NASDA News--March 16, 2009

ROGER JOHNSON ELECTED NATIONAL FARMERS UNION PRESIDENT
Published: March 16, 2009

Delegates to the National Farmers Union Convention on March 10 elected North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson to lead the organization. NFU has a membership of 250,000 farm and ranch families, and its mission is to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and their rural communities.

"I grew up in Farmers Union and believe strongly in the positions NFU advocates," Johnson said. "I look forward to working with Farmers Union members, those both inside and outside of agriculture, and policy makers on both sides of the aisle to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and raise their families in rural America."

Johnson grew up participating in the organization’s youth programs, serving as a county president and chairman of the board of a local Farmers Union cooperative. A third-generation family farmer from Turtle Lake, N.D., Johnson was elected North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner in 1996 and re-elected in 2000, 2004, and 2006. He is the immediate past president of NASDA, playing a key role in the crafting of the 2008 Farm Bill.

Johnson said the economy is the overriding issue affecting those in agriculture today. "Today’s economic climate underscores the importance of having policies in place that allow farmers and ranchers to survive during tough times," Johnson said. (Contact: Stephen Haterius)

NOMINATIONS FOR USDA UNDER SECRETARIES ANNOUNCED
Published: March 16, 2009

President Barack Obama on March 13 announced the nominations of James W. (Jim) Miller to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services and Dallas P. Tonsager to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement "Jim Miller and Dallas Tonsager are well aware of the challenges and opportunities in rural America. They have dedicated their lives to enhancing the success and improving the lives of farmers, ranchers and those living in rural areas."

Miller currently is Chief of Staff for the National Farmers Union, a position he accepted in 1999 after serving four years as Senior Analyst for Agriculture and Trade on the majority staff of the Senate Budget Committee. Miller also has served as Chief Economist for the National Farmers Union and as Vice President for Government Relations for the National Association of Wheat Growers. Miller operated a fourth-generation family farm in eastern Washington for over 20 years and served as President of the National Association of Wheat Growers in 1987. He was Co-Chairman of the Canada-U.S. Joint Commission on Grains, a federal commission established to resolve grain trade issues between the two countries.

Tonsager currently serves as a board member of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA), a position to which he was appointed in 2004. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation. Prior to his appointment to the FCA, he was Executive Director of the South Dakota Value-Added Agriculture Development Center, where he coordinated initiatives to better serve producers who developed value-added agricultural projects. Tonsager was appointed by President Clinton as the South Dakota State Rural Development Director in 1993 and was named one of two outstanding state directors by USDA in 1999. In partnership with his brother, he owns Plainview Farm in Oldham, S.D., a family operation that includes corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. (Contact: Stephen Haterius)

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES FDA APPOINTMENTS & NEW FOOD SAFETY WORKGROUP
Published: March 16, 2009

In his weekly radio address on March 14, President Barack Obama announced the appointments of Dr. Margaret Hamburg as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as the creation of a new Food Safety Working Group. In addition, the President pledged $1 billion to modernize the food safety system and said he was closing a loophole to prevent diseased cows from entering the food supply (see separate story).

Margaret "Peggy" Hamburg is the nominee for FDA Commissioner. Dr. Hamburg is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in public health and medicine, and an authority on global health, public health systems, infectious disease, bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. She served as the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s founding Vice President for the Biological Program. Before joining NTI, she was the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Prior to this, she served for six years as the Commissioner of Health for the City of New York and as the Assistant Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Joshua "Josh" Sharfstein has been nominated as FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner. He is Commissioner of Health for the City of Baltimore and also serves as chair of the board of four affiliated nonprofit agencies. He has been recognized as a national leader for his efforts to protect children from unsafe jewelry and over-the-counter medication, and ensuring Americans with disabilities have access to prescription drugs. He is a member of the Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice of the Institute of Medicine.

The new Food Safety Working Group will be chaired by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA. It will coordinate with other agencies and senior officials to advise the President on improving coordination throughout the government, examining and upgrading food safety laws, and enforcing laws that will keep the American people safe. President Obama said he expects the workgroup "to report back to me with recommendations as soon as possible."

The President said part of the reason for food safety problems is that many of the laws and regulations have not been updated since they were written in the time of Teddy Roosevelt. He said it was also because the FDA has been underfunded and understaffed in recent years, "leaving the agency with the resources to inspect just 7,000 of the150,000 food processing plants and warehouses each year--roughly 95% of them go uninspected."

Finally, President Obama pledged to strengthen the food safety system and modernizing labs with a $1 billion dollar investment, a portion of which will go toward significantly increasing the number of food inspectors, and helping ensure that the FDA has the staff and support to protect the food supply. (Contact Charlie Ingram)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROPOSES TO SUSPEND H-2A RULE
Published: March 16, 2009

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) on March 13 announced the proposed suspension for nine months of a final rule implementing changes to the H-2A program, which allows U.S. agricultural businesses to employ foreign workers in temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs. The department’s proposed action is open for public comment for 10 days.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. said in a statement that "because many stakeholders have raised concerns about the H-2A regulations, this proposed suspension is the prudent and responsible action to take. Suspending the rule would allow the department to review and reconsider the regulation, while minimizing disruption to state workforce agencies, employers and workers."

The proposed suspension of the final rule will be published in the March 17 Federal Register. The final rule was originally published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2008, and took effect on January 17, 2009.

The H-2A nonimmigrant program is designed to provide agricultural businesses with short-term foreign agricultural labor when there are not enough domestic workers. Receiving an H-2A labor certification is the first step in the employment-based immigration process to work on a farm. According to the Labor Department, the largest numbers of H-2A labor certifications in 2008 were granted to North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

The Labor Department’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification will continue to accept and process H-2A applications during the proposed suspension period. Any final action on the proposed suspension will appear in a future Federal Register notice. (Contact: Amy Mann)

USDA ISSUES FINAL RULE FOR HANDLING NON-AMBULATORY CATTLE
Published: March 16, 2009

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on March 14 issued a final rule to amend the federal meat inspection regulations to require a complete ban on the slaughter of cattle that become non-ambulatory disabled after passing initial inspection by Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection program personnel. The announcement was made in conjunction with President Obama’s weekly radio address on food safety (See separate story).

The final rule requires that all cattle that are non-ambulatory disabled ("downer") cattle at any time prior to slaughter at an official establishment, including those that become non-ambulatory disabled after passing ante-mortem inspection, be condemned and properly disposed of according to FSIS regulations. Additionally, the final rule requires that establishments notify inspection program personnel when cattle become non-ambulatory disabled after passing the ante-mortem, or pre-slaughter, inspection.

In July 2007, USDA-FSIS published the final rule, "Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle; Prohibition of the Use of Certain Stunning Devices Used To Immobilize Cattle During Slaughter" (the SRM final rule). The SRM final rule allowed a case-by-case reinspection of cattle that became non-ambulatory disabled after ante mortem inspection to address the rare situations in which an animal that is deemed by FSIS as fit for human food at ante-mortem inspection subsequently suffers an acute injury. More details and information about the new rules are available on the FSIS website at: www.usda.fsis.gov. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

VILSACK ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF USDA ECONOMIC STIMULUS FUNDING
Published: March 16, 2009

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week announced USDA will be delivering its first actions implementing the $28 billion provided in the economic stimulus package (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). Vilsack said the money will help rebuild and revitalize rural communities as well as help stimulate local economies and create jobs throughout the country. Some of the economic stimulus funding announced by USDA includes:

~~The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will use immediately $145 million of the $173 million provided for its Direct Operating Farm Loan Program, which will give 2,042 farmers – almost 50% are beginning farmers and 10% are socially disadvantaged producers - direct loans from the agency. These loans will be used to purchase items such as farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel and other operating expenses and will stimulate rural economies by providing American farmers funds to operate.

~~USDA Rural Development Agency will initially provide nearly 10,000 rural families with $14.9 million ($1.17 billion in loan guarantees) for homeownership financing, creating or saving more than 5,000 jobs.

~~USDA Rural Development will also release funding for more than $400 million in pending applications for Water and Waste grants and $140 million in pending applications for Water and Waste Direct Loans.

~~The Forest Service has released almost $100 million of the $1.15 billion for projects for hazardous fuels reduction, forest health protection, rehabilitation and hazard mitigation activities on federal, state and private lands.

~~The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will release up to $145 million provided to restore frequently flooded land to its natural state; create jobs in rural communities nationwide when landowners establish these floodplain easements; as well as restore and protect an estimated 60,000 acres of flood-prone lands nationwide through the floodplain easement component of its Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Signups for the easements will be held from March 9 – March 27 nationwide.

~~NRCS will release $80 million of the $145 million for watershed projects to improve fish and wildlife

On March 10, Vilsack announced USDA’s efforts to expand broadband service to rural areas including the grants and loan program that is included in the economic stimulus package. There will be a series of public meetings and webcasts to receive comments. More information about USDA’s efforts regarding the economic stimulus package is available at: www.usda.gov/recovery. (Contact: Charlie Ingram, Amy Mann or Bob Ehart)

VILSACK ISSUES CONDITIONAL LICENSE FOR VACCINE TO REDUCE E. COLI IN FEEDLOT CATTLE
Published: March 16, 2009

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA has issued a conditional license for a vaccine to reduce the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feedlot cattle to Epitopix, LLC, of Willmar, Minnesota.

E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe illness and death in humans who consume food tainted with the pathogen. A common path for the pathogen to enter the food supply is when muscle tissue becomes contaminated with E. coli from the intestinal tract of cattle during the slaughtering process. Vaccines to reduce the prevalence and shedding of E. coli pathogens in cattle are one component of a wide-range of options to enhance food safety controls.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issues conditional licenses in the event of an emergency situation, limited market or other special circumstance. The special circumstance in this case is the absence of other licensed veterinary biological products for use in reducing the prevalence and shedding of E. coli O157 in cattle. APHIS granted the conditional license following the review and acceptance of data supporting product safety and a reasonable expectation of efficacy. The safety data included the results of studies that evaluated the product under normal conditions, including field safety trials of the size and scope required for full licensure. The company will conduct additional potency and efficacy studies during the one-year period of the condition license. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

SENATE PANEL APPROVES TRADE REP NOMINEE
Published: March 16, 2009

The Senate Finance Committee on March 12 approved the nomination of Dallas, Texas MayorRon Kirk to be United States Trade Representative (USTR). As USTR, Kirk will be PresidentObama’s top international trade official.

During the confirmation hearing, Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) outlined some of the challenges facing U.S. trade negotiators in the current global economic crisis and the need to fight barriers to free trade. Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) warned against strangling U.S. exports by talking about renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. He also urged the Administration not to delay signing free trade agreements with Panama, Columbia, and South Korea.

The nomination now goes to the full Senate for a final vote. (Contact: Amy Mann)

OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL PASSES; DISAGREEMENTS ON CUBA TRADE CONTINUE
Published: March 16, 2009

The $410 billion omnibus spending package for FY09 was approved by the Senate on March 10 and President Obama signed the measure into law on March 11. The bill includes funding for USDA and farm programs and details of the agriculture provisions were outlined in the February 24 NASDA News.

The massive spending package was necessary because last year Congress failed to pass most FY09 annual appropriations bills. Federal departments have been operating under a continuing budget resolution since the 2009 fiscal year began last October 1.

The appropriations package included policy language to ease travel restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba. However, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in a letter to congressional lawmakers that the language would prohibit the department from using funds to administer, implement or enforce the current definition of "cash in advance," which is one of the permissible ways to finance agricultural sales to Cuba. However, several lawmakers disagree with Treasury’s interpretation and a number of letters and statements continue to be exchanged.

The appropriations package also includes a provision to prohibit funds for a program allowing Mexican trucking companies to operate beyond U.S. and Mexico border zones. (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Amy Mann)

HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE SEEKS COMMENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Published: March 16, 2009

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) announced March 12 that the panel is seeking comments on proposals to address global climate change. The Committee is soliciting the opinions of more than 400 agricultural, environmental, scientific and educational groups and other members of the public, through a print- and web-based questionnaire.

Chairman Peterson said in a statement that "for years our farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have been participating in conservation and carbon sequestration programs, working to reduce emissions and increase efficiency, and support a thriving renewable energy industry. Now the Committee would like to know where and how these efforts will fit into the overall task of addressing global climate change."

The questionnaire allows stakeholders to provide the Committee with their views on the different options being considered in Congress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – especially as they relate to the agriculture and forestry sectors. The questionnaire is available at: http://agriculture.house.gov. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

LAWMAKERS REVITALIZE CONGRESSIONAL RURAL CAUCUS
Published: March 16, 2009

Reps. Travis Childers (D-MS) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) recently announced their co-chairmanship of the bipartisan Congressional Rural Caucus and outlined efforts to revitalize the organization. The lawmakers said they will jumpstart initiatives to strengthen rural communities struggling under today’s difficult economic conditions.

The Rural Caucus currently includes 69 Republican and Democratic members. Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Tim Walz (D-MN) will serve as Vice-Chairs of the Caucus. It will bring together a working group of members to discuss and address the distinct issues facing America’s rural communities. The body will serve to collectively address these challenges and promote legislation which includes sound rural policies. In addition, the Caucus will host speakers and experts on a wide range of issues to help educate the members on the constantly changing face of rural America. The Caucus has organized four task forces: (1) Telecommunications; (2) Health Care; (3) Education and Economic Development; and (4) Transportation and Infrastructure. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

SENATORS REINTRODUCE BILL ON INTERNATIONAL PESTICIDE PROTOCOLS
Published: March 16, 2009

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) have reintroduced legislation (S. 519) to implement pesticide-related obligations under international agreements for a worldwide group of 12 toxic chemicals known as "POPs," persistent organic pollutants. Examples of these chemicals are DDT, PCBs, and dioxins.

The implementation legislation would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to implement three international agreements concerning Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). POPs are toxic chemicals that remain in the environment for a extended period of time and can bio-accumulate in the food chain. This bill would establish notice and comment procedures to ensure the American public has an opportunity to have input into federal action related to decisions by the parties to the conventions.

The bill also would add new export reporting and labeling requirements to ensure compliance with U.S. obligations under the Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC) Convention. Specifically, the convention requires all signatory nations to stop the production and use of 12 listed POPs. Parties to the convention also agree to control sources of POPs by-products to reduce releases and provide for the safe handling and disposal of POPs in an environmentally sound manner. The convention includes a science-based procedure to allow other POPs to be added and provides technical and financial assistance to help developing countries manage and control POPs.

Harkin said that "passage of the legislation will help clear the path for ratification of three important agreements to reduce worldwide levels of these dangerous chemicals--all of which are illegal in the United States." Harkin noted "the U.S. has not been able to participate in this global effort for years since we have not ratified the agreements." Sen. Chambliss urged the Senate to ratify the treaties and said the legislation would "put the U.S. at the table where decisions on these chemicals are made." (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

HOUSE PANEL REVIEWS ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
Published: March 16, 2009

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing on March 11 to review animal identification systems. Rep.David Scott (D-GA) is the Chairman of the Subcommittee.

There was general agreement from all witnesses to have an identification program that would allow animals to be located in a quick and efficient manner in the event of an animal health emergency. However, there was much debate on whether an animal identification program should be voluntary or mandatory. "I believe a mandatory system is necessary and carries with it many benefits for producers, processors, and consumers," Chairman Scott said. "A mandatory system would let us know where infected animals are, so that we could re-route transportation to prevent disease from spreading. He also noted that the current voluntary animal identification system has a 37 percent participation rate, and only seven to nine percent participation from beef producers.

Full Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) spoke strongly in support of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and the need for a mandatory program. He said "after five years of throwing over $100 million at a voluntary system, we are still in pretty much the same place. Even worse, many of the crucial aspects of the program show little promise of ever being substantially implemented. Agency staff have told us that the program as currently structured would never be effective in providing the country with a reliable trace-back system. The stakeholders out there need to get together and resolve their differences, a mandatory animal ID system is crucial in order to avoid the economic consequences of a major animal disease outbreak."

The first witness was Dr. John R. Clifford, DVM, USDA Deputy Administrator of Veterinary Services for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). He strongly supported the need to have a mandatory identification system. Clifford said NAIS would permit prompt action and interdiction of animal disease outbreaks. The goal of NAIS is to have the information and ability to trace an animal within 48 hours and stop the spread and contamination of disease. Having a traceback system that allows for judicious tracking of animals is imperative to prevent unnecessary and prolonged contamination of infectious diseases. He noted that between 2003 and 2008, 199 positive cases of bovine tuberculosis were identified in the U.S. About 84 percent of the confirmed animals did not have individual identification tags, and it took 199 days to trace all of the animals, costing valuable time and money.

Dr. Clifford also contended that animal identification would ultimately have economic benefits for producers. A cost-analysis conducted by Kansas State University estimates an annual cost of $200 million to effectively execute NAIS, which would be approximately two to three dollars per head. However, when compared to the billions of dollars a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak could cause, the cost is substantially lower. Dr. Clifford believes that a mandatory system could be in place in two years, with an additional year to implement traceback capabilities. Dr. Clifford said that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is searching for ways to implement NAIS that is sensitive to the needs and qualities different species, the way they are produced and processed.

A second panel of witnesses included the Georgia Cattleman’s Association, R-Calf, the National Pork Producers Council, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. They discussed the benefits and consequences of having an animal identification system in place. Benefits, other than animal safety, include the ability to have accurate information. This data, along with a production business plan, can be used as a management tool to help producers reach their production goals.

Witnesses discussed several concerns about the implementation of a mandatory animal identification system. One concern is whether the information that is submitted will be kept confidential. The data on producers, their land premises, and livestock is sensitive and proprietary. Another concern is the tag tracking requirements proposed under the NAIS business plan. Under this plan, tags are tracked when they are purchased by the producer, regardless of whether they are put on the animal or in storage.

The final panel of witnesses included the Embassy of Australia, and the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency. Both Canada and Australia have functional animal identification systems. The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) of Australia originated in 1960’s when Australia created a program to eliminate Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis, and became mandatory for cattle in 2005. The program was initiated by the livestock industry rather than the government, and caters to the needs of producers. NLIS allows animals to be traced from birth to slaughter, and has improved product integrity and marketing access. (Contact: Jessica Glover or Bob Ehart)

CLEANmp-WEST LIVESTOCK & POULTRY NUTRIENT PLANNING GRANTS
Published: March 16, 2009

Do you know of any livestock or poultry producers who are running up against state deadlines for nutrient management plans? Here’s the free, confidential answer to their problem. CLEANmp-West has $3.9 million federal grant dollars waiting to provide them assistance.

Their neighbors may have already received their free, confidential nutrient management plan or environmental assessment. Assistance is available and timely. All they need do is apply for assistance online at www.cleanmp-west.org. The application may be completed and sent online, or printed, completed and mailed. The agricultural consulting firm serving as the conduit for assistance is Sustainable Environmental Solutions, Inc. (SES). SES has contracted with NRCS-certified technical service providers throughout the western half of the country to work primarily in their own states.

Don’t remember what CLEANmp-West is? It is a federal grant-funded effort to provide livestock producers confidential and free nutrient management plans and environmental assessments. Producers may be large or small, need or not need an NPDES permit, and be in any state west of the Mississippi. (Except Minnesota, which is in the area being served by CLEANmp-East from RTI International in South Carolina.) Review the project background; learn about SES, Inc.; get details about what information is needed to request assistance; find frequently asked questions and answers; etc. at www.cleanmp-west.org.

Confidentiality is a priority of producers, and fear of its loss frequently a deterrent to cooperation with any "unknown" entity. To ensure the complete confidentiality of any producer participating in CLEANmp-West, a number of "firewalls" are in place. The program was first highlighted in the October 15 issue of NASDA News. For more information about the environmental assessment and nutrient management project please contact Betty Wyse , project manager, or Mark White, project technical director, at 573/634-7078. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

MARKETING ASSISTANCE TO MISSOURI FARMERS INTERESTED IN AGRITOURISM
Published: March 16, 2009

Jefferson City, Mo. – Agritourism has become an ever-growing segment of Missouri’s agriculture industry and an important component to farms across the state. Agritourism opportunities offers producers a chance to add value and income to their farms while providing Missourians a chance to experience agriculture through pumpkin patches, u-pick strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, apple and peach orchards, on-farm tours and corn mazes.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s AgriMissouri program offers marketing assistance and opportunities to those food manufactures, farmers, producers, agritourism businesses and farmers’ markets that are interested in adding value to their existing operations or beginning a new venture.

"Agritourism businesses continue to provide Missouri families and visitors to our state with a multitude of affordable and educational day trips or weekend adventures. Agritourism is a benefit to farmers and also to communities across the state," said Dr. Jon Hagler, director of the Department of Agriculture. "As part of our AgriMissouri program, the Department of Agriculture is helping Missouri farmers add revenue to their farms and provides them the tools needed to succeed in agritourism." Since 1985, the AgriMissouri program has assisted members in marketing their agritourism locations and Missouri-made products. Assisting start-up entrepreneurs is but one facet of the AgriMissouri program. Other areas include a membership program where members are listed in the online Buyers’ Guide located at www.agrimissouri.com. The Buyer’s Guide provides members an opportunity to describe their product or company, list retail locations or hours of operation and include photos of their company or product.

Another business tool, the Agritourism Map, provides an online reference to agritourism locations across the state. In 2008, over 10,000 Agritourism Maps were distributed to consumers across Missouri. AgriMissouri memberships are available to all Missouri agritourism farms or agribusinesses. The annual membership fee is $50 and includes a business listing on the Agritourism Map; the 2009 deadline to be listed on the map is March 27. To learn more about AgriMissouri or agritourism, contact Sarah Gehring at (573) 522-9213 or visit www.agrimissouri.com. (Contact: Misti Preston at: 573-751-8596)

OKLAHOMA ARBOR WEEK CELEBRATIONS ENCOURAGED; POSTER WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Published: March 16, 2009

It’s that time of year again, when Oklahomans are urged to haul out spades, dig a hole and plant some trees. Arbor Week is just around the corner and since 1901—the state’s first official Arbor Day—Oklahoman’s have annually observed this tree planting tradition. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is encouraging communities, schools and individuals to plan an activity during the state Arbor Week March 22-28, 2009.

"Families can celebrate Arbor Week by planting a tree or by taking a tree identification hike while enjoying the trees in their hometown," said state forester John Burwell. "Communities might undertake a beautification project at a city park or school." As part of the Arbor Week celebration, Oklahoma Forestry Services is proud to announce the state level winners of the 2009 Arbor Day National Poster Contest. The theme of this year’s contest was "Trees are Terrific…in cities and towns!" Fifth graders from across Oklahoma participated in this competition celebrating trees.

Forestry Services received entries from 43 school winners this year representing the top entries out of over 1500 entries statewide. The winning posters can be viewed at www.forestry.ok.gov and ideas for Arbor Week celebrations can be found at www.arborday.org. To request a copy of Oklahoma’s 2009 winning poster by Geneva Mendoza contact Christina Stallings Roberson at (405) 522-6158 or email christina.stallings@oda.state.ok.us.(Contact: Jack Carson at: 405-522-4575)

KENTUCKY 4-H COUNCILS, FFA CHAPTERS RECEIVE AGRICULTURE ACHIEVER GRANTS
Published: March 16, 2009

Franfort, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has announced that 61 FFA chapters and 4-H councils across Kentucky have been selected to receive Agriculture Achiever Grants totaling $80,000. The grant program will help 33 county 4-H councils and 28 school FFA chapters fund projects that advance agricultural education in their local communities.

The program is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and is funded through a federal Rural Rehabilitation Grant. We salute the extraordinary creativity and initiative demonstrated by the scope and variety of these projects," Commissioner Farmer said. "Past projects have ranged from greenhouse construction to computer equipment purchases, and we anticipate many successful projects in the coming year."

FFA projects include improvements to school greenhouses, purchases of aquaculture teaching materials, development of equine education and livestock teaching facilities, and establishment of a community garden to be coordinated by the local FFA chapter. Schools are required to provide matching funds in order to receive the grants. County 4-H councils will use the grants for projects such as teaching youth how to use global positioning system (GPS) equipment, resources to be used by volunteers to teach club members, audio equipment, and tents and gate panels for local livestock shows and fairs.

"On behalf of all 28 recipient [FFA] schools, I want to thank Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer for his continued support of this program," State FFA President Quint Pottinger said. "These grants will help our chapters as they prepare the next generation of leaders for Kentucky agriculture." "The Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture has supported the Agriculture Achiever Grant to Kentucky 4-H since 1994," stated Martha Welch, University of Kentucky Extension specialist for 4-H youth development. "We are grateful to Commissioner Richie Farmer for his support. … The $40,000 [annually] has funded numerous county projects which would not have been possible otherwise."

State FFA Advisor Curt Lucas agreed that the Agriculture Achiever Grants have been a tremendous benefit to agricultural education programs across the state.Since its inception, this program has pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into local agricultural education programs," Lucas said. "The program has truly moved agricultural education programs in our state into the 21st century."

(Contact: Bill Clary at: 502-564-1137)

MARYLAND CELEBRATES AGRICULTURE WEEK MARCH 15-21
Published: March 16, 2009

Annapolis, MD – Did you know that 1/3 of Maryland’s land is in farms? On that 2 million acres, farmers produce 33 million pounds of apples, 1.6 billion pounds of chicken, and 3.7 million tons of peaches among many other food products for citizens to eat. Recognizing the role of agriculture as one of Maryland’s most important industries, Governor Martin O’Malley, has proclaimed the week of March 15-21, 2009, to be Maryland Agriculture Week. The state designation coincides with National Ag Day on March 20, 2009.

"Maryland’s agriculture industry is vital to the long-term health of the state’s economy, environment and quality of life. Maryland Agriculture Week promotes a continued effort to strengthen our family owned businesses and farms," said Governor O’Malley. "The State of Maryland is committed to sustaining the beauty of our countryside, the health of our soil and water, the strength of our economy, the safety of our food, and meeting the energy needs of our shared future."

National Agriculture Week provides an opportunity for each county to recognize their accomplishments and the uniqueness of agriculture in each area of the State. From the mountains of Western Maryland with its dairy farms, maple syrup and hay, Central Maryland with its greenhouse, fresh market vegetables, livestock and equine industries, to the Eastern Shore’s thousands of acres of corn and soybeans, poultry and nursery sectors Maryland truly grows something for everyone.

"Maryland Agriculture week helps raise awareness about the state’s farmers and the important role they play in providing food and protecting the environment today and in the future," said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. Visit www.MarylandsBest.net to find locally grown products or find out more about National Ag Day at www.agday.org (Contact: Sue duPont at: 410-841-5889)