10-11-11 DuPont and 4-H Announce Youth Development Initiative for Rural Africa

DuPont Commits $2 Million to Global 4-H Network to Develop Future Farmers; Addresses Food Challenges for Growing Population

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 11, 2011 – DuPont and National 4-H Council today announced a partnership to strengthen youth development in rural African communities.  DuPont’s commitment of up to $2 million over the next two years will allow the global 4-H network to help African youth create sustainable livelihoods and improve household and national food security for people across the continent.

Following a successful pilot in Tanzania that was completed this spring, the global 4-H network now will launch a year-round Leadership Institute for 4-H leaders and volunteers in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania, starting in January 2012.  The global 4-H network will train African-based 4-H leaders and mentors about agricultural innovation and farming practices.  They also will provide culturally relevant, research-based tools, expertise and resources that can be used at the local level.

Additionally, 4-H will expand its Enterprise Gardens program for school-based youth, their families and their communities to inspire young people to explore agriculture and see their role in feeding the world.

“After walking the fields with many African farmers, I understand the urgent need to engage African youth in agriculture, where pressures of food insecurity are greatest.  The farmer who will feed the world over the coming decades is a young person today.  Empowering them to do so is a great responsibility for all of us,” said DuPont Executive Vice President James C. Borel, who serves as current chair of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees.  “DuPont and 4-H share a belief that youth development is a key sustainability initiative to address global food security.  What’s more, our African-based businesses also are committed to imparting agricultural training to developing farmers, making this partnership a natural fit on many levels.”

“Youth development is the world’s best long-term solution to ensure food security and global economic stability,” said Donald T. Floyd Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council.  “4-H’s 100-year history in agricultural innovation and youth skill-building combined with an existing infrastructure in more than 70 nations, has uniquely positioned our organization to equip millions of young people in developing nations with the skills needed to build a truly sustainable future.”

10-11-11 *Farm Foundation News* Webinar to help producers analyze potential of anaerobic digester systems

OAK BROOK, IL. Oct. 11, 2011:  The technical, environmental and economic factors involved in the use of anaerobic digestion systems on livestock operations will be addressed in the virtual Renewable Energy Education Field Day on Oct. 26, 2011.

“To create the most appropriate digester system for an operation requires an understanding of the technology involved, as well as the potential for addressing nutrient management needs or generating an income stream, ” says engineer James Fischer, energy project director for Farm Foundation, NFP. “This webinar is designed to help managers better understand the opportunities and the challenges a digester system may present to their livestock operations.”

The Oct. 26 webinar will include researchers with technical expertise, and producers with first-hand experience in researching and operating digester systems. This virtual Field Day is targeted to dairy and beef producers in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Representatives of environmental and agricultural organizations working with livestock producers, as well as staff from state and federal agencies, are also encouraged to participate. There is no charge to participate but registration is required.

Farm Foundation, NFP is organizing this webinar in collaboration with USDA Rural Development, USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Speakers include livestock producers with experience in operating an anaerobic digester, industry leaders working with various technologies used in anaerobic digestion, university researchers, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, and representatives from government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AgStar program.

Click hereto review the agenda. Session topics include:

10-11-11 *NCGA News of the Day* Apply Now! Scholarships for College Ag Students Available

As the weeks before the application deadline steadily tick away, the National Corn Growers Association reminds members that it, along with the BASF Corporation, will again award five $1,000 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field during the 2012-13 school year.

“While the December 9 deadline may still seem distant, it is important to note how quickly time passes for students busy with their studies,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team Chair. “Completion by the deadline is required for consideration, and NCGA hopes that all interested parties are able to submit. This program fosters tomorrow’s leaders. Reminding qualified students to apply is a proactive step to better the future of the industry.”

Applicants for the NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program must be entering at least their second undergraduate year or any year of graduate study, and they, or a parent or legal guardian, must be an NCGA member. Scholarship applications must be postmarked on or before Dec. 9.

Scholarship recipients will be selected in early 2012. Recipients and a parent or guardian will enjoy travel and lodging to attend a portion of the 2012 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn., to be recognized at the NCGA Awards Banquet and have the opportunity to learn more about modern agriculture.

This marks the fifth year for the program partnership between BASF and NCGA. Click here for the complete rules and application packet.

10-11-11 The Ag Minute: A Vote for Trade Agreements is a Vote for Rural America

WASHINGTON – This week during The Ag Minute, Chairman Frank Lucas discusses the economic boost the trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea will provide to rural communities. The agreements will put America’s farmers and ranchers in a better position to compete globally, expand U.S. exports, create jobs, and bring much-needed income to communities across rural America. The House of Representatives will vote on the agreements this week.

Click here to listen to The Ag Minute. The transcript is below.

“This week the House is set to vote on three trade agreements which are critical to communities throughout America. In a time of economic uncertainty, it’s important that we provide opportunities for our economy to grow and thrive.

“These agreements create direct benefits for agriculture, which is one of the most trade-dependent industries in the U.S. today.  Overall, exports account for more than 25 percent of total U.S. agriculture sales. These agreements will boost sales by opening more than $2.5 billion in new market access. 

“But the benefits spread far beyond the farm.  They will stimulate growth across the country in our towns, cities, and ports.

“U.S. agricultural exports generate employment, income, and purchasing power on and off the farm.  According to USDA, exports support approximately 1 million jobs in agriculture, trade, transportation, food processing, and other manufacturing sectors.

“The bottom line:  a vote for these agreements is a vote for rural America.”

The Ag Minute is Chairman Lucas’s weekly radio address that is released from the House Agriculture Committee.

###

10-11-11 EAJA Reform Legislation Reviewed in Congressional Hearing…

—Groups Urge Lawmakers to Support Government Litigation Savings Act

WASHINGTON (Oct. 11, 2011) – The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law today, Oct. 11, 2011, held a hearing on H.R. 1966, the Government Savings Litigation Act. The Public Lands Council (PLC), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the American Sheep Industry Association, the Association of National Grasslands and 35 organizations representing livestock producers said the legislation will bring transparency and accountability to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).

EAJA allows plaintiffs to recover attorney fees and other expenses from the federal government when they prevail in a case against the government. According to Dustin Van Liew, PLC executive director and NCBA director of federal lands, environmental extremist groups have made a hobby of suing the federal government on minor process-related decisions. He said the government often settles cases and pays the plaintiffs through EAJA instead of devoting time, staff and resources to a trial. Pointing to Wyoming attorney Karen Budd Falen’s estimates, Van Liew said over the past decade, 12 environmental groups alone have filed more than 3,300 lawsuits, recovering more than $37 million in EAJA funds.

10-11-11 CO Gov Hickenlooper’s statement on resignation of CO Senator Mike Kopp

DENVER ­— Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper released the following statement today on the resignation of Senator Mike Kopp.

“Mike Kopp’s decision to resign as the Senate Minority Leader is a genuine loss to the state. While we didn’t always agree, he was direct, candid and unfailingly a gentleman. We will miss him.”

###

10-11-11 *USDA/NASS* Colorado’s Crop Progress Report

 USDA’s NASS Colorado Field Office is operated in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. CLICK HERE for the pdf of the report

 

Click here for the current audio of the Crop Progress & Condition Report with USDA-CO’s Bill Meyer

Quick Stats (ag statistics by state and county) – COLORADO

The Quick Stats database application provides the most up-to-date statistics for the U.S., as well as all states and counties, including all revisions. Press “more” to continue.

County Estimates

Colorado Fact Sheets

Census of Agriculture for Colorado

10-11-11 Dr. Getty’s November Teleseminar: Understanding and Avoiding Colic…Nov 17th…GET REGISTERED TODAY!

CLICK HERE to listen to Dr Getty on this month's edition of the Getty Equine Nutrition Corner inside the BARN...

As your horse transitions to winter, the changing demands placed on his digestive system can lead to serious problems. Decreased water consumption can cause dehydration colic. Changing from fresh grass to hay can lead to impactions. Increased stall confinement can increase the risk for ulcer. In fact, change of any kind can lead to digestive upset. With the “season of changes” underway, Dr. Getty’s November teleseminar takes aim at the causes and prevention of colic.

• Date: Thursday, November 17, 2011
• Time: 8:00 pm EST (5 pm PST)
• Cost: $15.00 (your long distance charges may apply)
• Good news: You need not be present for the live seminar. The entire event will be recorded for future listening or download by registrants.

Registration and more information: www.gettyequinenutrition.com

“Understanding and Avoiding Colic” will emphasize:

• What is colic and what types are there?
• Role of diet in avoiding colic
• Preventing your horse from “inhaling” hay
• How to make changes in the diet
• Prevent mycotoxin ingestion
• Deworming and colic prevention
• Avoiding travel stress
• Cecal impactions
• Sand colic
• Enteroliths
• If it happens — what to do while waiting for the vet to arrive

10-11-11 *Co Farm Bureau News* CDPHE Withdraws from Food Day

Courtesy of Colorado Farm Bureau’s  Shawn M on Oct 11, 2011 in Ag Promotion, Regulatory | 0 comments

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has pulled it’s support of Food Day in response to the outcry from  CFB and other Ag groups. In a meeting with CFB staff, Dr. Chris Urbina, the head of CDPHE said he was surprised at the strong reaction from CFB over the Food Day issue and committed to ending his agency’s support for the program. CDPHE has removed their name from the partnering sponsors list and has stopped distributing National Food Day materials.

Dr. Urbina also assured CFB that CDPHE is not aligned with nor believes in the radical agendas of the National Food Day and other organization partners to it.

“This is a win for Colorado agriculture,” said Troy Bredenkamp, Executive Vice President of Colorado Farm Bureau. “While on the surface, the Food Day initiative appears wholesome, many of the event’s organizing groups hold a true disdain for modern agriculture. We are thankful that Dr. Urbina and CDPHE chose to side with Colorado’s farmers and ranchers and not activists groups.”

Earlier this year, CDPHE had lent its support to Food Day, an initiative that supposedly highlighted healthy eating, but used the platform to attack modern Ag production. Much of the content published by the organizers pushed negative stereotypes and myths about agriculture. The initiative is being pushed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest along with many other anti-agriculture groups.

10-11-11 *RMFU News* Morgan County Farmers Union Sponsors Talk on Proposition 103

On Wednesday, October 19, Dale McCall, RMFU Vice President and Executive Director of BOCES, and Greg Wagers, Superintendent of RE3, will review Proposition 103, a ballot initiative to increase funding for Colorado schools.

The meeting begins 7:00 p.m. at the Morgan County Extension Office in Fort Morgan.

The meeting is open to the public

10-11-11 *The White House* Obama Administration Announces Selection of 14 Infrastructure Projects to be Expedited Through Permitting & Environmental Review Process…including 1 in CO

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2011

Obama Administration Announces Selection of 14 Infrastructure Projects to be Expedited Through Permitting and Environmental Review Process

Announcement is next step in Administration’s ongoing effort to improve the efficiency of permitting and review process to help create jobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Obama Administration announced the selection of 14 infrastructure projects around the country that will be expedited through permitting and environmental review processes, an important next step in the Administration’s efforts to improve the efficiency of federal reviews needed to help job-creating infrastructure projects move as quickly as possible from the drawing board to completion.  This announcement comes as a result of the Presidential Memorandum President Obama issued in late August at the recommendation of his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Through the Presidential Memorandum, the President directed agencies to expedite environmental reviews and permit decisions for a selection of high priority infrastructure projects that will create a significant number of jobs, have already identified necessary funding, and where the significant steps remaining before construction are within the control and jurisdiction of the federal government and can be completed within 18 months.  Below is the full list of projects selected by those agencies, which represent diverse sectors of the economy and combined will support the creation of tens of thousands of jobs.

As the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness has highlighted, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federal permit decisions and environmental reviews is one critical step the federal government can take to accelerate job creation.  While many of these review processes are not under the control of the federal government — state, local, and tribal governments are partners in the effort, as well — the Obama Administration is committed to reforming  the federal permitting and environmental review process to ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible while continuing to protect the health and safety of all Americans, and to preserve opportunities for public participation in federal decision-making.  The Administration will apply broadly the information gathered while expediting these projects to further improve the permitting process for all projects.  And as part of the Administration’s commitment to efficiency and transparency, beginning at the end of November, the public will also be able to track the progress of projects under review through one central website.

14 Infrastructure Projects Selected for Expedited Review

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Denver Mariposa Housing Project, Colorado

In connection with a HOPE VI grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, this project will revitalize a distressed housing project located in South Denver.  Portions of the project are underway and HUD will expedite its Part 58 review and review of the Revitalization Plan for the next phases.

City Market at “O” Street, District of Columbia

Located in Washington, DC, City Market at “O” Street is a mixed-use property consisting of 400 market-rate residential units, 16,000 square feet of retail space and a 57,000 square foot supermarket with financing under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Section 220 insured mortgage program.  In conjunction with this project and others, FHA has embarked on an effort to streamline the approval process for loans, including review of related federal permits and is working with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to expedite the National Historic Trust approval, subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Department of Transportation

10-11-11 CO Gov Hickenlooper welcomes Arrow Electronics global corporate headquarters to Colorado

DENVER ­— Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today welcomed the decision by Arrow Electronics Inc. (NYSE: ARW) to locate its global corporate headquarters in Colorado. Arrow Electronics, a Fortune 140 company, serves customers in 52 counties and had 2010 sales of $18.7 billion. This will be the largest company to ever call Colorado home.

“This is one of those moments when focus and discipline pays off,” Hickenlooper said. “We haven’t been shy about working to retain, grow and recruit new businesses in Colorado. Today, we are proud to welcome Arrow Electronics’ global headquarters to its new Colorado home. We look forward to doing all we can to help the company prosper.”

Arrow Electronics’ global corporate headquarters is currently located in Melville, N.Y. Effective Nov. 15, 2011, the company’sEnglewood office will become its headquarters. Arrow Electronics currently employs approximately 1,000 workers in Colorado.

“This change puts Arrow Electronics firmly in the heart of this country’s epicenter for innovation,” said Michael J. Long, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Arrow Electronics. “We want our global corporate headquarters located in a state that’s committed to supporting business growth and is collaborative in spirit. Colorado is that place. As we embark on the next phase of our company’s history, we look forward to Colorado being the global headquarters for the 52 countries that we serve.”

*Tigges Farm News* Windsor HS Marching Band Drum Line To Be Featured At 3rd Annual Military Appreciation Days…EXTENDED thru Oct 16th

Kiowa Creek Coaches wagon that will be at Tigges Farm Pumpkin Patch, Saturday, Oct 15, 11am to 1pm to give rides as a treat to our loyal customers. There's no admission charge to the farm and no fee to ride. We don't "trick people." We "treat" them when they come to the farm. Tigges Farm is located at 12404 Weld County Road 64 1/2, Greeley, Colorado. Call 970-686-7225 for directions.

Tigges Farm Extends Military Appreciation and Adds Horse Drawn Wagon Ride

Tigges Farm Produce & Pumpkin Patch is extending Military Appreciation thru Sunday, October 16th. Mother Nature had rain for the farmers in mind last weekend and made it impossible for the Windsor High School Drum Line to perform. “We didn’t get to thank nearly as many military personnel as we would have liked because of the weather so we just are just going to continue our spin for a discount for all active and retired military families thru Sunday, October 16th. We can’t reschedule the drum line as they will be at regional competitions next weekend and we wish them the very best. Instead, we have arranged for Kiowa Creek Coaches to treat all our customers to a horse drawn wagon rides between 11am and 1pm, Saturday, October 15th” said Kathy Rickart, co-partner and manager of Tigges Farm.

There’s no admission charge and the wagon ride is just a big “Thank You” to so many of the customers that have been so loyal thru the years. Don’t be late at the rides will stop promptly at 1pm on Saturday. The horses have another engagement that afternoon.

Tigges Farm is located at 12404 Weld County Road 64 1/2, Greeley, CO. Call 970-686-7225 for directions.

ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE BELOW