NASDA News--June 30,2009

HOUSE NARROWLY PASSES CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
Published: June 30, 2009

Last Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed ground-breaking climate change legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454). After heavy lobbying efforts from all sides, including the White House, the bill passed by the slim margin of 219-212. In the end, eight Republicans supported the legislation, with 44 Democrats in opposition (HR. 2454 Final Vote).

After battling House Democratic Leadership over the legislation, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) voted in favor for the bill. Chairman Peterson was successful in having his language included in this package. The new language included an exemption for agriculture from being included under the emissions cap, an offset program which will be managed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a delay on a proposal to consider international indirect land use change for biofuel greenhouse gas thresholds, among other modifications to the legislation.

Prior to the final vote, several agriculture and farm organizations released statements regarding their position on the legislation. The National Farmers Union and the National Association of Wheat Growers encouraged Members of Congress to support the final legislation, while the majority of agriculture was opposed to the bill. Several groups applauded the efforts of Chairman Peterson, which included the National Pork Producers Council, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, yet could not lend their support for the final package. 

Looking ahead, the Senate will likely be working from the cap and trade plan as passed by the House on Friday. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has already passed an energy bill, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act, which includes many similar aspects, but does not contain a cap and trade provision. It is being reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will be assembling Senate Democratic leaders following the July 4th break to begin constructing their strategy moving forward. If it does not occur sooner, some believe the bill will be completed in September, with the legislation being on the Senate floor in October.

COURT BLOCKS OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S SUSPENSION OF H-2A RULE
Published: June 30, 2009

A federal judge blocked the Department of Labor’s suspension of the Bush administration’s H-2A agricultural worker rules, which were to take effect at midnight on June 29. The Obama administration’s action sought to revert the program back to the regulations in place prior to the Bush administration’s January 17 changes. However, late Monday a North Carolina federal district court judge granted an injunction blocking the suspension of the Bush H-2A rules. For H-2A users who applied for a labor certification either prior to January 17 under the old program, or after January 17 under the Bush rules, this means status quo for now; no change in rules, no increase in Adverse Effect Wage Rate.

In May, the Department of Labor temporarily amended the regulations governing the certification for temporary employment of nonimmigrant workers in seasonal agricultural occupations, and the enforcement of employer contractual obligations. At the end of nine months, the Department said it would decide to either lift the suspension or create new rules. It remains unclear at this time if people filing for labor certification after June 29 will be included under the “transitional rules” that had been extended by the Department of Labor until the end of the nine month period.

ENVIRONMENT BRIEFS
Published: June 30, 2009

INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT SPENDING BILL CLEARS HOUSE

The House of Representatives on Friday passed a $32.3 billion appropriations bill (H.R. 2996) for Interior, Environment and Related Agencies. The legislation represents a 17 percent increase for fiscal year 2010 over 2009. Under the House-passed bill, the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget would increase more than 30 percent to $10.6 billion and the Department of the Interior would see an increase of $897 million. Also included in the bill is $3.66 billion for wildland-fire management operations at Interior and the Forest Service. (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

COMMITTEE MOVES TO EXPAND WILD HORSE HABITAT

The House Natural Resources Committee reported to the full House the Restore our American Mustangs Act (H.R. 1018) which would amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971. Specifically, the legislation would dramatically expand areas wild horses are allowed, limit population management tools, and prohibit commercial uses for adopted horses. Western states are particularly concerned that this legislation would impact range health and reduce the forage and rangeland available for livestock grazing. (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

LAWMAKERS LISTEN TO FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION CONCERNS
Published: June 30, 2009

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management reviewed implementation concerns of the 2008 Farm Bill in two hearings held on June 24 and 25. Subcommittee Chairman Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) said that the 2008 Farm Bill ensures a safety net for farmers nationwide, but realizes that there have been issues with implementation.

On June 24, the subcommittee heard testimony from representatives of the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Farmers Union. “If I can leave one message with you today, it would be that farmers need to know the rules,” Erik Younggren, National Association of Wheat Growers, said. “A safety net is not a safety net if farmers inadvertently disqualify themselves due to program complexities or lack of information.”

James Miller, USDA Under Secretary of Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, testified on June 25. Miller said that “farm programs should be implemented in a way that Congress intended, protects taxpayer’s investments, and is equitable to America’s farmers and ranchers.” Topics discussed included rural American’s access to the internet, status of disaster assistance money and programs, and the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) need to update its failing IT infrastructure. According to subcommittee members, it would cost over $450 million to bring the FSA’s outdated technology up to date where it “needs to be.” Miller admitted there were challenges facing the agency.

THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON
Published: June 30, 2009

USDA-NASS RELEASES CROP ACREAGE REPORT

Total U.S. crop area is down 1.2 percent from last year, but soybean acres are up 2.3 percent and corn acres are up 1.2 percent according to the Acreage report released June 30 by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).The report is available on the NASS website at: www.nass.usda.gov.

Overall, farmers planted 320.9 million acres to principal crops in 2009. This is 3.9 million acres less than last year, but 3.9 million acres more than they indicated in the March 2009 Prospective Plantings report. The most significant acreage declines were in North Dakota, down 2.1 million, and Texas, down 570,000 acres.

Despite the overall decline in planted area, farmers sowed a record-high 77.5 million acres to soybeans, up 1.8 million acres from last year and up 1.5 million acres, or almost 2 percent, from March. Compared with 2008, soybean area is up more than 200,000 acres in five states: Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Farmers planted 87 million corn acres in 2009, up 1 million acres from last year. This is the second-largest corn acreage in more than 60 years, behind 2007. Despite wet weather in many growing areas, farmers reported that 97 percent of intended corn acreage was planted by early June, compared with the 10-year average of 98 percent.

NASS acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of June on approximately 11,000 segments of land and from a sample of approximately 73,500 farm operators across the United States. Principal crops included in the survey are corn, sorghum, oats, barley, winter wheat, rye, durum wheat, other spring wheat, rice, soybeans, peanuts, sunflower, cotton, dry edible beans, potatoes, sugar beets, canola and proso millet, as well as harvested area for all hay, tobacco and sugar cane.

The August 12 Crop Production report will contain the first 2009 estimates of corn and soybean yield and production. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)  

 WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES STATE USDA APPOINTEES

On Monday the White House announced the first in a series of appointments for Rural Development State Directors and State Executive Directors for the Farm Service Agency at USDA. Full lists of new USDA appointees are available at www.usda.gov/2009/06/0263.xml and www.usda.gov/2009/06/0264.xml. 

 USDA STUDY ON FOOD DESERTS RELEASED

The Economic Research Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its findings following a 1-year study on food deserts. The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) directed ERS to complete a study to examine areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food and identify characteristics and causes of such areas. ERS was also directed to consider how limited access affects local populations and to outline recommendations to address the problem. 

The study findings include results from two conferences of national and international authorities on food deserts and a set of commissioned research studies done in cooperation with the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan. Also included is an existing literature review, an assessment of access to supermarkets and large grocery stores on a national level and an analysis of the economic and public health effects of limited access. In addition, the study looks at existing policy interventions.

The study uses a variety of analytical methods and data to assess the extent of limited access to affordable and nutritious food and characteristics of areas with limited access. Overall, the study found that a small percentage of consumers that lived far from a supermarket or large grocery store were impeded in their access to affordable and nutritious food. The study could not determine if limited access equated to inadequate access. 

A copy of the report can be found at: www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AP/AP036/. (Contact: Amy Mann)

CDC INTRODUCES NEW WEBSITE TO HELP EMPLOYERS COMBAT OBESITY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 25 unveiled LEANWorks!, a website designed to help businesses address obesity. LEAN stands for Leading Employees to Activity and Nutrition. The new website was announced at a National Business Group on Health meeting in Washington, D.C.

CDC LEANWorks! was developed in direct response to organizations asking CDC for help in addressing the obesity epidemic. The free Website was developed particularly for small and mid-size companies, which typically have more limited resources to devote to obesity prevention efforts. However, the tools and resources available on CDC LEANWorks! can benefit companies of any size. CDC LEANWorks! can help employers calculate the cost of obesity for their organizations and develop tailored approaches to help control these costs through interventions such as fitness classes, lunchtime health education sessions, weight management programs, and more.

To learn more about CDC LEANWorks! visit www.cdc.gov/leanworks. For more information about CDC’s efforts to combat obesity please visit www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa. (Contact: Amy Mann)

POLLINATOR WEEK CELEBRATED ON CAPITOL HILL

The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign and Partnership celebrated the National Pollinator Week on June 26 by hosting a briefing for congressional staff on the importance of bees and other pollinating animals and insects to highways and farms nationwide. The Pollinator Partnership is a group of more than 120 affiliated organizations, working to promote and encourage activities that protect the numbers and health of resident and migratory pollinating animals.

The Pollinator Partnership says that almost 90 percent of all flowering plants rely on animal pollinators for fertilization, and about 200,000 species of animals act as pollinators. Hummingbirds, bats, and small mammals such as mice account for 1,000. The rest are insects like beetles, bees, ants, wasps, butterflies and moths. The focus of the congressional education session was to enlighten listeners on the best practices to maintain highways and farms to help support the growth of these pollinators.

Literature and interactive media were provided to promote eco-regional awareness of all pollinating species tied to a multitude of ecosystems throughout the United States. More information is available at: www.nappc.org. (Contact: Amy Mann)

AGRICULTURE COALITION EXAMINES “LOCALVORES”

STATE NEWS
Published: June 30, 2009

MD: GOOD AGRICULTURAL/HANDLING PRACTICES CERTIFICATION IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 30, 2009) – With the increasing concern for food safety issues and interest in buying local products, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) encourages fruit and vegetable producers and handlers to become certified in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) voluntary certification programs.

To become GAP or GHP certified, a farm/business must implement a food safety program and complete a successful audit of its operation. The audit provides national recognition for producers and handlers to the increasing number of buyers now requiring audits for compliance to the GAP and GHP guidelines.

In 2008, five Maryland producers participated in the program. This year, participation has tripled with 16 producers now certified through the voluntary food safety program. Participants include apple, peach, tomato, watermelon and leafy greens producers. The three commodities that are most often associated with food safety issues are leafy greens, tomatoes and melons. Producers can be audited for categories such as worker health and hygiene, farm review, field harvesting and field packing activities, packing house facility, storage and transportation, food security and trace-back.

As an incentive for more farmers and handlers to participate, MDA will to pay up to $400 reimbursement to producers who complete a successful audit. For funds to be awarded, the audit must be approved and payment verified. Audits are offered through the MDA’s Food Quality Assurance Program through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. For more information on GAP or GHP certification, contact Deanna Baldwin at 410-841-5769 or baldwidl@mda.state.md.us or www.mda.state.md.us/go/gap.php. (Contact: Sue duPont, 410-841-5889 or Julie Oberg, 410-841-5888) 

ND: DIRECT FARM SALES HANDBOOK NOW AVAILABLE

BISMARCK – The newly-published “Farm to Market, North Dakota’s Guide to Selling Local Food,” a handbook of direct farm marketing, is now available from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA).

“The growth of direct marketing of agricultural products across the nation and here in North Dakota has been remarkable,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Agricultural producers are increasingly using farmers markets, direct sales to restaurants and institutions, on-farm stands and other direct marketing tools and techniques to sell their produce to consumers.”

Goehring said the 36-page booklet is a valuable reference both for experienced direct marketers as well as for producers considering direct marketing. “The information in this handbook ranges from sales tax permits and other tax issues to food safety regulations,” he said. “Each section also includes contact information for appropriate state and local agencies.” The publication can be downloaded from: www.agdepartment.com/Programs/LocalFoodsInfo.htm. Print copies are available by contacting the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 602, Bismarck, ND 58505-0020; phone (800) 242-7535; email: ndda@nd.gov. (Contact: Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210.) 

ND: GOEHRING NAMES MEAT INSPECTION PROGRAM ASSISTANT

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has appointed Julie Nilges as an assistant relief inspector in the North Dakota State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program.

“Julie’s experience in another state meat inspection program and her farm background make her an excellent candidate for this position,” Goehring said.

A Minnesota native, Nilges graduated from Argosy University in Minneapolis. She lived on a farm in Kansas for 27 years, while working for the Kansas Department of Agriculture as a meat and poultry inspector and in the department’s weights and measures division.

In her new position, Nilges will assist the program director, Dr, Andrea Grondahl, and senior inspectors. She will also substitute during the absence of other inspectors.

A division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program was authorized by the 1999 Legislature. The program provides inspection and grading services that enable meat and poultry processors to retail and wholesale their products in the state. The program also ensures that custom exempt facilities – companies that slaughter and process meat provided by the customer – meet facility and sanitary standards.

Goehring said the program currently provides inspection services to 15 slaughter and processing plants and 94 custom exempt plants. (Contact: Ted Quanrud at: (701) 328-2233 or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210.) 

VA: VIRGINIA ISSUES FIRE ANT QUARANTINE IN 11 LOCALITIES

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) on June 24 announced a temporary quarantine on the movement of regulated articles in the lower Peninsula and greater Tidewater areas of Southeastern Virginia to areas outside the quarantined localities for the purpose of preventing the artificial spread of the Red Imported Fire Ant to uninfested areas of the state. The temporary quarantine applies to the counties of James City and York and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

The quarantine restricts the movement of articles that are capable of transporting fire ants out of the quarantine area; movement within the quarantine area is not restricted. Regulated articles include any article or means of conveyance that presents a risk of spreading the imported fire ant, including soil, plants with soil attached, grass sod, used soil-moving equipment, used farm equipment, hay/straw/pine straw, honey bee hives that have been in contact with the ground, and logs, pulp wood or stump wood with soil attached. 

“We do not expect the fire ant quarantine to have a negative economic impact on the area,” said VDACS Commissioner Todd P. Haymore. "Regulated articles can move without restriction within the quarantine area. With inspection or a compliance agreement, they will be able to move out of the quarantine, as well. Indeed, we will work with the affected communities and businesses to make sure that the quarantine will not deter economic growth in the greater Hampton Roads area while helping to keep an injurious pest that can be quite harmful to humans, pets and agricultural animals from moving to other areas of the state.” 

The first discovery of fire ants in Virginia occurred in Hampton in 1989. Since then, colonies of imported fire ants have continued to grow due to the movement of infested materials, primarily nursery stock from other areas of the country, as well as the fire ant's natural spread.   Staff in OPPS successfully treated and eradicated many of the original colonies, but recent data confirms that imported fire ants are now established and spreading naturally in the Tidewater area. See VDACS’ Web site for Frequently Asked Questions and other information: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant&pest/fireant.shtml. See USDA-APHIS Imported Fire Ant Web site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/fireants/index.shtml (Contact: Elaine Lidholm at: 804-786-7686) 

WA: WASHINGTON STATE SEEKS COMMODITY INSPECTION DIRECTOR

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking an experienced leader and manager to serve as the Assistant Director of their Commodity Inspection Division. This full-time exempt position is located in the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, Washington.

This Assistant Director provides leadership and oversight for programs which support agriculture, protect the consumer and work in partnership with agricultural and consumer groups, and state, local and federal officials to ensure public safety in areas such as: fruit & vegetable inspection, grain inspection, grain warehouse auditing and seed inspection. The division plays an integral role in supporting key agricultural production, health and safety, and efficient and safe availability of agricultural products to benefit the consumers in Washington as well as nationally.

The Assistant Director works in close partnership with the Director and the members of the executive management team in formulating and executing the strategic goals of the agency.

Interested individuals may apply by submitting a letter of interest and a current resume or completed State application form, and the Applicant Profile Data Form, (both forms can be found at www.dop.wa.gov/Pages/forms.aspx) and a list of five (5) professional references including at least one (1) supervisor, peer, and subordinate. Please send all application materials to:  Linda Pentt, Human Resource Consultant, WSDA Human Resource Office, PO Box 42560, Olympia WA 98504-2560. For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Department’s website at http://agr.wa.gov. (Contact: Linda Pentt at: 360-902-1979)