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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture AG DISASTER ASSISTANCE PUSH CONTINUES IN LAME DUCK SENATORS CALL FOR RESOURCES TO MAKE USDA FARM PAYMENT PROGRAM ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT USDA TO COMPILE FINAL 2006 ESTIMATES FOR ACREAGE, PRODUCTION, AND STOCKS State News--BADGER STATE BIOFUELS COMPANIES ON A ROLL State News--GOVERNOR RENDELL ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM INVESTMENTS State News--FOURTH ANNUAL "ONE MEDICINE" SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCED Job Opportunity--VDACS MARKETING DIRECTOR _________________________________________________________Past Issues What's New on the NASDA Website
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AG DISASTER ASSISTANCE PUSH CONTINUES IN LAME DUCK NASDA joined the National Farmers Union, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the Farm Credit Council, and more than 25 other farm organizations in a December 1 letter to members of the U.S. Senate requesting they support agricultural disaster assistance when Congress returns to session this month. "We write to respectfully urge you to support agricultural disaster assistance for the 2005 and 2006 production years," the letter began. "While many of us are hopeful that even more can be done to provide emergency disaster-related assistance for agricultural producers, we believe that the bipartisan Conrad amendment--and other such amendments that would make disaster assistance even more inclusive--should be approved by the Congress this year." The latest amendment before the Senate, which is scheduled to be offered by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) on Dec. 5, would provide traditional disaster assistance for the 2005 and 2006 crop years and would remove a provision to provide an economic loss payment that is opposed by the administration and several Republicans. News reports indicate that Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) plans to block approval of the ag disaster assistance package. USDA declared 80 percent of counties disaster areas in the 2005 crop year and fuel prices have doubled in just a few years. This year, more than 66 percent of U.S. counties have received the same designation. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) SENATORS CALL FOR RESOURCES TO MAKE USDA FARM PAYMENT PROGRAM ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) called on the USDA to outline the staff and resources it needs to fix chronic problems with its farm payment program, saying they are "troubled" by reports that $2.8 billion was improperly distributed by the agency last year. Dorgan and Grassley said that although much of the payments were classified as improper because paperwork was missing or incomplete, reports indicate that a lack of staff and resources is to blame. In a letter to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns, the senators said the agency should request the resources it needs to do its job accurately and efficiently. As you know, we represent agricultural states with many farm families that depend on a strong farm safety net," Dorgan and Grassley wrote. "We believe that openness and transparency in the distribution of our farm payments is important to maintaining the public's confidence in, and the integrity of, our farm programs." The text of the letter can be located at http://dorgan.senate.gov/newsroom/extras/113006usda.pdf. In the 2002 farm bill, Dorgan and Grassley included legislation creating a database that would track payments to cooperatives and corporate mega-farmers, and allow policy makers to better target the farm program to help support family farmers. The senators have pushed USDA to complete work on the database and explain why it has continued to drag its feet in making the payment information publicly available. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) USDA TO COMPILE FINAL 2006 ESTIMATES FOR ACREAGE, PRODUCTION, AND STOCKS How many acres of grains and oilseeds did you plant this year? Were your yields above or below expectations? These are just a couple of the critical questions that the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be asking 77,000 producers nationwide during the upcoming December Agricultural Survey. "This is one of the largest and most important surveys that NASS conducts each year," explained Carol House, NASS deputy administrator for programs and products. "The information that we gather will be used to make the final 2006 estimates of crop production and on-farm stocks, at both the state and national levels. During the first two weeks of December, NASS will contact producers in 48 states by mail or telephone. Respondents will be asked to provide data on total acres, acres planted and harvested, total yield and production. NASS will also collect data on quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on-farm. Once the information is compiled and analyzed, it will be published in a series of important reports. These include the Crop Production summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on January 12, 2007. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. "NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified," said House. All NASS reports are available online at http://www.nass.usda.gov. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) STATE NEWS NFL AND FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES TEAM TO PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIVING THROUGH "SUPER BOWL XLI KICKOFF TO BETTER HEALTH" CAMPAIGN LEADING UP TO SUPER BOWL WEEK The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has teamed up with the NFL and a coalition of South Florida organizations to promote healthy nutrition and exercise through the "Super Bowl XLI Kickoff to Better Health" initiative, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced. "This initiative is the latest in our department's ongoing campaign to raise public awareness about the importance of proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle," Bronson said. "The excitement generated by south Florida's hosting of the Super Bowl is a great opportunity to help spread this message to segments of the population that are disproportionately affected by obesity and related health problems." Each year the NFL identifies leading community organizations to team with as part of the Super Bowl multicultural outreach initiative. These Super Bowl programs focus on the education, advancement and leadership of both racial and gender minorities in the host city. The "Super Bowl XLI Kickoff to Better Health" initiative programs are projected to impact the lives of more than 20,000 people in south Florida during its three-month healthy lifestyle campaign. "One of our primary community focuses for the 2006 season is to help promote the importance of living healthier lifestyles to our fans," said NFL Director of Community Ventures Beth Colleton. "Our partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services allows the NFL to support existing initiatives that directly respond to the immediate health awareness needs of the residents of South Florida." The "Super Bowl XLI Kickoff to Better Health" initiative will include three city-wide projects that provide south Florida residents with opportunities to participate in a variety of events and activities that will test their health indicators, teach families new and easy ways to stay healthy, and inspire them to kick off a new healthy lifestyle that includes healthy foods and physical activity. In addition to receiving important health and nutrition information, participants at these community events will also have the opportunity to sign up to win a pair of Super Bowl tickets. Interested residents can also register online at http://www.KickoffToBetterHealth.com. As part of its ongoing "Fresh from Florida" marketing program, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is involved in public awareness campaigns that encourage reasonable and achievable lifestyle changes including increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, with the eventual goal of consuming at least five servings a day. The campaigns also encourage increased physical activity, especially among those with sedentary lifestyles. For more information on the "Fresh from Florida" program visit http://www.Florida-Agriculture.com. (Contact: Yolanda Roundtree, 850/413-7961) BADGER STATE BIOFUELS COMPANIES ON A ROLL The Badgers football team isn't the only group in town on a winning streak this season. Three Wisconsin biofuel companies have been awarded $4.8 million in federal research dollars this fall--or more than 27 percent of the total awards nationwide. "This is a tremendous achievement," said Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. "These companies competed with some of the best minds in the nation to win these grants." The U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture Biofuels Research and Development Grant program awarded: * $1.5 million to the Center for Technology Transfer (now called Clean Tech Partners), Madison, to develop the best method for stabilizing the value of biomass material before processing * $1.3 million to Lucigen Corporation, Middleton, to develop novel enzyme products for the conversion of defatted soybean meal to ethanol * $2 million to Virent Energy, Madison, for research into the co-production of propylene glycol with biodiesel production * The total awarded to Wisconsin, $4,780,800, was more than 27 percent of nearly $17.5 million total federal research grants awarded nationwide in this cycle. * Growing Wisconsin's biofuel industry is a major component of Governor Doyle's plan to make Wisconsin a leader in energy independence and create 17,000 jobs. (Contact: Robin Engel, 608/224-5002) MICHIGAN LAUNCHES RENEWABLE FUELS COMMISSION: PUBLIC/PRIVATE TEAM TO HELP DEVELOP STATES ALTERNATIVE FUEL INDUSTRY Michigan Department of Agriculture director, Mitch Irwin, has announced that the Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission will convene its first meeting in Lansing on November 30, 2006. Established through Public Act 272 of 2006, the public-private commission will recommend strategies that Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and the state legislature may implement to promote Michigan's production and distribution of alternative fuel. The event will feature Suzanne Hunt, Biofuels project manager for Worldwatch Institute--an independent research organization focusing upon critical global issues--as keynote speaker. "The work of the Renewable Fuels Commission is a critical part of our effort to make Michigan the nation's leader in developing and producing alternative energy," said Granholm. "As more E-85 and flex fuel vehicles are produced, it is essential that we make biodiesel and ethanol products more widely available and encourage their use." All are encouraged to visit the commission's website at http://www.renewablefuelscommission.org to view a list of commission members, the meeting agenda, access useful resources, and participate in a public opinion survey. The site and electronic survey were created by Public Sector Consultants, Inc., to gather information on behalf of the commission. "Rolling up our sleeves with our industry leaders is the cohesive approach Michigan needs to pinpoint opportunities and achieve results," said Irwin, who also serves as chair of the Renewable Fuels Commission. "While the alternative fuel sector is complex and constantly changing, pooling the expertise of such a diverse group not only allows us to see around the bend, it enables us to determine what it is we want to see." The Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission was signed into law earlier this year by Granholm as part of a seven-bill package designed to spur growth of the state's alternative fuel industry. The package also reduced the gas tax by 36 percent on fuel that contains ethanol and by 20 percent on biodiesel blends; provided grants to service station owners who renovate or expand their existing stations to make E-85 and biodiesel available; and allowed for the creation of new agriculture renaissance zones to help spur additional ethanol and biodiesel plants. Granholm has also called for the state to have 1,000 biofuel pumps available by 2008. For more information on the Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission, visit http://www.renewablefuelscommission.org. (Contact: Bridget Beckman 517/242-0895) GOVERNOR RENDELL ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM INVESTMENTS Governor Edward G. Rendell last week said that new state investments in the commonwealth's two largest industries, agriculture and tourism, will exceed $10 million and will create new opportunities in 25 Pennsylvania counties. "Pennsylvania's agriculture and tourism industries are key components of our economy, employing 1.5 million people and generating nearly $70 billion in economic activity annually," said Rendell. "This impact affects our cities and rural communities, so it is vitally important that we invest in these projects and provide the support they need to grow and create jobs. "The First Industries Fund allows us to provide new resources that were not available four years ago. The funds we are announcing today will, among other things, help our dairy and poultry producers purchase new equipment and support the growth of new retail outlets for the quality products our farmers produce." The governor added that more than $65 million has been invested in 326 agriculture and tourism projects across the commonwealth through the First Industries Fund to date. The program is part of Governor Rendell's $2.8 billion economic stimulus package. It provides plan ning grants, loans and loan guarantees to businesses in these two industries. The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the funding for the projects during its regular board meeting. The $150 million program provides grants, loans and loan guarantees to businesses in the agriculture and tourism industries. For guidelines and more information on the First Industries Fund and other economic stimulus programs, visit http://www.newPA.com, or call 1-866-GO-NEWPA (1-866-466-3972). (Contact: Stephanie Meyers, 717-787-5085) FOURTH ANNUAL "ONE MEDICINE" SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCED Date: December 6-7, 2006 Location: Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina Objectives: * Better understanding of interaction among public health, agriculture, and wildlife * Difficulty and implications in managing wildlife including challenges and barriers * Highlight avian influenza as a model for collaborative preparedness activities among public health, agriculture, and wildlife agencies. * Explain roles and interactions of government agencies in management of zoonoses Audience: physicians and veterinarians; public health professionals agriculture professionals; federal, military, state and local disaster response personnel/teams; wildlife professionals More information is available at http://www.multi-hazard.net/. JOB OPPORTUNITY MARKETING DIRECTOR (PR & MARKETING MANAGER IV) Position #00826 The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services seeks a dynamic, results-oriented marketing executive to promote and enhance the profitability of Virginia agriculture and agribusiness in both domestic and international markets. The successful candidate will provide leadership in the management and direction of marketing operations including administrative, fiscal, and human resources. In addition, the incumbent will plan the agency's marketing strategies in order to produce tangible outcomes. This exciting career opportunity requires the successful candidate to proactively build and maintain positive working relationships with representatives of agriculture and agribusiness industries, federal/state agencies, and other organizations. Qualifications: Ideal candidate must have a proven track record as an upper management level marketing executive in agriculture or a related industry. This experience must include supervision, budget, finance, and administrative management and a comprehensive knowledge of marketing principles; federal and state agricultural and trade policies; and marketing agricultural products. The ideal candidate will have an extensive knowledge of domestic and international agricultural trade issues. Knowledge of government operations is a plus. Computer technology, problem-solving, and analytical skills are required. Proven ability to plan, make innovative recommendations, produce written reports/statistics, and communicate effectively with diverse groups of employees and client groups. A graduate degree in agriculture, marketing, business, economics or a related field is preferred; however, an equivalent amount of relevant experience is acceptable. Minimum Hiring Salary: $70,000, commensurate with experience. In accordance with State Code, the incumbents of this position are required to complete a Statement of Economic Interests upon starting employment and thereafter annually to identify potential conflict of interests. To be considered for this position, you must complete a state application through the on-line employment system at http://jobs.virginia.gov/ by 5:00 p.m. on January 5, 2007. Fax, e-mail or mail applications will not be accepted. Resumes may be attached, but are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. For more information or assistance you may contact the Human Resource Office, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Room 248, Richmond, VA 23219; Telephone: 804/371-8066; Hearing Impaired 1-800-828-1120; e-mail address hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov. EOE. Quality Customer Service: A VDACS Commitment Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Human Resource Office, Room 248, Oliver Hill Building, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219 An Equal Opportunity Employer http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov To be considered for this position, you must complete a state application through the on-line employment system at https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/ no later than 5 p.m. of the cut-off date stated in this flyer. Resumes may accompany but will not be accepted in lieu of a Commonwealth of Virginia application. |