use of and dependence on chemical pesticides, a violation of the World Bank's Safeguard Policy on pest management. (To view the World Bank's pest management policy, go to http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/Institutional/Manuals/OpManual.nsf/toc2/665DA6CA847982168525672C007D07A3.) "The monitors found that 48% of the pesticides in Bank-financed input packages in Kalimantan were hazardous World Health Organization Class I and II pesticides, and 78% were Class I and II in Sumatra," said Nila Ardhianie, Director of Yayasan Duta Awam. "Farmers reported declining health and noted hardening of the soil after excessive herbicide use, possibly due to death of soil organisms." The monitors found that farmers were not informed about the health effects of pesticides or the existence of alternatives; they also discovered decreased crop diversity and illegal sale of World Bank project pesticides in local markets. The community uncovered a host of other problems, including exclusion of women from agricultural training, poorly constructed or unfinished irrigation systems resulting in flooding of fields and villages, lack of transparency regarding terms of loan repayment, and widespread corruption. The farmers developed a list of specific recommendations for project reform, which they presented to government and World Bank officials at precedent-setting provincial and national seminars, facilitated by YDA in 1998. A year later, little had changed. YDA, PANNA and farmers then worked together to expose inaccurate claims by World Bank and government officials that the farmers' concerns had been resolved. By publicizing farmers' own evaluation of the project--through both Indonesian and international media--the coalition pushed the Bank to re-open investigation of the project and begin implementing farmers' recommendations. In Washington DC, PANNA mobilized the support of other international NGOs who amplified our local partners' concerns, raising them in meetings with U.S. Congressional representatives and Directors of the Board of the World Bank. By the end of 2000, important progress was achieved in Indonesia. The World Bank hired and placed "community organizers" in the field to respond to farmers' concerns, and many of the corrupt practices by local agricultural extension workers were halted. A crucial factor in the campaign's success was the arrival of a new World Bank project manager in 1999. The new manager, Ilham Abla, worked closely with NGOs in the remaining year to implement a number of the communities' recommendations. Abla noted that the World Bank rejected several proposed agricultural input packages for the swamps project because they included Class I and II hazardous pesticides. Abla also worked with the Indonesia Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that IPM training was conducted in the project areas. In addition, local agriculture offices initiated development of biological pest control methods, with the goal of replacing pesticides with beneficial organisms. "This was a very good experience for the Bank," Abla said. "We have included in the completion report a recommendation that future projects promote this system of involving the community in monitoring." Community-based monitoring provides a tremendous opportunity to transform problematic projects and improve policy compliance. PANNA and YDA recommend that the World Bank develop a transparent system that will secure independent monitoring and evaluation of all its projects, prioritizing problematic ones. The Bank must also ensure that monitoring results are translated into genuine project corrections in a swift and timely fashion. This article is adapted from "Taking the World Bank to Task: A Case Study of Successful Community-Based Monitoring in Indonesia," Global Pesticide Campaigner, Vol. 11, No. 1, April 2001, which will be available soon at http://www.panna.org. Source/Contact: PANNA. PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and reporting on pesticide issues that don't always get coverage by the mainstream media. It's produced by Pesticide Action Network North America, a non-profit and non-governmental organization working to advance sustainable alternatives to pesticides worldwide. You can join our efforts! We gladly accept donations for our work and all contributions are tax deductible in the United States. Visit our extensive web site at http://www.panna.org to learn more about getting involved.

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Livestock farmers prepare to reach out to community Leave a Comment Buckeye Farm News Last year, voters in California passed an aggressive law restricting how farmers can house livestock, despite warnings that it could cripple the state’s large egg industry. “The probability is high that it could someday happen here in Ohio,” said Trish Cunningham, a Delaware County livestock and grain farmer. To become better equipped at defending her livelihood, Cunningham recently participated in Operation Hometown Outreach, which aims to develop spokespersons for the livestock industry. “Being a young person and fortunate enough to be involved in production agriculture, I find it very important that we get out and tell our story,” she said “There’s so much bad press against us these days that we need to tell our story.” OFBF hosted the program, which is a project of the United Soybean Board and the Center for Food Integrity, a firm that aims to promote trust in the U.S. food system. After providing training, participants are scheduled to speak with civic organizations about modern livestock production practices. “Through this program alone we will have talked to hopefully 80 to 100 groups next year, telling them about animal agriculture,” said Sandy Kuhn, OFBF’s director of commodity relations. “These people are voters, so we are hoping they go to church and they go to other organizations and they’ll help to tell our story also and ask us to come speak to other groups.” Beth Anne Mumford, an Operation Hometown Outreach trainer, said farmers are frustrated by some of the issues being raised about livestock production. “What we are finding from farmers is that they are being asked questions about what they do in a way that makes them feel that the public has maybe lost some confidence in what’s being done on farms,” she said. Although he doesn’t raise livestock, Warren County farmer Joe Steiner participated in the program because the livestock industry is a major customer for his grain. He said concerns have arisen as the public lost touch with agriculture. “If you were a great mechanic on a 1968 Camaro and you opened the hood of a (Toyota) Prius today, you may not know what’s going on under there. And that’s the way agriculture is today. Guys that used to hang out at their grandfather’s farm thought they understood agriculture, but it’s not what we do today. And if they don’t understand it, they have concerns,” he said. Steiner acknowledged that public relations can be a foreign concept to farmers, but consumers need to know that livestock producers are good operators. “We in agriculture have concerns about operations that aren’t doing the right thing. We’d be the first to point them out, and we’re willing to work with anybody to make it better if it needs to be improved,” he said. “But most of these operations out here are doing a fine job and we just need to tell that story.”

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Who Paid For Last Summer's Drought? You Did May 1, 20135:57 PM ET Corn plants dry in a drought-stricken farm field near Fritchton, Ind., last summer. Say the words "crop insurance" and most people start to yawn. For years, few nonfarmers knew much about these government-subsidized insurance policies, and even fewer found any fault with them. After all, who could criticize a safety net for farmers that saves them from getting wiped out by floods or drought? But consider this: According to a new analysis, crop insurance allowed corn and soybean farmers not only to survive last year's epic drought, but it also allowed them to make bigger profits than they would have in a normal year. A big chunk of those profits were provided through taxpayer subsidies. In fact, crop insurance has grown into the largest subsidy that the government provides to America's farmers. Economist Bruce Babcock from Iowa State University carried out the new analysis. It was commissioned by the Environmental Working Group, a long-time critic of agricultural subsidies. "We really saw, in 2012, how the crop insurance program performs," he says. "It kind of reveals itself." What's revealed, first of all, is the fact that the vast majority of farmers are signing up for a version of insurance that Babcock calls the "Cadillac." This kind of policy covers two different kinds of losses: lower harvests or lower prices. Article continues after sponsorship Here's why it's Cadillac insurance and why it ends up costing taxpayers billions of dollars. Last year, farmers got a poor harvest. At the same time, because corn and soybeans were in short supply, prices soared, which benefited farmers greatly. The insurance, however, paid farmers for the lost yield — but paid them at the higher, post-drought market price. Essentially, farmers reaped the drought's benefits, yet were protected from its harm. "Those farmers made more money than they anticipated making when they planted the crop. That's clear," says Babcock. In all, payouts added up to $16 billion last year, a new record, most of which was paid by taxpayers. According to Babcock, if farmers had instead signed up for another kind of crop insurance, which simply pays a farmer for revenue that's lost because of crop failure, payouts would have come to just $6 billion. According to Babcock, the government should limit its subsidies to this simpler, "plain-Jane" insurance policy, which is a perfectly adequate safety net for farmers. Under the current system, he says, government subsidies make "Cadillac" insurance artificially cheap, dramatically driving up the cost of the program. (On average, the premiums that farmers pay cover only about 40 percent of the cost of crop insurance.) "It just seems to me that a lot of money could be saved," he says. Congress is once again starting work on a new version of the farm bill, which sets the rules for crop insurance. It tried to pass a new bill last year, but failed.

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Is Extension Extinction Underway? By Jim Ruen We've all heard the news and the headlines: “Virginia Cooperative Extension Services Facing Restructuring” … “Proposal Cuts $2 Million From University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.” When Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber proposed cutting the Oregon State University Extension service by 18.8 percent in 2011, it was on top of a cut of 14 percent the previous biennium. Extension services around the country have been under budget pressure for years. Reductions in funding from the traditional tripartite base of federal, state and county support has forced restructuring, layoffs and office closures. The President's 2013 budget calls for a reduction in federal spending for Extension services of only $12.7 million in Extension-only funding; however, other funding of combined Extension, education and research also faces proposed cuts. That's not good, but it could likely get worse. The Ryan budget endorsed by the House of Representatives would slash discretionary spending, which accounts for virtually all Extension funding, by 50 percent over 10 years. Combine these scenarios with state and local budget woes and state Extension services may be facing extinction. One reason is the only thing left to cut is workers. FACING BUDGET PRESSURES "Here in Pennsylvania, our administration would tell you almost 95 percent of our budget is people," said Paul Craig, Extension program leader, crop management team. "You can't cut back on other costs, and our budgets aren't keeping up today." Craig is also the president of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. In the past 10 years, membership has fallen from 3,200 to 2,100 as states have adapted to the new realities of budget cuts and a changing clientele. As farm size and farmer sophistication have changed, so has demand for services. "In 2000, the farmers and agricultural industry in the state told the administration that they wanted more specialized knowledge from Extension," explained Craig. Pennsylvania responded by setting up regional teams. Extension educators from nine counties were made part of groups, with each member taking on a particular area of expertise. Craig became the forage specialist with others taking on crops, plant nutrition, grain and pest management. Dairy and horticulture teams were also set up by region. Each Extension agent retained county duties as well; however, now they also traveled to other counties in their group. "It allowed me to narrow my focus and learn new things in my specialty area, and that was exciting," recalled Craig. "Unfortunately, it also affected local support in some counties. It's hard to get support for a position when the person travels outside the county. You had to get support from multiple county governments." Such regionalization and the challenge that goes with it is now more the norm around the country as few, traditional, “generalist” county agents remain in place. This could be seen as a slippery slope. In Pennsylvania, the nine-county group grew to cover 15 counties and eventually the entire state. "In Pennsylvania and I'm sure in others as well, the traditional state Extension specialist with an appointment in research has been reassigned to teach college courses," explained Craig. "We now serve in their place." ENTERING THE DIGITAL AGE Blaine Viator, president, National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC), said when the subject of changes in Extension and the challenges it faces comes up, fellow NAICC members respond passionately and often with widely differing views depending on the individual's experience with their state's Extension Service. "Having been in the university system, obtaining a doctoral degree and then entering the private sector as a private consultant, I guess I have seen it from both sides of the picture," said Viator. Viator misses the old days of well-funded state and county Extension educators based on strong university research. However, he also recognizes and endorses the value of specialization such as he has seen develop in other states that have shifted to the regional specialist approach. "Most of my clients are on smartphones and social media," he said. "They could be receiving Extension recommendations directly from state or regional specialists. Ten or 20 years ago, you had to drive to every farm to talk to the farmer. That's no longer the case." "The foundation of strong Extension relies on a very robust university research program," added Viator. "Without very sound and progressive university research, Extension will have a tough road ahead. As certified independent consultants, we are only paid by the grower, and none of our income comes from selling products or seed. We rely very heavily on university research and Extension to get the best, unbiased information to our growers. Extension is important to us and our grower-clients, but it seems the non-farming public is more interested in their tax dollars being used to support social programs rather than agronomic research and Extension, as evident in farm bill funding. So, it is looking more and more like public sector funding for research and Extension will only continue to dwindle. Its success will depend on doing more with less people.” SOLID THIRD-PARTY DATA Adapting and evolving in response to change has kept Bob Nielsen, Extension corn specialist and professor, Agronomy, Purdue University, effective, relevant and busy. "I know I'm not perfect, but I get enough feedback from my clientele that tells me I'm doing something right," said Nielsen. In his career at Purdue, Nielsen has heard the charge that Extension is too slow to endorse new technologies and products, or that Extension is no longer as needed as it once was, given the information available from private sources of consultants, ag retailer sales agronomists, manufacturer reps and the Internet. He easily responds to the criticism. "We believe the agronomic values of new technologies should be based on hard data that demonstrate consistent performance over a wide range of growing conditions," he said. "Too many of today's new technologies are adopted as forms of 'crop insurance' with little independent data to back them up." As to the question of relevance, he cited the voluminous and aggressive marketing of crop inputs. "I believe my farming clientele need independent advice more than ever," said Nielsen. When faced with a similar “relevance” query, Craig acknowledged that private information sources have multiplied. On the other hand they, even more than he and his counterparts, are specialized and focused, usually on the most valued customers. "They also often look to Extension specialists for training," he noted. "They don't have the time to work with everyone and have to target their high ticket customers. That isn't everyone. I think there is a big enough pie for everyone, and as we increase our knowledge base and specialties, it helps everyone." BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INFO NEEDED Sonny Ramaswamy, director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, has no doubt the needs are great enough to more than justify both private and public information providers. "Having grown up in India, I was a direct beneficiary of American agriculture," said Ramaswamy. "One of the problems today is that people think that Monsanto or Dow or Pioneer has it all figured out. However, private enterprise is there to make money. They'll invest in corn and soybeans, but there are other issues, other endeavors where there isn't any money or not enough money to be made. The public needs to be involved." Ramaswamy's 32-year career has included stints at Cornell, Michigan State, Mississippi, Kansas and, until recently, Oregon State University. This experience has made him uniquely well suited to oversee the federal role in funding and supporting Extension. It has also made him very, very concerned about people like himself with three or more decades in service to agriculture and nearing retirement. "We are losing an unbelievable wealth of knowledge as these people leave at a rapid pace," said Ramaswamy. "While age plays a role for many, others are retiring simply because of the negativity they face about the role of the public sector. The continuing downward spiral of funding from federal, state and local sources reinforces those feelings, as retirees are not replaced. There is a sense that the public doesn't believe in investing taxpayer dollars in a program like Extension." While Ramaswamy does his best to be optimistic, basic concerns come through. "I am concerned that retirement, funding cuts, position eliminations and shoe-stringing along the remaining positions are taking their toll," he said. "I am afraid that for America, there is a serious and detrimental thing waiting to happen. We have choices waiting to be made as a nation. I think we are reaching a tipping point that could destroy this unbelievable institution called Extension." cooperative extensionpresident's 2013 budgetspending on extension servicesnational association of county agricultural agents About the Author: Jim Ruen

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Icy Global Seed Vault Hosts Global Warming Meeting Posted February 27th, 2009, 1:02 PM by SundanceTV LONGYEARBYEN, Norway, February 26, 2009 (ENS) – Four tons of seeds representing hundreds of crop species were delivered today to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault as it celebrated its one-year anniversary. The vault in nothern Norway is intended to serve as a fail-safe backup should the original samples be lost or damaged or to provide a Noah’s ark for agriculture in the event of a global catastrophe. The seeds arriving today are from food crop collections maintained by Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, the United States, and three international agricultural research centers in Syria, Mexico and Colombia. Located near the village of Longyearbyen on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, the repository has in one year amassed a collection of more than 400,000 unique seed samples – some 200 million seeds. “We are especially proud to see such a large number of countries work quickly to provide samples from their collections for safekeeping in the vault,” said Norwegian Agriculture Minister Lars Peder Brekk. “It shows that there are situations in the world today capable of transcending politics and inspiring a strong unity of purpose among a diverse community of nations.” “Right now, our world faces an unprecedented challenge – a challenge that threatens the quality of life on every continent. I am talking about climate change,” said Brekk. “As science tries to keep up with the looming threats of changing climates and weather patterns, increasing temperatures and melting ice caps, we here in Svalbard are well aware that the most important use of crop diversity in the coming decades will be helping agriculture adapt to these changes.” The Svalbard Global Seed Vault contains seed samples deep under a frozen mountain midway between Norway and the North Pole. (Photo by Simon Jeppson courtesy NordGen) “The vault was opened last year to ensure that one day all of humanity’s existing food crop varieties would be safely protected from any threat to agricultural production, natural or man made. It’s amazing how far we have come toward accomplishing that goal,” said Cary Fowler, executive director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which operates the seed vault in partnership with the Norwegian government and the Nordic Genetic Resource Center in Sweden. To mark the anniversary of the vault, experts on global warming and its effects on food production have gathered in Longyearbyen to discuss how climate change could pose a major threat to food production, and to examine crop diversity’s role in averting crisis. Speakers at the seminar “Frozen seeds in a frozen mountain – feeding a warming world” include the authors of a study published last month in “Science” magazine warning that by the end of this century the average temperatures during growing seasons in many regions will probably be higher than the most extreme heat recorded over the last 100 years. One of 21 boxes of seeds shipped from Nigeria filled with 7,000 unique seed samples from more than 36 African nations (Photo courtesy International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Nigeria) “This means that the vital importance of crop diversity to our food supply, which inspired the creation of the seed vault, is neither remote nor theoretical but immediate and real,” said David Battisti, a climate change expert at the University of Washington and one of the lead authors of the paper. “When we see research indicating that global warming could diminish maize production by 30 percent in southern Africa in only 20 years’ time, it shows that crop diversity is needed to adapt agriculture to climate change right now,” said Frank Loy, former under secretary of state for global affairs and an advisor to President Barack Obama’s transition team on environment and climate change. With its new acquisitions, the vault is now providing a secure second home for a third of humanity’s most important crop varieties, and a level of security for crop diversity conservation that was not available until a year ago. More genebanks and countries are in the process of signing agreements and preparing seeds collections to deposit in the vault. Like all seeds coming to the vault, the samples arriving today are duplicates of seeds from other collections. Today’s shipment includes samples of 32 varieties of potatoes in addition to oat, wheat, barley, and native grass species from two of Ireland’s national gene banks. Two varieties of Irish potatoes at a Ballymena market (Photo by Gangchinabz) Ireland’s participation and its inclusion of potato varieties is significant because it was a lack of diversity that is believed to have made Ireland’s potato crop vulnerable to the devastating blight of the mid-1800s that led to the deaths of more than one million people. In addition, 3,800 samples of wheat and barley have come from Switzerland’s national seed bank in Changins. The United States sent 20,000 samples from the seed repository maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service that represents 361 crop species, including pepper, lettuce, pea, rice, flax, sorghum, wheat and safflower seeds. They include samples of crop varieties that originally came from 151 countries held at the USDA’s National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado, which contains more than 500,000 accessions of cultivated plants and their wild relatives. The vault at Svalbard has so far received duplicates of nearly half of the crop samples maintained by the genebanks of the international agricultural research centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. About 1,400 genebanks are operated worldwide, but the vault is not meant to replace them. Rather, it provides a backup in the event that seeds, and the genetic diversity encoded with them, are lost to equipment failures, mismanagement, budgetary cuts, natural disasters and other catastrophes. These international genebanks are seen as the custodians of the crown jewels of crop diversity. This diversity has been instrumental in the breeding of new varieties responsible for the remarkable productivity gains made in global agriculture in recent decades, and in averting food crises when farm production has been threatened by natural disasters, plant diseases, and plant pests. Cowpeas for sale in a Nigerian market (Photo courtesy IITAN) All seeds stored in the Seed Vault remain the property of the country or institution which sent them. All stored seeds at the Seed Vault are accessible by directly contacting the genebank which sent them. These institutions send their seed collections to the Seed Vault in order to benefit from the safety and insurance this provides – storing seeds in the vault is entirely free to them, and is voluntary. The depositing institution signs a contract with NordGen, the genetic resource center of the Nordic countries, which is responsible for the management of the vault. Neither the managers of the Seed Vault, Norway, the Trust, nor anyone else has any right even to open the boxes in which the seeds arrive and are stored. Information about which countries have sent seeds, and the seeds which are already stored in the vault, is all public. The database of the Seed Vault can be searched here. The Global Crop Diversity Trust aims to ensure the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide. Although crop diversity is fundamental to fighting hunger and to the very future of agriculture, funding is unreliable and diversity is being lost. The Trust is the only organization working worldwide to solve this problem, and has already raised over $140 million. Tags: agricultural research centers / agriculture minister / crop diversity / Ecommunity News / global catastrophe / international agricultural research / longyearbyen norway / melting ice caps / noah s ark / seed samples / svalbard global seed vault Recommended by Follow Us

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Greening our Rooftops by Trish Riley WEB RESOURCES ABOUT GREENING YOUR ROOF Rancho Margot Rancho Margot boasts nearly 200 hectares of rolling hills nestled against one of Costa Rica's marvels, the Arenal Volcano, which constantly rumbles, smokes, and, occasionally, tosses fire. Juan Sostheim and his family have created a fully sustainable ranch here. The staff of 43 and about 15 volunteers welcomes up to 100 guests at a time. The ranch is powered by hydropower from streams running across the property as well as waste from the chickens, pigs, and cattle raised on the organic produce grown from the farm. "We throw away about what a family of four discards in the U.S. Every bit of the trash we produce is sorted through twice. We recycle everything we can here," said Sostheim. "One ton of compost produces 23 million BTUs, and that equals 5,000 kilowatts of power for us." Sostheim uses excess power to heat the hot pool, a cave-like, stone-lined pool where guests can relax in the evenings. An open-air massage bungalow and morning yoga add to the ambience. The ranch farm provides organic food for the hotel and produces its own soaps for guests. Horses are available for rides to mountainside waterfalls or the nearby volcano. Sostheim even has established a wildlife sanctuary to care for local squirrel and howler monkeys that have been rescued from civilian life and are released back to the wild when they're ready. For information on visiting or volunteering at the ranch, go to: www.ranchomargot.org. From Hitesh Mehta, landscape architect and author of Authentic EcoLodges "Considering the relative high temperatures in Florida throughout the year, it is important that the state embrace this form of roofing because of its many benefits. Five years ago, when I was interviewed by a radio station in Miami, I had spoken about the how all the concrete roofs in South Florida are creating an urban island heat effect, which was draining the energy usage of the state. Some of the most important benefits of green roofs are: "Green roofs intercept the solar radiation that would strike dark roof surfaces and be converted into heat, thereby improving energy conservation. Because green roofs reduce the surface temperature of a roof by minimizing heat-absorbing surfaces, a green roof helps to reduce energy costs inside the building as well. Like urban forests and reflective roofing surfaces they absorb and/or deflect solar radiation so that it does not produce heat. The urban heat island effect increases the use of more electricity for air conditioners and it increases the rate at which chemical processes generate pollutants such as ground level ozone. It also exacerbates heat-related illnesses. "A green roof can double the life span of a conventional roof. A green roof helps to protect roof membranes from extreme temperature fluctuations and the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation. "Green roofs can work to reduce urban heat islands, minimize heat-absorbing surfaces, provide improved air quality, as well help with stormwater retention and filtration. "Green roofs provide visual appeal and create a functional and aesthetic environment. Trees and shrubs can be included as well as other larger plants in a wider variety. This green space is often an inviting and well-utilized area providing a green respite in an urban setting. "If green roofs conform to the rigorous Green Building Rating System standards created by the U.S. Green Building Council, there are inherent savings including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for tax benefits." Hitesh Mehta, FASLA, RIBA www.authenticecolodges.com Green roof resources from Damon van der Linde, communication and research coordinator for Green Roofs for Healthy Cities "Every year we compile a list of the cities with the largest areas of green roofs in North America and issue the findings in a press release. The most recent is from 2009, and Chicago is still the leader." http://greenroofs.org/resources/media_GR_Ind_Grows_16_1_Percent_2009.pdf (416) 971-4494, x224 406 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1L4 www.greenroofs.org Bell Book & Candle A new restaurant in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, Bell Book & Candle takes a different twist on the green roof idea. The restaurant is supported by a rooftop of state-of-the-art hydroponics. Chef John Mooney grows a substantial amount of the herbs, greens, and vegetables served to his patrons in self-supported towers of greenery atop the restaurant. It's one of the first restaurant in the United States that grows its own food on its roof. Space-saving vertical towers flood plants with nutrients, water, and sun. "The towers provide a nutrient-rich solution, using no soil," Mooney told CNN audiences. "They'll never see a refrigerator. They're not going to be gassed, and they're not going to be treated in any way for transport. I just pluck them straight from the vine. It makes a difference. This is the wave of the future for home and commercial use. Roots are attached, so they stay with the plant until it's prepared in the kitchen. I call it living lettuce." Check it out at: 141 West 10th Street Added to Favorites Close (0.0 based on 0 ratings) From Hanging Gardens of Babylon to City Hall Extensive or Intensive A Healthier Planet Biodynamic Vineyards – Inviting Nature Back In Green Roofs Website Rancho Margot Website Authentic Ecolodges Website Trish Riley Website Trish Riley

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There's food in abundance, but it's not getting to the hungriest Every day, 4,600 calories worth of food are produced for each person on the planet and yet, at least one billion people in the world are nutrient deficient. Every day, 4,600 calories worth of food are produced for each person on the planet — far more than the recommended 2,000-calorie-a-day diet — and yet, at least one billion people in the world are nutrient deficient.Professor John Ingram of Oxford University presented this startling statistic on Tuesday, the first day of a two-day conference at the University of Florida titled "Sustaining Economies and Natural Resources in a Changing World.""We're obviously growing a huge amount of food, but we're not able to consume it," Ingram said.And half of the food waste in the developed world takes place post-production, while in the developing world, the waste comes in the fields — mostly because of pests or harmful weeds or inefficient distribution.While bridging that gap poses questions for agronomists and economists alike, the issue of making food production more safe and efficient is one that Ingram and other speakers on Tuesday addressed.Professor Fred Kirschenmann of Iowa State University said that 70 percent of the world's water is used for agricultural production, but "we can't continue doing that."To amend the situation, Kirschenmann said we need to restore both the biological health of soil — virtually ignored for the past 50 years — as well as the biological and genetic diversity of species that live in the soil.While many people think of soil as just dirt, Kirschenmann said, one tablespoon actually contains a half billion microorganisms that if left alone to feed on organic matter help create more porous, better soil."Soil is a really intense living community. There's more beneath the ground than above it," Kirschenmann said.But getting farmers to appreciate and preserve that diversity instead of diminish it with pesticides is part of the challenge of modern-day farming, Kirschenmann continued.What's happened in a state like Iowa, for example, which produces much of the country's corn and soybeans, is that those crops constitute 92 percent of the state's cultivated land. Pest control to ensure high yields of those crops may be effective in the short term, but ultimately bugs develop resistance to pesticides, and the chemicals kill other insects in the meantime, ultimately reducing biodiversity.In the long term, a more salient approach is growing a diversity of crops and decreasing excess fertilizer and pesticide usage, Kirschenmann said. Studies have shown this to be effective: Introducing alfalfa to land normally reserved for corn and soybean actually increased production of the mainstay crops without damaging the soil with unnecessary chemicals, Kirschenmann said. "At least we know it's possible," he said.But farmers in Iowa still ask "What can I do with alfalfa?" he said.There is some evidence that food production has gotten more efficient over the past several decades. David McClary, the senior technical dairy consultant for Elanco Animal Health, said that dairy production has increased 58 percent between 1944 and 2007."Today one cow produces what five cows produced," McClary said. That means using less water, land and manure. Beef production has also become more efficient."We're getting more from less, increasing productivity, sustainability and efficiency," McClary said.The key now is ensuring the fruits of that productivity reach the right mouths, he added.Countries in Southeast Asia report 650 million underfed inhabitants, compared to 15 million in developed countries, Ingram said.Ingram added that even within the U.S., one in five children in large urban centers eats at soup kitchens, a 48 percent increase since 2004.Contact Kristine Crane at 338-3119 or kristine.crane@gvillesun.com.

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FacebookTwitterYouTubeLinkedInGoogle+ Home - Archiv EUFIC REVIEW 04/2003An Introduction To Food Risk Communication (English only) The need for effective risk communication is becoming increasingly recognised by many Governments and the food industry. Although risk communication of food safety issues is still in its infancy, much can be learned from past experience. The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) aims to enhance communication between Government, the food industry and consumers. In this context EUFIC has started analysing how risk was communicated during the recent acrylamide food scare and has identified a number of lessons for the future. This paper provides an introduction to the subject, using the acrylamide alarm as a case study. Although the principles are based on this particular case study, many of them can be considered as general principles for risk communication.INTRODUCTIONRisk communication is never easy. For over 30 years academics and practitioners have worked to develop a formula for risk communication and a practical tool for predicting how the public perceives risk. By and large, they have bot been successful to date. Researchers have identified a series of variables that help determine the public perception of risk. These include:Is a substance natural or synthetic? Is the risk seen as voluntary or involuntary? Is the individual or agency communicating the risk trustworthy or not? In fact trust is the most important variable identified so far and there is a strong correlation between high public trust in an organisation and low perceived risk and vice versa. However, despite these findings, developers still have problems siting noxious facilities, the public is still concerned about food issues such as genetically modified ingredients and regulators in many countries are finding it hard to regain public trust in the food supply. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT FOOD?All foods carry an inherent degree of risk, whether produced conventionally or by alternative methods. As everyone needs food to survive we are forced to take risks every time we eat. People have learnt to avoid the obvious risks. For example cooking chicken and eggs reduces the risk of salmonella and vegetables are washed to ensure their cleanliness. Modern technological developments have also made our food safer including the pasteurisation of milk, advanced cleaning techniques at slaughterhouses and refrigeration. Increased analytical capacity and more sensitive techniques have also significantly reduced the risks of undesirable substances in our food. Despite being exposed to many new synthetic chemicals, food safety has improved enormously compared to 40 years ago. PEOPLE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT FOOD RISKResearch shows that the public has become more concerned about food related risks than ever before. Even though society has become better at risk management, including food safety, the public’s expectations of the food supply has risen so that people are increasingly worried, even by the smallest risks. For a long time food was exempt from this kind of anxiety, people were more likely to worry about living next to nuclear power plants, or being exposed to emissions from waste incinerators or coal power plants. This has changed significantly following a spate of recent food scares including salmonella in eggs, dioxin in Belgian chicken feed and BSE (mad cow disease) in the UK and other EU countries. Research on these and related events show that the majority of the public believes that regulators and the food industry did not do enough to address their concerns or keep their food supply safe.At the same time, industry and regulators have been unable to convince the public that the world’s food supply system has never been better controlled. For example, we have never had a food safety management system, including analytical methods and equipment, as comprehensive and sophisticated as we have today. If people do not believe that food regulators can control the food supply, they will inevitably be more concerned about the food they eat. In an ideal world the public want elected policy makers and regulators to act on their behalf and protect them from food risks. Measures would include setting minimum safety standards and ensuring they are properly implemented throughout the food chain. But recent food safety scares have led to an inherent distrust of food regulators and the public have turned to other sources for food information. For example the UK Soil Association, a non-government organisation, has become perceived by the British public as a de facto food regulator for organic food. Any comments made by the Soil Association are quickly digested by the UK broad-sheets, further undermining the official food regulatory system. MEDIA HAS BECOME MORE AGGRESSIVE At the same time, the media has become more active in its reporting. Prior to the 1950s, the newsprint and radio media was no more than a tool used by policy makers to inform the masses about what they were doing. In most cases journalists passed the information on uncritically for fear of upsetting or losing their source of stories. These days, there are more and more news communication tools including the internet, 24 hour television, free newsletters and conventional sources. In this environment the media often helps shape the debate. A story may be presented from a number of different viewpoints, indirectly leading to public confusion, disillusionment and apathy. The recent spate of food scares has sensitised the media in this area. In Sweden, last year alone there were no less than six food scares, all gaining significant column inches in the tabloid press. These alarms raise public concern still further, and in some cases the public questions whether all food is in one way or another harmful.MORE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE DEBATEWith the increased availability of information, there are more stakeholders participating in the policy debate. These stakeholders may include consumer groups, industry and environmental organisations, all with separate agendas. Often in this multi-stakeholder environment, one party tries to discredit another aiming to reduce public trust in the opponent and gain public trust for themselves. However this strategy often fails because disagreements between the stakeholders are vividly reported in the news media leaving the public increasingly distrustful of everyone involved and unsure if anyone is telling the truth at all.DEATH OF PUBLIC TRUST IN SCIENCEAnother factor is the death of public trust in science. In the past scientists were held above the various quarrels depicted in the media. But discussions of food safety crises underlining the uncertainties in science mean this is no longer the case. This is particularly true where scientists are asked by the media to make comments on one scare or another, which are then immediately refuted by another scientist. This so-called “scientific pluralism” leads to even greater public distrust of scientists. COMMUNICATING SCIENTIFIC UNCERTAINTYAs science can now detect substances in foods down to parts per billion, scientists are moving away from understanding and communicating the more straightforward scientific conundrums to ones that are filled with uncertainty. This means we need to know what level of uncertainty the public are willing to tolerate. Research has shown that the public finds it difficult to differentiate between parts per billion and parts per million, making it very hard to explain certain risks. In many cases this leads the public to ask for zero risk. In addition many scientists do not have the necessary skills for communicating uncertainty, a task made even more difficult by the distrustful environment in which it has to be done.FOOD ALSO PURCHASED FOR OTHERS Food also has an added layer of complexity. Although food can be bought and consumed by an individual, in many cases one person may purchase food for a wider group of people for example during the weekly shop. These people may be include children, elderly or disabled people who are at greater risk than the shopper. In these situations, the person takes on the added responsibility of providing safe food for his or her loved ones which can make them extra sensitive to potential food risks. RISE OF THE BLAME CULTUREFinally, there is a rise of the so-called blame culture. Increasingly the public also wants to find someone to blame for their various ailments. The rise of the blame culture is part of the growing trend toward individualism and is seen in the number of personal litigation cases coming through the courts in Europe (particularly the UK). Although it is still early days, there is a strong likelihood that this will also affect the food sector, as is already widely practised in the US.BASIC LESSONS OF RISK COMMUNICATIONSo how does one communicate those and other risks? There have been many books and information packs on how to communicate risks. One of the best was authored by Professor Ortwin Renn and colleagues. Drawing on this text and other food communication research, this position paper sets out key recommendations on food risk communication with particular reference to the recent case study by R. Löfstedt on acrylamide1.1. Know your target It is vital that the regulator or industry body is clear about their target audience. Is it the concerned citizen, a stakeholder group, fellow regulators, other trade bodies, or a combination of these actors? In the acrylamide case there was confusion in this area. The authorities involved took a view that it was necessary to inform the consumer on new food safety matters whilst research scientists felt that the target should be science editors as the findings were scientific in nature and not necessarily newsworthy. Although this did not necessarily lead to conflicting messages per se, as in the end the press invitation reflected more the views of the Food Administration than the research scientists, it did lead to a press information vacuum that could have been avoided if they had agreed on the exact target 2. Craft an appropriate message It is very important to know the nature of the risks to be communicated. Are they technical or naturally occurring, are they voluntary or involuntary, are they familiar or unfamiliar? The message can then be crafted accordingly. It is also important to pick the most appropriate communication tool for disseminating the message. In doing so, one must also carefully weigh the costs (public concern), and benefits (public reassurance) associated with each communication method. The research findings on acrylamide were preliminary, and the link between acrylamide being formed naturally when cooking carbohydrates and humans getting cancer was at best tenuous. In this case, a press conference was called but it may have been more appropriate if the findings had been made public via a press or internet release. This release could have simply stated that preliminary research had shown that acrylamide may form in carbohydrates when they are cooked and that the authorities are examining the research findings and any possible implications for Swedish consumers closely. 3. Do not amplify risks or events By amplifying risks that are by their nature perceived as attenuated (most food risks fall in this category), a communication strategy is bound to fail. Eventually the audience will see through any amplification and discard the message. Unnecessarily amplifying risks will be viewed as scare mongering and lead to public distrust in the source of the information. With regard to the acrylamide case, risks that by their nature would be seen as mild were amplified. Acrylamide forms naturally when carbohydrates are cooked and have been in food since humans discovered fire. By amplifying this naturally occurring risk the public quickly concluded there was little need to pay much attention to this food alarm.4. Do not involve too many scientific bodiesAnother possible route for conflicting messages is having too many parties involved. This can lead to inflexibility, leaks and miscommunication, all contributing to public misunderstanding. With regard to the acrylamide case different institutions were involved in crafting communication messages. One wanted a greater focus on the scientific content of the message and was keen to target scientific editors at the main Swedish newspapers. The other was more interested in promoting the newsworthiness of the story and wanted to target news editors. Because of this mismatch of aims and targets, the communication was worded in such a way that it led to a sensational press conference which amplified the risk. There was also a long time-lag between the press invitation and the press conference itself. 5. Proactive communication is best.The more a body communicates in a transparent fashion, the less likely that body will be accused of cover-up or secrecy. Proactive communication increases public trust and retroactive risk communication decreases it. On the other hand, communicating uncertainties when it is not necessary increases public confusion. With regard to the acrylamide scare, the purpose of the communication should have been to show that research had demonstrated a link between cooked food and acrylamide which may be hazardous to one’s health and that the authorities would be examining the situation closely. There should not have been a media debate as to whether substances that are tested as carcinogenic on rodents are also carcinogenic on humans. This is an ongoing scientific debate between the toxicologists and the epidemiologists that should be carried out in the peer reviewed literature and not in leading newspapers. The very public scientific debate distorted the message that authorities involved wanted to convey.6. Disclosure of all the detail not always helpfulDisclosure of all the detailed findings is not always the solution in risk communication crises. Although transparency is seen as a necessary tool to show the public that decisions are not taken behind closed doors (e.g. some countries or EU regulatory meetings have the minutes of their meetings put virtually immediately on the internet), it is not always the right solution. Indeed, transparency can show how complicated the decision-making process can be, based on scientific uncertainty rather than certainty. With regard to the acrylamide scare, by focusing part of the press conference on whether the toxicological results indicating that acrylamide is a proven carcinogen on mice and rats can be transferable to humans, the public became confused, leading to greater public distrust of both regulators and scientists. 7. Avoid mentioning brandsBrand communication inevitably affects a company’s performance on the stock markets, particularly when it is negative. It may also make food safety a competitive advantage. In the long term this may be detrimental as it may discourage the collaboration and sharing of information necessary for improving food safety. It may of course be necessary for regulators to mention a brand when a potentially hazardous product must be recalled. This was not the case for acrylamide. Authorities were not advising consumers to reject any specific food or product. As a matter of fact, consumers were advised not to change their dietary habits. Brand communication in this case did not add value to the management of food safety, particularly considering that the level of acrylamide varied greatly within the same brand. 8. Make friends with the mediaOne way of addressing this issue is to proactively seek media contact by targeting specific editors and informing them on an informal basis about ongoing work. With regard to the acrylamide scare, putting forward a press invitation some 18 hours before the press conference itself and then not responding to the journalists’ numerous questions in the run-up to the press conference caused unnecessary media hostility. Journalists were unhappy that the press officers at both institutions had refused to take their phone calls. Had the institutions involved cooperated with the media prior to the press conference, media hostility might have been less. 9. Understand the importance of a trusted sourceA more trusted communication source will inevitably get more media attention than a less trusted one. In the case of acrylamide, the case received so much national and international media attention because the institutions communicating the findings were highly trusted. As one observer put it – ‘had the findings been put forward by a non-trusted body, no one would have noticed’10. Experience is vital when dealing with the mediaIt is important to have experience or hire appropriate expertise when conducting media briefings, press conferences, etc. If you have little experience outsource to a competent public relations firm. In ideal circumstances, especially with regard to contentious issues, both the press invitation and the press conference should be pre-tested. If this had been done in the acrylamide case, perhaps the press invitation would have been changed, or the press conference itself could have flowed better.11. Avoid creating a communication vacuum Risk communication vacuums lead to rumour and speculation. To prevent this, hold press conferences as close to the release of the press invitation as possible. Two to four hours between press invitation and the press conference is accepted practice. With regard to the acrylamide scare, there was an eighteen hour communication vacuum, which led to media hostility and widespread rumour and speculation.CONCLUSIONSDuring the last few years, different food safety crises have highlighted the importance of good risk communication. There is no such thing as risk-free food which means that risk communication should be a major aspect of food safety management. Within Europe risk communication has been made increasingly difficult due to a greater public distrust of both regulators and the food industry. At the same time risks have been amplified in the media, and there is a growth in the so-called blame culture. It is hoped that lessons learned from the analysis of the acrylamide case can contribute to better risk communication in the future. REFERENCES R.E.Löfstedt, Science Communication and the Swedish Acrylamide Alarm. Under review at the Journal of Health Communication. OECD Guidance document on Risk Communication for Chemical Risk Management, OECD 2002, ENV/JM/MONO (2002) 18 ÜBER EUFIC EUFIC, das Europäische Informationszentrum für Lebensmittel, ist eine gemeinnützige Organisation, die den Medien, Gesundheits- und Ernährungsfachleuten, Erziehern und meinungsbildenden Einrichtungen wissenschaftlich fundierte Informationen über Nahrungsmittelsicherheit und -qualität sowie Gesundheit und Ernährung auf eine für Konsumenten verständliche Weise liefert.Weiterlesen ARCHIV FOOD TODAY DIE GRUNDLAGEN EUFIC REVIEW EUFIC FORUM MINI-LEITFADEN 10 TIPPS Letzte Aktualisierung der Website: 20/09/2016 Sitemap Alle Suchergebnisse anzeigen

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Nebraska Power Farming Show Unveils Powerful New Logo and Website The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (I-NEDA) unveiled a powerful new logo and newly redesigned website for the Nebraska Power Farming Show. The logo was designed to complement the show’s new “More Buying Power to You” theme, which was introduced earlier this month. “The logo is central to the new high-powered look we’ve developed for the show,” said show director Tom Junge. “Everything is designed to capture the energy and excitement people experience when they go to the show in Lincoln. People will see the logo and know right away what the Nebraska Power Farming Show is all about.” Click on Nebraska Power Farming Show to view pdf. The “new look” will be featured heavily in all of show’s communications, from print pieces like the 40-page show program to digital platforms like the website and social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The Nebraska Power Farming Show, the second largest indoor farm show in the nation, runs from December 4-6, 2012, at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. The newly redesigned website can be visited at: www.nebraskapowershow.com.

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Recent Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) Forest Farming May 28, 2014|Print ***Please note there is a downloadable version of the fact sheet as a pdf file at the end of the article.*** Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) Botanical Information Hydrastis canadensis L., a member of the Ranunculaceae family, is native to North America with a natural range from southern Quebec to northern Georgia and west to Missouri. Goldenseal is an herbaceous perennial and can be found growing naturally in rich, densely shaded, deciduous forests. The plant emerges in early spring from buds that overwinter on the perennial rootstock, growing each year to a height of 8 to 14 inches. The mature plant has two or more erect stems, usually ending in a fork with two leaves. The dark-green leaf is palmate shaped with a long petiole and can have five to seven lobes. The margins of the leaves are double-serrated. Leaves can span 3 to 12 inches in diameter and 3 to 8 inches in length. A single greenish-white flower blooms briefly from late April to May, depending upon location. A single green berry-like fruit develops, turning red in July and containing up to 30 black seeds. The seeds, which must always remain moist, may take up to three years to germinate. First-year seedlings have two little round leaves and look very different from the mature plants. The turmeric-colored rhizome and fibrous roots spread horizontally in the soil and can form a dense mat. If not harvested, the oldest parts of the rhizome eventually decay and the newer material continues to grow outward. Throughout this article, the term “roots” will refer to roots and rhizomes together, unless indicated otherwise. High demand for goldenseal has caused a serious reduction in native populations throughout its native range. Goldenseal is protected on a federal and international level and is listed on Appendix II of the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international treaty monitoring trade in threatened and endangered species. This means that a CITES permit is required to sell goldenseal to other countries. To get such a permit, you need to be able to show that the plants are at least four years old and were obtained legally. Bioactive Components The main bioactive components of goldenseal are thought to be hydrastine, berberine, and canadine (all isoquinoline alkaloids). Berberine has been shown to inhibit the growth of a number of parasites as well as killing tumors. Berberine is also linked to some sedative and antisecretory effects. Uses and Treatments Native Americans used goldenseal in a variety of ways, including as a general antiseptic and as a treatment for snakebites. Renewed interest from herbalists in the United States in the 1990s sparked new demand for this material in Europe. Modern medicinal uses for goldenseal include the treatment of nasal congestion, digestive disorders, inflammation, and AIDS. Goldenseal is often referred to as a synergistic herb, meaning when taken with other herbs, it increases their efficacy. Goldenseal and echinacea make up a common combination formula. Wild-simulated Goldenseal bed. Photo credits: Jeanine Davis’ Program Cultivation Practices Goldenseal grows best in a rich, moist, loamy soil with a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5, good water drainage, and approximately 70 to 75 percent shade. Avoid planting in a poorly drained soil as goldenseal does not tolerate “wet feet.” Many growers will select growing sites with a slight slope to help improve water drainage. If an open field is used for production, shade structures will need to be erected. Typically, a wood lath structure or polypropylene shade structure is used. For forest culture, the site should be shaded by tall hardwood trees like basswood, hickory, tulip poplar, or white oak. Look for an area where similar understory plants are growing, e.g., black cohosh, bloodroot, ginseng, mayapple, or trillium. Building raised beds is recommended, especially for soils high in clay. Also, make sure sufficient compost or other organic material is added to the planting beds to improve soil tilth and fertility. If soil pH is less than 5.5, lime can be added to increase growth. If the soil is low in available phosphorus, use a slow-release natural product such as rock phosphate. Nitrogen derived from compost or other organic materials should be adequate. Areas where problems have occurred due to soilborne diseases should be avoided. Goldenseal can be propagated from rhizome pieces, root cuttings, or seed. To propagate from seed, the fruit must be harvested as soon as it is mature, then processed by carefully mashing the fruit to separate out the seeds. This process can take several days, as the seeds and pulp need to ferment in water until they can easily be separated. The seeds must never be allowed to dry out. When cleaned and rinsed thoroughly, sow the seeds one-quarter to one-half inch deep in a shaded nursery bed, and space the seeds 1 to 2 inches apart. Cover with several inches of leaf mulch to prevent the soil from drying out. Germination of goldenseal seed can be slow, erratic, and unpredictable. It is not uncommon for all or part of a seed bed to take two seasons before germinating. Richo Cech, author of “Growing At-Risk Medicinal Plants,” recommends waiting to transplant the seedlings into permanent production beds until they are two years old and have formed a rhizome. The most common and reliable method for propagating goldenseal is from rhizome pieces. Cut rhizomes into one-half inch or larger pieces, keeping the fibrous roots attached and trying to have at least one big bud present per piece. In a well-prepared bed, plant the rhizome pieces in the ground, right below the soil surface, with the bud pointed upright. Space rhizome pieces 6 inches apart with rows 6 to 12 inches apart. Add a thick layer of mulch, using hardwood leaves or shredded hardwood bark. The mulch should be raked back to a depth of 1 to 2 inches before the plants emerge in the spring. Lee Sturdivant and Tim Blakley, authors of “Medicinal Herbs in the Garden, Field, and Marketplace,” suggest another method of propagation from root cuttings: “Buds and plants will form on the fibrous roots that grow away from the main root. These pieces can be planted separately.” Not everyone has success with this method. Use the same planting directions as above. Regardless of the planting method used, keep all beds free from weeds. Weed control is very important during the first few years as the goldenseal plants become established. Goldenseal in flower. Shortly after the flowers, the fruit will develop. From the fruit, seeds can be harvested. Photo credits: Jeanine Davis’ Program Insects and Diseases Under natural conditions in the forest, goldenseal has minimal problems with diseases or insects. Slugs may be a problem; they can eat the entire crown of the plant as well as the fruit. If the populations of slugs are intolerable and the usual control measures (e.g., lime and wood ash, beer traps, copper strips, and bait) do not work, it may be necessary to remove the mulch from around the plants. Moles and voles have also been known to damage goldenseal beds. Root knot nematodes will also severely reduce growth and root yield of goldenseal but can usually be avoided by testing the soil for their presence before planting. The book “Index of Plant Diseases in the United States” lists the following diseases that have been known to affect Hydrastis canadensis: leaf blights, Alternaria sp., and Botrytis sp.; fusarium wilt; root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp.; root rots, Phymatotrichum omnivorum, and Rhizoctonia solani; and an unidentified mosaic virus. Harvesting, Cleaning, and Drying Roots are harvested in the fall after the tops have died down. Harvesting usually begins five to seven years from seeding or four to six years from planting rhiz

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On the Traces of Sticky Rice Vietnam - 26 Jun 13 - Alessandro Scarpa Mayu Ino works in Vietnam for the Japanese NGO Seed to Table and is an old friend of Slow Food and Terra Madre. Thanks to her, we were able to visit the food community of Tan Lac organic rice producers in the northern Vietnamese province of Hoa Bin. The car battled for an hour through the inexorable flood of motorcycles that fills the roads of Hanoi before finally emerging into open countryside. On both sides stretched endless rice paddies, filled with people working, as it was the season for planting out the seedlings. After another hour’s drive, we stopped for a restorative Vietnamese coffee at the base of the first hills. A beverage is made locally from fermented rice and sold in jars of 5 to 7 liters, which come with meter-long reeds used as straws. Also at the bar, we see rice spirits with toads and scorpions steeping inside the bottles. Back on the road, we start to climb through a varied landscape, with tropical jungle alternating with rice paddies. The last unpaved stretch takes us a thousand meters above sea level. The mountaintops are wrapped in fog. In Nam Son, we find Thuong and her husband, the village chief Truyen and his deputy Lung, the coordinator of the young growers and other rice producers. They explain to us that in Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia, over and above the many different rice varieties, there are two main categories: “normal” rice and sticky rice. Production in mountainous areas is mostly concentrated on the latter. Sticky black Oi rice, with its very limited production and excellent quality, is an ideal candidate for joining the Ark of Taste. Apart from its delicious flavor, it also has therapeutic properties, curing stomachaches and helping to restore strength to women who have just given birth. Mayu Ino is working with a Japanese university to scientifically test these characteristics, and she is also promoting the product and looking for distributors in the capital Hanoi, which has 6 million inhabitants. As well as the Oi variety, the growers also cultivate Ban, a white sticky rice, and Dan Bac Tam, a white normal rice. Thuong, who has been to Turin for Terra Madre twice, coordinates around 50 producers from the local Muong ethnic group, the fourth largest of Vietnam’s 54 ethnicities. The mountain paddies, whose colors range from emerald to chartreuse to gold, are impressive works of engineering and hydraulics. Compared to the fields in the plains, they require twice as much work for a smaller harvest. All of the rice varieties are grown organically and harvested twice a year. Alessandro Scarpa sandro.shoe@libero.it |

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- fedgazette - Publications & Papers | The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Not milk? Midwest dairy is dying, says the conventional wisdom. Not gonna happen, say district farmers Douglas Clement - Senior Writer Wisconsin imported milk last year. That bears repeating: Wisconsin imported milk. It's sad but true. Wisconsin—America's Dairyland, home of the Cheesehead, national epicenter of udders—couldn't produce enough milk to meet local demand in 2001. In order to reach production goals, Wisconsin cheese producers were forced to ship in milk from as far away as Texas. The inability of local dairy farmers to fully supply Wisconsin's cheesemakers last year is a symptom of what many consider a crisis in the Midwest dairy industry. And the decline of district dairy is a long—and some say inevitable—trend. Driven by technological advance and market consolidation, the dairy industry has undergone dramatic change in recent decades. Thousands of small dairy farms have gone out of business in Ninth District states, cow inventories have plummeted, milk production has dropped, and the center of dairy gravity has shifted relentlessly from the Midwest to the West Coast. But dairy farmers in the Ninth District aren't admitting defeat, and their recent responses to the decline have ranged from large-scale growth to innovative development of small-scale dairy niches. Wisconsin and other district states may never regain the title of America's Dairyland, but these farmers hope they might just stop the downward flow of Midwest milk. No more moo? For most of the 20th century, Wisconsin was the nation's top milk producer. A climate favorable to good forage and a culture of skilled dairy farmers producing quality product for local processors guaranteed steady growth to the industry and comfortable profitability. Similar assets made Minnesota a leading milk producer as well. Although cow numbers in district states have actually been declining for decades, the more worrisome trend since the late 1980s has been the faltering of total milk production. From a high of nearly 25 billion pounds of milk in 1988, Wisconsin production dropped 11 percent by 1997. Minnesota milk production dropped 12 percent during the same period, and other district states (far smaller producers of milk) dropped even more. Meanwhile, California increased production by 48 percent and other Western states showed similar growth trends. By 1994, California had surpassed Wisconsin as the nation's largest dairy producer and by 1998 was providing almost a fifth of the nation's milk. "[We're] talking about a crisis that's taking place in Wisconsin, and it's similar elsewhere in the Upper Midwest," noted Hank Wagner, board president of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) and owner of a 450-head dairy farm in Oconto Falls. "Dairy is rapidly leaving our state and growing in other parts of the country, so the crisis that is really taking shape is we're losing infrastructure, we're losing dairy farmers, and we're losing a lot of the income, the money that is put back into our state's economy." Indeed, last year's Wisconsin milk shortage was the result of a downward death spiral of milk supply and processing capacity: As milk farmers go out of business, local processors faced with excess capacity are forced to import from other states. They pay premium prices to cover the transportation, and their higher costs soon force them out of business, too. One analyst calls it "a dismal iterative process" in which Wisconsin loses scores of cheesemakers and other dairy processors just as it loses thousands of dairy farmers. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture The reasons for the Upper Midwest's decline as a milk producer are complex and often disputed. A steady fall in milk prices and consolidation among dairy processors and retail groceries (see "Dairy Concentrate" story below) are often highlighted as the causes. But the central question is why dairy farms in the Upper Midwest have wilted while Western dairies—faced with similar prices and equal levels of consolidation—have prospered. And the answers have a lot to do with economies of scale and both the willingness and ability of local dairy farmers to seek them out. Dairy Concentrate Part of the downward pressure on milk prices, according to some, is due to the power wielded by buyers, who have become fewer in number and greater in size, reflecting dramatic consolidation within the dairy industry similar to that seen elsewhere in agriculture. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), the market share of the top four dairy cooperatives increased from 72 percent to 77 percent between 1997 and 1999. The top four dairy wholesalers increased their market share from 69 percent to 76 percent over the same period. At the retail level, according to the National Milk Producers Federation, the top 10 supermarket chains control 52 percent of retail grocery sales, nearly twice their market share in 1987. Currently, two of the nation's major dairy companies, Suiza and Dean, are in the final stages of a merger that would give the combined company nearly a third of the US milk market. Decrying the merger, US Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont told the press that the merger would be a disaster for consumers and for farmers, "who can expect to be offered even lower prices for their labor and their products." Concentration levels have clearly risen significantly in US dairy, but whether this concentration has created effective market power—that is, the ability of buyers or sellers to influence prices—is unclear. Because of the complexity of the milk market, academic researchers have found it difficult to reach solid conclusions about the relationship between dairy industry consolidation and market power in milk. "When taken together, we found that these studies had mixed results," said the GAO in its June 2001 review of dairy industry prices and market structure. "While some studies reported that the increased concentration could lead to greater market power and higher prices, others noted that the increased concentration led to greater economies of scale and lower costs." Shrinking profits, fewer farms "The backbone of the Midwest dairy industry is the small family dairy, with 50 to 60 cows, and they're having difficulty competing," noted Paul Christ, a dairy industry consultant and former vice president at the Land O'Lakes dairy cooperative based in Arden Hills, Minn. "Milk prices in nominal terms have not increased." And when inflation is taken into account, prices paid to dairy farmers actually have fallen while their costs of production have increased. As dairy profits have declined or disappeared, less efficient producers have gone out of business, leading to dramatic drops in numbers of dairy farmers. Wisconsin lost 38 percent of its dairy farms in the last decade as roughly 13,000 dairy farms went out of business, leaving approximately 21,000 dairy operations today. The number of Minnesota dairy operations dropped 43 percent in the same period, from 15,000 a decade ago to about 8,500 currently. Small district dairy regions have suffered as well. Local officials in Michigan's Upper Peninsula estimate that there are just 200 dairy farms left in the U.P. currently, down from 460 in 1980. Long-term dairy farm trends have been far worse than farm trends generally. According to the USDA's agricultural census, while the number of all farms in the United States declined by half from 1959 to 1997, the number of farms with milk cows declined by over 90 percent. How beautiful is small? As dairy operations have struggled to survive, politicians and farm advocates have called for action to support small dairy farms. Last May, for instance, US Rep. Ron Kind of Wisconsin proposed incentive payments for dairy farmers, saying that otherwise "America risks losing the family dairy farms that have made us so strong." Such efforts may prolong the lives of traditional-scale farms, but they won't reverse the economic realities of dairy production. The fact is there are huge economies of scale in milk production, and dairy farms in the West have taken advantage of them. Midwest farms—until recently—have not. Technological advances in dairy production—from automated milking parlors to computer systems and management protocols—have dramatically increased dairy productivity, the number of pounds of milk a cow can produce. The average cow can produce four times more milk today than in 1930. But those technologies are most economical on large-scale operations, and small farmers have been unable or unwilling to grow large enough to incorporate them. A 1998 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities analysis of Minnesota dairy farms found that small dairy herds (under 100 head) averaged 17,699 pounds of milk per cow per year, whereas cows in large herds (300+) produced 21,284 pounds. As a result, Midwest dairy farms—predominantly small—have fallen behind in the milk productivity race. While California cows produce an average of 21,169 pounds of milk per year (16 percent above the national average of 18,204), Wisconsin cows produce just 17,306 and Minnesota cows produce 17,777. So why have local farmers tended to stay small, despite the apparent advantages of larger operations and new technology? At least three reasons are clear: federal policies, financial constraints and cultural barriers. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal protection program With the philosophy that every region and even every state should support its own dairy industry, federal policymakers for years propped up dairy prices at artificially high levels by agreeing to purchase surplus dairy products. Surplus cheese and milk powder was bought by the government and fed to school kids or sent overseas as part of the Food for Peace program. With protection from true competitive prices, small dairy farmers had little incentive to seek efficiencies and, therefore, little need to grow. When surplus purchases and price supports were reduced in the mid-1980s, milk prices dropped dramatically. In Wisconsin, for example, real milk prices fell from a peak of about $28 per hundredweight in 1979 to roughly $15 during the 1990s (in 2000 dollars). The price drop began to squeeze profits for dairy producers and the least efficient of them were forced out of business. Lack of capital Another factor has also played a significant role in preventing the expansion of the district dairy industry. Christ and other analysts note that even if a local dairy farmer wanted to expand the scale of his operation, a lack of ready access to capital has dimmed prospects for growth. "The trouble is that we don't have a very good financial base," said Christ. "The only source of financing has been personal equity and bank loans, and the banks have required a fairly large percentage of equity." A new or expanded dairy operation could easily cost around $5,000 per stall, including the cow. "So if you're talking a 1,000-cow deal, well, you're talking about a $5 million project," observed Harold Stanislawski, a Minnesota Department of Agriculture business adviser based in Fergus Falls. "A lot of banks, they'll say, okay, in order to make this work, you better bring 45 percent equity to the table. And you know, that's hard to do." California farmers, say analysts, were able to self-finance by selling off portions of their land, which appreciated rapidly in the West in the 1980s and 1990s. Upper Midwest farmers, by comparison, have had less equity and were less able to self-finance. Instead they've had to rely on the Small Business Administration's 504 program and USDA grants or loans. But such programs, designed years ago, provide limited capital. "Outmoded and outdated," Stanislawski said. Small minded? While federal subsidies diminished the need to increase efficiency and lack of capital curbed the impulse further still, dairy farmers in the Upper Midwest have faced an obstacle to growth that never challenged California farmers: the powerful cultural tradition of the small, family-based dairy farm. "I think there's been an important structural barrier, which was the notion that small is beautiful and big is bad," observed Al Mussell, senior research associate at the George Morris Centre, a Canadian agriculture think tank. Mussell analyzed the economics of the Upper Midwest's dairy industry as a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota. "A typical Minnesota or Wisconsin dairy farm was mom and pop and a couple of kids, 50 cows and 200 acres. There were certainly times when farms like that could be fairly profitable, but as a sustainable business venture ... it looks pretty bad." Mussell says the problem has been one of undercapitalization. There was "a culture in the Upper Midwest dairy industry that we've got a sustainable kind of family farm unit, and there's no need to go out and assume a whole bunch of overhead to try to get scale economies," he observed. Small dairy farmers in the Upper Midwest have tended not to believe that such economies truly exist, says Mussell, "when in fact, they're very large, and they just didn't get adopted." But unwillingness to grow in scale and invest in new technologies kept dairy farms in the Upper Midwest from improving productivity and maintaining competitiveness. "There are a lot of dairy farmers who are doing things today the same way that their parents did 'em 50 or 100 years ago," said PDPW's Wagner. "You can't do that and expect to have the same success that you had 50 or 100 years ago." Wagner says dairy farmers have to be far better managers than ever before because they face tougher competition, and that implies approaching dairy differently from before. "It means running the dairy farm as a business rather than running it as a way of life." Many district farmers are, in Stanislawski's words, "basically on the status quo page and just trying to get to retirement and call it a day." But others are bucking the trend, and there are signs of recovery in local dairy. Some, with assistance from extension services, are maintaining their basic scale of operation but increasing efficiency through new techniques and management, including relatively inexpensive changes like the elimination of stanchion or tie-stall barns in which cows must be led in, secured, released and led out for each milking, requiring more time and labor than freestall barns and milking parlors. But two developments with broader consequences are an increasing trend toward large-scale dairy operations in the district and the growth of niche producers. Dairy grandé In 1996, Tom and Wanda Hogness milked 110 cows. Five years later, with 1,000 head, they have the largest dairy operation in North Dakota. According to Wanda, the expansion was a gamble that paid off. "My husband's always had his heart in dairy," said Wanda. "So when we had an opportunity to expand, we thought, well, we're young, we can take a chance." The Hogness dairy farm—near Milnor, about 70 miles southwest of Fargo—employs the equivalent of 20 full-time employees, turning Tom into more of a manager than a milker, but freeing him from the grueling schedule of the smaller operation. "Before it was seven days a week, you know, morning [and] night milking," noted Wanda. "Now we can get away. It's still stressful and everything, but when we look at the difference between before and now, I guess we like it now." Large dairy farms like the Hogness operation are exceptional in North Dakota, but becoming closer to the norm for Wisconsin and Minnesota, where about 25 percent of dairy farms had over 200 head in 2000, an increase from under 6 percent in 1993. (By comparison, 97 percent of California dairy operations are 200 cows or larger; in fact, 78 percent have over 500 head.) Shane Goplin runs a 700-cow dairy farm with his father and brother in Osseo, Wisconsin, and crops about 1,500 acres to feed the cows. They might prefer a smaller operation, said Goplin, but steadily increasing costs have squeezed margins and pushed them to increase herd size. "Profits per unit goes down so you have to get more units" to make a living, said Goplin. "We're still a family farm. It's just a larger family farm." Move west, young cow Officials in western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota are also optimistic about large-scale dairy. Stanislawski said, "About 15,000 dairy cows have been put in the [western] corridor region" in recent years, mostly on larger operations. Better technology drives the scale, he says, but the balance sheet is the main influence. "If you can capitalize these things profitably and productively, you're going to see that your return on assets and equity are greater by having the scale there." Stanislawski predicts that Minnesota's dairy belt will move from southeastern and central Minnesota to western Minnesota and into South Dakota, driven by high land prices in the former region and low feed costs in the latter. Another westward draw is the recent announcement by Davisco, a Minnesota company, to build a $50 million mozzarella cheese plant in Lake Norden, South Dakota. And the South Dakota Ag Producer Ventures farmer cooperative is pushing a dairy development program that hopes to persuade farmers to buy "start-up kits" for $4,000 that would provide them with development plans for 2,500-head dairies. Nature's bounty In a mature industry faced with low margins, the two key strategies for survival are growth or specialization. Milk companies are growing through acquisition and many farms are growing their herds. But other farms are charting a future by developing high-profit dairy products, differentiated from standard dairy by stressing organic production or other more "natural" feeding or animal-raising techniques. In 1999, four farmers with about 375 "contented cows" in southeastern Minnesota formed PastureLand, a grass-fed dairy cow cooperative. Their high-fat, hormone- and antibiotic-free milk is processed into butter and cheese and sold in health food stores and food cooperatives at substantially higher prices than comparable conventional products. Across the Mississippi River, in La Farge, Wisconsin, a similar but far larger cooperative, the Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool (CROPP), coordinates organic product sales for 409 farmers in 15 states. CROPP sales, about 90 percent dairy, have grown from $9 million in 1995 to $100 million in 2001, and though organic milk constitutes less than 1 percent of total US milk consumption, the growth trend represents a significant market opportunity for a high-margin product. Dan Pearson, a fourth-generation dairy farmer in River Falls, Wisconsin, has been a CROPP member since 1996 and milks 75 organically fed cows. "From a dairying perspective, we're small," admitted Pearson. "The farms that I was keeping up with 10 years ago are now 200 to 400 cows. They've been growing constantly. But I guess probably just as many of them aren't in business anymore." Pearson pays more for organic corn and soy than a conventional dairy farmer would for standard feeds, but he reduces costs by rotationally grazing his cows on 8- to 10-acre pastures on the 160-acre farm. But while cost reduction is essential, the true edge for Pearson and other CROPP producers is the pricing advantage for their niche product. When prices for conventional milk were down in 2000 to between $10 and $12 per hundredweight, CROPP maintained an organic price of around $17. "That was a real test for us," said Pearson. "Could we hold our price with the regular price being down that low for that long? And we were able to hold it. So that showed us that we have a different product." Indeed, current retail prices for CROPP organic milk are 50 percent to 70 percent higher than for conventional milk. Doing things differently Whether or not Midwest dairy farmers can thrive by cutting costs, getting bigger and specializing their products will not be known for a while. A pessimistic signal came from Land O'Lakes and Alto Dairy last year when they decided not to build a new cheese plant in Wisconsin, concerned about, among other things, insufficient milk supply. But other observers are more optimistic. "Milk production has stabilized. In the last four or five years, there has been a fairly dramatic recapitalization in the dairy industry in Minnesota and Wisconsin. ... The long-run decline in total milk production, I think, has probably reversed itself," said dairy analyst Mussell. "As best I can tell, the Upper Midwest may have turned the corner on this." Or as Wagner, of PDPW, put it: "There still is money to be made in dairy. You just have to do things differently than you did 50 years ago." Top Tweet ... But state spending benefits visible fedgazette - March 2002 A fair price for whom? fedgazette - March 2002 Echo boomers are in their 20s Farm loans made easier for American Indians Farm safety at any speed

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April 2010 Archive for Global Farmer Network A Promise Worth Keeping Guest column - by Cheryl Koompin Farmers do their best to keep their promises. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of Washington--and now potato farmers like me are paying a steep price. So are American workers and consumers. The United States has blundered into a trade war with Mexico, brought on entirely by Washington’s refusal to live up to an international agreement it previously has supported. Regrettably, my country is entirely in the wrong and Mexico is wholly in the right. As a patriotic American, I hate to say this--but it’s the simple truth. Potato farmers all over the United States are collateral damage in this dispute--innocent victims in a clash of special interests. The good news is that President Obama has a chance to end this destructive game of “hot potato” in about three weeks, when President Felipe Calderón of Mexico visits the White House. Ending this harmful trade war should rank near the top of Obama’s agenda. The controversy has deep roots. Under the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the United States and Mexico were supposed to open their borders to each other’s trucks in 1995. Despite accepting this provision, our government never has kept its end of the bargain. It has refused to comply, essentially because Big Labor’s well-heeled bosses want special treatment. They don’t want to face the kind of competition that American workers in many other industries must confront every day. The promise-breaking protectionists have claimed that Mexican trucks aren’t safe enough for American roads. Nobody wants dangerous trucks driving on U.S. highways, of course. Yet this provocative claim is a sideshow--a diversion meant to stir up anxieties rather than address the central question of treaty obligations. In fact, independent studies have shown that Mexican carriers that participated in a Department of Transportation test program actually had better safety records than their American counterparts. Washington’s attempt to get out of its NAFTA commitment is disgraceful. This was obvious from the start, but it became even clearer when an international dispute resolution panel, which included American membership, ruled unanimously in favor of Mexico’s complaint. For more than a decade, Mexico tried to work out a compromise with Washington. It waited patiently, listening to new promises and hoping for a reasonable solution. Last year, however, it finally tired of the delays and excuses. It retaliated, imposing $2.4 billion in new tariffs on a wide range of American-made products. Potato farms in the northwest have taken a direct hit, due to a 20-percent tariff hike on frozen-potato products. Sales to Mexico have fallen drastically. Because of this, potato prices have fallen. We’re putting fewer potatoes in the ground and making across-the-board cuts to our farming operations. Farmers aren’t the only people affected. Potato-processing plants in our area are laying-off workers. The poor economic climate accounts for some of this downturn, but not all of it. Washington’s refusal to abide by its treaty obligations has taken a bad situation and made it worse. Farmers are losing income and workers are losing jobs because public officials want to appease a special interest. The big winner in all of this is Canada. Its sales in frozen-potato products have increased almost exactly as much as ours have diminished. We’ve surrendered market share--and the jobs that come with it--to a foreign competitor. With Calderón’s visit to Washington on May 19, Obama ought to announce an end to the trade war. It would certainly serve his political interests. He came into office on a pledge to improve America’s image in the world. And earlier this year, in his State of the Union address, he committed his administration to doubling U.S. exports in the next five years. He should now compel Washington to live up to its diplomatic commitments and create the opportunity for American farmers and manufacturers to sell more of what they grow and make to customers in Mexico. Promises such as these are worth keeping. Cheryl Koompin is a partner in Koompin Farms, producing commercial and seed potatoes, feed corn, fresh peas, wheat, medicinal safflower and mustard in Power County, Idaho. Cheryl is a guest author for Truth About Trade & Technology. www.truthabouttrade.org Wanted: Ethical Treatment for Livestock AND Producers Producing Conservation Playing Games With Eggs

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‘Fresh from Florida’ export sales hit $4.1 billion By John BuchananCentral Florida’s Agri-Leader Published: June 4, 2014 Agricultural exports under the “Fresh from Florida” marketing program developed and run by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) increased to $4.1 billion in 2013. FDACS now has formal relationships with 39 international retail chains representing 4,389 stores in 27 countries, said Dan Sleep, supervisor and senior analyst in the department’s division of marketing and development. The retail initiative, which began in 2000 with 298 stores in Florida, expanded to international sales in 2002. For 2013, the two biggest export crops were strawberries and tomatoes, Sleep said. That international success is important because growers of both commodities face ever-increasing competition from international producers such as Mexico and Chile. Expanding export sales is one key way for Florida growers to offset that competition and continue to increase total annual sales. The fastest-growing major markets with more than $50 million in annual exports between 2009 and 2013 are South Korea, Germany, Chile, Brazil and Colombia. The largest year-over-year sales increases for markets with more than $20 million in 2012 exports were Hong Kong, up a whopping 60.9 percent; Colombia, up 43.1 percent; Peru, up 39.l percent; Germany, up 34.2 percent, and Russia, up 24.3 percent. The top 10 destinations, which accounted for 55.9 percent of total exports, are Canada, Netherlands, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and Jamaica. A critical factor is FDACS’s success has been its aggressive promotion of “Fresh from Florida” branding. “That’s what we rally around and advertise with,” Sleep said. “It has now been incorporated into every aspect of what we do.” In turn, the ability to have their products easily branded in a way that has growing international recognition and appeal is one of the key benefits to growers who get involved with FDACS marketing efforts. “It gives the products instantaneous recognition and instantaneous acceptance,” Sleep said. The next most important benefit to participating growers, Sleep said, is sophisticated market intelligence data. “We have a lot of information at our fingertips about the market situation in each country and about the retailers that operate there,” he said. “But the real benefit, I think, is that we have established relationships with these retailers, which means that the growers do not have to spend the time and resources to develop those from scratch.” That is particularly important to smaller growers who have the ability to produce high-quality products, but do not have marketing departments that can efficiently generate international sales, Sleep said. A third benefit is cooperative representation at major international trade shows such as PMA, SIAL and Anuga. Based on demand, FDACS buys a large block of exhibit space to serve as a centralized “Fresh from Florida Pavilion” and then subcontracts fee-based portions of it to individual growers. A growing number of Florida producers are finding value in an export sales relationship with FDACS. “We participate with them a great deal in these program,” said Joel Sellers, international sales manager at citrus juice marketer Florida’s Natural Growers, which has worked with FDACS for eight years. Chris Barranco, manager of the company’s international sales department, said, “We have a limited budget, so the combination of the [general support] from the state and the ‘Fresh from Florida’ branding helps us sell our products into other markets. It helps promote Florida products in general. And since we have the ‘Florida’s Natural’ name on our products, that really works well.” FDACS also sometimes approaches specific producers with active market leads. For example, last year they approached Florida’s Natural Growers about an opportunity to sell packaged grapefruit juice to the Outback Steak House chain in South Korea for eight months of the year when fresh grapefruit is not available. “They knew we were already in the market,” Barranco said, “so they said, ‘Why don’t we work together on this to sell more Florida product in South Korea?’” The deal is now being negotiated. As a result of such success stories, FDACS is now being even more aggressive in its outreach to growers, Sleep said. “We have looked at and reached out, in a very formalized way, to farmers across the state -- much more so than we have in the past,” Sleep said. “We have a dedicated team in place that goes to and participates in many of the state’s industry events, whether that’s one hosted by the Blueberry Association or Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) or nursery growers. That means they don’t have to hunt for us. We’re out there hunting for them.” Victim shot after stealing marijuana from suspect Fun at the Children’s Museum Sebring’s Tucker on to next level Tourism director resigns

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Industry National inventory created for wild relatives of key crops By Agricultural Research Service A first-of-its-kind inventory for wild and weedy relatives of important crops has been developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists and their collaborators. According to Stephanie Greene, a plant geneticist with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the inventory was created to aid the conservation of these so-called "crop wild relatives" (CWRs) and ensure their availability as prized sources of genetic diversity for an array of economically important traits, including improved drought tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases. Greene and her colleagues prioritized the U.S. national inventory based on factors such as how closely related the wild species are to crops, especially those grown for food; their availability in gene banks or protected habitat areas, and the ease or difficulty of transferring desirable traits from the wild species to their cultivated "cousins." All told, the inventory covers 4,596 taxa from 985 genera and 194 plant families that are either indigenous to the United States or have become naturalized—established of their own accord following human introduction. Among CWR of major crops, the genus Helianthus (sunflower) is the most abundant, numbering 73 total taxa, including H. annuus (domesticated as the sunflower). Other important CWRs include species closely related to strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, and stone fruits such as cherries and plums. There are many examples of native wild U.S. species that have played key roles in ensuring the continued health and productivity of crops grown worldwide, according to Greene, who works at the ARS Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research Unit worksite in Prosser, Wash. The inventory itself lists 17 major crops that have benefitted from traits associated with 55 native CWR. A recent example is cultivated sunflowers worldwide, which have benefitted from wild North American relatives in the form of resistance to rust, sclerotinia, downy mildew and other diseases and pests. germplasmwild speciesgenetic diversitynative species About the Author:

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Leafy Greens Council appoints new executive director following death of Ray Clark by Maggie Giuffrida | July 18, 2013 The Leafy Greens Council appointed Beth Brown to the role of executive director July 1 following the death of former executive director Ray Clark on June 6. "It is with great sadness that I must announce the loss of Ray Clark, executive director of the Leafy Greens Council," Jeff Greene, president of the council, wrote in a letter to members. "As one of the founding members of the council, Ray had true enthusiasm for the leafy green commodities, the industry and for educating our nation on the benefit of leafy greens. Beth BrownThis was a lifelong passion for him. Ray's dedication and efforts were a crucial part of the continued success [of the Leafy Greens Council], and we all will truly miss him." Clark, along with Robert Strube Sr. of Strube Celery & Vegetable Co. in Chicago, established the council in 1974. The council was based in St. Paul, MN, during Clark's tenure, but it is now headquartered in Waterport, NY, where Brown lives with her husband. Originally focused on promoting marketing strategies for fresh spinach, the council has since expanded over the years to encompass all leafy greens products. "Ray was dedicated to promoting these products, along with educating consumers on the major nutritional benefits they provide," Brown told the Produce News July 17. "Being Ray's successor, I am focused on continuing his legacy and his hopes for the Leafy Greens Council. As executive director, I look forward to being an advocate for the leafy greens commodities and the membership's interests, promote and expand membership in the council, and continue the council's marketing and educational opportunities in the produce industry." Having grown up on a wholesale fresh market vegetable farm in the Eden Valley area of New York, the produce industry has always played a significant role in Brown's life. She attended SUNY-Oswego, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration. Since then, she has been working in the human resources field for the last six years. Brown currently resides in Waterport, NY, on her husband's family fruit farm where they grow apples and a variety of berries, as well as operate a farm market. "The agricultural industry as a whole has always been and continues to be important to me," she said. "Therefore, being executive director of the Leafy Greens Council provides me the opportunity to promote a very important sector of the produce industry." Clark, who was 89 years old, is survived by his wife, Elly Clark, three children, and several grandchildren. A memorial service was scheduled for July 24 in St. Paul, MN. Videos

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Pond Management Bee Species Bionda dell’Adamello Goat The Bionda dell’Adamello goat is a breed of domestic goat raised primarily for milk production. The breed is also known as Adany, Bionda or Mustàscia. It is an indigenous breed from the Val Camonica in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy in northern Italy. Bionda dell’Adamello goat takes it’s name from the massif of the Adamello, part of the Adamello-Presanella subsection of the Rhaetian Alps, and from the color of it’s hair – Boinda in Italian which means Fair. But the breed is kept mainly in the Val Camonica, the Val Saviore and the mountains of Brescia. And some goats are found in the neighboring areas of the provinces of Bergamo to the west and Trento to the east. Bionda dell’Adamello goat breed appears to be of ancient origin. It shares some characteristics with the Swiss Toggenburg goat (notably the Swiss markings with white facial stripes, white lower limbs and peri-anal area). The breed was available and established well before the importation of Toggenburg bucks to the area. The Bionda dell’Adamello goat is one of the 43 autochthonous Italian goat breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept. The herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep- and goat-breeders, and was activated in 1997. Registered population of the Bionda dell’Adamello goat was variously reported as 3148 and as 2772 at the end of 2013. Today the breed is mainly used for milk production. Read more information about this Italian goat breed below. Bionda dell’Adamello goat is a beautiful medium to large sized breed of goat. It has a coat color with shades ranging from light brown to blonde. Their underbelly is white, extending from the chest to the tail and includes the inner thighs. There are two white streaks on the head extended from ear to snout attack. Their hair is usually long. Both bucks and does are usually bearded and have horns. Average body weight of the bucks is about 70-75 kg, and average body weight of the does is about 55-60 kg. Info and photo from Wikipedia. Bionda dell’Adamello is a dairy goat breed. It is mainly kept for milk production. But the breed is also suitable for wool and meat production. The Bionda dell’Adamello goats are beautiful animal, typically with good behavior. The does are good milk producers. Average milk production of the does is 303 ± 108 liters for secondiparous, and 361 ± 122 liters for pluriparous, nannies. Milk of the Bionda dell’Adamello goat is of good qualities. Their milk on average contain about 3.16 percent fat and about 2.97 percent protein. Review full breed profile of the Bionda dell’Adamello goat in the following chart. Bionda dell’Adamello Goat | Breed Profile Breed Name Bionda dell’Adamello Other Name Adany, Bionda or Mustàscia Breed Purpose About 70-75 kg Climate Tolerance All Climates Coat Color Ranging from light brown to blonde Good for Stall Fed Country/Place of Origin Related Posts Goat Laoshan Goat Verata Goat Jakharana Goat Khari Goat Best Dairy Goats Toggenburg Goat Jining Grey Goat Leave a Comment Cancel reply Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. ROYSFARM Recent Posts Scottish Blackface Sheep Serrai Sheep Shetland Sheep Shropshire Sheep Skudde Sheep Soay Sheep Sopravissana Sheep Popular Posts Goat Farming Business Plan For Beginners Poultry Farming Goat Farming How To Build A Poultry House Layer Poultry Farming Rabbit Farming Quail Farming Subscribe ROY'S FARM via Email Subscribe ROY'S FARM newsletter for news, updates and receiving notifications of new posts by email. Email Address Follow @FarmRoys Modern Farming Methods Copyright © 2017. Popular Poultry Recommended Bee

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Biography of Charles Wilbur McCampbell Posted By Associate professor of animal husbandry in the State Agricultural College at Manhattan and secretary of the State Livestock Registry Board whose offices are in the same city, Charles W. McCampbell is a native Kansan and for ten years had broadened and amplified his experience and authoritative knowledge of all phases of the livestock industry, not only with reference to Kansas but to the world at large. While he had perhaps rendered his greatest service as an instructor of the younger generation of Kansas farmers, some of his practical demonstration work and experiments have attracted national attention from livestock men. He was born on his father’s farm in Marshall County, Kansas, February 1, 1882, is still a young man, and his usefulness had not yet reached its prime. He comes of two old and highly respected American families. The McCampbells are of Scotch ancestry, and from that stock he inherits the traits and characteristics which have made Scotch people leaders in every part of the world. In the maternal line he is of English and German ancestry. In both lines the family had been represented in Kansas since pioneer times. His maternal grandfather, Heber Freeman, came to Kansas in 1862, settling in Washington County. The paternal grandfather, William McCampbell arrived in Kansas in 1869 and also settled in Marshall County. Both grandparents came from Iowa. The parents, James A. and Kate (Freeman) McCampbell, were born in Ohio and were married after they came to Kansas. They then settled on a farm in Marshall County, and after many years of industry there moved to Manhattan, where they now reside. They have two sons, Charles Wilbur and Andrew Delos. Both sons grew up partly in Marshall County and partly in Wabaunsee County. Charles W. McCampbell attended the public schools at Alma, Kansas, then attended the Normal University at Salina, and having definitely determined that his tastes and inclinations were toward the agricultural profession, he entered the Kansas State Agricultural College at Manhattan, where he was graduated Bachelor of Science in 1906. The year following his graduation was spent in the employ of the United States Department of Agriculture in the Bureau of Animal Industry. With this practical experience he returned to the Agricultural College at Manhattan, and continued his studies in the veterinary school until graduating in 1910 with the degree D. V. M. He then became an instructor in the department of animal husbandry at the college. Concurrently with the latter office he had held the position of secretary of the Kansas State Livestock Registry Board. Through these two positions he had carried on his work which had brought him an enviable reputation. A few years ago Mr. McCampbell carried out the most extensive and carefully managed horse feeding experiment ever conducted, and undoubtedly the most valuable from a practical standpoint. The results of this experiment are now considered as a standard of reference among progressive horsemen all over the country. Mr. McCampbell is president of the National Association of State Livestock Registry Boards, is a member of the American Society of Animal Production, and is secretary of the Kansas Horse Breeders Association. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi, the Alpha Zeta, the Alpha Pai, all national fraternities, and a member of the Beta Theta Pi social fraternity. In 1913 he married Miss Jessie Edwina Apitz of Manhattan. https://www.accessgenealogy.com/kansas/biography-of-charles-wilbur-mccampbell.htm Click

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Trade Promotion Authority Key to U.S. Export Growth THE AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION The elimination of trade barriers and subsidies is a necessity if U.S. agriculture is to remain competitive in the global economy. This is most often accomplished through preferential or regional trade agreements. The United States is a part of only two of the more than 130 preferential trade agreements that are currently in force throughout the world. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) would strengthen the ability of the United States to negotiate positive regional trade agreements. President George W. Bush and Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman agree that without TPA the U.S. will lose many new market opportunities. “One of the most important tools we have in the struggle to remain competitive is Trade Promotion Authority,” said Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture. Trade Promotion Authority allows the Administration to negotiate trade agreements and then present them to Congress for an up-or-down vote. In the absence of TPA, other countries are refusing to negotiate final agreements with the U.S. because they would be subject to further change. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said exports account for more than 25 percent of farm income, which makes it one of the most export-dependent sectors of the economy. U.S. producers and processors ship a billion dollars in food and farm products to foreign customers on average each week. “The long-term prosperity of the U.S. food and agriculture sector depends on our ability to stay ahead of the competition in the global economy,” Veneman said. “With TPA we can enter into agreements to eliminate trade barriers and roll back trade-distorting subsidies.” American Soybean Association (ASA) Chairman Tony Anderson, a soybean grower from Mt. Sterling, Ohio, met with President George W. Bush in June to talk about the support of soybean producers for TPA. Agriculture makes one of the largest contributions to the U.S. trade balance, and soybeans are the largest farm export. Exports of soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil totaled more than $7 billion last year. U.S. soybean farmers are dependent on export demand for half of each year's crop. With production increasing, TPA would increase access to foreign markets and help raise soybean prices — which are currently at 27-year lows. “World economic growth and increased soy export opportunities brought about by reduced trade barriers is important to soybean farmers. With 96 percent of the world's population living outside our borders, growth in export demand must be part of our long term strategy,” Anderson said. “TPA is essential if U.S. soybean farmers are going to remain competitive in the world market. Otherwise, we will be left behind as global trade continues to expand.” Trade Promotion Authority is key to creating new market opportunities for U.S. food and agriculture products in global markets. “The U.S. must no longer hamstring its own negotiating power,” Anderson said. “Other oilseed exporting countries are actively negotiating trade agreements with many of our key customers. The European Union, Canada, Brazil and Argentina do not allow amendment of these agreements by their legislatures, and we need to operate on the same basis.” TPA will provide President Bush with a tool that is essential to helping the farm economy grow by making it possible for U.S. producers to compete in an always changing global market. “We need Trade Promotion Authority,” Veneman said. “It is absolutely critical to empower our negotiators at the bargaining table and to provide our trading partners with the assurance they need that we will back up our commitments.” “TPA would still give Congress and the public the opportunity to help shape U.S. policy before our officials are sent to the negotiating table,” Anderson said. “This authority would strengthen the U.S. voice at key upcoming negotiations, including the World Trade Organization Ministerial meeting in November.” Trade Promotion Authority legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and Frank Murkowski (R-AK). In the House of Representatives, a TPA bill was introduced by Representative Philip Crane (R-IL). The American Soybean Association is a national commodity organization with 28,500 members and affiliation with 29 states. For membership details, call 1-800-688-7692. Source URL: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/trade-promotion-authority-key-us-export-growth

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Bernardino County JOHN PERRY ENSLEY ����������� The late John Perry Ensley accomplished the work of a pioneer in the development of Ontario�s horticultural interests, and first and last performed a great deal of conscientious, valuable service for the community from a civic standpoint.� He had been a resident of Ontario for more than four decades when he passed away November 15, 1930, at the age of seventy-seven years.� He was born near Auburn, Indiana, October 9, 1853, his parents being George and Lydia (Noel) Ensley, natives of Pennsylvania.� The Ensley�s are of original German stock, though the family has been represented in America for a number of generations.� George Ensley was born in 1815 and died in California in 1888.� The death of his wife occurred in Indiana in 1884.� They were the parents of nine children, John Perry being the seventh in order of birth.� George Ensley removed westward to California in the fall of 1886, acquiring property in Ontario, where he spent the remainder of his life.� He had been in earlier years a farmer but possessed the all-around mechanical genius that enabled him to succeed in almost every occupation.� At one time he operated a sawmill of his own construction, and after coming to California he turned his attention to orange growing. ����������� John Perry Ensley was a thoroughly well-educated gentleman.� He graduated from the Auburn high school in Indiana and attended the Indiana State University.� He taught eight winter terms of school, and refused the office of principal of the Auburn schools.� While he did well as a teacher, it was not an occupation altogether to his liking, and his preference was for the practical side of farming. ����������� In 1884 he married Miss Clara B. Clark, a native of Indiana, and in 1886 for the benefit of her health, he came to Ontario and bought twenty acres of wild land at the northeast corner of Eighteenth Street and Euclid Avenue.� This he cleared and planted to citrus fruits during 1887.� His father in the meantime had purchased five acres of oranges on West Fourth Street and also ten acres of unimproved land on West G Street.� After his father�s death Mr. Ensley bought out the interests of the heirs and developed the unimproved tract to citrus fruits.� All of this land he actually improved by his own labors and efforts, and in addition to his thirty-five acres of producing groves he had other valuable investments, including his modern residence, which was constructed a number of years ago.� His prosperity was the result of his indefatigable industry and well directed energy. ����������� By his first marriage Mr. Ensley had two children, one dying in infancy.� His son, Oliver P. Ensley, born in Indiana, May 6, 1886, graduated from the Chaffey high school at Ontario and from the University of Southern California, where he pursued both classical and law courses.� He was admitted to the bar in 1912 and during that year pursued a commercial course in the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York.� He is a successful practicing attorney of Hemet, California, and fraternally is affiliated with the Masons and the Odd Fellows.� Oliver Ensley married Miss Catherine Todd, of Indiana, in June, 1919, and they have three sons:� Edward Clark, born March 23, 1921; Harold, born May 9, 1922; and George, born December 9, 1927. ����������� John P. Ensley lost his first wife at Ontario, August 1, 1888, and his father died on the 26th of the same month.� On the 25th of July, 1894, Mr. Ensley married Elizabeth Borthwick, who was born in Liverpool, England, October 23, 1865, her parents being John P. and Margaret (Dunn) Borthwick, natives of Scotland and Ireland, respectively.� John P. Borthwick crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his family in 1869, locating first at Scranton, Pennsylvania, whence in April, 1884, he came west to Ontario, California, where he was a pioneer jeweler.� He died April 9, 1908, and his wife passed away in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.� Their daughter Elizabeth was educated in the public schools of the Keystone state.� She was one of the first young ladies to live in Ontario, and by her marriage to John P. Ensley she became the mother of five children, three of whom survive.� Laura Isabelle, born April 2, 1899, is a graduate of the Chaffey Union High School and the University of Southern California.� She is the wife of Fred Smith, of Riverside, and the mother of a son, Richard.� Gladys Theresa, born December 24, 1901, is a graduate of the Chaffey Union High School, the Chaffey Junior College and the University of Southern California.� She married John Poyet of Anaheim.� Elizabeth Borthwick born August 7, 1906, is the wife of Lyle P. Rathbun, a successful dentist of Ontario.� She was graduated from Chaffey Union High School and the University of Southern California. ����������� Long a prominent Democrat, John P. Ensley was a member of the Democratic Central Committee for a number of years.� He always worked for good, clean government and decent citizenship.� He served as trustee of Ontario for fifteen years, having been elected a member of the first board at the incorporation of Ontario and serving for nine years.� Later he acceded to the insistent demand of his fellow citizens and became a candidate for trustee, serving this second time a total of six years and being largely instrumental in the building of good roads.� For three years he was a director of the San Antonio Water Company, and at all times he manifested an active interest in movements for the benefit of citrus growers as well as in measures instituted to promote the general welfare of the community� He was a director of the A Street Citrus Association.� It is our duty to mark our appreciation of such a man � a man true in every relation of life, faithful to every trust.� Mrs. Ensley still resides in the old family home at 126 West D Street in Ontario, where she has a host of friends.� She is affiliated with the Rebekah lodge and also has membership in the Pioneers Society of San Bernardino County. Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta. Source: California of the South Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 53-56, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles,� Indianapolis.� 1933. � 2012 �V. Gerald Iaquinta. NUGGET'S SAN BERNARDINO� BIOGRAPIES NUGGET INDEX

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Sign Up To Receive 90.5 WESA E-Newsletters Farm Show Open Without Radio By Mary Wilson & Essential Public Radio Staff One tradition stretching back to the 1940s is not part of this year's Pennsylvania Farm Show. In past years, Penn State's Extension agents would cover every inch of the Farm Show and then offer customized stories to rural radio stations. "You know, little Johnny Smith won third prize in the youth swine competition, for instance," said Chad Gill of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, "So it got local names — people's names and local town names — into the broadcast." The radio team's budget was cut by the extension service following the latest state budget. "So we just no longer had the human resources available to support this effort," said Gill. "It was one of those things when you have budget cuts, you sometimes have to make some tough decisions about what you can continue to do and what you have to stop doing, and this is a casualty of that." Gill said that the change coincides with a decades-long trend of a Farm Show more focused on attracting new visitors than reporting exhibit results to the folks back home. "A large percentage of the people who come to Farm Show are not farmers," said Gill. "They are consumers, city folk, suburbanites. They're people that are coming out to eat food, go to the rodeo, and take in some of the entertainment." © 2016 90.5 WESA

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2012 / The Future Is In the Dirt: A Talk by Ben Hewitt The Future Is In The Dirt: A Talk by Ben Hewitt Story posted September 06, 2012Event date(s): September 20, 2012 — May 24, 2013Talk: Thursday, September 27, 7:00pm Lunch: 12:15-1:15 Hutchinson Room, Thorne Hall Kresge Auditorium, Visual Art Center This talk is open to the public free of charge Local Farms- Local Food, a collaboration between the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, has partnered with Bowdoin to welcome national selling author and New England Farmer Ben Hewitt. Ben was born and raised in northern Vermont, where he currently runs a small-scale, diversified hill farm with his family. He lives with his wife and two sons in a self-built home that is powered by a windmill and solar photovoltaic panels. To help offset his renewable energy footprint, Ben drives a really big truck. His work has appeared in numerous national periodicals, including the New York Times Magazine, Wired, Gourmet, Discover, Skiing, Eating Well, Yankee Magazine, Powder, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, and Outside. Local agriculture can add strength and vibrancy to a community. With recent national attention focused on the climate woes of farmers throughout the country, the increase in food transportation costs, the rising unease of food related health concerns, and the growing need for economic sustainability in smaller communities, Hewitt's work focuses on local agriculture's benefits to public, economic, and environmental health. "The devastating drought over our nation's heartland and the ongoing economic plight affecting us all are stark reminders of the vulnerabilities inherent to consolidated agriculture and financial systems," said Hewitt. "Localizing food production is the quickest, healthiest, tastiest, and downright most effective way to revitalize communities and the people who comprise them. The future's in the dirt, and that's a good thing." Hewitt's talk will cover how a regionalized food-based system can be used to create economic development, how weaning Americans off their dependence on industrial food improves public health, and how communities all over New England can become sustainable food hubs similar to what has been created in Hardwick, Vermont. Ben is the author of two books, The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food and Making Supper Safe: One Man’s Quest to Learn the Truth About Food Safety. To continue the conversation in the following weeks, Local Farms-Local Food will partner with local libraries in Bath, Brunswick, and Topsham for a regional community read of Hewitt's first book, The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food. Three public book discussions for the community read will occur at: Patten Free Library, Bath, Wednesday, October 17, at 4 pm in the Community Room Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, Thursday October 18 at 7 pm in the Morrell Meeting Room Topsham Public Library, Topsham, Wednesday October 24 at 1 pm in the Highlands Community Room Copies of the book will be available for sale at the Sept 27 presentation at for $13.50, at the Bowdoin bookstore,and at Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, the Bath Book Shop, or available for loan at the three libraries hosting public discussions.

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Rohr: Time for a New Approach to Ethanol Mandates Email By Mark Rohr Dec. 17, 2012, 11:33 a.m. After contending with a political firestorm, on Nov. 16 the EPA announced that it will not temporarily waive federal requirements for blending ethanol into America�s fuel supply. Corn farmers and many ethanol producers are happy because they want no change in the status quo. But critics of the ethanol requirements who wanted the requirements suspended include eight U.S. governors, 200 members of Congress, livestock producers, environmentalists and U.N. officials concerned with world hunger. When such a broad coalition indicates that something is broken, it behooves policymakers to consider how to fix it. This recent furor should motivate Congress and the Obama administration to take a new approach to the ethanol mandates, which are codified in the renewable-fuel standard that was last modified in 2007. Critics of the RFS rightly point out that because ethanol is produced almost exclusively from corn, food prices have spiked in the U.S. and abroad, and the environment has been degraded. But while some critics want Congress to reduce the amount of ethanol required for America�s fuel supply, this would make it more difficult to wean ourselves off foreign oil. Instead, policymakers should revise the RFS to promote new alternatives for ethanol production, using technologies that were unavailable in 2007. Adding more ethanol to our fuel supply is a great idea, but relying so heavily on corn-based ethanol is not. Mandates in the RFS have forced about 40 percent of the U.S. corn crop to be used for fuel this year, even in the midst of a record-breaking U.S. drought. World Bank researchers � among many others � have blamed the depletion of corn from our food supply for soaring global food and feed costs. According to an American Farm Bureau Federation survey, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner this year was about 35 percent higher than it was in 2005, when the RFS was first passed. The U.S. government should be doing everything possible right now to curb food prices, rather than ignoring the problems inherent in corn-based ethanol. The RFS encourages other sources of ethanol, mandating a gradual increase in its production from non-corn sources such as grass, tree bark and municipal waste � �cellulosic� ethanol. But these advanced biofuels have shown little promise. As a result, the EPA has had to revise the requirement for cellulosic EVERY year to something well short of the 500 million gallons that was originally mandated for ethanol production in 2012. Clearly, cellulosic will not be commercially viable to meet even minimal short-term RFS requirements. Over the long term, Congress has mandated that 36 billion gallons of ethanol be produced by 2022, and that 21 billion gallons come from non-corn sources. Relying on cellulosic technology to reach this ambitious goal is just wishful thinking, not sound policy. Watch Live: Senate Hearing on Federal Prison System 1 minute ago

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updated: 11/17/2012 1:28 PM Is giant reed a 'miracle plant' or the next kudzu? A worker from the San Diego River Conservancy sprays previously mowed, re-sprouting Arundo donax in Santee, Calif. Associated Press/March 5, 2012 Farming director Sam Brake shows a "rhizome" from an Arundo donax plant in a test plot near the Biofuels Center of North Carolina in Oxford, N.C. Associated Press/Oct. 1, 2012 photo Crews cut and haul Arundo donax to higher areas where mowers can grind it in Bonsall, Calif. California has spent more than $70 million trying to eradicate the invasive, self-propagating perennial. Associated Press/Jan. 29, 2008 Farming director Sam Brake bends a stalk of Arundo donax toward the ground in a test plot behind the Biofuels Center of North Carolina. Associated Press/Oct. 1, 2012 OXFORD, N.C. -- It's fast-growing and drought-tolerant, producing tons of biomass per acre. It thrives even in poor soil and is a self-propagating perennial, so it requires little investment once established. To people in the renewable fuels industry, Arundo donax -- also known as "giant reed" -- is nothing short of a miracle plant. An Oregon power plant is looking at it as a potential substitute for coal, and North Carolina boosters are salivating over the prospect of an ethanol bio-refinery that would bring millions of dollars in investment and dozens of high-paying jobs to hog country. But to many scientists and environmentalists, Arundo looks less like a miracle than a nightmare waiting to happen. Officials in at least three states have banned the bamboo-like grass as a "noxious weed"; California has spent more than $70 million trying to eradicate it. The federal government has labeled it a "high risk" for invasiveness. Many are comparing Arundo, which can reach heights of 30 feet in a single season, to another aggressive Asian transplant -- the voracious kudzu vine. More than 200 scientists recently sent a letter to the heads of federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of Agriculture and Energy, urging them not to encourage the commercial planting of known invasives like Arundo. "Many of today's most problematic invasive plants -- from kudzu to purple loosestrife -- were intentionally imported and released into the environment for horticultural, agricultural, conservation, and forestry purposes," they wrote Oct. 22. "It is imperative that we learn from our past mistakes by preventing intentional introduction of energy crops that may create the next invasive species catastrophe particularly when introductions are funded by taxpayer dollars." Mark Conlon, vice president for sector development at the nonprofit Biofuels Center of North Carolina in Oxford, hates the comparison with "the weed that ate the South." "There's no market for kudzu," says Conlon, who is among those promoting a proposed $170 million, 20 million-gallon-a-year ethanol project here -- and Arundo's role in it. "There's no reason to manage it. It was thrown out in the worst places you can think of and left there." His message about Arundo: It'll be different this time. We can control it. But Mark Newhouser, who has spent nearly 20 years hacking this "nasty plant" from California's riverbanks and wetlands, has his doubts. "Why take a chance?" he asks. The back wall of the North Carolina biofuels center's lobby is dominated by a large timeline, beginning with the General Assembly's 2006 recognition of the state's potential as a biofuels leader. The display ends with a panel declaring "10% in 10 Years" -- meaning that by 2017, a decade after the center's creation, officials hope companies here will be producing the equivalent of a tenth of the liquid transportation fuels consumed in the state annually, or 600 million gallons of renewable biofuel a year. "An extraordinarily audacious goal," W. Steven Burke, the center's president and CEO, says proudly. Near the middle of the timeline is this: "November 2011: 50-acre energy grass propagation nursery established with Arundo donax." The center's staff has explored a variety of biofuel raw materials, from food crops like corn, sugar beets and industrial sweet potatoes, to cottonwood and loblolly pine trees. Even pond scum -- or duckweed. All were either hard to raise in quantity, too expensive or more valuable for other uses. The staff also studied so-called "energy grasses" -- giant Miscanthus, coastal Bermudagrass, switchgrass. Out behind the center, farming director Sam Brake planted test plots of four varieties of sorghum. But for hardiness, ease of cultivation and maintenance, and, above all, yield per acre, none comes even close to Arundo donax. "Wow! Exclamation point," says Burke, who, in his matching gray suit and shirt and with his snow-white hair and beard, evokes the evangelical preacher. Believed to have sprung from the Indian subcontinent, Arundo has spread around the globe. Europeans have been using it for centuries in the production of reeds for woodwind instruments. Like kudzu, which came to the United States as part of Japan's exhibit at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Arundo arrived here in the mid- to late 19th century. And also like kudzu, Arundo was once touted as a perfect crop to help stem erosion. In California and Texas, farmers, ranchers and government workers enthusiastically planted it along waterways and drainage ditches. Shallow rooted, the canes would break off and move downstream, starting new stands. Arundo has become "naturalized" in 25 warmer-weather states, according to a USDA weed risk analysis released in June. In banning it, California, Nevada and Texas have said the plant crowds out native species and consumes precious water. The Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council lists it as a "Significant Threat." Virginia officials have labeled it "moderately invasive." The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has categorized giant reed as "occasionally invasive." But that might change if it were to be promoted as a commercial crop, says Elizabeth Byers, a vegetation ecologist with the agency's wildlife diversity unit. "I certainly wouldn't want to see any invasive species used as biomass," she says. "Because they can escape." North Carolina is keeping an eye on Arundo, but the folks in Oxford say past need not be prologue. Earlier this fall, Chemtex International christened the world's first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in the northwest Italian city of Crescentino. Turning inedible biomass into sugars, the company hopes to produce up to 20 million gallons of fuel a year. By mid-2013, Chemtex wants to break ground on a like-sized plant that would employ 67 people in North Carolina. It has set its sights on the little city of Clinton, in the heart of hog country. David Crouse, a soil scientist at North Carolina State University, says energy grass production and the Tar Heel State are "a logical match" -- depending on which grass it is. Spread across the state's coastal plain are about 100,000 acres of so-called sprayfields, onto which industrial farming operations pump millions of gallons of hog and chicken waste per year. In order to comply with federal clean water regulations for runoff of nutrients such as nitrogen, many of those fields are already planted with energy grasses, chiefly coastal Bermudagrass. In terms of yield, Arundo far outpaces the competition -- up to 20 dry tons per acre, versus 3 to 6 tons for Bermuda. So planting Arundo would require far less land to supply Chemtex's fiber needs. The problem is, the fields' owners also need to worry about absorbing the nitrogen in the manure and the jury is still out as to whether Arundo would be a good fit. "If it's not, it's not where we need to be on the swine farms," Crouse says. Brake and his colleagues in Oxford are trying to figure that out. On a farm a few miles from the biofuels center, a dense patch of what look like anorexic palm trees waves in the light autumn breeze. They tower over the 6-foot-2 farming director. Brake planted this quarter-acre plot of Arundo donax in 2010. He's been applying fertilizer at four different rates -- zero to 120 pounds per acre -- to gauge the plants' nutritional needs, as well as their ability to absorb nitrogen. Even in the tightly packed, red-clay soil, they have thrived. Brake steps into the thicket and struggles to wrap his arms around a clump. "It's about maybe 3 foot in diameter," he says. So far, yields from North Carolina test plots have averaged from 5.8 dry tons per acre at the Oxford site to just over 11 tons in the sandy loam soils in which most Chemtex suppliers would be planting, though NCSU soil scientist Ron Gehl notes these are not yet "mature stands." Brake grabs an Arundo stalk and walks until it's parallel with the ground. Tiny seeds cascade to the ground, clinging to a visitor's wet shoes. "You afraid of becoming Johnny donax-seed?" he asks with a chuckle. The seeds are sterile, he says reassuringly. Brake points to a joint on the stalk where a small sprout or "node" peeks out. "Each node is a potential plant," he explains. "That makes it easy to propagate." And that's what gives so many pause. In the 16 years since Arundo was first identified in California's Sonoma Creek Watershed, Mark Newhouser has developed an attack strategy. First, workers spray the mature cane with herbicide, then move in with the large flail mowers. If that doesn't do the trick, it's time for chain saws. "And then you'd still have all of these stumps of cane sticking up everywhere," he says. "You can't even walk through there." The cost: Up to $25,000 per acre. To address such concerns in North Carolina, state agriculture officials teamed up with the biofuels center last year to craft a set of "best management practices" for energy crops. Among them are not planting directly adjacent to streams and irrigation canals, and establishing buffer zones of at least 20 feet around production fields. They are listed as "voluntary." But anyone wishing to do business with Chemtex would have to sign a contract agreeing to certain ground rules, says executive vice president Paolo Carollo. He points out that a $99 million USDA loan guarantee announced this spring also came with certain mitigation measures. Noting that Chemtex has already made conditional agreements to plant 10,000 acres near Clinton, Carollo points to a factory near Venice, Italy, that, from 1937 to 1962, used Arundo grown on 12,000 nearby acres in the production of fabric, including Rayon. "And they never had issues of spread," he said in a phone interview from the company's headquarters in the coastal city of Wilmington. When production ceased, he said, those acres were converted back to pasture land. Attempts to commercialize Arundo donax in other parts of the U.S. have met with limited success. When a company proposed to use Arundo for power generation in Florida, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services drafted regulations requiring permits for plots larger than 2 acres. Although some permits have been issued, the large-scale project that prompted the regulations never materialized. And when Portland General Electric decided to convert a power plant from coal to biomass, Oregon state agriculture officials conducted a risk assessment for Arundo. Last year, the state authorized a 400-acre "control area," prohibiting plantings within a mile of water bodies and requiring growers to post a $1 million eradication bond. In a statement released last March, the Native Plant Society of Oregon accused the state of understating the risks. It cited research suggesting that Arundo's sterile seeds might, through "genetic modification," become fertile. When Chemtex announced its plans for North Carolina, the Environmental Defense Fund and others petitioned the state to have Arundo declared a noxious weed, and to ban it. Officials expect to make a decision by early next year. Federal action could take longer. In January, the EPA gave Arundo preliminary approval under the federal renewable fuel standard program -- meaning producers could qualify for valuable carbon credits. When environmental groups complained that the decision was at odds with an executive order aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species, the agency agreed to re-evaluate the crop. Without the EPA's renewable fuels designation, Arundo would be less profitable to grow. And without Arundo in the mix, says Conlon, "I would be greatly concerned" about the Chemtex project -- and the state's grand plans. "North Carolina's on the precipice of becoming an economic powerhouse around this whole idea of advanced biofuels," Conlon says. "There's room down there to build five or six of these facilities, if and when we can figure out the right balance between environmental concerns and economic viability." Burke notes that Arundo has been sold in the state for years as an ornamental, without any problem. To him, it's a no-brainer. But EDF Southeast Director Jane Preyer wonders if a hurricane-prone state like North Carolina is the smartest place to grow such a crop on so large a scale. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd caused widespread flooding that put much of eastern North Carolina under several feet of water. Arundo, she says, appears "not worth the risk." It's naive to think man can truly control nature, says Newhouser in California. "You know, that's the thing with weeds. They know no boundaries, and they don't recognize fences. They don't follow rules."

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When China Spurns GMO Corn Imports, American Farmers Lose Billions By Dan Charles Jul 31, 2014 ShareTwitter Facebook Google+ Email A corn purchaser writes on his account in northwest China in 2012. In November 2013, officials began rejecting imports of U.S. corn when they detected traces of a new gene not yet approved in China. Peng Zhaozhi / Xinhua/Landov Originally published on August 5, 2014 12:39 pm For a while there, China was the American farmer's best friend. The world's most populous nation had so many pigs and chickens to feed, it became one of the top importers of U.S. corn and soybeans almost overnight. China also developed a big appetite for another corn-derived animal feed called "dried distillers grains with solubles," or DDGS, a byproduct of ethanol production. China's appetites for the stuff drove up global grain prices and filled Midwestern pockets with cash. This year, though, the lovely relationship has gone sour, all because of biotechnology. A couple of years ago, American farmers began planting a new type of genetically engineered corn invented by the seed company Syngenta. This GMO contains a new version of a gene that protects the corn plant from certain insects. Problem is, this new gene isn't yet approved in China, and Chinese officials didn't appreciate it when traces of the new, as-yet-unapproved GMOs started showing up in boatloads of American grain. The crackdown began in November 2013. China began rejecting shiploads of corn when officials detected traces of the new gene. By February of this year, U.S. exports of corn to China had practically ceased. At the time, some American grain exporters said that there was little to worry about. The Chinese move, they said, probably was intended to slow down imports temporarily in order to make sure that China's farmers got a decent price for their own corn harvest. As evidence, they pointed to the fact that China continued to accept imports of DDGS, which also contain traces of the unapproved gene. The U.S. sent $1.6 billion worth of DDGS to China last year. Well, last week, China expanded the ban to DDGS, shocking many traders. The price of DDGS plunged. According to the National Grain and Feed Association, the Chinese ban on corn and corn products may end up costing American farmers, ethanol producers and traders a total of about $3 billion. Max Fisher, director of Economics for the NGFA, who came up with that estimate, says the ban actually is hurting the Chinese, too. "They replaced [the U.S. corn] with more expensive grains," he says, such as barley from Australia. But one group of American farmers is benefiting: China is importing lots more sorghum. In an interesting twist, American farm groups seem unsure whom to blame. Some are angry at China. Others point their finger at Syngenta. A few days ago, the U.S. Grains Council wrote a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, urging his "immediate, direct, and personal intervention" with Chinese officials "to halt this current regulatory sabotage of the DDGS trade with China." The NGFA and the North American Export Grain Association, on the other hand, have called on Syngenta to stop selling the offending corn varieties until those varieties can be sold in major export markets. "They're being a bad actor here," says Max Fisher of NGFA, referring to Syngenta. "They're making $40 million" selling the new corn varieties, "but it's costing U.S. farmers $1 billion." Syngenta, for its part, rejects any blame for the debacle. "We want to get technology into the hands of farmers as soon as possible," said the company's CEO, David Morgan, in a video released on Syngenta's website. "We can't expect growers to wait indefinitely for access to technologies, based on what foreign governments decide to do." According to Morgan, China has failed to make a timely decision on the new gene, which goes by the name MIR 162. Even if China approved MIR 162, however, the ban might remain. That's because Syngenta began selling yet another new new type of GMO corn this year, which also is not yet approved in China. Syngenta has asked farmers to take that corn to specific grain processors, who will keep it from getting into export shipments. But Fisher thinks the new gene is likely to show up in exports. "Farmers are going to be farmers," he says, and sell their grain through the usual channels.Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/. View the discussion thread. © 2016 WVTF

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Ghana – The importance of weighing scales One of the biggest challenges for smallholders is getting a fair price for their produce. In West Africa, too often buyers take advantage of farmers, demanding that bags are filled to the brim instead of paying per kg. Farmers in Ghana were recently surprised about their financial remuneration when they used a weighing scale for their sales for the first time. Fati Mahama is a smallholder from the district of Ejura Sekyedumasi in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. She grows maize and cowpea on a small farm which is barely 2 hectares. In March this year, she was in for a surprise when she sold maize to the World Food Programme (WFP) through its Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative. “I can’t believe that I sold only six heaped maxi bags (usually a 100kg bag) and made so much money,” she said after she realized that she had just increased her income by 50 percent. Fati is a member of the “Nso Nyame Ye Women’s Group”, one of 26 farmer organizations (FOs) which participate in P4P in Ghana. When WFP contracted maize from the 16 Farmers’ Organisations (FOs) participating in P4P in Ashanti region for its food for assets programme, Fati and the other 41 members of her women’s group made more money than if they had sold on the market: Instead of GH¢540 (US$270), Fati made GH¢810 (US$420), whilst her group made a total GH¢36,000 (US$18,000) from the sale of 40 tons of maize. Bush weight system The reason why Fati and her fellow farmers earned so much more is because previously, they would have used the “bush weight” system: This means selling heaped bags of between 130kg and 150kg of maize for the value of a 100kg bag, which cheats farmers of a third to half of their produce per bag. However, thanks to the weighing scales introduced and provided by WFP, farmers can now weigh their produce and earn more money. “The weighing scales have helped us to make more money,” Fati explained. “When I weighed my six heaped bags, I ended up with nine maxi bags (100 kg per bag) which I re-bagged into 18 mini bags (50kg) and sold to WFP for more money.” Under P4P, WFP provided weighing scales, tarpaulins, sacks and stitching machines to 16 FOs in Ejura Sekyedumasi. Combining the expertise of different partners, P4P offered trainings for over 1,300 farmers in Ashanti and the Northern region in 2011 to improve their agricultural practices. A second phase of trainings has now begun for around 1,500 farmers. This support enabled Fati’s group to supply 514 tons of maize to WFP in 2012. P4P in Ghana builds on significant investments made by the Government and other stakeholders such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which target smallholder or low-income farmers’ productivity and enhance market infrastructure. Efforts are also made to link FOs to the national school feeding programme and connect them to a warehouse receipt system which has been established by the Ghana Grains Council. Since the start of P4P in Ghana, WFP has contracted a total of 2,186 tons of maize from farmers’ organisations. 1,672 tons of maize were successfully delivered by farmers’ organisations that are supported by partners, but do not receive any additional support from P4P in terms of capacity building. In May 2012, 514 tons were contracted from and delivered by the P4P farmers’ organisations in Ejura Sekyedumasi. Email this content

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In sub-Saharan Africa, yam is an important foodcrop, rendering the highest average foodcrop yields, about 10 tons per hectare. Yam production is growing at a two-digit rate (close to 13 percent, 1980-1992), due to a combination of rapid area expansion and yield increases. Yam yields peaked during the drought year of 1992. Yam barn in Nigeria War, civil strife and natural disasters such as fire, flood or drought take their toll not only on human and material wealth of a nation but also on natural resources, especially in agriculture. Before the prolonged civil war in Sudan and drought in Ethiopia, farmers in those countries were planting white yams Dioscorea rotundata. But now yam has almost completely disappeared from their countries because the planting portion of the crop happens also to be the edible portion. A farmer is expected to set aside at least one quarter of his or her annual harvest for replanting. But during emergencies they eat up everything. It is almost impossible to re-create germplasm because yam poorly responds to conventional plant breeding techniques. Unlike in some other crops where the male and female flowers are on the same plant, yam flowers are borne on separate plants. Flowering of male and female plants is difficult to synchronize. Flower thrips, the insects that pollinate most yam flowers, usually do a poor job resulting in the abortion of yam female flowers. These factors restrict yam hybridization using conventional breeding techniques. In essence, whenever farmers for one reason or another consume all yams they have, the crop's genetic base is eroded. This is what happened in Sudan, Ethiopia and other crisis-ridden African countries where yam culture flourished years ago. Variability erosion in yam also easily occurs in countries that do not experience disasters but where there is no proper documentation of the germplasm cultivated by the farmers. There is always the tendency to assume that there is no need to focus research on yams (and other rootcrops) because they are well adapted to particular situations that other crops cannot withstand. All hope is not lost, however, to get yam culture to flourish again. Scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan have achieved a breakthrough in conventional yam breeding. The problem of yam breeding which seemed impossible to solve years ago has now been successfully tackled. The Institute accumulated a large germplasm collection of new yam genotypes with better flowering qualities which can be manipulated by crop breeders to generate new varieties. "After more than two decades of research work we are now in a position to combine different genes from different genotypes and come up with completely new materials with the required acceptable attributes," says Dr. Robert Asiedu, head of the Root and Tuber Improvement Program at IITA. This is a considerable achievement for IITA which is located in the geographical center of the genetic diversity of yam and has a global mandate for the improvement of the crop. Of the 600 known species of yams, only six are food yams. Out of these, the most, popular white yams, Dioscorea rotundata, originated in West Africa which accounts for 90 percent of world production of about 25 million tonnes. Nigeria alone produces 70 percent or 17 million tonnes of the world output. The yam zone of West Africa is restricted peripherally to the forest and savanna areas of Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin and Togo. In Nigeria, as well as in Ghana, the lives of communities in yam growing areas revolve around the yam cycle. In Nigeria, chiefs and traditional title holders do not touch yam until the gods have been appeased. To get married in such communities, the bridegroom's wealth is measured by the amount of yams he can produce. Till today, the tradition is that the groom must present not less than 200 big tubers of yams to the in-laws as evidence that he can provide for the wife and the future family. The yams harvest is a traditional festivity with masquerade dancing in the villages and prayers to thank the ancestral gods for the blessings of the land and the women's fertility. In some parts of the Ibo land in Nigeria, yam is a male totem. Women are not allowed to walk in yam farms until the yam is ready for harvesting, which is the exclusive duty of the women. To the people yam is the king of all foodcrops. In Ghana, yam is prepared to welcome important visitors while in Nigeria pounded yam is a national menu. With the development of the new genotypes of yams through seed hybridization by IITA scientists, new materials are being made available both in seed and tissue culture form to be sent to a number of African countries. Requests have been received from Rwanda, Guinea Conakry, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, as well as from Cuba, Japan and Korea. Other countries that have shown interest include Sudan, Uganda, and Malawi. It is hoped that in the near future yam culture will expand to cover the rest of the African continent, particularly East and Central Africa. (IITA feature)

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Industry IDFA refutes assertion by NMPF on dairy policy’s impact By Brett Wessler, Drovers/Cattlenetwork WASHINGTON -- The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) takes strong exception to assertions made by the National Milk Producers Federation regarding the impact of proposed dairy policy reform on exports. NMPF claims that eliminating the Dairy Product Price Support Program will provide more incentive for exports. However, economic models show that the Dairy Market Stabilization Program (DMSP), included in draft legislation offered for discussion by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), would have significantly lowered U.S. dairy exports and hurt industry growth at a cost of thousands of U.S. jobs if it had been in effect in 2009, according to respected economists. The March 2011 study by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) of the University of Missouri, The Economic Impact of the Dairy Market Stabilization Program on 2009 Dairy Markets, directly calculates that U.S. dairy exports would have dropped significantly if the DMSP had triggered limits to farm milk production during the dates reviewed. Study results from the appendix table show that during three months - March, April and May of 2009 - U.S. exports of nonfat dry milk would have fallen by 38 percent, butter exports by 16.4 percent and American cheese exports by 8 percent. "Most everyone now agrees that the price support program hurts dairy exports because it temporarily raises U.S. prices above international prices, yet the stabilization program operates in exactly the same way," said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president. "National Milk's proposal openly admits that its program will likely have this impact because it includes a provision that allows the Secretary of Agriculture to suspend the program if dairy prices are 20 percent above world prices for more than two months." "By the time the 20-percent safeguard triggers, it's too late," said IDFA Chief Economist Bob Yonkers, who conducted a review of available data and published research on the proposed Dairy Market Stabilization Program. "Exports would be lost well before there is a 20-percent rise in U.S. prices over world prices. The goal is to be consistent, reliable exporters, and we can't do that if a government program periodically renders our prices uncompetitive." Jon Davis, president and COO of Davisco Foods, one of the first dairy companies to recognize the significant value and potential of exports, warns that any reduction in exports will have a ripple effect on American jobs and the economy. "We are expanding production and adding jobs in places like Jerome, Idaho; Lake Norden, South Dakota; and LeSueur Minnesota--all because of the growing dairy export market." For more details, visit www.KeepDairyStrong.com. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85% of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Source: International Dairy Foods Association idfanmpfdairydairy policymilk supplypetersonexportsprice support program About the Author: Brett Wessler, Drovers/Cattlenetwork

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Looking back, looking forward Celebrating Farm Bureau’s 100 years Published: Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 12:55 p.m.�CDT • Updated: Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 12:58 p.m.�CDT By Jill Frueh, Bureau County Farm Bureau manager - Special to the BCREditor’s note: This is the second monthly installment in a series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Bureau County Farm Bureau. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bureau County Farm Bureau, it’s important to look back at the very beginning and how this grassroots organization began. Following are portions of excerpts of the 100 Year Anniversary Book which will be in print later this winter.At the turn of the 20th century, it was apparent that life in rural America was changing. Problems of a more complex nature were confronting the farming community. No longer could individual farmers solve their problems alone, as in pioneer days. Throughout the nation, farmers were getting together to discuss common problems and search for solutions. The passage of the Smith Lever Act gave impetus to interest in group action. Farmers who had been active in the Farmers Institutes took the lead in meeting to discuss the feasibility of forming a farm organization.Early in February 1914, J.W. Coddington, secretary of the Farmers’ Institute of Bureau County, called a meeting of Bureau County farmers, held in the Princeton City Hall.The Rev. A.W. Otis explained the meeting’s purpose was to discuss reasons for having a “county agriculturist” in Bureau County and to work together to find solutions to common problems such as maintenance of soil fertility and marketing of agricultural products. Directors were appointed to represent each township. These directors, in turn, appointed a slate of officers to begin the work of an active farmers’ organization.The local organization became known as the Bureau County Agricultural Improvement Association with the executive committee authorized to incorporate the organization under the laws of the state of Illinois, so business could be transacted legally. This committee was authorized to sign a contract with C.J. Mann, county agriculturalist, as soon as corporate papers were received, and an office was secured over Delano’s store at 603 S. Main St. in Princeton.Next, a committee was formed to secure financial aid from the Commercial Club of Princeton. They authorized to incorporate the Agricultural Improvement Association of Bureau County, under the laws of the state of Illinois.In June 1914, the committee was authorized to receive $1,200 per year from the federal government for support of the Agricultural Improvement Association of Bureau County.Hog cholera serum was distributed to the members in October. Educational programs were prepared for the winter months. The bylaws were printed in pamphlet form and a copy sent to each member. The growth of the organization had grown enough that committees of membership, finance, publicity and resolutions were established.By the autumn of 1916, the Bureau County Improvement Association decided to reorganize the association by June 1, 1917, under the name of Bureau County Farm Bureau. This involved drafting a new constitution to embody changes necessary to carry on business and increase membership. Dues were set at $10 per year. It was decided to have four officers: President, vice president, secretary and treasurer, and that the president should appoint members to following committees to assist the county agriculturalist, later called farm adviser, in his work: Finance, purchasing, crop improvement, livestock, dairy and membership. Later, it was also decided to hire an associate adviser for Bureau County who would devote his time to livestock work. In the spring of 1918, delegates were elected to attend a state meeting in Peoria. During the winter of 1918-19, no regular meetings of the executive committee were held due to the flu epidemic. As the decade drew to a close, the Farm Bureau movement was growing at national, state and local levels. Services to members were expanding, especially in the areas of marketing techniques, large volume purchasing and information dissemination. The Illinois Agricultural Association was organized by the county Farm Bureau in the state in 1919.In 1918, the Bureau County Farm Bureau offices moved from 528 S. Main St. in Princeton to 1019 N. Main St. In time, an annex was added to this building, and the basement was remodeled. Alfreda Thulean was hired as secretary in 1920 and continued with both the Extension and the Farm Bureau until her retirement in 1962.In the 1920-30s, the local Farm Bureau continued increasing services for its members, such as insurance coverage and cooperative purchasing efforts of petroleum services and other agricultural needs. These companies continues to gain ground and are now known as Country Financial and FS.Today membership services continue to grow as we represent more than 3,700 members and their families in Bureau County.

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Slow Food and FAO Join Forces Italy FAO and the international Slow Food organization have agreed today to develop joint actions to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and others working in rural areas. Under a three-year Memorandum of Agreement, the two organizations will join forces to promote more inclusive food and agriculture systems at local, national and international levels. Actions will focus mainly on joint advocacy campaigns, strengthening local, regional and global networks and raising awareness of global initiatives such as the International Year Family Farming in 2014. Actions will highlight the value of local foods and neglected food crops while also targeting market access for small-scale producers, enhancing conservation and use of biodiversity, reducing food losses and food waste, and improving animal welfare. Signing the document for FAO, Director-General José Graziano da Silva said: "Slow Food and FAO share the same vision of a sustainable and hunger-free world, safeguarding biodiversity for future generations. Today's agreement, providing for a number of important joint initiatives, brings us a step closer to that objective." On behalf of Slow Food, President Carlo Petrini said: "Collaboration between FAO and Slow Food stems from our common purpose in promoting the wealth of local gastronomic traditions, in the defense of food biodiversity and in support of small-scale farmers and producers." Valuing traditional food Activities under the agreement include the protection of traditional food products and the promotion of culinary traditions as well as the cultural heritage of rural communities. Specifically, Slow Food can help produce inventories of local, indigenous and underutilized species that are potentially important to food security, thus supporting FAO's role in revaluing and promoting neglected crops. FAO and Slow Food will work together to facilitate market access for small-scale farmers through strengthened producer organizations and cooperatives. Slow Food can support producers to better organize and shorten the food supply chain, including marketing, labeling and packaging, thus guaranteeing fair prices for both producers and consumers. The two organizations will promote animal welfare as a primary element to add value to animal products and boost incomes for farmers and others in the food chain. Slow Food's role here will be to develop and promote specific guidelines and tools for the implementation of best practices. Collaboration with ongoing FAO initiatives FAO will identify synergies and areas of collaboration within ongoing initiatives, possibly including the Hunger-Free Africa initiative grouping the African Union, FAO and Brazil's Instituto Lula. This initiative aims to eradicate hunger from the continent starting with four countries - Angola, Ethiopia, Malawi and Niger. Another possible area for collaboration is support to rural women, through the ongoing Dimitra project run by FAO, the European Commission and Belgium. This participatory information and communication project highlights women's key role in food production so that their interests are better taken into consideration. An additional possibility is the development of toolkits for the international Education of Rural People (ERP) Partnership, which aims to remove existing constraints and ensure education and skills training for all rural people. Thanks to the collaboration of food producers, cooks, experts, researchers and the local Slow Food and Terra Madre network, the food biodiversity in these four countries was mapped and four new Presidia were identified and established, for Kenema kola nuts in Sierra Leone, wild palm oil in Guinea-Bissau, katta pasta from Timbuktu and Gao in Mali and salted millet couscous from Fadiouth island in Senegal. Four booklets, one for each country, were produced to promote the Presidia, local consumption and awareness of gastronomic traditions. Find out more at www.slowfoodfoundation.org Click here for photos of Slow Food and FAO’s work in Africa. |

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Industry Wisconsin state farm income second highest ever in 2012 By University of Wisconsin Extension Despite the challenges brought on by prolonged drought and record-breaking heat, Wisconsin farmers earned $3 billion in net farm income in 2012, the second highest amount on record. While that's down 21 percent from 2011, it's $1 billion more than they earned in 2010. But how the year worked out for individual farmers varied considerably depending on where in the state they farm and what they produce, says agricultural economist Ed Jesse, editor of the 2013 Status of Wisconsin Agriculture report. "If you're a dairy farmer who had enough feed grown on your own farm, for example, you did okay. If you're buying every kernel of corn that you feed, you probably didn't do very well," says Jesse, University of Wisconsin-Madison emeritus professor of agricultural and applied economics. The report, authored by UW-Madison and UW-Extension agricultural economists and commodity specialists, was released Wednesday, Jan. 23 in Madison at the annual Wisconsin Agricultural Economic Outlook Conference. Wisconsin's gross farm revenues climbed $100 million from the previous year to set a new record in 2012, the report estimates. The increase in total income was due to higher prices for most commodities, corn in particular, even though total crop sales were down by $180 million because of drought-decreased yields. But higher costs more than offset the gain in revenues, causing net income to drop $800 million, the authors add. The state's farmers spent about 13 percent more for inputs and services in 2012. Feed costs accounted for more than half of the increase, but spending was also up 12 percent for seed, 9 percent for fertilizer, and 15 percent for pesticides. The average cash rent for land rose 16 percent to $115 per acre. Returns to dairy farmers suffered in 2012. Despite lower milk prices, farmers' gross revenues from milk were about the same as in 2011 because of higher production. But higher feed costs cut deep into the profit margins of producers who don't grow their own dairy rations and of those who had to replace homegrown feed where crops failed. Wisconsin milk production set a new record for the seventh consecutive year. It rose 4.1 percent - well above the national increase of 1.9 percent - to 27 billion pounds. And Wisconsin's cows had an above average boost in milk output. Milk per cow rose 3.6 percent here - the largest increase since 2005 - compared to 1.9 percent nationwide. UW dairy analysts Mark Stephenson and Bob Cropp project that the average milk price paid to the state's dairy farmers in 2013 will be $20.15, up 90 cents from 2012. If the futures market is any indication, soybean meal prices will decline, while corn prices will remain high until harvest and then decline, they add. "This combination of higher milk prices and an easing of feed prices would improve farm margins significantly," they note. But they admit that their crystal ball is cloudy. "There is always uncertainty surrounding any forecast, but there may be more of it in 2013," they write. If drought persists and feed prices remain high, milk production would tighten further. With continued strength in world demand for dairy products, "we could see milk prices exceed our forecasts in the second half of the year," they say. Among the report's other findings: The drought sharply reduced yields of non-irrigated processing vegetables, and high temperatures set back pollination and growth even on irrigated vegetables. But yields of potatoes, most of which are irrigated, were up significantly, thanks to a mild spring that allowed early planting followed by a very warm early summer that spurred rapid tuber growth. Apple production was down 60 percent due to a sequence of abnormally warm temperatures in March, which triggered early budding, followed by a hard frost in April. But yields varied. Some growers had exceptional yields and quality; others lost up to 90 percent of the crop. The tart cherry crop was down 90 percent. Aggregate net worth strengthened. Assets increased about $4.4 billion while debt was up $700 million. Real estate accounts for three-quarters of farmers' net worth and two-thirds of their debt. Relative debt levels changed little. The average debt-to-asset ratio was 13 percent at the end of 2011. That's up from 12 percent five years ago, mostly due to more real estate debt, but it's still a healthy financial position. There's no sign of a repeat of the farm debt crisis of the 1980s, when plunging land values and large real estate debt sent the debt-to-asset ratio above 25 percent. The Status of Wisconsin Agriculture report is produced by the UW-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the Renk Agribusiness Institute. Copies are available online at http://aae.wisc.edu/pubs/status/. droughtfarming Related Articles

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Organic growers discuss GMO tolerance levels Organic farmers are discussing the best way to handle the possibility of contamination from genetically modified crops. Published on February 4, 2014 12:45PM The question of “tolerance levels” for genetic contamination of organic crops is coming to the forefront of the organic industry, experts say.Organic advocates say cross-pollination with genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, is a threat to farmers but they’ve yet to arrive at a consensus for handling the issue.“The question is what threshold are we going to accept for genetic contamination?” said Holli Cederholm, general manager of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association.The topic was discussed at a recent meeting of the Organic Seed Alliance in Corvallis, Ore.In the case of OSGATA, its members have adopted a zero tolerance policy toward GMOs, meaning that any detectable level of contamination is unacceptable.GMOs are “excluded” from the materials that can be used by organic farmers, but the USDA protocols for growing organic crops focus on farming practices rather than genetic purity.The National Organic Standards Board, a committee that advises the USDA, is now preparing to discuss potential testing and protocols for such cross-pollination.The NOSB’s next meeting is April 29-May 2 in San Antonio, Texas.The organic industry should not rush into setting a “tolerance” for genetic contamination without corresponding liability for biotech developers, said Michael Sligh, a director for the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA.“The question of tolerance is not just where you set it, but what happens when you cross that threshold and who is responsible for that cost,” he said.In 2012, a biotech advisory committee urged the USDA to consider launching a crop insurance pilot program to compensate farmers harmed by cross-pollination from GMOs.However, some organic advocates believe the liability burden should be shouldered by the companies that own patents for genetically modified crops.Another issue is determining the level of GMOs in seeds used by organic farmers.“We don’t know the state of contamination of our seed stocks,” said Sligh. Larger sample sizes of tested seeds can greatly reduce error rates — 10,000 seeds will provide a much greater confidence level than 3,000, said Cederholm.“There’s a huge jump statistically when you look at different sample sizes,” she said.Farmers can improve the reliability of testing by focusing on seeds grown in higher-risk areas, like a field located by a neighbor who grows GMOs, she said.Aside from genetic contamination, organic advocates expect controversy over several other GMO-related issues.The upcoming year is likely to be “pivotal” in the public debate over genetic engineering, said George Kimbrell, attorney for the Center for Food Safety, a non-profit group that has battled biotech crops in court.Labeling will continue to be a high profile issue, with Oregon taking the center stage in 2014, Kimbrell said.Supporters are trying to get an initiative that would require labeling of GMO ingredients in food products on the ballot for November.While a similar measure failed in Washington state last year, voter turnout is expected to be much higher in Oregon for the general election, which bodes well for the initiative’s chances, he said.“This will be the national battlefield for labeling,” Kimbrell said.At the same time, Congress and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are likely to face pressure to pre-empt rules for genetically engineered crops at the state level, he said.Public awareness of the GMO controversy will probably continue increasing due to USDA recommendations that crops tolerant of the 2,4-D herbicide be deregulated, Kimbrell said.Likewise, the potential approval of genetically engineered salmon in spring by the FDA would likely cause a big stir, he said.“It’s a way to engage people not involved in the issue,” Kimbrell said.

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UVM News Feeds News from University Communications UVM Extension Hires New Livestock Specialist By UVM Extension Joe Emenheiser, who is based in the University of Vermont Extension office in St. Albans, has been hired as the new UVM Extension livestock specialist and will work primarily with beef and sheep producers throughout Vermont. St. Albans--University of Vermont (UVM) Extension recently hired Joe Emenheiser as its new state livestock specialist. Emenheiser's primary responsibilities will be to develop programming and provide technical assistance to Vermont's diversified livestock farms to help them improve efficiency, product quality and marketing. His position covers all types of livestock and poultry except dairy cows and horses. He is based in the UVM Extension Office in St. Albans and is available to work with farmers, meat processors, marketers, consumers, 4-H'ers and other youth to educate them about livestock products, quality improvement, production efficiency, marketing and other areas. Although currently working primarily with beef and sheep producers, his goal is to expand the poultry, swine and other livestock industries in the state. Emenheiser earned his bachelor of science (honors degree) in animal science with a livestock merchandising option from Oklahoma State University in 2004 and his master of science in animal and poultry sciences with a focus in quantitative genetics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2009. He also attended Virginia Tech for his doctorate, completing his doctor of philosophy in animal and poultry sciences with a focus in beef production systems this past December. The livestock specialist grew up in Felton, Pennsylvania, on a 15-acre farm where his family raised livestock and produce for their own use. He joined 4-H at an early age, working with market lambs through the 4-H sheep project. As a 4-H'er he built a breeding flock by shearing sheep for ewe lambs in lieu of cash and competed successfully at the state and national level both in 4-H and collegiate livestock and meats judging events. In 2002, he began acquiring purebred Suffolks for a flock, which he still has today, along with a flock of Blue Plymouth Rock chickens that he started three years ago. In addition to serving as both a graduate teaching and research assistant at Virginia Tech, in the past decade, Emenheiser has worked with the National Sheep Improvement Program and was employed as the sheep flock manager for a 2,200-ewe commercial flock and lamb feeding operation in New York and as a butcher in Pennsylvania. While in Virginia, he officiated at numerous 4-H and National FFA Organization (also known as Future Farmers of America) meats and livestock judging and stockmen's contests and developed programs for the Virginia Governor's School for Agriculture and other organizations. He also has judged sheep, swine, beef and dairy livestock shows in Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Emenheiser can be reached at (800) 639-2130 (toll-free in Vermont) or (802) 524-6501, ext. 434, or by e-mail at joe.emenheiser@uvm.edu.

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Purdue study: No-till farming may benefit environment Cropland that's left unplowed between harvests releases significantly smaller amounts of a potent greenhouse gas than conventionally plowed fields, according to a new study that suggests no-till farming can combat climate change. BY RICK CALLAHAN Researchers said the findings could also help farmers make more efficient use of the costly nitrogen-based fertilizers used to promote plant growth. No-till farming apparently slows the breakdown of fertilizers in the soil, they said. The three-year, federally funded Purdue University study looked at the amount of nitrous oxide released by no-till fields compared with plowed fields. No-till farmers don't plow under their fields between crops and disrupt the soil surface as little as possible, although they do cut into it to plant seeds and inject fertilizers. The study found no-till fields released 57 percent less nitrous oxide than chisel tilling, in which plants are plowed back into the soil after harvest, said Purdue agronomist Tony Vyn, who led the research. They also produced 40 percent less gas than fields tilled with moldboard plows, which turn the dirt over onto itself. Those numbers are averages, he said. Researchers looked at fields where corn and soybeans were alternated from year to year and others that were planted each year in corn. Emissions in fields where crops were rotated were lower than in those where they weren't, he said. Vyn said he was stunned by the large amounts of nitrous oxide his team detected in the air above the plowed fields compared with those that had long been farmed using the erosion-fighting no-till approach. The results are particularly disconcerting in light of the fact that nitrous oxide packs 310 times the heat-trapping power of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas largely blamed for climate change, he said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that nitrous oxide can remain in the atmosphere for 120 years, adding to its climate impact. "Because it's so long-lived, we need to do everything we can in terms of farming practices to reduce these releases," Vyn said. "Once it's released, it's going to be in the air for a long time — longer than anyone's lifetime." His team's research results appear in the January-February issue of the Soil Science Society of America Journal. Robert Horton, a professor of agronomy at Iowa State University who was not involved in the study, called the results exciting and said they highlight another potential benefit of no-till farming, which has already been shown to reduce erosion and improve soil quality. "Now we can add an air quality advantage of no-till rotations to the list," he said. Vyn's team conducted its research in fields Purdue maintains near the West Lafayette campus in rich soils that once were tall grass prairie. The university has farmed those fields for three decades using either no-till or one of the common plowing practices. The differences seen in the nitrous oxide emissions are likely due to variations in microbial life and soil chemistry created by the different farming practices, Vyn said. Rodney Venterea, a soil scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's research arm, said the Purdue study supports his research, which also found that scaling back on field plowing reduces nitrous oxide emissions. But he said the release of the gas is complex and not simply a matter of one farming practice versus another. For example, he's found no-till fields release more nitrous oxide than plowed land when fertilizer is applied to the soil surface rather than injected into the dirt. The Purdue researchers injected the liquid nitrogen fertilizer a few inches into the soil. Venterea said it's important to note those different outcomes because some no-till farmers still use the surface-application approach, instead of injecting fertilizer below the surface, where plant matter accumulates and bacteria and fungi are active and can break down chemicals. "So if you can get your nitrogen fertilizer down below that active zone then that's the best scenario," he said. "The more nitrogen fertilizer that stays in the soil, the more that's available for the plants and there's less that can be released as (nitrous oxide) and other forms that have other environmental effects." Related content facebook twitter email 5 months ago Wheat harvest begins in Kansas 1:14 5 months ago Wheat harvest begins in Kansas 2:13 5 months ago What it's like to fly a crop duster 1:19 6 months ago Kansas wheat tour finds strong 2016 crop View more video Estimates for record Kansas corn harvest continue to increase Metallic-green tree-killers spreading in Kansas Kansas groups seek to lift trade embargo with Cuba Meeting to highlight Kansas Century Farms Farmers’ confidence pretty low these days

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Print Email Font ResizeEurope wants its Parmesan back, seeks name changeBy Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated PressPosted: A temperature-controlled vault stacked with aging Parmesan cheese in Montecavolo, near Reggio Emilia, Italy. (Marco Vasini/Associated Press) WASHINGTON — Would Parmesan by any other name be as tasty atop your pasta? A ripening trade battle might put that to the test.As part of trade talks, the European Union wants to ban the use of European names like Parmesan, feta and Gruyere on cheese made in the United States.The argument is that the American-made cheeses are shadows of the original European varieties and cut into sales and identity of the European cheeses. The Europeans say Parmesan should only come from Parma, Italy, not those familiar green cylinders that American companies sell. Feta should only be from Greece, even though feta isn't a place. The EU argues it “is so closely connected to Greece as to be identified as an inherently Greek product.”So, a little “hard-grated cheese” for your pasta? It doesn't have quite the same ring as Parmesan.U.S. dairy producers, cheesemakers and food companies are all fighting the idea, which they say would hurt the $4 billion domestic cheese industry and endlessly confuse consumers.“It's really stunning that the Europeans are trying to claw back products made popular in other countries,” says Jim Mulhern, president of the National Milk Producers Federation, which represents U.S. dairy farmers.The European Union would not say exactly what it is proposing or even whether it will be discussed this week as a new round of talks on an EU-United States free trade agreement opens in Brussels.Advertisement European Commission spokesman Roger Waite would only say that the question “is an important issue for the EU.”That's clear from recent agreements with Canada and Central America, where certain cheese names were restricted unless the cheese came from Europe. Under the Canadian agreement, for example, new feta products manufactured in Canada can only be marketed as feta-like or feta-style, and they can't use Greek letters or other symbols that evoke Greece.Though they have not laid out a public proposal, the EU is expected to make similar attempts to restrict marketing of U.S.-made cheeses, possibly including Parmesan, Asiago, Gorgonzola, feta, fontina, grana, Gruyere, Muenster, Neufchatel and Romano.And it may not be just cheese. Other products could include bologna, Black Forest ham, Greek yogurt, Valencia oranges and prosciutto, among other foods.Concerned about the possible impact of changing the label on those popular foods, a bipartisan group of 55 senators wrote U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week asking them not to agree to any such proposals by the EU.Led by New York Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Pennsylvania Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., the members wrote that in the states they represent, “many small- or medium-sized, family owned businesses could have their businesses unfairly restricted” and that export businesses could be gravely hurt.Schumer said artisanal cheese production is a growing industry across New York.“Muenster is Muenster, no matter how you slice it,” he said.Large food companies that mass-produce the cheeses are also fighting the idea. Kraft, closely identified with its grated Parmesan cheese, says the cheese names have long been considered generic in the United States.“Such restrictions could not only be costly to food makers, but also potentially confusing for consumers if the labels of their favorite products using these generic names were required to change,” says Kraft spokesman Basil Maglaris.Some producers say they are incensed because it was Europeans who originally brought the cheeses here, and the American companies have made them more popular and profitable in a huge market. Errico Auricchio, president of the Green Bay, Wis., company BelGioioso Cheese Inc., produced cheese with his family in Italy until he brought his trade to the United States in 1979.“We have invested years and years making these cheeses,” Auricchio says. “You cannot stop the spreading of culture, especially in the global economy.”He says that companies who make certain cheeses would have to come together and figure out new names for them, which would be almost impossible to do.His suggestion for Parmesan? “I Can't Believe It's Not Parmesan,” he jokes.Jaime Castaneda works for the U.S. Dairy Export Council and is the director of a group formed to fight the EU changes, the Consortium for Common Food Names. He says the idea that only great cheese can come from Europe “is just not the case anymore.”He points out that artisanal and locally produced foods are more popular than ever here and says some consumers may actually prefer the American brands. European producers can still lay claim to more place-specific names, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, he says.“This is about rural America and jobs,” he said.Print Email Font ResizeReturn to Top RELATED

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Decrease Food Waste and Give Yourself a ‘Raise’ Up until recent times, the weekly ritual of planning meals played itself out in homes across the country. Meals were painstakingly thought out. By Robert Giblin Up until recent times, the weekly ritual of planning meals played itself out in homes across the country. Meals were painstakingly thought out. Moms clipped coupons from the Thursday night paper and carefully planned the weekly grocery shopping trip. At meal time, everyone at the table was expected to be a member of the “clean plate club.” Even the family dog might happily to do its part, cleaning up table scraps. Leftovers were packed as lunches or eaten at other meals later in the week. Little went to waste. Lifestyles have changed dramatically and so has the amount of food waste we generate. Numerous experts have proclaimed the need to double the world’s food supply in the next 40 years to meet a growing population and changing dietary demands. However, because of food waste, doubling the food supply actually will require tripling production from fewer resources.According to a report issued in January by the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers, “Global Food: Waste Not, Want Not,” up to half of all food produced goes to waste. Waste occurs at all levels of the food chain, from production, to harvesting, transportation, processing, retailing and restaurants and by consumers. The UK report echoes studies previously released by other organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Various sources show that a lot of food is produced but never consumed in North America and Oceana—nearly 40 percent of grain products, half or more of seafood, fruits and vegetables, and one-fifth of meats and milk. The good news is that because of ever-improving farming practices, very little of that loss is in farming and production in the U.S.—just 2 percent of grains, 11 percent of seafood, 20 percent of fruits and vegetables, 3 percent of meat and 3 percent of milk. Higher losses in fruit and vegetable production are due to retail, restaurant and consumer expectations of perfection; nutritious, safe and “tasty but ugly” produce never leaves the field. The consumer side is another story: 27 percent of grain products, 33 percent of seafood, 28 percent of fruits and vegetables, 12 percent of meat and 17 percent of milk go to waste in the U.S. The UK report says that as the development level and per capita income of a country increases, the food loss problem generally moves further up the chain, toward consumers. Thus, the U.S. is among the most efficient and least wasteful in farming and production, but the most wasteful at the consumer end.Further, close to 20 percent of the U.S. food supply is lost in households, restaurants and foodservice. In restaurants, portion sizes have increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Yet, on average, diners leave 17 percent of meals uneaten and half of all leftovers are not taken home.At home, U.S. families throw out one-quarter of the food they buy. Yet every day, about one in six people—50 million people—in the U.S. are “food insecure.” Reducing food losses by just 15 percent could feed half of them.Fortunately, small changes can yield big payoffs. Analysts estimate that reducing food waste can help the average family of four find an extra $1,350 to $2,275 annually. That’s a nice bonus in tough economic times. For consumers, reducing waste does not mean major dietary changes, guilt or doing without. It starts with little steps: meal planning, small reductions in portion sizes, taking home and eating restaurant leftovers, accepting slightly imperfect produce and storing and cooking with an eye toward reducing waste.Reducing waste in the food system is a continuous improvement process, involving cooperation and efforts at all levels. It also requires education, but not from a formalized program. It may be as simple as asking mom or grandma, “How did you used to do this?”Robert Giblin is an occasional contributor to the Focus on Agriculture series for American Farm Bureau Federation. He writes, speaks and consults about agricultural and food industry issues, policies and trends.

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First U.S. milking robot factory opens next week Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 11:25 Hoard's Dairyman: First U.S. milking robot factory opens next week Date: Wed, 03/21/2012 Lely will be unveiling its factory to the public next week. The facility, on the campus of Vermeer in Pella, Iowa, will assemble robots with an aim to source materials from the local economy. It was 1948 when Cornelis and Arij van der Lely invented the finger-wheel rake. Since then, Lely has aimed to improve manual tasks in many areas of agriculture and other industries. We sat down with Chad Huyser, the director of sales and operations at Lely USA, to talk about the factory, the future of robots, and the future of dairy in the U.S. As we said, Lely started with the finger-wheel rake. Today, of course, it is well known for its red robotic milking machines. The robots started as a prototype in the 1980s. By 1995, that prototype became the Lely Astronaut robotic milking system. Fast-forward to today, and Lely is on its fourth version of the robot, (the A4, introduced in 2010). Over 60 percent of new parlor installments in Europe are robotic milkers, according to Huyser. Seeing the growth in Europe, and anticipating the growth in the U.S., Lely decided in May of 2010 to look for a North American location. After a long search, they settled on the campus of Vermeer in Pella, Iowa. Lely and Vermeer have a long history of working together. The factory will officially open next week, with an invitation to dealers, current users, and prospective users to help kick off the event. As April arrives, assembly of the A4 robots will begin in Lely’s wide-open factory. The robots will be assembled in six steps, with an aim of using products within a 100- to 200-mile radius. After assembly and testing, the robots could be sent to anywhere in North America. Lely is obviously betting on robots being a technology that will last. Huyser noted that today’s Lely robots collect 144 data points per milking on 2 million cows per day, allowing nearly limitless opportunity for research, benchmarking, and analysis into the future. As robots continue to grow market share in the U.S., Huyser noted that farmers, nutritionists, and veterinarians are all catching on. Bankers, however, are still the toughest sell. But the worst thing for the future of robotic milking is failure of any robotic unit, even its competitors. “We hate seeing our competitors failing in the field because it tarnishes robots in general,” Huyser said. The factory hopes to make a few hundred robots in the first years at the Pella plant. At max capacity, the new factory could assemble more than 1,200 robots per year.

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Controlled shooting of badgers in the field under licence to prevent the spread of bovine TB in cattle This publication was withdrawn on 26 August 2014 This document has been superseded and a new version is available. This version has been archived. 22 May 2013, see all updates Best practice for the controlled shooting of free-ranging badgers in the field and the associated use of artificial light (i.e. 'lamping'). Compliance with this guidance will normally be a condition of a licence issued for the killing of badgers by this means to prevent the spread of bovine TB. Actions described in this guidance may only be undertaken where a specific licence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 authorising the killing of badgers has been issued AND in accordance with Class Licence WML-CL05 covering these methods. This guidance does NOT confer any authority to undertake the actions described. Those acting under licence must ensure that all licence conditions are complied with and must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the licensed operations are carried out safely and humanely. This document does not cover planning and carrying out an effective badger control operation over the whole of a (proposed) licence area; this should be dealt with in the application Badger Control Plan. Replaced document with latest version 3 May 2012 1:00am

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Canadian scientists develop first-ever Fusarium-tolerant pastry wheat Eastern Canadian producers can now benefit from a new wheat cultivar with increased tolerance to Fusarium head blight, a fungal disease which has cost the Canadian agri-food industry hundreds of millions of dollars. The new line, a soft red winter wheat often used for pastries, exhibits nearly four-times fewer mycotoxins when exposed to the fungus, than other wheat varieties on the market. The level of mycotoxins present in wheat can greatly affect yields, as well as grade and market value. The line has been approved by the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee, and registered for production in Eastern Canada under the name Wonder. The line was developed by scientists with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Ottawa and Hyland Seeds in Blenheim, Ontario. The development of Wonder was led by Dr. Radhey Pandeya of the Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, and Hyland cereal breeders. "Wonder is a major step forward in the battle against Fusarium and a good example of the type of innovation that can be achieved when government and industry work together," said Dr. Pandeya. "Fusarium has cost the Canadian agri-food industry hundreds of millions of dollars over the past 20 years, and our scientists in Western Canada are continuing efforts to develop similar varieties conducive to growing in that region." Investments in research and development are a key priority of the Agricultural Policy Framework, a comprehensive plan developed with the provinces and industry to make Canada a world leader in food safety and food quality, environmentally responsible production and innovation. "To our knowledge Wonder is the first Fusarium-tolerant pastry wheat on the market," said Henry Olechowski, research director with Hyland Seeds. "The new variety is sure to be welcome news to growers as Fusarium head blight is an ongoing concern in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States." This project was funded under a Matching Investment Initiative (MII) in partnership with Hyland Seeds, a division of W.G. Thompson and Sons Ltd. The MII is a federal program that aims to increase collaborative research activity between the private sector and AAFC by matching the contribution of an industry investment in research and development. Wonder is expected to be in full commercial production by 2004. For more information, media may contact: Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, Ontario (613) 759-7972 Henry Olechowski Research Director, Hyland Seeds Blenheim, Ontario Media Relations | EurekAlert! http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/news/2002/n21119ae.html

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PBS TAKES CALIFORNIA TV SERIES NATIONAL � AMERICA'S HEARTLAND TO SHOWCASE RURAL ENTREPRENEURIALISMby Candace KrebsNovember/December 2005It might look like Linda Hubalek is selling buffalo meat, hides, books, knickknacks and tours, but she has another name for it. "It's a nostalgia thing," she says at the tidy visitors' center and gift shop near Lindsborg, Kan. Guests are greeted by an old wagon full of bright pumpkins and a small herd of bison cows and calves weaving in and out of tall sudan grass. Her objective � to educate the public about agriculture � is similar to that of a team of TV producers who recently spent a day shooting footage of her farm. Their coverage will run as part of a glossy magazine-style agricultural television program, called America's Heartland, which started appearing this fall on roughly 142 PBS affiliated stations nationwide with plans to reach 60 percent of the national viewing audience by next year. So is this new TV show out to peddle nostalgia? Not at all, insists Jim O'Donnell, director of program marketing for KVIE, the Sacramento, Calif., PBS affiliate that produces and distributes America's Heartland. AG'S ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT "This is not a history show," O'Donnell says. "It is as much about the future of agriculture as anything else. It's our belief, after producing 400 episodes in California, that people just don't understand the entrepreneurial spirit, the hard work and the scale of farm production. It is not a bucolic pastoral setting. Farmers apply all kinds of innovation to what they do. People are interested in that." As KVIE prepares to take a successful California hit national � one with an eight-year track record of producing more than 2,000 feature stories � the leading concern for a wide range of constituencies is agriculture's accurate portrayal. Scheduled to include 20 episodes a year averaging five features each, the show will cover the full spectrum of geography, crops and entertainment value, all with artistic flair, O'Donnell says. To support their efforts, they've put together an extensive advisory council of industry leaders who serve as ambassadors while also providing input. Among them is John Braly, vice president of industry and member services for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He was already familiar with the show from his previous 16-year post at the California Cattlemen's Association. "We have roundtable discussions, where they tell us what's going on, and we pitch story ideas and let them move forward with their creative abilities," he explains. ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED PROGRAMS"This was one of the most watched programs in the 50-year history of public television," O'Donnell says. "We had the biggest audience in urban markets where viewers were able to reconnect with the food chain." Bob Vice, former president of the California Farm Bureau who helped get the show off the ground is a program consultant who admits to some surprise over its success. "When we started this, we knew we could produce an interesting program," he says. "What we didn't know was whether the urban audience was really interested. That was proven in spades. "We've got to start doing something to talk to the general public about agriculture," says Vice, who is now retired from running the Calavo Cooperative at Fallbrook, Calif., a citrus, produce and horticultural supplier. "Our system in agriculture is pretty much the same as the medical profession. It can be abused, but that doesn't mean the whole system's bad. How do we get the message out? The best way to do that is to get on television." Many industry leaders agree. "It is important to show America stories about where their food and fiber come from," says Greg Anderson, a farmer from Newman Grove, Neb., and chairman of the United Soybean Board, one of five commodity groups supporting the effort, which also includes the National Corn Growers, U.S. Grains Council, American Soybean Association and the National Cotton Council. In comparison to the general television audience, PBS viewers are "by and large more educated, better off financially and slightly older than the hue and cry of broadcast television," O'Donnell says. "PBS supposedly reflects the socio- and economic makeup of the nation, but internally we've always considered our viewer just a little bit smarter and tremendously more curious." STRONG DEMOGRAPHICSThe show's two primary sponsors � Monsanto and the American Farm Bureau Federation � say the demographic is made to order. "There is a special appeal about public television viewers," says Julie Doane, director of U.S. Customer Relations for Monsanto. "They are typically opinion leaders, actively involved in their community. Independent research indicates that they are much more likely to do things like write their congressman, be involved in local civic activities such as the PTA and proactively interact with the media. Obviously there are benefits if these individuals are exposed to a balanced story of where their food comes from and how it's produced in the most abundant and safest way." "Public TV has a very respected brand and a very respected audience," adds Don Lipton, director of public relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, which held a reception to celebrate the show's launch at its Washington, D.C., headquarters in early October. "I think it brings a lot of credibility to the program," adds Mimi Ricketts, director of marketing communications for the National Corn Growers Association. She says the show combines a rich historical perspective with an honest and compelling portrayal of the dilemmas facing modern farm families. "One of the segments features a farm family from the Dakotas. It did a great job of conveying their way of life," she says. "But it also left you with the question, are their children going to continue in it? "The series is not going to get into farm-policy-type issues, but it will convey in captivating ways some of the issues modern production agriculture must deal with, such as conservation of natural resources," she continues. Willie Vogt, corporate editorial director for Farm Progress Co., is also enthusiastic. "I think they have a noble cause and will strive for a balanced presentation, and that's important. It's so easy on the consumer side to 'knee-jerk' on the artisan farm thing � and it's OK if there's some of that � but that's not really America's heartland," he says. "I felt from the pilot that it was honest and true to what we know as American agriculture. It's a long-time industry gripe that we don't tell our story well, and public television has not always been a great venue for agriculture. This is an opportunity to take a new approach." AN UNEXPECTED LESSON IN ACTIVIST MANAGEMENT Agricultural leaders aren't the only ones concerned about how their industry is portrayed. Jim O'Donnell admits to being a little blindsided by the political protests that arose from food and consumer groups even before the show was unveiled, mostly aimed at its two synergistic but sometimes controversial lead sponsors, Monsanto and the American Farm Bureau Federation. In a letter sent to public television managers, 70 groups � including Public Citizen, Friends of the Earth and the Organic Consumers Association � suggested stations should either forgo showing the series or schedule complementary programming to expose it as a "piece of propaganda," despite having never seen the show. O'Donnell took this approach: Offer a positive response, educate those who are open-minded and stick to your plan. "I was surprised, but the real surprise was that having an intelligent conversation about our intentions and having them recommunicate that to their membership fell on deaf ears," O'Donnell says. "We were happy to explain our mission and our past performance. Nobody protested in California. We got over 3,000 letters and e-mails, and never once were we accused of shilling for corporate interests. The tone, the style and the presentation of the show are essentially the same." He says the protest efforts � mostly facilitated by user-friendly e-mail technology � haven't accomplished much. "Two out of 100" stations have put their programming plans on hold until "the protest thing settles out," he says. "We didn't change anything we're doing here. Not only is it good television, but there's no questionable material here," O'Donnell adds. "Monsanto has been a model sponsor by all methodologies. For us, it has been business as usual." Check your local listings for viewing schedules or visitwww.americasheartland.org for more information. Tweet

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Locovore’s Dilemma: A Different View On Buying Locally Dennis Avery A Canadian couple of my acquaintance has just published a book provocatively titled The Locovore’s Dilemma: In Praise of the 10,000 Mile Diet. A new review in Publisher’s Weekly calls it a “daring, bare-knuckled, frequently sarcastic defense of the status quo in Western industrial agribusiness. From the point of view of the well-off, well-fed North American who does not have to toil much of the day for his subsistence, what’s not to praise in the West’s ability to provide the world with cheap, fast, uniform, reliable, bug-resistant, vitamin-enhanced food?” Publisher’s Weekly correctly points out that high-yield farming has abolished famine on “our side of the world.” Modern transportation, they note, also allows us to consume all kinds of out-of-season foods. Publisher’s was even kind enough to mention your humble author in the same breath with Aristotle as “impressive experts.”: Unfortunately, Aristotle hasn’t been that impressive since Galileo dropped those weights off the leaning tower of Pisa 400 years ago to prove heavy and light objects fall at the same speed. Pierre Desrochers and Hiroko Shimizu, a husband and wife duo with the University of Toronto, say food-miles are a joke. I say they’re a bad joke. It begins with the reality that the local food craze was birthed in Oakland, CA, one of the few places in the world where year-round local supplies are available. But that’s only because of the federal water subsidies that turned the “great California desert” into the lush garden we think of as California today. Do you suppose the locovores support the dams and irrigation systems? Publisher’s says the book’s authors consider it a “romantic, risible, irrational movement to patronize one’s local organic farmer.” I don’t go that far. Buy what the local guys can provide fresh.: Not even locovores, however, get much of their nutrition from that little farmers’ market. Most of what we eat is grown where the crops grow best, whether that means semi-arid Kansas for top-quality wheat or Minnesota for a cool springtime to foster baby peas, or the Pacific ocean to bring fresh salmon to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The railroads brag that in 2010, they moved a tone of freight 484 miles on a gallon of fuel. Let them do it. “In large parts of the world,: ‘local’ trumps science, and people suffer as a result,” says Blake Hurst, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, in the book’s foreword. “Desrochers and Shimizu take the idea of local food to the back of the barn and beat the holy livin’ tar out of it. In a more rational world, their defense of what is so clearly true would not be needed. However, our world is not rational, and most of what passes for thinking about food is as full of air as an elegant French pastry.” I think of organic as quaint. Most of the malnourished in the world are eating organic food, however, because they have nothing else. They and their wildlife suffer keenly because of no fertilizer and terribly low yields. Affluent parents often try to get “healthier” food for their children by paying more, but all of our food is safe and health. Do folks in: poor countries live longer, healthier lives on their organic, seasonal diets? Longevity statistics say quite the opposite. And, let’s consider Publisher’s Weekly’s dismissive comment that “factory farming” has abolished famine on “our side of the world”? How do they think the other side of the globe is going to be fed in the next 50 years? The world’s population is in its last expansion.: Two billion people are getting rich enough to eat meat and drink milk. We’ll have to double global food output or abolish most of the world’s wildlife try to feed everyone. Does anyone think organic farming can do it? Dennis T. Avery, a senior fellow for the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., is an environmental economist. He was formerly a senior analyst for the Department of State. He is co-author, with S. Fred Singer, of Unstoppable Global Warming Every 1500 Years. Readers may write to him at PO Box 202 Churchville, VA 2442; email to: [email protected]. Visit our website at www.cgfi.org More articles by Dennis Avery

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UGA researchers track down gene responsible for short stature of dwarf pearl millet Researchers with the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics isolate first gene in an often-ignored grain IMAGE: Katrien Devos, University of Georgia, and her research team successfully isolated the gene that creates dwarfed varieties of pearl millet. view more Credit: April Sorrow/UGA Athens, Ga. - While pearl millet is a major food staple in some of the fastest growing regions on Earth, relatively little is known about the drought-hardy grain. Recently, plant geneticists at the University of Georgia successfully isolated the gene that creates dwarfed varieties of pearl millet. It is the first time a gene controlling an important agronomic trait has been isolated in the pearl millet genome. Their work appeared in the March edition of the journal G3: Genes, Genomics, Genetics. The dwarf varieties are economically important in the U.S., India and Africa, in particular. The researchers, led by UGA's Katrien Devos, also were able to trace the dwarf gene to plants bred 50 years ago by Glenn Burton, a UGA plant breeder who worked on the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' Tifton campus. Knowing which gene controls the dwarfing trait will help plant breeders create more efficient, sustainable varieties of millet that have the short stature some farmers and ranchers want. "Knowing the actual gene that reduces plant height has allowed us to develop markers that can be used by breeders to screen for the presence of the gene long before the effects of the gene can be visually observed," said Devos, a professor in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, housed in the department of crop and soil sciences, and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' department of plant biology. "In the longer term, the knowledge gained in pearl millet will help to develop semi-dwarf lines with high agronomic performance in other cereal crops," she said. Rajiv K. Parvathaneni, a doctoral student working in Devos' lab, was in charge of tracking down the gene, which works by controlling the flow of the growth hormone auxin through the plant. He also wanted to understand the mechanism by which the gene controls auxin and to develop plant-breeder-friendly markers that would allow breeders to screen for the dwarfing gene before their plants matured. The gene that Parvathaneni found affects the downward transport of auxin, which is made in the top part of the plant. If this gene is on, the auxin flows freely, and millet will grow to its full height, about 10 feet. If it is off, the millet plant may only grow to be 3 to 5 feet in height. Parvathaneni and Devos' team first found which region of the pearl millet's genome contributed to growth and then compared that section to a similar section of DNA from sorghum. Sorghum is a grain related to pearl millet, and a complete map of its genome recently was released by Devos' UGA colleague Andy Patterson. The comparison revealed that ABCB1, a gene controlling auxin transport and causing reduced plant height in sorghum, was the prime gene candidate controlling pearl millet dwarf stature, Devos said. Comparative genome analysis, a process in which an unmapped genome is compared to the genome of a similar and more thoroughly described plant genome, is a common method to help identify the functions of specific genes, especially in crops for which little genetic resources are available. The next step for Devos' team is to work with researchers in other states to understand more fully how auxin transport differs in tall and dwarf millet plants and to verify that ABCB1 is in fact the gene that controls dwarfism. After Devos and Parvathaneni located the dwarfing gene, they tested pearl millet dwarfs from around the world. All dwarfs caused by a nonfunctional ABCB1 gene have the same mutation as the dwarfs that were first bred by Burton in the 1960s. Dwarf varieties of pearl millet are not ideal for every planting situation. In Africa, many farmers prefer taller varieties because they use the long stalks for roofing thatch and other applications. However, where millet is intensively cultivated, dwarf millet allows farmers to harvest the grain with mechanical threshers. Ranchers like dwarf millet as a forage plant because it has a high leaf-to-stem ratio, Devos said. Knowing more about the plant in general is key to broadening production of the very drought-resistant, hardy grain. "The crop itself has a future, a bright one--especially in regions where climate change may lead to more erratic rainfall patterns as pearl millet is highly drought tolerant. It already is a popular food crop in semi-arid regions of India and Africa and will likely gain interest from drought-prone regions of the developed world as an alternative to corn in animal feed," Parvathaneni said. ### An abstract of the journal article "Candidate Gene Underlying the d2 Dwarfing Phenotype in Pearl Millet, Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone" is available at http://www.g3journal.org/content/3/3/563.abstract. Katrien Devos kdevos@uga.edu @universityofga http://www.uga.edu More on this News Release G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION/ECONOMICS Katrien Devos, University of Georgia (IMAGE) http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/researchers-track-down-gene-responsible-short-stature-dwarf-pearl-millet/ Breaking News

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A 'short and sweet' season for strawberries Allison Nowicki, 1, of Tolland stops Saturday to enjoy a fresh strawberry as families take advantage of warm, sunny weather to pick their own at Scott's Yankee Farmer in East Lyme. Strawberry season in Connecticut never lasts long, but this year it may be even shorter than normal."The strawberries are taking a hit," said Teri Smith, co-owner with her husband Joe of Smith's Acres in East Lyme, which sells strawberries grown on its fields at its Niantic farm stand and at local farmers' markets. "Enjoy them while you can."In a year of perfect strawberry-growing weather conditions, she said, picking starts around Memorial Day and extends through July 4. In more typical years, the season is about three weeks. This year, picking started last weekend, a bit later than normal, and heavy rains over the last week are leaving many strawberries vulnerable to fungus.At Scott's Yankee Farmer in East Lyme, co-owner Karen Scott said the pick-your-own field off Chesterfield Road fared better than two other fields elsewhere where strawberries are grown for sale in the Boston Post Road farm stand. While many ripening berries have been lost to rot, there are still lots of good ones to be had, she said.The season this year, she said, will be "short and sweet."Hours at Scott's pick-your-own fields were extended this weekend after heavy rains this week kept many away. The pick-your-own field, which opened June 9, is normally open from 8 a.m. to noon on weekends, but is staying open until 2:30 p.m. to give its customers more time to take advantage of the weekend's good weather.On Saturday, the pick-your-own field was busy with strawberry fans of all ages, who all seemed to be finding plenty of perfect red berries to fill their baskets.Over the past few days, about 3 to 4½ inches of rain fell in southeastern Connecticut, drenching fields still drying out from the June 7 downpour.Rainfall totals from the June 7 deluge through Friday ranged from 7½ to 8½ inches at various locations in the region, according to The Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University. In the Connecticut River valley, flooding of farm fields damaged vegetable and tobacco crops, said Linda Piotrowicz, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture."A lot of fields have to be replanted, but there is time to replant," she said.She added that the river had not yet crested as of Friday afternoon, so the full extend of the flooding and the damage isn't yet known.While some strawberry growers around the state are reporting damage, she said others weathered the heavy rains well, and are hoping for an influx of customers."They need lots of people to come and pick," she said. "They did a good job protecting what they have."Smith said other than the damage to strawberries, crops at her 35-acre farm came through the heavy rains relatively unscathed. The only effect, she said, is that fertilizer has to be reapplied to corn and tomato fields, because most of it washed off the fields before it could soak into the soil.Other than the losses in the 5 acres of strawberries at Scott's, corn and other vegetable crops at the farm are showing no ill effects from the rains."Everything else looks good," Scott said. "We needed the rain. Now we need some sun."At Maple Lane Farms in Preston, owner Allyn Brown said his blueberry, raspberry and black currant bushes were undamaged by the rain, and his Christmas trees "love the moisture.""Other than being behind in my work, it hasn't hurt us too much," he said. The five irrigation ponds at the farm are full."It's good to be going into the summer months with the ground saturated," he said.The farm plans to open for pick-your-own blueberries, raspberries and black currents by July 4 weekend, Brown said.“We're hoping the fields will all be dry by then," he said.Holmberg's Orchards in Ledyard is also planning on an early July opening for its pick-your-own blueberries, owner Rick Holmberg said. Tomatoes and new fruit trees planted this year are all growing well, he said. Holmberg's raises peaches, apples and nectarines."Other than getting mud on our shoes and having to work in the rain, we're in good shape," he said.j.benson@theday.com

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The needle palm, as this plant is called, is not from an island. Its native homeland is the United States. Its favorite place to grow is in states in the southeastern part of the U.S., especially Florida, where it doesn't get too cold. But, it can also survive in more northern places like the District of Columbia, if it's planted in a protected spot. It's been growing at the Arboretum for about 30 years, and has survived even our worst snow and ice storms. Bonus fact: The temperature outside sometimes isn't the same in all spots in your yard. Where the temperature is hotter or cooler, there's a "microclimate." "Micro" means "small," so a microclimate is a small spot that has temperatures that are different from those around it. For example, the needle palm can grow at the Arboretum because it's planted on a hillside above the Anacostia River where warm temperatures rise from the river and are trapped. The wind isn't as bad on the side of the hill as on the top of it either. If the needle palm were planted in the middle of a large, open field, it probably wouldn't survive here. How to find the needle palm at the Arboretum: Facing the Asian Collections sign near the parking lot, turn right and walk down the road (look out for cars). Look for the yellow concrete path and turn left onto it. Where the path makes its first right turn, look to the left on the hillside and you'll see the palm. Scientific name for needle palm: Rhapidophyllum hystrix Go directly to a specific tour stop by clicking a specific spot on the Map above Start here, at the beginning Browse thumbnail images of the Virtual Tour with links to each specific spot Or, go back to the top of this page Or, go back to the Virtual Tour for Kids Introduction Page Back to the Arboretum Home Page Arboretum Information || Events & Education || Gardens & Horticulture || Research Activities Support the Arboretum || New Plant Introductions || USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map || Comments Last Updated July 10, 2009 10:05 AM URL = http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/VirtualTours/KidsVirtualTour_23b.html nasw

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URI Plant Protection Clinic lists top plant pests, diseases Rhode Islanders should be on the lookout for in 2013 Media Contact: Todd McLeish, 401-874-7892KINGSTON, R.I. � June 5, 2013 � If it seems that every year you are battling a new pest or disease in your garden, you�re not alone. According to Heather Faubert, who runs the Plant Protection Clinic at the University of Rhode Island, that trend is primarily due to the rapid transportation of plants around the country and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. To help local gardeners, landscapers and farmers become aware of what to be on the lookout for in 2013, Faubert has provided this list of the top three plant pests and diseases of the year (along with a few honorable mentions): Impatiens downy mildew: Impatiens are the top-selling annual bedding plant in the U.S. due to their colorful flowers that bloom all summer and their ability to fill in large spaces in the landscape. But this is not the year to plant them -- few garden centers even have them available � due to a fungus called impatiens downy mildew. First discovered in a few greenhouses in 2004, it made its way to the landscape in six states in 2011 and arrived in almost every other state in the nation last year. Its spores become windborne, making it easy for it to move from one area to the next. �Early symptoms are mottled, down-curled leaves and, later, white spores on the underside of the leaves,� said Faubert. �Then they just die. There may be a few leaves at the top, but the rest of the plant defoliates and dies.� Little can be done to protect impatiens from downy mildew, so Faubert suggests gardeners avoid purchasing the plants while the nursery industry searches for a variety that is resistant to the fungus. She says New Guinea impatiens, begonias, and salvias are good alternatives. Crypt gall wasp: Red and black oak trees with sagging leaves and a thin canopy may be struggling to combat this new invasive insect pest that appeared on Cape Cod last year and has been found in southern Rhode Island. The crypt gall wasp lays its eggs in the new growth of oaks and stunts their further growth. In the 1990s, the pests built up a large population on Long Island, but didn�t cause many trees to die, and the wasps declined sharply after about a decade. But landscapers on Cape Cod are concerned the infestation there is severe and many trees will be lost. Faubert said affected trees can be injected with an insecticide to kill the insects, but it is an expensive process and may not be worthwhile except on particularly treasured trees. Viburnum leaf beetle: This invasive European insect was found in New York in 1996 and was discovered in Warwick, Kingston, Charlestown and Glocester last week. Faubert believes that the viburnum leaf beetle is probably in every community in Rhode Island, where it defoliates the leaves of many species of viburnum shrubs. The beetle�s eggs hatch in early May, whereupon they feed on viburnum leaves until early June, and the adults feed on the leaves from July until the first frost. �Unlike most pest insects that feed on a plant either as larva or as an adult, this one feeds on viburnum during both stages, so it could shorten the plant�s life all the more quickly,� Faubert said. Shrubs should not die after one year, but two or three years of defoliation could kill them. So Faubert suggests waiting until the fall or winter when egg masses are easily visible on branches and pruning those branches. An insecticide can also be sprayed on the leaves to kill the insects during the growing season. In addition to these pests and diseases, Faubert encourages Rhode Islanders to be watchful for a fungal disease that is killing mature Colorado blue spruce trees; a scale insect whose excrement on oak trees becomes covered in black sooty mold; boxwood blight, a fungal disease that defoliates boxwood trees; and a Japanese fruit fly that lays its eggs in small wild and cultivated berries. Those seeking diagnosis of plant diseases and pests may deliver or mail samples to the URI Plant Protection Clinic at the Mallon Outreach Center, 3 East Alumni Ave., Kingston, RI 02881. Insects should be placed in a small container such as a prescription bottle and wrapped to protect it from breakage in the mail. Fresh plant specimens should be placed in a plastic bag and mailed in a padded mailer. Various stages of a plant�s decline should be included (not just dead samples). A $10 fee per specimen must accompany all samples. For additional information, call 401-874-2900.

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11 January 2013 13:05:48|News,Shows and Events Farmers to make London display on 16th Farming machinery is to be deployed outside St. Paul's Cathedral on January 16th to express the dependence the UK population has on farmers for their food.The display at the heart of the city will remind "thousands of workers not to forget where the ingredients in their lunchboxes come from, and the hard working farmers who produce it".The demonstration has been organised by the Addington Fund, which provides homes for farming families who have had to leave the industry.Tractors and combine harvesters will be carried by lorries through the streets of London and will arrive at St. Paul's in the late evening.The machinery is being supplied by one of New Holland’s south of England dealerships, The Turney Group, which covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and surrounding areas.From 7am until dusk on the 16th, St Paul’s Churchyard will showcase modern farming with this latest machinery, plus representatives from the farming and food industry. The day will end with a Plough Wednesday Evensong at 5pm. Jeremy Turney, of The Turney Group, said: "It’s an honour to have our New Holland machinery in pride of place at this event, supporting the British farming industry by helping them make their presence felt in the capital." "Most people are unaware of the daily struggle farmers face, most recently with low milk prices and bad weather. We’re delighted to be able to show our solidarity on top of the usual reliable service we provide." "The Addington Fund does a very important job and I hope by shining a light on the work it does we remind everyone of the vital part farming plays in everyone’s day-to-day life, whether they live in the town or country." Download 0 Comment

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Corn growers push renewable fuels standards WASHINGTON — National Corn Growers Association leaders say they believe many members of Congress want an energy bill with a renewable fuels standard. The problem is how to make it happen in this waning session of Congress. While in Washington in recent days, NCGA President Dee Vaughan and First Vice President Leon Corzine called upon Congress to get the energy bill passed. "It's not just about ethanol," said Vaughan. "It's about energy independence." The NCGA leaders delivered messages to key leaders on Capitol Hill, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.; Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.; Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill.; Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., chairman of the House Resource Committee; and Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio. Pombo was chairman of House Speaker Dennis Hastert's Natural Gas Task Force. Vaughan said he was encouraged. "The people we talked to want an energy bill," he noted. "They realize getting a comprehensive energy bill that includes a renewable fuels standard along with the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit is sound public policy that is reasonable for our nation to become less dependent on foreign oil." He expressed concern, however, that the energy bill conference committee has not completed its work. "What has happened to the message that resonated so well earlier in the year when we were talking about new energy supplies?" Vaughan asked. "What has happened to doing the right thing for America? "There are different groups that can make the United States less reliant on foreign oil, and corn growers through ethanol production can make that happen," Vaughan said. "We shouldn't look to the Middle East for energy when its right here in the Middle West." In addition to ethanol, the energy bill includes provisions for energy sources such as natural gas, wind power and coal. "All these energy sources are important to producers and the U.S. economy because they take steps toward energy independence," Vaughan said. "Congress needs to finish the job they began. It's that simple." e-mail: flaws@primediabusiness.com Source URL: http://deltafarmpress.com/corn-growers-push-renewable-fuels-standards

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A Grain Glossary Fiber-rich and low in fat, disease-fighting whole grains can reduce your risk of everything from heart disease to cancer. Photo Credit James Baigrie Whole grains are the most minimally processed versions of any grain. All the edible parts — the bran, the endosperm, and the germ — are intact, just the way the grain grows in the field. The majority of the grains that we eat today are refined, a process that strips away many of the nutrients. Whole grains, in contrast, retain all their fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Nearly every supermarket now stocks even the exotic varieties like quinoa and wheat berries (see the glossary below for info on these once obscure whole grains). Store in tightly covered containers, and refrigerate during the warmer months. Amaranth is a tiny grain native to Mexico. It's one of the few whole grains that contain all of the essential amino acids, making it an ideal source of protein. Choose it as a hot cereal, add to soups as a thickener, or use as a flour in pancakes and quick breads. Buckwheat isn't actually a wheat, but a fruit seed in the rhubarb family. It's quick-cooking, gluten-free, and a good source of fiber and magnesium. Most familiar to Americans in the form of buckwheat pancakes, it's a grain with global popularity, found in everything from Japanese soba noodles to Russian porridge. Bulgur cooks so quickly (in less than 15 minutes) because it has been boiled, dried, and cracked before reaching the supermarket. Perfect for fast side dishes and salads — and the main ingredient in tabbouleh, a Middle Eastern dish — bulgur has a mild flavor that makes it a great starter grain for kids (and husbands) who are picky eaters. Cracked wheat, often confused with bulgur, is actually raw wheat kernels that have been cracked to speed the cooking process. Farro (emmer wheat), nicknamed the Pharaoh's wheat, was a culinary cornerstone of ancient Egyptian and Roman menus. It gradually fell out of favor because it was low-yield and difficult to hull. Now grown primarily in Italy, where it's known as farro, this nutty-flavored grain is undergoing a resurgence as a gourmet grain. Try it in soups, or use as an alternative to Arborio rice in risotto. Quinoa (pronounced keen-WAH), grown in the South American Andes since 3,000 BC, is a nutrient-dense supergrain. Mild and slightly sweet, quinoa needs to be rinsed thoroughly prior to cooking in order to remove its bitter-tasting coating. A complete protein, it cooks in less than 15 minutes and can substitute for rice in most dishes. Wheat berries are actually whole kernels of wheat. When processed to remove the bran and the germ, then ground into powder, they become white flour. If they are unprocessed, they're a whole grain. Chewy, with a hint of nuttiness, the kernels are versatile add-ins to salads, soups, and side dishes. Wheat berries need at least an hour to cook, although that time can be reduced if they've been soaked overnight. Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. » More from Recipes & Menus - More Top Features in Recipes & Menus:

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Home > About FAO > Who we are > Director-General > Statements > detail A statement by FAO Director-General José Graziano da SilvaCheck against delivery Khalifa International Date Palm Award Your Highness Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee, Your Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and President of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, Dr Jacques Diouf, former Director-General of FAO, Distinguished Members of the Board of Trustees, Honorable Ministers, It is an honor to participate in the Fifth International Date Palm Conference and address you on the occasion of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award. I would like to applaud His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for the international success that this award has achieved. The Emirates are at the forefront of regional and international efforts to sustainably produce date palms. This support recognizes the role that this blessed fruit can have in helping to achieve food security in many countries. And it projects into the future the vision of His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who said: “Give me agriculture and I’ll secure a civilization for you.” I am deeply grateful to be part of this effort and honored to have been nominated a member of the Date Palm Board of Trustees. I must confess that I am not an expert on date palms, but they are not new to me or to FAO. Date palms are one of the globally recognized symbols of this region. Since 1965, FAO is proud to be part of the efforts to promote date palms. And you can be certain of our continued support. There are many areas of action. We need to train more date palm experts, improve our work in combating pests and plant diseases. We also need to address the fact that there are no marketing standards for dates and that we lack updated information on the needs of the international date market. We hope that we can respond to these needs by working together. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of this edition of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award. Their work helps keep a culture alive and adapt date palm production to today´s challenge: produce in a sustainable manner. The efforts to preserve and update knowledge on date palms have created an unique system that combines production and sustainability, safeguards biodiversity, and helps to improve the livelihoods of those who till the land. Worldwide, currently there is a group of 25 systems in 12 countries that combine all these characteristics. They are recognized by FAO as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, GIAHS. Among others, they include areas in the Philippines, Algeria, Chile, China, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Tanzania, and Tunisia. I am pleased to inform you that the date palm production system in the Emirates is in the process of being recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The date palm oases of Liwa and Al Ein could be recognized next year as the first Global Agriculture Heritage Systems in the Near East countries. Let me add that recovering and valuing local crops such as date palms is an important strategy in the pursuit of food security. Such crops do not only provide food and income, but are part of the culture and history of many peoples. And this is another value that I want to highlight. This blessed tree is part of the history, tradition and culture of the Emirates and of other countries in the Near East. By preserving date palms and adapting their production to today´s and tomorrow´s constraints, you are building a sustainable, food secure future without losing your heritage. This is a combination for which I can only express my deepest admiration and respect. Thank you for your attention. I hope to join you again soon.

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Cacti and Succulents Site BellaOnline's Cacti and Succulents Editor A Rainbow of Succulents Guest Author - Connie Krochmal In this article I focus on the best variegated succulents for landscape purposes. When most people think of color in the landscape, they pretty much mean flowers. Yet foliage can add so much to the garden. Let’s look at some of the intriguing hues that are provided by various kinds of succulents. Most of the ones discussed here will be hardy in parts of the U.S. In some cases, these are evergreen, providing color throughout the winter. A good place to start is with some of the variegated types of succulents that are available. Of the yuccas, there are quite a few cultivars with variegated foliage. Yucca filamentosa ‘Bright Edge’ has tri-colored leaves. In the center, there is dark green. This is bordered by lighter green and yellow-cream. It is hardy to zone 5. When mature, this plant can reach three feet in height. The lance-shaped foliage is about an inch wide, and over two feet in length. The species plant is native to the southern U.S. Spanish bayonet is also known as Spanish dagger (Yucca aloifolia). This plant and its cultivars can be quite tall when in bloom, over ten feet. Several variegated cultivars of this are available. They include Yucca aloifolia ‘Marginata’ with yellow along the edges of the dark green leaves. The leaves are about two inches wide and 2½ feet in length. This plant can have a branched trunk. The species plant is native to the southern U.S. and Mexico. Yucca aloifolia ‘Tricolor’ has stripes of either bright yellow or white along the center of the foliage. When immature, these can also have tinges of red. Yucca aloifolia ‘Variegata’ has stripes of creamy white along the edges. Spanish dagger (Yucca gloriosa) is native to the southern U.S. Hardy to zone 7, this is also called mound-lily. Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’ has yellow along the edges of the leaves. In southern regions, this can have a short trunk that reaches 8 feet in height. The leaves are up to 2½ feet in length and two inches wide. A variegated form of Adam’s needle (Yucca filifera ‘Garlands Gold’) has boldly colored foliage that is yellow in the center. Along each side of that are areas of green. This plant can reach four feet in height. Of the agaves, the following are the most colorful. The century plant or American aloe (Agave americana) comes in a variegated form. ‘Agave americana Medio-picta’ has wide stripes or streaks of yellow down the center of the leaf. Normally, this cultivar is smaller than the species plant. In addition, there are other versions of the cultivar. ‘Medio-picta-alba’ is mostly white. In addition, there is a variegated form of the century plant, called Agave americana ‘Variegata’. This one has cream or yellow along the edges of the foliage. Even the spines on this are yellow. Some of the sedums offer quite a bit of variegation. Kamschatka stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum) is native to Siberia, Japan, and China. Sedum kamtschaticum ‘Variegata’ has creamy white along the margins. Less than 8 to 9 inches in height, this is smaller than the species plant. The blooms are yellowish-orange. It is hardy to zone 3-8. Sedum sieboldii ‘Medio-variegatum’ has large, creamy yellow flecks in the center of the leaves. Often the edges will be reddish. Siebold stonecrop is hardy to zone 3 or 4. Less than a foot tall, its stems tend to be ground-hugging. Foliage is in whorls of threes. Sedum spathulifolium is native to the western U.S. Sedum spathulifolium ‘Capo Blanco’ features evergreen leaves that are unevenly coated with a waxy bloom when they are immature. These mature to silver with hints of reddish-purple on the leaf margins. Hardy to zone 5, this is about four inches tall. The blooms are yellow. Sedum ‘Frosty Morn’ has light green leaves with a wide band of white around the margins. It is highly variegated. For the most part, this upright plant is a foot tall. It features white or pinkish blooms in late summer. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, this was introduced to the U.S. from Japan by Barry Yinger. Sedum alboroseum ‘Medio-variegatum’ has an overall yellow appearance. The gray-green color is pretty much restricted to the margins of the foliage. Even the stems of this plant are yellow. Sedum spurium ‘Variegatum’ has creamish-pink along the leaf margins. In some cases, the individual leaves, which are evergreen, can be pinkish-red. This has a creping growth habit, and is less than ½ foot in height. The blooms are white to pink, and open in July and August. It is hardy to zones 3 through 8. The species plant is native to Asia Minor. Euphorbia characias ‘Emmer Green’ is probably the most vigorous variegated form of this Mediterranean native. It features white along the edges. The floral bracts also show some variegation. This site needs an editor - click to learn more! For FREE email updates, subscribe to the Cacti and Succulents Newsletter Content copyright © 2015 by Connie Krochmal . All rights reserved. This content was written by Connie Krochmal . If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Aloes - an introductionMother of ThousandsJade Plant

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Serving as IBA president rewarding for cattleman Martha Blum, Field Editor WHITTINGTON, Ill. — Leading the Illinois Beef Association as its president for the past two years has been an enjoyable, rewarding experience for Jeff Beasley. “When I came on the board in 2005, I had no idea what would transpire over the next eight years,” said Beasley, who completed his term as president during the IBA Summer Conference. “I have represented IBA at meetings all over the state and country.” The Creal Springs cattleman has enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to meet numerous people. “I’ve had the opportunity to go to Denver, Phoenix, Reno, Tampa, Nashville, San Antonio and Washington, D.C., many times,” he said. “I fell in love with Washington and really enjoyed my time there because I have an interest in politics.” Meeting cattlemen throughout the country has allowed Beasley to learn about all kinds of cattle operations. “I am thankful to this organization for giving me this opportunity to be its leader for a couple of years,” he said. “And I hope the IBA members have benefited, as well.” When Beasley was selected as the IBA president, he set several goals for the organization. “I’ve thought all along that it is critical to our long-term success as producers to communicate about our industry to the agricultural community and consumers,” he stressed. It is important, Beasley noted, to communicate messages to customers in urban areas through programs such as Illinois Farm Families. “It is crucial to get our message out to those who have lost touch with the farm,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to speak on behalf of beef producers and don’t be afraid to be interviewed because I really think that benefits us as a whole in the long run.” Beasley also noted the importance of the Beef Quality Assurance program. “Two years ago, only 8 percent of IBA members were BQA certified,” he said. “With the help of the IBA staff and the IBA Board of Governors, we made a commitment to improve on that number.” BQA is a program that provides cattlemen with information about ways to do things better on their farms such as vaccinations and cattle handling. “The key with BQA is we’re showing our customer that we think it is important we follow beef quality guidelines to put the safest, most nutritious product that is handled in a human manner out there,” Beasley said. During the two-year time period, BQA certification in Illinois increased by 200 percent, the IBA president reported. “However, we are still a long way from where we need to be,” he said. “We can’t sit back and be satisfied.” Working with legislators has been a top priority for Beasley. “We have made some great relationships over the years with the legislators, and that takes phone calls and personal visits,” he said. “This is not a short battle — it goes on forever.” And, the IBA president said, once the relationships are built, they must be maintained. “My friend, Ned Heltsley, and I are on first-name basis with many of the staff members in Washington and members of Congress,” he said. “And many times they call us for our opinions.” “Ned and I have traveled to all parts of this state, working on legislative efforts, and we’ve walked the halls of Congress,” he added. Beasley encouraged the new IBA leadership to remain engaged with legislators. “The highlight of my tenure has been the accomplishments we’ve made with legislators,” he said. “Even though I was involved, I am not the sole reason for the success of IBA,” he added. “There are many people involved, including staff, members of the board and IBA members — all helped make IBA successful. “Although it has been a successful two years, we didn’t accomplish everything I wanted to,” Beasley admitted. “We did have our challenges when early last year our executive vice president, Maralee (Johnson), was diagnosed with a brain tumor and left us soon after that,” he said. “But we met the challenges head on, and Maralee would have wanted us to do that.” Beasley recalled that he worked well with Johnson. “She was almost like a big sister I never had,” he noted. Over the past year, the cattleman said, he has worked closely with Reid Blossom, who was hired to fill the IBA executive vice president position. “We text, email, and I appreciate his efforts,” he said. The IBA president expressed his gratitude to his family for their support during the time he spent leading the IBA. When he first interviewed for the position, he recalled, a member of the nominating committee asked him about the support from his family. > “Those at home make a huge sacrifice, there’s no question about that,” he stressed. “My wife, Angela; my three kids, Kristen, Brenden and Wyatt; my mom, dad and Bruce stepped up all those days I was gone.” Beasley thanked his family for the work they did on the farm. “The sacrifice they made to cover things while I was gone has benefited IBA,” he said. “And I thank each and every one of you for your support of IBA and I over the last couple of years.” 1

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Slow Food movement to address the G8 GLOBAL AND LOCAL By JESSICA RHYS | January 5, 2009 Next summer, delegates from a worldwide effort to preserve and celebrate small-scale and indigenous farming in the face of corporate agribusiness conglomerates will address the very officials who represent the evils of globalization.The international organization Slow Food, founded in 1986 by former journalist Carlo Petrini with the goal of saving artisan and heritage foods and the traditions and communities that produce them, announced at Terra Madre, its biennial conference held last month, that the Italian government, who will host the next G8 summit in July, has formally invited Slow Food delegates to attend and address the event.We're not talking about protesting in the streets, but high-powered talks with esteemed Slow Food leaders. Slow Food publicist Michele Mesmain says it is uncertain exactly who the delegates will be at this time, but they will certainly be the most powerful and well-spoken that the movement can garner, such as Petrini himself or possibly Vandana Shiva, an internationally renowned defender of biodiversity who spoke at the recent conference. Shiva is a likely choice as a beacon of another movement, too — called "alter-globalization," it seeks not to fight against multinational corporations or inter-governmental free-trade agreements, but instead to ensure that as the world shrinks, all parties pay special attention to respect human rights, the environment, and democracy.This could be a sign that a more just and sustainable world is coming — and is certainly a signal of the growing power of Slow Food members. (Six thousand people, including me, attended the convention, in Turin, Italy; each attendee represented a community of as many as 100 people back home, whether in Maine, or Iowa, or near Lake Tanganyika.)Depending on how the best and brightest of the Slow Food delegates are received next year, we could see more international support for sustainable farming as more of a legitimate occupation and less of a martyred vocation. The time has come to look forward to communities in which we can easily and affordably buy what we need to feed ourselves directly from local producers.Maine is already a leader in this effort. We have one of the oldest and best-organized organic certifying organizations in the country in this state, the estimable MOFGA. Because of its excellent educational programs and its innovative Farmlink program, one of just 16 in the nation (helping connect young would-be farmers with land they can work), ours is one of the only states that has begun to see the average age of our farmers (hovering somewhere in the mid-50s for years) actually go down, and our number of farms go up. We have a budding school garden network. We have an organization, Farm Fresh Connection, that's dedicated to helping connect local farmers and institutional buyers. We have an ever-expanding farmer's market system. We have a growing, sustainable food system with sophisticated programs to meet modern needs.And now the movement has a chance to get on an even bigger stage. I'm seeing a juicy glimmer of hope, and it tastes like fine, free-range Prosciutto di Parma. A brief history of shopping, It’s global class war, Review: Summer Hours, More A brief history of shopping It’s global class war Written by a former Mainer, The Global Class War barely mentions Maine, but it explains what is happening economically in our state — as well as in the world. Review: Summer Hours In his understated, intricate L'heure d'été , Olivier Assayas comments on globalization and materialism by way of a simple story of three siblings dividing the contents of their mother's estate in rural France. Raking over the coals Placing Aviva Chomsky’s article on the front page was a wise decision. Cash-strapped government Most people realize that the nasty economic news is getting nastier. Changing concentrations Thomas Friedman from the New York Times writes that “the world is flat.” Are you too old for school?: Even at age 30, your brain is different from the average student’s. By Samantha Henig Unvarnished Maine is at a unique crossroads. Welcome to Atlantica Big companies in northern New England and eastern Canada have launched another initiative to free themselves from what they consider to be onerous government regulation and oversight. Food unfarmed Following in the Peabody Award-winning footsteps of Aaron Wolf's congenial, informative documentary King Corn, Robert Kenner's omnibus agri-doc Food, Inc . offers a bleaker portrait of America's food economy at this year's Food+Farm event series, centered at SPACE Gallery from May 7 to 10. Apologies in advance As the dominoes have fallen, one after another, in the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 and Almost Certainly 2009 and It's a Safe Bet Most of 2010 Too, we've noticed a disturbing and little-discussed undercurrent: many of the major players have names that are basically bad puns. Hey guv: stop slashing! It seems as if there’s no light at the end of the state’s gloomy fiscal tunnel. Less Topics: This Just In , Economic Issues, Globalization, food, More , Economic Issues, Globalization, food, G-8, prosciutto, Less |

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Rain Hasn’t Helped Illinois’ Drought Impact October 25, 2012 By Illinois Public Radio The U.S. Department of Agriculture Drought Monitor, updated Thursday, shows about 92 percent of Illinois as abnormally dry, including several counties in northwest Illinois in extreme drought. "You may go out and see mud," said John Hawkins, spokesman for the Illinois Farm Bureau. "But if you were digging a hole or anything like that, what you’d see is just dry dirt after the first five or six inches." LeRoy Getz has been a dairy farmer for more than five decades. His farm is in Carroll County, one of the driest areas of the state's northwest corner. He took a break from milking his cows to talk about what it will take to replenish the soil. “I think we’re off to a good start," Getz said. "I don’t anticipate having two drought years back to back. If we go into it thinking it’s great, it will be great, right?” Since the growing season is over, farmers like Getz are just hoping for good ground soil for spring planting, which means they'd like to see lots of rain--or snow in the months ahead. Story source: Illinois Public Radio agriculture

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The Myth of Good Italian Food The Myth of Good Italian Food recounts a two-year investigation into the Italian food system, debunking the common belief that ‘Italians eat better’ with a story of homogenization and globalization common to agro-industrial food production worldwide. First published in 2006 in Italian, the best-seller has been revised and translated into English, published in e-book format, with a preface from Slow Food’s president Carlo Petrini. Too often, and almost everywhere, food is insidious, dangerous and carries a long list of problems that are repeated worldwide: pesticides, mercury, bird flu, E-coli 0157 and so on. What the author Paolo Conti describes, however, is a kind of war. A fight in Italy as well as the rest of Europe and the world, between technofood and ecofood: food produced with the indiscriminate use of technology and ruling over nature as opposed to production in harmony with the Earth and its resources. Regarding this argument, Conti writes: «The era that we live in is dominated by technology. By using a range of techniques, we believe that we can rule over nature. Food is no exception. There is no establishment in the Western World that seriously opposes the indiscriminate use of technology in the preparation and processing of food. Technofood is now the norm in supermarkets. Even in Italy, where a less elaborate, more natural diet has been the preference for decades. Ecofood, the combination of less technological food alternatives that are more sustainable on a long-term basis, does exist: it offers a universe of alternatives and represents a practical answer to the problem, in many ways it is the better, more economically viable solution. But it is losing the battle. Even in Europe, where precautionary principles should force us to be more careful. Even in Italy, where we still believe in eating and exporting good, wholesome and genuine food. Many Italian food companies use “all-natural” as their primary selling point. The words “nature”, “field”, and “real flavors” stand out on the packages, but the aroma and flavor we get when we open the box seldom belongs to the food contained within it. Artificial flavors are now customary in many products: they deceive our senses by convincing our brains that we smell and taste things that no longer exist. Food has changed. Food companies use very few raw materials and transform them to increase their profits, while leading us to believe that food is the same as it once was». The solutions aren’t simple, but they are possible. The first key to overcoming technofood and restoring a natural balance is knowledge: a necessity of life, to continue to enhance our collective consciousness and to ensure that we eat a better future. Click here to purchase the The Myth of Good Italian Food e-book. 5% of sales revenue will be donated to Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity Click here to read an extract from the preface by Slow Food president Carlo Petrini.

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NebraskaIANRNebraska ExtensionMarket JournalMJ ExtrasMJ Reports from South America Home Market Journal's Coverage of South American Agriculture Argentina and Brazil - January 14 - 25, 2014 South America Preview –“ Argentina and Brazil have both dramatically added soybean acres. Many believe they can continue to put more soybeans in the ground. But many challenges stand in the way of making the transition from field to consumer a smooth one. Nonetheless, U.S. soybean producers have already felt South America's recent rise. Part 2 –“ Growing Conditions –“ Farmers in both Argentina and Brazil expect to mirror the U.S. in 2014, in that margins will be tighter than previous seasons. In Brazil, a caterpillar caused early trouble in soybeans. In Argentina, concerns over precipitation were starting to emerge during our mid-January trip. There are stark differences between here and there: the use of crop insurance isn't widespread, and irrigation is sparse. The benefits and challenges for both countries are very different than those in the Midwest. Brazilian Futures Market –“ Fabiana Salgueiro Perobelli Urso, BM&FBOVESPA agribusiness products manager, discusses how farmers in Brazil can use futures contracts to protect their margins. Argentina's Transportation Advantage –“ Terminal six, or T6, was founded in 1985 by six companies. Its two shareholders now are Bunge and Argentine company AGD. T-6 sits on about one thousand acres of land on the Parana River near the city of Rosario. That's a very important location, agriculturally-speaking. This area is positioned well to serve the Pampas region of Argentina –“ a nearly 300,000 square mile area of plains where, towards the east, soybeans flourish. Argentina's Proteco Feedlot –“ More Argentine farmers are opting to use land for crops, instead of livestock. As a result, more cattle are now being finished in feedlots, rather than on grasslands. Market Journal's Kurtis Harms reports from Argentina's Proteco Feedlot to show how one of the country's larger operations is raising its animals. Part 1 - A Soybean Boom –“ With a good finish to the growing season and favorable weather during harvest, Brazil could very well overtake the United States as the world's number one soybean producer. Regardless, that crop will set a production record, and the same could happen across the border in Argentina. The USDA is expecting Argentina's farmers will produce 54.5 million metric tons (MMT) of soybeans and Brazil's total will be 89 MMT. The U.S. harvested a little more than 89.5 MMT during the 2013 season. The new highs in both Argentina and Brazil shouldn't be a surprise once you see how far and how fast the two countries have climbed in soybean production over the last two decades. Part 3 –“ After Harvest –“ While Brazil may be the leading soybean producer after its harvest this year, it's already the world's top exporter of soybeans. Argentina is number one in shipping both soybean oil and meal. For both nations, however, some of the biggest challenges occur when trying to sell those products and get them to ports. If the difficulties in these areas are improved, it would have an impact on soybean production there, and therefore, prices here. Brazil Ag Overview –“ Amaryllis Romano, Tendências consultoria integrada (Brazil), outlines Brazil's agricultural landscape. Argentine Producer Perspective –“ Argentine farmer Santiago del Solar Dorrego talks about his view of agriculture in Argentina. This interview was taped January 19, 2014 near Rojas in the northern portion of Buenos Aires province.

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Last modified 47 days ago (Sept. 8, 2016) Return to Hillsboro Star-Journal Donahue designs new trailer for easy loading By KELSEY UNRUH A request from a California-based company prompted Donahue Manufacturing in Durham to design a new flatbed trailer. “We had a dealer in California that manufactures a soil conditioner that is pulled behind by 3-point hitch tractor and is 20 feet wide,” owner Doug Kjellin said, “so it could not go down California highways or freeways. They had no way to get it up onto a flatbed, so we built the flatbed to come up to the implement.” It took a team led by Mike Stika and Jason Stika three months to design and build the first prototype of the DB-22-G detachable flatbed trailer, which, according to a press release, “utilizes on-board hydraulics to allow an operator to effortlessly lower a platform, bed, or box directly to the ground.” Equipment can then be driven up onto the bed while it is 8 inches off the ground, and can then be lifted, while on the bed back, onto the trailer. While Donahue manufactures trailers that can be used for farm equipment, they can also be used for other equipment as well. “I’ve already had people come in here saying ‘Well, that would work good for this application,’” Kjellin said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have success in the agriculture industry, but that doesn’t mean we can’t branch out into other areas.” Though the economy has made it difficult for farmers to afford equipment, that hasn’t stopped customers at Donahue. The company already has sold four of the DB-22-G trailers. “When times get tough, leaders innovate,” Kjellin said. “This was something that was requested that we try, and when things get tight, you try to find new ways to do things.” Last modified Sept. 8, 2016

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Agriculture: Wheat after ice In central Kansas, many fields of wheat were covered in a thick coating of ice on April 11. By itself, a coating of ice on the surface of leaves and stems will usually not cause direct damage unless the wheat is tall enough that the weight of the ice breaks the wheat over and causes lodging. Ice can also cause leaves to become water-soaked and mushy, but this will not affect new leaves. Ryan Flaming, K-State Extension Ice on the surface of leaves and stems doesn't necessarily mean there will be ice inside the stems. Those are two separate issues. If there is ice inside the stems, that may or may not injure the developing heads. You might think ice inside the stems would always cause damage, but anyone who has seen a lot of spring freeze events knows that wheat's response can be unpredictable. There have been times when there was ice inside the stems and it simply melted and the wheat had normal head development afterward. It may depend on how cold the temperatures were when the ice formed. Other times, ice will kill the heads or split open the stems, which usually results in severe injury. Oddly, even split stems do not always mean the end of the tiller. In 1997, there were a lot of split stems that surprised everyone by healing up on their own due to the wet, mild conditions in the weeks following the freeze. Where there are stems and/or growing points were killed by the freeze, start looking for new tiller growth coming from the crown area. In fact, look for new tiller growth even if you think the stems look okay. Sometimes tillers can be killed but will not show any symptoms for quite a while. In those cases, the first sign that the tillers are dead is the sudden growth of new tillers at the base of the plant. There are many possible scenarios after a freeze, and things do not always go according to "the book." Just keep watching your fields closely over the next 7 to 10 days for the following: As the heads are light green and turgid, and the head in that tiller is fine. If the head is whitish and flaccid, it has died. If the color of newly emerging leaves are nice and green, that probably indicates the tiller is alive. If newly emerging leaves are yellow, that probably indicates the tiller is dead. The color of existing leaves is not terribly important, except for the flag leaf. Existing leaves will almost always turn bluish-black after a hard freeze, and give off a silage odor. Those leaves are burned back and dead, but that in itself is not a problem as long as newly emerging leaves are green. — Ryan Flaming is a Kansas State Research and Extension Agent for Harvey County. Agriculture is his specialty.

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Lincoln: payment limit rules would widen deficit Forrest Laws Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff The new payment limit rules being proposed as amendments to the 2007 farm bill could mean more traditional U.S. crops being grown overseas and a wider U.S. agricultural trade deficit, Sen. Blanche Lincoln said. Speaking on the Senate floor shortly after leaders agreed to a compromise on the number of amendments that could be offered to the bill, Sen. Lincoln, D-Ark., praised the Senate Agriculture Committee-passed farm bill, saying it would ensure a safe domestic food supply that too many senators and consumers seem to take for granted. Lincoln accused some of her colleagues of, in effect, talking out of both sides of their mouths when they speak against farm programs and for tighter payment limits that she said would threaten the economic livelihoods of farmers in Arkansas. “One day my colleagues are reporting about the dangers that our nation is facing with unsafe foods that are entering our country or the atrocities of outsourcing jobs,” she said. “And the next day they’re here on the floor criticizing farm programs that allow us to ensure that safe and affordable supply of food for our children and our families.” Shortly after it resumed debate on Monday (Dec. 10) the Senate was expected to take up the Grassley-Dorgan payment limit amendment that would reduce the amount of payments larger farming operations can receive and an amendment from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., that would deny payments to individuals with incomes above $750,000 a year. The Senate passed the amendment offered by Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., in its version of the 2002 farm bill, but the legislation was removed by House members of a House-Senate conference committee. The Grassley-Dorgan amendment would eliminate the three-entity rule and set limits of $20,000 for direct payments, $30,000 for counter-cyclical payments and $75,000 for marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments per individual. Lincoln said those amendments threaten U.S. production of commodities such as rice and wheat and would encourage their production in foreign countries where they might not be grown in a safe and reliable way. “If we’re not careful with the tighter payment limits that are being talked about and certainly the adjusted gross income limits, we’re going to make our producers of stable commodities like rice less competitive internationally,” she said. “And when we put them out of business, they’re not going to another area of our country.” U.S. officials are predicting an agricultural trade deficit for the first time in the history of this country, she noted. “We need to stand up and say our agricultural sector is very, very important to us as well.” National Cotton Council officials were urging the Senate to reject both amendments, saying reforms in the Senate Agriculture Committee-passed bill has made them unnecessary. “These amendments, if adopted, would disproportionately impact diversified operations, make production financing even more difficult in times of sky-rocketing input costs and completely eliminate the value of the marketing loan as an orderly marketing and financial tool,” said NCC Chairman John Pecheu of Tranquillity, Calif. “The unintended consequences will include cropping shifts which will cause excess production and lower prices and force landlords to shift to cash rent which will undermine the ability of you and limited resource farms to obtain financing. e-mail: flaws@farmpress.com Source URL: http://deltafarmpress.com/lincoln-payment-limit-rules-would-widen-deficit

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Archive for Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Five Questions: Blooms and Produce Photo by Elvyn Jones. Darrel Zimmerman cuts one the sunflowers the De Soto Rotary Club planted behind the barn at Zimmerman’s Kill Creek Farm as a fundraiser for the Rotary Club International's project to eradicate polio in the three remaining countries where it still exist. The sunflowers bouquets were sold during the first two farmers’ markets Zimmerman annually has at the farm during the produce season and Saturday and Sunday. Q: The first farmers’ market was July 1. How did that go? A: We must have had 300 people here. We had 15 vendors. New this year is Kathy Landers with her goat cheese. Q: Did you have any tomatoes? A: Not the first week, but we will this week (Wednesday) and through the end of the season. We’ll probably run out this week. That’s what people want. We had green beans, squash, sweet corn and all the other things, but no tomatoes yet. We’ll have sweet corn until the end of the season. There’s a guy from Edwardsville who said he would have sweet corn here every week. Q: The De Soto Rotary Club is also selling sunflower bouquets as a fundraiser to help eradicate polio during the farmers’ market. The sunflowers were your idea. Where did you get it? A: I stole it. There was a guy in New England who raised them for the Make a Wish Foundation. Q: How much longer will they be available? A: We started selling them at the first farmers’ market. We also sold them on Saturday and Sunday. So far, we’ve raised $600. We’ll sell them again starting at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. After that they will probably be gone. Q: How much to they cost? A: A bouquet is $10. Print

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Texas AgriLife Extension Service,Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas January-February, 2009 The Three Tarragons: French, Russian and Mexicanby Cynthia W. Mueller, Galveston County Master Gardener All three of the herbs usually referred to as �tarragon� are from the Compositae (sunflower) family. These three plants share the same rich, anise/licorice flavor that is indispensable to many French and English recipes. French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) The true French tarragon is Artemisia dracunculus, indigenous to Russia and western Asia, but has a permanent place in Western cuisine, and is especially popular in France, England and the United States. It appears to have the �purest� flavor, and is usually grown from cuttings rather than seed. The plants grow to a height of about 2 - l/2 feet. �French� leaves are smoother, glossier, darker and more pungent and aromatic than those of the Russian plants. Mexican Marigold Mint (Tagetes lucida) Russian Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculoides Pursch) The English word tarragon is a corruption of the French word estragon, or �little dragon�, derived from the Arabic tarkhun. Various folklore beliefs were that tarragon was good for treating the bites of venomous snakes, while others thought the name was due to the coiled serpent like roots of the plant. The Russian plant is thought to be less flavorful than the true French tarragon, and is more robust, growing to a height of about 5 feet. The ancient Greeks and Romans did not include artemisias in their kitchen repertoire and it was only rarely mentioned during medieval times. The Arab botanist and pharmacist, Ibn-al-Baytar of Spain, mentioned it as a breath sweetener, sleep aid and as a seasoning for vegetables. It was not until the 16th century that tarragon could be considered one of the condiments of the Western world. True tarragon does not like our summer heat and is not very permanent in the garden. Often people who purchase tarragon plants believe they are getting the French variety but have purchased the Russian one, instead. Both do best in warm, dry, well-drained light soils in a sunny location. Protect from severe frost and �wet feet� � mulching sometimes helps it withstand cold weather. These two plants do not do well from seed and their flowers are rather obscure, and whitish-green. Cut the tops of the plants a few inches above the ground several times during the growing season, dry in the shade and store stripped in containers to preserve the aromatic, licorice-anise aroma. An oil is made from tarragon that is used in the manufacture of pickles, flavoring of liquors and vinegars. The taste is good with chicken dishes, and can be mixed into fines herbes mixtures, fish sauces and tomato juice. Because of the strength of the flavor, add sparingly and taste during the process of creating the flavoring at hand. Tarragon vinegar is especially good as salad dressing, or for adding flavor to sauces such as b�arnaise, tartare and hollandaise. 5 to 6 lb. roasting chicken l/2 c. butter or margarine, softened 2 T. lemon juice l- l/2 tsp tarragon leaves 2 � l/2 tsp. salt Brush chicken, inside and out with lemon juice and salt. Mix butter with tarragon and generously rub skin of chicken, saving some of the tarragon butter to place in the cavity of the chicken. Place bird on rack in roasting pan, roast in moderate oven (375F) for l hour and 20 minutes or until done. Baste occasionally with pan drippings. Serve with roasted potatoes, cooked carrots, green beans and white onions. Even if it is difficult for us to grow tarragon here in Texas, Mother Nature has come to our rescue with the Mexico/Southwest US native, Mexican Marigold Mint. This sprightly, perennial plant has small golden flowers in the fall and can easily take the place of the longed-for tarragon in our kitchens. It, too, has a wonderful anise/licorice smell and taste. On an average plants grow about 3 feet tall, but there is a shorter strain available occasionally. They also thrive in hot, dry places in full sun in the flower bed. Dig the clumps every 2 or 3 years and reset. Use the same concepts for vinegar making and for drying leaves, although the fresh leaves seem to be the best to me. A little about "what's in a name?" - When we read the Latin name of Russian tarragon � Artemisia dracunculoides � we usually see the word �Pursch� behind it. This lets the reader know who applied the new name to the plant in question � in other words, who introduced it to the rest of the reading public. In this case the word refers to a German plantsman, Frederick Traugott Pursch (1774-l820). Who was he, really? He gathered his knowledge of plants at the Dresden Botanic Garden, and emigrated to the United States in 1799 to settle in Philadelphia, then a major center for plant activity in America, and worked from 1802-5 in �The Woodlands,� the garden of William Hamilton, who was a well known horticulturist and sometime politician in Philadelphia. Pursch soon became friends with such famous horticulturists as Bernard McMahon, John Bartram, and Benjamin Smith Barton. His special interest was the study of the new flora of North America. Plants collected by the Lewis & Clark Expedition were shared with him so that he could study and place them. It was Pursch who named the wildflower Clarkia pulchella for William Clark. In 1805 he went on a collecting ramble from Maryland to the Carolinas and back, with only his gun and dog. In 1806 he traveled north from the mountains of Pennsylvania to New Hampshire and returned, again travelling almost all the way on foot. But Pursch�s fortunes changed when he departed for England and carried away some of the specimens entrusted to him by the Lewis & Clark expedition. He finished his book on the systematic arrangement and description of the flora of North America (Flora Americae Septrionalis) in 1813 � without ever returning the specimens to Clark - which created further rancor. He arrived in Canada in 1816 but received a great setback when ultimately his collections were destroyed by fire and he fell into poor health due to alcoholism. When he died in Montreal in 1820 his friends had to defray his burial expenses. His remains were moved from the Popineau Road Cemetery in 1857 to the Mount Royal Cemetery and a monument was raised in his honor by the members of the Natural History Society of Montreal in 1878. Pursch is remembered in the name of the �bitterbush� (Purschia) and by several other designations, such as Rhamnus purschiana, a species of buckthorn. It�s interesting to realize that there are many stories behind the names of the plants we have in our gardens woodlands and pastures. Earth Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape performance while preserving and protecting the environment. For more information on Earth Kind Landscape Management Practices see our web site: http://earthkind.tamu.edu

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Co-Extra > country reports > public debates SI for Slovenia Public debates / Stakeholder activities Public debate and stakeholder opinions Until recently, public debate on co-existence hardly has existed in Slovenia. The topic was discussed primarily at conferences such as the co-existence workshop hosted in July 2005 by the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia in cooperation with EuropaBio. On 6 October 2005, the Agricultural Co-existence Conference was hosted by the embassy of the USA in Slovenia. In 2006, public debate intensified following the draft publication of the act on co-existence of genetically modified plants with other crops. Positions on co-existence The Slovenian government has not stated its position on co-existence. The political party Zares organised a conference on GMOs. Due to the expectation of a parliamentary hearing on the Act on the co-existence of genetically modified plants with other agricultural plants, co-existence also was one of the main topics of the conference. Many organic farmers who were present at the event expressed strong opposition to GMOs and to co-existence. In 2004, organic farmers called for legislation on co-existence. In addition, they state a lack of belief in the actual possibility of co-existence and, consequently, propose the establishment of GMO-free regions. During public debate on the draft Act in 2006, the initiatives for GMO-free regions displayed an increase in strength. Initiatives against GMOs Several initiatives are aimed against the planting of GMOs in Slovenia. Together with organic farmers from Austria and Italy, the association of Slovenian organic farmers has formed an group known as Bio Alpe Adria. The group intends to establish a GMO-free zone that consists of parts of Austria and of Italy as well as all of Slovenia. The former Slovenian president, Dr. Janez Drnovšek, has established the association 'Gibanje za Pravičnost' in Razvoj. On the Internet pages of the association, some opinions are published against the use of GMOs and against co-existence. On 22 April 2007, the Institute for Sustainable Development initiated a campaign for the establishment of GMO-free regions and communities. By the end of 2007, more than 70 communities had declared themselves as GMO-free. The main aims of the campaign are the stimulation of general debate on the use of GMOs in agriculture, the augmentation of public awareness of the issue, and the obligation of politicians and the government towards transparency with regard to the use and cultivation of GMOs. Regional Co-extra reporter /rapporteur:Dr. Mojca MilavecNational institute of biology, Department of biotechnology and systems biologyVecna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Website: http://www.nib.si/en/ Email: Mojca.Milavec@nib.siPhone: +386 1 42 33 388Fax: +386 1 25 73 847 Back to overview page for Slovenia

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Next Salt wounds Vietnam's rice crop A rice field near the Mekong Delta in An Giang, Vietnam. Image: Shutterstock Tuesday 8 March 2016 Vietnamese rice farmers are facing tough times this year as drought continues to punish the country’s rice bowl bringing salt levels in the Mekong delta to record levels. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is already reporting that more than 200,000 metric tons of rice have been damaged, resulting in a loss of over 1 trillion VND ($44.64 million U.S.) to the region. It’s a number that is likely to grow as the ministry expects salinity in the delta to reach its highest level in a century. According to the ministry, saltwater intrusion appeared two months earlier than previous years due to serious river water shortages that are caused, at least in part, by dry conditions that began in 2013. If the drought persists until June, it could put some 500,000 hectares of rice crops at risk. Not only is the drought harming rice farmers, but Hanoi blames the dry weather for a fresh water shortage affecting some 575,000 people throughout the region. “The source of water this year is lower than before, this leads to deeper salinization compared to previous years,” Duong Van Ni, an expert of Can Tho University told RFA. “This is partly due to the weather conditions.” El Nino effect Both 2013 and 2014 were drier than usual, while 2015 saw the complete lack of the normal flood as an El Nino began to grip the Pacific, he said. The drought and more upstream agricultural development in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are pushing saline levels up, he explained. “Because of El Nino effects this year, the water is very salty,” rice farmer Ben Tre told RFA. “Normally it is not salty after Tet, but this year the water was salty since the tenth month of the lunar year last year.” Salinity in the Vam Co, Tien and Hau Rivers and other rivers in the delta is now higher than traditional levels. Meanwhile, saltwater has intruded upstream 50 to 60 kilometers into the mainland, and even 93 kilometers in the Vam Co River’s neighborhood, about 15 to 20 kilometers deeper than previous years, according to local media reports. The problem has caught Hanoi’s attention as Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a Feb. 17 meeting at Can Tho where he pledged VND 2.3 billion (U.S.$ 103,132) in government aid for farmers in the region. The government has organized a meeting with relevant ministries and leaders of all 12 Mekong Delta provinces on Monday to discuss solutions, according to TuoiTreNews. River stress The Mekong River delta has been under stress for quite some time as many countries in Asia see the river 2,700-mile-long river as a road to industrialization. Countries that have a claim on the Mekong have built dozens of dams along the river. China and Laos see the river as a way slake the region’s thirst for electricity as well as for agriculture and flood control. By 2020 Beijing wants to produce 282 gigawatts of hydroelectric power, and Laos wants electricity to become its major source of revenue by 2025. Daming the river changes its water flow and is expected to have impact on agricultural production downstream, and particularly in countries like Vietnam that lie near the Mekong’s mouth. Dams block sediment that normally flows into the delta, causing it to shrink. Add in the effects of climate change which is causing sea levels to rise,and the Mekong gets hit with an environmental double-whammy. While the government is taking action to ease the burden for rice farmers and others living on the delta, Duong Van Ni said it could be too little too late. “Irrigation projects have been carried out. Dykes to prevent salinization have been built in some place, and in others farmers have even changed their crops,” he explained. “However, most of the measures are just for the short term and do not address the issue for a longer term. I think what they need to do is to provide people with capacity to deal with risks.” Copyright © 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Share this story

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MAHONIA Evergreen shrubs with dark green leaves divided into a number of segments, the number, size and shape of the segments varying in different kinds. The yellow flowers are produced in rather dense clusters in spring, and are followed by dark purple or blueblack fleshy fruits covered by a definite bloom (waxy coating). The flesh of the fruits, though acid, is edible and can be used for making jelly. The various kinds are natives of North America and Asia. Some are hardy in the North, a few can only be grown in the milder districts. Mahonia belongs to the Barberry family, Berberidaceae, and is very closely allied to Berberis. The name was given in honor of an American horticulturist, Bernard M’Mahon. Methods of Propagation. All the Mahonias can be increased by means of seeds sown in sandy soil in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Seeds of the commonest kind, Mahonia Aquifolium, may be sown in a prepared bed of soil out of doors; in fact, in favored localities young plants frequently develop from naturally sown seeds. Some kinds can be propagated by division, or by layering the branches in spring, but with such kinds as Mahonia japonica and Mahonia napaulensis it is almost essential to rely on seeds. Hints on Cultivation. The different kinds of Mahonia vary a good deal in their requirements. All thrive in well-drained, loamy soil, but Mahonia Aquifolium will llourish under varied conditions, in good soil and poor soil, in shade or in sunshine (except that, in the North, shade from winter sun and sweeping winds is important). It can be divided and the pieces transplanted with success; moreover it withstands regular and severe pruning, and it is useful for floral decorations. Mahonia japonica and M, napaulensis, on the other hand, require good soil and a fairly open position; they resent root disturbance and do not require regular pruning. They are less hardy than Mahonia AquifoliuMahonia Separate cultural directions are given with each kind mentioned. Holly Mahonia. Mahonia Aquifolium, often called Holly Mahonia, is a dense shrub 6-8 ft. high which grows wild from British Columbia to Oregon; the thick, leathery leaves are made up of five to nine large, spine-margined leaflets, which often assume a purplish-bronze tint in winter and occasionally turn scarlet before they fall. A number of varieties have been singled out for distinctive names, the differences being in the stature, and size and shape of the leaves and leaflets. A Shrub for Shady Places. Holly Mahonia is invaluable for covering banks, for planting beneath trees in the garden, or for undergrowth in plantations. It withstands pruning well and can be kept to a height of 1 1/2 ft. by pruning annually either in summer or spring. It can be increased by division or by seeds and, if desired, the blue-black fruits may be used for jelly. The branches are often cut for decorative purposes in winter. The flowering time is April and May. Mahonia Aquifolium is hardy in sheltered places in Massachusetts and even as far north as Canada, where it is protected in winter by a good covering of snow. Mahonia Fremontii, 6-12 ft. high, is a shrub which grows wild in western Texas, Colorado and California, and is hardy about as far north as Virginia. From three to seven rather small, bluish-green spiny leaflets make up each leaf; the flowers are yellow and the fruits bluish-black. It appears to dislike root disturbance and requires little pruning except when young; the points of the shoots should then be removed on several occasions. Handsomest of All. Mahonia Bealei and Mahonia japonica are very handsome shrubs with erect, rigid stems with few branchlets, each branch being crowned by a head of large leaves made up of, usually, nine to thirteen leaflets, each 2-5 in. long and 1 1/2-3 1/2 in. wide. The fragrant, pale yellow flowers, which open in spring, are in erect clusters 6-9 in. long. The fruits are dark purple with a bluish blooMahonia These Mahonias should be planted in deep, loamy soil when quite small and then left alone. Mahonia Bealei is from China, and Mahonia japonica from Japan. They are hardy to southern New England. Mahonia napaulensis is a less hardy but closely allied kind which shares with Mahonia japonica a dislike of root disturbance. It forms an erect bush with long, stout branches which are terminated by large heads of evergreen leaves 2 ft. long, made up of fifteen to twenty-five large leaflets. The heads of yellow flowers, which are out in April, are 9-12 in. long. This shrub is a native of the Himalayas. Other Attractive Kinds. Mahonia nervosa, Oregon Grape, is a small, graceful shrub 12-18 in. high, with leaves 18 in. long made up of eleven to nineteen leaflets. It is wild in western North America. Mahonia Fortunei, a Chinese shrub with long, narrow leaflets, is also worth growing. Mahonia repens, a dwarf shrub, 9-12 in. high, of spreading habit, may be regarded as a dwarf Mahonia Aquifoliu Mahonia It grows wild from British Columbia to California. It is about as hardy as Mahonia Aquifolium and can be grown in the same way.

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Organic growers discuss GMO tolerance levels Organic farmers are discussing the best way to handle the possibility of contamination from genetically modified crops. Published on February 4, 2014 12:45PM The question of “tolerance levels” for genetic contamination of organic crops is coming to the forefront of the organic industry, experts say.Organic advocates say cross-pollination with genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, is a threat to farmers but they’ve yet to arrive at a consensus for handling the issue.“The question is what threshold are we going to accept for genetic contamination?” said Holli Cederholm, general manager of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association.The topic was discussed at a recent meeting of the Organic Seed Alliance in Corvallis, Ore.In the case of OSGATA, its members have adopted a zero tolerance policy toward GMOs, meaning that any detectable level of contamination is unacceptable.GMOs are “excluded” from the materials that can be used by organic farmers, but the USDA protocols for growing organic crops focus on farming practices rather than genetic purity.The National Organic Standards Board, a committee that advises the USDA, is now preparing to discuss potential testing and protocols for such cross-pollination.The NOSB’s next meeting is April 29-May 2 in San Antonio, Texas.The organic industry should not rush into setting a “tolerance” for genetic contamination without corresponding liability for biotech developers, said Michael Sligh, a director for the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA.“The question of tolerance is not just where you set it, but what happens when you cross that threshold and who is responsible for that cost,” he said.In 2012, a biotech advisory committee urged the USDA to consider launching a crop insurance pilot program to compensate farmers harmed by cross-pollination from GMOs.However, some organic advocates believe the liability burden should be shouldered by the companies that own patents for genetically modified crops.Another issue is determining the level of GMOs in seeds used by organic farmers.“We don’t know the state of contamination of our seed stocks,” said Sligh. Larger sample sizes of tested seeds can greatly reduce error rates — 10,000 seeds will provide a much greater confidence level than 3,000, said Cederholm.“There’s a huge jump statistically when you look at different sample sizes,” she said.Farmers can improve the reliability of testing by focusing on seeds grown in higher-risk areas, like a field located by a neighbor who grows GMOs, she said.Aside from genetic contamination, organic advocates expect controversy over several other GMO-related issues.The upcoming year is likely to be “pivotal” in the public debate over genetic engineering, said George Kimbrell, attorney for the Center for Food Safety, a non-profit group that has battled biotech crops in court.Labeling will continue to be a high profile issue, with Oregon taking the center stage in 2014, Kimbrell said.Supporters are trying to get an initiative that would require labeling of GMO ingredients in food products on the ballot for November.While a similar measure failed in Washington state last year, voter turnout is expected to be much higher in Oregon for the general election, which bodes well for the initiative’s chances, he said.“This will be the national battlefield for labeling,” Kimbrell said.At the same time, Congress and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are likely to face pressure to pre-empt rules for genetically engineered crops at the state level, he said.Public awareness of the GMO controversy will probably continue increasing due to USDA recommendations that crops tolerant of the 2,4-D herbicide be deregulated, Kimbrell said.Likewise, the potential approval of genetically engineered salmon in spring by the FDA would likely cause a big stir, he said.“It’s a way to engage people not involved in the issue,” Kimbrell said.

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Mascoma, CTV enter into feedstock supply agreement By Erin VoegelePosted September 16, 2009, at 10:42 a.m. CST New Hampshire-based Mascoma Corp. recently announced it has entered into a two-year feedstock processing and lignin supply agreement with Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Under the agreement, CTV will provide a variety of lignocellulosic feedstocks to Mascoma. According to a Mascoma spokeswoman, the feedstock material will primarily consist of wood chips, agricultural waste and energy crops, such as switchgrass. Mascoma will convert these feedstock materials into cellulosic ethanol at the company's 200,000 gallon per year demonstration-scale facility in Rome, N.Y. The lignin material produced as a byproduct of Mascoma's cellulosic ethanol process will be provided to CTV for evaluation and testing. CTV will conduct experiments on the waste lignin to evaluate the possibility of converting the material into petroleum replacement fuels, such as renewable jet fuel and diesel products, said the Mascoma spokeswoman. Although the lignin research will be conducted at CTV's laboratory, both CTV and Mascoma will be working collaboratively to develop the technology. "This is an important moment for us at Mascoma," said Jim Flatt, Mascoma's president. "The upgrading of our byproduct lignin to high-value transportation fuels is an important step in our effort to prove the effectiveness of integrated biorefineries. It has been our goal all along to make our process as integrated and sustainable as possible." According to information released by Mascoma, the company is hopeful that the technology developed with CTV will be suitable for a wide variety of feedstocks. Mascoma is currently in the process of developing a full-scale cellulosic ethanol production facility in Kinross, Mich. The company currently plans to break ground on the facility during the first half of 2010, with production beginning in 2013. SOURCE: ETHANOL PRODUCER MAGAZINERelated ArticlesOcean Park Advisors to market Abengoa’s cellulosic ethanol plant SRP to test burn forest debris at coal plantNew hybrid sweetgum trees could boost paper, bioenergy production40-plus groups call on Congress to end tax breaks for Big OilNebraska awards grant to Enginuity for BioCoal projectBusiness Briefs 0 Responses Leave a Reply

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Here's How Young Farmers Looking For Land Are Getting Creative By Dan Charles Dec 31, 2013 ShareTwitter Facebook Google+ Email VIEW SLIDESHOW 1 of 11 Chris and Sara Guerre are among a growing number of farmers who have made the choice to rent land to farm instead of buy because of increasing property values. Zac Visco for NPR Chris and Sara Guerre are among a growing number of farmers renting land to grow local food to sell. They've been at the Maple Avenue Market Farm on rented land in Great Falls, Va., for five years. Guerre has made a number of improvements to the farm. He has built a new chicken coop and turned an old milk room into a washroom for vegetables. Sara Guerre fills the chicken coop's water feeder. The Guerres installed an aquarium heater to prevent freezing throughout the winter months. Guerre built this greenhouse out of recycled materials like old windows and doors. Guerre breaks open a dried red kidney bean stalk. Chris and Sara work together to repair a section of fence that protects the crops from deer. The Guerres grow and harvest crops every week of the year at the Maple Avenue Market Farm. Guerre has nearly finished building his new chicken coop. The old one, on the left, has seen better days. Chris Guerre has made a number of improvements to the farm while he has lived there including repurposing an air compressor to force water up from the properties well and building a new chicken coop. VIEW SLIDESHOW 11 of 11 Chris Guerre and his wife, Sara, repair a fence at their farm in Great Falls, Va. Originally published on December 31, 2013 8:02 pm Across the country, there's a wave of interest in local food. And a new generation of young farmers is trying to grow it. Many of these farmers — many of whom didn't grow up on farms — would like to stay close to cities. After all, that's where the demand for local food is. The problem is, that's where land is most expensive. So young farmers looking for affordable land are forced to get creative. Lindsey Lusher Shute, executive director of the National Young Farmer's Coalition, says that her organization conducted a survey of 1,000 farmers in 2011, and "land access came up as the No. 2 challenge for farmers [who were] getting started." It came in right behind not having enough financial capital. Put simply, in areas close to major cities, especially on the East and West coasts, farmers can't pay nearly as much for land as people who would build houses on it. In fact, it's not a new problem. Several decades ago, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations, began attempts to preserve farmland that was threatened by urban sprawl. They set up programs that give farmers cash in exchange for a legally binding promise that their land can only be used for farming, forever. As a result, farmers don't have to compete against developers for that land, making the land cheaper. Shute says these programs are great — but insufficient. When she and her husband tried to buy land in the Hudson River Valley for their own farming operation, they found that even this permanent farmland was too expensive for normal farmers to buy. Their farm, Hearty Roots Community Farm, grows mostly high-value vegetables. "We're making, per acre, just about as much as you can," says Shute. "And still, this conserved land was really out of reach." They realized that they were facing competition of a different kind: wealthy people who wanted farms as country estates, bidding up the price. They were allowed to buy the preserved farms because they were not subdividing the property and developing it, but they were not really using the land as a working farm. So Shute and her young farmers coalition are pushing for an extra level of farmland protection. Under these rules, people would be allowed to own conserved farmland only if they actually earn most of their money from farming. This kind of program already exists in Vermont and Massachusetts. But it, too, has limitations. Robert Wagner, a senior adviser for the American Farmland Trust, says Massachusetts and Vermont recently looked at who's buying this relatively cheap land. "What they found is that these properties — when they sell — are being sold to other farmers who are adding these operations onto their farms," says Wagner. Young farmers, just starting out, typically can't compete for this land against established farmers who want to expand. So many young farmers aren't taking the traditional route. They aren't buying land at all, but renting instead. Sometimes, they are forming partnerships with older farmers who are leaving the business but don't want to sell the family land. Chris Guerre is an example. To get to his land, you drive down a long lane, past million-dollar homes on multiacre wooded lots, in the wealthy community of Great Falls, Va., just outside Washington, D.C. Then, unexpectedly, you come to an old barn, a couple of chicken coops, and 2 1/2 acres of vegetables. During the winter, the vegetables are covered by a kind of blanket, to keep them from freezing, that still lets water and sun through. "We're one of the few farms left in the county, let alone one that grows and picks every week of the year," Guerre says. "Every week, even in winter, I'm growing and picking crops. Guerre didn't grow up on this farm, or on any farm. About five years ago, before he arrived at this spot, he ditched what he calls his "career job" to grow and sell food. He and his wife expanded their garden; they started selling vegetables at a farmers market and opened their own store selling food grown on other local farms. One day, at the farmers market, a woman came up to them. "She approached my wife, and wondered if we might be interested in living on her family's farm. There was room to grow vegetables, or have animals. And we said, 'Yeah!' " recalls Guerre. It turned out to be this farm. Guerre and his wife moved into the house. They're renting the land, and there's no guarantee that the family that owns it won't someday decide to sell it to a developer. But Guerre doesn't seem worried. "They've been just very kind to us, and very encouraging, and helped us get to where we are," he says. Guerre has built a new chicken coop; fixed roofs and plumbing; turned an old milk room into a washroom for vegetables. He says, even if they did have to move someday, and leave all this behind, it wouldn't be the end of the world. He's pretty sure he could find land somewhere else. "If you walk a couple of miles in any direction, there's hundreds of acres." In fact, he says, "Acquiring land is honestly probably the easiest part of doing all this. It's the commitment, the stamina, learning how to do it and doing it every single day: That's the hard part." If you're ready to do all that, he says, you really can make a living. As for finding land, start hanging out with farmers, ask questions, and chances are you'll eventually hear about places where you can grow some food and start your own farming business.Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/. Related Program: All Things Considered on WUOT © 2016 WUOT 209 Communications Building, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996-0322

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2017 Farm and Gin Show: A first look at all that’s new Know cost of growing a bushel ‘to the cent’ Jan 13, 2017 Farmers seeking real safety net in next farm bill Jan 13, 2017 Tips for negotiating new farmland leases Jan 12, 2017 Experts see more global influence Rick Bogren | Jan 18, 2005 BATON ROUGE, La. – “I’m here to try to get an overview of what is coming in the way of markets, how the U.S. market is perceived around the world," said Tommy Ellett of Angelina Plantation in Monterey, La. One of an estimated 250 people who attended the 2005 AgOutlook Conference in Baton Rouge, Ellett said he was interested in hearing "how the United States stands in relation to world markets and the long-term effect of our cropping system and choices. "I’m hoping to hear a little glimpse that the market is fixing to get better," he said. "Farmers have to look beyond their own farms. Meetings like this keep us informed." Ellert heard Tim Josling of the Stanford University Food Research Institute and the Stanford Institute for International Studies and eight other experts give their views on international influences on Louisiana’s agriculture and forest industries. The global integration of food and agricultural systems will continue and lead to a global agricultural economy, Josling said. The agricultural economist said export subsidies are on the way out, and agriculture, including textiles, will become the basis of international trade agreements. "The bottom line is we’re in a period of relatively rapid change in agricultural trade relations," Josling said. Josling said market access in international trade will be the major area for domestic policies relative to access to developing countries. The conference was sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Farm Bureau, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana Rice Growers Association and Louisiana Rice Promotion Board. "I’m interested in the future of different commodities," said Dan Regner, who manages forest and row-crop farms for the trust division of Bank One in Baton Rouge. "This meeting is very good. I’m getting a great overview." Lenny Hensgens is a rice farmer from Crowley and chair of the state Farm Service Administration committee and chair of the Rice Promotion Board. "I think it’s great," he said of the conference. "The information is great. They can show us what’s happening and how it’s going to affect the livelihood of farmers and what they’re going to receive for their commodities." Josling said domestic budget pressures would lead to changes in farm programs and reductions in farm subsidies, both in the United States and in the European Union. "Countries other than the United States are also negotiating free trade agreements with Europe," Josling said. "European access into Central American and South American markets will have an effect on U.S. agriculture." In the short term, 2004 was important to the U.S. farm economy, said Rob Westmoreland, executive vice president of Informa Economics Inc. of Memphis, Tenn. In one year, U.S. farmers produced crops that offset poor yields of the past three years, he said. "This last season, everything fell jelly side up," Westmoreland said. For 2005, however, Westmoreland sees high yields and high carryover of stocks leading to lower prices. "On paper today, I expect the tendency to produce more than we can use and ship will be with us again," he said about soybeans. In the long term, Westmoreland said, "World trade is good for American agriculture as more people with income want to eat meat fed with vegetable protein." In contrast to food crops, the U.S. forest products industry is "losing its competitive edge on the manufacturing side to other countries," according to Henson Moore, president of the American Forest and Paper Association in Washington, D.C. The former Louisiana congressman said "Louisiana is faring better than the nation as a whole" as paper and lumber mills close and production shifts to other countries. The reason, he said, is the cost of fiber. "A tree costs more in the United States than anywhere else. That’s the biggest cost item. "Louisiana is a player, but we’re not growing, either in the U.S. or the world market," he said. "Manufacturers and growers are in the same boat," Moore added. "Without mills, there’s no market for trees." Richard Vlosky, director of the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center in the LSU AgCenter’s School of Renewable Natural Resources, said Louisiana needs to look to opportunities in niche markets to maintain its forest products industry. China is producing nearly 60 percent of the furniture sold in the United States, and dozens of other countries are exporting various kinds of lumber to this country. The industry’s challenge, Vlosky said, is to add value to the products from the forest to the consumer. Other conference speakers included Chip Conley, an economist on the staff of the House Agriculture Committee in Washington, D.C., who discussed international agreements and their impact on U.S. agricultural policy and farmers. Parr Rosson with the Center for North American Studies in the Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Economics, who provided insight to future agricultural trade with Cuba and Mexico. Lynn Kennedy of the LSU AgCenter’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, who reviewed the effect of international agreements on Louisiana agriculture, particularly sugar. John Urbanchuk, an energy consultant from Philadelphia, Pa., who gave an outlook for biofuels and ethanol. Kurt Guidry of the LSU AgCenter’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, who discussed the potential effects of Asian soybean rust in the Louisiana crop in 2005. In reviewing the conference, Jackie Theriot, secretary/treasurer of the Louisiana Farm Bureau and general manager of the Louisiana Sugarcane Cooperative in St. Martinville, said he’d like to see agriculture uncoupled from other trade agreements after hearing the experts’ comments. "This is awakening some members of the audience to some of the issues on international trade," Theriot said. "The overall perspective is agriculture in the United States is the stepchild for some trade agreements." Theriot said consumers need to know more about the effects of international trade on U.S. agriculture. "Our task in agriculture is to let consumers know we produce a rich and abundant source of very healthy food," he said. Rick Bogren is a writer for the LSU AgCenter. e-mail: [email protected]

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5 Unique Green Business Ideas in Sustainable Biofuel Production Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 By Green Marketing TV Tweet Biofuels have gotten a lot of attention recently due to the promise they show as a renewable energy source. Unfortunately, several of the current most popular sources of biofuels are not considered to be very sustainable. Palm oil plantations in Southeast Asia are among the primary culprits in the massive deforestation of the native rainforest, threatening critically endangered species such as orangutans and the Javan and Sumatran rhinos and violating indigenous land rights. In the US, the widespread use of corn-based ethanol contributes to the growing Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico due to runoff from the heavy use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as many other environmental and social problems, including the rising food prices that have contributed to growing social unrest and uprisings in many countries. In order to be sustainable, biofuels must create more energy than they take to produce, require minimal chemical inputs or irrigation, minimize damage to local ecosystems or wilderness areas, and minimize agricultural land taken out of food production, among other factors. Fortunately, there are some biofuel crops that show greater promise to fulfill these requirements. If you are interested in the renewable energy field, consider starting a green business growing sustainable biofuels. Here are five unique green business ideas in biofuel production: Could the energy farms of the future look like this? Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) was once one of the dominant species of the North American tallgrass prairie. Like most native prairie plants, it performs very well on marginal soil with little or no chemical inputs or irrigation thanks to its extremely deep and fibrous root system, which is also renowned for its good erosion management and water filtration abilities. Switchgrass has been a top choice for soil conservation and game cover plantings for many years, and also makes good forage for cattle and bison. Some cultivars, most notably the striking bluish “Heavy Metal,” are also popular in ornamental plantings. More recently, it has gained a lot of attention as a second generation biofuel for cellulosic ethanol production because of its efficiency at turning solar energy into biomass and the extremely low inputs required to produce it. Recently, some scientists have even begun to experiment with using diverse native prairie plantings combining switchgrass with other native grasses and forbs as biofuel feedstock. Miscanthus giganteus Miscanthus giganteus is another grass species that has become popular for cellulosic ethanol production. A hybrid between the popular Eurasian ornamental grass Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Miscanthus giganteus lives up to its name by growing 12 feet tall or more and producing more than twice the biomass of corn or switchgrass. Though not as hardy as switchgrass, it also has low input requirements, making it very cost-effective to grow. Woody Agriculture Though still in the experimental stage, woody agriculture shows great promise as a sustainable biofuel production system. Woody agriculture is based on the ancient practice of coppicing, which was used to produce much of the charcoal that powered the early Industrial Revolution. Coppicing is the practice of cutting a tree down close to the ground and allowing it to resprout from the roots. It fell out of favor after the discovery of fossil fuels, but is experiencing a renewal of interest thanks to the success of some experiments with coppicing willows and hybrid poplars for biomass. Woody agriculture takes this a step further and uses fast-growing, nut-producing trees such as chestnut and hazel to create a food-and-fuel rotation. Developed by the Badgersett Research Corporation in Canton, MN, the system is now spreading to other farms. Another experimental biofuel crop that shows great promise for the future is agave. As a native dryland plant with more than 200 species worldwide, agave shows great promise as a biofuel crop in semi-arid regions with marginal land, including many parts of the US Southwest. It is already widely cultivated in Mexico as a source of fiber, and is also one of the major ingredients in tequila. Currently, more than 80% of the plant is discarded during tequila production, but this waste could be used to produce biofuels. Recent studies have found that Agave mapisaga and Agave salmiana, in particular, substantially surpass the productivity of other popular biofuel crops. Algae is one of the darlings of the sustainable biofuels movement whose potential has only begun to be explored. Preliminary tests suggests that it could produce up to 300 times more fuel than corn or palm oil, that just 15,000 square miles of cultivation (1/7th the land currently covered by corn in the United States) could replace all petroleum fuel consumed in the US, and that it can do it in virtually anything, even wastewater. However, production costs have so far remained too high for widespread commercial viability. Will your green business be the one that finally realizes the promise of algae biofuels? Image sources: jurvetson and earlycj5 A Look at What Green Jobs are Available in the Biofuel Industry Green enough? How sustainable product cycling is changing the face of business 10 Green Internet Business Ideas for 2011 Top Green Business Ideas from 2010 How To Start a Biodiesel Production Company Click Here to Attend this FREE Event Comments Truman Anderson says: Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 12:58 pm Algae and duckweed are the biomass grown in a Bio Energy Dome. The “eternal spring” of the Bio Energy Dome allows the biomass to grow at a faster rate year round. The exhaust from the methane powered generator provides extra CO2 to the plants in the Bio Energy Dome and the aquaculture provides the fertilizer. This resulting matrix is a zero emissions, renewable, and sustainable green technology. Respectfully, Truman Anderson

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2011 Research Advances Dairy’s Powerful Nutritional Value, Leads the Way for Product Innovation Dairy Research Institute® Reviews Top 2011 Research; Shares 2012 Headlines In light of staggering health statistics — approximately one third of Americans are considered obese, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among men and women nationwide and nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes — significant nutrition research findings in 2011 supported the role of dairy in helping reduce the risk for several chronic diseases. The Dairy Research Institute®, established under the leadership of America’s dairy farmers through the dairy checkoff program, remains committed to research advancing the wellness of Americans as part of its focus on dairy nutrition, product and sustainability research. “The role of dairy intake in reducing the prevalence of health conditions like obesity, metabolic syndrome and heart disease is central to our research initiatives,” said Gregory Miller, Ph.D., president of the Dairy Research Institute®. “This year saw several advances in this work, as more and more research identifies the positive effects dairy can have on a number of health conditions.” According to the Dairy Research Institute, the top dairy nutrition and product research insights from 2011 include: Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes: Dairy consumption was associated with lower incidence of metabolic syndrome, a condition which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. According to a research review, key dairy nutrients including calcium, magnesium and potassium may help regulate one or more elements of metabolic syndrome, including, blood pressure, fasting glucose levels and body composition. A 14 percent reduction in type 2 diabetes risk among the population with the highest consumption of dairy products, when compared with a population segment with the lowest intakes, was found in a systematic review and meta-analysis of seven prospective studies. In fact, it was found that increasing dairy intake by just 1 serving per day was associated with a 6 percent reduced risk for type 2 diabetes. According to the Data from the Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome(DESIR study) the consumption of dairy products, other than cheese, and the calcium density of the diet were associated with reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. Cardiovascular Disease: As reported in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate evidence indicates that intake of milk and milk products is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The calcium present in dairy may play a role in reducing fat absorption and may help maintain good cholesterol while minimizing any increase in bad cholesterol. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that dairy food consumption was associated with a reduced risk of elevated blood pressure. Chocolate Milk and Exercise Recovery: Drinking chocolate milk after a workout was found to boost improvements in aerobic fitness and body composition and benefit muscle recovery and subsequent exercise performance. Researchers from the University of Texas - Austin followed 32, healthy, untrained participants in a 41Ž2 week aerobic training program. They found that drinking chocolate milk immediately and one hour following exercise improved body composition, measured by the combination of increased lean muscle and decreased body fat, when compared to those drinking a carbohydrate beverage. It also stimulated greater improvements in aerobic fitness compared to those drinking either a carbohydrate beverage or water after the workouts. Quality and performance improvements for whey protein: Significant advances were made to improve the quality and performance of whey protein, allowing for expanded use in food and beverage products. The impact of improved whey flavor can be seen in the recent launches of new beverages, smoothies and bars formulated with higher protein concentrations. For example, due to improved heat stability, meal replacement beverages can now be formulated with 10 percent protein, compared to previous formulas with 5 percent. Developing and expanding uses for dairy co-products: Product research has explored and uncovered new uses for dairy co-products to provide ingredient solutions for the food and beverage industry to help address consumer demand. For example, research refined the development and use of whey permeates, also known as whey solids, as a salt replacement option to help the food and beverage industries meet the sodium reduction challenge. This research has converted what was a dairy processing byproduct into a growth opportunity for the dairy industry, also helping many formulators eliminate or reduce the amount of salt in their products while maintaining consumer flavor expectations. In addition to its focus on dairy nutrition and product research, the Dairy Research Institute continued to make advances in the area of sustainability, researching ways to deliver to consumers dairy products that are produced responsibly and in an environmentally friendly way: The Cow of the Future Research Priorities white paper, released in 2011, identified focus areas for reducing enteric methane emissions through improvements in dairy cow nutrition, genetics and animal health. Enteric emissions are a significant contributor to the industry’s carbon footprint and innovations in this area will help the industry achieve its voluntary goal to reduce the carbon footprint of fluid milk by 25% by 2020. A partnership was established with Idaho’s Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) to develop a national research program to advance the science and best management practices of renewable energy and life cycle analysis of dairy systems and processes. Looking into 2012: Nutrition research concentrating on dairy as a part of wellness solutions In line with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation to include low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products as part of a healthy diet, the Dairy Research Institute will continue to focus on areas of research uncovering valuable nutrition insights for the dairy, food and beverage industries, specifically focused on metabolic health. “We’ve learned that people who are better dairy consumers tend to have lower weight, lower body fat, and lower rates of heart disease,” Miller said. “In 2012, we will continue to focus on areas of metabolic health. The Centers for Disease Control has sounded the alarm that type 2 diabetes is on its way to becoming the next big health care epidemic that will break the health care bank. Our research is beginning to show that dairy is not part of the problem, but may be part of the solution to the diabetes epidemic and we will continue to explore dairy’s role in lowering the risk for this disease.” Product research exploring new dairy ingredients, improving processes In addition, dairy product research will look to improve upon or create new dairy processes and ingredients to help meet the needs of the dairy, food and beverage industries. “A tremendous demand throughout the world for dairy protein will drive us to help improve consistency and quality for dairy powders and proteins, so that we can be more competitive globally and further accelerate already strong export momentum,” said Bill Graves, senior vice president of product research at Dairy Research Institute. “Milk powders offer a tremendous opportunity for global expansion.” Sustainability research advancing environmental stewardship Three studies are underway to establish baseline measures of the environmental impact of milk, cheese, and packaging. “Results will provide the industry with guidance on where to focus measurement and innovation efforts so that we can continue to provide consumers with the products they want, when and where they want them,” said Miller. Stay on top of latest dairy research “This is a very exciting time for the dairy industry,” said Kevin Ponticelli, chairman of the board of directors of the Dairy Research Institute, and senior executive vice president of Dairy Management Inc™. “The Dairy Research Institute and America’s dairy farmers are dedicated to working with industry to generate and communicate the technical and development insights in nutrition, product and sustainability research that will build long term dairy demand.” More detailed information on dairy research can be found at USdairy.com/DairyResearchInstitute to receive Dairy Research iNSIGHTS ®, an informative monthly e-newsletter launched in 2011 providing the latest technical insights in dairy nutrition research, product research and sustainability. 1.20.2012

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Farms growing bigger profits Demand for local food drives agricultural businesses’ success smueller@gainesvilletimes.com Jimmy Echols, center, meets Friday morning with Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chairman Earl Gohl, left, and Chief of Staff Guy Land as the Appalachians Foodways tour stops at Jaemor Farms in Alto. Entrepreneurs in agriculture are finding new ways to grow their businesses and profit, said Earl Gohl, federal co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a regional economic development agency of federal, state and local government partners. Gohl visited Jaemor Farms near Lula and Mountain Fresh Creamery LLC in Clermont on Friday as part of his 13-state Appalachian Foodways tour highlighting the potential of local food systems to create economic opportunity and grow jobs. Owners from both businesses said rising demand for food locally grown or produced is helping to drive their growth. Among tour participants included members of the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, other state employees and an agribusiness economist with the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. The Appalachian region includes all or parts of Georgia, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The tour provides information for a conference by the regional commission to talk about how entrepreneurship relates to food production and other opportunities. “We want to see what people are doing in different parts of the region,” Gohl said. “As folks begin to realize that there are these opportunities out there, they really take a very entrepreneurial approach to what is the challenge here, and what is it that I can turn into a business opportunity.” Family-owned Jaemor Farms has been around for more than 100 years growing fruits and vegetables, including peaches, strawberries and blackberries. The Echols family sell about 90 percent of what they grow at their market off of Cornelia Highway. The market and farm, which spans hundreds of acres, attracts visitors from across the state. The Echolses put the numbers of people who visit the market each year at 750,000 people, said Cheryl Smith, Georgia Northeast Mountains tourism representative. Jimmy Echols said a traffic study showed about 10,000 cars coming in the driveway each week. “That’s the biggest draw is peaches,” Echols said. Drew Echols, Jimmy’s grandson, said he believes people should know their farmers. He credits the keys to success as smart decisions and hard work. The farm added new products, such as strawberries and blackberries, to diversify their operations and demand keeps increasing. Agriculture industry magazines encourage letting people experience farm life, so Jaemor holds events such as a corn maze, hay rides and field trips. Now publications talk about branding, but Jaemor already has a strong brand because it’s been around so long, said the grandson, who manages the harvest, planning and marketing for the farm. “It ain’t rocket science; it’s not some business plan we had to pay somebody to draw up for us,” Drew Echols said. “(It’s) hard work and producing a good product.” Mountain Fresh Creamery was just a dairy farm until its owners decided to open a retail store in Clermont about two years ago. Owner Scott Glover said he was surprised at how quickly products started flying off the shelves. Glover offers a niche product: milk just a step above raw. The Glovers use low-temperature pasteurization so the milk is “fresh squeezed,” which means it’s creamier, retains vitamins, leaves fat particles whole and keeps the “good” bacteria. Mountain Fresh also makes its own ice cream, buttermilk and butter. Glover said a future step would be to combine the farm and retail store into one location so people can experience a dairy farm and learn that milk doesn’t just come from a grocery store. The dairy farm is located about 7 miles away, with bottling conducted in a room beside the retail store with a large glass window between the two. “It’s different,” Glover said. “It’s got a lot better taste.” Both companies used innovation and vision to maximize resources and survive economic challenges, Gohl said. That’s the message he’ll take with him on the rest of his tour. “It’s really about an individual’s ability to figure out what they want to achieve,” he said.

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