NASDA News - July 6, 2010

CHESAPEAKE BAY BILL APPROVED BY SENATE COMMITTEE
Published: July 06, 2010

Last week the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee marked up legislation, the Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act (S. 1816), introduced by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD).  During the mark up, the committee adopted an amendment worked out by Cardin and Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) that eliminated provisions in Cardin’s earlier draft that would have undermined existing agricultural exemptions in the Clean Water Act and would have given EPA authority to issue Section 402 permits for nonpoint sources.  Prior to the markup, NASDA and a number of agriculture organizations urged the committee to eliminate those provisions.  

An amendment offered by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) during the mark up failed 8-11. This amendment would have required approval from a state secretary of agriculture or USDA before a 402 permit for nonpoint sources could be issued to agricultural producers.  Despite the changes made to the legislation in the markup, many agriculture groups still have concerns with several different provisions in the bill. (By: Torii Kappelman, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE APPROVES NOMINATIONS
Published: July 06, 2010

Last week the Senate Agriculture Committee recommended Dr. Elisabeth Hagen as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Undersecretary for Food Safety after a voice vote. It has been five months since President Obama announced the nomination, and the position had been vacant for 21 months. Hagen’s nomination will now move to the full Senate for consideration. In addition to Hagen’s nomination, the committee also reported to the full Senate the nomination of Catherine Woteki as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education and Economics, as well as the nominations of Sara L. Faivre-Davis, Lowell Junkins and Myles Watts for the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Board of Directors. (By: Andrew Kim, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

HOUSE AG SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEWS CONSERVATION PRACTICES
Published: July 06, 2010

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research held a public hearing last week to review the administration and delivery of conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill.  The first witness panel included Dave White and Jonathan Coppess, the heads of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, respectively, and the second panel included several Technical Service Providers on behalf of various organizations that deliver conservation services.

Chairman Tim Holden (D-PA) and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) included recent Chesapeake Bay legislation HR 5509 – which they co-sponsored – in their opening statements as well as in their questions to the witnesses.  Key points from the questioning revolved around third party assistance to conservation programs, clean air and water standards, and the need for technological modernization in FSA and NRCS.  More information on the House Agriculture Committee, including the Farm Bill and other legislation, can be found on the committee’s website.  (By: Jason Markovich, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLES FOUND IN BOSTON
Published: July 06, 2010

Officials with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the US Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of Asian longhorned beetles in Boston.  The six maple trees affected were on the grounds of Faulkner Hospital across from the Arnold Arboretum, one of the world’s leading centers for plant studies.  The USDA and DCR have already removed the trees and begun a survey process covering all trees within the insects’ flight range, a one and one-half mile radius around the identified area. The beetles have already forced the removal of over 25,000 trees in the nearby Worcester area since 2008.  More than $54 million in emergency funding has been appropriated in case of an outbreak.  (By: Jason Markovich, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

NRDC SUES FDA OVER BISPHENOL-A IN FOOD PACKAGING
Published: July 06, 2010

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed suit June 29, 2010 in the US Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for failing to act on a petition issued October 2008. The petition called for prohibition of bisphenol A (BPA) – an endocrine-disrupting chemical that can cause serious health problems in small children, infants, and fetuses - from food packaging. 

BPA is a major component of polycarbonate plastics, which are used to make baby bottles and reusable drink bottles, and to line food and beverage cans; some estimates indicate that the bodies of up to 90% of Americans have measurable BPA residues.  Additionally, the California State Assembly has passed legislation to prohibit the use of BPA in products primarily intended for children three years of age or younger.  Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has indicated the possibility of adding an amendment to upcoming national food-safety legislation that would ban BPA from food and drink packaging throughout the country.  (By: Jason Markovich, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

IA: MISSISSIPPI FARMERS VISITING IOWA TO TOUR CONSERVATION PRACTICES
Published: July 06, 2010

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey this week will join with a group of Iowa farmers and agricultural leaders to host a delegation of Mississippi farmers as part of the “Iowa-Mississippi Farmer to Farmer Exchange.”  The Mississippi farmers visit is a follow up to a visit by the Iowa delegation to Mississippi on May 27^th to May 30^th.

A variety of conservation practices used in Iowa to prevent erosion and protect water quality, both here in Iowa and downstream, will be showcased during the visit.  The goal of the exchange is to develop relationships between the agricultural leaders in both states and promote the sharing of information and technologies that will help address the hypoxic area, or “dead zone,” in the Gulf of Mexico.

“I know we all learned a lot during our visit to Mississippi earlier this spring, and we hope to provide a similar experience that will give a better understanding of Iowa agriculture and care our farmer have for the land to the farmers from Mississippi,” Northey said.  To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Dustin Vande Hoef, 515.281.3375)

LA: LDAF ADVISORY TO COASTAL CATTLEMEN
Published: July 06, 2010

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., advises coastal cattle producers to protect their livestock from exposure to oil from the British Petroleum oil disaster that could be pushed further inland by tropical weather systems.

Current information indicates that 260 miles of coastal Louisiana shoreline have been contaminated with most of the affected shoreline in the wetland areas of southeast Louisiana. There is concern that tropical weather systems will begin moving oil onshore and into areas where cattle graze.   To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Sam Irwin, 225.922.1280)

SD: OPPORTUNITIES HIGHLIGHTED AT GOVERNOR’S AG DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
Published: July 06, 2010

More than 400 business leaders, educators, elected officials, and financiers gathered in Sioux Falls today to discuss economic development opportunities in agriculture during the first annual Governor’s Ag Development Summit.  To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Nathan Sanderson, 605.773.6211)

NC: GUIDANCE ON PLASTICULTURE CROP PRODUCTION FOR NORTH CAROLINA FARMERS
Published: July 06, 2010

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Division is holding a workshop Aug. 17 to help growers interested in plasticulture production learn more about this growing technology. The free workshop is being held at ERW Farms in Bailey, but organizers ask attendees to register.

Plasticulture, which involves growing crops on plastic with drip irrigation, is a relatively recent practice in North Carolina, starting in the early 1980s on a limited basis.  To continue reading, click here. (Contact:  J. Kent Messick, 919.733.2655)

NM: GOT MILK? HOW ABOUT CHEESE?
Published: July 06, 2010

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), together with the New Mexico dairy industry, celebrated National Dairy Month in June by recognizing the significance of the dairy industry’s economic contributions in the state.  To continue reading, click here.  (Contact: Noreen Jaramillo, njaramillo@nmda.nmsu.edu)

NJ: MADE WITH JERSEY FRESH LOGO INTRODUCED
Published: July 06, 2010

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today announced the Made with “Jersey Fresh” logo is available to companies who make food items using New Jersey’s agricultural products

“Jersey Fresh is an immediately-recognizable 26-year-old brand, which has become synonymous with fresh, nutritious and locally grown,” said Secretary Fisher.  “Foodstuff identified with the Made with ‘Jersey Fresh’ logo will benefit from the same brand identity, letting consumers know that the products are made using only the freshest, best-tasting, nutritious local ingredients.”  To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Lynne Richmond, lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us)

KY: WINE DOCUMENTARY EARNS NATIONAL HONORS
Published: July 06, 2010

 A documentary about Kentucky’s growing wine industry has won three national awards for excellence.

“Vintage Kentucky: The Vine to Wine Experience” was honored by the 31st annual Telly Awards with two Silver Telly awards, the organization’s highest award, in the Cultural and History/Biography categories and a Bronze Telly in the Travel/Tourism category. The Telly Awards honor the best local, regional and cable television commercials and programs, video and film productions, and work created for the Web.  To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Bill Clary, 502.564.1137)