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Job Well Done!
National Ag Week (March 14-20) celebrates the American farm family and its contribution to our nation’s quality of life. Seventy years ago, the average farmer produced enough food annually to feed eight people. Today, each farm family provides nourishment for more than 130 people. The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers salutes everyone involved in food and fiber production. It takes a team effort, from the men and women who raise livestock and grow crops to those who deliver the seed, service the machinery and transport food and renewable energy to families down the road and across the globe. To each and every Iowa farmer, we say “job well done!” |
| Date | Title | |
| 3005 | 3/18/2010 12:51:15 PM | Kentucky House committee passes farm animal care bill | Bill now goes to full House for consideration. |
| 3004 | 3/18/2010 12:48:10 PM | EPA may use online forum to expand regulatory reach | Says discussion may shape efforts to further limit ag activities. |
| 3003 | 3/18/2010 12:04:57 PM | Modest food price increase predicted for 2010 | Consumers likely to see 4-5 percent increase in retail food prices. |
| 3002 | 3/17/2010 10:06:35 PM | Michigan Farm Bureau blasts 'Michigan Meatout Day' | Silly publicity stunt endorsed by Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm. |
| 3001 | 3/16/2010 2:27:16 PM | Smithfield reports return to profit | However, company quickly tempers expectations for current quarter. |
| 3000 | 3/16/2010 2:25:35 PM | Economic improvement forcast for livestock and poultry farmers | Financial recovery in ag hinges on speed of economic recovery both at home and abroad. |
| 2999 | 3/16/2010 2:16:34 PM | Pork producers urge resolution to Mexican trucking dispute | NPPC asks Obama administration to resolve dispute with southern neighbor. |
| 2998 | 3/16/2010 2:15:17 PM | Business expansion for farms entering downward cycle | Corn Belt, however,continues to be huoyed by strong demand from livestock, energy sectors. |
| 2997 | 3/15/2010 12:05:45 PM | National Ag Week celebrated March 14-20 | Special events will be held, culminating with National Ag Day March 20. |
| 2996 | 3/12/2010 4:00:53 PM | Let’s have a conversation about food | Russ Parsons of the L.A. Times offers suggestions for moving the dialogue forward. |
| 2985 | 3/2/2010 4:14:50 PM | Pilot Travel Centers pulls funding for HSUS | Strong input from ag community, customers leads to change of heart. |
“Wailing about farmers who use pesticides and then balking at paying extra for organic produce is hypocritical...”
L.A. Times food editor Russ Parsons writing about the ongoing difference of opinion between those who produce food using modern farm practices and people who prefer a more traditional approach. Parsons says a national conversation about food is long overdue. The only problem, however, is that so far it hasn't been much of a conversation. “Instead, what we have are two armed camps deeply suspicious of one another shouting past each other.” To help both sides come together, Parsons suggest a few ground rules that might help fast-forward the conversation. They include the fact that agriculture is a business, there’s no free pass on progress, no farm is an island and to refrain from letting perfect be the enemy of good. Parsons also writes that if you believe in something, you should be willing to make sacrifices to support it, even if it's expensive or inconvenient.
Every community in Iowa depends on agriculture for jobs and economic vitality. However, the importance of crop and livestock farming to an area’s economic well being is even more pronounced in the state’s rural areas. Palo Alto County in north central Iowa is a perfect example. According to a 2009 all-Iowa ag economic contribution analysis conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions and Iowa State University, 31 percent of people working in Palo Alto County are employed by agriculture. In addition, a whopping 57 percent of the county’s economic activity is propelled by crop and livestock farming while 21 percent of all personal income is derived from ag-related activities.
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