NASDA News
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:10 am
A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
This Week
Senate Ag Committee to Markup Farm Bill Soon
APHIS Dedicates April to Public Awareness of Invasive Pests
Food Export-Northeast Seeks International Marketing Program Manager
MA: Gov. Patrick thanks Com. Soares for his service, swears-in Gregory Watson as new Com. of Agriculture
IN: Lt. Gov. Skillman Launches New Program for Indiana-Grown Goods
KY: Kentucky: Com. Comer Warns Equine Owners Conditions are Ripe for West Nile Activity
NE: Urban Youth to Experience Life on the Farm
NC: NCDA&CS to Begin Placing Gypsy Moth Traps
OR: ODA Awards Funds to Counties Impacted by Wolves
WI: Dairy 30x20 Grants Available for Farmers to Become More Profitable
For More Information
Please contact a member of the NASDA Farm Policy Staff:
Bob Ehart
Amy Hendrickson
Nathan Bowen
Amanda Bryant
April 3, 2012
News from Washington:
Senate Ag Committee to Markup Farm Bill Soon
With the Senate Farm Bill hearings over, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has said that the markup portion of the process will begin very soon. Although a deadline has not been set, Stabenow has indicated her committee will likely markup legislation by the end of April. The Senate Agriculture Committee is still working off the $23 billion reduction included in the recommendations to the super-committee Stabenow and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) made last fall. However, with the passage of the Ryan (R-WI) budget in the House, the House Agriculture Committee will likely work off a $33 billion reduction.
In related news, Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND), Max Baucus (D-MT), and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced a proposal aimed at updating the commodity title. The legislation would combine Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance (SURE) and Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) to create the Revenue Loss Assistance Program (RLAP), makes the Livestock Disaster Assistance program permanent, and renews the Counter-Cyclical Program. (Staff Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
APHIS Dedicates April to Public Awareness of Invasive Pests
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is dedicating the month of April to increasing public awareness of invasive plant pests, diseases, and harmful weeds and the damage they create for American agriculture. APHIS is urging the public to visit www.HungryPests.com for tips and information on how to prevent the dispersal of invasive pests and protect America's agricultural resources. In addition, APHIS is engaging the public through social media outlets Facebook and Twitter, public service announcements on television and radio, and by collaborating with states on state-specific outreach materials. (Staff Contact: Bob Ehart, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
Food Export-Northeast Seeks International Marketing Program Manager
Food Export-Northeast is seeking candidates for an International Marketing Program (Generic) Manager position in Philadelphia, PA. To view the vacancy announcement, click here.
News from the States:
Massachusetts: Governor Patrick thanks Commissioner Soares for his service, swears-in Gregory Watson as new Commissioner of Agriculture
On Monday, Governor Deval Patrick swore in Gregory Watson as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources (DAR). Watson is succeeding current DAR Commissioner Scott J. Soares who is leaving to serve as executive director of the Cranberry Marketing Committee in July.
"I want to thank Scott Soares for his 16 years of dedicated service to the Commonwealth, where he has not only benefitted our farmers, but has enriched the Commonwealth as a whole," said Governor Patrick. "I know that Greg Watson will lead the department into the future with his knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to our diverse agriculture economy."
Watson previously held this position from 1990 to 1993, when he served as the Commissioner of what was then called the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. Watson has a long connection to Massachusetts farming, first serving in the Department's Bureau of Markets in 1978, later in the Secretariat of Economic Development on fostering agri-bio-technology and finally as Director of the New Alchemy Institute in Falmouth, an applied research farm with close links to the cranberry, vegetable and green industry. (Press release courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs)
Indiana: Lt. Governor Skillman Launches New Program for Indiana-Grown Goods
Today Lt. Governor Becky Skillman launched the new Indiana Grown program at the Expo Hall on the Indiana State Fair Grounds. The announcement comes in conjunction with the start of the Indiana Artisan Marketplace.
Indiana Grown is a cooperative effort among farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to brand and promote Indiana produce and production. The new certification program encompasses everything from produce and field crops to dairy, meat and poultry products, to horticulture.
"This program will provide the visual recognition long needed to better showcase the wide variety of fresh, high quality foods and products our Hoosier growers have to offer," said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Our goal is to help families from not only here in our state but around the globe easily identify and buy Indiana-grown products." For more information about Indiana Grown, click here. To view the full press release, click here.
Kentucky: Commissioner Comer Warns Equine Owners Conditions are Ripe for West Nile Activity
Last week, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer issued a warning that weather conditions are ripe for an outbreak of West Nile Virus and cited State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout's advice that Kentucky equine owners should consult their veterinarians about vaccinating their horses against the disease.
"While we do not wish to cause unnecessary alarm, we are concerned about the equine population's vulnerability to this potentially deadly disease," said Commissioner Comer. "I am confident that Kentucky's equine owners will act in the best interests of their horses and seek guidance on vaccinations."
West Nile is spread by mosquitoes, and mosquitoes thrive in the warm, wet conditions Kentucky has experienced in the last few weeks. No horse in Kentucky that has undergone a full West Nile vaccination regimen is known to have contracted the virus since 2003, according to Dr. Stout. For more information, click here.
Nebraska: Urban Youth to Experience Life on the Farm
Youth, even those from Nebraska, can be three to four generations removed from the family farm. That is exactly the reason why the members of the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC) have invited urban youth to visit area farms for a day.
The annual NAYC Urban Youth Farm Tour will take place on Tuesday, April 3. The NAYC will be joined by more than 280 elementary students and their teachers from St. Wenceslaus in Wahoo, St. Vincent in Seward, Raymond Central in Ceresco and Washington Elementary in Fremont, as they visit operating beef, dairy, swine, sheep, and grain farms near Wahoo.
"The Urban Youth Farm Tour is a great way for the younger students to discover agriculture and learn where their food comes from, and who is producing it," said NAYC Head Counselor Ethan Smith. For more information, click here.
North Carolina: NCDA&CS to Begin Placing Gypsy Moth Traps
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will soon begin its annual survey for the non-native, highly destructive gypsy moth. Starting in early April, orange triangular traps and green milk carton-shaped traps will be placed on both public and private lands throughout North Carolina to monitor for the presence of the gypsy moth.
"It is crucial that members of the public not disturb gypsy moth traps," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "Contact information will be included on the bottom of each trap, and the public is welcome to check in with my staff for additional program information." For more information, click here.
Oregon: ODA Awards Funds to Counties Impacted by Wolves
The Oregon Department of Agriculture, working with Governor Kitzhaber's office, has approved $82,970 in funding appropriated by the 2011 State Legislature for county-level work to implement the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. Funds have been distributed to eight counties east of the Cascade Mountains for actual livestock losses caused by wolves and for proactive efforts to prevent wolf impacts on livestock.
"We are pleased to announce these awards, and we thank everyone involved for their efforts to implement this new program," says Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba. "The conflict between wolves and livestock is controversial, and addressing the issue appropriately is important to all sides. We think this program is a good example of how government at the state and county levels can effectively work together to make a difference." For more information, click here.
Wisconsin: Dairy 30x20 Grants Available for Farmers to Become More Profitable
The Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has been working for dairy farmers for years, and now there are new grants available to do more. The Grow Wisconsin Dairy Producer Grants offer technical assistance to dairy farmers to help them meet the state's goal of the Dairy 30x20 Initiative.
"Governor Walker recently announced the Dairy 30x20 Initiative and his commitment to the long-term viability of the state's $26.5 billion dairy industry," said DATCP Secretary Ben Brancel. "The Grow Wisconsin Dairy Producer Grants are a new tool available for producers to retain farms, facilitate operational changes and improve profitability. By helping each farm become profitable, Wisconsin will produce 30 billion pounds of milk annually by 2020."
The grant will be flexible and customizable to meet the needs of individual farms. Monies from the grant will be used by farmers to hire consultants and build a team of experts with a broad range of expertise to address specific business needs on their operation. For more information, click here.
Join Our Mailing List!
NASDA does not discriminate in employment practices or programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, or family status.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
1156 15th Street, Suite 1020 Washington, DC 20005
This Week
Senate Ag Committee to Markup Farm Bill Soon
APHIS Dedicates April to Public Awareness of Invasive Pests
Food Export-Northeast Seeks International Marketing Program Manager
MA: Gov. Patrick thanks Com. Soares for his service, swears-in Gregory Watson as new Com. of Agriculture
IN: Lt. Gov. Skillman Launches New Program for Indiana-Grown Goods
KY: Kentucky: Com. Comer Warns Equine Owners Conditions are Ripe for West Nile Activity
NE: Urban Youth to Experience Life on the Farm
NC: NCDA&CS to Begin Placing Gypsy Moth Traps
OR: ODA Awards Funds to Counties Impacted by Wolves
WI: Dairy 30x20 Grants Available for Farmers to Become More Profitable
For More Information
Please contact a member of the NASDA Farm Policy Staff:
Bob Ehart
Amy Hendrickson
Nathan Bowen
Amanda Bryant
April 3, 2012
News from Washington:
Senate Ag Committee to Markup Farm Bill Soon
With the Senate Farm Bill hearings over, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has said that the markup portion of the process will begin very soon. Although a deadline has not been set, Stabenow has indicated her committee will likely markup legislation by the end of April. The Senate Agriculture Committee is still working off the $23 billion reduction included in the recommendations to the super-committee Stabenow and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) made last fall. However, with the passage of the Ryan (R-WI) budget in the House, the House Agriculture Committee will likely work off a $33 billion reduction.
In related news, Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND), Max Baucus (D-MT), and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced a proposal aimed at updating the commodity title. The legislation would combine Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance (SURE) and Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) to create the Revenue Loss Assistance Program (RLAP), makes the Livestock Disaster Assistance program permanent, and renews the Counter-Cyclical Program. (Staff Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
APHIS Dedicates April to Public Awareness of Invasive Pests
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is dedicating the month of April to increasing public awareness of invasive plant pests, diseases, and harmful weeds and the damage they create for American agriculture. APHIS is urging the public to visit www.HungryPests.com for tips and information on how to prevent the dispersal of invasive pests and protect America's agricultural resources. In addition, APHIS is engaging the public through social media outlets Facebook and Twitter, public service announcements on television and radio, and by collaborating with states on state-specific outreach materials. (Staff Contact: Bob Ehart, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
Food Export-Northeast Seeks International Marketing Program Manager
Food Export-Northeast is seeking candidates for an International Marketing Program (Generic) Manager position in Philadelphia, PA. To view the vacancy announcement, click here.
News from the States:
Massachusetts: Governor Patrick thanks Commissioner Soares for his service, swears-in Gregory Watson as new Commissioner of Agriculture
On Monday, Governor Deval Patrick swore in Gregory Watson as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources (DAR). Watson is succeeding current DAR Commissioner Scott J. Soares who is leaving to serve as executive director of the Cranberry Marketing Committee in July.
"I want to thank Scott Soares for his 16 years of dedicated service to the Commonwealth, where he has not only benefitted our farmers, but has enriched the Commonwealth as a whole," said Governor Patrick. "I know that Greg Watson will lead the department into the future with his knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to our diverse agriculture economy."
Watson previously held this position from 1990 to 1993, when he served as the Commissioner of what was then called the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. Watson has a long connection to Massachusetts farming, first serving in the Department's Bureau of Markets in 1978, later in the Secretariat of Economic Development on fostering agri-bio-technology and finally as Director of the New Alchemy Institute in Falmouth, an applied research farm with close links to the cranberry, vegetable and green industry. (Press release courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs)
Indiana: Lt. Governor Skillman Launches New Program for Indiana-Grown Goods
Today Lt. Governor Becky Skillman launched the new Indiana Grown program at the Expo Hall on the Indiana State Fair Grounds. The announcement comes in conjunction with the start of the Indiana Artisan Marketplace.
Indiana Grown is a cooperative effort among farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to brand and promote Indiana produce and production. The new certification program encompasses everything from produce and field crops to dairy, meat and poultry products, to horticulture.
"This program will provide the visual recognition long needed to better showcase the wide variety of fresh, high quality foods and products our Hoosier growers have to offer," said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Our goal is to help families from not only here in our state but around the globe easily identify and buy Indiana-grown products." For more information about Indiana Grown, click here. To view the full press release, click here.
Kentucky: Commissioner Comer Warns Equine Owners Conditions are Ripe for West Nile Activity
Last week, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer issued a warning that weather conditions are ripe for an outbreak of West Nile Virus and cited State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout's advice that Kentucky equine owners should consult their veterinarians about vaccinating their horses against the disease.
"While we do not wish to cause unnecessary alarm, we are concerned about the equine population's vulnerability to this potentially deadly disease," said Commissioner Comer. "I am confident that Kentucky's equine owners will act in the best interests of their horses and seek guidance on vaccinations."
West Nile is spread by mosquitoes, and mosquitoes thrive in the warm, wet conditions Kentucky has experienced in the last few weeks. No horse in Kentucky that has undergone a full West Nile vaccination regimen is known to have contracted the virus since 2003, according to Dr. Stout. For more information, click here.
Nebraska: Urban Youth to Experience Life on the Farm
Youth, even those from Nebraska, can be three to four generations removed from the family farm. That is exactly the reason why the members of the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC) have invited urban youth to visit area farms for a day.
The annual NAYC Urban Youth Farm Tour will take place on Tuesday, April 3. The NAYC will be joined by more than 280 elementary students and their teachers from St. Wenceslaus in Wahoo, St. Vincent in Seward, Raymond Central in Ceresco and Washington Elementary in Fremont, as they visit operating beef, dairy, swine, sheep, and grain farms near Wahoo.
"The Urban Youth Farm Tour is a great way for the younger students to discover agriculture and learn where their food comes from, and who is producing it," said NAYC Head Counselor Ethan Smith. For more information, click here.
North Carolina: NCDA&CS to Begin Placing Gypsy Moth Traps
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will soon begin its annual survey for the non-native, highly destructive gypsy moth. Starting in early April, orange triangular traps and green milk carton-shaped traps will be placed on both public and private lands throughout North Carolina to monitor for the presence of the gypsy moth.
"It is crucial that members of the public not disturb gypsy moth traps," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "Contact information will be included on the bottom of each trap, and the public is welcome to check in with my staff for additional program information." For more information, click here.
Oregon: ODA Awards Funds to Counties Impacted by Wolves
The Oregon Department of Agriculture, working with Governor Kitzhaber's office, has approved $82,970 in funding appropriated by the 2011 State Legislature for county-level work to implement the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. Funds have been distributed to eight counties east of the Cascade Mountains for actual livestock losses caused by wolves and for proactive efforts to prevent wolf impacts on livestock.
"We are pleased to announce these awards, and we thank everyone involved for their efforts to implement this new program," says Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba. "The conflict between wolves and livestock is controversial, and addressing the issue appropriately is important to all sides. We think this program is a good example of how government at the state and county levels can effectively work together to make a difference." For more information, click here.
Wisconsin: Dairy 30x20 Grants Available for Farmers to Become More Profitable
The Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has been working for dairy farmers for years, and now there are new grants available to do more. The Grow Wisconsin Dairy Producer Grants offer technical assistance to dairy farmers to help them meet the state's goal of the Dairy 30x20 Initiative.
"Governor Walker recently announced the Dairy 30x20 Initiative and his commitment to the long-term viability of the state's $26.5 billion dairy industry," said DATCP Secretary Ben Brancel. "The Grow Wisconsin Dairy Producer Grants are a new tool available for producers to retain farms, facilitate operational changes and improve profitability. By helping each farm become profitable, Wisconsin will produce 30 billion pounds of milk annually by 2020."
The grant will be flexible and customizable to meet the needs of individual farms. Monies from the grant will be used by farmers to hire consultants and build a team of experts with a broad range of expertise to address specific business needs on their operation. For more information, click here.
Join Our Mailing List!
NASDA does not discriminate in employment practices or programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, or family status.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
1156 15th Street, Suite 1020 Washington, DC 20005