NASDA News--June 22, 2009

NASDA ESTABLISHES TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS ENERGY ISSUES
Published: June 22, 2009

Last month, NASDA’s Board of Directors approved the creation of an Energy Task Force to focus on a myriad of energy-related issues facing agriculture and rural America. The task force will report to NASDA’s Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee and the Rural Development and Financial Security Committee, focusing mostly on policy issues related to climate change, biofuels, and energy costs.

America’s farm and ranches will continue to play a pivotal role in our energy future. This critical role will undoubtedly provide ample economic development opportunities for rural America; however, there will be occasions where regional interests may find themselves on opposite sides of an issue. NASDA’s new Energy Task Force was created in order to address these potentially controversial energy issues. The Obama Administration and Congress have both put energy legislation at the top of their agenda, with the House of Representatives already well underway on a climate change bill. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Department of Energy and USDA, are currently rewriting the rules on renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. With these major issues being a priority with federal policymakers, there is no better time for NASDA to weigh in.

Current members of NASDA’s new Energy Task Force include: Commissioner Charles Bronson (FL), Director Robert Boggs (OH), Secretary Bill Even (SD), Director Anne Hazlett (IN), Commissioner Scott Soares (MA), Secretary Bill Northey (IA), Commissioner Gene Hugoson (MN), Commissioner Mike Strain (LA), Commissioner Gus Douglass (WV), Director Jon Hagler (MO), Director Katy Coba (OR), Director Ron DeYong (MT), Commissioner Todd Staples (TX) and Director Tom Jennings (IL). (Contact: David Hickey)

U.S. AND CANADA SIGN ORGANIC STANDARDS EQUIVALENCY AGREEMENT
Published: June 22, 2009

At the "All Things Organic Trade Show and Conference" in Chicago last week, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced that USDA has reached an equivalency agreement with Canada on trade of organic produce. Under a determination of equivalence, producers and processors that are certified to the National Organic Program (NOP) standards by a U.S. Department of Agriculture accredited certifying agent do not have to become certified to the Canada Organic Product Regulation (COPR) standards in order for their products to be represented as organic in Canada (and vice versa).

The agreement is seen as a success for the efforts the Tri-National Agricultural Accord, a longstanding collaboration among the senior state and provincial agricultural officials of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to work together collaboratively on agricultural trade and development issues. During the 2008 annual meeting of the Tri-National Agriculture Accord in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the NASDA delegation requested the two countries seek an equivalency agreement in order to offset the potential impact on trade that might occur with the implementation of Canada’s new organic regulations. The rules were initially expected to become effective in December but were delayed in order to address harmonization issues between the two nations.

The two letters determining equivalence and Q & A's discussing the details of the US-Canada agreement can be found on the National Organic Program website, under Today's News at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

Consumer demand for organic food has risen quickly over the past ten years, triggered in part by the development and success of USDA's organic regulatory program and label, according to a recent study by USDA's Economic Research Service. As consumer demand for organic products has widened, organic retail sales have spread far beyond the 'natural products' market niche in urban areas and college towns and into big-box stores across the country. Since the late 1990's, U.S. organic production has more than doubled, but the consumer market has grown even faster. Organic food sales have more than quintupled, increasing from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $24.6 billion in 2008. More than two-thirds of U.S. consumers buy organic products at least occasionally, and 28 percent buy organic products weekly, according to the Organic Trade Association. (Contact: Amy Mann)

SOUTHERN AG LEADERS OPPOSE PROPOSED CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
Published: June 22, 2009

Commissioners and secretaries of agriculture representing 17 southern states and U.S. territories last week said the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) formally opposes H.R. 2454,the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The annual SASDA summer meeting and convention was held in Oklahoma City June 15 to 18.

"We cannot support this bill or any other environmental legislation without significant input from agriculture," said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture and current SASDA President, Terry Peach."The existing language was created with no consultation from any segment of agriculture and we see negative effects on our producers in terms of new regulations and costs with no financial benefits."

Agriculture and forestry play key roles in reducing carbon in the environment and therefore must be brought in to any discussions regarding climate change legislation, said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture, Ron Sparks."We as members of the agricultural community cannot be excluded from any discussion on any proposed environmental regulation that touches our industry," he said..ã€"That is why SASDA has to take this step in opposing H.R. 2454 and making a resolution to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture to also oppose this legislation."

Agriculture’s role in the economy, sustaining the environment and the food security of the nation is changing and the public is going to have to embrace that change. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Charles Bronson, said agriculture is evolving. "For the past 40 years agriculture has meant food and fiber," he said..ã€"The future of agriculture is going to be food, fiber and fuel. Any efforts to create legislation that might impact this industry must include all sectors of agriculture’s input.

SASDA member states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Virgin Islands, and West Virginia. (Contact: Jack Carson at: 405- 522-4575 or Bob Ehart, Nathan Bowen or David Hickey of the NASDA staff)

FDA ISSUES E. COLI WARNING TO CONSUMERS
Published: June 22, 2009

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an E. coli O157:H7 warning to consumers to avoid prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough. Based on an ongoing epidemiological study underway by the CDC, along with several state and local health departments, the warning advises consumers to not eat or handle the cookie dough products due to the risk of contamination.

Since March, there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states, with 25 people being hospitalized, seven of which with severe complications. According to the FDA, Nestle USA has been fully cooperative with the investigation. On June 19, the company initiated a voluntary recall of Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products. For additional information regarding these products, please contact Nestle consumer services at 1-800-559-5025 or visit: www.verybestbaking.com. For a complete listing of the recalled products go to: http://www.nestleusa.com/PubNews/PressReleaseLibraryDetails.aspx?id=133CC131-A79F-4E84-9C43-C9F99FE5BC99. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

VILSACK NAMES ADDITIONAL STAFF AT USDA
Published: June 22, 2009

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack June 19 announced the appointment of additional people who will hold positions in the Office of Congressional Relations and the Office of Communications at USDA. Jennifer M. Yezak, formerly NASDA’s director of legislative and regulatory affairs, was named USDA’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

NASDA looks forward to our continued work with Jennifer. A native of Texas, she worked for NASDA from July 2002 until February 2008. She has also served as vice president of AgSource, Inc., as a consultant to the United Soybean Board on research and biodiesel issues, and in several agencies at USDA in Washington, DC. Yezak also served as legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen and U.S. Senator Bob Krueger of Texas. At the state level, she served as administrator for commodity programs for the Texas Department of Agriculture and as a staff member for the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock in the Texas House of Representatives. Yezak is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Agricultural Education and a Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Development.

Oscar Gonzales has been named Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Gonzales most recently served as Associate Director of the UFW Foundation in Los Angeles, Calif., and as Colorado Latino GOTV Director for the Obama/Biden campaign. He previously served as California Director for the National Hispanic Environmental Council, where he worked on federal legislation to protect California's unprotected wilderness and wild rivers. Oscar has also worked for California Governor Gray Davis and California Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa.

NEW CHIEF NAMED FOR U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Published: June 22, 2009

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced June 17 that Tom Tidwell will serve as the new Chief for the U.S. Forest Service. Tidwell has spent 32 years with the Forest Service in a variety of positions. He began his Forest Service career on the Boise National Forest, and has since worked in eight different national forests, across three regions. He has worked at all levels of the agency in a variety of positions, including District Ranger, Forest Supervisor, and Legislative Affairs Specialist in the Washington Office.

Tidwell's field experience includes working from the rural areas of Nevada and Idaho all the way to the urban forests in California and the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah, where he served as Forest Supervisor during the 2002 Winter Olympics. He also has extensive fire experience, beginning as a firefighter, and accumulating nineteen years as an agency administrator. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES FY10 AGRICULTURE SPENDING BILL
Published: June 22, 2009

The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY10 agriculture appropriations bill on June 18 which provides $22.9 billion in discretionary funding for USDA and agriculture programs. The committee action was initially delayed by the busiest voting day in House of Representatives history. The spending bill provides $79 million less than the administration’s budget request, but provides $2.3 billion more than the FY 09 spending bill.

The committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) that prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from requiring the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. The agency is currently establishing a greenhouse gas emission registry, which is a key step to developing and implementing a cap-and-trade system. Another amendment offered by Rep. Todd Tihart (R-KS) was approved that would ban EPA from imposing Clean Air Act regulations for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from livestock biological processes. However, the exact amendment language is still being developed.

An amendment offered by Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) failed by one vote and would have blocked the EPA from considering the impact of land-use changes and international indirect land use when calculating the greenhouse gas emissions from biofuel production. EPA’s "indirect emissions" considerations are being strongly opposed by the ethanol industry. However, an amendment was adopted to require the USDA to review the EPA’s indirect land use change analysis.

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) will not receive any funding until the nation-wide listening sessions have concluded and an appropriate solution has been devised. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), on the other hand, will be fully funded. However, USDA is prohibited to allow questionably unsafe poultry products into the U.S. from China.

Food and Nutrition programs still will receive the most funding increases to programs such as Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) with $7.54 billion, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with $61.35 billion, and International Food Aid with $1.69 billion. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was appropriated $2.99 billion and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) would be funded at $1.02 billion.

Rural Development was appropriated $2.83 billion, including funds to help house families, invest in rural businesses and support new community facility infrastructure. Conservation programs, such as the Resource Conversation and Development Program and the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Programs will be provided $980.3 million. Oversight and Enforcement programs such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will be provided $160.6 million and Livestock Competition $23.7 million. The full House is scheduled to consider the bill on July 9. (Contact: Kasey Miller or Nathan Bowen)

SENATE PANEL APPROVES CLEAN WATER BILL; OPPONENTS VOW FILIBUSTER
Published: June 22, 2009

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787) last week and reported the bill to the full Senate for action. The legislation, as originally introduced by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), was modified by an amendment offered by Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

The bill reported to the full Senate removes "navigable" from the definition of waters under jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act and would include such bodies of water as intrastate waterways, intermittent streams, and isolated ponds under federal jurisdiction. NASDA sent a letter to the Committee opposing S. 787 and amendments like the Baucus amendment. A copy of that letter is available on the NASDA website.

Meanwhile, Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and James Inhofe (R-OK) are leading Senate opposition to the legislation and have placed a "hold" on the bill. The lawmakers said they would filibuster the measure if it reaches the Senate floor for debate and will continue their efforts to "ensure that we protect private property owners, farmers, ranchers, and all those affected by the bill’s regulatory overreach." (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

AG CENSUS DATA NOW AVAILABLE FOR AMERICAN INDIAN RESERVATIONS
Published: June 22, 2009

Information from the 2007 Census of Agriculture is now available for 73 American Indian reservations, including reservation-level information on agricultural production, economics and demographics for individual farms. The 2007 Census of Agriculture marks the first time NASS has attempted to collect census forms from individual farm and ranch operators on American Indian reservations in every state.

"USDA is committed to ensuring that every farmer and rancher has an equal voice and representation in the Census of Agriculture," said Carol House, deputy administrator for USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). "As part of this commitment, we’ve worked closely with our tribal partners to improve our data collection efforts in Indian country."

"In the past, a reservation was counted as a single farm. Now, each individual farmer or rancher on the reservation is counted, providing a truer picture of agricultural activity on our nation’s American Indian reservations," House said.

During the 2002 Census of Agriculture, NASS conducted a pilot project to collect and publish reservation-level data for individual farms and farm operators on 19 reservations in Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. "Because of the success of this project, we significantly expanded our efforts in 2007, collecting data from farm and ranch operators on American Indian reservations in every state," House said.

The publication, along with all other 2007 Census of Agriculture publications and results, is available online at www.agcensus.usda.gov or by calling (800) 727-9540. NASS recently released Agriculture Census data by watersheds and congressional districts. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

GEORGIA QUARANTINE HELPS PROTECTS AMERICAAâ€S CITRUS CROP
Published: June 22, 2009

Georgia has been put under a federal quarantine to help prevent the spread of a devastating citrus disease..ã€The quarantine follows the discovery in Georgia of "citrus greening" (CG), a disease that causes citrus fruit to be bitter and unusable. The disease is also known as Huanglongbing or HLB and is caused by the bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. The disease was found on a lemon tree in Savannah..ã€

The quarantine means that nurseries in the state cannot ship citrus plants (or related host plants that may also carry the disease) to other states. The effect on the state’s nurseries would be minimal since few nurseries do this. Citrus plants include oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, limes, kumquats and calamondins. Two other plants occasionally offered for sale that could serve as hosts are orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata), a tender shrub with fragrant white flowers, and trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), a thorny and cold-hardy shrub with white flowers sometimes used as a barrier or as a novelty plant. There are no growers in the state producing citrus fruits for sale. However, there are some citrus plants growing in gardens in the state, especially in southern and coastal Georgia..ã€

"Although we are not a citrus producer, we do not want to inadvertently spread a disease that could cripple citrus producers in other states," said Tommy Irvin, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. "Georgia residents should not carry citrus plants, other host plants or citrus fruit with them when they go to other states," Irvin added..ã€

Citrus greening was also found in Charleston, S.C., in March.  The disease-causing bacteria are spread from plant to plant by a small insect called the Asian citrus psyllid, which has also been found in Georgia. USDA’s Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service (APHIS) will be doing some monitoring in the state to determine extent of the disease.

For more information please visit www.saveourcitrus.org or www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/chrp/greening/citrusgreening.html. (Contact: Arty Schronce, Jackie Sosby or Tyler Adams at: 404-656-3689)

WISCONSIN FARM CENTER CAUTIONS FARMERS ABOUT PREDATORY LENDERS
Published: June 22, 2009

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP) cautions farmers against predatory loan companies that are taking advantage of the current economic situation to the detriment of farmers.

"As farmers find it increasingly difficult to obtain loans, the Wisconsin Farm Center is aware that companies are seeking to prey on cash-strapped farmers in Wisconsin," explains Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen.

In one situation in southern Wisconsin, a farmer was charged $2,500 for the loan proposal. The group would loan him 60% of the appraised value of the farm real estate and 50% of the appraised value of his personal property. On top of the loan proposal fee, the group would charge the farmer $18,000 in closing costs, 12% interest on the loans, and a balloon payment due in two years. The farmer would also be billed an undisclosed amount for the appraiser who was chosen by the group.

"We are concerned that in cases such as this, the farmers could be left with nothing," said Paul Dietmann, Director of the Wisconsin Farm Center. "There is little chance that these farmers will end up owning their farms at the conclusion of these deals, and the companies would own the farm for 60 cents on the dollar." These predatory loan companies have been contacting farmers by phone or letter. Some companies also have websites or ads with loan information. To avoid falling into a predatory lending trap, review all non-standard loan offerings with a neutral party such as the Wisconsin Farm Center. Contracts should be reviewed by an attorney before signing. Take the time you need to really consider what you want to do. A legitimate loan company will give you the time you need.

" While it does not appear that the loan practices of these companies violate state law, they are violating the state’s no-call law if you are on the no-call list. Predatory lenders have a high likelihood of making someone’s bad situation much more difficult," said Dietmann. "We encourage farmers to call us for a neutral, third-party analysis of their financial condition so we can help develop a sound strategy to protect their farm equity."

The Wisconsin Farm Center provides services to Wisconsin farmers and agribusinesses to promote the vitality of the state’s agricultural economy and rural communities. Farmers and small agribusiness owners can contact the Farm Center through the toll-free phone line at 1-800-942-2474 to report predatory practices or receive additional assistance. (Contact: Paul Dietmann at: 608-224-5038)

MARYLAND CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR TOBACCO FARMER PAYMENTS
Published: June 22, 2009

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler continue to fight on behalf of Maryland tobacco growers to hold the nation’s largest tobacco companies accountable to the 1999 National Tobacco Growers Trust Agreement.

On May 20, 2009, Maryland, along with Pennsylvania, filed an appellate brief in the Supreme Court of North Carolina seeking to reverse a decision by the State’s Court of Appeals that would deny tobacco farmers from Maryland and Pennsylvania payments claimed under the Trust.

"Maryland is not giving up on the $13 million payment due to its tobacco farmers through the 1999 agreement," said Secretary Hance. "We believe that tobacco farmers in Maryland and Pennsylvania are owed payments from tobacco companies and we continue to pursue them on behalf of our farmers."

The 1999 Trust Agreement between the tobacco companies and 14 tobacco-grower states was intended to address the economic consequences of decreased tobacco consumption from the 1998 Tobacco Litigation Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Citing an offset provision in the Trust, the tobacco companies contended they were no longer obligated to make payments for Maryland and Pennsylvania farmers following enactment of the federal Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act (FETRA) in 2004. Although FETRA provided payments to tobacco growers in the twelve other states that were signatories to the Trust, the legislation provided no payments to Maryland and Pennsylvania farmers because they did not participate in the federal tobacco quota system. When the tobacco companies stopped paying the Trust, Maryland and Pennsylvania took action in the North Carolina courts.

In August 2008, a North Carolina trial court agreed with Maryland and Pennsylvania and ruled that FETRA did not relieve the tobacco companies of their obligation to pay approximately $13 million and $11 million to the Trust for the farmers of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The tobacco companies appealed the ruling. In December 2008, in a split decision, the North Carolina Court of Appeals reversed the trial court. It is now up to the Supreme Court of North Carolina to resolve the matter. Oral argument is expected to be scheduled for autumn 2009. (Contact: Sue DuPont at: 410-841-5889 or Raquel Guillory at: 410-576-6357)

EFFORTS TO EXPAND TO ERADICATE JAPANESE BEETLE IN MONTANA
Published: June 22, 2009

HELENA, Mont. -- State insect specialists are working on two fronts to prevent an invasive pest that damages lawns and ornamental plants from becoming established in Montana.

An 18-member team headed by the Montana Department of Agriculture distributed nearly 500 insect traps and information recently southeast of Kalispell, where a pair of Japanese beetles were trapped last summer.

"This is an insect we do not want taking up residence in Montana. It could do a lot of damage to fruit trees, homeowners' lawns and gardens, and the nursery industry in our state," says Ken Puliafico, a PhD entomologist who holds a temporary assignment with the department to head the effort to monitor and eradicate Japanese beetles.

The shiny copper- and green-colored insects, about the size of a thumbtack, were first found in 2001 near the Billings airport, where they apparently hitched a ride on airport cargo from Midwestern states. Extensive monitoring with pheromone and floral scented traps has verified a small but apparently resident population in a four-block area around the Montana State University-Billings campus south of the airport.

The Japanese beetle is the most destructive pest of turf grass in eastern North America, Puliafico says. It was introduced into the United States in 1916 and all states east of the Mississippi River are considered infested. Losses attributed to the larval "grub" stage of the insect have been estimated at $234 million per year.

Scientists are not really sure how Japanese beetles found their way to the new location east of Kalispell. In a cooperative effort, personnel with the department and the USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine service placed nearly 500 Japanese beetle traps in early June as part of a delimitation survey to learn the extent of a possible infestation in the Flathead Valley. Meanwhile, the department is increasing its eradication efforts in the Billings area along the Rimrocks and the west side of the MSU-Billings campus. An estimated 300 scented traps are available in that fight area, some of them given to homeowners the past few summers. Trapping of adult beetles and chemical control of immature grubs is strongly recommended for all landowners in the infested area, said Ian Foley, state entomologist with the department.

In 2008, the Montana Department of Agriculture established a regulated area covering part of Yellowstone County to prevent the artificial spread of the pest within Montana. Movement out of the area of soil, sod and other materials that might harbor beetle larvae is prohibited. (For more information about the effort, contact Ian Foley at: 406- 444-9430)

GOEHRING WANTS CHANGES IN CROP/RANGELAND INSURANCE PROGRAM
Published: June 22, 2009

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says more frequent and detailed weather reporting is needed to properly implement a new crop insurance program in central and western North Dakota.

"The Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Insurance Pilot Program, now available to farmers and ranchers in central and western North Dakota, is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Rainfall Index," Goehring said. "That is a significant problem because there are not enough reporting stations in the central and western parts of the state to provide adequate data for an accurate assessment of moisture conditions in the area."

Goehring said the problem is magnified by the distance between reporting stations and by the fact that many of the reporting stations only submit reports when a precipitation event occurs."The Rainfall Index will be skewed unless all reporting stations submit daily reports, even on days when no precipitation occurs," he said. "As a result, the insurance claims of some producers will be denied because the index erroneously shows that their operations have had adequate moisture."

Goehring met recently with National Weather Service officials in Bismarck, who said only about 15 of North Dakota’s 130 weather observers submit daily reports. "I appreciate the efforts of the weather service to encourage more frequent and complete reports from their observers," Goehring said. "These observers provide an invaluable service, many of them on a volunteer basis."

Goehring said the Risk Management Agency (RMA), the division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that oversees federal crop insurance, should give producers the option of basing their policy on either the Vegetation Index from the U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science data center or on the Rainfall Index. "RMA already uses the Vegetation Index in several other states, including South Dakota," Goehring said. "The Vegetation Index uses constantly reported satellite data to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the vegetative growth that results from moisture conditions in a given area."

Goehring said he plans to meet with the state’s Atmospheric Resource Board and the Weather Service to gather additional information on observation/reporting methods in the state.(Contact: Ted Quanrud at: 701-328-2233 or Patrice Lahlum at: 701-239-7210)

NEW ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION GUIDES NOW AVAILABLE
Published: June 22, 2009

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced June 22 the availability of organic production guides for growers of certain vegetable crops..ã€The new guides provide information for farmers on how to grow organic carrots, peas, snap beans, and cucurbits, which includes winter squash and cucumbers, for the processing sector.

"There is a growing interest from food processors here in New York State to procure local and organically grown vegetables," the Commissioner said."We also have farmers who are seeking to transition to organic production and are in need of specific information on how to grow certain crops. These production guides were developed in response to both of those desires and are the first in what we hope will be a series of useful and practical production guides for those seeking to transition into organic."

These new production guides provide an overall approach for organic production of the specified crops. With limited pest control products available for use in organic production systems, these guides offer commercial vegetable producers organic integrated pest management (IPM) techniques for four major processing vegetable crops. IPM techniques such as keeping accurate pest history records, selecting the proper site, and preventing pest outbreaks through use of crop rotation, resistant varieties and biological controls are all components of successful organic and IPM management techniques..ã€The guides may be downloaded at http://nysipm.cornell.edu/organic_guide/.

Development of the guides was funded in part by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Organic Development and Assistance Program, and coordinated by the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program with contributions from 19 professionals at Cornell University and Cooperative Extension..ã€Depending on their expertise, professionals provided input on soil fertility recommendations, crop rotations to prevent pests and disease incidence, and specific strategies to address common crop problems. While the motivation behind these guides was to fulfill the demands of the processing sector, they may also serve as a useful resource for producers growing for the fresh market.

New York State ranks among the top ten states in the country for the number of organic farms..ã€In 2007, the U.S. Census identified 1,027 organic farms in New York State with nearly 121,000 acres in production, although only 736 farms are known to be certified organic..ã€Organic dairy farms are the largest segment of the organic farm community in New York State with nearly 400 farms. The Census also found that 562 farms were transitioning another 30,687 acres to organic production. (Contact: Jessica Chittenden at: 518-457-3136)

VALUE ADDED DAIRY INITIATIVE YEAR FIVE ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SPECIALTY CHEESE INCREASE
Published: June 22, 2009

MADISON – Specialty cheese production in Wisconsin rose by seven percent from 2007 to 2008 now totaling 429 million pounds, accounting for 17 percent of the state’s total cheese production.

The Value Added Dairy Initiative (VADI) Year Five Annual Report showcases the success of the initiative’s impact on specialty cheese production and reinvigorating the dairy industry. VADI was launched in 2004 by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection in collaboration with state, federal, and private partners.

"Our world-renowned cheesemakers have grown our total market share of specialty cheese from 12% in 2002 to almost 20% today," explains Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. "This is remarkable progress and innovation in Wisconsin’s growing cheese industry."

Wisconsin currently produces over 600 varieties of high quality specialty cheese, while the number of plants producing specialty cheese increased to 99 of Wisconsin’s 138 cheese plants. Feta continued to be the state’s most popular cheese, with a three percent increase in production. Other popular varieties showing increased production include Asiago, Blue, Hispanic types, Parmesan Wheel, and specialty Provolone.

Additional highlights from the report indicate that Wisconsin’s 2008 milk production increased by 2.5 percent, reaching 24.7 billion pounds. This production positions Wisconsin to break the all-time milk production record in 2009, which was set in 1988 at 25 billion pounds.

Reinvestments into all areas of the Wisconsin dairy industry are evident in a survey by the National Agriculture Statistics Service and the Dairy Plant Directory. Dairy plants have invested $1.24 billion to modernize their operations during the past five years. Projections for the next five years anticipate an additional $781 million in planned reinvestments using a variety of VADI tools and services.

VADI is an important component of Governor Doyle’s Next Generation Agriculture Plan. With the support of Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman Dave Obey, the program has obtained $8.8 million in federal funds over five years of programming. These federal funds have been matched by in-kind contributions from agencies and organizations across Wisconsin’s dairy sector.

This report is available online at www.datcp.state.wi.us, search for "value added dairy initiative." Individuals may request hard copies by sending in names and address to Nicole Breunig, nicole.breunig@wisconsin.gov or calling 608-224-5080. (Contact: Ashley Huibregtse at: 608-224-5002)