05-14-13 Inside the RMFU with President Kent Peppler…Farm Bill, SB-252, CO FFA State Convention and MORE…

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) May 14th, 2013  - Joining me Inside the BARN on the Colorado Ag News Network for this month’s Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Radioline Report is RMFU President Kent Peppler of Mead, CO, discussing several topics including: the Farm Bill, SB-252 Increasing the Renewable Energy Mandate in Colorado, rating the CO Legislature and Governor Hickenlooper’s performances, the upcoming 2013 CO FFA State Convention and more…

To listen to the interview with RMFU President Kent Peppler, click the mp3 audio link below…

051413_rmfu-peppler_17m8s.mp3

To learn more about the Rocky Mountain Farmers Uinion - CLICK HERE

To learn more about the RMFU’s Renewable Energy Center - CLICK HERE

04-26-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Accomplishing More by Democratizing Data…

For an audio version of this column, please click here

Here in the United States, we enjoy incredible benefits from scientific research – including an amazing amount of useful data.

Data is a very powerful tool, and an important asset for innovation. President Obama made clear on his first day in office that the U.S. is committed to openness in government, and that includes expanded access to scientific data.

We have a history of achieving great things by providing open access to data. For example, the release of weather data has fueled production of new tools that return more than $4 billion every year to the U.S. economy. The release of Global Positioning System technology has led to an industry that returns an estimated $90 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

Data is equally important when it comes to agricultural research. Today, taxpayer-funded agricultural research is already a great value – returning $20 in economic benefits for every dollar invested.

By opening up data generated within the government, we can get even more value for the taxpayer dollar. We can enable outside partners to build on our work, and make new advancements that help farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

We’re taking an important step this month to open access to data. On April 29 and 30 here in Washington, the G-8 group of nations and the World Bank will bring agricultural leaders from around the world together at the first-ever “G-8 International Conference on Open Data for Agriculture.”

04-12-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: The President’s 2014 Budget Proposal…

For an audio version of this column, please click here

This week, President Obama released his budget proposal for the Federal government, including USDA, for Fiscal Year 2014.

Today, the Federal budget is more important than ever. The American people expect and deserve a government that operates efficiently and effectively. We must carry out our mission while safeguarding taxpayer dollars.

Our USDA employees have worked hard in recent years to manage with fewer resources. The Department’s discretionary budget that funds our operations is lower today than it was in 2009 – but we are still getting the job done.

Part of the reason we’ve been able to accomplish this is by managing our budget proactively. We reduced our workforce, closed offices and labs, streamlined IT services and cut travel. These efforts have resulted in savings of more than $700 million in recent years.

This week’s budget proposal includes additional targeted savings for USDA. It strikes a balance to keep growing our economy and the middle class, while reducing the deficit in a common-sense and balanced way.

04-05-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Research Shows that Kids Like Healthy Options…

For an audio version of this column, please click here

The U.S. Department of Agriculture works every day to improve childhood nutrition and combat obesity in order to raise a healthier generation of Americans.

In recent days, we have had some positive developments in this work.  USDA released a promising new report on the impacts of providing our children with healthy snacks. We also took new steps to provide families with better information to combat obesity.

The new report examined the results of USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides fruits and vegetables at no cost to students in more than 7,100 schools in low income areas.

We found that as students are introduced to fresh fruits and vegetables, they try them – and in most cases, they enjoy these snacks. Students participating in the program ate 15 percent more fruits and vegetables than their peers. In fact, when these fruits and vegetables were offered in schools, almost every student tried one.

For those who chose a fruit, more than 85 percent ate most or all of their snack. For students who tried a vegetable, more than 60 percent ate most of it, or finished the whole serving.

Research by USDA’s Economic Research Service has also found that these healthy foods are often no more expensive than less-nutritious foods. Still, there are millions of American families who lack access to healthy foods due to economic or geographical barriers.

04-02-13 New major in fermentation science and technology launched at CSU…

FORT COLLINS - Leave cabbage in the crisper too long and it is a brown, stinking, squishy mess. But with a few minor tweaks, that fermented mush could end up as crunchy, tasty sauerkraut. What’s the difference? The balance of microorganisms and the process in which the “good” goes “bad.” That’s the science of fermentation.

The topic is the focus of a new and unique major taught for the first time next year in Colorado State University’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, the fermentation science and technology major. The major focuses on educating students about fermented foods and beverages such as cheese, yogurt, salami, miso, sourdough bread, beer and, of course, sauerkraut. Students will understand the process and learn production methods.

Fermentation science and technology is the first CSU major focused on the use of microorganisms – bacteria and yeast – to ferment different types of foods and beverages. Yet fermented food and drink is nothing new; cultures from around the world have practiced the art of fermentation for thousands of years. Nearly every culture has a signature fermented food, such as cheeses from different global regions, teas from China, and meats such as salami from Italy. Beer and wine are among the fermented beverages popular in many places across the globe. The ancient art is a new topic of research in food science, since new evidence is emerging regarding its long-suspected health benefits.

03-29-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Partnering with Communities to Alleviate Poverty…

For an audio version of this column, please click here

At the U.S. Department of Agriculture we’re working hard to strengthen the economy across rural America – and in recent years, we have seen positive signs of growth.

At the same time, we know that areas of high poverty still exist, and many of these are in our small towns and rural communities. In fact, nine out of ten persistent poverty counties in our nation are in rural America.

That’s why USDA launched the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity initiative.

Through StrikeForce, we provide intensive care for communities that suffer from high poverty. USDA identifies areas with over 20 percent poverty for the StrikeForce effort. We join together with communities in these areas that are working to build opportunity for their citizens. Our staff partner with local organizations and civic leaders, providing them with technical support and assistance to help them successfully apply for USDA programs.

Since 2010, we’ve piloted the StrikeForce initiative in six states – Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.  In these states, USDA has already partnered with more than 400 community based organizations. Now, we are adding ten more. These include the Dakotas, the Carolinas, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

03-25-13 Inside the CCA with Terry Fankhauser…CO Ag Day Recap, Sequester, Tail Docking & MORE…

CLICK HERE to learn more about the CCA…

Terry Fankhauser, CCA Executive Vice-President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) March 25th, 2013 - Joining the BARN by telephone is Terry Fankhauser, Executive Vice President, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association in to discuss several issues and events including:

• US Congress – Sequester – Farm Bill 
• CO Legislative Update – Tail Docking & MORE
• CCA’s Colorado Ag Day RECAP
• 2013 CO Leopold Conservation Award Winner: Visintainer Ranch of Craig, CO
• & MORE

To listen to the interview with Terry Fankhauser, click the mp3 audio link below…

032513_CCA-Fankahuser_18m17s

To learn more about the Colorado Cattlemens Association, please visit www.coloradocattle.org,

The Colorado Cattlemens Association is located @ 8833 Ralston Road, Arvada CO 80002

To contact them by phone please call 303-431-6422

03-22-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Celebrating the Resilience and Productivity of American Agriculture…

For an audio version of this column, please click here

On March 19, USDA joined millions of Americans in celebrating National Agriculture Day.

National Agriculture Day provides an important opportunity each year to say “Thank You” to America’s farmers, ranchers and growers. It’s a time to recognize their productivity and to celebrate their abilities.

Their work has real impacts for every American. Our abundant food supply means that we spend a lower portion of our income on food than the people of any other developed nation. Meanwhile, America’s agricultural exports support more than one million jobs here at home.

As we celebrate their achievements, it’s important for all of us to understand the uncertainty faced by our farmers, ranchers and growers. In the past year, they have endured the worst drought in generations – putting an extra strain on farmers, and raising input costs for livestock and dairy producers. The drought continues to impact many areas of the nation today.

03-15-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Generational Change to Improve Childhood Nutrition…

This week, we are renewing our efforts at USDA to encourage a generational shift to improve childhood nutrition.

Today, too many of our children aren’t getting the nutrition they need. One-third of today’s children are at risk for preventable health problems because of their weight. Only a quarter of our 17 to 24 year old young people are eligible for military service, in part because many of them are overweight or obese.

Meanwhile, too many kids aren’t getting enough to eat in the first place – hurting their performance at school and their chances to achieve great things.

Unless we ensure that today’s young people grow up healthy and strong, we will see more and more negative impacts in the years ahead. Reversing this trend starts with our youngest generation, and USDA has joined schools and families across the country to take action.

We have helped increase the availability of healthy foods. USDA is working with parents, teachers and school districts to provide healthier school meals – a result of nutrition standards implemented under the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This is important, because many of our children get more than half of their calories during the school day.

03-08-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Common-Sense Efficiencies and Record Accomplishments

On March 1, across-the-board spending cuts, known here in Washington as “the sequester,” took effect when Congress was unable to reach a new agreement on the budget. These cuts are required by law for every item within USDA’s budget, and they will impact all of the work we do in some way.

Under the Obama Administration, USDA already has made historic efforts to streamline operations and safeguard taxpayer dollars. Under our Blueprint for Stronger Service, we have carried out workforce reductions, closed offices and laboratories, and streamlined IT services. We have cut our travel costs by more than 42 percent since 2010. We’re always looking for new ways to save more.

These targeted efforts have already saved taxpayers more than $700 million. In fact, our operating budget today is lower than it was in 2009.

At the same time, we have achieved record results – record farm loans, record conservation efforts, record assistance for rural businesses, and much more. This was made possible by a concerted effort at every level of USDA to find smart, targeted, common-sense efficiencies.

03-01-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Laying the Groundwork for New Manufacturing Jobs…

In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out the importance of manufacturing as we seek to make America a magnet for jobs. He believes there’s much we can achieve to create new manufacturing jobs, including in rural America.

For example, we can achieve a common-sense reform of the tax code. The President proposed lowering tax rates for manufacturers by 25 percent, while ending unfair tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

We can achieve strong markets and a level playing field for American-made products. USDA has already helped the President achieve record exports of agricultural products – with more than $478 billion in agricultural exports from 2009-2012. We will be there to help expand trade with Europe, Asia and other areas throughout the world. These efforts will open doors not just for agriculture, but for quality manufactured products made here at home.

We can achieve better collaboration to help increase America’s manufacturing capacity. For one example, the President proposed the creation of Regional Manufacturing Innovation Institutes across the country. These institutes would build up partnerships among businesses, higher education organizations and the government to develop and build manufacturing technologies. Ultimately, this would help U.S.-based manufacturers and workers create good jobs on a regional basis.

02-22-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Fueling Agriculture’s Productivity to New Heights…

Today’s farmers and ranchers are the most productive in the history of our nation. By embracing innovation, farmers of many crops are able to produce more than ever today. Meanwhile, our producers, foresters and rural landowners are undertaking modern conservation practices that help them achieve three to five times the benefits of older techniques.

At USDA, we’re working to support America’s farmers and ranchers in making the next big advances in agriculture and conservation.

First and foremost, we will continue to strengthen agricultural research. In his State of the Union Address, President Obama discussed a critical need to invest in the best ideas. We know that investing in agricultural research helps the economy and strengthens agriculture. Every dollar invested in this research generates $20 in economic benefits for our nation, while giving our farmers and ranchers new tools to mitigate risk and increase production.

We also intend to further strengthen conservation efforts while helping farmers adapt to a changing climate. Over the coming year, USDA will build up additional technical assistance and provide new tools to help producers mitigate the effects of extreme weather patterns. Because the impacts of climate change will vary across the country, we’ll explore ways to organize our efforts by region – with an aim to provide appropriate help for folks in every part of the country.

02-15-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: A Magnet for Jobs…

This week, in his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out his plan to make America a magnet for jobs in the generations to come, and further strengthen the middle class.   He stressed that in the wealthiest nation on earth, we must build up ladders of opportunity – to ensure that folks who work hard and play by the rules have a chance to get ahead.

The values the President spoke of in his address are shared by many across Rural America. Our farmers, ranchers, rural businesses and families are committed to the value of hard work. They agree that we owe today’s young people the opportunity to get ahead. They know that we must continue working to alleviate rural poverty to build up the middle class across our nation.

The President’s first priority is to make America a magnet for jobs – and when it comes to job creation, there’s no place like rural America.

Our farmers and ranchers support one in 12 American jobs today, with unlimited potential in the years ahead as we grow and export more. Exports of quality U.S. agricultural products already support more than a million jobs here at home, and USDA will continue working with the President to open new markets for U.S. agriculture in Europe, Asia and around the world.

02-08-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Biofuels Hold Unlimited Opportunity to Grow the Rural Economy…

At USDA, we’ve made record efforts in the past four years to support homegrown energy. This year, we’re looking ahead to a promising future for biofuels.

Biofuels have already contributed a great deal to our economy, to our energy security and to the bottom line on our farms and ranches. Today we’re taking steps to strengthen the biofuels industry and helping innovate the next generation of advanced biofuels.

For example, we’ve invested more than $320 million into biofuels research to help accelerate the development of technology needed to take the next big steps.

USDA has complemented those investments with the creation of six new research centers across America to develop new strategies for biofuels creation, while ensuring that each region of the nation can contribute to homegrown energy.

We are also working to strengthen the whole supply chain for advanced biofuels, from the farmers who grow energy crops to the end users of advanced biofuels.

02-01-13 *USDA Op-Ed* Vilsack: “On the Road to Another Record Year for Agricultural Trade”

The prosperity of American agriculture provides us with a secure and abundant food supply here at home – and tremendous opportunity to export quality U.S. products across the globe.

Today, the American brand of agriculture is surging in popularity worldwide. Fiscal years 2009-2012 represent the strongest four years in history for agricultural trade, with U.S. agricultural product exports exceeding $478 billion over these four years.

2013 is off to a roaring start already – with agricultural exports on track to set a new record.

This week has brought especially good news for America’s beef producers. On Monday, the Government of Japan—which represents our fourth largest agricultural export market—announced an agreement to expand access for U.S. beef. We estimate that this new agreement will result in hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits for the U.S. economy in the coming years.

This builds on USDA’s efforts to break down barriers to trade around the world. In the past year alone, we’ve expanded access for Pacific Northwest apples to South Africa; citrus and cherries to Korea; and poultry to Macedonia – just to name a few of many examples.

01-31-13 Inside the RMFU with President Kent Peppler…Farm Bill Extension, Oil Gas Setbacks, CO Ag HOF, Gov’s Forum & MORE…

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) January 31st, 2013 - Joining me Inside the BARN on the Colorado Ag News Network for this month’s Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Radioline Report is RMFU President Kent Peppler of Mead, CO, discussing several topics including: Farm Bill Extension; Oil & Gas Setback History & New Regulations; 2013 CO Agricultue Hall of Fame Banquet, 2013 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture & MORE…

To listen to the interview with RMFU President Kent Peppler, click the mp3 audio link below…

013113_RMFU_Peppler_18m38s

To learn more about the Rocky Mountain Farmers Uinion - CLICK HERE

To learn more about the RMFU’s Renewable Energy Center - CLICK HERE

01-18-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: Growing Opportunity by Expanding Access to Credit

Today, USDA remains focused on working with Congress to secure a comprehensive, multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. A comprehensive Farm Bill will allow USDA to carry on our record efforts to support agriculture, conservation, trade, research and rural development efforts – and it will provide needed support and certainty for folks in rural America.

USDA’s credit programs provide a very good example of the positive impact a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would have for our nation.

Through programs authorized under the current Farm Bill, USDA provides access to credit that helps farmers to buy or expand an operation, helps businesses to grow and hire more, helps rural families looking for a good place to live and helps build up rural communities.

Since 2009, USDA has provided more than 134,000 farm loans to help farmers and ranchers grow or expand an operation – a record effort during a tough time for many producers to get a loan.

We’ve provided record credit to help more than 620,000 rural families buy or refinance a home. Credit programs have helped provide assistance for nearly 60,000 rural businesses, from main street shops to cutting-edge new biorefineries. And these programs have helped USDA implement nearly 8,000 critical projects to improve quality of life in rural communities.

01-16-13 *USDA Op-Ed* Vilsack: “The Importance of a Strong Safety Net”…

At the beginning of this New Year, we at USDA are redoubling our efforts to achieve an adequate, defensible safety net for producers, more economic opportunity through the biobased economy, safe and nutritious food for Americans, robust efforts to carry out research and greater conservation of our natural resources.

To further our efforts in these areas, I hope to work with Congress this year to secure passage of a comprehensive, multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.

One very important part of a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is to provide a safety net for America’s producers, who face a great deal of uncertainty in their work – both from Mother Nature and market prices. Historically, the Farm Bill authorizes USDA to provide disaster assistance for producers and step in with help when they face volatile markets.

For example, prior to the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill disaster programs, USDA was able to provide more than 400,000 disaster payments totaling more than $4 billion in assistance. In fact, had the programs not previously expired, we would have been able to provide an estimated $500 million dollars in additional help for drought-impacted livestock producers in 2012.

01-11-13 *USDA Weekly Column* Vilsack: The Importance of a Strong Safety Net…

At the beginning of this New Year, we at USDA are redoubling our efforts to achieve an adequate, defensible safety net for producers, more economic opportunity through the biobased economy, safe and nutritious food for Americans, robust efforts to carry out research and greater conservation of our natural resources.

To further our efforts in these areas, I hope to work with Congress this year to secure passage of a comprehensive, multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.

One very important part of a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is to provide a safety net for America’s producers, who face a great deal of uncertainty in their work – both from Mother Nature and market prices. Historically, the Farm Bill authorizes USDA to provide disaster assistance for producers and step in with help when they face volatile markets.

For example, prior to the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill disaster programs, USDA was able to provide more than 400,000 disaster payments totaling more than $4 billion in assistance. In fact, had the programs not previously expired, we would have been able to provide an estimated $500 million dollars in additional help for drought-impacted livestock producers in 2012.

01-03-13 Inside the RMFU with President Kent Peppler…American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, Farm Bill Extension & MORE

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) January 3rd, 2013 - Joining me Inside the BARN on the Colorado Ag News Network for this month’s Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Radioline Report is RMFU President Kent Peppler of Mead, CO.

Topics covered in this month’s RMFU Radioline report include:

• HR-8 “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 pass in the US COngress and signed into law by President Obama
• Taxes – Individuals, Farmers/Ranchers & Estate Taxes
• 2008 Farm Bill Extension
• NFU’s latest Farmers’ Share Retail Food Report from December 2012
• & MORE

To listen to the interview with RMFU President Kent Peppler, click the mp3 audio link below…

010313_RMFU_Peppler_17m32s

For more information about the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union – CLICK HERE

To listen to past editions of the RMFU Radioline reports heard on the BARN’s Colorado Ag News Network statewide – CLICK HERE