NASDA News November 7, 2007

Volume 15, Issue 30, November 07, 2007

***REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN NAMED MASS. AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER
***SPELL, FARMER REELECTED
***SENATE BEGINS DEBATE ON FARM BILL AMID VETO THREAT
***NASDA SUPPORTS SUPPLEMENTAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN FARM BILL; JOINS 51 ORGANIZATIONS TO URGE SUPPORT OF SENATORS
***USDA GRANTS $234 MILLION TO PROMOTE U.S. FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OVERSEAS
***DATA ON FOOD ANTIOXIDANTS AID RESEARCH
***State News--VERMONT NETS FEDERAL GRANT TO INVENTORY BARNS
***State News--DELAWARE EQUINE INDUSTRY SERVES AS A MODEL FOR ROMANIA



  • Representative Petersen Named Mass. Agriculture Commissioner
    Published: November 07, 2007

     

           Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles has announced that he has appointed state Representative Douglas Petersen of Marblehead as Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR). The mission of DAR is to support, promote, and enhance the long-term viability of Massachusetts agriculture with the aim of helping agricultural businesses become as economically and environmentally sound as possible. Petersen takes office November 26.

           "A    griculture is a priority for Governor Patrick both as a vital industry traditional to Massachusetts and as means of maintaining our rural landscape," said Bowles. "The Governor and I are pleased to have Doug Petersen taking charge of the state's agricultural agency, and are confident that his experience as past chairman of the Legislature's joint committee overseeing agriculture will make him a great advocate for the agricultural interests of the Commonwealth."

               "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the Patrick administration in this important role," said Petersen. "For 16 years I have served on the committee that considered all matters related to agriculture--two years as vice chairman and four years as chairman--and I have lobbied the federal government on behalf of New England farmers. I look forward to helping the agricultural industry and the communities it supports thrive in the 21st century."

               Petersen was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1990. A committed environmentalist, he has served on the Joint Committee the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture for his entire legislative career. He served as House vice chairman in 1996 and 1997, then as House chairman until 2001. He has been a member of the Council of State Governments' Agricultural Subcommittee.

               Among his many legislative accomplishments, Petersen spearheaded the effort to defeat an initiative by milk processors to repeal the New England Dairy Compact, which would have dramatically lowered prices paid to Massachusetts dairy farmers. He also led efforts to increase technical assistance to farmers in the application of integrated pest management techniques, which save farmers money and provided for safer and healthier farm management. He then authored legislation to extend those pesticide management techniques employed by Massachusetts farmers to schools, playgrounds, and daycare facilities in the Children and Families Protection Act.

           S    ince taking office in January, the Patrick administration has made agriculture a priority. In May, Governor Patrick sought and received from the Legislature $3.6 million to aid struggling Massachusetts dairy farmers and established, with the Legislature's support a dairy task force that is soon to issue its final report. Funding committed by the Patrick administration for Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APR) in its five-year capital spending plan years is $10 million per year, a 35 percent increase over average funding over the past 5 years. This winter DAR will record its 700th APR and reach a milestone of protecting 70,000 acres.

               Scott Soares, who has served as acting commissioner of DAR since January, will become assistant commissioner. "Commissioner Petersen will be a welcome asset to the Patrick-Murray administration," said Senator Stephen M. Brewer. "I have served side-by-side with Doug Petersen on the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee for over 10 years. We have not always agreed on every issue, but we share a common belief that the viability of agriculture in all of its diversity throughout all parts of Massachusetts is in the best interest of our economy, our long term sustainability of our environment, and the enhancement of our special quality of life here in the Commonwealth."

               "I have known Doug for 20 years," Senator Stan Rosenberg said. "In fact, he and I entered the Legislature together. I'm confident that together we will make significant strides in improving the agricultural industry, especially in western Massachusetts."

               "Doug Petersen brings to this position a strong environmental perspective," said Senator Pamela Resor, Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture. "I look forward to working with him to ensure the future of our farms."

               "Doug Petersen is the sort of guy I can work with--in fact, I've got a lot of confidence that because of the strength of our relationship, we'll be able to work well together, and accomplish some important things for the agricultural industry and farmers across the Commonwealth," said Rep. Frank Smizik, House chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture.

               "I've worked closely with Doug Petersen in the Legislature on environmental and agricultural issues for the last 14 years," said Rep. Stephen Kulik. "I look forward to working with him in his new role to strengthen our agricultural economy and to build greater public awareness about the importance of farming to our state's quality of life."

               Born in New York, Petersen holds a bachelor's degree from Wagner College on Staten Island, a master's degree in science from Simmons College and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He lives in Marblehead with his wife, Nancy Ryan Petersen M.D., and two children, Ryan and Kati. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

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  • Spell, Farmer Reelected
    Published: November 07, 2007

     

           Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer both won reelection Tuesday, November 6. Unofficial election results as of November 7 reported Richie Farmer at 64.0%. Results were not available for the Mississippi agriculture commissioner race at press time.

               Richie Farmer was elected Kentucky's commissioner of agriculture in November 2003, and was sworn into office in January 2004. He was re-elected to a second four year term on November 6, 2007.

               Farmer serves as president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture, an organization that represents farmers and other agricultural interests from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In this capacity, Commissioner Farmer has worked to promote the interests of producers, especially on the 2007 farm bill.

               Born in Clay County, he is the second of Virginia and Richard Farmer's three children. Before taking office, Farmer worked as an investment advisor in Clay County. He lives in Frankfort with his wife Rebecca and their three sons, Trey, Thomas, and Tate. A 1992 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Farmer earned a bachelor of science degree with a double major in agricultural economics and agribusiness management. He was also a standout player for the UK basketball Wildcats under Coach Rick Pitino.

               Over the years, Farmer has given his time to such charitable organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Children's Miracle Network, American Cancer Society, and Kicks for Kids.

               Lester Spell is a sixth-generation Mississippian whose family has farmed and been in business in the state since the early 1800s. In 1975, Spell became the first mayor of Richland, his hometown--a position he held until 1996 when he took office as commissioner of agriculture in January 1996. In November 1995, Spell was elected as the commissioner of agriculture and commerce and was reelected for a second term in 1999. In 2003, he was reelected again and is now serving his third term in office.

               In 1996, he also became the chairman of Keep Mississippi Beautiful program, a non-profit organization dedicated to making Mississippi a more beautiful state for residents and visitors to enjoy. In its major project, the "Avenue of Magnolias," magnolias are planted at major highway entrances and interchanges in Mississippi. In 2006 alone, more than 900 trees were planted through this program, which is funded by private donations.

               In 1999, Spell introduced the "Make Mine Mississippi" program to identify and promote items that are grown or made in the state. Today, there are 976 companies in this program. This is the only program in the state that identifies and promotes Mississippi products. He currently serves as chairman of the Mississippi Fair Commission and the Central Farmers Market Board. He serves on the boards of numerous agricultural and economic development organizations.

               He is past president of the Mississippi Municipal League, Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, and the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association. Spell was selected as Mississippi Veterinarian of the Year in 1996, an award given by the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association.

               Spell and his wife, Sandra, had been married for twenty-four years when Sandra passed away in September 2003. Sandra was a former schoolteacher and was active in their family farm operation. Sandra's enthusiasm and outgoing personality were the inspiration for many landscape beautification projects in their community, on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and at the Mississippi Agricultural Museum in Jackson. Spell and his two children, Jason and Katie, currently live in Richland, Mississippi. Jason graduated from Mississippi College in December 2005 and Katie is presently in her second year of nursing school at Hinds Community College. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

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  • Senate Begins Debate on Farm Bill Amid Veto Threat
    Published: November 07, 2007

            The Senate began debate on the 2007 farm bill late November 5 while the Bush administration announced that it would veto the legislation because of budget concerns. Senate debate on the farm bill is expected to continue through next week and numerous amendments are expected.

               On November 5, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and ranking member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) described the farm bill titles in opening statements and urged lawmakers to support the package. The Senate will begin to consider a wide variety of amendments on November 6.

               As Senate debate started, USDA Acting Secretary Chuck Conner held a press conference to outline serious concerns about the Senate farm bill saying that he would recommend a veto of the legislation. Conner said the farm bill contains "budget gimmicks and new taxes" that are unacceptable. He also expressed concern that the legislation increases trade distorting support instead of lowering it; continues a "defective" safety net, and provides little reform on payment limits. The administration's official statement of policy is expected to be released soon. (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Jennifer Yezak)


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  • NASDA Supports Supplemental Disaster Assistance Program in Farm Bill; Joins 51 organizations to Urge Support of Senators
    Published: November 07, 2007

     

           This week, NASDA and 51 agricultural organizations, banks, and businesses urged members of the U.S. Senate to support the Supplemental Disaster Assistance Program in the 2007 farm bill. In the letter, the groups pointed out that 34 ad hoc disaster packages have been approved since FY89, totaling $59 billion. Each approved measure requires the USDA to recreate an implementation plan that often results in new guidelines and sign up requirements. A standing disaster program will ensure a consistent and reliable implementation strategy is in place for any future weather-related disaster.

               In a separate letter to Congress, NASDA President and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson emphasized the importance of a Supplemental Disaster Assistance Program. "NASDA believes disaster assistance should always be an option in the face of national crisis, but it must be provided in an ongoing, consistent, and predictable manner to be fully effective," Johnson said in a letter to Senators. The proposed disaster assistance program is designed on guiding principles supported by NASDA including the following important features:
           * Does not undermine the crop insurance program. Rather, the program provides an incentive for producers to buy higher levels of crop insurance coverage;
           * Assistance is provided on a "whole-farm" revenue basis; targeting assistance for genuine losses when truly needed;
           * Focuses on "shallow losses" not covered by crop insurance programs;
           * Includes assistance for livestock and uninsurable specialty crops; and
           * Is predictable for producers.

               The proposed program works in concert with current risk management programs, such as crop insurance and the Non Insured Assistance Program, by requiring producers to purchase coverage and providing an incentive to purchase higher levels of coverage. The letters can be located on NASDA's website.

               The U.S. Senate is considering the 2007 farm bill this week. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

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  • USDA Grants $234 Million To Promote U.S. Food and Agricultural Products Overseas
    Published: November 07, 2007

     

           Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced this week that USDA provided more than $234 million to help market American farm products overseas in the FY07 that ended Sept 30. Of that amount, NASDA received $2,631,337 for its continuing efforts to promote products at the U.S. Food Export Showcase, American Food Fair, and Americas Food and Beverage Show.

               "Promoting the product of the American farmer keeps the pathway open from the farm gate to the world markets," said Conner. "Satisfied customers around the world readily choose U.S. farm products once they have tasted the quality and experience the reliability of American agriculture."

               The allocations were provided under the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), both administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. The MAP uses funds from USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities with U.S. agricultural trade organizations, state regional groups and cooperatives. Activities conducted with MAP funding include market research, consumer promotions for retail products, and seminars to educate overseas customers.

               Under the FMD program, USDA establishes a trade promotion partnership with nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations. Funding priority is given to organizations that represent an entire industry or are nationwide in membership and scope. Program activities focus on reducing market impediments, improving the processing capabilities of importers, modifying restrictive regulatory codes and standards in foreign markets, and identifying new markets or uses for U.S. products.

               After final export numbers are tallied, U.S. agricultural exports for fiscal year 2007 are expected to reach $79 billion, making 2007 the fourth year of back-to-back records. Fiscal year 2008 exports are forecast to reach $83.5 billion.

               For more information on exports and FAS' market development programs visit the following web site at http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/marketdev.asp. In regards to NASDA trade shows, additional information can be located at http://www.nasdatradeshows.org. (Contacts: Jennifer Yezak or Dewitt Ashby)

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  • Data On Food Antioxidants Aid Research
    Published: November 07, 2007

     

           Measures of the antioxidant capacities of 277 selected foods were released today by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. The new database provides easy access to antioxidant values for a wide variety of foods, many of which may be excellent sources of healthful compounds.

               The database will be used by scientists to help guide ongoing research into how antioxidants may correlate to health benefits. For example, many fruits and vegetables are known to be good sources of antioxidant vitamins, such as E, C, and beta carotene, a form of vitamin A. But these natural foods also contain other compounds, collectively known as phytonutrients, that may contribute to health.

               The database was prepared by ARS researchers at the Nutrient Data Laboratory, part of the agency's Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC) at Beltsville, Md., in collaboration with colleagues at the ARS Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock.

               Many of the fruits, nuts, vegetables, and spices listed were analyzed for their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, known as ORAC, at the Arkansas center. ORAC is one of a number of methods available to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of foods. The method was developed by ARS chemist Ronald Prior with colleagues. Prior also studies the ability of antioxidants to be absorbed and utilized within the human body.

               Data on foods analyzed using the ORAC method were also gathered during an extensive search of peer-reviewed, scientific literature, and screened through a USDA-developed, data-quality-evaluation system. Both the screened data and the analyzed data are listed in the database, along with data quality indicators. Antioxidant capacity measures may vary due to factors such the type of cultivar studied and its growing and harvesting conditions, as well as the methods used for a food sample's preparation, processing, and/or analysis. To access the new database, go to http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata/ORAC. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

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  • Vermont Nets Federal Grant To Inventory Barns
    Published: November 07, 2007

           The project will recruit volunteers and students from Vermont's schools in all 251 towns to identify barns and other agricultural outbuildings in their communities during several weekends in the spring and fall of 2008, and the spring of 2009.

               These volunteers will take photographs and notes in the field, and then submit the data to develop a web-based barn survey form that will be developed by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.

               Save Vermont Barns, a program of the Mt. Holly Barn Preservation Association, will compile the information in a database that the public can access via the web to learn about barns in their community and across the state.

               "We know that our state's rich agricultural heritage and working landscape draws visitors to Vermont," Governor Jim Douglas said. "And preserving barns is an important part of strengthening both our tourism and agricultural industries."

               The state's Barn Program grants, administered by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, provides owners of agricultural buildings with matching funding of up to $10,000 for a variety of capital repairs.

               Eligible projects include repairs to roofs, foundations, walls, sills and overall stabilization.

               The owners of the Farmhouse Center initially considered demolishing their barn, which was built around 1845, but decided to restore it instead and received a $10,000 state barn preservation grant last winter to help repair its sills and roof.

               The Farmhouse Center now hosts several programs including creative adult job training education; horse training, therapeutic riding, and summer equestrian camps for children, including those with emotional and behavioral challenges.

               "This historic setting really helps reinforce the Farmhouse Center's focus on Vermont's agricultural heritage and connection to the earth, and we're pleased that the state will be taking stock of our historic barns with this grant to improve efforts to preserve them," said Joan Powell, the center's owner.

               The grant comes from the federal Preserve America program, which is administered by the National Park Service and whose Honorary Chairwoman is First Lady Laura Bush.

               The program recognizes the importance of historic resources in communities across the country. Eighteen towns in Vermont have been designated as special Preserve America Communities.

               A kickoff conference for the Vermont Barn Census is planned for the spring of 2008, and a wrap-up celebration for the fall of 2009.

               The Barn Census project is a collaboration of many generous partners: Save Vermont Barns, a project of the Mount Holly Barn Preservation Association, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, UVM Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Preservation Education Institute, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Vermont Department of Agriculture.

    For more information, visit http://www.historicvermont.org/ or http://www.preserveamerica.gov/.

    (Contact: Kelly Loftus, 802/828-3829)


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  • Delaware Equine Industry Serves As a Model For Romania
    Published: November 07, 2007

           Delaware's mutual collaboration and friendship with Romania is on-going. Delaware Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse and Judy Davis-Wilson, executive director of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund, recently gave a delegation from Romania a personal look at Delaware's state-of-the-art equine industry including show horses, training facilities, and race tracks.  Their trip to Delaware resulted from Scuse's and Davis-Wilson's September trip to Romania in response to the Romanian Government's request to have them examine the Romanian racing industry. Romania wants to modernize and improve their industry now that they have become members of the European Union.

           T    he Romanian government has asked the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) to assist them in the development of a long range plan for their equine industry.  The long range plan will include:

           *  Transfer of state owned farms to private ownership;

           *  Building a modern racing industry;

           *  Building horse park facilities for competitions such as jumping, driving, and dressage;

           *  Developing an agritourism industry around their modernized equine industry.

               In the Romanian delegation were Dana Chirca, counselor, market policies in animal husbandry sector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Robert Bartha, president of the National Horse Authority; Dan Ioan Aldea, manager/general director of the National Forestry Authority ROMSILVA; Gheorge Mohanu, director, the Directorate for Breeding, Management, and Improvement of the Equines-National Forestry Authority; and Cristina Flutar, interpreter, National Forestry Authority ROMSILVA.

    During their visit, October 19 to 27, the itinerary included the following:

           *  A tour of the Chesapeake Water Shed.

           *  Fairhill National Driving Championships in Fairhill, Maryland.

           *  Delaware Park in Stanton--tour of the racetrack, a live view of Thoroughbred Racing.

           *  A  meeting with Charles B. Lockhart, Vice President of Horse Racing at Dover Downs.

           *  Dixon Show Stables in Kenton with a demonstration of Western Riding.

           *  Tour of Margo and Hal Wallace Breeding and Racing Farm featuring Valour Arabians.

           *  The Bobby Quillen Memorial Dinner at Harrington Raceway.

           *  Tour of Jack Walls Training Center at Harrington Raceway and the State Fair Grounds where guests presented trophies to the winners of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund Finals.

           *  Tour of Pizzadili's Winery in Felton.

           *  Tour of Dovington Training Center.

           *  A trip to Washington, D.C., where guests meet with: Senator Joe Biden's staff, Congressman Michael Castle, and Senator Thomas Carper.

           *  Tour of the White House and U.S. Capitol Building.

           *  Meeting at Delaware Technical and Community College--Georgetown, where they met with Terry Johnson, dean, Dr. Valerie Quillen, chair, Veterinary Technology Department, and Jerry Williams, chair, Environmental Training Center.

           *  Concert by Romania pianists at Delaware Technical and Community College.

           *  Tour of Winbak Farms in Middletown and Chesapeake City, Maryland, to view the training stable and training, participate in jogging, and see a presentation of Winbak's Stallion.

               Scuse said, "This visit to Delaware proved to be both productive and educational for the Romanian's and I am honored that they have chosen Delaware to model their equine industry after.  Also, I believe that continued cooperation will promote Delaware-Romanian agricultural trade in the future."  (Contact:  Anne Fitzgerald, 302/698-4520)


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