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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture STATE LAWMAKERS TAKE STAND AGAINST FEDERAL PREEMPTION SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCERS OPPOSE FARM BILL EXTENSION NEW TAX REFORMS FOR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS SIGNED INTO LAW EPA TAKES STEPS TO CONTROL EMISSIONS FROM ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS USDA ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF FOR NRCS State News--AGRILAND OFFERS HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE State News--GERM CITY LIGHTS KIDS UP TO TEACH PROPER HAND WASHING Past Issues What's New on the NASDA Website
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State lawmakers at the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) 2006 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., took a firm stand against federal intrusion on state policy earlier this month, enacting several policy resolutions that will guide NCSL's lobbying activity in Washington, D.C. Issues of concern this year were telecommunications, homeland security, education funding and food labeling, among others. "The federal government continues to place obstacles in the way of innovative state public policy," said Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte, NCSL's newly elected president. "Federal preemption and unfunded mandates hamper state legislators' ability to meet the needs of their constituents. It is our hope that the policies enacted this week will send a message to our colleagues on Capitol Hill that their one-size-fits-all approach to public policy is out of touch with the rest of the country." Among the resolutions enacted at the business meeting included: * Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: An Underfunded National Expectation: State lawmakers are concerned about the level of federal funding to state and local governments for homeland security and emergency preparedness. This policy proposes a "Partnership for Preparedness" that improves and maintains funding streams for homeland security, natural disaster preparedness and response. * Immigration Reform: NCSL's Executive Committee policy on immigration reform endorses an approach to the issue that strikes a balance between preserving the safety and security of the United States, encouraging the economic strength of states and communities and recognizing the United States' history as a nation of immigration. * Food Labeling: NCSL strongly opposes the enactment of the National Uniformity for Food Act, a measure which would preempt state food safety laws. In many cases, the federal standard would reduce the level of safety that a state has enacted. * Federalism: State lawmakers renewed this policy which is a cornerstone of the NCSL. This resolution urges Congress to allow states flexibility in any state-federal partnership and reminds them that state laws should never be preempted without significant justification. NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths, and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system. A complete list of resolutions is located at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/press/2006/pr060818policies.htm. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCERS OPPOSE FARM BILL EXTENSION Last week, a coalition of more than 60 specialty crop grower organizations expressed opposition to an extension of the 2002 farm bill, which expires in the fall of 2007. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, representing producers of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, which comprise approximately 50 percent of U.S. agricultural crops, has worked to develop policy recommendations for a new farm bill that would target grower challenges and enhance competitiveness while fostering objectives in areas such as conservation and nutrition. "A simple extension of the Farm Bill would not address the urgent issues that now confront specialty crop growers," said Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers Association and co-chair of the alliance. "We are working with Congress to develop bold new proposals for federal agricultural policy that are needed to enable specialty crop growers to remain competitive on the world market. It is vitally important that farm policy makers in Congress address these issues in the 2007 farm bill." For more than a year, the coalition has been working to develop a series of farm bill proposals for enhancing the global competitiveness of specialty crop producers. Among the alliance members are the U.S. Apple Association, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and Wine America. Initiatives in that package include programs and investments to: boost specialty crop marketing around the world; provide more funding for research into specialty crop production; improve programs to fight pests and diseases that increasingly threaten U.S. specialty crops; broaden the use of fruits and vegetables in nutrition programs to promote a healthier America; enhance conservation programs to allow more growers to participate and help protect the environment; and expand the use of block grants to states for addressing specific local producer priorities. None of the alliance proposals include direct payments to producers, but instead provide for a more robust investment in programs and resources that will benefit all of U.S. agriculture. "Increasing market access for U.S. specialty crops is among our objectives," said John Keeling, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the alliance. "The setbacks in the Doha Round should not dictate either the timing or the policy options for the United States. To the contrary, now is the time for policy makers to take the lead and demonstrate commitment for programs that benefit all domestic producers." More information about the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, including a list of supporting organizations, is available at http://www.competitiveagriculture.org. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) NEW TAX REFORMS FOR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS SIGNED INTO LAW President Bush has signed into law the "Pension Protection Act of 2006" which includes new land conservation tax benefits for farmers and ranchers. The new law enables landowners who donate a conservation easement to deduct up to 50 percent of the value of the donation in any given year; spread deductions over a 16-year period instead of six years; and deduct up to 100 percent of their income. The provisions only apply to easements donated in 2006 or 2007. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) EPA TAKES STEPS TO CONTROL EMISSIONS FROM ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced August 22 that the agency has gotten approval to take the next important step to gather air emissions data from agricultural animal feeding operations (AFOs) and to ensure compliance with environmental laws. This step consists of certain AFOs voluntarily taking part in a nationwide monitoring study to evaluate their air emissions. In January 2005, EPA offered individual AFOs an opportunity to voluntarily sign a consent agreement committing them to conduct a nationwide study to monitor and get a better handle on the nature of their air emissions. This consent agreement also resolves certain air violations under the Clean Air Act. The agency's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) just approved the two final voluntary agreements, making a total of 2,568 operations representing swine, dairy, egg-laying, and broiler chicken facilities. These 2,568 agreements represent 6,267 farms (an AFO can include more than one farm). Now the industry-led monitoring survey can proceed, and it is expected to begin this winter. Within 18 months following the monitoring study's conclusion, EPA will evaluate all data and publish emission-estimating methods for AFOs. These methods will allow AFOs to estimate their emissions and comply with applicable federal regulatory requirements as appropriate. As an incentive for AFOs to participate, EPA agreed not to bring certain enforcement actions against participating AFOs during the course of the monitoring survey; however, all participants must pay a penalty that is based on the number of animals maintained at the operation and must assure compliance with the Clean Air Act once EPA publishes the emissions methodology. More information on the AFO Air Compliance Agreement is available on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/agreements/caa/cafo-agr-0604.html. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) NASDA WELCOMES FALL INTERN This week, NASDA welcomes intern Drew Steans, of Luling, Texas, from Texas A&M University. Drew comes to the office through the university's Agriculture and Natural Resource Policy (ANRP) internship program. Drew graduated in May 2006 with a B.S. in Agricultural Systems Management. This summer, Drew interned with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge in Woodbridge, Virginia. He plans to use his experience gained from these internships to obtain a job in either agricultural or environmental policy. Texas A&M has provided interns to live and work in Washington, D.C., for 16 years and is sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. (Contact: Drew Steans) USDA ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF FOR NRCS Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced August 23 the selection of Arlen Lancaster as chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Lancaster succeeds Bruce Knight at NRCS, who was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate as under secretary of agriculture for marketing and regulatory programs. Lancaster has served as deputy assistant secretary of congressional relations at USDA since April 2005. Prior to his service at USDA, Lancaster served in various senior staff positions in Congress for Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and the Senate Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization. As chief of NRCS, Lancaster will lead the primary federal agency that works directly with private landowners to help them conserve, maintain and improve their natural resources. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) STATE NEWS AGRILAND OFFERS HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE Children of all ages will be lured to Agriland in the Pride of Kansas building at the Kansas State Fair by the moos of a life-sized milking cow new to this year's display. The six-foot tall milking cow is an interactive educational tool that allows children and adults alike the opportunity to learn the art of milking. It has a motion-activated sound card that produces mooing when anyone walks by. It also has a self-contained pump to circulate fluid that can be milked from the udder into an authentic stainless steel milking pail. Also new this year is a My Pyramid display to help children and their parents learn more about the food guidance system developed by the USDA. My Pyramid is the symbol USDA designed to represent the system that provides many options to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day. Another new component this year is a soil tunnel that lets children explore what's below the plants, trees and crops that cover the Kansas landscape. The three-dimensional tool illustrates how important soil is to plant growth, waste recycling, and water purification and as habitat for organisms. Agriland, which anchors the Pride of Kansas building, engages the senses and stimulates the minds of children and adults alike with its interactive activities that teach the importance of agriculture and about production of Kansas grains and livestock. Several Kansas commodity groups and the Kansas Department of Agriculture join forces to bring Agriland to the State Fair each year. This year the group welcomes a new partner, the Kansas Dairy Association. "The partnership forged between the Department of Agriculture and Kansas' commodity groups to bring Agriland to the State Fair has been hugely successful," said Kansas Agriculture Secretary Adrian Polansky. "The fair is a great place to create a fun environment for kids to learn about the importance of agriculture in our day-to-day lives." Returning features include the "bright and shining faces" sunflower cutout display where children can poke their faces through openings to become "shining faces" among the large, yellow blooms. At a computer kiosk, children can play an interactive game that teaches about careers in agriculture. There's also a large wheel that can be spun to learn more about all aspects of the Kansas beef industry. In the byproducts section, visitors can play the "Did you know?!" interactive game to learn how livestock and crops are used in thousands of products from toothpaste to crayons, shoes and fuel. Children and adults will learn about livestock--how they are raised and what they eat--and they may even pose for a photograph with wood cutouts of a steer, sheep and hog. A stop at the scales will tell you if you weigh as much as a bushel of corn or a baby calf. Kids can look at Kansas grains displayed in a kid-sized grain elevator, or dig into kid-sized vats filled with grain if they want to know what it feels like. The ever-popular ride in a John Deere combine cab shows how Kansas crops are harvested in the field. Teachers can make a stop in the teacher resource center to see what materials are available to help them teach about Kansas agriculture. A huge implement tire serves as a centerpiece to the environmental stewardship area, where visitors learn how farmers care for their livestock and crops, and how they work to keep the land, air and water clean. Another feature is a section of carpet that lies underneath Agriland. It was donated by Universal Textile Technologies of Dalton, Georgia. The carpet has a flexible foam backing made from SoyOyl, a soy-based polyol developed with funding from the soybean checkoff. It is estimated that 47 million bushels of beans would be used if soybean oil was used for all U.S. commercial carpets. Volunteers from the cooperating commodity groups will staff Agriland each day of the fair. Cooperators include the Kansas Department of Agriculture; Kansas Beef Council; Kansas Corn Growers Association and Commission; Kansas Dairy Association; Kansas Wheat; Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and Commission; Kansas Soybean Association and Commission; Kansas Sunflower Commission; Kansas Agri-Women; and the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. Kansas FFA chapters also will be working in Agriland. (Contact: Lisa Taylor, 785/296-2653) GERM CITY LIGHTS KIDS UP TO TEACH PROPER HAND WASHING --NCDA&CS to travel throughout state during Food Safety Education Month A little dab will do you' is the lesson that the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' (NCDA&CS) Food and Drug Protection Division is hoping to spread to elementary students across the state during the month of September. Just a small amount of bacteria is all it takes to make a class sick, but washing your hands properly can help wipe it out. Food officials will visit museums and other kid-friendly locations across the state during September, Food Safety Education Month, with the traveling educational exhibit "Germ City" to teach students how to properly wash their hands to prevent sickness. The children themselves will be part of the display. Food officials will squirt a small amount of lotion in each child's hand that represents the bacteria. After rubbing in the lotion, children will be instructed how to properly wash their hands. Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is adequate for removing germs and bacteria. That's about the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" or say the ABCs. After washing their hands, children will be invited to enter the Germ City tent to see how well they did. If they did not wash their hands well, the "bacteria" will glow in the dark. "Research shows that washing your hands is an effective way to prevent illnesses," said North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "A recent study showed that children who washed their hands four times a day at school had significantly less sick days due to respiratory illnesses and stomach bugs than children who did not wash their hands. Needless to say, teaching children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating and after sneezing is a valuable life lesson." Hand washing also affects food safety because 97 percent of foodborne illnesses occur during food preparation, and proper hand washing reduces the risk of contamination, Troxler said. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76 million people nationwide become sick from food pathogens every year. Many of those cases could have been prevented. Germ City will debut Sept. 1 at the Monticello Browns Summit Elementary School with their most famous alumnus, Commissioner Steve Troxler. Troxler will speak with the children about hand washing and also show off the 'Got to be NC' Big Shopping Cart. Food officials will then travel across the state with Germ City. The Food and Drug Protection Division has hand washing and safe food handling tips available on its website, http://www.ncagr.com/fooddrug. (Contact: Wendy Campbell, 919/733-7366) |