11-08-11 *Golden Plains Extension* Become A Master Gardener…10 Week Program…REGISTER BY DEC 1st

 (The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) Linda Langelo Golden Plains Area Extension is my guest inside the BARN to discuss The Colorado Master Gardener^SM program…110811_CoMasterGardnersProgram_GoldenPlains_Langelo_6m25s

The Golden Plains Area is accepting applications for The Colorado Master Gardener^SM program this fall with a December 1st deadline.  Classes are taught in different counties within the Golden Plains Area by distance education.  Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 pm starting January 23 to March 28 with three local classes.

Those accepted into the program will receive ten weeks of training on plant care and have the opportunity to work with other gardeners from the Golden Plains Area who volunteer in the community.  The Colorado Master Gardener program is ideal for gardeners who wish to increase their knowledge of horticulture and help others learn the joy of successful gardening.

In addition to receiving training from Colorado State University professors, specialists and horticulture agents, master gardeners learn on the job as they perform 50 hours of volunteer work during the first growing season and 24 hours every year after to keep the master gardener status.  Volunteers help the community by answering questions on garden care and provide education through teaching classes, writing news articles, working with special audiences, maintaining demonstration sites, helping with the community garden, and helping with gardening projects for 4-H, FFA and other organizations.  In the Golden Plains Area our Master Gardeners have helped do all of the above listed projects as well as keep the Plant Select®, xeric and native plant gardens, provided horticulture projects for those elderly and disabled, created flower container gardens, raised funds,  and other various projects.  Statewide, the value placed on the time donated by the 1,800 plus master gardeners is more than $1.3 million.

11-08-11 Focus is on the Future at Alltech’s Global Dairy 500

[Lexington, KY] – For the fourth year in a row, leaders in the dairy industry will gather in Lexington, Kentucky from December 6 – 8, for Alltech’s Global Dairy 500. In 2011, the Global 500 will move into uncharted territory, venturing into a world of opportunities and challenges, and exploring the dairy industries’ future landscape.

“Our world is changing. Global demand for fuel, food and other commodities will only continue to spike as the world’s population and wealth increases. The adoption of new technologies is not optional anymore, but necessary if you want to stay competitive. It’s a world of transparency in which people develop strong personal impressions of companies and producers – and communicate their feelings through social media as well as with their neighbors. To succeed in this new environment, the dairy industry must be prepared and must be able to engage the minds of future generations,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech.

The agenda this year packs in everything the progressive dairy producer needs to know about the future of the dairy industry, from communicating the message to consumers, to engaging the next generation of dairy farmers. Highlights from the Global Dairy 500 programme are as follows:

11-08-11 US Forest Service selects Northern Regional Forester as new National Forest System Deputy Chief

Leslie Weldon, deputy chief of the National Forest System

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2011 – U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced today the selection of Leslie Weldon, currently the regional forester in Montana, as the new deputy chief of the program that oversees 193 million acres of forests and grasslands.

Weldon will move to Washington early next year to take over the position, which has been vacant since Joel Holtrop retired two months ago. Since 2009, Weldon oversaw 15 national forests and four national grasslands within the states of Montana, Idaho and North Dakota.

“We are excited to bring Leslie back to Washington to take the reins of this incredibly important arm of the Forest Service. Her management, community involvement and partnership skills were key considerations in making this choice,” Tidwell said. “Leslie’s experience, judgment and leadership will serve the agency and the public very well.”

As deputy chief of the National Forest System, Weldon will manage projects and programs for 155 national forests and 20 grasslands across the country.

Weldon began her career as a summer hire on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington fighting fire and surveying wildlife. Since then she held biologist positions on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, at the National Headquarters, and in the Northern Regional Office. She also served as Stevensville District Ranger on the Bitterroot National Forest, as Liaison to the U.S. Army and as Executive Policy Assistant to former Forest Service Chief Michael Dombeck. Weldon was Forest Supervisor on the Deschutes National Forest from 2000 – 2007.

11-08-11 *National FFA News* 2012 Scholarship Application Goes LIVE Nov 15th

The National FFA Organization awards approximately $2 million in scholarships designed to fit the diversity of our applicants. The 2012 online scholarship application and helpful tools will be available at www.ffa.org/scholarships on Nov. 15. This year, our top three scholarship sponsors are Ford, Cargill and AGCO. Review eligibility requirements in the 2012 Guidebook, also available on www.ffa.org/scholarships on Nov. 15. Applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. EST Feb. 15, 2012. A completed signature page, postmarked no later than Feb. 22, 2012, is required to complete eligibility.

11-08-11 Kansas City Board of Trade to Reinstate Margin Ratio Tuesday, Nov 15th

Kansas City-November 8, 2011-The Kansas City Board of Trade on Tuesday, Nov. 15 will reinstate customer initial to maintenance ratios to 1.25, following a temporary reduction to 1.00 that was announced on November 7.

The intention of this reduction was to decrease the size of any margin calls resulting from the transfer of MF Global customers to new clearing members. The upcharge is normally implemented to customer accounts during a margin call.

Currently, the daily span files residing on the CME Group® public directory (ftp://ftp.cmegroup.com/span/data/kcb/) as well as the KCBT website (http://kcbt.com/download/span/) reflects the 1.0 ratio. For clearing firms that wish to maintain the original value of the initial margin upcharge for speculative customer accounts, the KCBT Clearing Corporation is making available an additional version of the final SPAN risk parameter file. This special version will yield margin requirements with the original initial margin to maintenance ratio levels. It can be distinguished from the normal file by an .im. in the file name. For example, today’s end-of-day special file will be namedkcb.im.20111109.s.pa2.zip

11-08-11 Former President George W. Bush to Speak at Ag Warriors Gala During World Ag Expo

Tulare, Calif. - The International Agri-Center announced today that President George W. Bush will be the featured guest at the Ag Warriors Gala on February 15, 2012 during World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. The event will benefit returning veterans by placing them in long-term professions in the agriculture industry.

“We are committed to train and place veterans with both an interest in, and an aptitude for the agriculture industry,” said Stacey Beachy, director of corporate partnerships for the International Agri-Center. “The program identifies with the challenges of recently returned veterans who face difficulties starting new careers-we believe the agricultural community is well suited to provide jobs to returning service-members.”

The gala, which will also include a military musical performance, will be the official launch of the International Agri-Center’s Ag Warriors program. Through the program, and with the help of California State University, Fresno and College of the Sequoias, returning veterans will receive training that will prepare them for careers in agriculture. The program is an in-residence course which will include class work, field work, exam preparation, testing, mentorship and internships-all designed to expose returning veterans to the broader aspects of the agriculture industry and to help them gain access to rewarding careers.

11-08-11 *US Senator Bennet (D-CO)* New Public Computer Centers Across Colorado

Dear Barn Media:

Libraries provide an invaluable service to our nation. As a former Superintendent and a father of three young daughters, I have seen firsthand the crucial role libraries play in promoting early literacy and learning. They are also important resources for adults – providing resumé development programs, job bank websites, and family literacy classes.

CLICK HERE to see a map of the participating Colorado Libraries...

I thought this would be useful information for you to share with your community as we work together to close the digital divide. For more information about these public computer centers and to find one near your area please click here. 

Sincerely,

Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator

11-08-11 *USDA-FSIS News/Tips* Prepare a Safe and Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey for Your Guests

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline

USDA provides food safety steps hosts can incorporate into their favorite recipes this Thanksgiving, reducing the risk of food poisoning from Salmonella and other pathogens 

WASHINGTON, Nov 8th, 2011- It is the time of year again when celebrity chefs and cooking magazines are advocating the newest trends in cooking a turkey. Whether you use a tried-and-true recipe or a creative new method, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) wants to help you cook it safely. Once you choose a recipe, pair these steps with your cooking instructions to prepare a turkey that is both delicious and safe for your family. 

“Job number one for our agency is making sure that food is safe before it gets to market. Additionally, we want to remind consumers that they will reduce their chance of foodborne illness by following four basic steps—clean, separate, cook and chill,” said Under Secretary Elisabeth Hagen. ” A Thanksgiving turkey is only ready to serve to guests when it’s safe—that’s when the thickest part of it has reached 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Keeping hands and surfaces clean, separating raw meat from food that will not be cooked, and properly storing leftovers are all steps Americans can take to prevent foodborne illness on Thanksgiving and always.” 

One Week in Advance: Get your turkey ready to cook 

Cooks preparing a frozen turkey should make their purchase a few days to a week in advance to allow time for thawing. If you plan to buy a fresh turkey, do not buy it too soon. Fresh, unfrozen poultry should be kept in the refrigerator no more than two days before cooking. This is also a good time to make sure you have a food thermometer for the big day. If not, pick up one at the store when you purchase your turkey. 

The optimal place to thaw poultry is in the refrigerator. Leave the frozen bird in its original wrapper and place it on a tray to catch any juices that may leak from the package. Bacteria in meat juices can cross-contaminate other foods that will be eaten without further cooking or that are already cooked, possibly causing foodborne illness. Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time for every four to five pounds of frozen turkey. Thawed turkey can stay in the refrigerator for one to two days before cooking. 

If it is the day before Thanksgiving and your turkey is still in the freezer, or if there is no room in the refrigerator for thawing, do not panic! You can thaw your turkey by the cold water method. Submerge the turkey in a container with enough cold water to cover the bird, and change the water every 30 minutes. Calculate 30 minutes per pound of turkey for thawing time. 

As a last resort, cook your turkey from the frozen state. It will thaw and cook in one step, but it will require 50 percent additional cooking time. The drawback: you cannot stuff a frozen bird. 

One to Two Days in Advance: Pick your stuffing method

11-08-11 Western Regional Sustainable Ag Crops & Livestock Conference Dec 2nd in Ogallala, NE

CLICK HERE for more details and to view a pdf of the agenda...

11-08-11 NACD Supports Barrasso-Heller Efforts to Uphold the Clean Water Act

CLICK HERE to learn more about the NACD

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Nov. 8, 2011—The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is calling on the Senate to support an amendment by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Dean Heller (R-NV) to defund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ attempt to expand its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The amendment was introduced as part as of H.R. 2354, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for Fiscal year 2012. 

 

“We agree with Senators Barrasso and Heller that the jurisdictional reach of the Clean Water Act should not be expanded,” said NACD President Gene Schmidt. “As conservationists, we fully support the common goal of achieving cleaner, healthier watersheds across the nation. The best way to achieve clean water is through locally-led conservation efforts, rather than a one-size-fits-all, top-down federal regulatory approach. States, local governments and private landowners play a critical leadership role in water management.”

The nation’s 3,000 conservation districts work closely with state and local governments, agricultural producers, forest landowners, homeowners and developers to address local water resource concerns and protect our streams, rivers, and lakes. This work encompasses several CWA authorities, including Section 319 nonpoint source grants, stormwater permits and source water/drinking water protection.

11-08-11 *CO FFA NEWS* MOUNTAIN VET SUPPLY to Support Colorado FFA Members all across the State

Mountain Vet Supply in Ft. Collins and Pfizer Animal Health has teamed with the Colorado FFA Foundation to provide support for FFA students in Colorado. Through a generous rebate program made possible by Pfizer Animal Health, Mountain Vet Supply is providing $6,000 to the Colorado FFA Foundation.

The donation will help the Colorado FFA Foundation provide funds for it’s partner organizations; The Colorado FFA Association, Colorado FFA Alumni, CSU Agriculture Education Program, Colorado Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, and The Colorado Young Farmers. All of these organizations promote agriculture and support Colorado FFA members throughout the entire state.

“Our partner organizations work diligently to assist FFA members throughout the year.  By funding their endeavors we are impacting FFA members all across the state,” said Dale McCall, Chairman of the Colorado FFA Foundation. “This program is so helpful for our foundation and all of our partner organizations that we call TEAM Ag-Ed.”

The Colorado FFA Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support the more than 5,500 FFA members in Colorado’s 100 chapters. FFA is a national organization of 506,199 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.

 

11-07-11 USDA Celebrates Veterans Day, Honors More Than 10,000 Veterans Working At USDA

Multiple Activities Focus on Our Nation’s Service Men and Women

WASHINGTON, November 8, 2011 – In the time-honored tradition of standing with those who have served this nation in uniform, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a number of activities this week to recognize the soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and coastguardsmen who so ably serve. Their selfless and courageous contributions over generations mean that Americans enjoy the freedom and liberty our founders imagined.

“Today, we commemorate America’s veterans and their achievements,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “We can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to the service members who were wounded or died in battle. We can, however, recognize and thank the more than 20 million living American veterans. And we can offer special thanks and acknowledgment to the more than 10,000 veterans working at USDA.”

11-08-11 *NCBA’s Beltway Beef* GIPSA Rule Update…

CLICK HERE to listen to today's Beltway Beef courtesy of the NCBA...

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Beltway Beef weekly audio is ready. On Fri, Nov. 4, 2011, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall attended a briefing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the status of USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule on livestock and poultry marketing. As you know, NCBA has been a leading voice against this rule as it was written.

Woodall says a final rule has been submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) containing four out of the five provisions included in the 2008 Farm Bill. These provisions apply to poultry and do not have an impact on cattlemen, Woodall says. OMB has 45 days to review the rule.

Even though many of these actions are positive, Woodall says the fight is not over. By law, USDA must define undue preference and unfair practices. Even though USDA has postponed that action, USDA is reviewing those provisions and the provisions relating to competitive injury for a future re-proposed rule. Woodall encourages cattlemen to stay engaged in order to prevent any adverse effects on the U.S. cattle industry.

This weekly commentary features NCBA members, leaders, staff and more week after week. Click here to download this week’s segment of Beltway Beef. Click here for all previous clips.

Be sure to read about this and more on NCBA’s blog, Beltway Beef. Follow Beltway Beef on Twitter, like us on Facebook, watch video on YouTube and download pictures from Flickr.

11-08-11 Red Angus Honors Members at National Convention

The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) honored members and industry friends at the 2011 Red Angus National Convention held in Durham, N.C., Sept. 15-16.

Breeder of the Year – Ludvigson Stock Farms of Cushing, Iowa, and Billings, Mont.

Pioneer Breeder of the Year – Leland Red Angus of Sidney, Mont.

John V. Robbins Distinguished Service – Martin Morgan of Leicester, N.C.

Commercial Producer of the Year – Kenansville Cattle Co. of St. Cloud, Fla.

Commercial Producer of the Year – Sun Ag, Inc. of Fellsmere, Fla.

Industry Service – Superior Livestock of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Greeley, Colo.

International Service – Doug Fee of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Melvin Leland Innovative Leadership – Melvin Leland of Sidney, Mont.

Personality of the Year – Mark Moxley of West Friendship, Md.

Outstanding Junior Member – Cassie Kniebel of White City, Kan.

For more information on the RAAA, contact the national office at (940) 387-3502 or visit the website at redangus.org.

11-08-11 *History-CO Centennial Farm Project* Meet Washington County’s J.A. Lindahl Family of Akron…

J.A. Lindahl & Co, Akron, Washington County (1906)...Our daughter Kris Vrooman and her family Lee, Justin, Allison, and Megan also Tim's family, Sarah, Elizabeth, Caroline, & Joy attended the presentation at the state Fair via the BARN Media LIVE webcast as Kris lives in central NE and Tim's family because of school commitments was unable to attend in person...CLICK HERE to listen to the interview with Carl Lindahl from November the 8th, 2011

CLICK HERE to listen to more interviews with 2011 Centennial Farm Inductees…

11-08-11 *CLA News* New Report Finds That Agricultural Innovation Benefits National Economy…

Crop Protection Products Positively Impact the U.S. Economy, Consumers and the Environment

WASHINGTON, DC – The use of crop protection products, including insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, helps U.S. agriculture to remain a key economic driver, according to a new report released today by CropLife America (CLA). Using the resources of economists and agricultural sources within the U.S. government, agronomist Mark Goodwin (Mark Goodwin Consulting Ltd.) authored the new report, titled “The Contribution of Crop Protection Products to the U.S. Economy,” in conjunction with CLA, the national trade association representing the manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science technologies. The report reveals that across the U.S., the increased crop production and resultant economic spin-offs that stem from the use of crop protection products generate $33 billion in wages for over 1.05 million American workers. These jobs span beyond the farming industry to additional sectors, including manufacturing, food services, construction, transportation and more. The report is available for download at www.croplifeamerica.org/economic-impact.

“While America continues to recover from overall staggering economic challenges and high unemployment levels, our farmers and ranchers stand poised as an important part of the solution,” said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “This report finds that when equipped with the best tools and resources, the agricultural community helps create well-paying jobs in the workplace through increased productivity and crop output. As such, it is more important than ever that we establish sound policy that allows U.S. agriculture to thrive, and allows for the continued innovation and investment in the crop protection industry.”

11-08-11 CCA Action Alert: URGE SENATE TO VOTE YES ON CWA APPROPRIATIONS AMENDMENT

URGE SENATE TO VOTE YES ON CWA APPROPRIATIONS AMENDMENT                                                                                                    Take Action!

The Senate is likely to vote as early as Wed., Nov. 9, 2011, on an amendment sponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012 that would defund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) attempt to expand its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA) through guidance documents and/or regulation. Please CONTACT YOUR SENATORS and urge them to vote YES on the BARRASSO/HELLER CWA Amendment .

Background

In spring 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps proposed a “guidance” document that attempts to expand their jurisdiction under the CWA to include almost all waters across the country. Below are talking points for your use:

• The guidance uses broad language to define things such as “tributaries” that could lead to almost any roadside, agricultural ditch or intermittent stream being subject to EPA and the Corps’ jurisdiction.
• The guidance defines “traditional navigable waters” as any water that supports one-time recreational use (one trip in a canoe down a stream would qualify a water as a “traditional navigable water”). In the history of the Clean Water Act, the term “traditional navigable water” has only been used to describe major rivers that can float commercial vehicles like barges.
• Under this guidance, waters do not have to have a surface connection to a larger body of water that actually moves goods in interstate commerce to be subject to EPA/Corps’ jurisdiction. The water body does not even have to have actual water in it for much of the year to be jurisdictional.
• It allows the agencies to “aggregate” similar types of waters (small streams, adjacent wetlands, ditches or isolated waters) within a watershed. This means the agencies only have to make a “jurisdictional determination” on one water body to then get jurisdiction over numerous others without considering them individually.
• The guidance goes beyond both the Supreme Court decisions inSWANCC and Rapanos because it takes the court’s narrow opinion on wetlands and applies it to all types of waters.
• The amendment would prevent the Corps from finalizing this guidance, and would also stop the Corps from initiating a rulemaking that would more broadly define “waters of the United States .”

11-08-11 Weed Science Society of America Says There’s No Place for Weeds at the Holidays!

LAWRENCE, KANSAS – November 8, 2011 – Today the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) is spotlighting the impact of effective weed control on the holiday traditions we hold most dear – from the foods that grace our holiday table to the decorations that adorn our homes.

“A lot of behind the scenes effort is exerted by growers, land managers and other dedicated professionals to keep weeds at bay,” says Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., science policy director of WSSA.  “The steps they take help us preserve many of our most treasured foods and fun.”

Here are a few examples of the impact effective weed control makes on the holidays: 

11-08-11 Agrium Advanced Technologies adds to North America Marketing Team

Ron Dekok assumes responsibilities as North America Marketing Manager, Turf & Ornamental Wholesale division

LOVELAND, Colo. (November 7, 2011) – Agrium Advanced Technologies today announces the addition of Ron Dekok as North America Marketing Manager for the company’s Turf & Ornamental Wholesale division.

In his new role, Dekok will have responsibility for each of the POLYON® and DURATION CR® Controlled-Release Fertilizer and PRECISE® Controlled-Release Protection product lines in North America. Based out of their Loveland, Colo. offices, Dekok will report to Jeff Novak, Vice President of Marketing for Agrium Advanced Technologies.

“Ron’s expertise, combined with his experience leading marketing efforts from a distribution perspective, will help us accomplish the upcoming sales goals for the Turf & Ornamental Wholesale division”, said Andrew Mittag, President, Agrium Advanced Technologies.

Prior to joining the Turf & Ornamental Wholesale division, Ron served as Marketing Manager for Direct Solutions, the direct-to-market sales division of Agrium Advanced Technologies. Dekok had also worked as the Sales & Marketing Manager for Canadian ProHort prior to and following its acquisition by Agrium Advanced Technologies in 2008.

About Agrium Advanced Technologies

11-08-11 Operation Homefront – Colorado Partners with Local Dollar Tree Stores for Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit Military Children

Colorado Springs, CO – Operation Homefront – Colorado and Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) have joined forces again this holiday season to gather holiday gifts for military children in the Colorado Springs and Denver areas.  The toys will be donated by customers of the more than 4,000 Dollar Tree and Deal$ stores nationwide.

The Colorado toy drive is part of a nationwide campaign by Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree, now in its fifth holiday season.  Last year, Dollar Tree patrons donated over 6 million toys nationwide, and this year hopes to beat that record.  The toy drive comes at a time when Operation Homefront, a national non-profit which provides emergency financial and other services to military families and wounded warriors, met 5percent more needs for families and saw requests for food assistance more than double in the last two years.

“For the last five years, Dollar Tree and its customers have helped boost the morale of our community’s service members,” said Carol Ann Mountjoy, President of Operation Homefront – Colorado. “Military families are not only dealing with the effects of the war, but also the current economic difficulties. These issues put a lot of weight on military families who are trying to rebuild their lives. These toys, donated by Dollar Tree customers nationwide, will allow them to provide a happy holiday for their children.”

“Dollar Tree is a proud, national sponsor of Operation Homefront,” said Chelle Davis, Dollar Tree spokesperson. “We are honored to participate in this program and thank our customers for their generosity and support.”

Dollar Tree stores will collect items November 1 – December 6.  Once the program ends, Operation Homefront volunteers will collect and distribute the gifts to military children during holiday events.  In areas where Operation Homefront does not have a chapter, local military support groups will distribute the toys to military families and their children.