It's a growing problem in the northern Pacific Ocean and one that could change life on our planet within the next 20 years.

"I remember the first time I felt it; I was paddling out on my surfboard and noticed a mushy, plastic-like substance sliding through my fingers. That's what started my obsession with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch," says charity fundraiser and environmentalist Veronica Grey. "The patch is located between Hawaii and California in the northern Pacific Ocean, where millions of small bits of plastic have gathered in a vortex of ocean currents known as a gyre."

As someone with ample experience raising awareness for worthy causes, Grey paired her professional skills with her personal passion for the ocean, creating the award-winning documentary "Aqua Seafoam Shame," (www.Pacific-TV.com), which spotlights the mess in the ocean that has garnered precious little media attention, she says.

"Fifteen years ago The Patch was the size Texas, but now it's the size of the continental United States," says Grey, who used her iPhone to shoot the documentary, which features renowned scientists, journalists and environmentalists.

Plastic in the ocean has far-reaching implications that, if not addressed within 20 years, could change life on this planet, she says. To date, 177 species of sea life are known to ingest plastic; other species feed on those creatures, extending the chain of damage.

"People eat the seafood that eats plastic, and the planet gets its rain from the oceans, which are being polluted at an exponential rate," she says. "We use significantly more of our planet's surface as a dump than for growing food; this has to change."

To begin addressing plastics pollution, Grey encourages people to use alternatives:

• Americans buy 2 million bottles of water every five minutes; ditch plastic bottles and use glass or recyclable cans.

• Carry a cost-effective canvas bag instead getting disposable plastic bags at the grocery store. We waste 10 billion plastic bags every week!

• Do not line your trash cans with plastic bags. Use paper bags or nothing.

• Skip the lid on your to-go drinks. The paper cup is normally recyclable but the lid usually isn't.

• Remember that each and every time you flush; it all ends up in the ocean. Be mindful of what you toss in your toilet!

About Veronica Grey

Veronica Grey is an award-winning author and filmmaker. A graduate of UCLA, she is a regular contributor to TV stations across the country and is the recipient of the 2011 New Media award from the Pare Lorentz Film Festival. "Aqua Seafoam Shame" is a critically acclaimed documentary that explores the diagnosis that 25 percent of our planet's surface is now a landfill, due to the Pacific garbage patch and plastics. The movie also explores the process by which conscientious companies, some because of her encouragement, switched from plastic to a more sustainable alternative. Grey was born on PI (3.14) in PI (Philippines Island) and she is recognized as a numbers savant.

Jordan Catholic School 7th & 8th Grade Science Fair Friday February 22nd, 4-6pm

Over 70 7th & 8th grade students will participate with more than 40 projects displayed. This first round of fair will take place at Jordan on Friday: • 10:00am - 12:30pm: Judging- judging teams are composed of engineers from John Deere, St. Ambrose and Augustana faculty and students, as well as science degreed professionals.

• 1:15pm to 2:50pm: Open to the Jordan student and faculty
• 4:00pm to 6:00pm: Open to the public

Students may earn an opportunity to compete in the regional tournament in March at Western
Illinois University, and then to the Illinois State Science Fair in May at University of Illinois.

WACO - Dr. Joe Outlaw, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist, predicts cuts will be forthcoming to federal farm programs in the future. But until then, farmers will operate under the 2008 Farm Bill this year receiving a direct payment on eligible crops.

The 2008 Farm Bill was extended by Congress in January, said Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University in College Station. He told producers at the recent Blackland Income Growth Conference the current farm programs could be altered or possibly go away and be replaced by insurance programs.

Though no specific farm bill discussion is alive among Congressional lawmakers, Outlaw said possible drafts exist in both the House and Senate.

The 2008 Farm Bill was extended by Congress in January. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Farmers have an opportunity to sign up for the direct and countercyclical payment, known as DCP, or the Average Crop Revenue Election, or ACRE, program beginning Feb. 19, Outlaw said. The sign-up for ACRE ends June 3, and DCP sign-up ends Aug. 2.

Future farm programs and the safety nets will likely "shift to more insurance tools," Outlaw said. To be considered for direct payments, farmers must sign up by the deadline.

"After that, there's less likely subsequent impact" on what farmers could receive with regards to price support payments, Outlaw said. The farm bill extension passed in January prevented milk prices from skyrocketing. There were several programs part of the 2008 Farm Bill that did not receive extensions, including bioenergy and beginning farmer and rancher programs. Outlaw said farmers will need to study both the ACRE program and DCP to see how they compare.

"We have had a lot of questions," he said. "We have a lot of questions about how it will work this time."

He said farmers should look at the lower level of payment with ACRE and evaluate the advantages. For cotton, with a support price of about 71 cents a pound, farmers need to consider the 20 percent loss of the direct payment with ACRE and ask if the ACRE benefits can make that up.

"We can help farmers determine the best option," Outlaw said.

To assist farmers, the Agricultural and Food Policy Center has tools available at http://afpc.tamu.edu/. Staff is also available to answer questions and help farmers evaluate alternatives, Outlaw said.

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The Institute of Industrial Engineers is proud to sponsor the 6^th Annual TRIVIA NIGHT 

For reservations, by February 20^th - text or phone Bonnie at 563-340-3270 OR email at ThiedeBonnieJ@yahoo.com

Please specify team's name, captain, # of players, contact telephone number, and email address.

Checks can be made payable to: IIE Ch. 46

Reserve early, but you can pay at the door.