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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CONGRESS STRUGGLES TO PASS FY05 BUDGET SENATOR PUSHES DROUGHT ASSISTANCE PLAN FRAMEWORK AND FUNDING FOR NATIONAL ANIMAL ID SYSTEM ANNOUNCED AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING TO REVIEW AGRICULTURAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS BSE SUMMIT EXPLORES FUTURE STEPS DHS ADVANCES AGRO-SECURITY RESEARCH CENTERS NATIONAL AG HALL OF FAME ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS ENVIRONMENT AND PESTICIDE BRIEFS State News--GRANTS AVAILABLE TO SPAY AND NEUTERING CLINIC State News--AG SECRETARY CELEBRATES GRAND REOPENING OF PENNSYLVANIA WOODMOBILE Past Issues What's New on the NASDA Website
NASDA's Specialty Crop website with final report SASDA 2004 and WASDA 2004 Directive to Protect Agriculture and Food Register for NASDA's Midyear Conference Survey on Renaming the APHIS/ARS Facility at Ames Information on the Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits, and Security (AgJOBS) Act of 2003 Comments on the "One Face at the Border" Initative The Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits, and Security (AgJOBS) Act of 2003
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USFES OPENS MAY 2 NASDA's twelfth annual U.S. Food Export Showcase (USFES) held in conjunction with the Food Marketing Institute's FMI Show opens Sunday, May 2, at Chicago's McCormick Place. This year's show includes several milestones. It is the first participation by the Organic Trade Association's All Things Organic Show and by the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's Produce Expo which will join the FMI Show for the first time. The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) continues its participation with another Chicago edition of the Fancy Food Show. Also, this year marks the last appearance of the USFES in the current South side of McCormick Place's South Hall location. Next year NASDA will become a major sponsor of the combined shows' International Trade Center and move to a location contiguous with the International Trade Center on the North side of the South Hall. This year's USFES includes state pavilions from Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, and Missouri. NASDA's USFES partner and sponsor, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service is sending delegation leaders from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, and Nigeria. Overall attendance at the five co-located events is expected to approximately 35,000. (Contact: DeWitt Ashby) CONGRESS STRUGGLES TO PASS FY05 BUDGET Congressional budget writers are struggling to reach a final agreement on the FY05 budget resolution. Both the House and Senate have passed the legislation but it remains stalled in conference negotiations over tax cuts and spending offsets. The budget resolution is a non-binding measure that serves as a blueprint for the congressional appropriations committees to develop their thirteen annual funding bills for government programs. Under both House and Senate budget resolutions non-defense spending, including agriculture, would increase by less than one percent. Although hearings have been held on the thirteen annual appropriations bills for FY05, it is unclear when the appropriations committees will begin marking up the individual spending bills. The appropriations process is expected to be difficult in this election year and some congressional leaders have already suggested that all thirteen spending bills might be rolled into one gigantic omnibus funding package early in the process. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) SENATOR PUSHES DROUGHT ASSISTANCE PLAN Senator Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) this week called on President Bush to present a comprehensive proposal to Congress within two months to address drought and weather-related natural disasters. Daschle spoke on the Senate floor about the threat the drought poses to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Daschle said that USDA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), and other federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), can all play a role in finding a solution to this ongoing problem. He specifically requested that the president immediately ask these federal agencies to develop a comprehensive legislative proposal to address drought. Daschle said if the administration takes these steps now, Congress would have time this summer to enact meaningful disaster assistance. In 2002, the Senate approved a bipartisan proposal to provide about $6 billion in disaster assistance. However, the administration opposed the measure and it was never enacted. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FRAMEWORK AND FUNDING FOR NATIONAL ANIMAL ID SYSTEM ANNOUNCED Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the framework for implementation of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that is designed to identify any agricultural premise exposed to a foreign animal disease so that it can be more quickly contained and eradicated. She also announced that $18.8 million would be transferred from the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to provide initial funding for the program during FY04. "While many livestock species in the United States can be identified through a variety of systems, a verifiable system of national animal identification will enhance our efforts to respond to intentionally or unintentionally introduced animal disease outbreaks more quickly and effectively," Veneman said. "This plan is the result of concerted efforts to expedite the implementation of a system that meets our goals and enables farmers and ranchers to adapt existing identification programs and to use all existing forms of effective technologies." Veneman said that the CCC funding is earmarked for the initial infrastructure development and implementation of the national system, but both private and public support will be required to make it fully operational. The administration's proposed FY05 budget includes another $33 million for the effort. The implementation of a NAIS will be conducted in three main phases. Under Phase I, USDA would evaluate current federally funded animal identification systems and determine which system(s) should be used for a NAIS, begin the process of communicating with and educating producers and other stakeholders on the operation of a NAIS, identify staffing needs and develop any regulatory and legislative proposals needed for implementing the system. Phase II would involve the implementation of the selected animal identification system at regional levels for one or more selected species, continuation of the communication and education effort, addressing regulatory needs and working with Congress on any needed legislation. Some states already have begun registering premises and identifying animals--these programs are considered voluntary under the national program. In Phase III, the selected animal identification system(s) would be scaled up to the national level. The first step in the process is to select an interim data repository to handle incoming national premises data. USDA has commissioned an independent analysis of repositories that are currently part of various USDA-funded animal identification projects around the country. Once the system is identified that shows greatest potential for use on a national level, USDA will enter into cooperative agreements with states, Indian tribes, and other government entities to assist them in adapting their existing systems to the new system. Programs will be implemented at the state level through the state departments of agriculture or the state livestock agency. States are determining if enabling legislation and state protection of confidential information will enhance the implementation of the program in their jurisdictions. (Contact: Bob Ehart) AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING TO REVIEW AGRICULTURAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS The House Committee on Agriculture this week held a hearing to review agricultural trade negotiations during which they heard from Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) received assurances from Veneman and Zoellick that they will consult with and keep members of the committee fully informed of all activities related to the recent preliminary decision in the World Trade Organization (WTO) trade dispute filed by Brazil against the U.S., and that they will aggressively pursue all possible appeals in this case so that the U.S. can maintain its farm programs that were designed to be and are fully consistent with WTO obligations. "Changes to countries' agricultural policies should come through the give and take of negotiations, not through decisions that do not appear based on WTO rules," Goodlatte said. "World trade in agriculture is highly competitive and barriers, such as high tariffs are rampant. Countries regularly deny access for U.S. agricultural products for many reasons, including nonscientific barriers for U.S. beef, grains and fruits and vegetables. I have repeatedly said that gaining access for U.S. agricultural products is the most important objective of the ongoing WTO negotiations." Agricultural tariffs worldwide average about 62%, while U.S. agricultural tariffs are 12%, with the overall U.S. trade deficit in 2003 at $489 billion. With free trade negotiations beginning in Thailand, Panama, the Andean countries and Bahrain, Goodlatte encouraged the administration to work toward initiating trade agreements with countries with larger populations that offer greater opportunities for U.S. agriculture exports. Goodlatte also remarked on ongoing trade disputes, saying that U.S. agriculture depended upon exports and a vibrant trade policy. Last year, the committee held hearings on agricultural trade, biotechnology, and on geographical indications. The committee will continue to follow these issues. This includes ongoing multilateral trade negotiations and all regional and bilateral negotiations. It also includes oversight of past agreements, such as with China, and other accessions to the WTO, such as Russia. It means looking closely at problems U.S. agriculture faces regarding sanitary and phytosanitary issues, such as those with Australia. On May 19 the committee will hold another trade hearing with farmers and ranchers representing various farm organizations. Witness testimony will focus on their reaction to agricultural negotiations that are completed, those that are still being discussed and those that are planned. Since becoming Chairman, Goodlatte has placed a high priority on working with the administration to secure new agreements that will benefit farmers and ranchers. The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture website, http://agriculture.house.gov, has additional information on this and other subjects. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) ON THE HILL ~~Lawmaker Seeks Grazing Changes To Assist Livestock Producers~~Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has asked USDA to change regulations to allow for the incidental grazing of buffer strips on ground enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). USDA conservation programs allow producers to plant grass buffer strips to improve water quality and habitat for wildlife. However these strips must be fenced off from livestock grazing on growing wheat. It is often impractical and expensive to fence off these strips. Moran's proposal would give producers more incentive and flexibility to participate in the CRP program. ~~Bill Introduced To Strengthen Animal Welfare Act~~Sen. Daniel. Akaka (D-Hawaii) has introduced legislation to stop unethical animal dealers from selling stolen pets and strays to research facilities. The "Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2004" strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by prohibiting random source animal dealers from supplying dogs and cats to research laboratories. The bill also enhances the integrity of animal research by encouraging research laboratories to obtain animals from legitimate sources that comply with the Animal Welfare Act. Penalties under the Animal Welfare Act would be increased to a minimum of $1,000 per violation. ~~Lawmakers Seek Help for Potato Growers~~Idaho's congressional delegation is leading a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in asking USDA to assist the potato industry by stabilizing prices and easing a domestic oversupply of potatoes. In a letter organized by the Congressional Potato Caucus, the group is asking USDA to authorize purchases of surplus potatoes and potato products for federal nutrition programs using the Section 32 "Bonus Buy" program. The also outlines the crippling impact the existing potato market is having on producers nationwide. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) BSE SUMMIT EXPLORES FUTURE STEPS The Beef Industry Food Safety Council sponsored an invitation-only BSE summit in Ft. Worth, Texas, this week. More than 200 participants heard addresses from the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, USDA, and the cattle industry spelling out the past practices to build a firewall against the disease; circumstances surrounding the identification of a single cow, imported from Canada, infected with the disease; economic issues and ongoing activities to cope with the fallout from the incident. One bright spot is that consumers' confidence in the safety of the American beef supply still remains very high. Breakout groups focused on the merits and concerns associated with the proposed expanded testing for the disease in the U.S., specified risk materials (SRM) and other by-product issues, trade practices and problems, and communication strategies. While some issues seem clear in the wake of December 23, 2003, many others still either need attention or remain contentious. Several discussions focused on what is the proper course of action when science is less than sufficient to adequately inform decision-makers, comfort consumers and convince business people. How to proceed when science is inadequate, uncertain, and currently unknowable also received considerable attention with participants seeming to split into different camps, depending upon a variety of factors that influence an individual's comfort level when faced with less than ideal information on which to make a decision. A consensus document will be forthcoming. While there was agreement on many topics, a theme that seemed to unify the group was that working to eradicate the disease from the U.S. is an important and obtainable goal and a proactive stance worthy of the industry's efforts. (Contact: Bob Ehart) DHS ADVANCES AGRO-SECURITY RESEARCH CENTERS The department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week announced that Texas A&M University and the University of Minnesota have been chosen to lead two new Homeland Security Centers of Excellence (HS-Centers) on agro-security. The department anticipates providing the universities and their partners with a total of $33 million over next three years to address security in two key agricultural sectors: foreign animal diseases and food security. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said "research conducted at these institutions will greatly enhance our ability to protect against animal and plant pests and diseases and food pathogens." DHS anticipates providing Texas A&M University and its partners with $18 million for the study of high consequence foreign animal and zoonotic diseases and will address potential threats to animal agriculture including foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever, and avian influenza. The University of Minnesota's HS-Center, known as the University Center for Post-Harvest Food Protection and Defense, will address agro-security issues related to post-harvest food protection. DHS anticipates providing the University of Minnesota and its partners with $15 million to establish best practices and attract new researchers to manage and respond to food contamination events, both intentional and naturally occurring. In December 2003, DHS' Science and Technology Directorate released a broad agency announcement calling for proposals focusing on research efforts to address agro-security. The HS-Centers program is establishing an integrated network of university-based centers that will conduct multi-disciplinary research and develop innovative educational programs for critical homeland security missions. In 2004, DHS plans to establish additional HS-Centers across a variety of research and development areas. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) NATIONAL AG HALL OF FAME ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS The National Agriculture Center and Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for induction into its Hall of Fame. The National Agriculture Center was chartered in 1960 through a law enacted by the 86th Congress and signed by President Eisenhower. The purpose of the Ag Hall is threefold: honor farmers and all those who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture in the United States; foster, promote and encourage a greater appreciation of agriculture; maintain a library and museum of agricultural tools, implements, machines, vehicles and other artifacts relating to agriculture. The criteria have changed and posthumous nominations are no longer required. Nomination forms and additional information is available at 913/721-1075. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff) ENVIRONMENT AND PESTICIDE BRIEFS ~~Ethanol Amendment Offered on Senate Floor~~Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) this week offered an amendment to establish a national ethanol mandate during debate on an unrelated bill dealing with Internet taxes. The ethanol mandate, known as the renewable fuels standard (RFS), is a key provision of a comprehensive energy bill that has been stalled for months. The RFS provision would more than double ethanol production over the next decade and has strong support from the agriculture community. Daschle and other farm-state lawmakers have said they will offer the ethanol amendment to any legislative vehicle if the energy bill remains stalled. ~~EPA Launches Interactive Mapping Web Site to Help Pesticide Users~~The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) has made available on its website an interactive map to help pesticide users better understand specific buffers and the waters to which they apply. In January, a U.S. District Court in Washington State ordered buffers in response to a citizen suit filed under the Endangered Species Act against EPA by a group of environmental organizations (Washington Toxics Coalition, et.al. v. EPA). The order establishes pesticide no-use buffer zones in areas adjacent to certain streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and other water bodies that support federally listed threatened and endangered Pacific salmon and steelhead. Generally, the buffers established by the court are 20 yards for ground application and 100 yards for aerial application, adjacent to certain "salmon-supporting waters" in Washington, Oregon, and California. However, there are variations and exceptions to this general buffer, which EPA has explained on its website at http://www.epa.gov/espp. Pesticide users in California, Oregon, and Washington are encouraged to check the website before but close to the time of application of any of the pesticides subject to court-ordered buffers since the extent of the buffers required may change as EPA and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) continue to review the potential effects of these active ingredients on Pacific salmon and steelhead. To access the mapping site and for more information on EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program visit http://www.epa.gov/espp/. To access the interactive mapper, click on "Washington Toxics Coalition v. EPA" in the "Quick Resources" box. ~~EPA Seeks Comment on Mosquito Control Product Labels~~A draft guidance document concerning labeling statements for pesticide products used for wide-area applications to control adult mosquitoes has been released for public review and comment. Pesticide products intended for homeowner use or for the control of mosquito larvae, are not included in the draft recommendations. The proposal concerns pesticide products that are typically applied by ultra-low volume aerial or ground application methods. EPA has developed these proposals to help clarify some labeling statements that may have been unclear to users, and to promote consistency between label statements for this class of products. The new language will help public health mosquito control officials optimize mosquito control techniques while ensuring that use of these products will not pose unreasonable risks to public health or the environment. EPA worked with state agencies to develop initial recommendations on this issue. The agency will accept comments on the proposals for 90 days. The document, called "Labeling Statements on Products Used for Adult Mosquito Control," is available at http://www.epa.gov/PR_Notices/. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FOOD SAFETY BRIEFS ~~FDA Proposes New Rule on Imported Food~~The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule covering the use of private sampling services and laboratories in connection with imported food. The new regulations would require samples to be properly identified, collected and maintained; mandate that private laboratories use validated or recognized analytical methods; and direct private laboratories to submit the results directly to FDA. The proposal also would require importers to provide notice to FDA about the use of a sampling service or a private laboratory to sample and test food that is subject to an FDA enforcement action. The proposed rule is available from the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/oc99264.pdf. There is a 90-day period for comments. ~~FSIS Seeks Food Safety Partnership Proposals~~USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking state and local government food safety and public health agencies interested in undertaking new projects to improve food safety. Agencies interested in exploring a partnership with FSIS should submit a short (one to two page) project proposal for consideration. Proposals should include: (1) goal including specific deliverables; (2) description of how the project it will enhance food safety; (3) project timeline; and 4) projected costs and cooperator contributions. In considering whether to fund new agreements, FSIS will look at a variety of criteria including: (1) will the proposed project improve food safety with regard to products under FSIS jurisdiction (meat, poultry and processed egg products); (2) will the agency be able to measure, document and replicate the results; (3) is the project innovative; and (4) are the deliverables transferable for use in other jurisdictions. FSIS partnerships are based on written cooperative agreements and the agency typically provides $20,000 to $50,000 under such agreements. Submissions should be sent electronically to Ralph Stafko, Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach Staff, FSIS (Ralph.Stafko @fsis.usda.gov) before May 27, 2004. If you have questions, please call FSIS's Strategic Initiatives, Partnership, and Outreach office at 202/690-6520. ~~Guidelines For Safe Handling of Beverages~~During a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Conference for Food Protection an issue was raised concerning the use of water "coolers" or "portable dispensers" at locations such as golf courses, baseball parks, hiking trails and other public use facilities and the waterborne illnesses that have occurred as a result of improper storage, use, and refilling of these dispensers. FDA has developed guidelines adapted from a state program and are available from the agency's fax-on-demand system at 301/827-4352. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) USDA NEWS ~~USDA Proposes Amendments to Nursery Stock Regulations~~USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to allow the importation of small amounts of seeds with import permits instead of phytosanitary certificates. Under the proposed rule, APHIS will issue permits that specify the import conditions for eligible shipments of seeds. The seeds will be inspected at an APHIS plant inspection station to ensure compliance with the permit conditions. This action is necessary to facilitate safe imports of small amounts of seed by entities, including individual importers, horticultural societies, arboreta and small businesses, that have previously had difficulty obtaining the necessary phytosanitary certificates from the country of origin. Notice of this action is published in the April 29 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html. ~~USDA Seeks Nominees for EMP Advisory Committee~~USDA is seeking nominations for 15 members to serve on its Advisory Committee on the Emerging Markets Program. Committee members must have expertise in international agriculture, trade and development, especially as these areas relate to emerging market economies. The committee is composed of 20 representatives of various U.S. food and rural business sectors. The committee advises USDA on the U.S. private sector's efforts to enhance food and rural business systems in emerging markets and reviews funding proposals under the Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The program, managed by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, supports private and governmental technical assistance activities designed to promote U.S. agricultural exports. Committee members must pass a background check. They serve without compensation, but will be reimbursed for travel to attend committee meetings. All appointments will expire two years from the date of appointment. The Secretary of Agriculture may renew an appointment for one or more additional terms. Written nominations, along with forms AD-755 and SF-181, must be received by the Foreign Agricultural Service by May 26, 2004. Persons interested in serving on the advisory committee, or in nominating individuals to serve, should contact Douglas Freeman, FAS, at 202/720-4327 or e-mail emo@fas.usda.gov. Form AD-755 is required and is available at the FAS home page at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/Form%20AD-755.doc. Form SF-181 is requested, but optional, and is available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf181.pdf. ~~Bacterial Proteins Combat Campylobacter~~Proteins from harmless microorganisms can reduce Campylobacter and other pathogenic bacteria in poultry intestines, a team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Russian scientists has discovered. ARS microbiologist Norman J. Stern of the Poultry Microbiological Safety Research Unit in Athens, Ga., used the proteins, called bacteriocins, to reduce Campylobacter numbers in bird intestines by 99.999 percent in small research trials. Large research trials will be necessary to determine if the technology is commercially feasible. According to Stern, this is the first treatment used in the last 25 years to achieve a significant reduction of Campylobacter in research trials on chickens. The bacteriocins reduce the numbers of Campylobacter by a millionfold when fed to chickens. Bacteriocins could provide an effective alternative to antibiotics the poultry industry uses to control pathogenic bacteria. Preliminary data indicate bacteriocins may be effective in reducing other foodborne bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. The patented technology to utilize the bacteriocins is available for licensing for commercial development. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen or Bob Ehart) STATE NEWS GRANTS AVAILABLE TO SPAY AND NEUTERING CLINICS --Animal Friendly Tag Aids Low Income Pet Owners The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) has announced the availability of grants to local nonprofit organizations and animal shelters that provide spay and neutering services for pets of low income families. The grants are funded through the sale of "Animal Friendly" license tags. "The grant program makes responsible pet owner services available to many who otherwise would be unable to afford them", said TDA State Veterinarian Dr. Ron Wilson. "The Animal Friendly program is important for helping to control the number of unwanted animals, and fortunately it enjoys good support from the public." TDA's Regulatory Services Division, State Veterinarian's office began administering the Animal Friendly program in 2002 after legislation passed revamping the program. Funds generated from the sale of Animal Friendly license tags are reallocated to organizations and agencies that provide spay and neutering services. Since 2002, TDA has increased grants from $75,000 in fiscal year 2003 to more than $274,800 in fiscal year 2004 to 29 local nonprofit organizations and agencies that spay and neuter animals for low income pet owners. Since last July, an estimated 5,200 pets have been spayed or neutered through the Animal Friendly Grant Program. According to agriculture officials and animal welfare proponents, the program helps reduce cases of animal cruelty, starvation and lowers instances of disease resulting from animal attacks. "By providing funding for spay and neutering programs," said Williamson County animal welfare advocate Laura Turner, "you are preventing unwanted animals from suffering a future of cruelty and abuse." Turner was one of many animal advocates across the state that played a fundamental role in making the Animal Friendly tag available in Tennessee. The application deadline for Animal Friendly grants is April 30. For more information contact program coordinator Tina Rogers at 615/837-5120 or email Tina.D.Rogers@state.tn.us. Information can also be found online at http://www.Tennessee.gov/agriculture then click the "Regulatory Services" link for Animal Health. To find a local spay and neutering clinic, citizens can contact their local humane society. AG SECRETARY CELEBRATES GRAND REOPENING OF PENNSYLVANIA WOODMOBILE Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff this week joined with students at Millville Elementary School, Columbia County, and representatives of the hardwood industry to celebrate the grand reopening of the Pennsylvania WoodMobile, a traveling education exhibit. "Following extensive interior renovations during the winter of 2004, I am pleased to reintroduce the WoodMobile," said Secretary Wolff. "Over the past two years, more than 200,000 Pennsylvanians have viewed the traveling exhibit that tells the forestry and wood products story in an exciting way and is a testimony to the architectural aesthetics and beauty of Pennsylvania's hardwoods." During the grand reopening, Wolff recognized the 11 companies that assisted the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) in renovating the WoodMobile and planted a Red Oak Tree in celebration of Arbor Day (April 30). With the help of a 'living' William Penn, Wolff then talked to the students about forestry. The WoodMobile is sponsored and operated by the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council in association with the PDA. It is available for school workshops and public events. If you are interested in scheduling a WoodMobile visit, please call the PA Hardwoods Development Council at (717) 772-3715. Pennsylvania has nearly 17 million acres of forest covering 60 percent of the land making it the largest hardwood forest in the United States. (Contact: Kristina L. Watson, 717/787-5085) | ||